Variability in antioxidant/detoxification enzymes of Sinonovacula constricta exposed to benzo[a]pyrene and phenanthrene

The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxic effects induced by benzo[a]pyrene and phenanthrene. For this purpose, a study was performed on the clam exposed to 0.0, 0.5, 4.5 mu gL(-1) B(a)P and PHE for 15 days using parameters of antioxidant defenses and oxidative stress. Antioxidant biomarkers including ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione and rylhydrocarbon hydroxylasein gills of Sinonovacula constricta, were analyzed after a 1-, 3-, 9- and 15-day exposure to seawater containing B(a)P and PHE. Integrated biomarker response was calculated by combining multiple biomarkers into a single value. The results showed that the activity of all antioxidant biomarkers was induced throughout the exposure period, and different patterns of variations were detected with exposure time. In addition, the study showed that the two concentrations used caused the activation of different general detoxification mechanisms, and the same concentration at different two PAH compounds induced different toxicity responses. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.