Oxidative damage in trout erythrocyte in response to in vitro copper exposure

The oxidative action of copper on different trout Oncorhynchus mykiss erythrocyte components was studied. The results indicate that: - cupric ions differently influence the oxidative status of two trout hemoglobin components I and IV (HbI and HbIV) having different structural and functional properties; - reactive oxygen species (ROS) production associated with hemoglobins autoxidation is not influenced by the presence of copper sulfate; - the susceptibility to hemolysis increases in the presence of copper only when the erythrocyte suspension is incubated in air; the effect of copper is almost absent for carbon monoxide-saturated erythrocyte suspensions: - DNA damage due to copper was not observed in our experimental conditions. The data obtained are important for the analysis of the environmental risks produced by copper on fish. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.