Effect of cadmium and zinc on antioxidant enzyme activity in the gastropod, Achatina fulica

Heavy metal stress results in the production of O-2(.-), H2O2 and (OH)-O-., which affect various cellular processes, mostly the functioning of membrane systems. Cells are normally protected against free oxyradicals by the operation of intricate antioxidant systems. The aim of the present work is to examine the effect of CdCl2 and ZnSO4 on antioxidative enzyme activity in the gastropod, Achatina fulica. The concentrations of antioxidant enzymes - superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (Cat) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) - and nonenzymatic antioxidants - glutathione and vitamin-C - were found to be decreased in both digestive gland and kidney of the gastropod, Achatina fulica treated with individual concentrations of 0.5 ppm and 1 ppm of CdCl2 and ZnSO4, compared to that of control animals. Based on the above study, it is evident that Achatina fulica can be used as a bioindicator to monitor the environmental heavy metal pollution. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.