The Dose-Response Relationships for EROD and GST Induced by Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons in Carassius auratus

Freshwater fish Carassius auratus were chosen as experimental animals, the hepatic biochemical responses to medium-term exposure of five PAHs were measured as ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity (phase I) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity (phase II) to assess sub-lethal effects. The fold increases of EROD and GST activity were calculated and both increased in the order Fluoranthene < Fluorene < Benzo(b)fluoranthene < Benzo(g,h,i)perylene < Indeno(1,2,3-cd)-pyrene. The clear dose-response relationships were found for liver EROD and GST activity induced by PAHs. The enzyme EROD and GST in Carassius auratus were confirmed as useful biomarkers of exposure to both PAH and PAH-like compounds.