Effect of starvation on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in the digestive gland of the Antartic limpet Nacella concinna

ANSALDO, MARTÍN; HERNÁN J. SACRISTÁN; WIDER, EVA

Baja California Sur

Congreso; Second Workshop on Comparative Aspects of Oxidative Stress in biological Systems; 2005

Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR)

In a previous work we investigated the effect of diesel seawater contamination in the digestive gland of the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna. A clear effect of one-week starvation prior to the experiment in the antioxidant enzyme activities was observed and was taken into account in the analysis of the obtained results. To clarify the possible alterations of the starvation per se, on the digestive gland oxidant-antioxidant status, we studied limpets from subtidal zone. Animals were acclimated to aquarium conditions and were divided in fed (control) and starved group, along a whole month. Every week 10 limpets were taken from each group. Digestive glands were dissected and kept frozen until they were processed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S transferase (GsT) activities, as well as lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and protein oxidation (PO) were measured. For both group of limpets, SOD showed an increased activity at the first week of the acclimation period with the major peak at the second week, which correlated with the CAT increased activity. The GsT activity for both groups increased continuously along the experimental time up to the fourth week. The PO levels in the starved group, presented increased values at the first week. In fed and starved limpets LPO values were increased in the first and second week returning to normal values after that. This study suggests that in order to make a correct interpretation of results, the acclimation to aquaria period should be taken into account in future experiments. Nacella concinna. A clear effect of one-week starvation prior to the experiment in the antioxidant enzyme activities was observed and was taken into account in the analysis of the obtained results. To clarify the possible alterations of the starvation per se, on the digestive gland oxidant-antioxidant status, we studied limpets from subtidal zone. Animals were acclimated to aquarium conditions and were divided in fed (control) and starved group, along a whole month. Every week 10 limpets were taken from each group. Digestive glands were dissected and kept frozen until they were processed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S transferase (GsT) activities, as well as lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and protein oxidation (PO) were measured. For both group of limpets, SOD showed an increased activity at the first week of the acclimation period with the major peak at the second week, which correlated with the CAT increased activity. The GsT activity for both groups increased continuously along the experimental time up to the fourth week. The PO levels in the starved group, presented increased values at the first week. In fed and starved limpets LPO values were increased in the first and second week returning to normal values after that. This study suggests that in order to make a correct interpretation of results, the acclimation to aquaria period should be taken into account in future experiments.