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Effects of cadmium exposure on digestive enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation in the freshwater crab Sinopotamon henanense

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Abstract

In this study, the effects of cadmium (Cd) stress on the activities of disaccharidases (sucrase, lactase, and maltase), amylase, trypsin, pepsase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the alimentary system of freshwater crabs Sinopotamon henanense were studied. Results showed that the enzyme activities in the stomach, intestine, and hepatopancreas changed with Cd concentration. In terms of digestive enzymes, Cd exposure had an inhibitory effect on the activities of the disaccharidases, amylase, and pepsase (only in the stomach). Significant induction of trypsin activity by Cd at a lower concentration was observed, but as Cd concentration increased, trypsin activity decreased. Maltase activity showed a slight recovery after inhibition by Cd. The activities of SOD and CAT increased initially and decreased subsequently. Cd significantly inhibited the activity of GPx. MDA content increased with increasing concentration of Cd. These results showed that acute Cd exposure led to harmful effects on the alimentary system of crabs, which are likely linked to Cd induced oxidative stress.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation (no. 30970361, to Lan Wang). The authors are thankful to Professor Enmin Zou and Professor Hans-Uwe Dahms for language editing of the manuscript.

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Wucheng Road 92, Taiyuan, 030006, Shanxi Province, People’s Republic of China

    Hao Wu, Ruijing Xuan, Yingjun Li, Xiaomin Zhang, Qian Wang & Lan Wang

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  1. Hao Wu
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  2. Ruijing Xuan
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  3. Yingjun Li
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  4. Xiaomin Zhang
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  5. Qian Wang
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  6. Lan Wang
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Correspondence to Lan Wang.

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Responsible editor: Markus Hecker

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Wu, H., Xuan, R., Li, Y. et al. Effects of cadmium exposure on digestive enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation in the freshwater crab Sinopotamon henanense . Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 4085–4092 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-1362-6

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