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Bioaccumulation and effects of metals on oxidative stress and neurotoxicity parameters in the frogs from the Pelophylax esculentus complex

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Abstract

Metals are involved in the formation of reactive oxygen species and can induce oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of several metals on oxidative stress in the skin and muscle of the Pelophylax esculentus “complex” frogs (parental species Pelophylax ridibundus, Pelophylax lessonae, and their hybrid Pelophylax esculentus) that inhabit the wetland Obedska Bara in Serbia, and the potential use of these species as bioindicator organisms in biomonitoring studies. The biomarkers of oxidative stress (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GR, GST activities and GSH, SH concentrations) and cholinesterase activity were investigated. The concentrations of nine metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, and Pb) were measured in the water and tissues. Correlations were established between metals and biomarkers in the tissues. The results of metal accumulation distinguished the skin of P. lessonae and muscle of P. ridibundus from other P. esculentus complex species. The oxidative stress biomarkers observed in P. ridibundus and P. esculentus had greater similarity than in P. lessonae. The P. lessonae displayed the highest number of correlations between biomarkers and metals. The results of tissue responses revealed that skin was more susceptible to metal-induced oxidative stress, with only exception of As. In the light of these findings, we can suggest the use of P. esculentus complex species as a biomonitoring species in studies of metal accumulation and metal-induced oxidative stress, but with special emphasis on P. lessonae.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia, Grant No. 173041. The authors are grateful to Dr. Goran Poznanović for proofreading the manuscript and Tamara Petrović for help in statistical analyses. The authors also thank the anonymous reviewers for constructive suggestions that improved our work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, Belgrade, 11060, Serbia

    Marko D. Prokić, Slavica S. Borković-Mitić, Jelena P. Gavrić, Svetlana G. Despotović, Branka R. Gavrilović, Tijana B. Radovanović, Slađan Z. Pavlović & Zorica S. Saičić

  2. Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia

    Imre I. Krizmanić

  3. Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, Belgrade, 11158, Serbia

    Jelena J. Mutić & Jelena Đ. Trifković

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  1. Marko D. Prokić
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Correspondence to Marko D. Prokić.

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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. Animal capture was approved by the Serbian Ministry for Energy, Development and Environmental Protection (Permissions No. 353-01-364/2014-08 and No. 03-299/2). All animal procedures complied with the European Directive (2010/63/EU) on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.

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Prokić, M.D., Borković-Mitić, S.S., Krizmanić, I.I. et al. Bioaccumulation and effects of metals on oxidative stress and neurotoxicity parameters in the frogs from the Pelophylax esculentus complex. Ecotoxicology 25, 1531–1542 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-016-1707-x

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