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Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the earthworm Eisenia fetida induced by low doses of fomesafen

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Abstract

Formesafen is a diphenyl ether herbicide that has adverse effects on non-target animals. However, knowledge about the effect of fomesafen on the antioxidant defense system in earthworms is vague. Thus, it is essential to investigate the effects of fomesafen on the antioxidant defense system in earthworms as a precautionary method. In the present study, earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to artificial soil treated with a range of concentrations of fomesafen (0, 10, 100, and 500 μg kg−1) and were collected on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days of exposure. Subsequently, the antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD); catalase (CAT); and guaiacol peroxidase (POD)), reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content due to fomesafen treatment were examined in earthworms. Compared with the control, the SOD activity increased on the third and seventh days but decreased on the 14th day due to treatment with 100 and 500 μg kg−1 of fomesafen. The activities of CAT and POD increased significantly on the third, seventh, and 14th days of exposure. In addition, the ROS level was significantly enhanced throughout the entire experimental period and showed a statistically dose-dependent relationship on the seventh and 14th days. The MDA content markedly increased on the seventh day of exposure; however, obvious changes were not detected at other exposure period. Low doses of fomesafen (≤500 μg kg−1) may result in oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation in E. fetida by inducing the generation of ROS at short exposure periods (14 days). However, the adverse effects of fomesafen gradually disappear as the cooperation of antioxidant enzymes and exposure time are prolonged. This result may be helpful for further studies on the toxicological mechanisms of fomesafen to earthworms.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China [nos. 41071164, 40801203, and 41001152] and the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education [20113702110007] for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environment, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Taian, 271018, China

    Qingming Zhang, Lusheng Zhu, Jun Wang, Hui Xie, Jinhua Wang, Yingnan Han & Jinhui Yang

  2. College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China

    Qingming Zhang

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  1. Qingming Zhang
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Correspondence to Lusheng Zhu.

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Zhang, Q., Zhu, L., Wang, J. et al. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the earthworm Eisenia fetida induced by low doses of fomesafen. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 201–208 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-0962-5

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