Research Article Open Access Volume 2 • Issue 1 • 1000121 J Environment Analytic Toxicol ISSN:2161-0525 JEAT an open access journal Open Access Research Article Singh et al., J Environment Analytic Toxicol 2012, 2:1 DOI: 10.4172/2161-0525.1000121 *Corresponding author: Dharam Singh, Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, C S J M University, Kanpur (UP), India-208024, E-mail: ds_envi@rediffmail.com Received November 13, 2011; Accepted January 03, 2012; Published January 05, 2012 Citation: Singh D, Katiyar S, Verma A (2012) Role of Copper Sulphate on Oxidative and Metabolic Enzymes of Freshwater Fish; Channa Punctatus. J Environment Analytic Toxicol 2:121. doi:10.4172/2161-0525.1000121 Copyright: © 2012 Singh D, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Role of Copper Sulphate on Oxidative and Metabolic Enzymes of Freshwater Fish; Channa Punctatus Dharam Singh 1 *, Shashwat Katiyar 2 and Anju Verma 1 1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, C S J M University, Kanpur – 208024 2 Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, C S J M University, Kanpur – 208024 Keywords: Metal pollution; Fish; Organs; Enzymes; Tissue damage Introduction Present day heavy metal pollution has become global concern. Te early detection of heavy metal ions, especially bioavalable metal ion, in the environment is very important to safeguard to human health. Copper is an essential trace metal in small quantity for several fsh metabolic functions. Essentiality of copper arises from its specifc incorporation into a variety of enzymes such as peroxidase, xanthine oxidase, invertase, glucose oxidase and protease papain and bromelain [1,2] which play important roles in physiological processes (e.g. enzymes involved in cellular respiration, free radical defense, neurotransmitter function, connective tissue biosyntheses and other functions), as well as, proteins. Copper is used today a chemotherapeutic agent in aquaculture however, the increased level of copper in aquatic environments coming from sewage, industries (electroplating, mining and metallurgy) and agricultural wastes [3,4]. Metals can either increase or decrease hepatic enzyme activities and can lead to histo-pathological hepatic changes, depending on the metal concentration, fsh species, and length of exposure period [5]. Transaminase enzymes play vital role in carbohydrate-protein metabolism in fsh tissues [6]. Changes in enzymes activity and other biomarkers have been studied as possible tools for aquatic toxicological research [7]. Increasing population, industrialization and agricultural production has resulted in increasing the number of freshwater systems which are being impaired by the contaminants present in wastewater releases [8,9]. Micronutrient interact with toxic metals at several points in body, absorption and excretion of toxic metals, transport of metals in body, binding to target proteins, metabolism and sequestration of toxic metals, and fnally in secondary mechanisms of toxicity such as oxidative stress. Copper speciation is directly afected by water pH, and the free cupric ion concentration is higher in water with low pH, while a copper hydroxide complex prevails in water with high pH [10,11]. Te aim of present study was to evaluate efect on metabolic indicators by sub-acute concentration of copper sulphate to a freshwater fsh, Channa punctatus. Te efects on organ were assessed by ALAT, ASAT, CAT and protein content. Materials and Methods Experimental groups Te metabolic indicator efect of copper was studied by static bioassay using tap water (University water supply) as dilution medium was estimated by the method of APHA [12]. Te changes in physico- chemical characteristics, such as temperature, pH, TDS (total dissolved solids), DO (dissolved oxygen), hardness, alkalinity, chloride and iron of experimental water were recorded throughout the experimental period. Te small size freshwater fsh, Channa punctatus, weighing 15±2 g and measuring11±2 cm, were collected with the help of local fsherman from water bodies located in the sub-region of Lucknow. Te fsh was properly washed in tap water and treated with 0.02% KMNO 4 and 0.004% formalin solution to remove external infection of fungi and algae. Prior to the experimentation the normal uninfected healthy fshes were selected for experiment. Te fsh were acclimatized to laboratory conditions 15 days before taken for experimentation. Te animals were fed fsh (TOKYO) made in Japan on each day in the evening. Te LC 50 was estimated employing Trimmed Spearman Karber Method [13] as 3.60 mg l -1 . Te sub-lethal dose (0.36 mg l -1 ) was related for exposure to fsh for 15, 30 and 45 days. Design of sub-lethal toxicity study Te fshes were divided into 4 equal groups consisting of 10 each and each group was transferred separately to glass aquaria of 100 L volume. While the Group I fshes were maintained as control without any treatment, the Group II, III and IV fshes were exposed to sub- Abstract The effect of copper sulphate on liver, gills and kidney of fsh Channa punctatus was observed as metabolic indicators. The fsh were exposed to sub-lethal (0.36 mg l -1 ) concentrations for 15, 30 and 45 days. The observations revealed that in the presence of copper sulphate the metabolic enzymes aspirate amino transferases (ASAT) and alanine amino transferases (ALAT) can enhance their activity, while catalase activity signifcantly reduced in response to elevated level of superoxide production in exposed fsh as compared to healthy subjects. The major effect of copper sulphate toxicity on exposed fsh shows as reduced amount of protein content as compared to unexposed fsh. However, ASAT level have a signifcant negative correlation between catalase activity (r = 0.833, t = 6.3872, p 0.05) and protein content (r = 0.8916, t = 8.3540, p 0.05) in the exposed organs. These fndings suggest that the signifcant increase of transaminase activity while reduced amount of catalase and protein content might be the consequences of tissue damage in Channa Punctatus. Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology J o u r n a l o f E n v i r o n m e n t a l & A n a l y t i c a l T o x i c o l o g y ISSN: 2161-0525