Biochemical responses of the Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis larvae to subchronic copper exposure.

Copper (Cu) is one of the most commonly detected heavy metals in livestock manure pollution. Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis larvae are widely used in the decomposition of livestock manure. During decomposition, heavy metals in livestock manure can accumulate in P. brevitarsis larvae and affect normal growth and reproduction. Therefore, this research focused on characterizing the toxic effects of Cu to P. brevitarsis Lewis larvae. Larvae were exposed to Cu concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg kg-1 in edible fungi residue for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Results showed that the soluble protein content was markedly increased in 200 and 400 mg kg-1 treatment groups on day 28. Compared to the control group, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were significantly stimulated on day 7 and then decreased as exposure length was increased (e.g., after 14, 21, and 28 days). Catalase (CAT) activity was also significantly increased after 7 days of exposure. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were markedly increased in the 100, 200, and 400 mg kg-1 treatment groups on day 7. However, as time and Cu concentration were increased, MDA levels gradually decreased. These results indicate that Cu has biochemical effects on P. brevitarsis Lewis larvae, and both time and dose affect this biochemical response.

Biomarker responses of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to soils contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is considered a persistent environmental pollutant. The aim of this study was to assess the potential toxicity of PFOA to earthworms (Eisenia fetida) in artificial soil. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) as well as the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured after exposure to 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg-1 PFOA in soils for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The results showed that SOD activity increased at 14 days and decreased from 21 to 28 days; MDA levels were highest in the treatment with 40 mg kg-1 PFOA after 28 days of exposure. In contrast, CAT and POD activities increased after 14-21 days of exposure and significantly decreased with long-term exposure (28 days). GST activity increased significantly from 14 to 28 days. Our results indicate that PFOA has biochemical effects on E. fetida, thereby contributing to our understanding of the ecological toxicity of PFOA on soil invertebrates.

Evaluation of DNA damage and antioxidant system induced by di-n-butyl phthalates exposure in earthworms (Eisenia fetida).

Di-n-butyl phthalates (DBP) are recognized as ubiquitous contaminants in soil and adversely impact the health of organisms. The effect of DBP on the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and DNA damage were used as biomarkers to analyze the relationship between DNA damage and oxidative stress and to evaluate the genotoxic effect of DBP on earthworms (Eisenia fetida). DBP was added to artificial soil in the amounts of 0, 5, 10, 50 and 100mg per kg of soil. Earthworm tissues exposed to each treatment were collected on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day of the treatment. The results showed that SOD and CAT levels were significantly inhibited in the 100mgkg(-1) treatment group on day 28. MDA content in treatment groups was higher than in the control group throughout the exposure time, suggesting that DBP may lead to oxidative stress in cells. A dose-response relationship existed between DNA damage and total soil DBP levels. The comet assay showed that increasing concentrations of DBP resulted in a gradual increase in the OTM, Comet Tail Length and Tail DNA %. The degree of DNA damage was increased with increasing concentration of DBP. These results suggested that DBP induced serious oxidative damage on earthworms and induced the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in earthworms. The excessive generation of ROS caused damage to vital macromolecules including lipids and DNA. DBP in the soils were responsible for the exerting genotoxic effects on earthworms.

Biomarker responses in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to soils contaminated with di-n-butyl phthalates.

Di-n-butyl phthalates (DBP) are recognized as ubiquitous contaminants in soil and adversely impact the health of organisms. Changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and levels of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were used as biomarkers to evaluate the impact of DBP on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) after exposure to DBP for 28 days. DBP was added to artificial soil in the amounts of 0, 5, 10, 50, and 100 mg kg(-1) of soil. Earthworm tissues exposed to each treatment were collected on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day of the treatment. We found that superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were significantly inhibited in the 100 mg kg(-1) treatment group on day 28. After 21 days of treatment, GST activity in 10-50 mg kg(-1) treatment groups was markedly stimulated compared to the control group. MDA content in treatment groups was higher than in the control group throughout the exposure time, suggesting that DBP may lead to lipid peroxidation (LPO) in cells. GSH content increased in the treatment group that received 50 mg kg(-1) DBP from 7 days of exposure to 28 days. These results suggest that DBP induces serious oxidative damage on earthworms and induce the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in earthworms. However, DBP concentration in current agricultural soil in China will not constitute any threat to the earthworm or other animals in the soil.