Effect of Heavy Metals Pollution on some Antioxidant Enzymes in Catfish, Clarias lazara

The present study was carried out to evaluate the pollution and its effect on the antioxidant enzymes in catfish (Clarias Lazara) collected from Lake Marriottt (polluted group) as compared to that collected from relatively clean area from River Nile(Rashid branch) near to Kanater Edfina. Heavy metals levels (Lead, Cadmium, Cupper, and Iron) were measured in water, fish tissues and serum. Oxidative stress biomarkers, levels of Lipid peroxidation as well as changes in antioxidant enzymes; Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were investigated and data were compared to that of control group which showed significant increase in heavy metals level, MDA as LPO indicator in fish from Lake Marriott as compared to control group. The activity of CAT was significantly decreased while SOD and GPx levels were significantly increased in polluted group. Also the marker enzymes of tissue damage including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gama glutamyl transferase(GGT) altered as biological indicators of pollution in Catfish either in liver and serum as a reflection of oxidative stress on the fish. Also the results of this study showed that environmental pollution could act as a mediator in the induction of oxidative stress in C Lazara causing alterations in antioxidant enzymes and with time mineral accumulated in fish muscle and liver.