Author/Authors :
Bouraoui، Z. نويسنده Laboratory of Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, I.S.A. Chott-Mariem, 4042, University of Sousse, Tunisia , , Ghedira، J. نويسنده Laboratory of Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, I.S.A. Chott-Mariem, 4042, University of Sousse, Tunisia , , Banni، M. نويسنده Laboratory of Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, I.S.A. Chott-Mariem, 4042, University of Sousse, Tunisia , , Boussetta، H. نويسنده Laboratory of Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, I.S.A. Chott-Mariem, 4042, University of Sousse, Tunisia ,
Abstract :
This study investigated the cytochemical responses in Hediste diversicolor exposed to the
environmental concentrations of cadmium (1?M Cd), copper (1?M Cu) and to their equimolar mixture for
48h. Lysosomal membrane stability (LMS), neutral lipids (NL) level, lipofuscin (LF) content and Ca2+-
ATPase activity were determined as early subcellular biomarkers of toxicity. The biomarker battery pointed
out a high cytoxicity on the polychaete treated with metals. Excessive induction of neutral lipids and lipofuscin
accumulations were observed in polychaete treated with copper than cadmium. In addition, the highest level
of neutral lipids and lipofuscin was noted in mixture treated group [Cu+Cd]. The increase of neutral lipids and
lipofuscin accumulations were negatively correlated with the lysosomal membrane stability and Ca2+-ATPase
activity alterations. Our study also demonstrated that the cytochemical biomarkers responses were very
important to identify the cellular toxic effects of metals and promising biological tools in the assessment of
biological effects of pollutants in natural marine environment.
