Mohamed Dellali

The use of acetylcholinesterase activity in Ruditapes decussatus and Mytilus galloprovincialis in the biomonitoring of Bizerta lagoon.

The variations of acetylcholinesterase activity, considered to be a biochemical biomarker of organophosphorus and carbamate compounds, was followed in Mediterranean clams (Ruditapes decussatus) and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as a function of season and sampling sites in the lagoon of Bizerta (Tunisia). Results show that acetylcholinesterase activity in clams collected from station A was the lowest and was so throughout the year. This low activity may be due to the input of non-treated waste waters in the lagoon. Heavy metal contamination has been reported in the sediments of this area, suggesting that acetylcholinesterase activity in clams may be inhibited by this type of pollution. Clams harvested from station F, a site adjacent to an agricultural area, were characterized by a decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity, especially after rain periods. Clams from station J presented the highest activity throughout the greater part of the year. This phenomenon may imply that this location is less affected by pollutants inhibiting AChE activity than the others. In the mussels from station C, located in the channel from the lagoon to the Mediterranean and submitted to pollutants (urban wastes from Bizerta and hydrocarbons from the maritime traffic), acetylcholinesterase activities were lower than in those from station J. In conclusion, the variations in acetylcholinesterase activity observed between stations in both species may be the result of pollution and of the environmental conditions.

Characterization of aerobic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from Bizerte lagoon sediments, Tunisia

Aims:  To characterize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)‐degrading bacteria from sediments of the Bizerte lagoon, and to determine their ability to resist other pollutants such as antibiotics and heavy metals.

Effect of permethrin, anthracene and mixture exposure on shell components, enzymatic activities and proteins status in the Mediterranean clam Venerupis decussata

Anthracene (ANT) and permethrin (PER) are two of the more toxic compounds reaching the marine environment. This study aimed to determine the impact of these molecules on Venerupis decussata, an economically important species cultured on the Tunisian coast. Shell structure and its possible transformation upon exposure to the two contaminants were studied by X-ray diffraction and gravimetric analyses. Results revealed a phase transition in shell composition from aragonite to calcite after PER exposure, to a mixture of PER and ANT (Mix) but not for ANT alone. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione transferase (GST) activities were determined in digestive gland and gills after exposure to ANT, PER and Mix to assess the impact of the contamination on the oxidative status of V. decussata. Enzyme activities increased in the digestive gland after PER treatment and in the gills after ANT treatment. PER exposure significantly reduced the levels of free thiols and increased levels of carbonylated proteins in the digestive gland, as compared to controls. In contrast, ANT exposure significantly reduced free thiols and increased the number of carbonylated proteins in the gills. Mix induced additive effects as measured by both enzymatic and proteomic approaches. The present study suggests that PER has a strong effect on shell structure; that PER and ANT exposure generate compound-dependent oxidative stress in the tissues of V. decussata and that a mixture of the two compounds has synergistic effects on biochemical response.

Acute toxicity of cypermethrin on the freshwater mussel Unio gibbus

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used worldwide in agriculture, home pest control, food stuff protection and disease vector control. We investigate the potential of cypermethrin to induce oxidative stress and enzyme activities within the gills of freshwater mussel Unio gibbus. This study was carried out under laboratory conditions using two nominal cypermethrin concentrations C1 (100µg/L) and C2 (150µg/L) during 96h. The measured concentrations of cypermethrin using GC-MS-MS in the treatment aquariums were respectively 59.7 µg/L and 97.5µg/L. Antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)) as well as H2O2, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) levels were assessed. An exposure during 96h induced the SOD activity at the highest concentration. The CAT activity and H2O2 level were increased significantly (P<0.05) in gills following a dose-dependent profile. Cypermethrin also generated an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels reaching the highest value at the high concentration. The considered parameters can be used as biomarkers of exposure to cypermethrin. Freshwater mussel U. gibbus can be potentially employed in biomonitoring surveys of such threatened ecosystems.

Neurotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by permethrin in gills of the freshwater mussel Unio ravoisieri

ABSTRACT Pyrethroids are contaminants found in the aquatic environment, and their toxicological effects on aquatic organisms have received extensive attention. However, the impact on freshwater bivalve of exposure to these chemicals is still largely unknown. Freshwater mussels Unio ravoisieri were exposed to two nominal permethrin (PM) concentrations C1 = 50 µg/L and C2 = 100 µg/L during 7 days. The measured concentrations of PM using gas chromatography (GC/ECD) in the treated aquariums were, respectively, 28.7–62.3 µg/L. Catalase (CAT), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, Glutatione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in gills of U. ravoisieri. Significant increase in CAT activity by the lowest concentration and decrease by highest concentration were observed. Additionally, GST activity was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. However, statistically significant decrease in GSH levels (about 39%) was observed only at high concentration of this compound (100 µg/L). PM generated an increase in MDA levels reaching the highest value at the high concentration. AChE activity of mussel ranging from 51% inhibition at lowest concentration 50 µg/L to 89% inhibition at highest concentration 100 µg/L. The results indicated that oxidative stress and cell damage might be one of the main mechanisms of PM toxicity to freshwater mussels.

Diastereomeric and enantiomeric selective accumulation of cypermethrin in the freshwater mussel Unio gibbus and its effects on biochemical parameters.

Synthetic pyrethroids are a family of chiral pesticides with a large number of stereoisomers. Cypermethrin (CYP) is used in a variety of agricultural crops, but also has public health and veterinary uses. In this work, the freshwater mussel (Unio gibbus) was chosen to evaluate the stereoselectivity of CYP through the use of gas chromatography with mass-spectrometry. The effects of CYP on mussels were examined by measuring neurotoxicity and oxidative stress biomarkers during its uptake. The investigation was performed under laboratory conditions using nominal CYP concentrations C1=100 μg/L and C2=150 μg/L over 96 h. Preferential bioaccumulation of cis-CYP isomers was observed. Furthermore, enantiomeric characterization revealed enantioselective accumulation, most probably related to mussel metabolism. Antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)), and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in digestive gland after 4 days of exposure. CYP significantly inhibited acetylcholine esterase activity, by 51% and 57%, respectively, in mussels treated with 100 and 150 μg/L doses. The highest and lowest CYP concentrations elicited an increase of 67 and 63%, respectively, in SOD activity compared to the controls, while CAT activity was increased by 65 and 73%. A statistically significant decrease in GSH levels (40%) was observed only with the highest CYP concentration tested (150 μg/L). In addition, lipid peroxidation was significantly higher (67%) than in controls. These results provided information on CYP-enantioselective uptake and potential biomarkers that could be effectively applied for the biomonitoring of freshwater ecosystem.

Effects of 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-5, 6-trimethylene-4H-1, 3, 2-oxathiaphosphorine-2-sulfide on biomarkers of Mediterranean clams Ruditapes decussatus.

The effects of exposure to a novel synthetic organophosphorus compound, 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-5, 6-trimethylene-4H-1, 3, 2-oxathiaphosphorine-2-sulfide (OMTOS) concentrations (Control=0, C1=0.01, C2=0.1, C3=1 and C4=10μg/L) were investigated in the clam Ruditapes decussatus. Vitellogenin (Vg)-like protein levels in haemolymph from males and females were investigated. Concentrations of 1μg/L and 10μg/L significantly decreased Vg levels in male haemolymph after 7 days, whereas significant variations were only found in females treated with 10μg/L. On the other hand, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and acetylcholinesterase activities (AChE) in whole soft tissue were measured after 2, 4 and 7 days of exposure to the same series of concentrations. After 2 days of exposure, 0.1, 1, and 10μg/L of OMTOS increased SOD activity significantly, but this decreased with 10μg/L after 4 and 7 days. No changes in CAT activity were observed after 2 days compared to controls. OMTOS significantly reduced AChE activity after 4 and 7 days in treated clams with the highest concentration 10μg/L, but it did not induce significant variations at the other concentrations tested. Our study demonstrates that OMTOS alters biochemical parameters in R. decussatus, even at low concentrations, and suggests differing modes of action of the contaminant. Using clams is a powerful tool to provide valuable insights into possible mechanisms of environmental toxicity of novel synthetic organic products both in non-target organisms and the marine ecosystem. Additionally, our results highlight that biomarker responses facilitate elucidation of putative mechanisms of action of OMTOS in non-target species.

Occurrence of Brown Ring Disease in Carpet Shell Clams Ruditapes decussatus from the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia, Central Mediterranean Sea)

ABSTRACT The occurrence and spread of brown ring disease (BRD) to several northern Mediterranean coasts is described. We report the results of a 6-y surveillance of BRD in natural populations of carpet shell clams (Ruditapes decussatus) in 14 zones along the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia (southern Mediterranean Sea). BRD symptoms in adult animals resulting from conchiolin deposits in inner parts of carpet shell were observed in all zones surveyed. Infestation rates within each site ranged from 65–100%, and BRD prevalence varied from 1–58% of clams in winter and from 1–33% in summer. Positive correlations were demonstrated between BRD prevalence and Vibrio spp. concentrations in clams. Vibrio tapetis was not identified among the bacterial organisms, suggesting that other marine Vibrio species are capable of causing BRD-like illness in carpet shell clams.