Effects of cadmium on oxidative stress activities in plasma of freshwater turtle Chinemys reevesii

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) has been recently found in high concentrations in the aquatic environment. This study was designed to examine the effects of Cd on the oxidative stress activities in plasma of freshwater turtle Chinemys reevesii. Experimental turtles were exposed to Cd at the concentration of 15 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection, and redox status was investigated. Compared to the controls, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in plasma of the treated animals significantly decreased in week 1, week 2, and week 4. However, SOD activities gradually increased from week 4 to week 8. The treated animals had higher content of MDA and lower content of GSH in plasma over the observation period. In conclusion, our results showed that Cd decreased the antioxidant capacity and increased the level of oxidative damage product in plasma, which suggest that Cd causes oxidative stress and damage in the animal under the experimental conditions.