Effect of exposure to sublethal concentrations of sodium cyanide on the carbohydrate metabolism of the Indian Major Carp Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Experiments were designed to study in-vivo effects of sodium cyanide on biochemical endpoints in the freshwater fish Labeo rohita. Fish were exposed to two sublethal concentrations (0.106 and 0.064mg/L) for a period of 15 days. Levels of glycogen, pyruvate, lactate and the enzymatic activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), phosphorylase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (AcP) were assessed in different tissues (liver, muscle and gills). Result indicated a steady decrease in glycogen, pyruvate, SDH, ALP and AcP activity with a concomitant increase in the lactate, phosphorylase, LDH and G6PD activity in all selected tissues. The alterations in all the above biochemical parameters were significantly (p<0.05) time and dose dependent. In all the above parameters, liver pointing out the intensity of cyanide intoxication compare to muscle and gills. Study revealed change in the metabolic energy by means of altered metabolic profile of the fish. Further, these observations indicated that even sublethal concentrations of sodium cyanide might not be fully devoid of deleterious influence on metabolism in L. rohita.

Modulation in the protein metabolism by subacute sodium cyanide intoxication in the freshwater fish, Labeo rohita (Hamilton).

The effects of exposure to one-third and one-fifth sublethal concentrations (0.106 and 0.064 mg/L) of sodium cyanide on protein metabolism on freshwater carp, Labeo rohita, was studied. Three functionally different tissues, namely, the liver, muscle, and gills, were studied after 5, 10, and 15 days. Exposures produced marked changes in protein metabolic profile in all tissues studied. These changes were more pronounced in the one-third sublethal concentration, suggesting a cumulative action of toxicant. This investigation revealed that the total, structural, and soluble proteins and urea content in all the three tissues were decreased, whereas free amino acids, ammonia, and enzyme activity (i.e., protease, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase) exhibited elevated levels at both sublethal concentrations. Variation in protein metabolism in the fish, induced by sodium cyanide, demonstrated its toxic effects on cellular metabolism, thereby leading to impaired protein synthetic machinery. The results of the present study indicate that a mechanism of impaired energy transformation has direct action on the fish, L. rohita, and its impact is clearly evident from the change in the nutritional content of the fish.

Inhibition of ATPase activity in the freshwater fish Labeo rohita (Hamilton) exposed to sodium cyanide.

Present study concerns the effect of sodium cyanide on the Indian major carp, Labeo rohita. Fishes were exposed to lethal (0.32 mg/L) and sublethal (0.064 mg/L) concentrations of sodium cyanide. The effect of intoxication was studied on Na(+)K(+)ATPase, Mg(+2)ATPase and Ca(2+)ATPase in various physiological tissues (gill, liver, and muscle) at the end of 1, 2, 3 and 4 days of lethal and 5, 10 and 15 days of sublethal exposure periods. Sodium cyanide induced significant inhibitory effects on the ATPase activity of the fish. Inhibition of the ATPase blocked the active transport system of the gill epithelial as well as chloride cells, and thus altered the osmo-regulatory mechanism of the fish. The value of the measured responses as an indicator of stress caused by water contamination discussed. The results confirm that ATPase levels significantly decreased in treated fish, indicating that ATPases could be used as sensitive and useful biomarkers for cyanide pollution.