Evaluation of Liver Dysfunction and Metabolic Enzyme Modulation in Freshwater Fish Exposed to Lambda-Cyhalothrin

Abstract

The metabolic processes and in detoxification of xenobiotics liver plays an important role. This study examined the toxicological effects of lambda cyhalothrin on liver function of freshwater catfish focusing on liver marker enzymes, gluconeogenic enzymes and cytochrome p450 protein. Specific activity of Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) and Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT), specific activity of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Acid Phosphatase (ACP), Specific activity of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Acid Phosphatase (ACP), Specific activity of Phosphoenol Pyruvate Carboxykinase (PEPCK) and the specific activity of pyruvate carboxylase were tested. The hepatic activity of the liver marker enzymes Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) and Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) varied significantly (P < 0.05) over the period of exposure. Increased phosphatase activity was observed with 45.21% and 7.07% in fish exposed to higher and lower sub-lethal doses, respectively, despite an overall significant drop in acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities (P < 0.01). Although it decreased at the end of the exposure, the gluconeogenic enzyme Phosphoenol Pyruvate Carboxykinase (PEPCK) was still considerably higher (P < 0.05) than the control levels. Additionally, even on day 45, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity remained elevated (P < 0.05). The amount of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) changed dramatically (P < 0.05) over the course of exposure in both experimental indicating disrupted detoxification pathways.