Abstract: This work analyses the changes in the redox balance in two fish species: Adriatic
sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
during starvation and refeeding period. The starvation period raised the lipid
peroxidation (thiobarbituric-acid-reacting substances) levels in liver and blood,
while a decline occurred in the antioxidant enzymatic activities of superoxide
dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione
reductase (GR) in both fish species. In liver, after the refeeding period, SOD
activity recovered in both species, whereas CAT activity recovered only in trout.
Furthermore, in both tissues of the two species, the lipid peroxidation levels
remained high after 2 months of refeeding. In white muscle and heart, the lipid
peroxidation levels indicate that these tissues did not undergo oxidative stress
during the 72-day period. During starvation, in the muscle of both fish the fall
in the lipid peroxidation level coincided with a rise in CAT, GPX and GR. The
refeeding period in this tissue raised the lipid peroxidation level, and the enzymatic
activities reached the values of the first point of starvation. In heart, no oxidative
damage was detected during starvation in either species. The CAT and SOD activities
increased during the starvation period only in trout. |