Antioxidant responses and lipid peroxidation can be used as sensitive indicators for the heavy metals risk assessment of the Wei River: a case study of planarian Dugesia Japonica

Abstract

Purpose

To verify antioxidant responses and lipid peroxidation can be used as sensitive indicators for the risk assessment of the Wei River.

Material and methods

We investigate the effects of the Wei River on oxidative stress of planarian Dugesia japonica by antioxidant parameters, and use ICP-MS to measure the heavy metals in the Wei River. Then, we observe the effects of three common heavy metal ions (Cr³⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺) on the regeneration of planarians on morphological and histological levels.

Results

The significant changes of antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, T-AOC) and MDA content indicate that oxidative stress is induced after the Wei River exposure on planarians, though the heavy metals in the Wei River are not exceeding the standards. Then, the regeneration of planarians shows different degree of morphological and histological damage after Cr³⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ exposure.

Conclusion

We speculate that the heavy metal ions in the Wei River, especially Cr³⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺, may give rise to oxidative damage on planarians. These findings illustrate that planarian can serve as an indicator of aquatic ecosystem pollution, antioxidant responses and lipid peroxidation can also be used as sensitive indicators and provide an excellent opportunity for urban river risk assessment.

Keywords:

• Dugesia japonica
• the Wei River
• antioxidant responses
• lipid peroxidation
• heavy metals

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant numbers 32070427, 31570376, 31471965 and u1604173; the Program for Innovative Research Team in University of Henan Province under Grant number 18IRTSTHN022.