Enzymatic and ultrastructural studies in a freshwater catfish: impact of methyl parathion

Exposure to a sublethal concentration of methyl parathion (MEP) reduced the activity of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase, mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase by 30 to 49% in the liver and the skeletal muscle of the freshwater catfish. Clarias batrachus, after 7 days. The activities then began to recover and reached the control levels on the 28th day of MEP exposure. A complete recovery occurred on the 7th day when MEP was withdrawn from the medium after an exposure for 1 week. The withdrawal-dependent recovery in the activities was inhibited partially or completely by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, suggesting de novo synthesis of the enzymes during the recovery period. A conjoint treatment of MEP and triiodothyronine (T3) restored the activities to control levels, indicating T3 protection against the pesticide toxicity. SDS-PAGE of the cytoplasmic fraction of the liver showed some noticeable changes in the protein pattern after an exposure to MEP. Ultrastructural studies on MEP-treated liver cells showed disappearance of the glycogen granules and appearance of numerous smooth endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomal dense bodies, and swollen mitochondria. These changes in the liver are an indication of hepatic toxicity leading toward necrosis.