Vitamins C and E concentrations in muscle of elasmobranch and teleost fishes

In fish, vitamins are part of the first line of the antioxidant defense, they are directly related to stress and disease, and they are involved in the maintenance of various physiological processes and metabolic reactions. In general, fish are unable to synthesize vitamin C due to a deficiency in gulonolactone oxidase (GLO), the enzyme responsible for its de novo synthesis. Vitamin E is involved in the immune response and perhaps one of its main physiological functions is to protect membranes from oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation) associated with free radical production. In fish muscle, vitamin E has an important role as an antioxidant in vivo and its content is highly related to the stability of lipids and fats. The aim of this study was to determine the content of vitamins C and E in muscle from different species of elasmobranch and teleost fishes. The concentrations of vitamins C and E were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The concentration of vitamin C found for the group of elasmobranchs was lower (p=0.001) than that for teleosts. For Mustelus henlei vitamin C was found in only one individual; in Tetrapturus audax and Totoaba macdonaldi vitamin C concentration was below the detection limit. The concentration of vitamin E was lower in the group of elasmobranchs (p=0.03) compared with that of teleosts. The main differences in the antioxidant system between teleosts and elasmobranchs appear to be the specific type and levels of antioxidant compounds, as well as the synergistic interactions among the antioxidants present in their tissues.