Toxicological studies on the effect of copper, lead and zinc on selected enzymes in the adductor muscle and intestinal diverticula of the green mussel <i>Perna viridis</i>

Abstract

The effect of heavy metals, copper, zinc and lead, on the enzyme activity of the green mussel <i>Perna viridis</i> was experimentally evaluated. A significant reduction in the activities of GOT, GPT and LDH in the adductor muscle of zinc-treated animals could be observed. Activity of ALP was found to increase when compared to that in the control animals after seven days of treatment. Copper and lead were found to increase the activity of GOT, GPT and LDH in the adductor muscle compared to the control animals. LDH activity was found to be enhanced by copper treatment, while lead treatment inhibited the LDH activity after an initial rise on the fourth day. All the enzymes showed high activity in the intestinal diverticula.