Heavy Metals and Oxidative Stress in Catla catla of Punjab

Heavy metals affect the health of organisms by bioaccumulation and causing oxidative stress. The content of heavy metals in liver, antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative stress markers in gills, liver, kidneys and muscles were determined in Catla catla in three districts of Malwa region of Punjab viz Ludhiana, Muktsar and Bathinda. The heavy metals like As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni and Cd were significantly more in liver of C. catla of Mukstar and Bathinda as compared to Ludhiana. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly higher and activity of glutathione reductase (GR) was significantly lower in all the tissues of fish from Muktsar and Bathinda compared to Ludhiana. Lipid peroxidation was significantly higher and reduced glutathione content was significantly lower in liver and muscles of fish from Muktsar and Bathinda. The content of heavy metals in liver of C. catla showed positive correlation with activities of SOD, catalase, GPx along with level of lipid peroxidation and negative correlation with activity of GR.