Tissue-specific contaminant accumulation and associated effects on hepatic serum analytes and cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) from the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2009 Feb;56(2):360-70. doi: 10.1007/s00244-008-9186-6. Epub 2008 Jul 15.

Abstract

The current study aims to assess contaminant levels and tissue burdens in hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) blubber, liver, and blood in association with cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (CYP1A and -3A) and serum analytes (hepatic enzymes like alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase [AP], and gamma-glutamyltransferase [GGT], serum proteins, and creatine kinase). Contaminant accumulation levels and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorinated pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) differed between tissues and seal groups, with the highest levels in liver. Pups showed higher liver contaminant levels, especially for PBDEs, than adults. These high levels might be associated with the ingestion of large amounts of contaminated milk and subsequent accumulation in the liver. Adult males and females mainly differed in PBDE levels, which were higher in females, possibly due to a sex-specific diet. The association between blubber contaminant burdens and the diagnostic enzymes ALT, GGT, and AP, and serum albumin, was inconclusive. In contrast, several CYP isoenzymes showed a clear positive relationship with the overall blubber contaminant burden, indicating enzyme induction following exposure to polyhalogenated hydrocarbons. Therefore, liver CYP isoenzymes may serve as a sensitive biomarker for long-term exposure to polyhalogenated hydrocarbons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Body Burden
  • Canada
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism*
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Enzymes / blood
  • Female
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Microsomes, Liver / drug effects
  • Microsomes, Liver / enzymology
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Organ Specificity
  • Seals, Earless / blood*
  • Seals, Earless / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / pharmacokinetics*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity

Substances

  • Enzymes
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System