The possible role of microcystin (D-Leu1 MC-LR) as an antioxidant on Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanophyceae). In vitro and in vivo evidence.

Microcystins constitute a serious threat to the quality of drinking water worldwide. However, the eco-physiological role of them is not completely known and it is suggested that toxins can play a role in the antioxidant protection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microcystin antioxidant capacity in vitro by Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance, highly specific for the different reactive oxygen species and in vivo by 7 days exposure of Microcystis aeruginosa to high (29 °C) temperature in addition to a 26 °C control condition. An effective in vitro antioxidant activity was observed for [D-Leu1]MC-LR against hydrosoluble radicals. As far as we know, this is the first in vitro record of the role of MC as antioxidant. In addition, a significant increase in cellular biomass was observed under 26 °C in cultures with [D-Leu1]MC-LR supplementation in coincidence with a significant decrease of reactive species. For cultures at 29 °C, the antioxidant role of toxins was inconclusive probably due to the presence of different reactive species generated during the experiment. Thus, MC could scavenge certain reactive species associated with the antioxidant role of CAT or the OH content by SOD activity (not measured) and then CAT activity could be lower in the presence of MC. Reinforcing our hypothesis, the [D-Leu1]MC-LR consumption after 7 days was significantly higher in cells with [D-Leu1]MC-LR supplementation in both 26 °C and 29 °C.When the production of reactive species was controlled by the scavenger activity of antioxidants plus MC, cells avoided the potential oxidative damage and started with exponential growth.