Changes in oxidative metabolism in selected tissues of the crab (Scylla serrata) in response to cadmium toxicity.

Changes in oxidative metabolism were studied in hepatopancreas, muscle, and hemolymph of the edible crab Scylla serrata, exposed to a sublethal concentration (2.5 ppm) of cadmium chloride. A significant decrease in glycogen, total carbohydrates, and pyruvate and an increase in lactate levels in hepatopancreas and muscle were observed. Hemolymph sugar levels were increased in experimental crabs. An increase in phosphorylase suggested increased glycogenolysis during cadmium toxicity. The decrease in lactate dehydrogenase activity and the increase in lactate content indicated reduced mobilization of pyruvate into the citric acid cycle. Krebs cycle enzymes such as succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase were found to be decreased, suggesting impairment of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism as a consequence of cadmium toxicity. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was increased, suggesting enhanced oxidation of glucose by the HMP pathway. Cytochrome-c oxidase and Mg2+ ATPase activity levels decreased, indicating impaired energy synthesis during cadmium stress. Acid and alkaline phosphatase activities increased, suggesting enhanced breakdown of phosphates to release energy in view of impaired ATPase system during cadmium exposure. A significant decrease in protein and free amino acid and an increase in ammonia, urea, and glutamine levels were observed in the tissues during exposure. An increase in protease, alanine aminotransaminase, and aspartate aminotransaminase suggested increased proteolysis and transamination of amino acids. The increase in glutamate dehydrogenase, AMP deaminase, and adenosine deaminase indicated increased ammonia production. The increased arginase and glutamine synthetase suggested the detoxification or mobilization of ammonia toward the production of urea and glutamine. These results suggest that cadmium affects oxidative metabolism and induces hyperammonemia, and crabs switch over their metabolic profiles toward compensatory mechanisms for the survivability in cadmium-polluted habitats.