<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Due to anthropogenic activities, heavy metals still represent a threat for various trophic levels. If aquatic animals are exposed to heavy metals we can obviously observe considerable toxicity. It is well known that an organism affected by cadmium (Cd) synthesize low molecular mass thiol compounds rich in cysteine (Cys), such as metallothioneins (MT) and glutathione (GSH/GSSG). The aim of this study was to summarize the effect of Cd on level of thiol compounds in aquatic organisms, and evaluate that the concentrations of thiol compounds are effective indicators of Cd water pollution and explain their potential use in biomonitoring applications.</p></abstract>

Due to anthropogenic activities, heavy metals still represent a threat for various trophic levels. If aquatic animals are exposed to heavy metals we can obviously observe considerable toxicity. It is well known that an organism affected by cadmium (Cd) synthesize low molecular mass thiol compounds rich in cysteine (Cys), such as metallothioneins (MT) and glutathione (GSH/GSSG). The aim of this study was to summarize the effect of Cd on level of thiol compounds in aquatic organisms, and evaluate that the concentrations of thiol compounds are effective indicators of Cd water pollution and explain their potential use in biomonitoring applications.

Can thiol compounds be used as biomarkers of aquatic ecosystem contamination by cadmium?

Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Toxicology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic

Interdisciplinary Toxicology

Due to anthropogenic activities, heavy metals still represent a threat for various trophic levels. If aquatic animals are exposed to heavy metals we can...

Can thiol compounds be used as biomarkers of aquatic ecosystem contamination by cadmium?

Published Online: Sep 24, 2009

Page range: 177 - 183

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10102-009-0013-3

Keywords
metallothionein, glutathione, metal pollution, Cd, fish

This content is open access.

Can thiol compounds be used as biomarkers of aquatic ecosystem contamination by cadmium?

Published Online: Sep 24, 2009

Page range: 177 - 183

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10102-009-0013-3

Keywordsmetallothionein, glutathione, metal pollution, Cd, fish

This content is open access.

Keywords
metallothionein, glutathione, metal pollution, Cd, fish