Determination of oxidative stress in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) treated with phenol

Didem Taşçı; Muhammet Enis Yonar

doi:10.12714/egejfas.42.4.07

EN TR

Determination of oxidative stress in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) treated with phenol

Abstract

This study examined the effects of phenol exposure on oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). A total of 120 common carp with an average body mass of 30 g were randomly allocated into four experimental sets, consisting of one untreated control and three groups subjected to phenol at 0.01, 0.1, and 1 ppm for 96 hours. Following the exposure period, samples of liver and gill tissues were obtained to assess oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), and the enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione S-transferase (GST), along with reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. The analysis revealed that MDA concentrations were markedly elevated in every group exposed to phenol relative to the control fish, demonstrating enhanced lipid peroxidation and heightened oxidative stress. Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT and GSH-Px) and GSH levels significantly decreased in liver and gill tissues, while GST activity increased in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that phenol disrupts the balance between oxidation and antioxidant defences, leading to cellular stress and potential tissue damage. The changes in enzyme activity imply compensatory mechanisms or detoxification responses triggered by phenol exposure. Since even low concentrations of phenol caused notable oxidative changes, this study highlights its potential toxicity to aquatic organisms. The results emphasize the importance of cautious use of phenolic compounds in aquatic environments and contribute to a broader understanding of phenol-induced oxidative stress in fish. Further research involving different species, exposure durations, and physiological markers is recommended to confirm and expand these findings.

Keywords

Fenol uygulanan sazan (Cyprinus carpio)'da oksidatif stresin belirlenmesi

Öz

Bu çalışmada, fenolün sazanlarda (Cyprinus carpio) oksidatif stres ve antioksidan savunma mekanizmaları üzerindeki etkileri araştırılmıştır. Ortalama 30 g ağırlığındaki 120 balık, bir kontrol ve üç farklı deney grubuna ayrılmış; deney grupları 96 saat süreyle sırasıyla 0.01, 0.1 ve 1 ppm fenol konsantrasyonlarına maruz bırakılmıştır. Uygulama sonunda karaciğer ve solungaç dokuları incelenerek malondialdehit (MDA) düzeyleri ile katalaz (CAT), glutatyon peroksidaz (GSH-Px), glutatyon S-transferaz (GST) aktiviteleri ve redükte glutatyon (GSH) seviyeleri ölçülmüştür. Sonuçlar, tüm fenol uygulanan gruplarda MDA düzeylerinin kontrol grubuna göre belirgin şekilde yükseldiğini ve bunun artmış lipid peroksidasyonu ile oksidatif stresin göstergesi olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Karaciğer ve solungaç dokularında CAT, GSH-Px aktiviteleri ve GSH düzeyleri anlamlı olarak azalırken, GST aktivitesi doza bağlı şekilde artış göstermiştir. Bu bulgular, fenolün oksidatif dengeyi bozarak hücresel stres ve potansiyel doku hasarına yol açtığını göstermektedir. Enzim aktivitelerindeki değişimler, organizmanın fenole karşı geliştirdiği telafi edici mekanizmaları veya detoksifikasyon yanıtlarını işaret etmektedir. Düşük konsantrasyonlarda dahi fenolün kayda değer oksidatif değişimlere neden olması, bu bileşiğin sucul organizmalar için yüksek toksisite potansiyeline sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Çalışma, fenolik bileşiklerin su ortamlarında kullanımında dikkatli olunması gerektiğini vurgulamakta ve fenol kaynaklı oksidatif stresin balıklardaki etkilerinin daha kapsamlı anlaşılmasına katkı sağlamaktadır. Bu sonuçların pekiştirilmesi için farklı türler, maruziyet süreleri ve ek fizyolojik parametreleri içeren ileri araştırmalar önerilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Ethical Statement

All experimental protocols were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (Approval No. 2023/05-01, March 22, 2023). Throughout the study, procedures strictly adhered to established ethical standards for the care and use of laboratory animals.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fish Physiology and Genetics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Didem Taşçı
0000-0002-2375-4580
Türkiye

Muhammet Enis Yonar ^*
0000-0001-9519-4247
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

December 1, 2025

Publication Date

December 10, 2025

Submission Date

August 30, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 7, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 42 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.42.4.07

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA37RG45PX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Taşçı, D., & Yonar, M. E. (2025). Determination of oxidative stress in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) treated with phenol. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 42(4), 331-337. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.42.4.07