Integrated biomarker response index as an ally in the observation of metabolic biomarkers in muscle of Astyanax lacustris exposed to thermal variation

Abstract

Temperature is an important factor that conditions the physiological responses of fish, generating a stressful condition when in non-ideal parameters. Thus, the objective was to evaluate metabolic aspects in the muscle of fish Astyanax lacustris submitted to thermal shock. The specimens were subjected to 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h of exposure to 15 °C and 31 1 °C, with their respective controls 23 °C. At 15 °C there was a reduction in glycogenolysis in the initial periods indicated by changes in glycogen phosphorylase (GP), pyruvate and lactate. Subsequently, there was an increase in GP activity, pyruvate levels and hexokinase activity in the next time periods, suggesting an increase in energy demand. At 31 °C there was observed low need for the protein metabolism, indicated by reduction in the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. At 15 °C, initial periods show an increase in glutathione reductase activity and an increase in carbonylated protein levels, indicating induction of oxidative stress for muscle. At 31 °C, there was a punctual increase in reduced glutathione levels at 24 h. In addition, the integrated biomarker response index proved to be a good ally in the evaluation of a set of biomarkers, corroborating the results observed by the biomarkers individually. Thus, it is possible to conclude that the acute thermal shock affects the metabolism of A. lacustris muscle, which undergoes rearrangements to deal with temperature, where 15 °C is more stressful than 31 °C.

Keywords: Enzymes; Fish; Metabolism; Oxidative stress; Thermal shock.