Oxidative stress and iron in molluscs adapted to different environments

Lipid radical content, assessed by electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR), was significantly higher in L. elliptica than in M. arenaria, N. magellanica and N. deaurata, and it was 36.5% lower in N. magellanica as compared to N. deaurata. Moreover, L. elliptica not only concentrates a higher amount of iron than the other tested species, but also reduces iron more efficiently. a-Tocopherol and P-carotene content was significantly higher in L. elliptica than in the other species, as was catalase activity at 20 degrees C. These data indicate that under physiological conditions a controlled steady state condition is strictly regulated in all the species, and increases in potentially damage substances are compensated by the antioxidant system.