Induction of oxidative stress upon low level exposure of arsenic using lipid peroxidation assay in freshwater fish Channa punctatus

Elevated level of arsenic exposure through drinking water induces noticeable change in the level of oxidative stress parameter such as lipid peroxidation. However, there is paucity of available information at low level exposure of arsenic for inducing oxidative damage. Present work was undertaken to investigate the oxidative stress inducing potential of arsenic at its low level exposure in fresh water fish Channa puntatus using lipid peroxidation, an established biomarker of oxidative stress. Fish specimen were exposed to 10, 50 (low level exposure) and 500 mu gL(-1) (high level exposure) of arsenic using sodium arsenite as a test substance. Samples of gill, liver, kidney and brain tissues were collected after 14 days of exposure and the lipid peroxidation assay was performed through the quantification of malondialdehyde (MDA) by TBARS assay for determination of oxidative damage in different tissues offish. Significant increased levels of LPO were observed in all the organs. The present study showed that gills were the most sensitive organ, therefore, showed maximum peroxidative damage at 500 mu g L-1 of arsenic exposure.