Effects of ammonium on the antioxidative response in Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle plants

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2010 Feb;73(2):189-95. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2009.08.012. Epub 2009 Oct 6.

Abstract

To investigate ammonium toxicity, the submerged plant Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle was treated with 0.1-3.0mM ammonium for 12h and 4d. After exposure to ammonium for 4d, content of O2(-) and H2O2 increased in leaves of H. verticillata exposed to 3mM ammonium compared with control (0mM NH4Cl), while the malondialdehyde content decreased. The chlorophyll (a+b) and carotenoid concentrations decreased in H. verticillata plants exposed to 1.5-3mM ammonium for 12h and 4d. Compared with controls, the activity of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase increased in plants treated with ammonium for 12h, and the activity of most enzymes was further enhanced at 4d. The changes in nonprotein thiols, total glutathione, ascorbic acid, and dehydroascorbate content were also assayed. Our results suggest that ammonium induced the oxidative stress and the heated antioxidant response in H. verticillata.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / metabolism*
  • Ascorbate Peroxidases
  • Ascorbic Acid / metabolism
  • Carotenoids / metabolism
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Chlorophyll / metabolism
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione Reductase / metabolism
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Hydrocharitaceae / drug effects*
  • Hydrocharitaceae / enzymology
  • Hydrocharitaceae / growth & development
  • Hydrocharitaceae / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Peroxidases / metabolism
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / toxicity*
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Chlorophyll
  • Carotenoids
  • Peroxidases
  • Ascorbate Peroxidases
  • Catalase
  • Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione Reductase
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Glutathione
  • Ascorbic Acid