Lipids as energy source during salinity acclimation in the euryhaline crab Chasmagnathus granulata dana, 1851 (crustacea-grapsidae)

Lipids seem to be the major energy store in crustaceans. Moreover, they are extremely important in maintaining structural and physiological integrity of cellular and sub cellular membranes. During salinity adaptation, energy-demanding mechanisms for hemolymph osmotic and ionic regulation are activated. Thus, the main goal of this work was to verify the possible involvement of lipids as an energy source in the osmotic adaptation process. The estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulata was captured and acclimated to salt water at 20 per thousand salinity and 20 +/- 2 degrees C, for 30 days. After acclimation, crabs were divided into groups of ten and transferred to fresh water (0 per thousand ), salt water at 40 per thousand salinity, or maintained in salt water at 20 per thousand salinity (control group), without feeding. Before and seven days after the salinity change, wet weight and lipid concentration in gills, muscle, hepatopancreas, and hemolymph were determined according to the colorimetric assay of sulphophosphovanilin. Results show that hepatopancreas lipids were not mobilized during osmotic stress regulation. Gill and muscle lipids were significantly lower in crabs subjected to hypo-osmotic stress than those subjected to the hyper-osmotic stress or maintained at the control salinity. Our results point to the occurrence of lipid mobilization and involvement of these compounds in the osmotic acclimation process in C. granulata, but with differences between tissues and the osmotic shock (hypo or hyper) considered.     

Sublethal effects of copper on the freshwater crab Potamonautes warreni

The mass specific rates of oxygen consumption (M (O(2)) M(b)(-1)), ammonia excretion (M (NH(4)-N) M(b)(-1)) and carbon dioxide production (M (CO(2)) M(b)(-1)) were measured after 7, 14 and 21 days exposure of adult Potamonautes warreni to a sublethal concentration of 1.0 mg Cu l(-1) (15.75 micromol l(-1)). Under control (non-copper-exposed) conditions M (O(2)) M(b)(-1) was 35.7+/-8.5 micromol kg(-1)min(-1) (mean+/-S.D.), M (NH(4)-N) M(b)(-1) 2.92+/-0.26 micromol kg(-1)min(-1) and M (CO(2)) M(b)(-1) 25.6+/-9.0 micromol kg(-1)min(-1). The oxygen:nitrogen (O:N) ratio and respiratory quotient (RQ) were 24.5+/-3.0 and 0.80+/-0.06, respectively. M (O(2)) M(b)(-1) of copper-exposed crabs showed a significant increase after 7 and 14 days, but decreased significantly by 40% after 21 days. From the increased O:N ratio and RQ below 0.7, it is clear that crabs exposed to 1 mg Cul(-1) metabolize lipids during the entire 21-day exposure period. Free fatty acids in the midgut gland were determined by GC-MS, and showed increases of up to 600% in some C14 to C18 fatty acids. It is proposed that the excess lipids inhibit the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, leading to the acceleration of the gluco- and glyco-neogenic pathways. Increased glyconeogenesis results in elevated glycogen concentrations in all tissues after 21 days. Experiments on acutely exposed P. warreni show increased incorporation of 14C-labelled lactate into glycogen.     

Effect of long term starvation on the biochemical composition of the muscles and hepatopancreas in the crab Menippe rumphii (Fabricius) (Crustacea: Brachyura)

During the process of long term starvation both muscles and hepatopancreas are affected in their biochemical composition at different rates. During early days of starvation an increase in the muscular and hepatopancreatic glycogen is observed. At the same time a simultaneous decrease in the muscular lipid content is also observed. At a slightly later period a decrease in the hepatopancreatic lipid content is also noticed. This amount of decrease is slow in the early days of starvation and rapid in later days. Decrease in the muscular and hepatopancreatic protein content is observed when there is not an adequate quantity of hepatopancreatic lipid to be consumed.     

Effects of GH on urea,glucose and lipid metabolism,and insulin sensitivity during fasting in GH-deficient patients

Fasting-related states of distress pose major health problems, and growth hormone (GH) plays a key role in this context. The present study was designed to assess the effects of GH on substrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity during short-term fasting. Six GH-deficient adults underwent 42.5 h of fasting on two occasions, with and without concomitant GH replacement. Palmitate and urea fluxes were measured with the steady-state isotope dilution technique after infusion of [9,10-3H]palmitate and [13C]urea. During fasting with GH replacement, palmitate concentrations and fluxes increased by 50% [palmitate: 378 +/- 42 (GH) vs. 244 +/- 12 micromol/l, P < 0.05; palmitate: 412 +/- 58 (GH) vs. 276 +/- 42 microM, P = 0.05], and urea turnover and excretion decreased by 30-35% [urea rate of appearance: 336 +/- 22 (GH) vs. 439 +/- 43 micromol. kg-1. h-1, P < 0.01; urea excretion: 445 +/- 43 (GH) vs. 602 +/- 74 mmol/24 h, P < 0.05]. Insulin sensitivity (determined by a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp) was significantly decreased [M value: 1.26 +/- 0.06 (GH) vs. 2.07 +/- 0.22 mg. kg-1. min-1, P < 0.01] during fasting with GH replacement. In conclusion, continued GH replacement during fasting in GH-deficient adults decreases insulin sensitivity, increases lipid utilization, and conserves protein.     

Molecular biomarkers of the physiological state of mitten crab Eriocheir japonica (de Haan, 1835) in the estuarine zones of Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan)

The mitten crab Eriocheir japonica (de Haan, 1835) is used as an indicator species for the biochemical monitoring of different estuarine zones in Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan). The following molecular biomarkers are determined in the gills and hepatopancreas of the crabs: the activity of biotransformation of enzyme glutathione-S-transferase; antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase; and reduced glutathione concentration and lipid peroxidation level measured as malondialdehyde. The state of biochemical indicators testify to the good physiological condition of crabs from estuaries of Shkotovka and Sukhodol rivers and to a depressed physiological condition for crans from the Tesnya River. The latter crabs have lower activity of catalase but higher glutathione-S-transferase activity and lipid peroxidation level. Using the data of molecular-biomarker determination, the integral biochemical index was calculated, which made it possible to rank the estuaries by the extent of adverse effects on the biota. Researching the functional condition of the indicator species allows one to estimate and predict the biota state under anthropogenic impact.     

饥饿及再投喂对日本囊对虾糖代谢的影响

研究了日本囊对虾在饥饿和再投喂下血糖、肝胰脏糖原和肌糖原含量的变化.结果表明：在饥饿状态下,日本囊对虾肝胰脏糖原含量和血糖浓度在饥饿开始时迅速下降,肌糖原含量在饥饿10 d时下降到最低值,在饥饿10~15 d时通过糖原异生作用又恢复至最初水平,但随着饥饿时间的延长,糖原含量持续下降.恢复投喂后,肝胰脏糖原含量和肌糖原含量均能得到较好恢复,饥饿10 d和 15 d组的血糖浓度在恢复投喂10 d后显著高于对照组,但饥饿25 d组的血糖浓度始终显著低于对照.表明饥饿时间过长,对血糖浓度的恢复有较大影响     

Energy metabolism and nutrient oxidation in young pigs and rats during feeding, starvation and re-feeding

The investigation included individual measurements of energy metabolism and oxidation of nutrients in 12 castrated male pigs (Sus scrofa) (20-40 kg) and 12 male rats (Rattus norvegicus) (65-105 g). Measurements were carried out in 5-6 days balance periods with ad libitum feeding, followed by 3-4 days of starvation and 4 days of re-feeding. O2 consumption and CO2 production were measured by open-air-circuit respiration units. In the feeding period, protein retention in relation to metabolic live mass (kg(0.75)) was identical for pigs and rats, while there was a tendency of a higher fat retention in pigs than in rats. A substantial part of digested carbohydrate was not oxidized, but transferred to fat metabolism without significant differences (P > 0.05) between pigs and rats (18% vs. 22%). During starvation, nitrogen excretion in urine decreased to 226 mg/kg(0.75) in pigs and to 429 mg/kg(0.75) in rats, indicating a lower rate of body protein degradation in pigs. Heat production was reduced to 592 and 338 kJ/kg(0.75), while the contribution of heat from oxidation of protein (OXP), carbohydrate (OXCHO) and fat (OXF) showed the same pattern for pigs and rats during all periods. Heat production during feeding and re-feeding was covered by OXP+OXCHO with no OXF and reversibly after 2 days of starvation by OXP+OXF with no OXCHO. The rat may be a suitable model for pigs regarding general patterns of quantitative nutrient partition, but any direct application of results measured with rats to pigs shall be taken cautiously, keeping in mind that modern pigs have been selected for a high growth rate and protein deposition which has not been the case for the laboratory rat.     

Effect of Thiourea and Starvation on the Physiological and Biochemical State and the Reproductive System of Climbing Perch Anabas testudineus

Journal of Ichthyology - The effects of thiourea (keeping of fish for 32 days in 0.05% solution of thiourea) and of starvation (during 12 days) on the physiological and biochemical state and on the...     

Effects of photoperiod on gluconeogenic activity and total lipid concentration in organs of crabs, Neohelice granulata, challenged by salinity changes

Abstract. This study assessed the effects of long (LD) or short (SD) days on the conversion of [¹⁴C]-glycerol to [¹⁴C]-glucose and total lipid concentration in organs of the crab Neohelice granulata challenged by a change in external salinity. In the 20‰-acclimated crabs, no difference was found in the concentration of total lipids in the muscle, hepatopancreas, gills, or hemolymph between crabs acclimated to SD or LD. In SD crabs, the total lipid levels in the anterior and posterior gills did not decrease during an osmotic challenge. Only in the posterior gills did the total lipid levels decrease during acclimation to the 34‰ medium in LD animals. The total lipid concentration in the hemolymph decreased after 1 d of osmotic stress in SD, and increased in the hepatopancreas. In LD crabs, the lipid contents decreased gradually in muscle, and in the hepatopancreas on day 3 after transfer to 34‰ medium. In 20‰-acclimated crabs, the gluconeogenesis activity in both sets of gills was higher in LD than in SD animals. The gluconeogenesis capacity decreased in both sets of gills on the first day of osmotic challenge in SD, and in the posterior gills on the third day in LD crabs. These results suggest that in organs of N. granulata , photoperiod affects the metabolic adjustments to an osmotic challenge.     

Increases in urea synthesis and the ornithine-urea cycle capacity in the giant African snail, Achatina fulica, during fasting or aestivation, or after the injection with ammonium chloride

The objectives of this study are to determine whether a full complement of ornithine-urea cycle (OUC) enzymes is present in the hepatopancreas of the giant African snail Achatina fulica, and to investigate whether the rate of urea synthesis and the OUC capacity can be up-regulated during 23 days of fasting or aestivation, or 24 hr post-injection with NH(4)Cl (10 micromol g(-1) snail) into the foot muscle. A. fulica is ureotelic and a full complement of OUC enzymes, including carbamoyl phosphate synthetase III (CPS III), was detected from its hepatopancreas. There were significant increases in the excretion of NH(4)(+), NH(3) and urea in fasting A. fulica. Fasting had no significant effect on the tissue ammonia contents, but led to a progressive accumulation of urea, which was associated with an 18-fold increase in the rate of urea synthesis. Because fasting took place in the presence of water and because there was no change in water contents in the foot muscle and hepatopancreas, it can be concluded that the function of urea accumulation in fasting A. fulica was unrelated to water retention. Aestivation in arid conditions led to a non-progressive accumulation of urea in A. fulica. During the first 4 days and the last 3 days of the 23-day aestivation period, experimental snails exhibited significantly greater rates of urea synthesis compared with fasted snails. These increases were associated with significant increases in activities of various OUC enzymes, except CPS III, in the hepatopancreas. However, the overall urea accumulation in snails aestivated and snails fasted for 23 days were comparable. Therefore, the classical hypothesis that urea accumulation occurred to prevent water loss through evaporation during aestivation in terrestrial pulmonates may not be valid. Surprisingly, there were no accumulations of ammonia in the foot muscle and hepatopancreas of A. fulica 12 or 24 hr after NH(4)Cl was injected into the foot muscle. In contrast, the urea content in the foot muscle of A. fulica increased 4.5- and 33-fold at hour 12 and hour 24, respectively, and the respective increases in the hepatopancreas were 4.9- and 32-fold. The exogenous ammonia injected into A. fulica was apparently detoxified completely to urea. The urea synthesis rate increased 148-fold within the 24-hr experimental period, which could be the greatest increase known among animals. Simultaneously, there were significant increases in activities of glutamine synthetase (2.5-fold), CPS III (3.1-fold), ornithine transcarbamoylase (2.3-fold), argininosuccinate synthetase+lyase (13.6-fold) and arginase (3.5-fold) in the hepatopancreas 12 hr after the injection of NH(4)Cl. Taken altogether, our results support the view that the primary function of urea synthesis through the OUC in A. fulica is to defend against ammonia toxicity, but suggest that urea may have more than an excretory role in terrestrial pulmonates capable of aestivation.     

Alveolar epithelial changes in rabbits after a 21-day exposure to 60% O2

This study characterizes the biochemical and physiological effects of prolonged exposure of rabbits to sublethal (60%) O2 concentrations. After 3 wk in 60% O2, rabbits had arterial PO2 values of 69 +/- 2 vs. 79 +/- 3 Torr for control animals (means +/- SE; P less than 0.05) and a small but significant rise in pulmonary wet weight-to-dry weight ratios (5.6 +/- 0.3 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.3; P less than 0.05). Alveolar permeability to solute, lung compliance, total lung capacity, and alveolar protein levels were unchanged from control, but the amount of lavagable alveolar phospholipid was 90% higher in the O2-exposed rabbits. The lipid biosynthetic ability of isolated alveolar type II pneumocytes, measured by radiolabeled precursor [3H]choline incorporation, indicated that type II cells isolated from hyperoxic animals synthesized phosphatidylcholine at a rate 110% higher than those from control animals. Laser flow cytometric analyses of isolated type II cells showed a significant increase in type II cell diameter, based on time-of-flight measurements, and an average 60% increase in lipid content per cell, based on phosphine-3R fluorescence intensity. These findings indicate that exposure to 60% O2 for 21 days results in a decrease in arterial PO2 and induces several important biochemical and morphological changes in alveolar type II pneumocytes.     

Metabolic depression and whole-body response to enforced starvation by Crassostrea gigas postlarvae

Physiological and biochemical measurements were performed on six oyster (Crassostrea gigas) cohorts, in order to: (a) investigate the whole-body response (growth, energy content, metabolic and excretion rates) of 2-week-old postlarvae (spat) to enforced (0-8 days) starvation, and (b) test the potential use of three aerobic enzyme systems as indices of physiological condition. Starvation resulted in exponential reduction of postlarval metabolic and excretion rates, as well as a linear decrease in enzyme activity. These response mechanisms effectively limited the loss of endogenous reserves after 2 days of starvation and maintained the oyster's functional integrity over prolonged (8 days) starvation. Proteins appeared to be selectively conserved during short-term (2 days) starvation, as suggested by a decrease in total protein content, while maintaining constant weight-specific enzyme activity. Postlarvae starved for 2 days exhibited relatively higher lipid losses, lower mortality and lower metabolism than metamorphosing stages, thus suggesting a greater buffering capacity to starvation in the former. The activity of the electron transport system may be a useful indicator of long-term stress or developmental condition of oyster postlarvae, while citrate synthase and cytochrome oxidase could be used as indicators of growth rate. None of these enzyme systems is recommended as an index of aerobic metabolism during short-term starvation.     

The effects of starvation and refeeding on plasma amino acid levels in carp, Cyprinus carpio L., 1758

Plasma amino acid (AA) levels of carp, Cyprinus carpio L., 1758, were analysed after various periods of starvation as well as after 12 days of refeeding. The levels were compared to control groups, which had been previously fasted for 24 h. A positive correlation between dietary and plasma essential amino acid (EAA) concentrations was observed in all of the control groups.
The effect of starvation on the dynamics of AA concentration was different according to the period of starvation. Fasting already produced a decrease of total α-AA levels at 2 days, and these low levels were maintained until 5 and 8 days. These short periods of fasting affected the levels of EAA (especially branched-chain AA) more than those of non-essential amino acids (NEAA). The only AA that increased was Ala, which rose at 5 days of starvation, surpassing the levels of the control group. These high levels were maintained until 19 days of starvation.
A different situation was observed at 19 days, when an important increase of total α-AA levels was produced, the branched-chain AA being the most notable among EAA and Glu/Gln among NEAA. Later, at 50 days of starvation, total α-AA, EAA (except Leu and Ile) and NEAA decreased.
After 50 days of starvation, 12 days of refeeding did not modify the levels of EAA and NEAA, and their concentrations were lower than those of the control group, which presented an increase of total AA at this time. The differences observed on the changes of individual AA levels are discussed.     

Plasma beta-endorphin during fasting in man

To identify the effects of acute starvation on endogenous opioids in man, plasma beta-endorphin (beta-EP) was measured in 17 patients before, during and after fasting. Patients were assigned a posteriori into two groups: group A, comprised of 11 patients able to tolerate 5-7 days of fasting, and group B, comprised of 6 patients able to tolerate 10 days of fasting. Changes in plasma beta-EP, serum cortisol, circulating nutritional markers, and their relative levels were assessed on the 5th and 10th days of fasting, and on the 5th and 10th days of the refeeding period. Beta-EP had increased by the 5th day (group A: 4.74 +/- 0.42 to 6.91 +/- 0.65 pmol/l, p less than 0.01; group B: 3.60 +/- 0.48 to 5.14 +/- 0.22 pmol/l, p less than 0.05, and remained at 5.05 +/- 0.65 pmol/l on the 10th day (group B: 0.05 less than p less than 0.1) during fasting. Group B had lower levels of plasma beta-EP on the 5th day of fasting than group A (p less than 0.05). However, serum cortisol levels changed similarly in both groups. Plasma beta-EP showed no significant correlation with either the percentage of body weight lost or the body mass index (kg/m2) over this study period. These findings indicate that plasma beta-EP is elevated in the early phase of fasting, while not directly being associated with body weight changes. Plasma beta-EP is lower and less activated in subjects who are able to tolerate fasting for longer periods.     

越冬饥饿胁迫对草鱼机体生化组成和糖脂蛋白代谢相关基因转录水平的影响

为了探讨草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)在越冬期间能量利用的代谢适应机制, 将草鱼初始体重[(1053.33±16.11) g]置于室外水泥培育池, 分别在自然越冬饥饿0、1、2、4、8、12和16周后进行采样, 进行肌肉常规成分、血清能量代谢物、组织糖原、甘油三酯含量及AMP活化蛋白激酶和糖脂蛋白代谢相关基因转录水平的检测。结果显示: 越冬饥饿1周后, 草鱼肌肉各常规成分含量显著变化(P<0.05); 随着越冬饥饿时间的延长, 血清甘油三酯(TG)、甘油(Glycerol)、总蛋白(TP)、总胆固醇(TCHO)和血糖(GLU)含量先显著降低(P<0.05), 随后保持稳定, 游离脂肪酸(Free fatty acids)含量显著上升(P<0.05); 肝胰脏糖原和肌肉糖原及肝胰脏、肌肉和脂肪组织TG含量显著降低(P<0.05); 血清ATP、ADP和AMP含量显著降低, ADP+AMP/ATP比值显著升高(P<0.05); 肝胰脏、肌肉及腹腔脂肪ampk α1、ampk α2基因表达显著上升(P<0.05), 下游糖脂及蛋白代谢相关基因转录水平显著上升(包括atgl、hsl、cpt1α、cd36等脂分解相关基因; gk、pfk、pk等糖酵解相关基因; gldh、 igf-1等蛋白分解相关基因)或显著下调(acc、fas等脂合成相关基因; creb、foxo1、pgc-1α、pepck、g6pase、glut2等糖异生相关基因; tor、s6k等蛋白合成相关基因)(P<0.05)。研究表明, 草鱼在越冬饥饿期间, 血清、肝胰脏、肌肉和脂肪组织生化组成发生了上述变化的同时, 越冬饥饿胁迫激活了AMPK通路, 促进了各组织糖酵解、脂质分解、脂肪酸β氧化、脂肪酸转运及蛋白分解的进程, 抑制了糖原合成、脂质合成和蛋白合成的过程, 进而维持了机体能量稳态。     

Nitrogen excretion in rats on a protein-free diet and during starvation

Nitrogen balances (six days) were determined in male Wistar rats during feeding a diet with sufficient protein or a nearly protein-free diet (n = 2 x 24), and then during three days of starvation (n = 2 x 12). The objective was to evaluate the effect of protein withdrawal on minimum nitrogen excretion in urine (UN), corresponding to endogenous UN, during feeding and subsequent starvation periods. The rats fed the protein free-diet had almost the same excretion of urinary N during feeding and starvation (165 and 157 mg/kg W(0.75)), while it was 444 mg/kg W(0.75) in rats previously fed with protein, demonstrating a major influence of protein content in a diet on N excretion during starvation. Consequently, the impact of former protein supply on N losses during starvation ought to be considered when evaluating minimum N requirement necessary to sustain life.     

Biochemical composition of ovary, embryo, and hepatopancreas in the grapsoid crabs Armases cinereum and Sesarma nr. reticulatum (Crustacea, Decapoda)

Biochemical composition of ovary, embryo, and hepatopancreas tissues in wild populations of Armases cinereum and Sesarma nr. reticulatum were monitored during the reproductive season. Total lipid, carbon, nitrogen, C:N ratio, and water concentration of the ovary, hepatopancreas and embryos were quantified over the course of ovarian maturation. Ovary nitrogen concentration decreased as ovaries matured. Ovary lipid and carbon concentration differed significantly over the course of ovarian maturation for both species, but there was no relationship between the concentration or total content of hepatopancreas lipid and the stage of ovarian development in females. Neither species showed a relationship between measures of hepatopancreas lipid and the gonadosomatic index. There was also no simultaneously measurable net decrease in mass of the females' hepatopancreas. Lipid demands of ovarian maturation thus appear to be met in large part by increased dietary intake rather than by substantial draw down of pre-existing lipid stores from the hepatopancreas. While these temperate grapsoid crabs live with putatively fluctuating quality and quantity of food resources, no evidence could be found to demonstrate depletion of lipid concentrations in the hepatopancreas concomitant with ovarian maturation.     

水体盐度对中华绒螯蟹成体雄蟹渗透压调节和生理代谢的影响

为研究长期不同水体盐度对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis以下简称河蟹)成体雄蟹渗透压调节和生理代谢的影响, 在不同水体盐度条件下(0、6、12和18)对河蟹雄体进行为期60d的养殖实验, 并分别检测其渗透调节及生理代谢相关指标。结果显示: (1)血清渗透压、Na+、Mg2+和Cl-含量随水体盐度上升而显著上升(P0.05), K+和Ca2+含量有上升趋势, 但各盐度组差异不显著(P0.05); 无论何组雄蟹, 其血清渗透压均显著高于对应的水体渗透压; (2)0组雄蟹后鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶活性显著高于其他组(P0.05), 其他各组间差异不显著(P0.05); (3)就血清生理代谢指标而言, 12组雄蟹血清中甘油三酯(TG)含量显著高于其他组(P0.05), 而尿酸(UA)、葡萄糖(Glu)、丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性相对较低; 所有组尿素(Urea)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)含量差异不显著(P0.05); (4)就肝胰腺生理代谢指标而言, 6组肝胰腺MDA含量和-谷氨酰转肽酶(-GT)活力最低, 12组酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和-GT活性显著高于其他盐度组(P0.05)。因此, 适当提高水体盐度可提高河蟹成体雄蟹的血清渗透压及其主要离子含量, 同时降低其后鳃中Na+/K+-ATP酶活性。肝胰腺和血清代谢指标暗示12盐度组雄体的代谢水平相对较低, 具有较强的免疫性能和抗氧化能力。     

Effects of exposure to diethyl phthalate, 4-(tert)-octylphenol,and 2,4,5-trichlorobiphenyl on activity of chitobiase in the epidermis and hepatopancreas of the fiddler crab,Uca pugilator

Seven-day exposure of fiddler crabs, Uca pugilator, to diethyl phthalate at 50.0 mg l⁻¹ significantly inhibited the activity of chitobiase (also known as N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase) in the epidermis and hepatopancreas. Epidermal chitobiase activity of crabs exposed to 10.0 mg l⁻¹ 4-(tert)-octylphenol for 7 days significantly decreased. PCB29 at 0.5 and 2.0 mg l⁻¹ significantly inhibited chitobiase activity in the epidermis and hepatopancreas of crabs exposed for 3 days. The inhibitory effects rendered by diethyl phthalate and PCB29 can at least partly account for the delayed molting they cause because chitobiase is needed to break down the old exoskeleton of crustaceans prior to ecdysis. Since chitinolytic enzymes are apparently the products of ecdysteroid regulated genes in arthropods, the decline in chitobiase activity after exposure to diethyl phthalate, 4-(tert)-octylphenol, and PCB29 along with the delayed molting they cause strongly suggests that these xenobiotics disturb the Y-organ–ecdysteroid receptor axis. Such disturbance may involve an interaction between ecdysteroid receptors and steroid mimics where the steroid mimics act as antagonists of endogenous steroid molting hormones, and/or arise from the interference with synthesis and excretion of ecdysteroids by these compounds.     

Differential effects of nitrogen and sulfur deprivation on growth and biodiesel feedstock production of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Biodiesel production from microalgae is a promising approach for energy production; however, high cost of its process limits the use of microalgal biodiesel. Increasing the levels of triacylglycerol (TAG) levels, which is used as a biodiesel feedstock, in microalgae has been achieved mainly by nitrogen starvation. In this study, we compared effects of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) starvation on TAG accumulation and related parameters in wild-type Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CC-124 mt(-) and CC-125 mt(+) strains. Cell division was interrupted, protein and chlorophyll levels rapidly declined while cell volume, total neutral lipid, carotenoid, and carbohydrate content increased in response to nutrient starvation. Cytosolic lipid droplets in microalgae under nutrient starvation were monitored by three-dimensional confocal laser imaging of live cells. Infrared spectroscopy results showed that relative TAG, oligosaccharide and polysaccharide levels increased rapidly in response to nutrient starvation, especially S starvation. Both strains exhibited similar levels of regulation responses under mineral deficiency, however, the degree of their responses were significantly different, which emphasizes the importance of mating type on the physiological response of algae. Neutral lipid, TAG, and carbohydrate levels reached their peak values following 4 days of N or S starvation. Therefore, 4 days of N or S starvation provides an excellent way of increasing TAG content. Although increase in these parameters was followed by a subsequent decline in N-starved strains after 4 days, this decline was not observed in S-starved ones, which shows that S starvation is a better way of increasing TAG production of C. reinhardtii than N starvation.