Comparative study of alleviating effects of GSH, Se and Zn under combined contamination of cadmium and chromium in rice (Oryza sativa)

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the ameliorative effects of separate or combined application of exogenous glutathione (GSH), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) upon 20 μM cadmium (Cd) plus 20 μM chromium (Cr) heavy metal stress (HM) in rice seedlings. The results showed that HM caused a marked reduction in seedling height, chlorophyll content (SPAD) and biomass, and activities of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in leaves and H⁺-ATPase in roots/leaves, but elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) activities in leaves with elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation both in leaves and roots over the control. The best mitigation effect was recorded in HM+GSH+Zn and HM+GSH (addition of GSH+Zn and GSH to HM solution), which greatly alleviated HM-induced growth inhibition and oxidative stress. Compared with HM alone, HM+GSH and HM+GSH+Zn markedly reduced Cr uptake and translocation but not affected Cd concentration; improved H⁺-ATPase activity and Fe, Zn, Mn uptake and translocation, and repressed MDA accumulation. Meanwhile exogenous GSH and GSH+Zn counteracted HM-induced response of antioxidant enzymes, via suppressing HM-induced dramatic increase of root/leaf SOD and leaf POD activities, and elevating stress-depressed leaf APX and leaf/root CAT activities.     

Glutathione metabolism in Urtica dioica in response to cadmium based oxidative stress

To investigate the antioxidative response of glutathione metabolism in Urtica dioica L. to a cadmium induced oxidative stress, activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), content of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and also accumulation of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu besides Cd were determined in the roots, stems, and leaves of plants exposed to 0 (control), 0.045, and 0.09 mM CdCl₂ for 58 h. Whereas the Cd content continuously increased in all organs, the Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu content decreased in dependence on the applied Cd concentration and incubation time. The Cd treatment resulted in increased GR and GST activities in all organs, however, GSH-Px activity was dependent on Cd concentration and plant organ. The GSH/GSSG ratio maintained above the control level in the stems at both Cd concentrations. The LPO was generally close to the control values in the roots and stems but it increased in the leaves especially at 0.09 mM Cd.     

Role of antioxidants in protecting cellular DNA from damage by oxidative stress

We have previously derived 2 V79 clones resistant to menadione (Md1 cells) and cadmium (Cd1 cells), respectively. They both were shown to be cross-resistant to hydrogen peroxide. There was a modification in the antioxidant repertoire in these cells as compared to the parental cells. Md1 presented an increase in catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities whereas Cd1 cells exhibited an increase in metallothionein and glutathione contents. The susceptibility of the DNA of these cells to the damaging effect of H₂O₂ was tested using the DNA precipitation assay. Both Md1 and Cd1 DNAs were more resistant to the peroxide action. In the case of Md1 cells it seems clear that the extra resistance is provided by the increase in the two H₂O₂ scavenger enzymes, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. In the case of Cd1 cells the activities of these enzymes as well as of superoxide dismutases (Cu/Zn and Mn) are unaltered as compared to the parental cells. The facts that parental cells exposed to 100 μM Zn²⁺ in the medium exhibit an increase in metallothionein but not in glutathione and that these cells become more resistant to the DNA-damaging effect of H₂O₂ suggest that this protein might play a protective role in vivo against the OH radical attack on DNA.     

Interaction of benzo[a]pyrene, 2,3,3',4,4',5 hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 156) and cadmium on biomarker responses in flounder (Platichthys flesus L.)

Interactive effects of a mixed pollutant exposure on biomarker responses were studied in European flounder (Platichthys flesus L.). The model chemicals, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP, 2.5 mg kg^-1), 2,3,3',4,4'5 hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB-156, 2.5 mg kg^-1), and cadmium (cadmium, 1 mg kg^-1), were administered to fish by subcutaneous injections. Biomarker responses were quantified both following administration of single chemicals and sequential combinations of the chemicals in pairs. Significant induction of CYP1A protein levels and corresponding ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities was observed in BaP and PCB treated flounder after 2 and 8 days, respectively. The strongest induction (44 fold) was caused by BaP. No further induction was observed after additional treatment with PCB 156. CYP1A induction caused by BaP was inhibited (40% compared with BaP treatment alone) in flounder pre treated with cadmium, whereas induction by PCB 156 appeared to be unaffected by pre treatment with cadmium. Flounder treated with cadmium only had significantly elevated hepatic levels of metallothionein (MT) after 15 days. Pre treatment with BaP and PCB prior to cadmium inhibited the MT induction (30-50%) compared with cadmium alone. Furthermore, significantly higher glutathione S transferase activities were observed in flounder administered cadmium alone, and in flounder treated with BaP or PCB 156 prior to cadmium. GST selenium independent peroxidase activities appeared to be unaffected by any of the treatments in the present study. The results indicate that chemical mixtures may affect biomarker responses differently from compounds administered alone, and that the sensitivity of both CYP1A and MT are influenced by pollutants other than their primary inducers.     

Lanthanum improves the cadmium tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> seedlings by the regulation of ascorbate and glutathione metabolism

The effect of lanthanum on the metabolism of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) in the leaves of maize seedlings under cadmium stress was investigated. The findings showed that Cd remarkably increased electrolyte leakage (EL), the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), glutathione reductase, L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase, and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, and the content of reduced AsA, reduced GSH, total AsA, total GSH, malondialdehyde (MDA), and Cd, compared with control. However, Cd significantly decreased the dry biomass of roots and shoots. Treatment with La + Cd evidently increased the activities of above enzymes except MDHAR, the content of reduced AsA, reduced GSH, total AsA and total GSH, and the dry biomass of roots and shoots, compared with Cd stress alone. Meanwhile, treatment with La + Cd remarkably decreased EL and the content of Cd and MDA compared with Cd stress alone. Our results suggested that La could be used as a regulator to improve the Cd tolerance of maize for its role in the alleviation of Cd-induced oxidative damage by regulating the metabolism of AsA and GSH.     

Characterization of the human hepatocellular carcinoma (hepg2) cell line as an in vitro model for cadmium toxicity studies

Biochemical indicators and in vitro models, if they mimic in vivo responses, offer potentially sensitive tools for inclusion in toxicity assessment programs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the HepG2 cell line would mimic known in vivo or in vitro (or both) responses of mammalian systems when confronted with cadmium (Cd2+). Uptake and compartmentalization of Cd2+, metallothionein (MT) compartmentalization, and glutathione (GSH) depletion were examined. In addition, several cytotoxic and stress effects, e.g., viability (neutral red [NR] uptake, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiozole-2-yl]-2,5,-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide [MTT] dye conversion, and live/dead [L/D]), membrane damage (lactate dehydrogenase leakage), metabolic activity (adenosine triphosphate levels), and detoxification capabilities (GSH content, cytochrome P4501A1/2 [EROD (ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase)] activity, and MT induction), were measured in both naive (no previous exposure) and Cd2+ preexposed cells. Cadmium uptake increased during a 24-h period. Metallothionein induction occurred in response to both Cd2+ and ZnCl2; however, Cd2+ was the more potent inducer. Both Cd2+ and MT were localized primarily in the cytoplasmic compartment. All biochemical responses, except EROD, showed concentration- response relationships, after 24-h exposure to Cd2+ (ranges 0-3 ppm [26.7 microM]). Cadmium effects were reduced in preexposed cells, indicating adaptive tolerance or increased resistance had occurred. Twenty-four-hour LC50, dose causing death of 50% of the test subjects, values were 0.97, 0.69, and 0.80 ppm (8.7, 6.2, and 7.2 microM) for naive cells and 1.45, 1.21, and 1.39 ppm (12.9, 10.7, and 12.3 microM) for preexposed cells based on the NR, MTT, and L/D assays, respectively. These data indicate that this carcinoma cell line is a useful in vitro model for cadmium toxicity studies.     

Effect of cadmium on lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant enzymes in growing pigs

Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) content, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione transferase (GST) activities were studied in serum, liver, and kidney of growing pigs after graded doses of cadmium administration in diets. One hundred ninety-two barrows (Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire), with similar initial body weight 27.67±1.33 kg, were randomly allotted into 4 different treatments with 3 replications (16 pigs per replication). The treatments received the same basal diet added with 0, 0.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg cadmium (as CdCl₂), respectively. The results showed pigs treated with 10 mg/kg cadmium significantly decreased average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and increased feed/gain ratio (F/G) (p<0.05) compared to the control. In this treatment, the contents of MDA increased significantly (p<0.05), GSH concentrations, T-AOC levels, and the activities of SOD, GSH-PX, and GST decreased significantly (p<0.05). The results indicate 10 mg/kg cadmium could decrease pig antioxidant capacity after extended exposure and cadmium-induced increase lipid peroxidation might not be only the result of the possibility of lower level of GSH but could also be as a result of direct action of cadmium on peroxidation reaction.     

Biomarker responses in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after single and combined exposure to low doses of cadmium, zinc, PCB77 and 17β-oestradiol

The objective of this study was to examine (i) the biochemical responses of rainbow trout exposed to sublethal water concentrations of the metals cadmium (Cd) (1.5 μg l^-1) and zinc (Zn) (150 μg l^-1); and (ii) the potential combined effects when applied in mixture (Cd/Zn) with and without co-exposure to model organic chemicals 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB77) (1 mg kg^-1) and 17β-oestradiol (E2) (0.5 mg kg^-1). After 21 days of exposure, several biomarkers were assessed in the liver (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, heat shock proteins [HSP70 and HSP60], ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase [EROD]) and in the plasma (vitellogenin [Vtg], aminotransferases). Plasma aminotransferases were not affected, whereas the other biomarkers showed different patterns of response depending on the treatment. For example, Cd, and Zn to a lesser extent, induced an adaptive response in the liver shown by an increase in antioxidant defences (total glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity [TEAC]), without any impairment of GSH redox status or induction of heat shock proteins. Antagonistic effects were observed in GSH-related biomarkers after Cd/Zn exposure. PCB77 strongly induced EROD activity, HSP70 and TEAC. Co-exposure with metals did not modulate significantly the effects of PCB77. E2 induced Vtg and inhibited liver antioxidants and basal EROD activity. These inhibitory effects were suppressed in fishes exposed to E2 + Cd/Zn, suggesting additive effects of E2 and metals. In addition, E2-induced Vtg was not altered by metals. Multivariate analyses confirmed some correlation between the biomarkers. The use of complementary biomarkers is necessary to discriminate different treatments and to highlight interactive effects.     

Combined effects of cadmium and nickel on testicular xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in rats

When male rats were given a single dose of cadmium (Cd) (3.58 mg CdCl₂·H₂O/kg, ip) 72 hr prior to sacrifice, the testicular 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities toward the substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB), ethacrynic acid (EAA), 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)-propane (EPNP), and cumene hydroperoxide (CHPx) decreased significantly as compared to controls. Cd also inhibited reduced glutathione (GSH) level while increasing the lipid peroxidation (LP) level significantly. When the animals were given a single dose of nickel (Ni) (59.5 mg NiCl₂·6H₂O/kg, ip) 16 hr prior to sacrifice, significant decreases were observed in EROD and GST activities toward CDNB, EAA, EPNP, and CHPx, and GSH level. No significant alterations were noted in DCNB GST activity and LP level by Ni. For the combined treatment, rats received the single dose of Ni 56 hr after the single dose of Cd and were killed 16 hr later. In these animals, lesser depressions were observed on EROD activity and LP level than those of Cd alone. The combination of metals significantly inhibited GST activities and GSH level but not to a greater degree than noted by Cd or Ni alone. Plasma testosterone levels of Cd-, Ni-, and combination-treated rats decreased significantly compared to controls. The strongest depression was achieved by Cd alone. Cd, both alone and in combination with Ni, increased the tissue Ni uptake significantly. Ni, however, did not produce such an effect on the tissue uptake of Cd in either case. Cd treatment caused interstitial edema and coagulation necrosis in seminiferous tubules and also caused fibrinoidal necrosis in vascular endothelium. Ni treatment did not produce any pathological testicular alterations compared to controls. Combined treatment produced fewer pathological alterations (i.e., only interstitial edema) than that of Cd treatment. These results reveal that the combination of Cd and Ni does not have a synergistic effect on testicular xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, and in contrast, Ni has an ameliorating effect on pathological disturbances caused by Cd alone in the rat testis.     

Modulation of cadmium-induced oxidative stress in Ceratophyllum demersum by zinc involves ascorbate-glutathione cycle and glutathione metabolism.

To understand the interaction between Zn, an essential micronutrient and Cd, a non-essential element, Cd-10 microM and Zn supplemented (10, 50, 100, and 200 microM) Cd 10 microM treated Ceratophyllum demersum L. (Coontail), a free floating freshwater macrophyte was chosen for the study. Cadmium at 10 microM concentration decreased thiol content, enhanced oxidation of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) to dehydroascorbate (DHA) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG), respectively, a clear indication of oxidative stress. Zinc supplementation to Cd (10 microM) treated plants effectively restored thiols, inhibited oxidation of AsA and GSH maintaining the redox molecules in reduced form. Cd-10 microM slightly induced ascorbate peroxidase (APX, E.C. 1.11.1.11) but inhibited monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR, E.C. 1.6.5.4), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, E.C. 1.8.5.1) and glutathione reductase (GR, E.C. 1.6.4.2), enzymes of ascorbate-glutathione cycle (AGC). Zn supplementation restored and enhanced the functional activity of all the AGC enzymes (APX, MDHAR, DHAR and GR). Gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS, E.C. 6.3.2.2) was not affected by Cd as well as Zn, but Zn supplements increased glutathione-S-transferase (GST, E.C. 2.5.1.18) activity to a greater extent than Cd and simultaneously restored glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX, E.C. 1.11.1.9) activity impaired by Cd toxicity. Zn-alone treatments did not change above investigated parameters. These results clearly indicate the protective role of Zn in modulating the redox status of the plant system through the antioxidant pathway AGC and GSH metabolic enzymes for combating Cd induced oxidative stress.     

Glutathione system in erythrocytes and blood plasma in strokes and dyscirculatory encephalopathy

Dyscirculatory encephalopathy and mild ischemic stroke are characterized by solitary changes in components of glutathione metabolism. In moderate and severe ischemic strokes essential changes have been found. Changes in glutathione metabolism are also expressed in hemorrhagic stroke. The clearest increase was found in activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferase and in rare cases in activities of glutathione reductase and GSH concentration. The increase of enzymes activity was not found in patients with delayed onset of treatment (more than 3 days) and also in severe cases terminated by subsequent death of patients. Glutathione system is obviously important for tolerance to cerebral ischemia.     

Interaction of benzo[a]pyrene, 2,3,3′,4,4′,5 hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 156) and cadmium on biomarker responses in flounder (Platichthys flesus L.)

Interactive effects of a mixed pollutant exposure on biomarker responses were studied in European flounder (Platichthys flesus L.). The model chemicals, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP, 2.5 mg kg^-1), 2,3,3′,4,4′5 hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB-156, 2.5 mg kg^-1), and cadmium (cadmium, 1 mg kg^-1), were administered to fish by subcutaneous injections. Biomarker responses were quantified both following administration of single chemicals and sequential combinations of the chemicals in pairs. Significant induction of CYP1A protein levels and corresponding ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities was observed in BaP and PCB treated flounder after 2 and 8 days, respectively. The strongest induction (44 fold) was caused by BaP. No further induction was observed after additional treatment with PCB 156. CYP1A induction caused by BaP was inhibited (40% compared with BaP treatment alone) in flounder pre treated with cadmium, whereas induction by PCB 156 appeared to be unaffected by pre treatment with cadmium. Flounder treated with cadmium only had significantly elevated hepatic levels of metallothionein (MT) after 15 days. Pre treatment with BaP and PCB prior to cadmium inhibited the MT induction (30-50%) compared with cadmium alone. Furthermore, significantly higher glutathione S transferase activities were observed in flounder administered cadmium alone, and in flounder treated with BaP or PCB 156 prior to cadmium. GST selenium independent peroxidase activities appeared to be unaffected by any of the treatments in the present study. The results indicate that chemical mixtures may affect biomarker responses differently from compounds administered alone, and that the sensitivity of both CYP1A and MT are influenced by pollutants other than their primary inducers.     

Involvement of glutathione and enzymatic defense system against cadmium toxicity in Bradyrhizobium sp. strains (peanut symbionts)

In this study, the effects of cadmium (Cd) on cell morphology and antioxidant enzyme activities as well as the distribution of the metal in different cell compartments in Bradyrhizobium sp. strains were investigated. These strains were previously classified as sensitive (Bradyrhizobium sp. SEMIA 6144) and tolerant (Bradyrhizobium sp. NLH25) to Cd. Transmission electron micrographs showed large electron-translucent inclusions in the sensitive strain and electron-dense bodies in the tolerant strain, when exposed to Cd. Analysis of Cd distribution revealed that it was mainly bounded to cell wall in both strains. Antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly different in each strain. Only the tolerant strain was able to maintain a glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio by an increase of GSH reductase (GR) and GSH peroxidase (GPX) enzyme activities. GSH S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) activities were drastically inhibited in both strains while superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed a significant decrease only in the sensitive strain. In conclusion, our findings suggest that GSH content and its related enzymes are involved in the Bradyrhizobium sp. tolerance to Cd contributing to the cellular redox balance.     

Multi-biomarker responses in the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha exposed to polychlorobiphenyls and metals

Contaminant related changes in behavioral, phase I and II metabolizing enzymes and pro-oxidant/antioxidant processes in the freshwater mussels Dreissena polymorpha exposed to metals and PCBs were assessed. Behavioral and biochemical responses including filtering rates, key phase I, II and antioxidant enzymes and levels of metallothioneins, glutathione, lipid peroxidation and DNA strand breaks were determined in digestive glands of mussels after being exposed to sublethal levels of mercury chloride, methyl mercury, cadmium and Aroclor 1260 during 5 days. In 7 out of 12 responses analyzed, mussels showed significant differences across treatments. Unusual properties of measured ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities indicated that mussels lack an inducible CYP1A enzymatic activity. Despite of using similar exposure levels, inorganic and organic mercury showed different biomarker patterns of response with methyl mercury being more bio-available and unable to induce metallothionein proteins. Mussels exposed to Cd presented higher levels of metallothioneins and an enhanced metabolism of glutathione, whereas those exposed to Aroclor showed their antioxidant glutathione peroxidase related enzyme activities inhibited. Although there was evidence for increased lipid peroxidation under exposure to inorganic and organic mercury, only mussels exposed to Aroclor had significant greater levels than those in controls.     

Alterations of tissue glutathione levels and metallothionein mRNA in rainbow trout during single and combined exposure to cadmium and zinc

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of Cd and Zn exposure of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on (a) hepatic glutathione (GSH) levels; and (b) hepatic and branchial metallothionein (MT) mRNA expression. Juvenile rainbow trout were exposed to waterborne Cd (nominal concentrations: 1.5 or 10 microg Cd l(-1)), Zn (150 or 1000 microg Zn l(-1)) or Cd/Zn mixtures (1.5 microg Cd l(-1) with 200 microg Zn l(-1) or 10 microg Cd l(-1) with 1000 microg Zn l(-1)). After 14 and 28 days of treatment, hepatic concentrations of total glutathione, oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and cysteine were determined by means of fluorometric high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Branchial and hepatic expression of MT mRNA was measured by means of semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Exposure of trout to Zn did not result in significantly elevated tissue levels of Zn, whereas Cd accumulation factors changed significantly with time and concentration. Despite of the absence of Zn accumulation, hepatic GSH but not MT mRNA levels were significantly altered in Zn-exposed fish. Cd, on the contrary, affected mainly the MT response but not GSH. Also tissue specific differences in the regulation of the two thiol pools were expressed. The thiol response after exposure to metal mixtures could not be explained by simple addition of the effects of the individual metals. The results indicate that cellular thiol pools show different reaction patterns with respect to specific metals and metal mixtures. Under conditions of long-term, low dose metal exposure, the function of GSH appears to go beyond that of a transitory, first line defense.     

Effects of cadmium stress upon activities of antioxidative enzymes, photosynthetic rate, and production of phytochelatins in leaves and chloroplasts of wheat cultivars differing in yield potential

We tested the mode of action of Cd on photosynthesis and activities of ATP-sulfurylase (ATP-S), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and on contents of phytochelatins (PCs) and glutathione (GSH) in two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) PBW-343 and WH-542 differing in yield potential. Cd treatment increased Cd content and photosynthetic activity in PBW-343 more than in WH-542. The activities of APX, GR, ATP-S, and synthesis of PCs and GSH were also increased by Cd, but the CAT and SOD activities were inhibited in both the cultivars. The efficient functioning of antioxidative enzymes, production of PCs and GSH, helped in counteracting the effects of Cd namely in PBW-343, protected photosynthetic ability, and increased the tolerance to Cd.     

镉致黑斑蛙肝脏氧化损伤与金属硫蛋白含量的变化

为观察镉对黑斑蛙(Rana nigromaculata)肝脏脂质过氧化产物和金属硫蛋白含量的影响,将黑斑蛙暴露于10.0mg·mL-1浓度的镉溶液中30d,分别测定了黑斑蛙在暴露4、10d和30d时肝脏组织中镉(Cd)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、金属硫蛋白(MT)和过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)的含量。实验结果表明,黑斑蛙肝脏中镉的积累量、GSH和MT含量均随着镉暴露时间的延长而显著升高,具有明显的时间-效应关系;在镉暴露的第10天,肝MDA含量明显高于对照组。提示镉可对黑斑蛙肝脏造成氧化损伤,而GSH、MT含量的升高则可能是机体抗氧化损伤的机理之一。     

Investigation of Cadmium-Induced Genotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Response in Indian Major Carp,Labeo rohita

We investigated genotoxicity and oxidative stress in the gills of Labeo rohita exposed to 33.6, 67.1, and 100.6 mg L^–1of cadmium chloride at 96 h. Genotoxicity was assessed using single cell gel electrophoresis whereas oxidative stress was monitored through lipid peroxidation induction and antioxidant response parameters, namely reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase (CAT) activities. Significant (p < .05) effect of both concentration and time of exposure was observed on the extent of DNA damage in treated fish. Similarly, malondialdehyde content, level of GSH, and activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly elevated in treated groups, except CAT. The increased DNA damage and lipid peroxidation (LPO) content along with fluctuation in antioxidant defense system in fish indicated the interaction of cadmium (Cd) with DNA repair processes and production of reactive oxygen species. Thus, Cd is liable for induction of LPO, alteration of antioxidant defenses, and DNA damage in gills of L. rohita.