Effects of Leucine-enkephalin on Catalase Activity and Glutathione Level in Haemolymph of the Scallop Chlamys farreri

The study was designed to determine whether leucine-enkephalin (L-ENK) and delta receptor were present on the haemocytes of the scallop Chlamys farreri, and investigate the effects of L-ENK on the activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) level in haemolymph of the scallop. Lots of haemocytes immunoreactive to anti-L-ENK and -delta receptor sera were observed. The CAT activity and GSH level were investigated after 1, 5, and 50 μg/ml of L-ENK were added into the haemolymph of the scallop C. farreri. The CAT activity in haemocyte lysate supernatant (HLS) and supernatant were enhanced with increasing concentration of L-ENK. It was also found that the resultant HLS and supernatant GSH content was induced by L-ENK. Both the resultant HLS and supernatant CAT activity and GSH content was highest when the concentration of L-ENK was 50 μg/ml. By binding with opioid neuropeptide receptors, the opioid neuropeptides can regulate the intracellular and extracellular CAT activity and GSH content. Overall, the data strongly suggests an involvement of opioid peptides in the regulation and improvement of the antioxidant defence systems of the scallop C. farreri.