Comparative and interactive effects of mercury, cadmium and lead on tissue GSH levels in Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner): implications for monitoring heavy metal pollution

The effects of 45 days exposure to mercury, cadmium and lead on tissue GSH levels were studied in Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner). Liver, brain, gill filaments, intestine and caudal muscle were assayed after exposure to these heavy metals singly, or in combination. Significant increases in intestinal GSH concentrations consistently occurred after exposure to mixtures of heavy metals. Exposure to cadmium or lead did not change hepatic GSH levels, while exposure to two different concentrations of mercury caused significant increases in hepatic GSH.