Correlation of oxidative stress enzymes and histological alteration in the gastrointestinal tract of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> induced with alpha olefin sulfonate

This study examined antioxidant system responses and gastrointestinal pathological changes related to alpha olefin sulfonate (α-OS) toxicity in generated oxidative stress. <i>Clarias gariepinus</i>, self-bred fish, including the control, were exposed to α-OS concentrations observed in the field (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 mg/l) for 30 days. Sigma-Aldrich test kits were used to assess reduced glutathione <i>S</i>-transferase (GST) spectrophotometrically, while abnormal changes or damage in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were examined under a microscope. In plasma, α-OS exposure increased GST activities by 73%, varying with dose and duration. Glutathione (GSH) activity decreased by 26% but had few impacts. Increasing α-OS concentration and exposure duration led to histopathologic damage in the GIT, while the control fish had a normal GIT architecture. Fish absorb surfactants easily through their skin and gills, and blood circulates them to their organs. Fish contamination lowers human resistance by altering numerous enzymes through the food chain. When other contaminants are present in high amounts, the combined toxicity damages biota more than either pollutant alone. Any detergent contamination in coastal waters should be addressed seriously because the organisms that are low on the food chain and other sensitive ones will be eliminated even at low concentrations.