Oxidative Stress Markers (Malondialdehyde, Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione-Peroxidase, and Glutathione Reductase) and Metallothionein Activities of Papyrocarpus Afer

The contamination of water bodies has become a serious issue in Nigeria today, as xenobiotics entering the aquatic environment exert their effects through redox cycling. The effect of these pollutant can be assessed using malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes such as (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GXP), glutathione reductase (GR)) and metallothionein (MT) as biomarkers in fish from Banegbe River. Our results showed Significant (p < 0.05) elevations in MDA, and the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GXP, GR and MT) activities from middle-stream, down-stream and up-stream when compared to control (from Orogodo river). But the fish from control II (Ekpan pond) also had a significant (p < 0.05) elevation in these enzyme activities when compared to the fish from control I, except for the fat content of the fish that had a Significant (p < 0.05) decrease in its activities in the same pattern.