Effect of polyaromatic hydrocarbons on cellular cytochrome P450 1A induction

The detection of cytochrome P450 1A in S. rivulatus liver and gills was used as a biomarker for the exposure to polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as organic pollutants along the Bay of Alexandria, Egypt. PAHs were determined in both sediment and S. rivulatus tissues in Abu Qir Bay, Alexandria as a test area and the Matrouh coast as a control area. High levels of PAHs in Abu Qir Bay area and ratios of specific PAH compounds indicate the petrogenic origin of hydrocarbons. Both antioxidant activity and oxidative stress markers increased significantly. The protein expression of P450 1A in the liver and gill of S. rivulatus was markedly induced. Moreover, the toxicity in fish organs was supported by histopathological observations. These data suggest correlation between bioaccumulated PAH and P450 1A induction and provide strong evidence of the importance of P450 1A as a biomarker of the exposure of S. rivulatus to xenobiotics.