LDH/ AChE and LDH/BChE Ratios (Paralichthys olivaceus) as Biomarkers of Coastal Pollution on Coast of Korea.

This study was designed to develop biomarkers of coastal pollution using biochemical indices of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) by changes in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the serum and cholinesterase activities in brain membranes. For this purpose acetylcholiesterase (AChE) activity, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity, LDH/AChE ratio and LDH/BChE ratio of cultured flounders at 5 different sites on the southern coast of Korea were compared to those of wild flounders caught in the Pohang, eastern coast of Korea as a control group. Relatively high LDH activities were measured in the serum of flounders cultured on the southern coast of Korea (0.101-0.145 unit) than those in the Pohang control group (0.093 unit). AChE activities were significantly low $(about\;10-20\%)$ in brain membranes of cultured flounders compared to those in the Pohang control group. The ratios of LDH/AChE and LDH/BChE were consistently higher $(136-178\%,\; 155-214\%)$ in cultured flounders than those of Pohang control group. Thus, we propose that the ratios of LDH/AChE and LDH/BChE in flounders could be applicable for the diagnosis of marine pollution.