Effects of Nitrite Exposure on Plasma Nitrite Levels and Hepatic Drug-metabolizing Enzymes in the Carp, Cyprinus carpio

Effects of ambient nitrite, NO$_2$$\^$-/, at 1, 3, 10 and 30 mg/1, on the changes of plasma nitrite/nitrate and on hepatic drug - metabolizing enzyme activity were examined in the juvenile Israeli carp, Cyprinus carpio. When the fish were exposed to 1 and 3 mg/1 NO$_2$$\^$-/, there was an exposure duration-dependent increase in plasma NO$_2$$\^$-/ over the 96-hr period reaching 6∼7 fold excess the ambient concentration. In the fish exposed to 10 mg/1, a plateau concentration of less than 2-fold of the environment was attained in 12 hr. With 30 mg/1, however, the maximal plasma NO$_2$$\^$-/ was 41.25 mg/1 at 12 hr followed by a gradual decline. There was a concentration-dependent increase in methemoglobin (metHb) level in all NO$_2$$\^$-/ -exposed groups and a significant decrease in hematocrit value in 30 mg/l group after 96-hr exposure. Apart from the blunted increase in plasma NO$_2$$\^$-/ with higher NO$_2$$\^$-/ (10 and 30 mg/1) exposure, the ratio of plasma NO$_3$$\^$-/ to NO$_2$$\^$-/ was signifirantly higher in these groups compared to 1 and 3 mg/1. The imbalance in the plasma NO$_3$$\^$-//NO$_2$$\^$-/ at higher NO$_2$$\^$-/ exposure suggests a possible accelerated conversion of NO$_2$$\^$-/ to NO$_3$$\^$-/. Nitrite exposure did not affect the hepatic drug-metabolic activities in juvenile Israeli carp. All these data indicate that disposition of NO$_2$- differ depending upon exposed concentration and that metHb production may not be the exclusive toxic mechanism in carp.

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