Multi-biomarker responses after exposure to organophosphates chlorpyrifos in the freshwater mussels Unio tigridis and snails Viviparous benglensis

Effects of chlorpyrifos (CPF) on soft tissues of mollusks, Unio tigridis and Viviparous benglensis, have not been studied for biochemical and molecular traits. Therefore, the changes of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)), malondialdehyde (MDA), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and DNA damage in these mollusks were assessed during 21-day exposure to three concentrations of CPF. The results showed that SOD and CAT enzymes in the two mollusk species decreased with highest CPF concentration, while MDA significantly increased with highest CPF concentration. AChE concentrations also showed a clear reduction in soft tissues of both mollusks. DNA damage parameters showed significant differences between controls and three CPF concentrations for each parameter measured in the digestive gland of U. tigridis; and for V. bengalensis significant differences were observed between controls and highest two concentrations of CPF for comet length and tail length. CPF has the ability to prevent reproduction status for the snail V. bengalensis compared to the controls. In this study, we can conclude from the significant changes occurring in the concentrations of CAT, SOD, MDA, AChE, and DNA damage that the concentrations of these biomolecules in the soft tissues of the mussel and snail can be considered suitable biomarkers for a sublethal exposure and/or effects of CPF at the tested concentrations, and we can then use it in biomonitoring of water bodies.