Mechanisms of antioxidant defense in the state of post-hypoxia in Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae)

Abstract

Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae), comprises a group of reptiles that are tolerant to variations in environmental oxygen availability. Due to this characteristic, they are considered an excellent model for studies that aim the understanding of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms involved in the resistance to oxidative stress and cell damage. During its evolution, some turtles have developed mechanisms that allow them to survive the oxygen deprivation and consequent reoxygenation of tissues, a condition known to release the so-called reactive oxygen species (ROS), a group of molecules that are capable of interacting with other cell components, in some cases, leading to oxidation of essential cell components, such as proteins, DNA, and fatty acids. These mechanisms are related to turtles high-antioxidant capacity, that are able to combat the deleterious effects of ROS and, thus, adequately survive after the period they were under stress. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the antioxidant mechanisms that act in the organism after the reoxygenation, due to the previous period of induced hypoxia in P. geoffroanus. We evaluate the activity of some antioxidant enzymes, as well as the existence of cellular damage in brain, heart, liver and pancreas. Twenty individuals were collected in Preto river, that belongs to the basin Turvo/Grande, in the city of Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo. The animals were acclimated for 120 days, and, thereafter, the normoxia and hypoxia-reoxygenation experiments were conducted under controlled temperatures of 27 degrees and 17 degrees C, corresponding to the temperature range of Preto river during the year. After the extraction of tissues, analysis of the enzymatic activity of catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as analysis of the levels of lipid peroxidation by quantification of malondialdehyde, were performed. We concluded that the enzymatic activity was not higher in all tissues exposed to reperfusion. It was observed the existence of cellular damage due to lipid peroxidation, especially in organisms exposed to reoxygenation, concluding that the damage exists, although it is very low compared to other animals. The results of this study can not only elucidate conservation issues of a species often neglected, but also contribute to a better understanding of the history of life, biochemistry and cell biology in these animals, as well as the understanding of oxidative stress repair mechanisms.