Biomarkers of Cypermethrin (Synthetic Pyrethroid) Toxicity - Biochemical alterations in Cyprinus carpio, a freshwater edible fish

Biochemical markers are measurable responses to the exposure of an organism to xenobiotics as well as very suitable biosensors of aquatic pollutants. Aquatic pollution can easily be detected through biomarkers, as enzymes provide one of the most reliable means of assessing the degree of exposure of animals to pollutants. Some of the biochemical alteration occurring in the body gives the first indication of the stress in the organism and hence effect on the part of the pollution [1]. The biochemical studies are good parameters which help to see the effects of toxicants on metabolism of fish [2]. Biochemical tests are routine laboratory tests useful in recognizing acute or chronic toxicity of these insecticides [3] and can be a practical tool to diagnose toxicity effects in target organs and to determine the physiological status in fish. Fish occupy a prominent position in the field of tocicity studies. They are continued to be an extremely reliable component of an aquatic ecosystem, serve as best bioindicators of water pollution and are the inhabitants that cannot escape from the detrimental effects of these pollutants [4]. Toxicological investigations conducted on various fish species proved that the biochemical alterations at the level of whole animal, organs, tissues and sub cellular organelles, are better indices of damage by pollution than the conventional pathophysiological changes. Against this broad background, the present review attempts to provide a comphehensive data available on the biochemical biomarkers of cypermethrin, a type II pyrethroid.