Studies on combined effect of Aeromonas hydrophila and cadmium on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in selected tissues of Indian freshwater major carp, Catla catla: role of silver nanoparticles

. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of dual stressors cadmium (Cd) and Aeromonas hydrophila (AH) on pro-and antioxidant status in gills, kidneys and liver tissues of fishes, Catla catla treated with or without silver nano-particles. Significant elevation in the lipid peroxidation levels with a significant decrease in the activity levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase in were observed in gills, kidneys and liver tissues of fishes exposed to individual and/or in combination with Cd and AH over controls. However, significant elevation in the activity levels of xanthine oxidase was observed in the selected tissues of fishes treated with Cd, AH and Cd+AH over controls. On the other hand, AgNPs showed a reversal effect on Cd-, AHand Cd+AH-induced alterations in lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzymes in gills, kidneys and liver tissues of fishes over their respective controls. No significant changes were observed in lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzymes in selected tissues of fishes exposed to AgNPs alone as compared to untreated fishes. From the findings it is clear that AgNPs protects gills, kidneys and liver against Cd and AH induced oxidative stress. Further studies in this direction might definitely augment the use of nano-based compounds as therapeutic candidates in fisheries. KEY WORDSA. hydrophila, Catla catla, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, silver nanoparticles