The Effects of Cadmium and Iron on Catalase Activities in Tubifex

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Abstract
The effects of 1 μ/M Cd(II), alone and in combination with several concentrations of Fe(II), were investigated in Tubifex tubifex (a fresh water worm) by the determination of catalase activities in vivo at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. At 6 h postexposure the catalase activities in all cadmium-exposed groups dropped below control values. At 12 and 24 h the values rose; at 48 h the catalase activities exceeded control values. The combination of 1 μM Cd(II) plus 100 μM Fe(II) exhibited the least inhibition of catalase activity at 6 h and the most increased activity at 48 h. By comparison, the in vitro results of incubating bovine liver catalase for 6 h with different concentrations of Cd(II) and Fe(II) showed that Cd alone at 10 μLM had no inhibitory effect on catalase activity and that 100 μM Fe(II) decreased the catalase activity to 40% of the control. The effects of Fe(II) on Cd(II) LC50 values were also studied. Adding 100 μM Fe(II) or pretreating for 48 h with a mixture of 1 μM Cd(II) and 100 μM Fe(II) decreased the toxicity of Cd(II) by almost 70%. These studies indicate (a) that a mixture of Cd(II) and Fe(II) will increase catalase activities in vivo after a 2-day exposure and (b) that certain concentrations of Fe(II) can protect the worm against Cd(II) toxicity. One suggested mechanism is that Fe(II) can inhibit Cd uptake and transfer. An enhanced catalase activity appears to protect the worms against the toxic effects of Cd(II).

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