Antioxidant responses and reactive oxygen species generation in different body regions of the estuarine polychaeta Laeonereis acuta (Nereididae)

The aim of this study was to analyze the total antioxidant capacity (TOSC), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the different body regions of the estuarine polychaeta Laeonereis acuta (Nereididae) sampled at non-polluted (NOPOL) and polluted (POL) sites from Lagoa dos Patos (Southern Brazil). Organisms collected at POL during summer showed similar ( p > 0.05) TOSC values along the body, but worms collected at NOPOL presented higher ( p < 0.05) TOSC values in the posterior (P) region in respect of anterior (A) region and middle (M) region. TOSC in the P region at NOPOL was higher ( p < 0.05) compared with the same body region of worms at POL. In summer, ROS concentration was higher in A and M regions of worms at POL in respect of the organisms at NOPOL. During winter all the regions showed higher ROS in worms sampled at POL. It was registered absence of season influence on LPO content, but in the P region at NOPOL in summer there were lower LPO levels compared with the others regions ( p < 0.05). In vitro assays showed that P region, despite a higher basal ROS, presented a higher competence to cope with pro-oxidants compared with A and M regions ( p < 0.05), corroborating the field results. A lower proteic sulfhydril content was observed in P in respect of the other regions ( p < 0.05) supporting the idea of a highest oxidant condition in this region. The results indicate that worms collected at the POL site are confronted to higher ROS concentrations, affecting its antioxidant capacity, a result that depends of body regions.