LAUSR

ABSTRACT Lead (Pb) is one of the most toxic heavy metals that affect the physiological status of aquatic organisms. The present investigation evaluated the possible toxic effect of lead chloride (PbCl2) on biomarkers responses, DNA damage and histological alterations in Venus verrucosa gills and digestive gland. Three concentrations of PbCl2 (D1:1µgL−1, D2: 10µgL−1 and D3: 100µgL−1) were chosen for V. verrucosa exposure during six days. At the end of the trial, it was found that Pb tended to accumulate in both gills and digestive gland in a dose-dependent manner. However, gill tissues exhibited the highest metal burden. Our results showed an increase of malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls and advanced oxidation protein product levels in both organs following PbCl2exposure. The induction of both non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant systems; as well as the decrease of the acetylcholinesterase activity and degradation of DNA structure was recorded in the gills and digestive gland. The histopathological alterations observed in gills (disruption of lamellas and cilia filaments …) and digestive gland (lumens occlusion, necrosis and fibrosis) confirmed the aforementioned results. Our data highlighted the short-term toxicity effects of PbCl2 on V. verrucosa and pointed out a high sensitivity of gills towards this metal.