Effects of UV Radiation on Oxidative Stress in Yellowtail Clownfish Amphiprion clarkii

Abstract

We investigated oxidative stress under UV radiation (380 nm) at two intensities (0.2 and 0.4 W/m2) for 14 days (0, 1, 3, 7 and 14) in the yellowtail clownfish Amphiprion clarkii. We analyzed mRNA expression and the activity of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)], levels of plasma hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lipid peroxide (LPO), alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT). Furthermore, DNA damage was measured using comet assays and terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were performed. As a result, the mRNA expressions and activities of antioxidant enzymes, the levels of plasma H2O2, LPO, AlaAT and AspAT were significantly higher in the group exposed to UV radiation than the control group. Finally, the comet and TUNEL assay showed that apoptosis was markedly higher at high UV intensity compared to the control group. These results indicate that UV radiation induces oxidative stress and decreases the antioxidant response in yellowtail clownfish.