STIMULATING EFFECT OF LOW-DOSE CADMIUM-PHENANTHRENE MIXTURES ON CATALASE ACTIVITY IN THE EARTHWORM, Eisenia fetida

摘要

The influence of low-dose cadmium (Cd) and phen-anthrene (Phen) mixtures on catalase (CAT) activity in the earthworm, Eisenia fetida, was investigated. Low-dose equitoxic Cd-Phen mixtures increased CAT activity after exposure for 6h. The stimulating effects were dependent on exposure time. The largest increase in CAT activity after exposure for 6 h was 101.62%. Low-dose Phen mixtures reduced the toxicity of Cd to earthworms while high-dose mixtures enhanced it. The mechanism behind this difference may be related to changes in cell membrane permeability induced by high-dose Cd-Phen mixtures.