BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS IN THE LIVER OF HEALTHY AND DISEASED BULLFROG RANA CATESBEIANA (SHAW, 1802)

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biochemical aspects of the liver of both healthy and diseased bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana), from commercial froggeries. The concentration of total proteins and phenols, the activity of peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase enzymes, obtained through spectrophotometry, glutathione, as the ratio of oxidised glutathione (GSH) to reduced glutathione (GSSG), and glycogen concentration were considered. The healthy animals always showed a higher concentration of total proteins, a lower concentration of phenols, a lower enzymatic activity, higher values in the ratio GSH/GSSG glutathione, and a higher concentration of glycogen, while the diseased animals showed opposite values. The hepatic lesions were characterised by proteic deficiency and degeneration, and hepatitis. The presence of an oxidative stress was also found in the hepatic cells from the lesions, with low values of the ratio GSH/ GSSG glutathione in the diseased animals.

KEY WORDS:
Bullfrog; Rana catesbeiana; liver; pathology; biochemic; oxidative stress.