OXIDATIVE STRESS IN FISH AS A METHOD FOR DETECTION OF ECOSYSTEM DISTURBANCES

Aurelia NICA; Ștefan PETREA; Isabelle METAXA; Alina ANTACHE; Ira SIMIONOV; Marian Tiberiu COADĂ

Aurelia NICA Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology and Aquaculture Department, Food Science and Engineering Faculty, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania, MoRAS Center, 800008, Galaţi, Romania
Ștefan PETREA Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology and Aquaculture Department, Food Science and Engineering Faculty, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania, “REXDAN Center, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania
Isabelle METAXA Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology and Aquaculture Department, Food Science and Engineering Faculty, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania, MoRAS Center, 800008, Galaţi, Romania
Alina ANTACHE Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology and Aquaculture Department, Food Science and Engineering Faculty, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania, “REXDAN Center, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania
Ira SIMIONOV Food Science, Food Engineering, Biotechnology and Aquaculture Department, Food Science and Engineering Faculty, „Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Domnească Street, no. 47, Galați – 800008, Romania
Marian Tiberiu COADĂ Applied Science Department, Cross-Border Faculty, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galaţi, 800008, Galați, Romania

Keywords: oxidative stress in fish, biomarkers, aquatic toxicology, antioxidant defense mechanisms

Abstract

Oxidative stress is an early indicator of deterioration in the health of aquatic organisms when
exposed to harmful environmental factors. In fish, oxidative stress results from a delicate balance
between the production of reactive oxygen species and the capacity of antioxidant defence systems.
Developing a scientific review of the biochemical mechanisms involved in oxidative stress in fish
is essential for consolidating and integrating current knowledge in the field of aquatic physiology.
Although the number of studies on oxidative stress has increased significantly in recent decades, the
information remains scattered across various species, experimental conditions, and ecological
contexts. A thorough review enables the organisation of this data, facilitating the identification of
general trends, knowledge gaps, and future research directions. Fish are a particularly valuable
biological model for studying oxidative stress due to their direct exposure to contaminants and
environmental variations. Understanding the biochemical reactions associated with reactive oxygen
species (ROS) production, antioxidant defence mechanisms, and oxidative stress markers is
fundamental for assessing the health of aquatic organisms and interpreting pollution impacts on
ecosystems [1]. Conducting a thematic review not only ensures a comprehensive synthesis of
existing data but also provides a critical analysis of the methodologies employed, the relevance of
proposed biomarkers, and their integration into modern ecotoxicological monitoring programmes.
Consequently, this work holds dual value: scientific, by consolidating the theoretical basis of
oxidative stress in fish, and practical, by supporting efforts to conserve biodiversity and manage
aquatic resources sustainably.

OXIDATIVE STRESS IN FISH AS A METHOD FOR DETECTION OF ECOSYSTEM DISTURBANCES

Abstract

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