Effects of light-emitting diodes on thermally-induced oxidative stress in the bay scallop Argopecten irradians

Abstract

Water temperature is an important stressor that affects the physiological and biochemical responses of scallops. In this study, we investigated the effect of different light-emitting diodes (LEDs; red, green and blue) on oxidative stress in Argopecten irradians. PCR revealed MnSOD mRNA expression in the digestive diverticula, gill, adductor muscle and eye. CAT and HSP70 mRNA were expressed in the digestive diverticula, gill and adductor muscle. Additionally, we measured the changes in the expression of HSP70, MnSOD and CAT as well as H2O2 levels during thermal/laboratory stress. In the digestive diverticula, gill and adductor muscle, the mRNA expressions and activities and H2O2 levels significantly increased in response to thermal changes. The gene expressions and activities and H2O2 levels were significantly lower in scallops that received green LED light than in those that received no mitigating treatment. A comet assay revealed that thermal change groups had increased rates of nuclear DNA damage; however, treatment with green LED reduced the frequency of damage. The results indicated that low or high water temperature conditions induced oxidative stress in A. irradians but that green LED significantly reduced this stress.