Determination of cyanide amounts in the water sources of Kutahya city and investigation of the effects of cyanide on some biochemical, hematologic and histopathologic parameters of carp (Cyprinus carpio)

In this study, the amounts of cyanide, which is an important contaminant, were determined in some water sources within the borders of Kütahya City and the effects of cyanide on the levels of hemogram, some enzymatic activities, lipid peroxidation, histomorphological and immunohistochemical parameters of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) fishes were investigated. A total of 158 stations analyzed in the vicinity of Kütahya City did not exceed the threshold levels determined for drinking water except two stations. Sodium cyanide was used as a source of cyanide to determine the toxic effects of cyanide in the experiments. A total of 96 fish used in the study were acclimated for 15 days and then exposed to 0,1 mg / L and 0,2 mg / L cyanide concentrations for 3 and 15 days. It was determined that the blood parameters examined were not significantly affected except the hemoglobin and hematocrit values of mirror carp exposed to cyanide at a concentration of 0,2 mg/L for 15 days. Catalase, superoxide dismutase and carbonic anhydrase activities of cyanide exposed fish were found to be inhibited in some tissues and but increased in some other tissues. Malondialdehyde levels, which are important markers of cell damage, were generally elevated with exposure to cyanide. Lipid accumulation, lymphocyte infiltration, fibrosis and regeneration in liver and hyperplasia, cell aggregates and goblet cells in skin epithelium and gill filaments were detected in cyanide exposed fish. In addition, in all the investigated tissues of carp exposed to cyanide at concentrations of 0,1 mg/L and 0,2 mg/L, Bcl-2 expressions functioning in apoptosis were decreased and caspase-3 expressions were increased.