Allozyme data and DNA strand break frequencies were compared among populations of Pleurocera canaliculatum from five sites with varying mercury contamination on the North Fork Holston River (NFHR) in southwestern Virginia, USA. Allozyme genotype frequencies for four loci were significantly different between populations from the three most highly contaminated sites and those from two lesser contaminated sites. In addition, heterozygosity at three of these loci was significantly lower in the populations from the most highly contaminated sites. The DNA strand break frequency was significantly correlated to whole-body total mercury concentration in snails from three sites. These data add to the evidence supporting the use of DNA strand breakage as an indicator of chemical contamination and the use of allozyme analysis as a marker of contamination and possible selection for pollution resistance. However, the relationship between contaminant-induced changes in the genetic variation of enzymes of central metabolism and the functionalities upon which selection for resistance may act remain unclear, and mechanisms other than selection for resistance must be considered. Use of enzymes from other biochemical pathways may be appropriate for other species or for those under other chemical pollution pressures.

The liver diseases represent a relevant health problem, affecting once an organ of great importance in homeostasis maintaining. The search for herbal hepatoprotective capacity has been increasing, mainly because of the synthetic products used for this purpose may present adverse effects. Guaraná, obtained from the roasted seeds of the Amazonian plant Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Sapindaceae), is a product with a wide reputation as stimulant and a nutritional supplement in terms of physical and mental stress. It also presents several other biological properties, among them the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-obesogenic. However, few studies focus on the potential hepatoprotective this plant. In this study, the protective effects of Paullinia cupana Mart. var. sorbilis (guaraná) on liver damage were evaluated in rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male Wistar rats were intra gastric pretreated with guaraná powder (100, 300 and 600 mg/Kg) or silymarin 100 mg/Kg daily for 14 days before treatment with a single dose of CCl4 (50% CCl4, 1 mL/Kg, intraperitoneally). Rats were sacrificed 24 h later, and blood samples were collected for assaying serum biochemical parameters. The hepatic tissue was removed to perform the comet assay. CCl4 induced liver damage and significantly increased the activities of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) in serum. In addition, CCl4 increased the DNA damage index in hepatocytes. Pretreatment with guaraná in all concentrations was significantly effective in decreasing the ALT and AST activities when compared with CCl4 treated group. Furthermore, the treatment with guaraná 300 mg/Kg decreased DNA damage index. In addition, the DNA damage index showed a significant positive correlation with AST and ALT. These results indicate that guaraná has hepatoprotective activity and prevents the DNA strand breakage in CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. / As doenças hepáticas representam um grave problema de saúde, uma vez que acometem um órgão de grande importância na manutenção da homeostase. A busca por fitoterápicos com capacidade hepatoprotetora vem aumentando, principalmente pelo fato dos produtos sintéticos utilizados para esse fim apresentarem efeitos adversos. O guaraná, obtido das sementes torradas da planta amazônica Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Sapindaceae), é um produto com ampla reputação como estimulante e como suplemento nutricional em condições de estresse físico e mental. Além disso, apresenta outras diversas propriedades biológicas, entre estas destacam-se os efeitos antioxidantes, antimicrobianos, anticancerígenos e anti-obesogênicos. Entretanto, poucos estudos enfocam o possível potencial hepatoprotetor desta planta. Neste trabalho, os efeitos protetivos do guaraná sobre o dano hepático foram avaliados em ratos expostos ao tetracloreto de carbono (CCl4). Ratos Wistar machos foram pré-tratados (gavagem) com pó de guaraná (100, 300 e 600 mg/Kg) ou com silimaria 100 mg/Kg durante o período de 14 dias. No 14a dia, para a indução de hepatotoxidade, os animais receberam dose única, via intraperitonial de CCl4 (1 mL/Kg; 50%, diluído em azeite de oliva). Após 24 h, amostras de sangue foram coletadas via retro-orbital para avaliação de parâmetros bioquímicos, os animais sacrificados e o tecido hepático removido para a realização do ensaio cometa. O tratamento com CCl4 provocou dano hepático, demonstrado pela elevação signifivativa da atividade das enzimas aspartato aminoranferase (AST) e da alanina aminotransferase (ALT) no soro. Além disso promoveu um aumento significativo no índice de dano ao DNA. O pré-tratamento com guaraná, em todas as concentrações, foi significativamente efetivo em evitar a elevação da atividade de AST e ALT quando comparados ao grupo controle CCl4. O pré-tratamento com guaraná 300 mg/Kg promoveu uma diminuição no índice de dano ao DNA. O índice de dano no DNA mostrou signifivativa correlação positiva com as atividades de AST e ALT. Estes resultados indicam que o guaraná tem atividade hepatoprotetora e previne a quebra da fita do DNA em dano induzido por CCl4 em ratos.