[Content of carotenoids and the state of tissue antioxidant enzymatic complex in bivalve mollusc Anadara inaequivalvis Br].

The work studied the content of carotinoids, the state of antioxidant (AO) enzymatic complex, and intensity of lipid peroxidation in tissues (hepatopancreas, gill, foot) of the Black Sea bivalve mollusc Anadara inaequivalvis. Tissues with a high content of the pigment have been established to have had a low activity of the key AO enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and an elevated content of reduced glutathione R2--(0.81-0.97). The recorded intertissue activities reached 1.7-2.9 times (p < or = 0.05-0.01). At increased concentrations (more than 2.5 mg x 100 g(-1) tissue), carotinoids show insignificant prooxidant effect, which is reflected in a rise of glutathione peroxidase activity. The competitive interrelations between these molecular complexes for the same kinds of reactive ocygem species (O2-, OH*, and 1O2) are discussed.