Metallothionein determination in the liver of the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax treated with copper and B(a)P

Metallothioneins (MTs) were quantified in the liver of the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax treated by intraperitoneal injection of copper (500 ng g−1), of benzo(a)-pyrene (20 μg g−1), and of copper (500 ng g−1) and benzo(a)pyrene (20 μg g−1). Two methods of determination of MTs were used: differential pulse polarography and spectrophotometry. Results showed a good correlation between the MT levels determined by both methods. When fishes were injected with copper, their MT levels were lower than in the case of controls, probably due to the toxic effect of copper whereas when fishes were injected with both pollutants there was a 2-fold increase in MT level, compared to controls. In the case of injection with BaP alone, hepatic MT level was even lower than that of controls or in the fishes treated with copper.