Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part G (2014)

Abstract
The impact of heavy metals on the growth rate and biochemical reserves is well-documented. Bivalves, known for their ability to indicate pollutants, serve as an ideal experimental model for assessing the effects of toxicants and detoxifying drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impacts of ascorbic acid on protein contents intoxication of lead toxicity induced on the gill, testis, and hepatopancreas tissues of freshwater bivalves (Lamellidens corrianus) through chronic exposure to PbNo3 (6.810 ppm) over a period of 20 days. It was revealed that there was a depletion in total protein content across all tissues tested - gills, testis, and hepatopancreas following chronic exposure to lead nitrate. The experimental bivalves observed significantly lower protein levels than the control group. Interestingly, bivalves exposed to a combination of heavy metal salt and ascorbic acid exhibited higher protein content than those exposed solely to heavy metal salts. Bivalves treated with ascorbic acid showed faster tissue protein recovery compared to untreated bivalves. Bivalves exposed to 50 mg of ascorbic acid had even faster recovery than those in untreated water. It may conclude that, ascorbic acid can protect against lead toxicity by acting as an antioxidant, aiding in basement membrane repair, and binding to metal ions.