Curative role of caffeine on mercury induced alterations of protein levels in the, Lamellidens corrianus (LEA)

The present investigation was carried out to study the probable role of caffeine (1, 3, 7-Trimethylxanthine) on mercury induced alterations on the experimental freshwater bivalve, Lamellidens corrianus (Lea). The effect on bivalve was studied under five groups. A group bivalve were kept as control, B group bivalves were exposed to acute dose (LC50/2) of mercury (0.6 ppm equivalent to 0.444 ppm Hg++), C group bivalves were exposed to acute dose (LC50/2) of mercuric chloride with caffeine (5 mg/L.). After 4 days bivalves from group B were divided into two groups D and E. D group bivalves pre exposed to acute dose (LC50/2) of mercuric chloride were allowed to cure in normal water. E group bivalves pre exposed to acute dose (LC50/2) of mercuric chloride were exposed to caffeine (5 mg/L) for recovery. From each of five groups, some bivalves were removed and their protein contents in selected tissues of bivalves were estimated. The protein level was decreased due to mercury but the effect was less in presence of caffeine. During recovery protein content from different tissues recovered and the rate of recovery faster in the presence of caffeine. Therefore, the caffeine has the protective and curative role in repair of protein tissues damage caused due to the exposure to mercury.