SYNERGISTIC PROTECTIVE ROLE OF CAFFEINE AND L-ASCORBIC ACID ON LEAD INDUCED PROTEIN CONTENT ALTERATIONS IN VARIOUS TISSUES OF LEMELLIDENS CORRIANUS (LEA)

The present communication deals with individual and synergistic effectiveness of caffeine and L-ascorbic acid in lead induced toxicity in an experimental model, freshwater bivalve, Lamellidens corrianus.The effect on bivalve was studied under nine groups. From each treated and recovery groups, some bivalves were removed and protein contents in selected tissues of bivalves were estimated. The protein level was significantly decreased on exposure to lead while the decrease in presence of caffeine + ascorbic acid was less when exposed simultaneously than when exposed individually. During recovery protein contents recovered and the rate of recovery was faster in caffeine + ascorbic acid exposed bivalves as compared to those recovered individually and in normal water. The probable role of the caffeine (1,3,7- Trimethylexanthine) and L-ascorbic acid is discussed in the paper.