Effect of mammals’ excretory function on aspartate aminotransferase activity in Glechoma hederacea leaves in conditions of Cd pollution

The paper includes analysis of research of Cd impact on the activity of the enzyme of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) nitrogen metabolism and the content of water-soluble protein fraction (albumin) in Glechoma hederacea L. leaves, which dominated in the research area (in natural floodplain oak forest with Stellaria holostea L.). Cd was introduced in the form of salts of Cd(NO3)2 in the range of concentrations of: 0.25, 1.25, 2.5 g/m2, equivalent to the inclusion of Cd in 1, 5, 10 doses of MAC. Increase (P < 0.05) in the activity of AST 2.6–3.0 times (with adding Cd salts at a dose of 1 and 5 МAС) and albumin content by 37% (with adding Cd salts at a dose of 10 МAС) compared to control (the area without Cd pollution and excretory activity of mammals) was shown. Using of excreta of some representatives of mammals (for example, Capreolus capreolus L.) contributed to reduction of Cd toxic effects and restoring of the functional metabolic activity of AST by 23% (with Cd 1 МAС) and by 34% (Cd 5 МAС). It is the evidence of protective function of mammals and their normalization effect at the above concentrations of Cd. Whereas the adding of Cd salts at a dose of 10 МAС led to 3 times’ inhibition of AST activity, the toxic effect of metal by excretory function of mammals was not reduced. Observations revealed the albumin content normalization by 22% in the presence of Cd 1MAC respectively (with the introduction of C. capreolus excreta) and to the control level (the area without Cd pollution and excretory activity of mammals) with the excreta of Sus scrofa L. in the setting of Cd 10 MAC. It proves the need to use the different mammal species for integrated and comprehensive normalization of ecosystems under conditions of uncontrolled anthropogenic pollution.