This study is part of a large project carried out at the Cairo University, Egypt, and focused on assessing physiological and biochemical changes in Aiolopus thalassinus under the influence of environmental pollution with heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn). The study aimed to investigate parameters related to maintaining redox balance, with particular emphasis on stage-, sex- and tissue-dependent differences in H₂O₂ and glutathione (GSH) levels and activity of selected enzymes involved in GSH metabolism. A noticeable increase in the concentration of H₂O₂ was found, especially in the gut of 5th instar nymphs and females from the highly polluted site. An increase in GSH concentration was significant, especially in the gut of adult A. thalassinus from the high polluted site. However, recycling of reduced form of glutathione in the gut by glutathione reductase (GR) was relevant only for females from the high polluted site. Nymphs and females generally showed higher glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, especially in the gut. These stage- and sex-related differences can result from different growth dynamic and various reproductive functions of nymphs and both sexes. The digestive track is in direct contact with xenobiotics consumed with food. Nymphs are characterized by vigorous growth, they feed intensively, and their development processes are associated with substantial oxygen consumption. Also, maintaining the antioxidant system at a high level can be more important for females than males due to egg production over a long period. It appears that de novo GSH synthesis is a favorable and cost-effective adaptation mechanism for A. thalassinus living in the high polluted site.

这项研究是在埃及开罗大学进行的一个大型项目的一部分，该项目的重点是评估在重金属（Pb，Cd，Cu和Zn）环境污染的影响下，地中海盐藻的生理和生化变化。这项研究旨在研究与维持氧化还原平衡有关的参数，特别强调H ₂ O ₂和谷胱甘肽（GSH）水平的阶段，性别和组织依赖性差异以及参与GSH代谢的所选酶的活性。H ₂ O ₂浓度明显增加被发现，特别是在五龄若虫的肠道和来自高度污染地区的雌性中。GSH浓度显着增加，尤其是在成年A. thalassinus的肠道中从污染严重的地方。然而，谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）在肠道中还原型谷胱甘肽的再循环仅与高污染地区的雌性有关。若虫和雌性通常显示较高的谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（GST）活性，尤其是在肠道中。这些与阶段和性别相关的差异可能是由若虫和两性的不同生长动态和各种生殖功能引起的。消化道与食物消耗的异生素直接接触。若虫的特征是旺盛的生长，密集的觅食，其发育过程与大量的氧气消耗有关。而且，由于长期的产卵，女性保持高水平的抗氧化系统比男性更重要。拟南芥生活在高污染地区。