Renal alterations in female rats following subchronic lead exposure

Lead (Pb) exposure induces physiological alterations in the serotoninergic and vasopressin systems causing anxiogenic-like behavior in Meriones shawi: Assessment of BDMC as a neuroprotective compound for Pb-neurotoxicity and kidney damages

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that lead (Pb) is one of hazardous heavy metals with various adverse effects on human health including mental health; Pb can induce psychiatric disorders like anxiety. In the present work, we examined the potential of bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) as a neuroprotective agent against lead induced anxiety inMeriones shawi (M. shawi).

METHODS

We asses, the potential of three consecutive day exposure to Pb (25 mg/kg body weight) in inducing anxiogenic effect, serotoninergic and vasopressinergic disruptions inM. shawi. This was done using neurobehavioral tests (open field, elevated plus maze), immunohistochemestry by anti-serotonin (5-HT), and anti-vasopressin (AVP) antibodies. We also measured the possible restorative potential of BDMC (30 mg/kg body weight), delivered by oral gavage. After that, a biochemical and histopathological studies were done.

RESULTS

Our results showed that lead exposure for three consecutive days increases significantly the 5-HT-immunoreactivity in dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) accompanied with a significant enhancement of AVP-immunoreactivity in the cell bodies and fibers in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei of the hypothalamus. In the collecting tube, AVP binds to the V2 receptor of the epithelial cells and increases the water permeability. Our results showed clearly the epithelial cells degeneration after lead exposure, then we suggest that the increased AVP could be a response to the hydric balance disrupted after degenerative effect of lead exposure on epithelial cells. BDMC produced an anxiolytic effect in meriones. Moreover, it restored 5-HT and AVP immunoreactivity within studying nuclei. The biochemical and histopathological studies showed that Pb induced renal damages. In addition, BDMC restored the renal alterations.

CONCLUSION

According to the obtained results, we suggest new pharmacological effects of BDMC; while it has an anxiolytic effect against Pb-induced anxiety by working on serotoninergic and vasopressinergic systems with an obvious restoration of the renal injuries induced by lead exposure.

Blood lead level is a positive predictor of uremic pruritus in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Although uremic pruritus (UP) is a common and annoying symptom for end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis, its pathogenesis is poorly understood. However, systemic inflammation is one of the possible pathogenesis of UP, and blood lead level (BLL) has been noted to be associated with inflammation and nutritional status in long-term HD patients. There might be an interaction or association, therefore, between BLL and UP through systemic inflammation. We analyzed cross-sectional data among 866 participants. All of the 866 patients in this study were stratified into groups with low-normal (<10 μg/dL), high-normal (10-20 μg/dL), and abnormal BLLs (>20 μg/dL). The associations between UP and BLL and the clinical data were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that HD duration, non-anuria, log ferritin, serum low-density lipoprotein, log BLL, high-normal BLL, and high BLL were associated with UP. In conclusion, BLL was positively associated with UP.

Sex-related differences in renal toxicodynamics in rodents

INTRODUCTION

An issue yet to be addressed, in the investigation of the xenobiotic toxicity, is a detailed characterization of the sex differences in toxicological responses. The 'sex issue' is particularly significant in nephrotoxicology as the kidney is a relevant target organ for xenobiotics and few studies have approached this subject in the past. There is a strong need to improve our understanding regarding the influence of sex in toxicology, given their increased requirement to establish the limits of exposure to chemicals in the environment and at work.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors provide the reader with the current knowledge of sex differences in kidney toxicity for rats and mice. To make the review easier to consult, these studies have been organized according to the class of xenobiotic.

EXPERT OPINION

From the analysis of the present knowledge emerges a dramatic need for information on sex differences in xenobiotics toxicity. Although animals are reasonably good predictors of adverse renal effects in patients, there is need to identify alternative methods (e.g. in vitro/ex vivo) to better study sex differences in organ toxicity.