Different sensitivity of Ca(2+)-ATPase and cholinesterase to pure and commercial pesticides in nervous ganglia of Phyllocaulis soleiformis (Mollusca)

Rutin Improves Cardiac and Erythrocyte Membrane-Bound ATPase Activities in Male Rats Exposed to Cadmium Chloride and Lead Acetate

Cardiovascular diseases have been associated with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Impaired Ca²⁺ and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activities have also been linked to hemolytic and cardiovascular disorders. This study investigated the effect of rutin on Cd and/or Pb-induced cardiac and erythrocyte disorders in male rats. Twenty-five (25) male Wistar rats were treated as (n=5): Control, Pb (60 mg/kg, p.o), Cd (5 mg/kg, p.o), Pb + Cd, Rutin + Pb + Cd (50 mg/kg Rt, 60 mg/kg Pb, 5 mg/kg Cd, p.o). Plasma electrolyte and Ca²⁺- and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activities in the erythrocyte and heart of the rats were assayed. There was an increased and decreased activity of cardiac and erythrocyte Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in Pb- (172%) and Cd- (33.7%) treated groups, respectively. However, rutin increased erythrocyte Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in Cd + Pb when compared with Cd and Cd + Pb groups. Erythrocyte Ca²⁺-ATPase activity was decreased in the Pb (68%), Cd (68%) and Cd + Pb (55.3%) groups. Cardiac Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was not altered in Pb and Cd groups while it decreased in Cd + Pb. Rutin increased the activity of the pump in Cd +Pb-treated rats compared to the Cd+Pb group. Therefore, rutin reversed cadmium- and lead-induced impaired cardiac and erythrocyte membrane Ca²⁺- and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activities. Graphical Abstract Dotted lines-decrease activity, curved lines-increased activity (created with BioRender.com ).

Uncovering malathion (an organophosphate insecticide) action on Ca2+ signal transduction and investigating the effects of BAPTA-AM (a cell-permeant Ca2+ chelator) on protective responses in glial cells

Malathion, one of commonly used organophosphate insecticides, has a wide range of toxic actions in different models. However, the effect of this compound on Ca²⁺ homeostasis and its related cytotoxicity in glial cells is elusive. This study examined whether malathion evoked intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) rises and established the relationship between Ca²⁺ signaling and cytotoxicity in normal human astrocytes, rat astrocytes and human glioblastoma cells. The data show that malathion induced concentration-dependent [Ca²⁺]_i rises in Gibco^® Human Astrocytes (GHA cells), but not in DI TNC1 normal rat astrocytes and DBTRG-05MG human glioblastoma cells. In GHA cells, this Ca²⁺ signal response was reduced by removing extracellular Ca²⁺. In Ca²⁺-free medium, pretreatment with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ pump inhibitor thapsigargin abolished malathion-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rises. Conversely, incubation with malathion abolished thapsigargin-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rises. Inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) with U73122 also blocked malathion-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rises. In Ca²⁺-containing medium, malathion-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rises was inhibited by store-operated Ca²⁺ channel blockers (2-APB, econazole or SKF96365) and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF109203X. Malathion (5-25 μM) concentration-dependently caused cytotoxicity in GHA, DI TNC1 and DBTRG-05MG cells. This cytotoxic effect was partially prevented by prechelating cytosolic Ca²⁺ with BAPTA-AM (a selective Ca²⁺ chelator) only in GHA cells. Together, in GHA but not in DI TNC1 and DBTRG-05MG cells, malathion induced [Ca²⁺]_i rises by inducing PLC-dependent Ca²⁺ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca²⁺ entry via PKC-sensitive store-operated Ca²⁺ channels. Furthermore, malathion induced Ca²⁺-associated cytotoxicity, suggesting that Ca²⁺ chelating may have a protective effect on malathion-induced cytotoxicity in normal human astrocytes.

Mycobacterial heat shock protein 70 induces interleukin-10 production: immunomodulation of synovial cell cytokine profile and dendritic cell maturation

Cytokines are key modulators of the immune responses that take place in the inflamed synovium of arthritis patients. Consequently, substances that can reverse the inflammatory profile of the inflamed joint are potential tools for clinical management of the disease. Mycobacterial heat shock protein 70 (MTBHSP70) has been found to protect rats from experimentally induced arthritis through the induction of interleukin (IL)-10-producing T cells. In this study, we have demonstrated that MTBHSP70 induces IL-10 production in synoviocytes from arthritis patients and peripheral blood monoculear cells (PBMCs) from both patients and healthy controls. IL-10 production was accompanied by a decrease in tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production by synovial cells. Separation studies showed that the target cells were mainly monocytes. Accordingly, we observed that MTBHSP70 delayed maturation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Our results suggest that MTBHSP may act on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to modulate the cytokine response in arthritis and support an anti-inflammatory role for this protein, suggesting that it may be of therapeutic use in the modulation of arthritis.