Comparative effects of disulfiram and diethyldithiocarbamate against testicular toxicity in rats caused by acute exposure to cadmium

Comprehensive Review of Cadmium Toxicity Mechanisms in Male Reproduction and Therapeutic Strategies

Cadmium (Cd) has been widely studied as an environmental pollutant for many years. Numerous studies have reported that Cd exposure causes damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, and thyroid in vivo. The emerging evidence suggests that Cd exposure induces damage on male reproductive system, which is related to oxidative stress, inflammation, steroidogenesis disruption, and epigenetics. Current preclinical animal studies have confirmed a large number of proteins and intracellular signaling pathways involved in the pathological process of Cd-induced male reproductive damage and potential measures for prophylaxis and treatment, which primarily include antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and essential ion supplement. However, explicit pathogenesis and effective treatments remain uncertain. This review collects data from the literatures, discusses the underlying mechanisms of Cd-induced toxicity on male reproductive function, and summarizes evidence that may provide guidance for the treatment and prevention of Cd-induced male reproductive toxicity.

The Role of Natural Antioxidants Against Reactive Oxygen Species Produced by Cadmium Toxicity: A Review

Cadmium (Cd) is a significant ecotoxic heavy metal that adversely affects all biological processes of humans, animals and plants. Exposure to acute and chronic Cd damages many organs in humans and animals (e.g. lung, liver, brain, kidney, and testes). In humans, the Cd concentration at birth is zero, but because the biological half-life is long (about 30 years in humans), the concentration increases with age. The industrial developments of the last century have significantly increased the use of this metal. Especially in developing countries, this consumption is higher. Oxidative stress is the imbalance between antioxidants and oxidants. Cd increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and causes oxidative stress. Excess cellular levels of ROS cause damage to proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, membranes and organelles. This damage has been associated with various diseases. These include cancer, hypertension, ischemia/perfusion, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, insulin resistance, acute respiratory distress syndrome, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, skin diseases, chronic kidney disease, eye diseases, neurodegenerative diseases (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington disease). Natural antioxidants are popular drugs that are used by the majority of people and have few side effects. Natural antioxidants play an important role in reducing free radicals caused by Cd toxicity. Our goal in this review is to establish the relationship between Cd and oxidative stress and to discuss the role of natural antioxidants in reducing Cd toxicity.

Disulfiram inhibits TNF-alpha-induced cell death

Disulfiram, a clinically employed alcohol deterrent, was recently discovered to inhibit caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation. Using LLC-PK1 cells and murine liver as models, we examined if the drug inhibited TNF-alpha-induced cell death. Disulfiram produced dose-dependent inhibition of TNF-alpha-induced cell death as well as caspase-3-like activity. Disulfiram retained 80% of its effect when added 4 h after TNF-alpha. Disulfiram protected the cells from cytokine-induced death for at least 6 days. The cells rescued by the drug preserved the ability to proliferate. The cells died spontaneously after exposure to TNF-alpha for just 70 min. Co-administration of 15 microM disulfiram and TNF-alpha for 70 min prior to their removal abolished TNF-alpha-induced killing, and this was associated with restoration of mitochondrial membrane potential and suppression of reactive oxygen species. Treatment of mice with TNF-alpha and D-galactosamine for 5 h markedly increased hepatic DNA fragmentation and caspase-3-like activity. Disulfiram at 0.6 mmol/kg abolished these effects. We conclude that disulfiram is a potent inhibitor of TNF-alpha-induced cell death in vitro. The underlying mechanisms include stabilization of mitochondrial membrane potential, suppression of reactive oxygen species, and inhibition of caspase-3-like activity. We further conclude that disulfiram inhibits DNA fragmentation in vivo in association with the blockade of caspase-3-like activity.