Effect of cadmium on lipid metabolism of brain: in vivo incorporation of labelled acetate into lipids

Gene expression profile of mouse fibroblasts exposed to a biodegradable iron alloy for stents

Iron-based materials could constitute an interesting option for cardiovascular biodegradable stent applications due to their superior ductility compared to their counterparts - magnesium alloys. Since the predicted degradation rate of pure iron is considered slow, manganese (35% w/w), an alloying element for iron, was explored to counteract this problem through the powder metallurgy process (Fe-35 Mn). However, manganese presents a high cytotoxic potential; thus its effect on cells must first be established. Here, we established the gene expression profile of mouse 3T3 fibroblasts exposed to Fe-35 Mn degradation products in order to better understand cell response to potentially cytotoxic degradable metallic material (DMM). Mouse 3T3 cells were exposed to degradation products eluting through tissue culture insert filter (3 μm pore size) containing cytostatic amounts of 3.25 mg ml(-1) of Fe-35 Mn powder, 0.25 mg ml(-1) of pure Mn powder or 5 mg ml(-1) of pure iron powder for 24 h. We then conducted a gene expression profiling study from these cells. Exposure of 3T3 cells to Fe-35 Mn was associated with the up-regulation of 75 genes and down-regulation of 59 genes, while 126 were up-regulated and 76 down-regulated genes in the presence of manganese. No genes were found regulated for the iron powder. When comparing the GEP of 3T3 fibroblasts in the presence of Fe-35 Mn and Mn, 68 up-regulated and 54 down-regulated genes were common. These results were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR for a subset of these genes. This GEP study could provide clues about the mechanism behind degradation products effects on cells of the Fe-35 Mn alloy and may help in the appraisal of its potential for DMM applications.

Mechanism of the protective action of taurine in toxin and drug induced organ pathophysiology and diabetic complications: a review

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid), a conditionally essential amino acid, is found in large concentrations in all mammalian tissues and is particularly abundant in aquatic foods. Taurine exhibits membrane stabilizing, osmoregulatory and cytoprotective effects, antioxidative properties, regulates intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, modulates ion movement and neurotransmitters, reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in various organs and controls blood pressure. Recently, emerging evidence from the literature shows the effectiveness of taurine as a protective agent against several environmental toxins and drug-induced multiple organ injuries as the outcome of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, testicular toxicity and cardiotoxicity in several animal models. Besides, taurine is also effective in combating diabetes and its associated complications, including cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy and atherosclerosis. These beneficial effects appear to be due to the multiple actions of taurine on cellular functions. This review summarizes the mechanism of the prophylactic role of taurine against several environmental toxins and drug-induced organ pathophysiology and diabetes.

Cadmium-induced neurological disorders: prophylactic role of taurine

The present study was conducted to investigate whether the conditionally essential amino acid taurine could play any protective role against the potent neurotoxin cadmium (Cd)-induced oxidative impairment in mice brain. Cd administration in the form of CdCl(2 )(at a dose of 4 mg kg(-1) body weight for 3 days, orally) increased the intracellular accumulation of metallic Cd, reactive oxygen species and super oxide radicals. The toxin also augmented the extent of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and the levels of glutathione disulfide. Activities of the antioxidant enzymes and the levels of reduced glutathione as well as total thiols have been significantly decreased due to Cd exposure. In addition, the toxin also caused significant DNA degradation (as evidenced from DNA smearing and diphenylamine reaction). Oral administration of taurine (at a dose of 100 mg kg(-1) body weight for 5 days) was found to be very effective in the prevention of Cd-induced oxidative impairment in the brain tissue of experimental mice. In addition, taurine treatment could also prevent the reduction in the in vivo antioxidant power linearly up to a dose of 100 mg kg(-1) body weight. The preventive role of taurine against Cd-induced cerebral oxidative damage was supported by the observation under scanning electron microscope as well as histological examination of brain segments. To validate the experimental results, a well-known water soluble antioxidant, vitamin C, was used as the positive control in the study. In all, the results suggest that taurine plays a beneficial role against Cd-induced cerebral oxidative stress.

Alterations in the lipid content of pituitary gland and serum prolactin and growth hormone in cadmium treated rats

The present study was undertaken to assess whether chronic exposition to cadmium (Cd, 0.133 mM per liter for 2 months) through drinking water may affect the lipid contents in the pituitary anterior lobe (PAL) of adult male Wistar rats. As compared to metal non-exposed controls, PALs exposed to cadmium showed an increase in total phospholipid contents, which was associated to an increase of the incorporation of [1-14C]-methyl choline into phosphatidylcholine and of [U-14C]-glucose into total phospholipids. The incorporation of [1-14C]-methyl choline into sphingomyelin was not changed. Incorporation of [1-14C]-acetate into total fatty acids also increased but incorporation of [1-14C]-acetate into cholesterol did not change. The activity of phospholipase D decreased both in PALs from Cd exposed rats and in PAL dispersed cells treated with Cd in the culture medium from Cd non-exposed rats. In PALS from Cd exposed rats, a decrease of serum prolactin and growth hormone concentrations was determined. The results shown that cadmium modifies the lipid contents of pituitary gland and directly or indirectly the levels of prolactin and growth hormone in serum.

Changes in somatosensory evoked potentials, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes in experimental diabetes: effect of sulfur dioxide

The effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on brain antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation, and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) was investigated in diabetic rats. A total of 40 rats were divided into 4 equal groups: control (C), SO2 + C (SO2), diabetic (D), and SO2 + D (DSO2). Experimental diabetes mellitus was induced by i.v. injection of alloxan at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. Ten ppm SO2 was administered to the rats in the sulfur dioxide groups (SO2 and DSO2) in an exposure chamber. Exposure occurred 1 hr/day, 7 days/wk, for 6 wk; control rats were exposed to filtered air during the same time periods. Although SO2 exposure markedly increased copper, zinc Superoxide dismutase activity, it significantly decreased glutathione peroxidase activity in both the diabetic and nondiabetic groups, compared with the C group. Brain catalase activity was unaltered; however, brain thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were elevated in all experimental groups with respect to the C group. SEP components P1, N1, P2, and N2 were significantly increased in all experimental groups, compared with the C group, and these components were also prolonged in the DSO2 group with respect to the other groups. The authors' findings suggest that exposure to SO2, because it increases lipid peroxidation, can change antioxidant enzyme activities and affect SEP components in diabetic rats.

The effect of cadmium and experimental diabetes on EEG spectral data

Fifty-two healthy male Swiss albino rats, aged three months, were used in this study. They were divided into four groups: control (C), diabetic (D), cadmium (Cd) and diabetic + Cd (D + Cd). Diabetes was induced in the D and D + Cd groups by administration of alloxane (5 mg/100 g). After this treatment, the Cd and D + Cd groups were injected with CdCl2 i.p. (2 mg/kg/week). At the end of the two month experimental period, EEGs of the four groups were recorded and amplitude spectral analysis was computed by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm. Significant amplitude (dB) increment was observed in 16-30 Hz of Cd group compared with C and D groups. Significant amplitude decrement was found in the 2-4 Hz frequency band of the D + Cd group compared with C, Cd and D groups.

The effect of pre and postnatal cadmium exposure on somatosensory evoked potentials: relation to lipid peroxidation

Pregnant swiss albino rats were divided into three groups: control (C), gestational exposure of cadmium (G-Cd) and gestational/postnatal exposure of cadmium (GP-Cd) groups. Control animals received tap water and the rats of GP-Cd group received Cd as CdCl2 in their drinking water during the experimental period. G-Cd group was given Cd during pregnancy, but given tap water after birth. Twenty-two days after birth, 15 rats (for each group) were taken from their mothers and continued to be treated with Cd (GP-Cd group) or tap water (C and G-Cd groups) for an additional 38 days. On postnatal day (PND) 60, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPS) of three groups were recorded following left posterior tibial nerve (PTN) stimulation. The mean latencies of N1, P1, and N2, components were significantly prolonged in both Cd groups compared with control group. The mean latency of N1 in the GP-Cd group was longer than control and the G-Cd groups. There was no significant amplitude differences among groups. On the other hand, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of lipid peroxidation, were increased in the sciatic nerves of both groups compared with control group. A significant increase in the TBARS level of the brain was found only in GP-Cd group due to significant accumulation of Cd.

Effect of cadmium-induced lipid peroxidation on EEG spectral components

Pregnant Swiss albino rats were divided into control (C) and cadmium (Cd) groups. Control animals received tap water while the Cd group received Cd as CdCl2 in their drinking water. The rat pups were separated from their mothers 22 days after birth. 78 young rats were divided into two main groups: controls (C1, C2, C4) and cadmium groups (Cd1, Cd2, Cd4). Each sub-group included 13 rats. On postnatal days 30, 60, and 120, spectral analysis of EEGs recorded from the parietal lobes of all groups of rats was computed by fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm. The amplitude maxima were found to occupy the frequency bands of 1-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-16, and 16-30 Hz. The decibel (dB) values of the maxima were significantly decreased in Cd1 and Cd2 groups compared with the corresponding control groups in all the frequency bands except 16-30 Hz. A significant amplitude (dB) decrease was observed in all the frequency bands of the Cd4 group compared with the C4 group.

The effect of cadmium (Cd) treatment on somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and conduction velocity in alloxane-induced diabetic rats: relation to lipid peroxidation

Fifty-two healthy Swiss male albino rats, aged three months, were divided into four groups: Control (C), diabetic (D), cadmium (Cd), and diabetic + Cd (D+Cd). Diabetes was induced in D and D+Cd groups by administration of alloxane (5 mg/100 g). Cd and D+Cd groups were injected with CdCl2 i.p. (2 mg/kg/week) for 2 months. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) of the four groups were recorded following left posterior tibial nerve (PTN) stimulation. The mean latencies of P1, N1, P2 and N2 components were prolonged in all experimental groups compared with the control group. P1N1 and N1P2 amplitudes were significantly decreased in Cd and D+Cd groups in comparison with the control group. P2N2 amplitude was significantly decreased in the Cd group compared with the control group. In addition, conduction velocities and action potential amplitudes were determined from the sciatic nerves. The means of peripheral conduction velocities and action potential amplitudes were decreased significantly in all the experimental groups in comparison with the control group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of lipid peroxidation, were increased in the kidneys and sciatic nerves of all experimental groups compared with the control group. A significant increase in the TBARS level of the brain was found in the Cd and D+Cd groups.

The effect of developmental exposure to cadmium (Cd) on visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and lipid peroxidation

Pregnant Swiss albino rats were divided into three groups: control (C), gestational exposure of Cd (G-Cd), and gestational/postnatal exposure of Cd (GP-Cd) groups. Control animals received tap water, and the rats of GP-Cd group received Cd as CdC12 in their drinking water during the experimental period. The G-Cd group was given Cd during pregnancy, but given tap water after birth. Twenty-two days after birth, 15 rats (for each group) were taken from their mothers and continued to be treated with Cd (GP-Cd group) or tap water (C and G-Cd groups) for an additional 38 days. On postnatal day (PND) 60, flash visual evoked potentials (FVEPs) were recorded with disc electrodes attached with collodion 0.5 cm in front of and behind bregma. The mean latencies on N1, P2, and P3 were prolonged in the GP-Cd group compared with controls. The mean latency of P3 was also significantly different between G-Cd and GP-Cd groups. P1-N1 and N1-P2 amplitudes of VEPs were significantly decreased in the GP-Cd group compared with control group. N1-P2 amplitude of the G-Cd group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were determined as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Our data showed that pre- and postnatal Cd treatment caused a significant increase of lipid peroxidation in the brain.

Effect of chronic cadmium exposure on VEP and EEG spectral components

Pregnant swiss albino rats were divided to three groups as control (C), cadmium (Cd) and non-cadmium (NCd) groups. Control animals were received tap water while the rats of Cd group were received Cd as CdC12 in their drinking water during the experimental period. On the other hand, the NCd group was given Cd during pregnancy, but given tap water after birth. Twenty-two days after birth, fourteen rats (for each group) were taken from their mothers and continued to be treated with Cd (Cd group) or tap water (C and NCd groups) for an additional 38 days. After the experimental period, flash VEPs and EEGs of three groups were recorded and amplitude spectral analysis was computed by Transient Response-Frequency characteristics (TRFC) method. The mean amplitude (dB) of 1-3.5 and 14-20 Hz frequency bands for right response whereas 1-3.5, 4-7, 8-13 and 14-20 Hz frequency bands for left response of VEPs were decreased in Cd group compared with control group. On the other hand, significant differences were observed between Cd and control groups in all the frequency bands of EEGs except 6-8 Hz.

Cadmium induced alterations in somatosensory evoked potentials

Pregnant Swiss albino rats were divided into three groups: control (C), cadmium (Cd) and non-cadmium (NCd) groups. Control animals received tap water; the Cd rats received Cd as CdCl2 in their drinking water during the experimental period, while the NCd group was given Cd during pregnancy, and given tap water after birth. Twenty-two days after birth, 15 rats (for each group) were taken from their mothers and continued to be treated with Cd (Cd group) or tap water (C and NCd groups) for an additional 38 days. After the treatment period, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) of the three groups were recorded from central (Cz) referenced to frontal (Fz) following left posterior tibial nerve (PTN) stimulation. Amplitude spectra of SEPs were computed by fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm. There was a significant amplitude decrease in 1-3.5 Hz in the NCd group and 1-3.5 and 14-20 Hz frequency bands of the Cd group compared with the control group.

The effect of cadmium on the composition and metabolism of hepatic fatty acids in zinc-adequate and zinc-deficient rats

Exposure to cadmium (Cd) caused changes in the fatty acid composition of phospholipids, such as increases in levels of saturated and (n-6) fatty acids and decreases in levels of (n-9) fatty acids, in the liver phospholipids of rats fed a fat-free diet. These changes were similar to those caused by dietary zinc deficiency. The changes in fatty acid composition after administration of Cd were greater in zinc-deficient (ZD) rats than zinc-adequate (ZA) rats. When [14C]18:0 was injected intravenously in order to examine the metabolism of (n-9) fatty acids, a decrease in the rate of conversion of [14C]18:0 to [14C]18:1 was observed in liver phospholipids after treatment of ZD rats with Cd. These results suggested that Cd can affect the metabolism of fatty acids in relation to zinc status and, in particular, causes a reduction in the activity of delta 9-desaturase which converts 18:0 to 18:1.

Effect of cadmium on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in undernourished weanling rat brain

The effect of early postnatal cadmium exposure on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in undernourished weanling rat brain has been studied. The results suggest that undernutrition makes the weanling rat brain more susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of cadmium. Cadmium at a low dose of 1 mg/kg body weight did not produce any changes in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in normal weanling rat brain, but caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and markedly decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase when subjected to undernutrition.