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Zeng Y, Yang Q, Ouyang Y, Lou Y, Cui H, Deng H, Zhu Y, Geng Y, Ouyang P, Chen L, Zuo Z, Fang J, Guo H. Nickel induces blood-testis barrier damage through ROS-mediated p38 MAPK pathways in mice. Redox Biol 2023; 67:102886. [PMID: 37742495 PMCID: PMC10520947 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Nickel (Ni) is an essential common environmental contaminant, it is hazardous to male reproduction, but the precise mechanisms are still unknown. Blood-testis barrier (BTB), an important testicular structure consisting of connections between sertoli cells, is the target of reproductive toxicity caused by many environmental toxins. In this study, ultrastructure observation and BTB integrity assay results indicated that NiCl2 induced BTB damage. Meanwhile, BTB-related proteins including the tight junction (TJ), adhesion junction (AJ) and the gap junction (GJ) protein expression in mouse testes as well as in sertoli cells (TM4) were significantly decreased after NiCl2 treatment. Next, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was co-treated with NiCl2 to study the function of oxidative stress in NiCl2-mediated BTB deterioration. The results showed that NAC attenuated testicular histopathological damage, and the expression of BTB-related proteins were markedly reversed by NAC co-treatment in vitro and vivo. Otherwise, NiCl2 activated the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. And, NAC co-treatment could significantly inhibit p38 activation induced by NiCl2 in TM4 cells. Furthermore, in order to confirm the role of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in NiCl2-induced BTB impairment, a p38 inhibitor (SB203580) was co-treated with NiCl2 in TM4 cells, and p38 MAPK signaling inhibition significantly restored BTB damage induced by NiCl2 in TM4 cells. These results suggest that NiCl2 treatment destroys the BTB, in which the oxidative stress-mediated p38 MAPK signaling pathway plays a vital role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zeng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Qing Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Yujuan Ouyang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Yanbin Lou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Hengmin Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Huidan Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Yanqiu Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Yi Geng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Ping Ouyang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Lian Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Zhicai Zuo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, PR China.
| | - Jing Fang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, PR China.
| | - Hongrui Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, PR China.
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2
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Yang Y, Zuo Z, Yang Z, Yin H, Wei L, Fang J, Guo H, Cui H, Ouyang P, Chen X, Chen J, Geng Y, Chen Z, Huang C, Zhu Y, Liu W. Nickel chloride induces spermatogenesis disorder by testicular damage and hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis disruption in mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 225:112718. [PMID: 34478984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
As a common environmental pollutant, nickel chloride (NiCl2) poses serious threat to human and animals health. NiCl2 has adverse effects on reproductive function in male, however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully illuminated. In this study, 64 male ICR mice were divided into four groups (8 mice per each period/ group), in which mice orally administrated with 0, 7.5, 15 or 30 mg/kg body weight for 14 or 28 consecutive days, respectively. The results showed that the sperm concentration (12.95%, 29.78% and 37.63% -) and sperm motility (19.79%, 34.88% and 43.10%) were dose-dependent significantly reduced, and the total sperm malformation rates (110.15%, 206.84% and 292.27%) were dose-dependent significantly elevated in the 7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg NiCl2 treatment groups (vs control at 28 days), respectively (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, NiCl2 also decreased the relative weights of testis and epididymis and caused histopathological lesions of testis and epididymis. Furthermore, serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased after NiCl2 treatment. And the findings showed that NiCl2 down-regulated the expression of LH-R, StAR, P450scc, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD, ABP and INHβB in the testis, however, the relative genes in the hypothalamus (Kiss-1, GPR54 and GnRH) and pituitary (GnRH-R, LHβ and FSHβ) did not exhibit noticeable change. In summary, NiCl2 induced spermatogenesis disorder by testicular damage and hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis disruption in mice, and only impaired the genes on the testis of HPT axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Zhicai Zuo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Zhuangzhi Yang
- Chengdu Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Heng Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Ling Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Jing Fang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, PR China.
| | - Hongrui Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, PR China.
| | - Hengmin Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Ping Ouyang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Xia Chen
- Chengdu Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Jian Chen
- Chengdu Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Yi Geng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Zhengli Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Chao Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Yanqiu Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
| | - Wentao Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, PR China
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Díaz-Morales DM, Erasmus JH, Bosch S, Nachev M, Smit NJ, Zimmermann S, Wepener V, Sures B. Metal contamination and toxicity of soils and river sediments from the world's largest platinum mining area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 286:117284. [PMID: 33984780 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mining activities in the world's largest platinum mining area in South Africa have resulted in environmental contamination with Pt (e.g., the Hex River's vicinity). The present study compared a Pt mining area with a non-mining area along this river in terms of (1) metal concentrations in different grain size fractions from soils and aquatic sediments; (2) the toxicological potential of aquatic sediments based on the Consensus-Based Sediment Quality Guideline (CBSQG); and (3) the chronic toxicity of aqueous eluates from soils and sediments to Caenorhabditis elegans. Platinum concentrations were higher in the mining area than in the non-mining area. For most metals, the sediment silt and clay fraction contained the highest metal concentrations. Based on the CBSQG, most sampling sites exhibited a high toxicological potential, driven by Cr and Ni. Eluate toxicity testing revealed that C. elegans growth, fertility, and reproduction inhibition were not dependent on mining activities or the CBSQG predictions. Toxicity was instead likely due to Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pt, and Pb. In conclusion, the investigated region is loaded with a high geogenic background resulting in high reproduction inhibition. The mining activities lead to additional environmental metal contamination (particularly Pt), contributing to environmental soil and sediment toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakeishla M Díaz-Morales
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Johannes H Erasmus
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
| | - Suanne Bosch
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
| | - Milen Nachev
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Nico J Smit
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
| | - Sonja Zimmermann
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany; Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
| | - Victor Wepener
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
| | - Bernd Sures
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany.
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4
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Tang B, Williams PL, Xue KS, Wang JS, Tang L. Detoxification mechanisms of nickel sulfate in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 260:127627. [PMID: 32673864 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Nickel is the most prevailing metal allergen with the highest sensitization rate among the "TOP 25" contact allergens and can affect about 15% of the human population. It is an essential trace metal in plants, animals, and humans. However, the environmental levels of nickel are considerably higher than what is needed for human life. Exposure to high levels of nickel can lead to skin allergies, lung fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. Few existing studies have closely examined the toxicity of nickel, let alone investigated the effective detoxification pathways. Here, we developed a high-throughput screening platform to comprehensively evaluate the nickel toxicity in wild-type C. elegans and explore the underlying detoxification mechanisms in transgenic nematodes. We demonstrated that nickel exerted multiple toxic effects on growth, brood size, feeding, and locomotion in C. elegans. Of which, brood size is the most sensitive endpoint. Nickel was found to first bind to phytochelatin (PC) after entering the worms' body and this PC-Ni complex was further transported by the ABC transporter, CeHMT-1, into the coelomocytes for further detoxification. Our study also demonstrated that the high-throughput screening platform is a promising system for evaluation and investigation of the ecological risks of heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Tang
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Phillip L Williams
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kathy S Xue
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jia-Sheng Wang
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lili Tang
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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5
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Josende ME, Nunes SM, Müller L, Ferreira-Cravo M, Monserrat JM, Ventura-Lima J. Circular Estimate Method (CEM) - a Simple Method to Estimate Caenorhabditis elegans Culture Densities in Liquid Medium. Biol Proced Online 2019; 21:1. [PMID: 30675134 PMCID: PMC6334471 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-018-0089-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nematodes are used in many different fields of science, including environmental and biomedical research. Counting and/or estimating nematode numbers is required during research. Although being one of the most common procedures, this apparently simple task is a time-consuming process, prone to errors and concerns regarding procedure, reliability, and accuracy. When an estimate is necessary, there is a traditional manual counting procedure that in this study it will be called as "drop method" (DM). This popular method that extrapolates an animal count from a small drop of fluid shows a high coefficient of variation. To solve this problem, the present study used the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to develop a new estimation procedure that was based on a relationship between area and volume of a larger sample. Results The new method showed a low coefficient of variation and a close relationship between estimated and real counts of the total number of nematodes in large C. elegans suspensions. Reactive oxygen concentration was measured as an example of method application and to allow comparison between methods. Conclusion The proposed method is accurate, facile and reproducible, requiring simple, inexpensive materials that make it an excellent alternative to the DM manual counting procedure. Although the DM is faster, its estimates are not as accurate or as precise as those of the new proposed method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Estrella Josende
- 1Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália km 8, Rio Grande, RS 96203-900 Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas (PPGCF) - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Silvana Manske Nunes
- 1Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália km 8, Rio Grande, RS 96203-900 Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas (PPGCF) - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Larissa Müller
- 1Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália km 8, Rio Grande, RS 96203-900 Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas (PPGCF) - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Marlize Ferreira-Cravo
- 1Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália km 8, Rio Grande, RS 96203-900 Brazil
| | - José Marìa Monserrat
- 1Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália km 8, Rio Grande, RS 96203-900 Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas (PPGCF) - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Juliane Ventura-Lima
- 1Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália km 8, Rio Grande, RS 96203-900 Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas (PPGCF) - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
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Kaviani E, Niazi A, Moghadam A, Taherishirazi M, Heydarian Z. Phytoremediation of Ni-contaminated soil by Salicornia iranica. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2019; 40:270-281. [PMID: 28969503 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2017.1387179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although nickel (Ni) is useful and is used in various industries, it is one of the most usual and important sources of heavy metals pollutants in the world. In this study, Salicornia iranica was used in order to phytoremediate Ni-contaminated soil. Possible mechanisms of plant tolerance to Ni pollution and its detoxification were studied through using expression analysis of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and measurement of involved key physiological components. The concentration of the chlorophylls a, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids were significantly decreased in 500 mg/kg Ni at 3, 24, 48 h, and 90 days after the treatment. Free proline significantly increased in the tissues. The absorption and concentration of Ni increased in tissues, so that Ni concentration at 50, 250, and 500 mg Ni/kg soil significantly increased to 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 fold compared with the lowest Ni level respectively. In addition, the GST expression was significantly increased both in the 50 and 500 mg/kg Ni treatment. The highest concentration of Ni affected plant growth parameters such as the root and shoot lengths. Therefore, S. iranica is able to accumulate Ni and it can be used as an environmental biotechnological study for phytoremediation of Ni-polluted soils. Abbreviations: ABA: abscisic acid; ABRE: ABA-responsive element; As+3: arsenic; Cd2+: cadmium; ef1: elongation factor; FW: fresh weight; GSH: glutathione; GST: glutathione-S-transferase; GSTU: tau class GST; Hcl: hydrochloric acid; Hg2+: mercury; HgCl2: mercury(II) chloride; MYB: myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog; Ni+2: nickel; Pb: lead; SiGSTU: Salicornia iranica GSTU; ZnSO4: zinc sulfate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Kaviani
- a Institute of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture , Shiraz University , Shiraz , Iran
| | - Ali Niazi
- a Institute of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture , Shiraz University , Shiraz , Iran
| | - Ali Moghadam
- a Institute of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture , Shiraz University , Shiraz , Iran
| | - Mohsen Taherishirazi
- a Institute of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture , Shiraz University , Shiraz , Iran
| | - Zohreh Heydarian
- a Institute of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture , Shiraz University , Shiraz , Iran
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Signa G, Mazzola A, Di Leonardo R, Vizzini S. Element-specific behaviour and sediment properties modulate transfer and bioaccumulation of trace elements in a highly-contaminated area (Augusta Bay, Central Mediterranean Sea). CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 187:230-239. [PMID: 28854379 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.08.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
High sediment contamination in the coastal area of Priolo Bay, adjacent to the highly-polluted Augusta Harbour, poses serious risks for the benthic communities inhabiting the area. Nevertheless, the transfer of trace elements and consequent bioaccumulation in the biota is an overlooked issue. This study aimed to assess the transfer and bioaccumulation patterns of As, Cd, Ni and Hg to the dominant macroalgae and benthic invertebrates of Priolo Bay. Results revealed different patterns among trace elements (TEs), not driven by sediment contamination but rather by element-specific behaviour coupled with sediment physicochemical properties. Specifically, As accumulated in macroalgae but not in invertebrates, indicating bioavailability of dissolved As only, and a lack of effective trophic transfer. Ni was confined to surface sediment and transfer to biota was not highlighted. Cd and Hg showed the highest concentrations in invertebrates and bioaccumulated especially in filter feeders and carnivores, revealing the importance of suspended particulate and diet as transfer pathways. Total organic carbon (TOC), fine-grained sediments and redox potential were the most important sediment features in shaping the sediment contamination spatial patterns as well as those of TE transfer and bioaccumulation. In particular, As and Cd transfer to macroalgae, and especially Hg bioaccumulation in benthic invertebrates was controlled by sediment properties, resulting in limited transfer and accumulation in the most contaminated stations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldina Signa
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, Roma, Italy.
| | - Antonio Mazzola
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, Roma, Italy
| | - Rossella Di Leonardo
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, Roma, Italy
| | - Salvatrice Vizzini
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, Roma, Italy
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8
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Tejeda-Benitez L, Olivero-Verbel J. Caenorhabditis elegans, a Biological Model for Research in Toxicology. REVIEWS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2016; 237:1-35. [PMID: 26613986 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-23573-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode of microscopic size which, due to its biological characteristics, has been used since the 1970s as a model for research in molecular biology, medicine, pharmacology, and toxicology. It was the first animal whose genome was completely sequenced and has played a key role in the understanding of apoptosis and RNA interference. The transparency of its body, short lifespan, ability to self-fertilize and ease of culture are advantages that make it ideal as a model in toxicology. Due to the fact that some of its biochemical pathways are similar to those of humans, it has been employed in research in several fields. C. elegans' use as a biological model in environmental toxicological assessments allows the determination of multiple endpoints. Some of these utilize the effects on the biological functions of the nematode and others use molecular markers. Endpoints such as lethality, growth, reproduction, and locomotion are the most studied, and usually employ the wild type Bristol N2 strain. Other endpoints use reporter genes, such as green fluorescence protein, driven by regulatory sequences from other genes related to different mechanisms of toxicity, such as heat shock, oxidative stress, CYP system, and metallothioneins among others, allowing the study of gene expression in a manner both rapid and easy. These transgenic strains of C. elegans represent a powerful tool to assess toxicity pathways for mixtures and environmental samples, and their numbers are growing in diversity and selectivity. However, other molecular biology techniques, including DNA microarrays and MicroRNAs have been explored to assess the effects of different toxicants and samples. C. elegans has allowed the assessment of neurotoxic effects for heavy metals and pesticides, among those more frequently studied, as the nematode has a very well defined nervous system. More recently, nanoparticles are emergent pollutants whose toxicity can be explored using this nematode. Overall, almost every type of known toxicant has been tested with this animal model. In the near future, the available knowledge on the life cycle of C. elegans should allow more studies on reproduction and transgenerational toxicity for newly developed chemicals and materials, facilitating their introduction in the market. The great diversity of endpoints and possibilities of this animal makes it an easy first-choice for rapid toxicity screening or to detail signaling pathways involved in mechanisms of toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesly Tejeda-Benitez
- Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, 130014, Colombia.
| | - Jesus Olivero-Verbel
- Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, 130014, Colombia.
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Liu YR, Li J, He JZ, Ma YB, Zheng YM. Different influences of field aging on nickel toxicity to Folsomia candida in two types of soil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:8235-8241. [PMID: 25520206 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3968-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Metal aging in soils has been considered an important factor influencing its availability and toxicity to organisms. In this study, we report the influence of 5 years field aging on the nickel (Ni) toxicity to collembolan Folsomia candida based on two different types of soil from Dezhou (DZ) and Qiyang (QY) counties in China. Acute and chronic toxicity of Ni to F. candida was assessed in both freshly spiked and field aging contaminated soils. We found that 5 years field aging increased the EC50 and 2d-LC50 values of Ni to F. candida in the DZ soil, while little influence on the Ni toxicity was observed in the QY soil. There was no adverse effect of the long-term field aging on the Ni toxicity to the survival of F. candida in the two tested soils. In addition, field aging of the two soils impacted differently the water-soluble Ni concentrations, which were significantly correlated to the juvenile production of F. candida based on a logistic model. Our study highlights different effects of long-term field aging on the Ni toxicity to F. candida between divergent types of soil, and this should be taken into account in future toxicity testing and risk assessment practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Rong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
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10
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Hägerbäumer A, Höss S, Heininger P, Traunspurger W. Experimental studies with nematodes in ecotoxicology: an overview. J Nematol 2015; 47:11-27. [PMID: 25861113 PMCID: PMC4388576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
With respect to their high abundances, their role as intermediaries between microorganisms and higher trophic levels, and their ubiquitous occurrence in all habitats, nematodes are of strong potential interest as environmental indicators. Ecotoxicological methods to evaluate the risk of anthropogenic pollutants on ecosystems require both in vitro and in vivo toxicity tests to investigate either mechanisms or pathways of toxicity and to set accurate toxicity thresholds. For this, the interest in nematodes as model organisms in ecotoxicology increased over the past few decades and existing appropriate experimental methods are reviewed in this manuscript. An overview of the various existing ecotoxicological tools for nematodes, ranging from molecular laboratory methods to experimental model ecosystem approaches, and their role as indicator organisms is given. The reviewed studies, approaches that range from species-based to community-based methods, reveal exciting possibilities for the future use of nematodes in ecotoxicological studies. Suitable ecotoxicological tools and ecological indices for nematodes should be integrated in weight-of-evidence approaches for assessing the ecological risk of contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Hägerbäumer
- Department of Animal Ecology, University of Bielefeld, Konsequenz 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Peter Heininger
- German Federal Institute of Hydrology, Mainzer Tor 1, 56968 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Walter Traunspurger
- Department of Animal Ecology, University of Bielefeld, Konsequenz 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Huffnagle IM, Joyner A, Rumble B, Hysa S, Rudel D, Hvastkovs EG. Dual electrochemical and physiological apoptosis assay detection of in vivo generated nickel chloride induced DNA damage in Caenorhabditis elegans. Anal Chem 2014; 86:8418-24. [PMID: 25048399 DOI: 10.1021/ac502007g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Environmental nickel exposure is known to cause allergic reactions, respiratory illness, and may be responsible for some forms of cancer in humans. Nematodes are an excellent model organism to test for environmental toxins, as they are prevalent in many different environments. Nickel exposure has previously been shown to impact nematode life processes. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes exposed to NiCl2 featured high levels of programmed cell death (PCD) in a concentration-dependent manner as measured by counting apoptotic corpses in the nematode germ line. A green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter transgene was used that highlights cell corpse engulfment by fluorescence microscopy. Analysis of the reporter in a p53 mutant strain putatively indicates that the PCDs are a result of genomic DNA damage. In order to assay the potential genotoxic actions of NiCl2, DNA was extracted from nematodes exposed to increasing concentrations of NiCl2 and electrochemically assayed. In vivo damaged DNA was immobilized on pyrolytic graphite electrodes using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. Square-wave voltammograms were obtained in the presence of redox mediator, ruthenium trisbipyridine (Ru(bpy)3(2+)), that catalytically oxidizes guanines in DNA. Oxidative peak currents were shown to increase as a function of NiCl2 exposure, which further suggests that the extracted DNA from nematodes exposed to the nickel was damaged. This report demonstrates that our electrochemical biosensor can detect damage at lower Ni concentrations than our physiological PCD assay and that the results are predictive of physiological responses at higher concentrations. Thus, a biological model for toxicity and animal disease can be assayed using an electrochemical approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Huffnagle
- Department of Biology, and ‡Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University , Greenville, North Carolina 27858, United States
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