Impact of chronic administration of lead and cadmium on the activity of monoamine oxidase in different CNS regions of male guinea pigs

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of chronic administration of lead and cadmium on the activity of monoamine oxidase [MAO] in different central nervous system regions [CNS] of male guinea pigs. Lead and cadmium was intraperitoneally injected at dose level [30 mg/kg. body weight]and[1 mg/kg.] respectively as lead acetate and cadmium chloride daily for, two, four, six and eight weeks. The activity of monoamine oxidase [MAO] was determined in the cerebral cortex, caudate putamen, thalamus, hypothalamus, superior colliculus, inferior colliculus cerebellum, pons, medulla and spinal cord in male guinea pig CNS. Lead and cadmium induced a general variable changes in the level of the membrane bound enzyme [MAO] in most CNS regions and in turn affecting both cholinergic and adrenergic neurotransmitters. These results suggest that lead and cadmium may exerts neurotoxic effect by altering certain membrane bound enzymes and may cause oxidative stress that could lead to neurodegenerative diseases

Cadmium affects viability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through membrane impairment, intracellular calcium elevation and DNA breakage.

Background: Cadmium is an important heavy metal with occupational and environmental hazard. Cadmium toxicity results mainly in bone-related complication such as itai-itai disease. Mesenchymal stem cells of the bone marrow have the ability to differentiate to osteoblasts which ensure the well-being of the bone tissue. Thus the aim was to investigate the effect of cadmium on viability of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Materials and Methods: The rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were grown to confluency in DMEM medium supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum and penicillin-streptomycin up to third passage. Then the cells were treated with 0, 5, 15, 25, 35, and 45 of CdCl 2 at 12, 24, 36, and 48 h, and their viability was investigated using trypan blue staining. In addition, after treatment with selected dose (15 and 45 μM) and time (24 and 48 h) the cell morphology, DNA damage and calcium content of the cells were evaluated. Data was analyzed using one and two-way ANOVA (Tukey test) and the P<0.05 was taken as the level of significant. Results: Cadmium chloride caused significant dose and time-dependent reduction of viability. In addition, morphological changes such as nuclear breakage and chromatin condensation, as well as cytoplasm shrinkage, were observed. The Comet assay showed a significant dose-dependent increase in DNA damage and also a significant increase in the intracellular levels of Ca 2+ was observed. Conclusion: Cadmium chloride is a toxic compound which might affect the well-being of bone tissue through affecting the mesenchymal stem cells.

Ultrastructure alterations of retinal photoreceptors of the black rat, Rattus rattus exposed to certain heavy metals

This study was designed to investigate the impact of lead and cadmium on the retinal photoreceptors of rats. Adult black rats, Rattus rattus, were selected and divided into control and exposed groups. The exposed group was housed in industrial car batteries room containing fumes of lead and cadmium. The retina prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The scanning electron microscopy revealed different lead-cadmium changes represented by gradual increasing in spaces between segments of the photoreceptors, associated with swelling of their inner segments and accompanied with rupture, degeneration and decreased numbers of some rods and cones in the outer segments. Disorganization, shortening, a decrease in number of the photoreceptors and a great deformity were the characteristic changes after prolonged exposure to the heavy metals. The aforementioned damages of the photoreceptors were confirmed at the ultrastructural level using transmission electron microscope in the form of progressive disorganization, shortening, swelling, widening of the intradiscal spaces, vacuolization and degeneration of the lamellae of the outer segments [OS], followed by the damage of mitochondria of the inner segments[IS]. Excessive penetration of the processes of the pigmented epithelium [PE] filled with pigments of different shapes and sizes between the damaged segments were noted. These pathological changes were considered the first symptoms in the retinal toxicity. The present results are alarming and call for further investigations to elucidate the impact of exposure to these heavy metals for longer periods on the rat vision and eye structure

Modulation of radiation and cadmium induced biochemical changes in mouse kidney by Emblica officinalis Linn

Protective effect of Emblica against radiation and cadmium induced biochemical changes in mouse kidney has been studied. Adult male mice were divided into seven groups: I [shamirradiated], II [cadmium chloride], III [irradiated with 2 Gy gamma rays], IV [radiation and cadmium chloride], V [Cadmium chloride and Emblica], VI [radiation and Emblica], VII [radiation, cadmium chloride and Emblica]. The animals were autopsied after 1-28 days of treatment. The kidney was taken out and different biochemical parameters such as total proteins, glycogen, cholesterol, acid phosphatase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, DNA and RNA were estimated. The value of glycogen, RNA, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity increased up to day-14 in non drug treated groups and day-7 in the Emblica treated groups and thereafter decreased up to the last autopsy interval. The value of cholesterol and DNA decreased up to day-14 in non drug treated groups and day 7 in the drug treated groups then increased in all the groups. In groups III, IV, VI and VII the value of total proteins increased during early intervals and decreased thereafter, but the animals of groups II and V, which were given only cadmium chloride with or without Emblica, showed an opposite trend. The biochemical parameters showed highly significant values [p<0.001] as compared to normal ones. Results indicated that combined treatment of radiation and cadmium chloride exerts synergistic effect. The drug treated animals showed less severe biochemical changes and an early and fast recovery, which may be due to protection provided by Emblica

Efecto del cadmio y de la temperatura sobre el conteo de células sanguíneas del pez dulceacuícola Colossoma macropomum / Cadmium and temperature effect on blood cell counts of freshwater fish Colossoma macropomum

En este trabajo se evaluó el efecto del cadmio y de la temperatura sobre la fragilidad osmótica y el número de células sanguíneas, en el pez Colossoma macropomum. Los organismos fueron expuestos a 0,5 mg/L de cloruro de cadmio durante 24 días y a dos temperaturas (25 y 30ºC). A los 0; 10 y 24 días de exposición, se les tomó muestras de sangre para determinar la curva de fragilidad osmótica, el conteo diferencial de células blancas y el conteo de reticulocitos. Los eritrocitos presentaron principios de hemólisis a 90 mmol/L de NaCl y hemólisis total a10 mmol/L. El porcentaje de linfocitos fue >62 por ciento, incrementándose en los peces expuestos a cadmio, no obstante, el porcentaje absoluto (controles y expuestos) de linfocitos, disminuyó a los 24 días de experimentación, siendo más significativo a la temperatura de 30°C. Después de los neutrófilos, los trombocitos fueron el tercer tipo celular encontrado, sobre los cuales, ni el cadmio ni la temperatura, tuvieron efecto significativo. Sin embargo, el número absoluto de estas células aumentó en los organismos mantenidos a 25°C/24 días; contrario a lo observado en los peces a 30°C/24 días, quienes registraron un descenso de 4 por cierto en su abundancia. Los peces expuestos a Cd/30°C revelaron un significativo aumento de trombocitos en comparación con los expuestos Cd/25ºC. Los reticulocitos disminuyeron por la exposición al metal. El cadmio y la temperatura ejercen un efecto sinérgico sobre el número de trombocitos y afectan individualmente la producción de reticulocitos en el pez.

In this work, the cadmium (CD) and temperature effect on the red cell osmotic fragility and blood cells count in the tropical fish Colossoma macropomum were evaluated. The fishes were exposed to 0.5 mg/L of cadmium chloride during 24 days and two temperatures (25 and 30°C). At 0; 10 and 24 days of Cd exposure, blood samples were taken from fishes to determine the osmotic fragility curve, the differential white cell and reticulocyte count. The erythrocytes osmotic fragility began at 90 mmol/L of NaCl and total hemolysis was observed at 10 mmol/L of NaCl. Lymphocytes were the more abundant cells (>62%). These cells increased in Cd-exposed fish; moreover, the lymphocytes absolute percentage (control and exposed) decrease at 24 days of experimentation, being more significant at 30°C. After the granulocytes acidophils, trombocytes were the third cellular type, they were not affect by Cd neither temperature. However, trombocyte absolute number increased than fishes at 25°C/24 d as fishes at 30°C/24. On the other hand, the Cd/30°C exposed fishes showed a significant increase of thrombocytes. Both, cadmium and temperature affect thrombocyte number. The reticulocytes decrease due to cadmium exposed fishes. A synergic effect is produced by Cd and temperature on trombocytes; however, these factors exert an individual effect in fish reticulocytes.

Efectos diferidos de contaminantes ambientales y otros agentes en salud reproductiva y sexualidad: un desafío pendiente de la toxicología de la reproducción para la salud de las futuras generaciones / Delayed effects of environmental pollutants and other agents on reproductive health and sexuality: a pending challenge of reproductive toxicology for future generations health

La exposición perinatal a diversos contaminantes ambientales y a otros agentes químicos afecta en formairreversible la diferenciación y programación de diversos tipos celulares, alterando cualitativa y cuantitativamentesus receptores hormonales mediante el mecanismo del imprinting, afectando su función y determinando el desarrollo de diversas patologías más tarde en la vida. En el presente trabajo se describen los agentes más conspicuos que actúan por este mecanismo afectando de por vida la salud reproductiva y la sexualidad. La investigación de este mecanismo, la identificación de sus agentes inductores y el desarrollo de medidas legislativas y administrativas para minimizar el daño constituyen un desafío pendiente para mejorar la saludreproductiva de las futuras generaciones.

Perinatal exposure to various environmental pollutants and other chemical agents irreversibly affects thedifferentiation and programming of various cell-types. This process quantitatively and qualitatively alters their hormone receptors through the mechanism of imprinting, affecting their function and determining the development of various pathologies later in life. The present report describes the most conspicuous agents acting through this mechanism, affecting for life reproductive health and sexuality. The study in detail of this mechanism, the identification of imprinting-inducing agents and the development of legislative and administrative measures to minimize damage constitute a pending challenge to improve future generations reproductive health.

Hair as an indicator for assessing adverse effect of cadmium on human health.

Occupational health problems of 240 male workers of roadways workshop, carriage workshop and battery factory were investigated. Cadmium concentrations in the hair were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Health effects, such as acidity, hypotension, hypertension, dermatitis, ophthalmic problems, cardiac disease, indigestion, diabetes, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, respiratory troubles, psychological and liver problems were found in subjects. Significant levels between the unhealthy and normal subjects were determined by applying a parametric test, the student's t test at a significant level of p < 0.05. The results of our studies indicate that the significant difference in cadmium levels were observed in subjects suffering from acidity, ophthalmic problems, hypertension, psychological problems, tuberculosis and their respective controls. No correlation with cadmium was obtained with cardiac diseases, diabetes, hepatitis B, respiratory problems, dermatitis and hypotension.

Effect of cadmiun on rat maxillary moral junctional epithelium during lactation: efecto del cadmio sobre el epitelio de la zona de union maxilo-molar de ratas durante la lactancia

El cadmio presente en el aire, agua potable y alimentos, afecta la salud de las poblaciones, principalmente en regiones altamente industrializadas. El cadmio afecta la función placentaria, puede atravesar la barrera placentaria y alterar directamente el desarrollo fetal. Puede ser también excretado en la leche. El organismo es particularmente susceptible a la exposición al cadmio durante el período perinatal. Fue estudiado el efecto de la exposición continua, durante la lactancia, a agua potable conteniendo bajos niveles de cadmio, sobre el epitelio de la zona de unión maxilo-molar. Ratas hembras recibieron agua potable ad libitum conteniendo 300mg/l de CdCl2 durante todo el período de lactancia. Los controles recibieron un volumen similar de agua sin cadmio. Ratas lactantes (21 días de edad) fueron sacrificadas con dosis letal de anestésico, sus cabezas separadas, fijadas en alfac por 24 h y la región palatina seccionada frontalmente, al nivel de los primeros molares. Los cortes de 6 µm de espesor fueron teñidos con hematoxilina y eosina. Se estimaron los parámetros nucleares del epitelio, así como los volúmenes citoplasmático y celular, relación núcleo/citoplasma, densidad numérica y superficial y grosor epitelial. El peso medio fue 34,86g para los controles y 18,56g para los tratados. Histológicamente, el epitelio fue más fino, con células más abundantes y menores. El cadmio indujo hipotrofia epitelial, indicando una acción directa sobre la mucosa oral, además de retardo del desarrollo de las crías.

Effect of cadmium individually and in combination with other metals on the nutritive value of fresh water fish, Channa punctatus.

Impact of metal cadmium on the nutritive value of Channa punctatus on exposure to a sublethal concentration (1.12 mg/l) of cadmium (Cd2+) for 15 and 60 days has been studied. Among the various parameters selected, the level of moisture in liver and muscle was increased, while decrease was noted in the level of ash, total proteins and inorganic constituents like iron, calcium, inorganic phosphate, sodium and potassium in both liver and muscle in the two types of exposure. The total lipid level of liver increased, while muscle lipid level was decreased. On the other hand, calcium, iron, inorganic phosphate, sodium and potassium levels showed increase in blood. Zinc and selenium decreased the percentage alterations in all the parameters selected for study. In the two types of exposure, zinc was most effective to counteract the cadmium toxicity to fish as in almost all the parameters insignificant alterations were recorded. In combination studies, protection against cadmium toxicity by the two chemicals became more marked with increase in the tenure of exposure.

Impact of cadmium on food utilization of the Indian major carp, Catla catla (Ham).

Catla catla, under the sublethal stress of cadmium exhibited depletion in food utilization parameters and it was concentration dependent. Heavy metal intoxication was found to exhibit reduction in biomass.

Impact of cadmium toxicity on leaf area, stomatal frequency, stomatal index and pigment content in mungbean seedlings.

Effect of different concentrations of CdSO4 (10(-4) M, 5 x 10(-4) M and 10(-3) M) on leaf area, stomatal frequency, stomatal index and pigment content in 6 days old mungbean seedlings was studied under laboratory conditions. Except at 10(-4) M CdSO4, leaf area decreased with an increase in the concentration of CdSO4. Stomatal frequency on the leaf surface increased at 5 x 10(-4) M and 10(-3) M CdSO4 in comparison to untreated control. However, reverse was the case for stomatal index. Chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, and chlorophyll a/b ratio were increased at 10(-4) M CdSO4, and decreased thereafter with an increase in the concentration of Cd2+. Possible reasons for the stimulatory effect at low concentrations and inhibitory effect with higher concentrations are discussed.

Toxicología ambiental: metalotioneínas y metabolismo celular / Environmental toxicology: metallothioneins and cellular metabolism

Las metalotioneínas (MT) constituyen una familia de proteínas de bajo peso molecular (6-8 kDa), presentes en procariotes y eucariotes, con elevado contenido en cisteína (30-35 por ciento) y marcada capacidad para combinarse con iones metálicos. dentro del metabolismo celular, se le han asignado múltiples funciones, desde un papel central en la homeostasis celular de ciertos metales pesados esenciales ("pool" citosólico de Zn y/o Cu), la detoxificación de metales pesados no esenciales, hasta su participación en ciertos procesos inflamatorios y la inactivación de radicales libres. La variación en el nivel de MT es indicador de exposición a xenobióticos, de situaciones ambientales adversas así como de situaciones de estrés fisiológico. Como tal, esta respuesta puede utilizarse tanto a nivel de la toxicología laboral, clínica y en estudios ecotoxicológicos. A este respecto, se encuentra en fase experimental su utilización con fines de diagnóstico ambiental. Esta revisión tiene como objeto constituir una breve reseña sobre los principales conocimientos reunidos hasta la fecha. Se ha avanzado significativamente en los aspectos básicos y metodológicos de la inducción de metalotioneínas en situaciones de estrés. Sin embargo, y a pesar de contarse con un número importante de estudios específicos, y a diferencia de otras proteínas menos estudiadas, queda aún sin precisar su función básica dentro del metabolismo celular

Water quality criteria: application of a procedural approach of numeric criteria and risk assessment protocols to regulated toxicant concentrations in the aquatic environment

The purpose of this study is to discuss the adequacy of developing water quality criteria based on site/region specific conditions in place of using general legal standards to protect human health from the impacts of pollutants in aquatic systems. Human noncarcinogenic criteria (HNC) were developed for Zn, Mn, Ni, Hg, As and Cd and compared with legal standards adopted in Brazil and the US. Uncertainty analyses were carried ou to provide a quantitative estimate of the variation range of HNC model outputs. Finally a risk assessment based on a scenario of Hg pollution in a river in the Amazon basin was carried out. It has been found that with the exception of As and Cd, the Brazilian legal standar values are more restrictive than the HNC values. It is pointed out that the HNC equation is only based on the protection of human health and thus, it does not consider the protection of aquatic life. The risk assessment concerning Hg contamination suggested that the local riverine population is exposed to due Hg concentrations and adverse health effects are likely to occur.

study of placental distribution and transfer of lead and cadmium in urban and rural inhabitants

Distribution of lead and cadmium was studied in 10 placentas. Samples were taken from 3 different lobules [central, paracentral and peripheral] and lead and cadmium concentrations were determined. Our results revealed that both metals were distributed uniformly in the placenta as there were no significant differences between the tested samples [P > 0.05].Lead and cadmium concentrations were also determined in homogenized placental samples, maternal blood and umbilical cord blood from urban areas [n = 25] and rural areas [n = 25] in Cairo and Giza. Our results showed that the levels of lead and cadmium in the maternal and umbilical cord blood were significantly higher in urban population than in rural ones. Moreover, the mean lead concentration in the placenta was 1.5 and 2.3 times higher than that in the maternal and cord blood, while placental cadmium concentration was 1.6 and 1.3 times higher than that in the maternal and cord blood respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the placenta is a suitable material for monitoring environmental lead and cadmium exposure and its placating effect is unable to totally prevent the foetus from exposure to these metals, thus we suggest that the pregnant women should avoid occupations where exposure to these elements is possible especially for urban population which is considered to be high risk group especially for lead exposure

Cadmium and hypertension.

Hypertension is a very common and important disease of modern civilised life. There are comflicting reports about cadmium, a trace element in the genesis of essential hypertension. The present study was conducted to estimate the cadmium levels in whole blood in the normal group of thirty subjects who were normotensive and the same was compared to that of thirty hypertensive patients and the levels were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Cadmium and lead in water, milk and animal feeds

Drinking water, milk and animal feed [concentrates, hay and tiben] samples were collected from three dairy farms in Sharqia Governorate. The collected samples were analyzed for cadmium and lead by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The obtained results revealed that the average concentrations of cadmium and lead were 0.02 and 0.23 ppm in the examined water samples and 0.113 and 1.51 ppm in the milk samples. The average concentration of cadmium was 2.1, 2.4 and 1.5 ppm in the examined concentrates, hay and tiben, respectively. Meanwhile, the average concentration of lead in concentrates, hay and tiben was 9.87, 15.6 and 12.1 ppm, respectively. The obtained results revealed that the concentration of cadmium and lead was above the acceptable limit in the examined water, milk and animal feed. Presence of cadmium and lead in high concentrations above the acceptable level in the examined water, milk and animal feed have adverse toxic effects to man and animals consuming such contaminated materials

Effect of cadmium compounds on growth of rhizobium sesbani and on growth and dinitrogen fixation of sesban

The present investigation was made to study the capacity of some cadmium resistant colonies [isolated from the parent culture of R. sesbani in presence of some cadmium compounds; cadmium sulfate and cadmium chloride] on growth, total amount of chlorophyll, nodulation and nitrogen fixation in Sesbania sesban plants. Results showed that the sensitivity of the parent strain of R. sesbani to Cd was more or less the same for both CaSo4 and CdCl2. In addition, the treatment with CaSo4 or CdCl2 at dose 50 mug/ml was suitable to isolate certain cadmium resistant colonies from the parent culture, whereas the higher doses of both cadmium compounds over 50 mug/ml seemed to inhibit completely growth of the parent strain. Moreover, results indicated that all Cd resistant colonies gave significant decrease in nodulation and nitrogen fixation in Sesbania plants compared with the parent strain. On the other hand, results manifested also that most Cd resistant colonies isolated caused significant decrease in dry weight of shoots, while no appreciable change was observed in both dry weight of roots and total amount of chlorophylls in Sesbania plants inoculated with the majority of Cd resistant colonies. It can be concluded that the inhibitory effect of Cd takes place through its effect on nitrogenase enzyme of R. sesbani and photosynthetic process [reduction of shoots] in Sesbania sesban plants