ABSTRACT
In our environment, we have numerous chances to be exposed to not only electromagnetic fields (EMFs) but also many chemicals containing mutagens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate whether rat's exposure to cadmium and/or EMFs could cause oxidative damage to molecular structure of proteins and whether and to what extent the effects of co-exposure differ from those observed under the treatment with each exposure alone. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was termed as control, group 2 was treated with cadmium (3.0 mg/Kg), group 3 was exposed to EMF (10 mT/h/day) and group 4 was treated with cadmium and exposed to EMF. Protein carbonyls (PCO) in the plasma as a marker of oxidative protein damage and total oxidant status (TOS), as well as electrical conductivity and SDS electrophoresis to estimate changes in molecular structure of protein, were determined. The exposure to Cd and/or EMF led to oxidative protein damage (increased PCO and TOS) accomplished by increased stress of electrical charges on the surface of the protein molecule (increased electrical conductivity) and changes in the molecular structure of protein. The effects were more pronounced after treatment with both Cd and EMF than at the treatment with each exposure alone. The serious damage to proteins at the co-exposure to Cd and EMF seems to be due to the interference of the EMF with the toxic activity of cadmium. This work concluded that combined exposure to Cd and EMFs might increase the risk of plasma damage via enhancing free radical generation and protein oxidation.
Subject(s)
Blood Proteins/chemistry , Cadmium/toxicity , Electromagnetic Fields/adverse effects , Environmental Pollutants/toxicity , Protein Denaturation/drug effects , Protein Denaturation/radiation effects , Animals , Blood Proteins/metabolism , Male , Protein Carbonylation/drug effects , Protein Carbonylation/radiation effects , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
This work aimed to consider the hazardous side effect of eye floaters treatment with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser on the protein and viscoelastic properties of the vitreous humor, and evaluate the protective role of vitamin C against laser photo disruption. Five groups of New Zealand rabbits were divided as follows: control group for (n = 3) without any treatment, the second group (n = 9) treated with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser energy of 5 mJ × 100 pulse delivered to the anterior, middle, and posterior vitreous, respectively (n = 3 for each). The third group (n = 9) received a daily dose of 25 mg/kg body weight vitamin C for 2 weeks, and then treated with laser as the previous group. The fourth group (n = 9) treated with 10 mJ 9 50 pulse delivered to the anterior, middle, and posterior vitreous, respectively (n = 3 rabbits each). The fifth group (n = 9) received a daily dose of 25 mg/kg body weight vitamin C for 2 weeks, and then treated with laser as the previous group. After 2 weeks of laser treatment, the protein content, refractive index (RI), and the rheological properties of vitreous humor, such as consistency, shear stress, and viscosity, were determined. The results showed that, the anterior vitreous group exposed to of 5 mJ × 100 pulse and/or supplemented with vitamin C, showed no obvious change. Furthermore, all other treated groups especially for mid-vitreous and posterior vitreous humor showed increase in the protein content, RI and the viscosity of vitreous humor. The flow index remained below unity indicating the non-Newtonian behavior of the vitreous humor. Application of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser should be restricted to the anterior vitreous humor to prevent the deleterious effect of laser on the gel state of the vitreous humor.
Subject(s)
Lasers, Solid-State , Rheology , Vitreous Body/radiation effects , Animals , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Ascorbic Acid/pharmacology , Male , Rabbits , Refractometry , Viscosity , Vitreous Body/drug effects , Vitreous Body/physiologyABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the change in corneal protein and oxidative stress state after using photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treatment of experimental corneal neovascularization (NV) with benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD). One group was considered as control (N = 10 eyes), corneal NV was induced in 25 New Zealand male rabbits (N = 50 eyes) after placing silk sutures in the corneal limbus. Five rabbits with corneal NV were left without any treatment, and 20 rabbits were administered by intravenous injection with Verteporfin at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg. Diode laser (660 nm) was applied for 5 minutes with a power of 50 mW/cm2. For a period of 4 weeks, five rabbits were selected and sacrificed weekly (N = 10 eyes each). The corneas were isolated for determination of protein content, SDS-PAGE, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative capacity (TOC), malondialdhyde (MDA) and oxidative stress index (OSI). The results indicated that corneal NV induced changes in the content and composition on the corneal protein and gradual improvement of the cornea after the 3rd and 4th week of PDT was detected. Furthermore, the oxidative/antioxidative balance shifted towards the antioxidative status that helped to prevent further damage.
