Apoptotic rate and metallothionein levels in the tissues of cadmium- and copper-exposed rats

It is well known that cadmium (Cd) has toxic and carcinogenic effects in rodents and humans, but the effects of Cd on apoptosis are still not clear. Although some studies have shown that Cd has apoptotic potential, other studies have shown that Cd can be antiapoptotic. Parameters such as sensitivity of the exposed organism or cells and the exposure conditions should be important in delineating the effect of Cd on apoptosis. In the present study, we aimed to determine the apoptotic index (AI) of Sprague-Dawley rat tissues that are loaded at a lower Cd concentration than the critical concentration (50 mu g/g) for its toxic effects. Metallothionein (NIT) levels of tissues were also determined and the experiments repeated with copper (Cu)-exposed rats. We detected decreases in the apoptotic index in liver and lung tissues of Cd-exposed groups accompanied with an increase in MT levels. Also, decreases of Al were detected in the liver tissues of Cu-exposed groups. These findings indicate that Cd can suppress apoptosis in vivo. The possible role of NIT expression on the suppression of apoptosis and the importance of free-Cd ion concentration on switching antiapoptotic effects to proapoptotic effects are also discussed

SEASONAL VARIATIONS OF TRACE ELEMENTS AND RADIO-ACTIVITY CONCENTRATIONS IN RAW COW'S MILK SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM WEST THRACE REGION, TURKEY

In the present study, trace elements and radioactivity levels were investigated in raw cow's milk samples collected seasonally from villages of Havsa, Hayrabolu, Malkara and Uzunkopru towns of West Thrace region in Turkey. The element concentrations were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and mean values of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn were found to be 10.0 +/- 1.2, 51.5 +/- 5.0, 5.7 +/- 1.1, 51.2 +/- 6.3, 257.0 +/- 43.6, 43.3 +/- 10.0, 120 +/- 31, and 4187 +/- 162 mu g kg(-1), respectively. The activity concentrations of (232)Th, (238)U, (137)Cs and (40)K in the raw cow's milk were measured by using gamma spectrometry with high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. (232)Th, (238)U, and (137)Cs were found to be under limit of detection whereas 40K was detected in all samples. The mean activity concentrations of (40)K were 47.0 +/- 1.3 Bq kg(-1). No significant variation could be observed among seasons and towns with regard to the trace element and radionuclide contents of the milk samples

Association of blood lead levels with demographic, reproductive and employment related factors in Turkish women

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the blood lead levels in employed and unemployed women and associate the difference with sociodemographic and reproductive factors

The Effects of Lithium Administration on Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Rats: Biochemical and Histomorphological Evaluations

Present study was planned to determine possible dose-dependent effects of lithium (Li) on oxidant-antioxidant status and histomorphological changes in liver and kidney tissues. For this purpose, twenty-four Wistar male rats were equally divided into three groups: the rats in group I served as controls, drinking tap water without lithium. Groups II and III received 0.1 and 0.2 % lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) through their drinking water, respectively, for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, lithium concentrations, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured in considered tissues. Histomorphological study was also performed on liver and kidney tissues. Compared to controls, MDA was significantly higher but GSH level lower in groups II and III. SOD activity was higher in group III, but no difference was determined in group II in liver tissue. In kidney tissue, there was no difference determined in MDA and GSH levels between control and experimental groups but SOD activity in groups II and III was significantly higher. In histologic sections of both experimental liver and kidney tissues, specific degenerations were observed. The results of the present study show that treatment with lithium carbonate may result in liver and kidney tissue abnormalities and oxidative damage

Zinc Supplementation Attenuates Metallothionein and Oxidative Stress Changes in Kidney of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Zinc is an element that under physiological conditions preferentially binds to and is a potent inducer of metallothionein under physiological conditions. The present study was conducted to explore whether zinc supplementation morphologically and biochemically protects against diabetic nephropathy through modulation of kidney metallothionein induction and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two Wistar albino male rats were equally divided into four groups. The first group was used as untreated controls and the second group was supplemented with 30 mg/kg/day zinc as zinc sulfate. The third group was treated with streptozotocin to induce diabetes and the fourth group was treated with streptozotocin and supplemented with zinc as described for group 2. The blood glucose and micro-albuminuria levels, body and kidney weights were measured during the 42-day experimental period. At the end of the experiment, the kidneys were removed from all animals from the four groups. Diabetes resulted in degenerative kidney morphological changes. The metallothionein immunoreactivity level was lower and the kidney lipid peroxidation levels were higher in the diabetes group than in the controls. The metallothionein immunoreactivity levels were higher in the tubules of the zinc-supplemented diabetic rats as compared to the non-supplemented diabetic group. The zinc and metallothionein concentrations in kidney tissue were higher in the supplemented diabetic group compared to the non-supplemented diabetes group. The activity of glutathione peroxidase did not change in any of the four groups. In conclusion, the present study shows that zinc has a protective effect against diabetic damage of kidney tissue through stimulation of metallothionein synthesis and regulation of the oxidative stress

Lithium-Induced Hypothyroidism: Oxidative Stress and Osmotic Fragility Status in Rats

The present study was conducted to explore the possible effects of different doses of lithium carbonate on thyroid functions, erythrocyte oxidant-antioxidant status, and osmotic fragility. Twenty-four Wistar-type male rats were equally divided into three groups: groups I and II received 0.1 and0.2 % lithium carbonate in their drinking water, respectively, for 30 days. The rats in group III served as controls, drinking tap water without added lithium. At the end of the experimental period, the erythrocyte osmotic fragility and the levels of triiodothyronine (T-3), thyroxine (T-4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) were measured in blood samples. Compared to controls, there was a statistically significant increase of TSH but decreases of the T-3 and T-4 levels in group II. Both experimental groups showed a statistically significant increase of the maximum osmotic fragility limit. The minimum osmotic fragility values of the animals in group II were statistically higher than those of controls. The standard hemolytic increment curve of both experimental groups was shifted to the right when compared to the curve obtained from the controls. Also, relative to controls, the activities of MDA and SOD were significantly higher and the GSH level lower in group II, but not so in group I. The results of the present study show that treatment with lithium carbonate may result in thyroid function abnormalities, increased oxidative damage, and possible compromise of the erythrocyte membrane integrity resulting from increased osmotic fragility

Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Attenuates Bisphosphonate-Induced Oxidative Injury but Decreases Zinc and Copper Levels in Oral Epithelium of Rat

Recent studies have reported oxidative damage due to bisphosphonate (BP) in various cancer tissues and neurons, although basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) induced antioxidant effects in the cells. The bFGF may modulate the BP-induced oxidative stress in oral epithelium of rats. This study was undertaken to explore possible beneficial antioxidant effects of bFGF on oxidative stress induced by BP in oral epithelium of rats. Twenty-eight rats were equally divided into four groups. The first group was used as control. The second, third and fourth groups intraperitoneally received BP (zoledronic acid), bFGF and BP + bFGF. At the end of 10 weeks, the rats were sacrificed, and oral epithelium samples were taken for analyses. In BP group, the lipid peroxidation levels were increased in the oral epithelium, while the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the concentrations of total antioxidant status (TAS) were decreased. In rats treated with bFGF, lipid peroxidation levels decreased, and the activities of GSH-Px and concentrations of TAS improved in the oral epithelium. However, zinc and copper levels were decreased in the oral epithelium by BP and bFGF treatments. Concentrations of vitamin E and reduced glutathione in the samples did not change in the groups. In conclusion, treatment with bFGF modulated the antioxidant redox system and reduced the oral epithelium oxidative stress induced by BP. However, zinc and copper levels were decreased by BP and bFGF treatments

Selenium supplementation ameliorates electromagnetic field-induced oxidative stress in the HEK293 cells

There is a widespread use of 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiation emitting devices especially in communication and education. Recent studies show the adverse effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) such as oxidative stress, cellular damage and apoptosis on tissues. Selenium (Se) has an antioxidant properties by inhibiting oxidative damage being within the structure of antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and it has also regulatory function for cell cycle and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Se on 2.4 GHz frequency EMF exposed human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) by means of alterations in apoptotic and oxidative stress parameters