Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide protects against cadmium-induced neurotoxicity

Cadmium is a toxic metal that can damage the brain and other organs. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide (PAP) against CdCl₂-induced neurotoxicity in N2a and SH-SY5Y cells and in the cerebral cortex of BALB/c mice. In addition, we aimed to identify the potential mechanisms underlying these protective effects. Relative to CdCl₂ treatment alone, pretreatment with PAP prevented the reduction in cell viability evoked by CdCl₂, decreased rates of apoptosis, promoted calcium homeostasis, decreased ROS accumulation, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited cytochrome C and AIF release, and prevented the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. In addition, PAP significantly decreased the CdCl₂-induced phosphorylation of CaMKII, Akt, and mTOR. In conclusion, PAP represents a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of Cd-induced neurotoxicity, functioning in part via attenuating the activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and the Ca²⁺-CaMKII-dependent Akt/mTOR pathway.     

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester,a propolis polyphenolic,attenuates potentially cadmium-induced testicular dysfunction in mice

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) as environmental pollutant can induce severe damage, particularly to the testis. This study investigated the effects of Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on testicular dysfunction induced by Cd. Adult mice were intraperitoneally injected with cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) with different doses of CAPE pretreatment. After CdCl₂ injection, body/testis weight ratio decreased, Cd levels accumulated and zinc levels decreased in testis. Furthermore, Cd intoxication caused a significant increase of oxidative stress levels, antioxidant enzymes activities, and glutathione levels. Interestingly, significant improvements were observed after the administration of CAPE. Our results demonstrated the protective effect of CAPE, linking Cd testicular dysfunction to oxidative stress.     

经口摄入高硒镉对大鼠肝,肾组织中镉,锌,铜含量影响的研究

选用4周龄SD大鼠,经口染毒高硒(5.68mg/kg)、富硒(0.73mg/kg)和(或)高镉(33.3mg/kg)12周,并分别在实验的第3、6、9、12周末各处死一批大鼠,研究经口摄入高硒高镉对大鼠肝、肾组织中镉、锌、铜含量的影响。结果表明:同时摄入高硒高镉组大鼠体内镉蓄积明显低于单纯摄入高镉组;对单独摄入高硒、高镉所诱导的大鼠肝脏锌含量增加表现为拮抗作用;对单独摄入高硒所致大鼠肾脏锌含量降低的影响表现为拮抗作用;对单独摄入高硒、高镉所致大鼠肾脏铜含量增加的影响表现为协同作用。     

镉对肾脏的毒作用

雄性Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠２４只，随机等分为４组，皮下注射不同剂量的ＣｄＭＴ。结果显示镉接触组尿钙和尿蛋白都高于对照组；肾皮质钠泵和钙泵活性低于对照组，体外试验也显示镉能抑制钙泵活性，ＧＳＨ和半胱氨酸对这种抑制有保护作用；肾皮质ＧＳＨ含量低于对照组，ＭＤＡ含量则高于对照组，但肝脏的这两个指标无变化；高剂量组ｃＡＭＰ／ｃＧＭＰ的比值低于对照组。提示脂质过氧化和钙代谢障碍是镉引起肾损害的机理之一。     

The Testes in Cadmium Intoxication: Morphological and vascular aspects

Cadmium toxicity was tested on young male Wistar rats by injecting 1 mg/ml of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) intra-peritoneally. Post-mortem examination was done 4 hours, 24 hours and 14 days after cadmium administration to observe time-sequence cadmium-induced alterations in vascular permeability of the mesothelium in the pleura, peritoneum and tunica vaginals. This paper mainly reports the alterations observed in the testes. Vascular permeability was assessed by the colloidal carbon technique. Vascular labelling was evidenced as early as 4 hours after CdCl2, injection; 24 hours later severe oedema with leakage of particles to the interstitium and also into the tubules was patent. Fourteen days after CdCl2 administration atrophy of the testes with necrosis of the tubules, fibrosis of the interstitium and vascular thrombosis was found, compatible with chemical castration.     

Direct effect of cadmium on citrate uptake by isolated rat renal brush border membrane vesicles

High incidence of multiple kidney stone formation has been observed among workers exposed to cadmium (Cd). Citrate is known to be a protective factor against renal stone formation. To study the direct effect of cadmium on citrate uptake by the renal brush border membrane, we exposed isolated rat renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) to cadmium and determined their citrate uptake characteristics. BBMV were prepared by the divalent cation precipitation method. Citrate uptake was measured by the Millipore rapid membrane filtration technique. Preincubation of BBMV with 2 and 10 mM CdCl₂ for 1 min significantly inhibited citrate uptake compared with that of BBMV without Cd. Analysis of the time course of citrate uptake during 30-min preincubation of BBMV with 0.5 mM Cd also revealed significant reduction of the uptake compared with that of the control BBMV without preincubation. These findings indicate that preincubation of BBMV with cadmium results in time-dependent and concentration-dependent inhibition of citrate uptake.     

新型络合剂对肾镉促排作用及对微量元素影响的观察

为观察新型络合剂Ｇ－Ｃｙｓ－ＤＴＣ、Ｇ－Ｔｈｒ－ＤＴＣ对染毒大鼠肾内蓄积镉的络合促排作用及对肾皮质元素分布的影响，比较促排治疗对肾皮质铁、铜、锌等含量的影响，利用北京正负电子对撞机提供的硬Ｘ射线对肾皮质冰冻切片扫描及原子吸收分光光度法、Ｘ射线荧光测定染毒鼠肾皮质镉及其他元素含量。结果，新型络合剂Ｇ－Ｃｙｓ－ＤＴＣ、Ｇ－Ｔｈｒ－ＤＴＣ能大幅度降低肾内镉负荷。染毒肾皮质中Ｃｄ与Ｓｅ密切相关，而Ｚｎ和Ｓｅ的相关性下降。提示新型络合剂对肾内蓄积镉有较好驱排效果；硒和锌在镉中毒作用机制中可能起一定的保护作用。     

Analysis of the renal tissue of a woman chronically exposed to cadmium

Summary In a 61-year-old woman, who had been exposed for 20 years to cadmium in the production of Ni-Cd batteries, nephrectomy of the contracted kidney was performed. The removed kidney was examined histologically and the cadmium concentration was determined in the cortex (44.97 g g^–1) and in the medulla (7.71 g g^–1). The homogenates of the renal cortex and medulla were subjected to gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. In the cortex, as well as the medulla, cadmium was predominantly found in the low-molecular (metallothionein) fraction, but in the cortex, Cd content in this fraction was six times higher than in the medulla. The determination of SH groups and proteins in high- and low-molecular fractions indicates an induction of the metallothionein formation primarily in the renal cortex.     

Effects of cadmium treatment on selenium-dependent and selenium independent glutathione peroxidase activities and lipid peroxidation in the kidney and liver of rats maintained on various levels of dietary selenium

Rats fed a basal, low-selenium diet, or this diet supplemented with 0.1 ppm and 1.0 ppm selenium and treated with cadmium, showed significant reductions in the activity of the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase in kidney and liver. Cadmium treatment resulted in a significant increase in the activity of selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver of selenium-supplemented rats. Selenium-independent glutathion peroxidase activity was significantly reduced in the kidney of rats fed the basal low-selenium diet. There was no significant increase in lipid peroxidation in any of the groups studied. Cadmium concentrations in the kidney and liver of these animals ranged from about 250 to 700 g Cd/g tissue, dry weight.Supported by NIEHS Center Grant ES-00159 and a Grant from the Selenium-Tellurium Development Association     

Effect of maternal cadmium exposure on postnatal development and tissue cadmium,copper and zinc concentrations in rats

Administration of 60 ppm cadmium (Cd) in drinking water from the 1^st to the 20^th day of gestation to female rats did not affect the viability, body weight gain, food, and water consumption of offspring. The blood hemoglobin level was reduced in 2-week-old females and males but not in 16-week-old offspring. Hematocrit and serum glucose level were not affected at either age. Cadmium concentration in the intestinal wall was increased in both age groups, with marginal uptake in other organs. A decrease in copper (Cu) concentration was found in the brain of 2-week-old offspring of both sexes and of 16-week-old females. The brain zinc (Zn) concentration was decreased only in 16-week-old animals. The physical and neuromuscular development of offspring before weaning was not impaired by maternal Cd treatment. The alterations in Cu and Zn metabolism were associated with reduced locomotor activity and affected open-field behavior in adult offspring of either sex and with decreased avoidance acquisition in adult female offspring.The results obtained suggest a relationship between the reduced brain Cu and Zn levels and CNS dysfunction in adult offspring of female rats exposed to Cd during gestation.