Trimethyltin reduces ATP levels and MTT reduction in the LRM55 rat astrocytoma cell line

The LRM55 rat astrocytoma cell line was used to study the time and concentration effects of trimethyltin (TMT) exposure on intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, formazan production from (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. TMT concentrations of > or =50 microM produced a delayed increase in extracellular LDH from approximately 20% at 24 h to almost 70%, at 72 h. Twenty-four hours before cell lysis was detectable ATP levels decreased to less than 30% and formazan production declined to 70% (50 microM), 31% (100 microM), and 21% (200 microM) of control values. Concentrations of TMT (5 and 10 microM) that produced little or no LDH release also decreased ATP levels (62 and 49% of control, respectively) and formazan production (63 and 52% of control, respectively) by 48 h. These data support the hypothesis that TMT exposure interferes with energy production and that this event likely contributes to the delayed cell death seen in this cell line. Moreover, the declines in ATP and formazan production can occur at subtoxic concentrations in LRM55 cells.     

Use of multiple assay endpoints to investigate the effects of incubation time, dose of toxin, and plating density in cell-based cytotoxicity assays

Here we show the results of comparing cell viability, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis assays for measuring the time- and dose-dependent toxic effects of tamoxifen on HepG2 cells. The quantitation of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), 5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4,5- dimethylthiazolyl)-3-(4-sulfophenyl) tetrazolium, inner salt (MTS) tetrazolium reduction, and resazurin reduction methods used to estimate the number of viable cells all showed a similar trend of decreased cell viability after longer periods of tamoxifen exposure to HepG2 cells. The release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as a marker for cells with a compromised membrane and the increase in caspase-3/7 activity as a marker for apoptosis were both shown to increase using the same tamoxifen exposure conditions that caused a decrease in HepG2 cell viability. The longer the duration of exposure of tamoxifen, the lower the concentration required to kill or induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells. In contrast, there was no change in LDH release from HL-60 cells using conditions of vinblastine treatment that caused an increase in caspase activity and a decrease in ATP content, suggesting a difference in the mechanism of cell death between the two model systems. Both the density of parent stock cultures used as a source of cells to prepare assay plates and the density of cells per well in the assay plates were demonstrated to be factors than can influence the apparent potency of a toxin in viability, toxicity, and apoptosis assays. These results illustrate the importance of understanding the kinetics and mechanism of cell death of each in vitro model system as prerequisites for choosing the most appropriate assay method.     

Concomitant administration of sodium 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulphonate (DMPS) and diphenyl diselenide reduces effectiveness of DMPS in restoring damage induced by mercuric chloride in mice

The effect of combined therapy with diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)₂ and sodium 2,3-dimercapto-propane-1-sulphonate (DMPS) against alterations induced by mercury (Hg²⁺) was evaluated. Mice were exposed to mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) (1 mg/kg, subcutaneously) for two weeks. After that, mice received (PhSe)₂ (15.6 mg/kg), or DMPS (12.6 mg/kg), or a combination of both for one week. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), ascorbic acid and Hg²⁺ levels and glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) activities were carried out in kidney. Hematological parameters, plasmatic billirubin, uric acid, urea and creatinine levels as well as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were determined. (PhSe)₂ or DMPS restored the increase in LDH activity and TBARS, bilirubin, uric acid, urea and creatinine levels caused by HgCl₂. The levels of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit reduced by HgCl₂ exposure were restored by (PhSe)₂ or DMPS administration in mice. Leukocyte and platelet counts modified by HgCl₂ exposure were restored by (PhSe)₂ or DMPS therapy. DMPS restored the increase in Hg²⁺ levels induced by exposure to HgCl₂. Concomitant administration of (PhSe)₂ and DMPS reduced the effectiveness of DMPS in restoring damage induced by HgCl₂. Combined therapy with (PhSe)₂ and DMPS was less effective than isolated therapies in restoring the damage induced by HgCl₂ in mice.     

In vitro cytotoxicity assays: comparison of LDH, neutral red, MTT and protein assay in hepatoma cell lines following exposure to cadmium chloride

The aim of this study was to compare four in vitro cytotoxicity assays and determine their ability to detect early cytotoxic events. Two hepatoma cell lines, namely HTC and HepG2 cells, were exposed to cadmium chloride (0-300 microM) for 3, 5 and 8 h. Following exposure to the toxic metal cytotoxicity was determined with the lactate dehydrogenase leakage assay (LDH), a protein assay, the neutral red assay and the methyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. In HTC cells no toxicity was observed for any incubation period when the LDH leakage, the MTT and the protein assay were employed whereas the neutral red assay revealed early cytotoxicity starting after incubation of HTC cells with CdCl(2) for 3 h. In the case of HepG2 cells the MTT assay reveals cytotoxicity due to CdCl(2) exposure after 3 h whereas no such effect is seen with the other three assays. Following 5 h exposure of HepG2 cells to CdCl(2), toxicity is observed with the MTT assay at lower concentrations compared to the ones required for detection of toxicity with the LDH leakage and the neutral red assay. In conclusion different sensitivity was observed for each assay with the neutral red and the MTT assay being the most sensitive in detecting cytotoxic events compared to the LDH leakage and the protein assay.     

Enhanced cellular respiration in cells exposed to doxorubicin

Doxorubicin executes topoisomerase II mediated apoptosis, a process known to result in mitochondrial dysfunction, such as the leakage of cytochrome c and the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores (PTP). To further define the effects of doxorubicin on cell metabolism, we measured cellular respiration, cellular ATP, DNA fragmentation, and cytochrome c leakage in Jurkat (supersensitive), human leukemia-60 (HL-60, sensitive), and HL-60/MX2 (resistant) cells following exposure to 1.0 microM doxorubicin for 30 min. The measurements were made after 24 h of exposure to the drug. In Jurkat and HL-60 cells, doxorubicin treatment increased cellular mitochondrial oxygen consumption and ATP content by 2-3-fold. The increment in oxygen consumption was blocked by the pan-caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-dl-Asp-fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk) and by the PTP inhibitor cyclosporin A. In HL-60/MX2 cells, which are resistant because of a reduced topoisomerase II activity, doxorubicin treatment was without effect on either respiration or ATP content, suggesting that topoisomerase II was essential for induction of apoptosis and stimulation of respiration and ATP content. The conclusion that both of the latter processes were products of oxidations in the mitochondrial respiratory chain was supported by the further observation that rotenone and sodium cyanide inhibited oxygen consumption and substantially lowered ATP content in the treated and untreated cells. Thus, oxidative phosphorylation is enhanced in cells briefly incubated with doxorubicin for as long as 24 h post drug exposure despite apoptosis-associated mitochondrial insults caused by the drug.     

Dithranol-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of rat epidermal keratinocytes. I. The role of reactive oxygen species.

Primary cultured rat epidermal keratinocytes were used as an experimental model to detect oxidant-mediated adverse effects of dithranol (anthralin), a widely used antipsoriasis drug with tumor-promoting and skin-irritating properties. Keratinocytes were isolated and prepared from the skin of neonatal rats by a trypsin flotation method. Highly proliferative monolayer cells cultured in a serum-free medium were exposed to the test compound at concentrations (5-100 microM) used therapeutically for the treatment of skin disorders. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by changes in plasma membrane integrity (lactate dehydrogenase leakage), lysosomal function (neutral red uptake), and mitochondrial metabolic activity (reduction of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, MTT). Exposure of keratinocytes to dithranol produced time- and concentration-related toxic responses. MTT reduction was found to be a more sensitive endpoint of cytotoxicity, showing significant toxic effects at 2 hr, while significant leakage of lactate dehydrogenase did not result until 6 hr. Oxygen consumption in keratinocytes and isolated mitochondria showed a similar pattern after exposure to dithranol. Increased cyanide-insensitive respiration was also noted. Oxidative stress, measured by superoxide anion-dependent reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium, occurred before dithranol produced cytotoxicity in the keratinocyte cultures. Superoxide formation, which increased with time after dithranol exposure, was detected both extracellularly and intracellularly and was inhibited by the addition of superoxide dismutase. Dithranol-induced cell injury was partially prevented by treatment with superoxide dismutase, and greater protection was shown by concurrent treatment with superoxide dismutase plus catalase. These findings suggest that the superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide may be involved in the cytotoxicity of dithranol and that a culture system of rat keratinocytes may be useful in evaluating the mechanism of toxicity of dermatotoxicants.     

Efficacy of 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) and diphenyl diselenide on cadmium induced testicular damage in mice

The deleterious effect of acute cadmium-intoxication in mice testes was evaluated. Animals received a single dose of CdCl₂ (2.5 or 5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and a number of toxicological parameters in mice testes were examined, such as δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) activity, lipid peroxidation, hemoglobin and ascorbic acid contents. Furthermore, the parameters that indicate tissue damage such as plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also determined. Thus, a possible protective effect of 2,3-dimercapto-1-propane-sulfonic acid (DMPS) and diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)₂ were studied. The results demonstrated an inhibition of δ-ALA-D activity, a reduction of ascorbic acid and an increase of lipid peroxidation induced by cadmium, indicating testes damage. Furthermore, we observed an increase of plasma LDH, AST and ALT activities. DMPS (400 mol/kg) and (PhSe)₂ (100 μmol/kg) partially protected from the inhibitory effect of 2.5 mg/kg CdCl₂ on δ-ALA-D and from the increase of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive species) levels. (PhSe)₂ therapy was effective in ameliorate ascorbic acid content when the cadmium dose was 2.5 mg/kg. Treatment with DMPS and (PhSe)₂, individually or combined, was inefficient in reducing cadmium-induced plasma LDH and ALT activity increase. The use of combined therapy (DMPS plus (PhSe)₂) proved to be efficient in decreasing cadmium levels in testes and in ameliorating plasma AST activity from animals that received the highest dose of cadmium.     

Therapeutic effects of hypothermia on Lewisite toxicity

The cytotoxicity of the arsenical vesicant Lewisite was assessed in first passage cultures of proliferating neonatal human skin keratinocytes. Both munitions grade and distilled Lewisite were extremely toxic with LC(50) values in the low ng/ml range, with no significant differences between them. This similarity in toxicity was also mirrored with respect to their toxic effects on hairless guinea pig skin. Two-, 4- and 6-min vapour exposures of these agents resulted in similar and severe skin injury that was obvious by 3-5h post-exposure and almost maximal at 24h. The toxicity of Lewisite in culture was temperature dependent, with a >10-fold reduction in 24h LC(50) values as the incubation temperature was reduced from 37 to 25 degrees C. However, this cooling induced protection was not persistent. In contrast, cooling of Lewisite exposed hairless guinea pig skin at approximately 10 degrees C for as little as 30 min post-exposure resulted in dramatic and permanent protection, with 4h of cooling almost completely eliminating Lewisite induced skin injury. Further, significant protection was also evident even when cooling was delayed for as long as 2h post-Lewisite exposure. In an effort to investigate whether cooling might also increase the window in which chelation therapy against this vesicant agent would be useful, we examined the protective effects of the heavy metal chelator dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). Topical application to Lewisite exposed skin was extremely protective, even when delayed for 2h after Lewisite. Cooling of Lewisite exposed skin for 2h, followed by DMSA topical application resulted in decreased skin injury compared to either treatment in isolation. It appears that the simple and non-invasive application of cooling measures may provide not only significant therapeutic relief to Lewisite exposed skin, but that it may also increase the therapeutic window in which medical countermeasures against this vesicant agent are useful.     

Human studies with the chelating agents, DMPS and DMSA.

Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is bound to plasma albumin in humans and appears to be excreted in the urine as the DMSA-cysteine mixed disulfide. The pharmacokinetics of DMSA have been determined after its administration to humans po. For the blood, the tmax and t1/2 were 3.0 h + 0.45 SE and 3.2 h + 0.56 SE, respectively. The Cmax was 26.2 microM + 4.7 SE. To determine whether dental amalgams influence the human body burden of mercury, we gave volunteers the sodium salt of 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonic acid (DMPS). The diameters of dental amalgams of the subjects were determined to obtain the amalgam score. Administration of 300 mg DMPS by mouth increased the mean urinary mercury excretion of subjects over a 9 h period. There was a positive correlation between the amount of mercury excreted and the amalgam score. DMPS might be useful for increasing the urinary excretion of mercury and thus increasing the significance and reliability of this measure of mercury exposure. DMSA analogs have been designed and synthesized in attempts to increase the uptake by cell membranes of the DMSA prototype chelating agents. The i.v. administration of the monomethyl ester of DMSA, the dimethyl ester of DMSA or the zinc chelate of dimethyl DMSA increases the biliary excretion of platinum and cadmium in rats.     

Oxidative damage in keratinocytes exposed to cigarette smoke and aldehydes

Cigarette smoke (CS) is a significant environmental source of human exposure to chemically active saturated (acetaldehyde) and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes (acrolein) inducing protein carbonylation and dysfunction. The exposure of oral tissues to environmental hazards is immense, especially in smokers. The objectives of the current study were to examine the effect of aldehydes originating from CS on intracellular proteins of oral keratinocytes and to observe the antioxidant response in these cells.Intracellular protein carbonyl modification under CS, acrolein and acetaldehyde exposure in the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line, representing oral keratinocytes was examined by Western blot. Possible intracellular enzymatic dysfunction under the above conditions was examined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assay. Oxidative stress response was investigated, by DCF (2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein) assay and GSH (glutathione) oxidation.Intracellular protein carbonyls increased 5.2 times after CS exposure and 2.7 times after exposure to 1 μmol of acrolein. DCF assay revealed an increase of fluorescence intensity 3.2 and 3.1 times after CS and acrolein exposure, respectively. CS caused a 72.5% decrease in intracellular GSH levels compared to controls. Activity of intracellular LDH was preserved.α,β-Unsaturated aldehydes from CS are capable of intracellular protein carbonylation and have a role in intracellular oxidative stress elevation in keratinocytes, probably due to the reduction in GSH levels.     

Biochemical and immunotoxicological alterations following repeated gallium arsenide exposure and their recoveries by meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid and 2,3-dimercaptopropane 1-sulfonate administration in rats

Efficacy of two analogues of British anti-lewisite (BAL), meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and 2,3-dimercaptopropane 1-suffonate (DMPS), in depleting arsenic and gallium concentration of blood and other soft tissues, in restoring altered blood, liver and renal biochemical variables and some immunlogical indices were investigated in male rats exposed to multiple doses of gallium arsenide (GaAs). The results indicate that exposure to gallium arsenide produced a significant inhibition of blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, an increase in urinary ALA excretion and blood zinc protoporphyrin level. Blood glutathione (GSH) contents also decreased on GaAs exposure. No influence of GaAs however, on serum transminase activity or hepatic GSH contents was noticed, although, renal alkaline phosphatase activity decreased significantly on GaAs exposure. Further, a marked influence of GaAs administration on immunological variables like relative thymus and spleen weight, spleen cellularity, antibody forming cell (AFC) response to sheep RBC and delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) was observed. These data indicate that multiple exposure to GaAs may produce an adverse effect on the haematopoietic, renal and immune system. Further, post exposure treatment with two thiols, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid and sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane 1-sulfonate (DMPS), DMPS proved more effective than DMSA in producing an effective reversal of altered immunological variables and reducing arsenic concentration of spleen, liver, kidney and blood. Biochemical variables, on the other hand, responded less favorably to the treatment of DMSA or DMPS except for a significant recovery in the activity of blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) following DMSA administration. The results suggest that DMPS could be an effective chelating drug for reversing most of the GaAs induced immunological alterations and reducing tissue arsenic burden.     

Pyruvate and lactate metabolism in livers of guinea pigs perfused with chelating agents after repeated treatment with As2O3

The relative effectiveness of British Anti-Lewisite (BAL), dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid (DMPS), dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), and a new metal binding agent 2,3-bis(acetylthio)propanesulfonamide (BAPSA) was compared by determining their effect on pyruvate metabolism in perfused livers of guinea pigs after repeated treatment with AS₂O₃. Guinea pigs received AS₂O₃, 2.5 mg/kg s.c. twice daily on 5 consecutive days (total dose 25 mg/kg). Sixteen hours after the last dose the livers were perfused (2.5 ml/min/g liver) with Krebs-Henseleit buffer and glucose (10 mmol/l) as substrate for 80 min. After 50 min of perfusion 0.1 or 0.7 mmol/l BAL, DMPS, DMSA, or BAPSA were added to the perfusate for 30 min. Samples of the effluent were collected every 10 min; lactate and pyruvate were determined enzymatically. As compared to controls, a significant decrease in the pyruvate and lactate efflux was observed in perfused livers of guinea pigs treated with AS₂O₃. After influx of BAL (0.1 mmol/l), DMSA (0.7 mmol/l), and BAPSA (0.1 and 0.7 mmol/l) respectively, the pyruvate and lactate efflux and the oxygen consumption (exception BAL 0.1 mmol/l) increased and reached control values without arsenic treatment. On the other hand, the pyruvate and lactate efflux and the oxygen consumption was further significantly decreased after influx of 0.7 mmol/l BAL.     

Are 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid or prussian blue beneficial in acute thallotoxicosis in rats?

Unithiol (2,3-dimercapto-I-propanesulfonic acid, DMPS) and prussian blue (potassium ferric hexacyanoferrate (II), PB), given alone or in combination, were evaluated as antidotes to treat acute thallotoxicosis in male Sprauge-Dawley rats. Animals were poisoned with 20 mg thallium (TI)/ kg bw PO on day 0 using thallous sulfate. On day 1 (24 h later), treatments began and were continued through day 4 as follows: 50 mg PB/kg bw PO, 2/ d; 5 mg DMPS/kg bw IP, 6/d (day 1), 4/d (day 2), 2/d (days 3-4); or the combination. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last treatment (day 5), and TI concentrations in kidney, liver, heart, brain, whole blood and feces determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy. The relative accumulation of TI was kidney>heart>liver approximately equal brain. PB limited incorporation of TI in all tissues. DMPS failed to significantly decrease TI in any organ, but significantly decreased TI in whole blood. PB+DMPS treatment significantly decreased the TI content in all organs, but not to a greater extent than PB alone. PB and PB+DMPS treatments significantly increased TI in feces, whereas DMPS alone produced little effect. This study confirms that PB is beneficial in the treatment of acute thallotoxicosis in rats. The failure of DMPS to significantly affect TI in target organs suggests it is not useful in treating TI poisoning.     

Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) influences the mode of sulfur mustard (SM)-induced cell death in HaCaT cells

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a bifunctional alkylating agent. Its primary toxic consequence is severe skin damage with blisters, occurring after skin contact. These vesicant properties of SM have been linked to cell death of proliferating keratinocytes in the basal layer of the skin. Catalytic activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) has been demonstrated to be a major event in response to high levels of DNA damage, and PARP-1 activation may be part of apoptotic signaling. In other contexts, overstimulation of PARP-1 triggers necrotic cell death because of rapid consumption of its substrate, beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and the consequent depletion of ATP. These findings prompted us to evaluate whether SM induces apoptosis in keratinocytes like HaCaT cells and to determine whether blocking of PARP enzyme activity with 3-aminobenzamide (3AB) can influence the mode of cell death. HaCaT cells were exposed to SM (10-1,000 microM; 30 min) and then cultivated in SM-free medium with or without 3AB for up to 48 h. This treatment resulted in a time and SM dose-dependent increase of apoptotic cell death characterized by PARP-1 cleavage and DNA fragmentation during the experimental period. After just 45 min of exposure to 1 mM SM, we observed a significant increase in PARP-1 activity in HaCaT cells. About 6 h after exposure, intracellular ATP levels were diminished by 22%, which seemed to be completely prevented by the addition of 3AB directly after exposure. However, 18 h later, this 3AB effect on the SM concentration-dependent loss of ATP was no longer detectable. Interestingly, the effect of SM on total cell viability was not changed by 3AB. However, the mode of cell death was influenced by 3AB exhibiting an increase of apoptotic cells and a concomitant decrease of necrotic HaCaT cells during the first 24 h after SM exposure. Our results indicate that SM concentrations of 1 mM or higher induce a prominent PARP activation leading to ATP depletion and necrosis. In contrast, lower concentrations of SM cause minor PARP activation and, especially, PARP-1 cleavage by caspase 3 without ATP depletion. Because ATP is required for apoptosis, we suggest that ATP acts as an early molecular switch from apoptotic to necrotic modes of SM-induced cell death, at least at high concentrations (> or =1 mM). Thus, the observed early proapoptotic effect of 3AB at lower SM concentrations may point to the influence of ATP-independent cell-death regulating mechanisms.     

Chelation in metal intoxication: influence of cysteine or N-acetyl cysteine on the efficacy of 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulphonate in the treatment of cadmium toxicity.

The influence of cysteine or N-acetyl cysteine administration on the efficacy of 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulphonate (DMPS) in the treatment of cadmium intoxication was investigated in cadmium-pre-exposed rats. Cysteine, N-acetyl cysteine, DMPS, DMPS + cysteine or DMPS + N-acetyl cysteine were about equal in effectiveness in mobilizing hepatic cadmium mainly from its supernatant cytosolic fraction (SCF) and both of the combinations were more effective than either of them alone in mobilizing cadmium from its nuclear mitochondrial fraction (NMF). The DMPS was apparently more effective than cysteine or N-acetyl cysteine in mobilizing renal cadmium from its SCF or NMF and it was more effective than even their combinations in mobilizing cadmium from renal SCF. The treatment with cysteine or N-acetyl cysteine reduced cadmium-induced hepatic and renal metallothionein (MT) and the treatment with DMPS reduced renal MT only, probably due to removal of hepatic and renal SCF cadmium by these agents. However, MT levels were high in animals treated with DMPS + cysteine or DMPS + N-acetyl cysteine, despite lowering of cadmium in these tissues, suggesting a contribution of MT induced by cysteine or N-acetyl cysteine itself. The cadmium exposure increased hepatic and renal zinc and renal copper levels, probably as a result of cadmium-induced MT, and some of the levels were normalized considerably by the subsequent treatment with cysteine, DMPS or to a lesser extent N-acetyl cysteine and their combinations, showing their protective effects against cadmium toxicity. The increase in blood cadmium and the decrease in blood zinc and copper levels due to cadmium exposure also were reversed appreciably by some of these treatments. The results have shown a limited benefit of cysteine or N-acetyl cysteine administration on the efficacy of DMPS in the treatment of cadmium intoxication.     

Acute effects of the heavy metal antidotes DMPS and DMSA on circulation,respiration, and blood homoeostasis in dogs

The heavy metal antidotes sodium-2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate (DMPS) and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were investigated in anaesthetized dogs for their effects on a variety of physiological variables and parameters. In addition, the influence of both dithiols on oxygen consumption and ferrihaemoglobin production was studied in blood and red blood cells in vitro. DMPS (15 and 75 mg/kg i.v.) did not affect respiration, central venous pressure, left ventricular pressure or cardiac output and showed only marginal, statistically non-significant effects on aortic and effective perfusion pressure. In contrast to the slight, non-significant changes due to DMPS (15 mg/kg i.v.), an equimolar dose of DMSA (12 mg/kg i. v.) led to a slight transient decrease in femoral blood pressure with strong reflex tachycardia and increase in blood flow. The higher DMPS dose (75 mg/kg i.v.), however, caused marked decreases in femoral blood pressure and blood flow, strong changes in blood gases and pH, and lactacidosis. Most of the physiological variables and parameters did not return to the initial level by 60 min. The R-spike of the electrocardiogram decreased, and the T-wave increased. Experiments on the denervated hind leg indicate that DMPS may be a direct vasodilator. The fall of blood pressure due to DMPS was markedly reduced when 30% ferrihaemoglobin had been formed by 4-dimethylaminophenol. HCl (DMAP). The highest DMPS dose (150 mg/kg i.v.) provoked circulatory failure and respiratory arrest. Artificial ventilation with room air restored spontaneous respiration, but one of three animals did not survive this dose for more than 90 min. DMPS and DMSA reacted with oxygen. In phosphate buffer, pH 7.4,1 mol O₂ appears to be taken up by 2 mol DMPS. The consumption of O₂ by DMPS was less in samples of human and canine blood or erythrocyte suspensions than in buffer solution. DMPS caused a greater loss of oxygen than DMSA. DMPS and DMSA alone did not produce ferrihaemoglobin, but the ferrihaemoglobin content of erythrocyte suspensions increased over the time when DMPS was added in the presence of 30% ferrihaemoglobin. Such an action was not observed at the same ferrihaemoglobin content in vivo.     

Inhibitory effects of ginseng total saponins on hypoxia-induced dysfunction and injuries of cultured astrocytes

The effects of ginseng total saponins (GTS) on hypoxic damage of primary cultures of astrocytes were studied. Hypoxia was created by placing cultures in an air tight chamber that was flushed with 95% N(2)/5% CO(2) for 15 min before being sealed. Cultures showed evidence of significant cell injury after 24 h of hypoxia (increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in the culture medium, cell swelling and decreased glutamate uptake and protein content). Addition of GTS (0.1, 0.3 mg/ml) to the cultures during the exposure to hypoxic conditions produced dose-dependent inhibition of the LDH efflux. GTS (0.1, 0.3 mg/ml) also produced significant inhibition of the increased cell volume of astrocytes measured by [(3)H]O-methyl-D-glucose uptake under the hypoxic conditions. Decreased glutamate uptake and protein content was inhibited by GTS. These data suggest that GTS prevents astrocytic cell injury induced by severe hypoxiain vitro.     

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes induce cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in human lung epithelial cells

The increasing use of nanomaterials in consumer products highlights the importance of understanding their potential toxic effects. We evaluated cytotoxic and genotoxic/oxidative effects induced by commercial multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on human lung epithelial (A549) cells treated with 5, 10, 40 and 100 µg ml^?1 for different exposure times. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were performed to evaluate cytotoxicity. Fpg‐modified comet assay was used to evaluate direct‐oxidative DNA damage. LDH leakage was detected after 2, 4 and 24 h of exposure and viability reduction was revealed after 24 h. SEM analysis, performed after 4 and 24 h exposure, showed cell surface changes such as lower microvilli density, microvilli structure modifications and the presence of holes in plasma membrane. We found an induction of direct DNA damage after each exposure time and at all concentrations, statistically significant at 10 and 40 µg ml^?1 after 2 h, at 5, 10, 100 µg ml^?1 after 4 h and at 10 µg ml^?1 after 24 h exposure. However, oxidative DNA damage was not found. The results showed an induction of early cytotoxic effects such as loss of membrane integrity, surface morphological changes and MWCNT agglomerate entrance at all concentrations. We also demonstrated the ability of MWCNTs to induce early genotoxicity. This study emphasizes the suitability of our approach to evaluating simultaneously the early response of the cell membrane and DNA to different MWCNT concentrations and exposure times in cells of target organ. The findings contribute to elucidation of the mechanism by which MWCNTs cause toxic effects in an in vitro experimental model. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vitro cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects of myrrh oil on human gingival fibroblasts and epithelial cells.

Limited scientific studies suggest that myrrh (Commiphora molmol) has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. This study determined myrrh oil (MO) cytotoxicity to human gingival fibroblasts and epithelial cells and its effect, measured by ELISA, on interleukin (IL)-1beta-stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 production. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were determined by metabolic reduction of a tetrazolium salt to a formazan dye (MTT assay) and by release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from membrane damaged (LDH release assay) cells, respectively. Based on the MTT assay, 24- and 48-h exposures to /=0.005%, maximally decreased viability of all cell lines. In the LDH release assay, exposure to /=0.0025% MO caused maximal cytotoxicity; /=0.0025% MO, probably reflective of loss of viability. At subtoxic MO levels (0.00001-0.001%), there was a significant reduction of IL-1beta-stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 production by fibroblasts, but not by epithelial cells.     

Effects of 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) on methylmercury-induced locomotor deficits and cerebellar toxicity in mice

Chelating therapy has been reported as a useful approach for counteracting mercurial toxicity. Moreover, 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS), a tissue-permeable metal chelator, was found to increase urinary mercury excretion and decrease mercury content in rat brain after methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. We evaluated the capability of DMPS to reduce MeHg-induced motor impairment and cerebellar toxicity in adult mice. Animals were exposed to MeHg (40 mg/L in drinking water, ad libitum) during 17 days. In the last 3 days of exposure (days 15-17), animals received DMPS injections (150 mg/kg, i.p.; once a day) in order to reverse MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. Twenty-four hours after the last injection (day 18), behavioral tests related to the motor function (open field and rotarod tasks) and biochemical analyses on oxidative stress-related parameters (cerebellar glutathione, protein thiol and malondyaldehyde levels, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities) were carried out. Histological analyses for quantifying cellular damage and mercury deposition in the cerebellum were also performed. MeHg exposure induced a significant motor deficit, observed as decreased locomotor activity in the open field and decreased falling latency in the rotarod apparatus. DMPS treatment displayed an ameliorative effect toward such behavioral parameters. Cerebellar glutathione and protein thiol levels were not changed by MeHg or DMPS treatment. Conversely, the levels of cerebellar thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), a marker for lipid peroxidation, were increased in MeHg-exposed mice and DMPS administration minimized such phenomenon. Cerebellar glutathione peroxidase activity was decreased in the MeHg-exposed animals, but DMPS treatment did not prevent such event. Histological analyses showed a reduced number of cerebellar Purkinje cells in MeHg-treated mice and this phenomenon was completely reversed by DMPS treatment. A marked mercury deposition in the cerebellar cortex was observed in MeHg-exposed animals (granular layer>Purkinje cells>molecular layer) and DMPS treatment displayed a significant ameliorative effect toward these phenomena. These findings indicate that DMPS displays beneficial effects on reversing MeHg-induced motor deficits and cerebellar damage in mice. Histological analyses indicate that these phenomena are related to its capability of removing mercury from cerebellar cortex.