A primary culture system of adult rat heart cells for the evaluation of cocaine toxicity.

The complex dose-response relationship by which cocaine (Coc) directly precipitates unfavorable cardiac consequences are not known. There appears to be two diametrically opposed cardiovascular actions of Coc. At low doses, the sympathetic nervous system responses dominate, whereas, at high doses, the local anesthetic actions exert the most powerful effects. The purpose of this study was to describe a dose- and time-dependent Coc cardiotoxicity profile in a model of spontaneously contracting adult primary myocardial cell cultures obtained from 60-90-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Indices of toxicity determined included contractility, morphology, lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH), mitochondrial tetrazolium formazan (MTT) production and neutral red (NR) formation. After the cells had been grown in culture for 11 days, they were exposed to 1 x 10(-3), 1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-7) and 1 x 10(-9) M Coc for 1-24 h. The two lowest doses of Coc (1 x 10(-7) and 1 x 10(-9) M) had little or no effect on the adult heart cell cultures. However, morphological alterations included vacuolization, granulation and pseudopodia formation as early as 1 h after exposure to the highest doses of Coc (1 x 10(-3) and 1 x 10(-5) M). For all time points observed, the two highest doses of Coc (1 x 10(-3) and 1 x 10(-5) M) significantly depressed contractility and induced significant LDH release. MTT formazan production and NR retention were not significantly different from untreated controls for all treatments. By employing an acute Coc exposure paradigm, these data demonstrate that Coc doses greater than or equal to 1 x 10(-5) M induce direct injurious local anesthetic effects on contractility and morphology of spontaneously contracting adult rat myocardial cells in culture.     

A primary culture system of postnatal rat heart cells for the study of cocaine and methamphetamine toxicity.

It is now well documented that both cocaine (Coc) and methamphetamine (Meth) are independently capable of inducing injurious effects on the adult and developing myocardium. In addition, when these drugs are used concomitantly such as in polydrug abuse, it has been suggested that they may cause synergistic adverse effects on the myocardium. In this investigation, primary myocardial cell cultures were established from 3-5-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats to describe the adverse effects of Coc and Meth on the myocardium. After the cells were in culture for 4 days, they were exposed to 1 x 10(-5) and 1 x 10(-3) M Coc alone; 1 x 10(-5) and 1 x 10(-3) M Meth alone; and combinations of 1 x 10(-3) M Coc with 1 x 10(-5) M Meth and 1 x 10(-5) M Coc with 1 x 10(-5) M Meth. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, morphology, and beating activity were evaluated after exposure to the drugs for 1, 4 and 24 h. With all treatment groups for the first 4 h, LDH release was not significantly different from untreated controls. Significant LDH release (P less than 0.001) was exhibited at 24 h with 1 x 10(-3) M Coc alone, 1 x 10(-3) M Meth alone, and 1 x 10(-3) M Coc with 1 x 10(-5) M Meth. For 24 h of treatment, cellular injury (pseudopodia, vacuolization, granulation) induced by 1 x 10(-3) M and 1 x 10(-5) M Coc alone was extensive and minimal, respectively. When 1 x 10(-5) M Meth was added with 1 x 10(-5) M Coc, pseudopodia formation was extensive. No measurable beating activity was observed at 1, 4 and 24 h exposure to 1 x 10(-3) M Coc alone and 1 x 10(-3) M Coc with 1 x 10(-5) M Meth. At 1 h, beating activity after treatment with 1 x 10(-5) M Coc alone and 1 x 10(-5) M Meth alone was not significantly different from untreated controls; however, the percentage of areas exhibiting contractile activity was depressed. Addition of Meth (1 x 10(-5) M) potentiated Coc-induced (1 x 10(-5) M) depression of contractile activity at all 3 time-points. These data suggest that Coc and Meth may interact synergistically at the cellular level to directly potentiate injury to postnatal myocardial cell cultures.     

Effects of cocaine and norepinephrine on primary cultures of neonatal rat myocardial cells.

Sudden cardiac death associated with cocaine (Coc) abuse in healthy, physically active individuals became a grave concern in the late 1980s. It is well documented that physical activity increases circulating plasma catecholamine levels. Catecholamines as well as Coc are independently capable of inducing toxic cardiac effects. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the synergistic or additive toxic effects of norepinephrine (NE) and Coc in primary myocardial cell cultures obtained from 3- to 5-d-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Alterations in lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH), lysosomal neutral red retention (NR), beating activity, and morphology were evaluated after treatment of the cells for 1-24 h with 1 x 10(-3) M Coc alone, 1 x 10(-5) M Coc alone, 1 x 10(-5) M NE alone, 1 x 10(-3) M Coc with 1 x 10(-5) M NE, or 1 x 10(-5) M Coc with 1 x 10(-5) M NE. LDH release was elevated significantly after 24 h only with those cells exposed to 1 x 10(-3) M Coc alone and 1 x 10(-3) M Coc + 1 x 10(-5) M NE. Using NR retention as a score for lysosomal treatment of the cells with 1 x 10(-5) M Coc and 1 x 10(-3) M Coc alone did not decrease dye retention significantly. However, 1 x 10(-5) M NE combined with 1 x 10(-3) M Coc significantly reduced lysosomal dye retention as early as 1 h after treatment. After 24 h, 1 x 10(-5) M NE alone and 1 x 10(-5) M NE combined with 1 x 10(-5) M Coc significantly increased lysosomal fragility. Beating activity was altered in all treatment groups. Contractile activity was slow and irregular or completely absent with 1 x 10(-5) and 1 x 10(-3) M Coc, respectively. When NE (1 x 10(-5) M) was combined with both concentrations of Coc, there was distinct focalization of sharp, rapid contractions within the cells, which were asynchronous and/or arrhythmic in nature. Those cells exposed to 1 x 10(-5) M NE with 1 x 10(-5) M Coc for 24 h appeared hypercontracted with marked pseudopodia and cytoplasmic granule formation distinctly different from that exhibited by the cells exposed to 1 x 10(-5) M Coc alone. These data demonstrate that NE potentiates the adverse effects of Coc on contractile activity and morphology of spontaneously contracting neonatal myocardial cells maintained in culture.     

A Primary Culture System of Rat Heart-Derived Endothelial Cells for Evaluating Cocaine-Induced Vascular Injury

In clinical reports during the last decade, acute myocardial infarction has been reported in young, otherwise healthy, persons after cocaine use. These clinical reports suggest that recreational use of cocaine has adverse effects on the vasculature of the heart. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate cocaine-induced injury to heart-derived endothelial cells (ECs) obtained from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Alterations in lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH), lyso-somal neutral red retention (NR), and cell proliferation were evaluated after treatment of the ECs with cocaine doses ranging from 1 X 10^-7 to 1 X 10^-3 M at 1,4, and 24 h. Intracellular calcium levels were determined immediately after exposure to 1 X 10^-3 and 1 X 10^-2 M cocaine. LDH release, an index of cytoplasmic membrane injury, was significantly elevated after 24 h only with those ECs exposed to the highest dose of cocaine, 1 X 10^-3 M. In using NR as a score for lysosomal integrity and cell viability, no significant differences were observed for all treatment groups. However, all doses of cocaine suppressed EC proliferation by 10 days. Intracellular calcium levels were elevated on acute exposure to high concentrations of cocaine. These data suggest that both low and high doses of cocaine are injurious to ECs maintained in culture. Although the EC cultures remained viable, the integrity of cytoplasmic membrane was compromised with high doses of cocaine as demonstrated by LDH release and elevated intracellular calcium levels, whereas all doses inhibited EC growth and proliferation.     

Ethanol toxicity in primary cultures of rat myocardial cells

The potential cardiotoxicity of ethanol (EtOH) was evaluated in primary cultures of rat myocardial cells. EtOH cardiotoxicity was assessed in the cells on the basis of cell morphology, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, and beating rates. Cells were treated with EtOH at concentrations of 600, 800, and 1000 mg% for duration of 1, 4, and 24 h and then evaluated for cardiotoxicity. Vacuole formation occurred 1 h after exposure to EtOH at 800 and 1000 mg%; by 4 h, cytosolic granular material appeared in these cells. Exposure for 24 h to all concentrations of EtOH resulted in vacuole, granule, and pseudopod formation and loss of cross-striations. Significant LDH leakage occurred at 1 h and 4 h with 800 and 1000 mg% EtOH. LDH release was significantly increased after 24 h with all concentrations. SDH activity was significantly depressed after 24 h with all concentrations of EtOH. Beating rates were altered as early as 1 h after exposure to 800 and 1000 mg% EtOH. After 24 h, those cells exposed to the highest concentrations of EtOH were not beating at all. These data suggest that primary myocardial cell cultures may be used to assess the in vitro cardiotoxicity of EtOH to the myocardial cell.     

Toxicity assessment of toxins T-514 and T-544 of buckthorn (Karwinskia humboldtiana) in primary skin and liver cell cultures.

The present study was undertaken to assess and compare the in vitro cytotoxicity of toxins T-514 and T-544 of buckthorn (Karwinskia humboldtiana) using primary cultures of rat hepatocytes and keratinocytes. Cell cultures were exposed to 6, 12, 25 and 50 microM toxins for 2-, 4-, 6- and 24-h periods. Cytotoxicity was determined by release of the cytoplasmic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), in culture media, methylthiazoltetrazolium (MTT) reduction and neutral red (NR) uptake. An increase in LDH leakage was observed in liver cell cultures as early as 2 h with 50 microM T-544 and with 6 microM T-514 and T-544 at 6 h and 24 h, respectively. In the NR assay the toxicity was evident at 2 h with 12 microM T-514 and T-544 and with 6 microM concentrations of both toxins at 6 h. On the other hand, a decrease in MTT reduction was detected at 4 h with 50 microM concentrations of both toxins and with 25 microM T-544 and 12 microM T-514 at 6 h and 6 microM T-514 and T-544 at 24 h. Both toxins were shown to be highly hepatotoxic; T-514 was more toxic than T-544. In the skin cell cultures, the toxicity of the toxins was not as severe and was not expressed until 12 h of exposure.     

Neurotoxicity of heroin–cocaine combinations in rat cortical neurons

Cocaine and heroin are frequently co-abused by humans, in a combination known as speedball. Recently, chemical interactions between heroin (Her) or its metabolite morphine (Mor) and cocaine (Coc) were described, resulting in the formation of strong adducts. In this work, we evaluated whether combinations of Coc and Her affect the neurotoxicity of these drugs, using rat cortical neurons incubated with Coc, Her, Her followed by Coc (Her + Coc) and Her plus Coc (Her:Coc, 1:1). Neurons exposed to Her, Her + Coc and Her:Coc exhibited a decrease in cell viability, which was more pronounced in neurons exposed to Her and Her + Coc, in comparison with neurons exposed to the mixture (Her:Coc). Cells exposed to the mixture showed increased intracellular calcium and mitochondrial dysfunction, as determined by a decrease in intracellular ATP levels and in mitochondrial membrane potential, displaying both apoptotic and necrotic characteristics. Conversely, a major increase in cytochrome c release, caspase 3-dependent apoptosis, and decreased metabolic neuronal viability were observed upon sequential exposure to Her and Coc. The data show that drug combinations potentiate cortical neurotoxicity and that the mode of co-exposure changes cellular death pathways activated by the drugs, strongly suggesting that chemical interactions occurring in Her:Coc, such as adduct formation, shift cell death mechanisms towards necrosis. Since impairment of the prefrontal cortex is involved in the loss of impulse control observed in drug addicts, the data presented here may contribute to explain the increase in treatment failure observed in speedball abusers.     

Cardiotoxicity of tricyclic antidepressants in primary cultures of rat myocardial cells

Primary cultures of myocardial cells were used to evaluate the cardiotoxic potential of various tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, cellular viability, and beating rates were measured to compare the cardiotoxicity of amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, and nortriptyline. Tricyclic antidepressants were added to the cultures to give final concentrations of 1 X 10(-5), 1 X 10(-4), and 1 X 10(-3) M. Treatments lasted 1 and 4 h. All TCAs tested caused significant release of LDH and decreased cellular viability when added at 1 X 10(-3) M for 1 and 4 h. Amitriptyline was the only compound that caused significant LDH release 4 h after exposure to lower doses. Decreased viability was observed 4 h after exposure to all TCAs at a concentration of 1 X 10(-4) and 1 X 10(-3) M. Arrhythmias were observed 1 h after exposure to 1 X 10(-5) and 1 X 10(-4) M amitriptyline. All doses of amitriptyline inhibited beating 4 h after exposure. Imipramine, desipramine, and nortriptyline at a concentration of 1 X 10(-5) M decreased the beating rates of cultured myocytes 1 and 4 h after exposure. Arrhythmias and/or total inhibition of beating were observed when the cultures were exposed to higher concentrations of these compounds. Based on these data, the rank order of cardiotoxicity was amitriptyline greater than imipramine = desipramine greater than nortriptyline.     

Irniine, a pyrrolidine alkaloid, isolated from Arisarum vulgare can induce apoptosis and/or necrosis in rat hepatocyte cultures.

The effects of irniine, a pyrrolidine alkaloid extracted from the tubers of Arisarum vulgare, on rat hepatocyte primary cultures and rat liver epithelial cell line (RLEC) were studied. Cytotoxicity was first evaluated by LDH release, MTT and NR tests and MDA production, while cellular alterations were visualized by electron microscopy and DNA gel-electrophoresis. In hepatocyte and RLEC cultures, a major toxicity appeared at 40 microM of irniine and was demonstrated by an increase in LDH release and decreases in MTT reduction and NR uptake while concentrations lower than 40 microM did not induce significant changes in these parameters. However, we observed an increase in MDA production at 30 microM. Important alterations of the nuclei and mitochondria were also visualized by electron microscopy in cells treated with 50 microM. Using DNA gel-electrophoresis, we demonstrated that irniine at 40 and 50 microM induced DNA damage. All together these results demonstrate that: (1) Irniine induces a significant hepatotoxicity. (2) Irniine toxicity is not mediated by a metabolic derivative since RLEC, which do not contain a monooxygenase system, were also affected by this compound. (3) Irniine induces a significant DNA damage and oxidative stress which leads to cell death by necrosis and/or by apoptosis. Moreover, our data suggest that the alkaloid irniine contained in A. vulgare may be involved in the toxic symptoms observed after medicinal use or consumption of the plant tubers as food both by humans and animals.     

Adolescent amphetamine exposure elicits dose-specific effects on monoaminergic neurotransmission and behaviour in adulthood

Despite the growing non-medical consumption of amphetamine (Amph) during adolescence, its long-term neurobiological and behavioural effects have remained largely unexplored. The present research sought to characterize the behavioural profile and electrophysiological properties of midbrain monoaminergic neurons in adult rodents after Amph exposure during adolescence. Adolescent rats were administered vehicle, 0.5, 1.5, or 5.0 mg/kg.d Amph from postnatal day (PND) 30-50. At adulthood (PND 70), rats were tested in an open-field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM), paralleled by in-vivo extracellular recordings of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) neurons from the dorsal raphe nucleus, ventral tegmental area, and locus coeruleus, respectively. 5-HT firing in adulthood was increased in rats that had received Amph (1.5 mg/kg.d) during adolescence. At this regimen, DA firing activity was increased, but not NE firing. Conversely, the highest Amph dose regimen (5.0 mg/kg.d) enhanced NE firing, but not DA or 5-HT firing rates. In the OFT, Amph (1.5 mg/kg.d) significantly increased the total distance travelled, while the other doses were ineffective. In the EPM, all three Amph doses increased time spent in the open arms and central platform, as well as the number of stretch-attend postures made. Repeated adolescent exposure to Amph differentially augments monoaminergic neuronal firing in a dose-specific fashion in adulthood, with corresponding alterations in locomotion, risk assessment (stretch-attend postures and central platform occupancy) and risk-taking behaviours (open-arm exploration). Thus, adolescent Amph exposure induces long-lasting neurophysiological alterations that may have implications for drug-seeking behaviour in the future.     

Cardiotoxicity of diazepam in cultured heart cells

The responses of primary cultures of rat myocardial cells to diazepam (Valium®) were evaluated. The cells were exposed to 4, 16 or 32 μg/ml of diazepam for 1, 4 or 24 h. The cultures were evaluated for changes in beating activity and morphology and for cytotoxic effects. After the 1-h treatment exposure, the cultures exhibited tachycardia which was dose-dependent. The longer durations of treatment either produced arrhythmias or caused a loss of beating. Major morphological alterations observed were the formation of pseudopodia and increased cytoplasmic granulation. Cytotoxicity was measured quantitatively by leakage of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) from the cells into the media and by cell viability. Moderate amounts of LDH were leaked from the cells after exposure to diazepam for 4 h. After 24 h of treatment with the higher concentrations of diazepam, cell viability was greatly reduced.     

Cytotoxicity and DNA-damage in human lung epithelial cells exposed to respirable alpha-quartz.

Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica is associated with the development of silicosis, lung cancer and airways diseases. In order to assess cytotoxic effects and direct-oxidative DNA damage induced by short-term exposure to different doses of respirable alpha-quartz (NIST SRM1878a), we conducted a study using A549 cells. The cells were exposed to alpha-quartz at 25, 50, 100 microg/ml for 4 h and analysed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and LDH release assay for cytotoxic effect evaluation. Cells were also exposed to 10, 25, 50, 100 microg/ml of alpha-quartz for 2 h and 4 h and analysed by Fpg comet test to evaluate direct and oxidative DNA damage. SEM observations of treated cells showed bleb development at lower doses and alterations of microvilli morphology at the highest dose. A slight LDH release was found only at 100 microg/ml. Fpg comet test showed a dose-related oxidative DNA damage in cells exposed for 2 h to quartz. Cells exposed for 4h at the same concentrations showed a dose-related direct DNA damage and the presence of oxidative DNA damage at lower doses. The bleb induction on cell surface evidenced by SEM at lower doses correlates with the presence of oxidative DNA damage at 4 h. The cell surface modifications observed by SEM at 100 microg/ml indicate that high doses of quartz induce more evident cytotoxic effects confirmed by LDH analysis and correlate with the genotoxicity showed by comet assay.     

地黄寡糖对谷氨酸诱导海马神经元损伤的影响

目的观察地黄寡糖对谷氨酸诱导海马神经元损伤的影响。方法将培养7～9d的SD大鼠海马细胞进行NSE鉴定,然后随机分为:正常组(control);单纯地黄寡糖用药组(ROS);谷氨酸损伤组(Glu);谷氨酸损伤前地黄寡糖预处理组(ROS+Glu)。采用倒置显微镜观察细胞形态学变化,噻唑蓝(MTT)法测定细胞存活率,比色法测定培养液中的乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)含量,流式细胞术测定细胞凋亡率。结果0.1mmol·L-1谷氨酸作用于海马神经元24h,出现明显细胞损伤,细胞存活率下降,培养液中LDH含量明显增加,细胞凋亡率增高(P<0.01);4、20、100mg·L-1的地黄寡糖可不同程度的改善谷氨酸损伤引起的神经细胞形态的改变,提高细胞存活力,减少LDH的漏出,降低细胞凋亡率,并呈一定的剂量依赖性。4、20、100mg·L-1单纯地黄寡糖组与正常组间各指标差异没有显著性(P>0.05)。结论谷氨酸能诱导海马原代细胞的凋亡,地黄寡糖能有效保护海马神经细胞免受谷氨酸诱导的细胞损伤。     

Cardiotoxicity of Kenyan green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) venom and its fractionated components in primary cultures of rat myocardial cells

The cardiotoxic actions of Kenyan green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) venom have been investigated using primary myocardial cell cultures isolated from neonatal rat hearts. The cardiotoxic actions of the whole venom and its fractionated components were evaluated on the basis of leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), changes in morphology, cell membrane lysis, decreases in viability and inhibition of spontaneous beating activity. The whole venom caused time- and concentration-dependent arrest of myocardial contraction, leakage of LDH, extensive disruption of cell monolayer, and decreases in viability. The venom was separated into 6 (DaI to DaVI) fractions by gel permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-50. Spontaneous beating activity was abolished by DaI to DaVI at high concentrations, while at lower doses they induced progressive depression of beating frequency after a 3-h treatment period. DaI to DaIV caused significant leakage of LDH, morphological damage, and decreases in viability after a 6-h incubation period. The most cardiotoxic fraction (DaIV), which also contains about 54% of the total protein of the whole venom, was fractionated into 18 polypeptides (Da1 to Da18) by ion exchange chromatography on Bio-Rex 70. On the basis of their ability to abolish myocardial contractility, release LDH, alter cellular structure, lyse cell membranes and reduce viability, the 18 fractions have been divided into 4 arbitrary subgroups of cytotoxins: cardiotoxins, Da1 to Da3; cardiotoxin-like polypeptides, Da4 to Da12, Da14; less active membrane lytic polypeptides, Da13, Da15 to Da17; and membrane lytic polypeptide, Da18. Marked synergistic cell membrane lysis occurred in myocardial cell cultures treated simultaneously with 2 cardiotoxin-like polypeptides, Da7 and Da11. It is suggested that the additive and synergistic cardiotoxic effects of high molecular weight cytotoxic proteins (DaI to DaIII), very low molecular weight cholinomimetic substances (DaV to DaVI) and the 4 subgroups of cardiotoxins may directly contribute to the pronounced cardiovascular problems observed in victims of green mamba bites.     

氧化型低密度脂蛋白对PC12细胞的毒性作用

目的 :探讨氧化型低密度脂蛋白 (oxLDL)对PC1 2细胞的毒性作用。方法 :通过HE染色、透射电镜、MTT实验、LDH释放实验、TUNEL实验及Caspase 3测定来观察oxLDL对PC1 2细胞形态、存活率、细胞膜通透性、细胞核及Caspase 3活性的影响。结果 :透射电镜及光镜下oxLDL作用的PC1 2细胞以坏死为主并伴少量凋亡细胞。细胞存活率随着ox LDL浓度及作用时间增加而下降 ;LDH释放率、TUNEL阳性细胞数及Caspase 3活性随着浓度增高而增高 ;LDL对上述各项指标无影响。结论 :oxLDL通过Caspase 3途径致PC1 2细胞的毒性作用主要以坏死细胞为主并伴少量凋亡细胞 ,并呈量效与时效关系 ;而LDL无细胞毒性作用     

制草乌配方颗粒与饮片煎剂对H9c2心肌细胞毒性的比较研究

目的 比较相同生药量浓度下制草乌中药配方颗粒与饮片煎剂对H9c2心肌细胞毒性的差异。方法 以不同浓度制草乌配方颗粒与同批次原料饮片煎剂作用于H9c2心肌细胞,MTT法检测细胞活性;Hoechest 33258荧光染色法检测细胞核形态并半定量统计分析;乳酸脱氢酶（lactate dehydrogenase,LDH）试剂盒测定细胞LDH释放率。结果 H9c2细胞在制草乌饮片煎剂的干预下,高剂量组细胞活力下降,LDH释放率提高,且呈浓度依赖,较配方颗粒组有显著性差异;Hoechst 33258荧光染色下可见细胞核固缩碎裂等,相同浓度下饮片煎剂组荧光强度强于配方颗粒组（P<0.05）。结论 在相同生药浓度下,制草乌中药配方颗粒对H9c2心肌细胞的毒性显著小于制草乌饮片煎剂。     

Perinatal cocaine exposure reduces myocardial norepinephrine transporter function in the neonatal rat

Norepinephrine transporter (NET) mediates the active removal of norepinephrine (NE) released from sympathetic nerve terminals via reuptake, and NET function and expression can be regulated by cocaine. NET expression and its regulation by cocaine in the developing sympathetic nervous system during early postnatal period, however, have not been examined. We quantified immunodetectable NET protein expression in the neonatal rat heart to examine the developmental pattern of myocardial NET during the first 2 weeks after birth. To assess sympathetic innervations, we simultaneously quantified the expression of myocardial tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Timed pregnant rats received daily intragastric treatment with saline (CTL) or cocaine at 60 mg/kg (Coc) from Gestational Day 2 until parturition. After birth, nursing mothers continued to receive the same treatment. The expression of myocardial TH and NET in neonatal rats were then studied at 1 day (Postnatal Day 1, PD1), 7 days (PD7) or 14 days (PD14) of age. We observed a similar age-dependent increase in the expression for myocardial NET and TH during the first 2 weeks of postnatal life, in both CTL and Coc animals. While myocardial TH was significantly up-regulated following perinatal cocaine exposure, no significant change in immunodetectable myocardial NET protein was evident. To further examine whether NET function might be affected by perinatal cocaine exposure, we performed NE uptake in myocardial membranes from PD14 CTL and Coc rats. We found that NE uptake was reduced at PD14 in the cocaine-treated group. Our results indicate that myocardial NET and TH are both developmentally regulated. Furthermore, our results indicate that perinatal exposure to cocaine did not change NET protein expression but impaired myocardial NET function in the neonatal rat.     

Involvement of apoptosis in hydrazine induced toxicity in rat primary hepatocytes.

The current study was undertaken to investigate the role of apoptosis in hydrazine induced hepatotoxicity. Hepatocytes were exposed to hydrazinium nitrate (HzN) at two doses (50 and 75 mM) for 2 h then placed in fresh HzN-free media and cultured for an additional 24 h. Post-exposure, cell viability was evaluated at several time points by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction. Markers of apoptosis (mitochondrial membrane potential, annexin binding, DNA fragmentation, caspase activation, and cytochrome c release) were measured 24 h post-exposure. The viability data showed time dependent increase in LDH leakage at 75 mM of HzN, with only a slight increase at 50 mM. MTT reduction showed a decrease in mitochondrial activity at both doses immediately after the 2 h continuous exposure. However, MTT reduction returned to normal at 50 mM while at 75 mM, MTT reduction initially recovered but then deteriorated to approximately 50% of controls at 24 h post-exposure. Based on viability data, exposure to 50 mM HzN for 2 h is a marginally toxic dose while 75 mM is a significantly toxic dose. The results for apoptosis biomarkers showed a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in annexin binding, an increase in total caspase activity, moderate activation of caspase-3, and release of cytochrome c. However, the appearance of DNA fragmentation in HzN exposed cells was very low compared to positive controls (cadmium and cyclosporine). The possibility that HzN induces apoptosis without the involvement of DNA fragmentation can not be ruled out. The present results, overall, suggest that apoptosis may be a contributing factor in acute HzN toxicity.     

Bgugaine, a pyrrolidine alkaloid from Arisarum vulgare, is a strong hepatotoxin in rat and human liver cell cultures

Toxicity of bgugaine, a pyrrolidine alkaloid extracted from the tubers of Arisarum vulgare, was studied in three different liver cell culture models: (1) the rat hepatocyte primary culture; (2) a liver epithelial cell line; and (3) the human hepatoblastoma cell line HepG2. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by LDH release, MTT reduction and MDA production. DNA fragmentation was analysed by flow cytometry or DNA gel-electrophoresis. In hepatocyte and epithelial cell cultures, drug toxicity appeared at 30 microM and was evaluated by an increase in LDH release, a decrease in MTT reduction and a higher level of MDA production. Bgugaine concentrations lower than 30 microM did not induce changes in these parameters. In HepG2 cells, bgugaine treatment also induced LDH release at concentrations of 40 and 50 microM. DNA fragmentation, analysed in the HepG2 cell line by flow cytometry, was observed in cultures exposed to 50 microM bgugaine. However, using DNA gel-electrophoresis, we demonstrated that lower bgugaine concentrations (10, 20 and 30 microM) also induced DNA damage. Our results show that: (1) bgugaine induces an important hepatotoxicity; (2) bgugaine toxicity is not mediated by a metabolic derivative; and (3) bgugaine induces a significant DNA damage. Therefore, our data suggest that the alkaloid bgugaine contained in Arisarum vulgarae may be involved in the toxicologic symptoms observed after consumption of this plant tubers by humans and animals.     

Evaluation of cytotoxic effects and oxidative stress with hydroxyapatite dispersions of different physicochemical properties in rat NR8383 cells and primary macrophages

Enhanced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation are discussed as relevant parameters regarding potential hazardous properties of nanomaterials. In this study, the biocompatibility of five hydroxyapatite materials of different size and morphology, i.e., nano/needle-shaped (HA-NN), nano/rod-like (HA-NR), nano/plate-like (HA-NP), fine/dull needle-shaped (HA-FN), and a hydroxyapatite–protein-composite (HPC), was investigated in rat NR8383 and primary alveolar macrophages. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and DQ12 quartz served as positive controls. In the water-soluble tetrazolium salt 1 (WST-1) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays with NR8383 cells, no cytotoxicity was observed for HPC and the pure hydroxyapatite samples up to 3000 μg/ml, while HA-FN showed a significant effect at the highest dose in the LDH assay. In primary cells, no cytotoxicity was observed with all samples up to 300 μg/ml. ROS generation measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique was significantly enhanced with HA-NN and HPC in NR8383 cells. No effect was detected in primary cells, which are considered more relevant to physiological conditions. All hydroxyapatites elicited TNF-α release from the NR8383 cells, but with significantly lower potency than DQ12 quartz and LPS. In conclusion, combined findings in both cell types support a good biocompatibility of the pure hydroxyapatite samples as well as of the hydroxyapatite–protein-composite.