Effects of cadmium on erythrocytic parameters

Cadmium was administered via the drinking water to rats at doses of 20 and 200 ppm for 5 weeks in order to elucidate cadmium's primary effect on the erythrocytic parameters. From the results, it appeared that the microcytic hypochromic anemia resulted from a direct effect on erythrocytic hemoglobin due to cadmium administration. It was proposed that the adverse effects on hemoglobin absorption and metabolism play a role in the development of the anemia observed.     

Sex-related variations in bone microstructure of rabbits intramuscularly exposed to patulin

Background

Patulin, a toxic mold metabolite, has been found as natural contaminant of processed fruits, most notably apples, apple juices and other apple-based products. A number of adverse health effects in humans and animals are associated with patulin intoxication. The current study was performed to analyse possible toxic effects of patulin on femoral bone microstructure in adult rabbits in detail. Fourteen clinically healthy four-month-old rabbits of both sexes (6 males and 8 females) were included in the study. Animals from the experimental groups (group E♂, n = 3; group E♀, n = 4) were injected intramuscularly with patulin at dose 10 μg/kg body weight two times a week for 28 days. The dose of patulin was estimated based on the maximum permitted level of patulin for apple products intended for infants and young children. Three males and four females without patulin administration served as controls (groups C♂ and C♀). Cortical bone thickness and qualitative and quantitative histological characteristics of compact bone tissue were investigated.

Results

Intramuscular applications of patulin significantly increased the thickness of cortical bone in both sexes of rabbits. In patulin-exposed males, an absence of primary vascular longitudinal bone tissue near the endosteal border was observed, which could be associated with intensive bone remodeling. Femoral diaphyses of females displayed a lower number of secondary osteons in the middle part of the substantia compacta, and occurrence of the osteons near the periosteum. This could indicate alterations in bone turnover. Histomorphometrical evaluations showed significantly increased sizes of the primary osteons’ vascular canals (P < 0.05) in males exposed to patulin possibly due to mycotoxin-induced increased levels of testosterone.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates significant impact of intramuscular application of patulin on bone microstructure in adult rabbits. Moreover, we have found that the effects of patulin on qualitative and quantitative histological characteristics of compact bone are sex-dependent.     

饮茶对镉染毒SD大鼠抗氧化和脂质代谢的影晌

选用体质量均匀的成年雌、雄SD大鼠,并分为对照组、镉染毒组和镉染毒饮茶干扰组。在饲喂基础日粮的基础上,对照组饮用自来水;镉染毒纽饮用含镉（60mg／L）的水;镉染毒饮荼干扰组饮用舍镉（60mg／L）的龙井茶,探讨饮茶对镉毒性的干预效果。结果表明,镉可造成细胞脂质过氧化,细胞抗氧化能力降低,影响细胞正常代谢,并可导致机体血脂升高、动脉硬化的几率增加。饮茶拮抗镉的脂质过氧化损伤,激活了体内的抗氧化防御系统,并可降血脂、预防动脉硬化及调节脂质代谢。     

饮茶对镉染毒SD大鼠抗氧化和脂质代谢的影响

选用体质量均匀的成年雌、雄SD大鼠,并分为对照组、镉染毒组和镉染毒饮茶干扰组。在饲喂基础日粮的基础上,对照组饮用自来水;镉染毒组饮用含镉(60mg/L)的水;镉染毒饮茶干扰组饮用含镉(60mg/L)的龙井茶,探讨饮茶对镉毒性的干预效果。结果表明,镉可造成细胞脂质过氧化,细胞抗氧化能力降低,影响细胞正常代谢,并可导致机体血脂升高、动脉硬化的几率增加。饮茶拮抗镉的脂质过氧化损伤,激活了体内的抗氧化防御系统,并可降血脂、预防动脉硬化及调节脂质代谢。     

Sex-related variation in compact bone microstructure of the femoral diaphysis in juvenile rabbits

Background

While gross morphological changes in the skeleton between males and females are well know, differences between sexes in the histomorphology are less known. It is important to have knowledge on the bone structure of rabbits, as this is a widely used species in biomedical research. A study was performed to evaluate the association between sex and the compact bone morphology of the femoral diaphysis in juvenile rabbits.

Methods

Seventeen clinically healthy 2–3 month-old rabbits (9 females, 8 males) were included in the study. The rabbits were euthanized and the right femur was sampled for analysis. 70–80 microns thick bone sections of the femoral diaphysis were prepared using standard histological equipment. The qualitative histological characteristics were determined according to internationally accepted classification systems while the quantitative parameters were assessed using the software Scion Image. Areas, perimeters, minimum and maximum diameters of primary osteons'' vascular canals, Haversian canals and secondary osteons were measured. Additionally, blood plasma concentrations of progesterone, corticosterone, IGF-I, testosterone and estradiol were analyzed.

Results

Qualitative histological characteristics were similar for both sexes. However, variations of certain quantitative histological characteristics were identified. Measured parameters of the primary osteons'' vascular canals were higher in males than for females. On the other hand, females had significant higher values of secondary osteons parameters. Differences in Haversian canals parameters were only significant for minimum diameter.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that quantitative histological characteristics of compact bone tissue of the femoral diaphysis in juvenile rabbits were sex dependent. The variations may be associated with different growth and modeling of the femur through influence by sex-specific steroids, mechanical loads, genetic factors and a multitude of other sources. The results can be applied in experimental studies focusing on comparison of the skeletal biology of the sexes.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis of liver and serum in Sprague–Dawley rats exposed subchronically to coplanar pentachlorobiphenyl-congener 3,3',4,4',5

A unique electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal was found at g  = 2.49 at 77 K in the liver tissues or microsomes of Sprague–Dawley rats that were exposed to 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) by the oral route. This unique EPR signal was not detected in the liver excised from rats treated with carbon tetrachloride or 3-methyl-cholanthrene. The EPR signal intensity increased in proportion to the dose; no gender-specific difference was noted and the EPR signal at g  =   2.49 may have originated from heme-iron in cytochrome P450. Although, several serum parameters of the PCB126-treated rats were slightly higher than those of the control, PCB126 does not induce hepatic dysfunction at the dose range used in this study. 3,3',4,4',5-Pentachlorobiphenyl was given daily via the oral route to pregnant rats. The rats were reared until Day 22 of pregnancy, after which they were killed and EPR signals were obtained from the fetal livers. A signal at g  = 2.49 was observed for each fetal liver. These results indicate that the EPR signal at g  =   2.49 could be appropriate as a biomarker of exposure to PCB126 or TCDD in the situation where hepatic dysfunction is not detected.     

母鼠妊娠期铅镉联合暴露对新生鼠体内微量元素含量的影响及NAC的保护效应

为了研究母鼠妊娠期铅镉联合暴露对新生鼠体内微量元素Cu、Fe、Zn、Mn和Se及N-乙酰半胱氨酸(N-Ace-tylcysteine,NAC)的保护作用,35只怀孕SD母鼠被随机分为7组,即A组为对照组(饮用蒸馏水)、B组为铅组(300 mg/L)、C组为铅+NAC组(300 mg/L+20 mmol/L)、D组为镉组(10 mg/L)、E组为镉+NAC组(10 mg/L+20 mmol/L),F组为铅+镉组(300 mg/L+10 mg/L)、G组为铅+镉+NAC组(300 mg/L+10 mg/L+20 mmol/L).采用饮水染毒.染毒时间为21 d,分娩后应用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(Inductively coupled plasma mass spec-troscopy,ICP-MS)检测新生鼠体内微量元素Cu、Fe、Zn、Mn和Se含量.结果表明,与对照组比较,各染毒组新生鼠体内微量元素Cu、Fe、Zn、Mn和Se含量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05).D组较B组降低明显,F组降低最为显著,铅镉联合表现协同毒性效应,镉在铅镉联合毒性损伤中发挥主要作用,与各染毒组比较,NAC保护组新生鼠体内微量元素Cu、Fe、Zn、Mn和Se含量均有不同程度升高,部分组间有显著差异(P<0.05),说明NAC对铅、镉致新生鼠体内微量元素平衡紊乱具有一定的保护作用.     

Maternal low-protein diet affects bone mass and mineral metabolism in suckling rats

This study was performed to analyse the effects of low-protein diet (7%) on bone mass and mineral metabolism in rat pups whose mothers were submitted to protein-restricted diet during late pregnancy and early post-natal periods. For this purpose, 12 pregnant Wistar rats were divided into two groups of six animals each: a control group with free access to standard diet (20% protein) and protein-restricted group (PR) fed with low-protein diet (7% protein) from the 14th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. Body weight, femur bone mass, plasma thyroid hormones (FT₄ and FT₃), biochemical bone marker levels [alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (ACP)] and bone DNA content were recorded. In undernourished pups, a decrease in body weight (−47%, p < 0.001) in skeletal growth (−11%, p < 0.001) and in bone DNA content (−48%, p < 0.001) were observed. Plasma protein and albumin levels and thyroid status were also decreased in undernourished rat pups compared with those of control group. The circulating amino acid levels were decreased in pups. While in their mothers, some of them were increased and the others were decreased. A positive correlation was observed between bone mass and plasma thyroid hormone levels and ALP activity and plasma protein levels, and a negative correlation with ACP activity. Plasma ALP levels were decreased by 19%, whereas plasma tartrate-resistant ACP levels were increased by 33% indicating a hyperactivity of bone remodelling. These results showed that protein-restricted diet given to mothers during late pregnancy and early post-natal periods induced changes in body weight, skeletal growth and bone metabolism in their offspring.     

乙酰半胱氨酸对大鼠饮水镉暴露所致肾功能损伤的保护效应

采用饮水对大鼠进行镉染毒(CdCl2,50mg/L)和NAC保护(CdCl250mg/L+NAC1g/L)试验,为期8周,通过检测尿液中碱性磷酸酶(UALP)、N-乙酰-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(UNAG)、γ-谷氨酰基转移酶(UGGT)活性的动态变化及观察肾小管上皮刷状缘超微结构,探讨镉对大鼠肾脏功能损伤以及NAC的保护作用。结果显示,镉染毒2周后UNAG,UGGT,UALP活性即显著或极显著高于对照组(P0.05或P0.01),且升高幅度与染毒时间呈正相关;与染毒组比较,保护组尿液中酶活性从试验后4周开始显著或极显著下降(P0.05或P0.01)。超微结构观察发现,镉染毒使大鼠肾小管上皮刷状缘不同程度的断裂和脱落,保护组刷状缘基本完整。结果表明,50mg/LCdCl2饮水暴露对肾功能和结构造成了明显损伤,NAC对这种损伤有显著的保护作用。     

镉对体外培养鸡骨髓基质细胞成骨分化的毒性作用

骨是镉毒性作用的主要靶器官之一,但其对鸡骨髓基质细胞(bone marrow stromal cells,BMSCs)增殖和成骨分化的毒性作用仍不清楚.本研究利用差速贴壁纯化法获得鸡BMSCs,加入不同浓度镉处理不同时间,采用CCK-8法检测细胞增殖,碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)和茜素...     

Changes in plasma hormones profile and liver function in cows naturally exposed to lead and cadmium around different industrial areas

The present study was carried out to assess the endocrine status and liver function in adult cows reared in polluted environment around different industrial units in India.The effect on endocrine system was examined by determination of plasma level of thyroid hormones, thyroxin (T4) (n=269) and triidothyronin (T3) (n=269), stress hormone cortisol (n=266), and reproductive hormones such as estradiol (n=84) and progesterone (n=84) in cows (>3 years) reared around different polluted industrial and non-polluted areas.The respective blood lead and cadmium concentration was also determined in all the cows.The mean plasma levels of both T3 and T4 were significantly (P<0.05) higher around lead zinc smelter (2.43+/-0.26 and 41.1+/-2.9nmol/L) and closed lead cum operational zinc smelter (1.81+/-0.16 and 42.4+/-6.2nmol/L), where the mean blood lead level (0.86+/-0.06 and 0.51+/-0.09mug/ml) was also significantly higher than that of cows (0.07+/-0.01mug/ml) from unpolluted areas.Regression analysis of data from 269 cows revealed a significant (P<0.01) positive correlation between the blood lead and plasma T3 (r=0.287) and T4 (r=0.173).The correlation between thyroidal hormones and the blood cadmium concentration (r=-0.079 and -0.48; P>0.05) was not significant.Plasma cortisol level had also a non-significant (P>0.05) correlation (r=-0.092) with blood lead level.However, the mean cortisol level (4.02+/-1.96nmol/L) of cows in phosphate rock mining areas was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of controls (1.98+/-0.70nmol/L). The mean plasma estradiol level was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cows around closed lead cum operational zinc smelter (47.1+/-19.5pg/ml) than that of the control animals (21.8+/-3.9pg/ml) and in rest of the areas, the difference did not reach the statistical significance (P>0.05).The serum biochemical analysis in 36 cows around lead-zinc smelter with the highest mean blood lead level (0.86+/-0.06mug/ml) amongst all the industrial/urban areas surveyed, and in 15 animals from non-polluted areas revealed a significant positive correlation between blood lead and serum ALT (alanine transaminase) (r=0.688, P<0.01) and AST (aspartate transaminase) (r=0.390, P<0.01) and a negative correlation with serum total lipids (r=-0.337, P<0.05), total protein (r=-0.449, P<0.01) and albumin(r=-0.662, P<0.01). It is concluded from the study that the natural exposure to lead in polluted environments disturbs the endocrine profile and the higher blood lead level alters serum biochemical parameters indicative of liver functions.     

Long-term peroral administration of bitter apricot seeds influences cortical bone microstructure of rabbits

Apricot seeds due to the presence of cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin belong to the popular “alternative cancer cures", although anticancer effect of amygdalin remains controversial. This in vivo study points to the effect of long-term peroral administration of bitter apricot seeds on bone microstructure of rabbits since chronic amygdalin toxicity in relation to bone parameters has not been investigated yet. Rabbits (n = 16) were randomly divided into four experimental groups of 4 animals each. Three experimental groups S1, S2 and S3 received commercial feed for rabbits mixed with crushed bitter apricot seeds at doses 60, 300 and 420 mg/kg bw during five months, respectively. The control (C) group received no apricot seeds. The long-term consumption of apricot seeds had no impact on total body weight, femoral weight and femoral length of rabbits. Also, microcomputed tomography (3D analysis) of cortical and trabecular bone tissues did not reveal any significant impact of amygdalin toxicity on relative bone volume, BMD, cortical bone thickness, bone surface, trabecular number, thickness, and their separation. On the other hand, histological (2D) analysis demonstrated evident changes in cortical bone microstructure consistent with a decreased density of secondary osteons in the middle part of substantia compacta due to a replacement of Haversian bone tissue by plexiform bone tissue, vasoconstriction in the primary osteons' vascular canals, Haversian canals, and decreased sizes of secondary osteons in rabbits from S1, S2 and S3 groups. These negative changes are associated with different vascularization and biomechanical properties of cortical bones.     

Evaluation of bone toxicity in various bones of aged rats

The aim of the present study was to provide a method for evaluating bone toxicity induced by drugs in various bones in aged rats. Male Crl:CD (SD) rats at 46 weeks of age were administered 15 mg/m(2) body surface area of doxorubicin, which effects the growth plate in weanling rats, weekly for 9 weeks by intravenous injection, and the femur, sternum, humerus and tibia were examined histopathologically. In the doxorubicin-treated group, thinning of the growth plate was remarkably observed in the proximal tibia and humerus; however, these changes were not observed in other regions. In addition, the osteoclast number per bone perimeter in the proximal tibia was significantly higher than others in control aged rat. Thus, recognizing the various histological reactions related to the time of epiphyseal closure is important for evaluating bone toxicity in aged rats.     

Effects of a single intraperitoneal administration of cadmium on femoral bone structure in male rats

Background

Exposure to cadmium (Cd) is considered a risk factor for various bone diseases in humans and experimental animals. This study investigated the acute effects of Cd on femoral bone structure of adult male rats after a single intraperitoneal administration.

Methods

Ten 4-month-old male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 2 mg CdCl₂/kg body weight and killed 36 h after the Cd had been injected. Ten 4-month-old males served as a control group. Differences in body weight, femoral weight, femoral length and histological structure of the femur were evaluated between the two groups of rats. The unpaired Student''s t-test was used for establishment of statistical significance.

Results

A single intraperitoneal administration of Cd had no significant effect on the body weight, femoral weight or femoral length. On the other hand, histological changes were significant. Rats exposed to Cd had significantly higher values of area, perimeter, maximum and minimum diameters of the primary osteons'' vascular canals and Haversian canals. In contrast, a significant decrease in all variables of the secondary osteons was observed in these rats.

Conclusions

The results indicate that, as expected, a single intraperitoneal administration of 2 mg CdCl₂/kg body weight had no impact on macroscopic structure of rat''s femora; however, it affected the size of vascular canals of primary osteons, Haversian canals, and secondary osteons.     

硒对STZ诱发糖尿病大鼠骨密度影响的研究初报

比较了在低硒饲料的基础上补充不同形态硒对糖尿病大鼠骨密度的影响。健康SD大鼠 1 2 8只 ,体重 50～ 60 g,随机分为 4组 ,每组 32只 ,雌雄各半 ,其中Ⅰ组为低硒对照组 (饲料含硒量 0 0 37mg/kg) ;Ⅱ组为补充亚硒酸钠组 (饲料含硒量 0 3mg/kg) ;Ⅲ组为补充富硒麦芽组(饲料含硒量 0 3mg/kg) ;Ⅳ组为补充富硒酵母组 (饲料含硒量 0 3mg/kg)。Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组的饲料均是在Ⅰ组低硒饲料的基础上分别添加适量的亚硒酸钠、富硒麦芽、富硒酵母后配制而成。喂饲 5周后 ,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组用链脲佐菌素 (streptozotocin ,STZ)按 60mg/kg腹腔注射诱发糖尿病 ,继续饲喂 6周。用单光子吸收法测定各组大鼠的肱骨、股骨、胫骨、桡骨的骨密度。结果表明 :①STZ致糖尿病大鼠的骨密度随时间的延长有逐渐下降的趋势。Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ补硒组大鼠可以在一定时间内延缓STZ致糖尿病大鼠的骨密度下降。在此期间骨密度的下降以肱骨出现最早 ,股骨次之 ,桡骨、胫骨再次之。②饲料补硒组糖尿病大鼠的肱骨、股骨中硒的含量较饲料低硒组糖尿病大鼠的肱骨、股骨中硒的含量显著提高。③补充硒的形态 ,即有机硒 (富硒麦芽、富硒酵母 )或无机硒 (亚硒酸钠 )对糖尿病大鼠肱骨、股骨、胫骨、桡骨的骨密度影响差异不显著。     

镉诱导仔猪睾丸支持细胞氧化酶活性降低及DNA的损伤

以仔猪睾丸支持细胞为试验模型,采用二步酶消化法分离支持细胞进行培养。探讨了0、10、20、40、80μmol/L的氯化镉对支持细胞的毒性作用。结果表明:10μmol/L以上的氯化镉有抑制支持细胞生长的作用,并能使支持细胞氧化酶活性下降,造成支持细胞DNA的损伤。     

Changes in the plasma levels of several bone markers in newborn calves during the first two days of life

The fluctuations in the plasma levels of several bone markers were investigated in newborn calves. Experiment1 monitored the postnatal changes in the plasma levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b(TRAP5b), total alkaline phosphatase (t-ALP) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) in four calves.These markers increased significantly from 9−20 hr after the first colostrum-suckling compared with the valuesimmediately after birth. Experiment 2 evaluated changes in the plasma TRAP5b, t-ALP, BAP and type I collagencross-linked N-telopeptide (NTx) levels within 2 days post-birth in five calves with successful passiveimmunization via colostrum (non-deficient group) and five others with poor colostrum intake (deficient group).The non-deficient group had significantly higher plasma levels of the four parameters around 12 hr of lifecompared with the deficient group. The results suggest that the increase in plasma bone markers in calves inthe first day of life is related to the colostrum intake.     

Effects of cadmium at sub-lethal concentration on growth and biochemical parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Cadmium (Cd), as one of heavy metals and an environmental stressor, may alter many physiological processes like growth and serum parameters in fish. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of cadmium at sub-lethal concentrations (1 and 3 μg/l) on growth and serum biochemical parameters including enzymes, i.e. alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and total protein in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Trout were exposed to cadmium, and, at intervals of 1, 15, and 30 days, selected parameters were evaluated. Condition Factor (K), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and Body Weight Gain (BWG) consistently decreased, while Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) increased at the end of experiment. Glucose was elevated in trout exposed to both Cd concentrations at day 15 and then returned to levels comparable to control fish. Triglyceride and cholesterol decreased transiently at day 15 and then increased at day 30. Total protein, AST, ALT and ALP increased linearly by time and Cd concentration. This investigation suggests that growth and serum biochemical parameters could be used as important and sensitive biomarkers in ecotoxicological studies concerning the effects of metal contamination and fish health.