Efeito protetor do extrato hidroalcoólico de Euterpe oleracea Mart. (Açaí) nas alterações renais, cardiovasculares e metabólicas induzidas pela restrição protéica materna durante a gestação

Alguns trabalhos demonstraram que a planta, Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí) é rica em polifenóis e que uma dieta rica em polifenóis pode estar envolvida na proteção contra o risco cardiovascular. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento com o extrato hidroalcoólico do caroço do açaí (ASE) (200mg/Kg/dia), sobre as alterações renais, cardiovasculares, metabólicas, morfológicas e o estresse oxidativo na prole adulta com dezesseis semanas, cujas mães foram submetidas a uma dieta hipoprotéica durante a gestação. Quatro grupos de ratas foram alimentados com dietas experimentais: controle (20% de proteínas); controle + ASE (20% de proteína + ASE); hipoprotéica (6% de proteína); hipoprotéica + ASE (6% de proteína + ASE) durante a gestação. Após o desmame, todos os filhotes passaram a ser alimentados com uma dieta controle e foram sacrificados com 4 meses de idade. A pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) foi medida por pletismografia de cauda e o efeito vasodilatador da acetilcolina (ACh) e nitroglicerina (NG) foi avaliado em leito arterial mesentérico (LAM) perfundido. Foram determinados o peso corporal, níveis séricos de colesterol total, triglicerídeos, lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL), albumina, uréia, creatinina, glicose, insulina, resistência à insulina (índice de Homa IR), sódio, potássio e a renina plasmática. Foi avaliada a depuração de creatinina, volume de urina, excreção fracionada de sódio (EFNa) e o número de glomérulos renais. O dano oxidativo, níveis de nitrito e a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes: superóxido dismutase, catalase e glutationa peroxidase foram dosados no plasma e homogenato de rim. O peso corporal foi menor no grupo hipoprotéico e recuperado com ASE. A PAS foi aumentada no grupo hipoprotéico e revertida pelo tratamento com ASE. Os níveis de renina plasmática foram aumentados no grupo hipoprotéico e reduzidos com ASE. A resposta vasodilatadora à ACh em LAM estava reduzida no grupo hipoprotéico com ASE houve uma melhora dessa resposta.O efeito vasodilatador da NG não foi diferente entre os grupos. No grupo hipoprotéico também foi observado o aumento dos níveis de triglicerídeos, colesterol total, uréia, creatinina, glicose e insulina, os mesmos foram reduzidos pelo ASE. Não houve diferença nos níveis de HDL, sódio, potássio, depuração de creatinina e volume urinário nos grupos estudados. Os níveis de malondialdeído e carbonilação de proteínas estavam aumentados e os níveis de nitrito reduzidos no grupo hipoprotéico e foram revertidos pelo ASE. As atividades das enzimas antioxidantes no plasma e no rim foram reduzidas no grupo hipoprotéico e aumentadas pelo ASE, com exceção da catalase que não apresentou diferença entre os grupos. Os animais hipoprotéicos apresentaram redução no número de glomérulos renais e aumento da EFNa e o tratamento com ASE preveniu as alterações renais encontradas neste modelo. Em conclusão, o ASE parece proteger a prole, cujas mães foram expostas a uma dieta com pouca proteína durante a gestação, através do efeito anti-hipertensivo, vasodilatador e antioxidante observado neste trabalho.

Bromocriptina na lactação atenua os efeitos deletérios do desmame precoce

Como o desmame precoce (DP) não-farmacológico programa a prole para obesidade, microesteatose hepática e maior estresse oxidativo na vida adulta, e o DP farmacológico, inibindo a prolactina com um agonista dopaminérgico (bromocriptina), causa também obesidade neste trabalho objetivamos: (1) verificar o status redox e função hepática no modelo de programação pelo DP farmacológico. Como a bromocriptina tem efeitos protetores sobre a homeostase glicêmica em animais adultos, formulamos a hipótese de que poderia interferir na programação do DP não-farmacológico e para testá-la tivemos os seguintes objetivos: (2) avaliar uma possível interferência desta droga na programação através da sua aplicação nas proles submetidas ao DP não-farmacológico; (3) avaliar os efeitos a longo prazo deste tratamento neonatal frente a diferentes dietas. Métodos: Experimento 1: ratas lactantes foram divididas em 2 grupos: DP (BROMO) no qual as mães foram tratadas via i.p. com 1mg/dia de bromocriptina nos 3 últimos dias de lactação; Controle (C) cujas mães receberam tratamento semelhante com solução veículo. As proles foram avaliadas aos 90 e 180 dias de vida (P90 e P180) através de teste t-Student (significância de P<0,05). Experimento 2: realizamos novo protocolo onde lactantes foram dividas em 2 grupos: DP não-farmacológico (DP) cujas mães recebiam uma bandagem adesiva ao redor do corpo para impedir o acesso dos filhotes ao leite nos últimos 3 dias de lactação; Controle (C) cujos filhotes mamavam livremente. Em seguida as proles de ambos os grupos foram subdividas de acordo com o tratamento: proles que recebiam bromocriptina intraperitoneal (4mg/kg massa corporal/dia) nos últimos 3 dias de lactação (DP/BRO e C/BRO); proles que recebiam solução veículo (DP e C). Os grupos foram analisados em P120. Em P130 estas proles foram subdivididas de acordo com a dieta, compondo ao final 8 grupos experimentais (C; C/BRO; DP e DP/BRO - ração padrão e C-HF; C/BRO-HF; DP-HF e DP/BRO-HF - ração hiperlipídica - 45% Kcal de lipídeos) sendo acompanhados até P200. A análise estatística foi feita através de two-way ANOVA com pós-teste de Bonferroni, one-way ANOVA com pós-teste de Newman-Keuls e teste t-Student (entre os respectivos grupos com diferenciação dietética) (P<0,05). Experimento 1: verificamos que o DP promoveu maior adiposidade visceral e dislipidemia. Em P90, animais BROMO apresentaram intolerância a glicose, normoinsulinemia, superexpressão de sirtuína-1 (SIRT-1) no fígado, aumento da atividade da superóxido dismutase (SOD) no plasma e fígado e da glutationa peroxidase (GPx) hepática levando a uma redução de malondialdeído (MDA) somente no fígado. Já em P180 constatamos resistência insulínica, maior atividade de GPx plasmática e SOD e catalase no fígado promovendo redução de MDA em ambos os tecidos e prevenindo o surgimento da esteatose hepática no grupo BROMO, apesar do declínio da expressão de SIRT-1. Experimento 2: a bromocriptina intensifica a perda de peso dos filhotes ao final da lactação. Em P120 somente observamos uma intolerância a glicose no C/BRO (permanecendo ao longo do experimento) e uma hipertrofia de adipócitos no DP. Já em P200 evidenciamos no grupo DP, maior adiposidade, hiperleptinemia, hipertrofia de adipócitos, e aumento de triglicerídeo hepático. Estas alterações foram prevenidas nos grupos tratados com bromocriptina. Em contrapartida, a dieta HF promoveu uma descompensação metabólica e os efeitos benéficos da bromocriptina não foram tão evidentes. Confirmamos os efeitos deletérios do DP e verificamos o potencial terapêutico da bromocriptina, prevenindo o ganho de peso corporal, a adiposidade e a leptinemia podendo, portanto, colaborar com a prevenção de danos ao tecido hepático, desde que associado a um padrão dietético adequado.

Efeito da suplementação dietética com cálcio sobre a plasticidade ontogenética no modelo de superalimentação pós-natal

A obesidade está relacionada com o desenvolvimento da diabetes, estresse oxidativo, esteatose hepática, alteração da sensibilidade hormonal e redução da capacidade termogênica pelo tecido adiposo marrom (TAM). Na obesidade, alterações do sistema dopaminérgico mesocorticolímbico podem levar ao vício por alimentos palatáveis. Todas estas características contribuem para o baixo gasto energético e o alto consumo alimentar. Para estudar os efeitos em longo prazo da obesidade infantil, utilizamos o modelo de redução do tamanho da ninhada. Para induzir a superalimentação neonatal, o tamanho da ninhada foi reduzido para 3 filhotes machos de PN3 21 (grupo SL). O grupo controle permaneceu com 10 filhotes (grupo NL). Em PN120, o grupo SL foi dividido em: SL que recebeu ração controle e SL-Ca que recebeu dieta controle suplementada com 10g/kg de CaCO3. Os sacrifícios ocorreram em PN120 e PN180. Durante todo o período experimental, avaliamos o consumo alimentar e peso corporal. Em PN175, avaliamos a preferência alimentar dos animais por uma dieta rica em açúcar ou em lipídio. Avaliamos os hormônios por ELISA, RIA e quimioluminescência; o conteúdo proteico por Western blotting no fígado, tecido adiposo branco (TAB) e marrom (TAM), adrenal e regiões cerebrais; as atividades enzimáticas no soro e no fígado por cinética enzimática. Em PN21, PN120 e PN180, avaliamos in vivo a atividade simpática do TAM. Ao desmame, os ratos SL apresentaram maior estado pró-oxidativo no fígado e plasma e menor sensibilidade às catecolaminas no TAB. Na idade adulta, a suplementação é capaz de melhorar o estado pró-oxidativo no fígado e plasma, a sensibilidade à insulina e a microesteatose no fígado. Tanto a alteração de metabolismo/ação da vitamina D e do glicocorticóide no tecido adiposo como a menor capacidade termogênica do TAM contribuem para a maior adiposidade dos animais do grupo SL. A suplementação com cálcio corrigiu parte dessas alterações. A superalimentação pós-natal levou a redução da via dopaminérgica e a maior preferencia por gordura, enquanto a suplementação com cálcio normalizou esta via apenas a nível hipotalâmico e corrigiu a preferência alimentar. Nossos dados destacam o impacto benéfico da suplementação dietética com cálcio, que pode ter um papel nutricional promissor para auxiliar a perda de peso e minimizar os distúrbios relacionados a obesidade e a síndrome metabólica dos animais obesos que foram superalimentados na lactação.

中国冬小麦品种对臭氧、二氧化碳和干旱的响应

臭氧属于二次污染物，它是由机动车、工厂等人为源以及天然源排放的氮氧化物(NOx)和挥发性有机物(VOCs)等一次污染物在大气中经过光化学反应形成的。O3 是光化学烟雾的主要成分，可对植物生长产生抑制。近几十年来，全球O3 污染的格局正在发生着巨大改变。由于北美及西欧等经济发达地区采取了有效控制臭氧形成前体物的措施，其空气中的O3 浓度在减少，而亚洲等经济发展中地区的O3 形成前体物的排放却在急剧攀升，导致大气中O3 浓度显著增加。中国经济的快速发展以及汽车保有量的迅猛增加导致O3 前体物的大量排放，许多经济较发达的地区空气中的O3 浓度超过了75ppb。由于O3 污染将导致农作物产量显著降低，因此，亚洲尤其是中国O3 污染对本地区农业生产的影响引起了国内外科学家的广泛关注。然而，在中国开展的关于O3 对植物生长及生产影响的研究相对较少，但已有的几篇研究报道确实指出目前中国部分地区的O3 浓度可导致冬小麦产量大幅下降，并预测到2020 年由O3 污染将引起小麦产量进一步降低。 植物对臭氧的反应或敏感性取决于诸如叶片导度、叶片结构及生化解毒等很多方面。首先，由于高叶片导度将吸收较多的臭氧量，因此，叶片导度通常被认为是决定抗性最为重要的因子。处于湿润条件下的植物，通常具有较高叶片导度，受到臭氧危害的程度一般也较大。其次，植物抗氧化胁迫能力的大小也决定着其对臭氧的敏感性。同一植株的老叶首先表现出伤害症状，这是由于老叶的抗氧化能力差于新叶，体现在抗坏血酸和谷胱甘肽含量及抗坏血酸氧化物酶和谷胱甘肽还原酶活性低于新叶。另外，叶片对臭氧的敏感程度与其叶片结构关系密切，拥有较大的细胞间隙对抗污染特性至关重要，由于叶片上表面的栅栏组织较海绵组织致密，因此通常较早表现出伤害症状。 影响植物对臭氧反应的环境因子很多，诸如光照、水气压亏、温度等。由于臭氧主要通过气孔进入植物体内，因此目前的研究主要集中在能显著调节气孔导度的环境因子，如土壤水分状况和在未来可能会与大气中臭氧浓度同步增加的CO2 浓度。CO2 浓度升高可降低植物的气孔导度，因此，CO2 浓度升高可减少叶片对O3 的吸收量。同时，大气CO2 浓度升高可提高净同化速率，可导致气孔的部分关闭而减少蒸腾，从而显著提高植株的水分利用效率，最终促进作物生长并提高产量。然而，二者对作物产量的交互影响尚不明确。水分胁迫被认为是影响O3 对植株伤害的一个重要环境因子。与正常供水相比，水分胁迫常常伴随着气孔导度的降低，导致进入到植株体内的O3 量相对较少而减轻植株受到的伤害程度。然而水分供应不足本身将导致小麦生长降低及产量下降。因此，水分亏缺可能会保护植株免受O3 伤害，同时也可能会加剧对植株的胁迫。 高浓度臭氧环境下，植物表现出较低的气孔导度。但研究表明，对臭氧敏感性不同的植物其气孔导度对臭氧的反应程度不同。臭氧对气孔的作用将影响植物生产力，同时也将影响植物对其它环境胁迫如干旱等的反应。短时间臭氧熏蒸小麦导致叶片细胞膜系统受损、光合产物输出受阻;而长期受臭氧污染后，小麦叶片的光合速率、光化学效率、叶绿素含量和蔗糖含量均显著降低，并与臭氧剂量的大小和峰值出现的早晚有关。O3 浓度升高将抑制光合作用，减少气孔导度，加强呼吸作用，改变C 同化物分配，加快叶片的衰老。众多研究表明，O3 导致的光合能力下降主要是由Rubisco 最大羧化效率降低导致;而O3 对光合器官捕获光的能力及光合电子传递速率的影响是光合作用下降的另一个原因。 尽管已有不少关于不同物种间对O3 敏感性的种间差异研究，然而育种方法或育种地点对中国不同冬小麦品种的O3 敏感性的影响尚不清楚。因此，我们假设育种年代、育种方法及地点将交互影响冬小麦品种对O3 的生长及生理响应。为进一步明确基因对冬小麦O3 敏感性的控制，研究了普通六倍体冬小麦的近缘体对O3 敏感性的差异。CO2 浓度升高及干旱胁迫对小麦臭氧敏感性的影响也进行了研究。论文主要从生理生化、生长及产量水平上来阐释O3 浓度升高、CO3加倍、干旱对冬小麦生长及生产影响的机理。 本研究主要是在温室中的上部开口的生长箱（open-top chamber, OTC）中进行。先后开展了四个盆栽实验研究，主要目的是确定中国不同基因型冬小麦种或品种对臭氧的敏感性及其反应机理;确定CO2 浓度升高及干旱在减轻O3 伤害方面的作用及其机理。实验材料为中国不同年代选育出的小麦品种，即1745年至2004 年间选育出的20 个品种和7 个小麦材料。主要评价指标包括相对生长速率、异速生长系数、叶绿素荧光、抗氧化活性、可溶性蛋白质含量、膜酯过氧化、气体交换、光合能力、叶绿素含量、暗呼吸、生物量及籽粒产量。实验研究得到的主要结果如下： 1) O3 升高显著降低整株及地上和地下部分的相对生长速率，显著降低异速生长系数、可变荧光、最大光化学效率、量子产额、光化学淬灭系数以及电子传递速率，但提高了非光化学淬灭系数。冬小麦不同品种对O3 的敏感性随育种年代的增加而增大，并与对照植株相对生长速率呈正相关。尽管近年来环境中的O3 浓度比过去显著增加，但新近育出的品种对臭氧的抗性却没有表现出协同进化效应。通过杂交选育的品种对臭氧的敏感性大于通过引进的和重选的品种。从生长和光合生理上来看，不同小麦品种对臭氧的敏感性与育种地点没有相关性，表明冬小麦品种对臭氧的适应能力与其生长环境下的臭氧浓度无关。因此，对臭氧相对敏感的冬小麦品种主要是由培育中较高相对生长速率或较高光合能力的杂交育种方式决定的，而与选育地点环境中的臭氧浓度无关。 2) 臭氧显著降低叶片中抗坏血酸（AsA）和可溶性蛋白的含量，但提高了过氧化物酶（POD）的活性和膜酯过氧化物（MDA）的含量。臭氧浓度升高抑制饱和光强下的净光合速率（Asat），降低气孔导度（gs）和总叶绿素含量，而显著提高暗呼吸速率（Rd）和胞间CO2 浓度（Ci）。臭氧导致总生物量降低，但地下部生物量受到的影响大于地上部。不同基因型小麦对臭氧的潜在敏感性与实际观察到的抗臭氧能力存在很大差异。冬小麦品种对臭氧的敏感性与臭氧环境下植株气孔导度和暗呼吸速率相关。臭氧导致Ci 浓度升高以及膜酯过氧化，由此得出臭氧导致的净光合速率主要是由于臭氧降低了叶肉细胞活性及细胞膜的完整性。新品种对臭氧相对敏感，主要是由于其具有较高的气孔导度抗氧化能力下降幅度较大以及较低的暗呼吸速率，从而对蛋白和细胞膜完整性造成较高的氧化伤害。 3) 臭氧对冬小麦光合和生长的影响存在着显著的种间差异。原初栽培种表现出最大的抗性，当代品种次之，而野生种对臭氧最为敏感。在普通冬小麦不同基因组供体中，钩刺山羊草（Aegilops tauschii，DD）对臭氧最敏感，其次为栽培一粒小麦（T. monococcum，AA），而圆锥小麦（Triticum turgidum ssp.Durum，AABB）对臭氧的抗性最大。因此，当代冬小麦品种对臭氧的敏感性可能是与其D 染色体供体-钩刺山羊草对臭氧敏感有关，而与其A、B 染色体供体-圆锥小麦的关系相对较小。 4) CO2 浓度升高提高了老品种和新品种的Asat，最大羧化速率（Vcmax），最大电子传递速率（Jmax）、光和CO2 饱和光合速率（Amax）。与之相反，臭氧显著降低了这些生理参数。虽然两品种对CO2 的响应没有显著性差异，但CO2浓度升高均有效保护了臭氧对它们的伤害。这种效应与CO2 浓度升高引起的气孔导度降低无关，而与代谢活性的提高有关。 5) 水分胁迫和臭氧分别都显著降低了 Asat 和gs。干旱显著降低Vcmax 和羧化效率（CE），而对Jmax 和暗呼吸（R）的影响不显著。臭氧显著降低冬小麦不同基因型的Vcmax，Jmax，R 和CE。二者均降低了生物量的积累及最终籽粒产量。与六倍体小麦相比，四倍体小麦对干旱相对敏感，但对臭氧却表现出较高抗性。干旱降低了气孔导度从而显著减少了植株对臭氧的吸收量，但两基因型的反应截然不同。干旱使臭氧对六倍体小麦产量和收获指数的伤害分别减少了约16%和50%，而干旱对该四倍体小麦的保护效应不大。

Thylakoid terminal oxidases are essential for the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to survive rapidly changing light intensities.

Cyanobacteria perform photosynthesis and respiration in the thylakoid membrane, suggesting that the two processes are interlinked. However, the role of the respiratory electron transfer chain under natural environmental conditions has not been established. Through targeted gene disruption, mutants of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 were generated that lacked combinations of the three terminal oxidases: the thylakoid membrane-localized cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and quinol oxidase (Cyd) and the cytoplasmic membrane-localized alternative respiratory terminal oxidase. All strains demonstrated similar growth under continuous moderate or high light or 12-h moderate-light/dark square-wave cycles. However, under 12-h high-light/dark square-wave cycles, the COX/Cyd mutant displayed impaired growth and was completely photobleached after approximately 2 d. In contrast, use of sinusoidal light/dark cycles to simulate natural diurnal conditions resulted in little photobleaching, although growth was slower. Under high-light/dark square-wave cycles, the COX/Cyd mutant suffered a significant loss of photosynthetic efficiency during dark periods, a greater level of oxidative stress, and reduced glycogen degradation compared with the wild type. The mutant was susceptible to photoinhibition under pulsing but not constant light. These findings confirm a role for thylakoid-localized terminal oxidases in efficient dark respiration, reduction of oxidative stress, and accommodation of sudden light changes, demonstrating the strong selective pressure to maintain linked photosynthetic and respiratory electron chains within the thylakoid membrane. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report a phenotypic difference in growth between terminal oxidase mutants and wild-type cells and highlights the need to examine mutant phenotypes under a range of conditions.

Combined effects of polyfluorinated and perfluorinated compounds on primary cultured hepatocytes from rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) using toxicogenomic analysis

Polyfluorinated and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are used in numerous commercial products and have been ubiquitously detected in the environment as well as in the blood of humans and wildlife. To assess the combined effects caused by PFCs in mixtures, gene expression profiles were generated using a custom cDNA microarray to detect changes in primary cultured hepatocytes of rare minnows exposed to six individual PFCs (perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluorododecanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate, and 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol) and four formulations of the PFCs mixtures. Mixtures as well as individual compounds consistently regulated a particular gene set, which suggests that these conserved genes may play a central role in the toxicity mediated by PFCs. Specifically, a number of genes regulated by the mixtures were identified in this study, which were not affected by exposure to any single component. These genes are implicated in multiple biological functions and processes, including fatty acid metabolism and transport, xenobiotic metabolism, immune responses, and oxidative stress. More than 80% of the altered genes in the PFOA- and PFOS-dominant mixture groups were of the same gene set, while the gene expression profiles from single PFOA and PFOS exposures were not as similar. This work contributes to the development of toxicogenomic approaches in combined toxicity assessment and allows for comprehensive insights into the combined action of PFCs mixtures in multiple environmental matrices. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hexabromocyclododecane-induced developmental toxicity and apoptosis in zebrafish embryos

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is widely used as a brominated flame retardant, and has been detected in the aquatic environment, wild animals, and humans. However, details of the environmental health risk of HBCD are not well known. In this study, zebrafish embryos were used to assess the developmental toxicity of the chemical. Four-hour post-fertilization (hpf) zebrafish embryos were exposed to various concentrations of HBCD (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg L-1) until 96 h. Exposure to 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg L-1 HBCD significantly increased the malformation rate and reduced survival in the 0.5 and 1.0 mg L-1 HBCD exposure groups. Acridine orange (AO) staining showed that HBCD exposure resulted in cell apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was significantly induced at exposures of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg L-1 HBCD. To test the apoptotic pathway, several genes related to cell apoptosis, such as p53, Puma, Apaf-1, caspase-9, and caspase-3, were examined using real-time PCR. The expression patterns of these genes were up-regulated to some extent. Two anti-apoptotic genes, Mdm2 (antagonist of p53) and Bcl-2 (inhibitor of Bax), were down-regulated, and the activity of capspase-9 and caspase-3 was significantly increased. The overall results demonstrate that waterborne HBCD is able to produce oxidative stress and induce apoptosis through the involvement of caspases in zebrafish embryos. The results also indicate that zebrafish embryos can serve as a reliable model for the developmental toxicity of HBCD. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The first study on the effects of microcystin-RR on gene expression profiles of antioxidant enzymes and heat shock protein-70 in Synechocystis sp PCC6803

Microcystins are heptapeptide toxins produced by cyanobacteria. Microcystin-RR(MC-RR) is a common variant among the 80 variants identified so far. There have been many investigations documenting the toxic effects of microcystins on animals and higher plants, but little is known on the toxic effects of microcystins on algae, especially at molecular level. We studied the effects of MC-RR on gene expression profile of a few antioxidant enzymes and heat shock protein-70 (Hsp70) in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. After two days post-exposure, a high dose toxin (5 mg/l, about 4.8 x 10(-3) mM) significantly increased expression levels of the genes gpx1, sodB, katG, acnB, gamma-TMTand dnaK2, while a relatively low dose toxin (1 mg/l, about 9.63 x 10(-4) mM) induced a moderate and slow increase of gene expression. Our results indicate that MC-RR could induce the oxidative stress in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 and the increase in gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and Hsp70 might protect the organism from the oxidative damage. in addition, cell aggregation was observed during the early period of exposure, which might be a specific oxidative stress reaction to MC-RR. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of pure microcystin-LR on the transcription of immune related genes and heat shock proteins in larval stage of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Microcystins (MCs) are cyanobacterial toxins in water blooms that have received increasing attention as a public biohazard for human and animal health. Previous studies were mainly focused on the toxic effects on adult fish, rather than juvenile or larvae, and the response of fish immune system were usually neglected. This paper presents the first data of the effects of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on transcription of several genes essential for early lymphoid development (Rag1, Rag2, Ikaros, GATA1, Lck and TCR alpha) and heat shock proteins (HSP90, HSP70, HSP60, HSP27) in zebrafish larvae. Relative changes of mRNA transcription were analyzed by real time PCR. The transcription of Rag1, Rag2, Ikaros, GATA1, Lck and TCR alpha were up-regulated when following exposure to 800 mu g/L MC-LR, which may indicate that specific lymphocytes differentiation and TCR/lg arrangement are induced to counteract the toxic effects of MC-LR. It was also interesting to note the dramatically increased transcription of HSP90. HSP70, HSP60 and HSP27, which may indicate their important roles as molecular chaperones under oxidative stress. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The profound effects of microcystin on cardiac antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial function and cardiac toxicity in rat

Deaths from microcystin toxication have widely been attributed to hypovolemic shock due to hepatic interstitial hemorrhage, while some recent studies suggest that cardiogenic complication is also involved. So far, information on cardiotoxic effects of MC has been rare and the underlying mechanism is still puzzling. The present study examined toxic effects of microcystins on heart muscle of rats intravenously injected with extracted MC at two doses, 0.16LD(50) (14 mu g MC-LReq kg(-1) body weight) and 1LD(50) (87 mu g MC-LReq kg(-1) body weight). In the dead rats, both TTC staining and maximum elevations of troponin I levels confirmed myocardial infarction after MC exposure, besides a serious interstitial hemorrhage in liver. In the 1LD(50) dose group, the coincident falls in heart rate and blood pressure were related to mitochondria dysfunction in heart, while increases in creatine kinase and troponin I levels indicated cardiac cell injury. The corresponding pathological alterations were mainly characterized as loss of adherence between cardiac myocytes and swollen or ruptured mitochondria at the ultrastructural level. MC administration at a dose of 1LD(50) not only enhanced activities and up-regulated mRNA transcription levels of antioxidant enzymes, but also increased GSH content. At both doses, level of lipid peroxides increased obviously, suggesting serious oxidative stress in mitochondria. Simultaneously. complex I and III were significantly inhibited, indicating blocks in electron flow along the mitochondrial respiratory chain in heart. In conclusion, the findings of this study implicate a role for MC-induced cardiotoxicity as a potential factor that should be considered when evaluating the mechanisms of death associated with microcystin intoxication in Brazil. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cloning, characterization, and gene expression analysis of a novel cadmium metallothionein gene in Tetrahymena pigmentosa

A novel cadmium-inducible metallothionein (MT) gene (Tpig-MT1) was cloned and sequenced from the ciliate Tetrahymena pigmentosa. The number of deduced amino acids is 118. The polypeptide possesses CCC and CC clusters characteristic of typical Tetrahymena Cd-inducible MTs. The structure of Tpig-MT1 is different from the reported Cd-MT in T. pyriformis, T. thermophila and T. pigmentosa. Tpig-MT1 contains two intragenic tandem repeats with 72.9% identity described as Tpig-MT1 (repeat A1) and Tpig-MT1 (repeat A2). The transcriptional response of Tpig-MT1 gene to different heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb) and oxidative stress (H2O2) was measured using real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed that the gene was quickly induced (1 h) by the five heavy metals and the order of expression level was Hg>Pb>Cd>Cu>Zn. The induction effect of H2O2 was 5-fold after about 15 min, but soon decreased to a non-significant level (30 min). The genetic diversity of Tetrahymena MT genes is discussed in relation to the unique structure of the Tpig-MT1 gene and other reported Cd-MT isoforms. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In vivo studies on the toxic effects of microcystins on mitochondrial electron transport chain and ion regulation in liver and heart of rabbit

This study examined the toxic effects of microcystins on mitochondria of liver and heart of rabbit in vivo. Rabbits were injected i.p. with extracted microcystins (mainly MC-RR and -LR) at two doses, 12.5 and 50 MCLReq. mu g/kg bw, and the changes in mitochondria of liver and heart were studied at 1, 3,12, 24 and 48 h after injection. MCs induced damage of mitochondrial morphology and lipid peroxidation in both liver and heart. MCs influenced respiratory activity through inhibiting NADH dehydrogenase and enhancing succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). MCs altered Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities of mitochondria and consequently disrupted ionic homeostasis, which might be partly responsible for the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). MCs were highly toxic to mitochondria with more serious damage in liver than in heart. Damage of mitochondria showed reduction at 48 h in the low dose group, suggesting that the low dose of MCs might have stimulated a compensatory response in the rabbits. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DE-71-induced apoptosis involving intracellular calcium and the Bax-mitochondria-caspase protease pathway in human neuroblastoma cells In vitro

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used extensively as flame-retardants and are ubiquitous in the environment and in wildlife and human tissue. Recent studies have shown that PBDEs induce neurotoxic effects in vivo and apoptosis in vitro. However, the signaling mechanisms responsible for these events are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the action of a commercial mixture of PBDEs (pentabrominated diphenyl ether, DE-71) on a human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-SH. A cell viability test showed a dose-dependent increase in lactate dehydrogenase leakage and 3-(4,5-dimethylthia-zol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide reduction. Cell apoptosis was observed through morphological examination, and DNA degradation in the cell cycle and cell apoptosis were demonstrated using flow cytometry and DNA laddering. The formation of reactive oxygen species was not observed, but DE-71 was found to significantly induce caspase-3, -8, and -9 activity, which suggests that apoptosis is not induced by oxidative stress but via a caspase-dependent pathway. We further investigated the intracellular calcium ([Ca2+](i)) levels using flow cytometry and observed an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration with a time-dependent trend. We also found that the N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK801 (3 mu M) significantly reduced DE-71-induced cell apoptosis. The results of a Western blotting test demonstrated that DE-71 treatment increases the level of Bax translocation to the mitochondria in a dose-dependent fashion and stimulates the release of cytochrome c (Cyt c) from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm. Overall, our results indicate that DE-71 induces the apoptosis of ([Ca2+](i)) in SK-N-SH cells via Bax insertion, Cyt c release in the mitochondria, and the caspase activation pathway.

Elevated levels of urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in male electrical and electronic equipment dismantling workers exposed to high concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polychlorinated biphenyls

To investigate the occupational exposure levels to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), indoor dust (n = 3) in workshops and hair samples from male workers (n = 64) were collected at two electrical and electronic equipment waste (E-waste) dismantling factories located in the LQ area in east China in July 11-13, 2006. Pre- and postworkshift urines (64 of each) were also collected from the workers to study oxidative damage to DNA using 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a biomarker. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCDD/F-WHO-TEQs, PBDEs, PCBs and PCB-WHO-TEQs were (50.0 +/- 8.1) x 10(3), 724.1 +/- 249.6, (27.5 +/- 5.8) x 10(6), (1.6 +/- 0.4) x 10(9), (26.2 +/- 3.0) x 10(3) pg/g dry weight (dw) in dust, and (2.6 +/- 0.6) x 10(3), 42.4 +/- 9.3, (870.8 +/- 205.4) x 10(3), (1.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(6), 41.5 +/- 5.5 pg/g dw in hair, respectively. The homologue and congener profiles in the samples demonstrated that high concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PBDEs, and PCBs were originated from open burning of E-waste. The 8-OHdG levels were detected at 6.40 +/- 1.64 mu mol/mol creatinine in preworkshift urines. However, the levels significantly increased to 24.55 +/- 5.96 mu mol/mol creatinine in postworkshift urines (p < 0.05). Then, it is concluded that there is a high cancer risk originated from oxidative stress indicated by the elevated 8-OHdG levels in the E-waste dismantling workers exposed to high concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PBDEs, and PCBs.

Microcystin-RR induced apoptosis in tobacco BY-2 suspension cells is mediated by reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial permeability transition pore status

When tobacco BY-2 cells were treated with 60 mu g/mL MC-RR for 5 d, time-dependent effects of MC-RR on the cells were observed. Morphological changes such as abnormal elongation, evident chromatin condensation and margination, fragmentation of nucleus and formation of apoptotic-like bodies suggest that 60 mu g/mL MC-RR induced rapid apoptosis in tobacco BY-2 cells. Moreover, there was a significant and rapid increase of ROS level before the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)) and the onset of cell apoptosis. Ascorbic acid (AsA), a major primary antioxidant, prevented the increase of ROS generation, blocked the decrease in Delta Psi(m) and subsequent cell apoptosis, indicating a critical role of ROS in serving as an important signaling molecule by causing a reduction of Delta Psi(m) and MC-RR-induced tobacco BY-2 cell apoptosis. In addition, a specific mitochondrial permeability transition pores (PTP) inhibitor, cyclosporin A (CsA), significantly blocked the MC-RR-induced ROS formation, loss of Delta Psi(m), as well as cell apoptosis when the cells were MC-RR stressed for 3 d, suggesting that PTP is involved in 60 mu g/mL MC-RR-induced tobacco cell apoptosis signalling process. Thus, we concluded that the mechanism of MC-RR-induced apoptosis signalling pathways in tobacco BY-2 cells involves not only the excess generation of ROS and oxidative stress, but also the opening of PTP inducing loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.