Volume 20, No. 3/2003(3rd Quarter)
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 Trace Elements and Electrolytes
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Originals
Mice liver protein synthesis in vivo and in vitro after cadmium chloride administration
L. Ivanov, I. Sadauskiene, D. Viezeliene and R. Stapulionis
Abstract
L. Ivanov1,2, I. Sadauskiene1, D. Viezeliene1 and R. Stapulionis1,2
1Institute for Biomedical Research, and 2Department of Biochemistry, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania
Objective: To evaluate effects of cadmium ions on the protein synthesis in mice liver in vivo and in vitro. Methods: Experiments were done on white laboratory mice using i.p. injections of appropriate amounts of cadmium chloride solution. Protein synthesis or tRNA acceptor activity was evaluated by the incorporation of [14C]-leucine into newly synthesized peptides and proteins or formation of aminoacyl-tRNA. Liver cell-free translation system was made on the basis of post-mitochondrial supernatant. Results: Single doses of Cd2+ at the amounts equal to 0.025 LD50 and 0.05 LD50 (0.08 mg/kg and 0.16 mg/kg) do not have very significant impact on the protein synthesis in liver 24 h after the heavy metal administration. Only 0.5 LD50 Cd2+ (1.6 mg/kg) reduces protein synthesis by approximately one third. However, within 24 h after the intoxication with 0.5 LD50, cadmium revealed initial inhibition of translation within the first 2 – 4 h, which progressed into stimulation, reaching its maximum at the 8th h and subsequent decrease. In vitro cadmium at lower concentration (40 mM) demonstrated stimulatory effect on both measured parameters of translation – the rate and level, while sharp inhibition of protein synthesis began only at relatively high concentration of this heavy metal (above 60 mM). When treated in vivo, 0.5 LD50 cadmium 2 h after injection reduced the acceptor activity of tRNA almost by 50%, but already 8 h after the injection acceptor activity of tRNA was back at the level of control. Cadmium chloride when added directly to the liver extracts of control animals displayed very strong inhibitory effect on the tRNA acceptor activity, which had linear dependence on the cadmium concentration. Conclusions: Cadmium induces significant fluctuations of liver protein synthesis at the early stages of intoxication in vivo, which includes both inhibition and stimulation. Cadmium significantly reduces the acceptor activity of liver tRNA both in vivo and in vitro.
Originals
How does chronic manganese chloride application affect the rat isolated ileal contractility?
N. Zaloglu, E. Koc, G. Yildirim, M. Bastug and H. Fi
Abstract
N. Zaloglu, E. Koc, G. Yildirim, M. Bastug and H. Fi
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ankara, Turkey
In this study, we investigated the effects of chronic manganese chloride (MnCl2) application at high dosage on the mechanical responses evoked by acetylcholine (2.7 × 10–7 M) on isolated rat ileum in standard and calcium-free tyrode perfusion solutions with diltiazem (5.5 × 10–7 M) and non-diltiazem mediums. In the experimental group (n = 10), MnCl2 (50 mg/kg/day) was injected for 50 days intraperitoneally. Acetylcholine-induced contraction amplitude increased significantly with respect to that of the control in standard tyrode perfusion medium. When ileal segments were pre-incubated with diltiazem, the amplitude of acetylcholine-induced contractions decreased in experimental and control groups with respect to those of the standard mediums. In calcium-free medium, pretreatment with diltiazem did not cause any change in acetylcholine-induced contractions. Our data suggested that manganese (Mn2+) might have penetrated through cell membrane and accumulated in the cell when manganese was applied chronically and overdose. Increase in plasma manganese level might have induced the increase in manganese influx whereas calcium influx might have been induced by manganese itself. The increase in contraction amplitude may be attributed to this phenomenon.
Originals
An application of sorbent extraction procedure on chromotrope 2R-coated amberlite XAD-1180 for the atomic absorption spectrometric determinations of copper, iron and lead ions in natural water samples
M. Soylak, S. Saracoglu and L. Elci
Abstract
M. Soylak1, S. Saracoglu1 and L. Elci2
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Science, Erciyes University, Kayseri, and 2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Science, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
The solid-phase extraction procedure based on the adsorption of metal ions on chromotrope 2R-coated amberlite XAD-1180 was adopted for the determination of copper, iron and lead ions in natural waters. The matrix components of the natural water samples were not influenced by the recoveries of the analyte ions. Relative standard deviations were below 10%. The procedure was applied for the determination of analyte ions in drinking, sea and thermal spring water samples from various sites of Turkey.
Originals
Interactions of arsenic with indium, gallium and aluminum of III – V semiconductor metals in human hepatic cells
S. Saito, H. Yamauchi, T. Hosokawa and K. Yoshida
Abstract
S. Saito1, H. Yamauchi1, T. Hosokawa2 and K. Yoshida1
1Department of Preventive Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, and 2Center for Research and Development in Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
The purpose of this study is to examine interactions of arsenic (As) with indium (In), gallium (Ga) and aluminum (Al) of III – V semiconductor metals in human hepatic cells. As inhibited the proliferation of human hepatic cells as compared to control, while In, Ga and Al had no effect on the proliferation of human hepatic cells. For 2 mixtures with In and without Al (As + In and As + Ga + In) human hepatic cells were proliferated in comparison with As-treated cells. These results indicated that In protected against As toxicity in human hepatic cells. The other mixtures (3 mixtures without In, As + Ga, As + Al, As + Ga + Al, 2 mixtures with In and Al, As + In + Al, As + Ga + In + Al) had no effect on the proliferation of human hepatic cells. These data indicated that Al intercepted the protective action of In against As toxicity.
Originals
Attenuation of the development of DOCA salt hypertension by a high Mn intake in the rat
P. Laurant, E. Chanut, S. Bobillier-Chaumont, E. Gaillard
Abstract
P. Laurant1, E. Chanut2, S. Bobillier-Chaumont1, E. Gaillard1,
1Laboratoire Physiologie, Pharmacologie et Nutrition Préventive Expérimentale, Faculté Médecine et Pharmacie, Besançon cedex, and
The effects of a high Mn intake on blood pressure, vascular reactivity and central catecholamine levels were studied in DOCA salt-hypertensive rats. High Mn intake inhibited blood pressure elevation in DOCA salt rats but did not modify it in normotensive rats. The blood pressure-lowering effect of Mn was associated with inhibited cardiac hypertrophy and increased natriuresis. Pharmacological studies in blood vessels showed that high Mn intake normalized vasoconstriction and sensitivity to norepinephrine of isolated and perfused mesenteric vascular beds from DOCA salt rats. Furthermore, high Mn intake improved the endothelium- and NO-dependent relaxation in isolated aortae from DOCA salt-hypertensive rats but not in those from normotensive rats. Norepinephrine levels were higher in the hypothalamus of DOCA salt-hypertensive rats than in those of normotensive rats, and high Mn intake decreased norepinephrine levels in hypothalamus of DOCA salt rats. In conclusion, a high Mn intake attenuated the development of hypertension with beneficial vascular and central effects. Mechanisms related to the pathophysiological development of DOCA salt hypertension may be involved.
Originals
Delay in sperm capacitation by magnesium and interleukin-4 (IL-4)
A.E. Omu, M.K. Al-Azemi, T. Fatinikun, A.S. Mannazhath Nirmala
Abstract
A.E. Omu, M.K. Al-Azemi, T. Fatinikun, A.S. Mannazhath Nirmala,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Fresh human semen samples containing at least 20 × 105/ml sperm were incubated in different concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and pentoxifylline (PXF). Sperm motility, malonaldehyde (MIA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were estimated in the seminal plasma in concentration and time-dependent fashion. The transmembrane transfer of Mg2+ into the spermatozoa was investigated in normal sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Our results show that Ca2+ was associated with a dose- and time-dependent increase of 19 – 31% in sperm motility. The increase was, however, reduced by more than 50% with the addition of Mg2+. The decrease of sperm motility associated with Mg2+, was reversed by the addition of Ca2+. Conversely, initial incubation of Mg2+ with sperm decreased sperm motility. Both MIA and TNF revealed time- and dose-dependent increases after incubation with Ca2+ and PXF (p < 0.002, p < 0.003) but no significant change with Mg2+. Addition of IL-4 to semen had no effect on sperm motility or on TNF and MIA level. There was a dose-related increase in the concentration of Mg2+ in the sperm, with increase in the extracellular seminal plasma (p < 0.01). Mg2+ is therefore, an important decapacitator of sperm motility while IL-4 is not.
Originals
Health status of inhabitants of a region of the Northwest Peloponnese, Greece, having drunk Mn-contaminated water some years ago
S. Ermidou-Pollet, N. Sdougas, M. Bahou, D. Bonatsos
Abstract
S. Ermidou-Pollet1, N. Sdougas1, M. Bahou1, D. Bonatsos2,
1Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Athens,
This study has been conducted in a region of the Northwest Peloponnese, characterized by moderate to high levels of Mn in soils and water. The studied region includes 3 small towns: Andravida, Lechaina and Varda. Signs of Mn intoxication were observed in 1986 in Varda and even more in Andravida, a village located on an Mn-ore deposit, and were due to very high levels of Mn in the drinking water. After changing the source of water supply, no more neurological disturbances were observed. Although the inhabitants of Lechaina were drinking an Mn-contaminated water due not only to a source containing 60 mg Mn/l but also to an old and corroded water network built 40 years ago, no neurological disturbances have been observed neither before nor after changing the source of water supply. The only actual problem seems to be the presence of characteristic black spots on the teeth enamel. These teeth have been analyzed for their manganese and other trace elements content in order to find a relationship between the “environmental manganese” and the health status of the population.
Originals
Effects of intraperitoneally injected copper and zinc on plasma vitamin E concentrations in dogs
M. Zerin, A.Z. Karakilcik, M. Iriadam and G. Baydas
Abstract
M. Zerin1, A.Z. Karakilcik1, M. Iriadam2 and G. Baydas3
Departments of Physiology, Faculty of 1Medicine and 2Veterinary Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, and 3Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
Objective: Vitamin E, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients and important antioxidants for health and performance. In addition, these substances may protect the cellular lipids and lipoproteins against oxidative damage caused by free radicals (FR). The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of Cu and Zn on vitamin E concentration in plasma and to determine the relationships between Cu, Zn and vitamin E in dogs. Materials and methods: This study was carried out on 12 dogs and the experimental animals were randomly divided into 3 equal groups formed of 4 animals. The first group (control, C) was used as control, and only placebo (physiological saline 0.9%) was intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected. The second group was i.p.-injected Cu (as isotonic CuCl2, 0.5 mg/kg). The third group was i.p.-injected Zn (as isotonic ZnCl2 2.5 mg/kg). Injections of Cu and Zn were done once in 2 days during 2 weeks. Results and conclusions: While serum vitamin E concentration was statistically increased (p < 0.01) by Zn treatments, it was not affected (p > 0.05) by the Cu treatments. Based upon these results, Zn may affect plasma concentration of vitamin E in dogs.
