Metabolic responses of epiphytic lichen Ramalina farinacea to cadmium (Cd) and/or nitric oxide (NO) scavenger (cPTIO) were studied. Accumulation of Cd and other metallic nutrients was not affected by cPTIO while total and absorbed amounts differed. Cd-induced NO formation was suppressed by cPTIO but ROS signal was synergistically enhanced, confirming that NO is essential to keep ROS under control. This excessive ROS generation could be a reason for depleted amount of all fatty acids, including SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs. Total content of fatty acids reached 3.89 mg/g DW in control with linoleic (40%), palmitic (24%), oleic (12.8%) and stearic (8%) acids as major compounds: interestingly, shift in relative ratio of saturated (from 40 to 35% of total FAs) versus polyunsaturated fatty acids (from 42 to 48% of total FAs) was observed. Glutathione was suppressed by all treatments but Krebs acids were almost unaffected by cPTIO, indicating no regulatory role of NO in their accumulation. On the contrary, Cd-induced elevation in NO signal was related to increase in ascorbate and proline content while cPTIO suppressed it, indicating a tight relation between NO and these metabolites. Data are compared also with algae and vascular plants to show similarities between various life lineages.
The increasing amount of heavy metals used in manufacturing equivalently increases hazards of environmental pollution by industrial products such as cadmium oxide (CdO) nanoparticles. Here, we aimed to unravel the CdO nanoparticle destiny upon their entry into lungs by inhalations, with the main focus on the ultrastructural changes that the nanoparticles may cause to tissues of the primary and secondary target organs. We indeed found the CdO nanoparticles to be transported from the lungs into secondary target organs by blood. In lungs, inhaled CdO nanoparticles caused significant alterations in parenchyma tissue including hyperemia, enlarged pulmonary septa, congested capillaries, alveolar emphysema and small areas of atelectasis. Nanoparticles were observed in the cytoplasm of cells lining bronchioles, in the alveolar spaces as well as inside the membranous pneumocytes and in phagosomes of lung macrophages. Nanoparticles even penetrated through the membrane into some organelles including mitochondria and they also accumulated in the cytoplasmic vesicles. In livers, inhalation caused periportal inflammation and local hepatic necrosis. Only minor changes such as diffusely thickened filtration membrane with intramembranous electron dense deposits were observed in kidney. Taken together, inhaled CdO nanoparticles not only accumulated in lungs but they were also transported to other organs causing serious damage at tissue as well as cellular level.
- MeSH
- Liver metabolism pathology ultrastructure MeSH
- Cadmium adverse effects blood MeSH
- Kidney metabolism pathology ultrastructure MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Inhalation * MeSH
- Nanoparticles adverse effects chemistry MeSH
- Oxides adverse effects blood chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Lung metabolism pathology ultrastructure MeSH
- Spleen metabolism pathology ultrastructure MeSH
- Cadmium Compounds adverse effects blood chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Particle Size MeSH
- Environmental Exposure MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Kadmium (Cd) je neesenciální těžký kov běžně se vyskytující v životním prostředí. Akumuluje se v těle v měkkých tkáních, zejména v ledvinách a játrech. Nachází se v potravinách (zelenina, obiloviny, škrobnaté hlízy), vodě, tabákových listech. Do prostředí proniká jako vedlejší produkt při těžbě a zpracování neželezných rud, při spalování fosilních paliv nebo při použití fosfátových hnojiv. Akutní toxicita je spojena především s vdechováním par kadmia a postihuje plíce (dušnost, bolest na prsou, bolest hlavy, závratě). Chronická toxicita se projevuje primárně dysfunkcí ledvin, sekundárně osteoporosou a může vést ke vzniku rakoviny (plic, ledvin, prostaty, slinivky břišní). Toxické účinky kadmia souvisí se snižováním hladin antioxidantů, snižováním aktivity enzymů (včetně antioxidačních), zvyšováním peroxidace lipidů a vyvoláváním oxidativních změn DNA. To vše vede v organismu ke vzniku tzv. oxidativního stresu. Jistou ochranu před škodlivými účinky kadmia poskytuje vyvážená, plnohodnotná strava, ovšem nejdůležitější zůstává prevence nebo alespoň minimalizace kontaktu s tímto těžkým kovem.
Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential heavy metal commonly found in the environment. It accumulates in the soft tissues of the body, especially in the kidneys and liver. It is found in food (vegetables, cereals, starchy roots), water, and tobacco leaves. Cadmium is released to the environment as a by-product of mining and smelting of non-ferrous ores, during the combustion of fossil fuels or during use of phosphate fertilizers. Acute inhalation of fumes containing cadmium affects the lungs causing dyspnea, chest pain, headache, and dizziness. Chronic cadmium exposure primarily affects the kidneys and secondarily the bones causing osteoporosis, and may lead to cancer (lung, kidney, prostate, pancreas cancer). Toxic effects of cadmium are associated with depleting levels of antioxidants, inhibiting the activity of enzymes (including antioxidative ones), increasing lipid peroxidation, and causing oxidative changes of DNA. In the organism, this induces a state of oxidative stress. A well-balanced diet provides protection from the harmful effects of cadmium to a certain extent; however, prevention or minimizing of cadmium exposure remains the most important way of protection.
- MeSH
- Cell Death MeSH
- Glutathione metabolism MeSH
- Cadmium * metabolism adverse effects toxicity MeSH
- Carcinogens toxicity MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Metallothionein metabolism MeSH
- Cadmium Poisoning etiology physiopathology pathology prevention & control MeSH
- Oxidative Stress MeSH
- Primary Prevention methods MeSH
- Environmental Pollution prevention & control adverse effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Various nitric oxide modulators (NO donors--SNP, GSNO, DEA NONOate and scavengers--PTIO, cPTIO) were tested to highlight the role of NO under Cd excess in various ontogenetic stages of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Surprisingly, compared to Cd alone, SNP and PTIO elevated Cd uptake (confirmed also by PhenGreen staining) but depleted glutathione (partially ascorbic acid) and phytochelatins PC2 and PC3 in both older plants (cultured hydroponically) and seedlings (cultured in deionised water). Despite these anomalous impacts, fluorescence staining of NO and ROS confirmed predictable assumptions and revealed reciprocal changes (decrease in NO but increase in ROS after PTIO addition and the opposite after SNP application). Subsequent tests using alternative modulators and seedlings confirmed changes to NO and ROS after application of GSNO and DEA NONOate as mentioned above for SNP while cPTIO altered only NO level (depletion). On the contrary to SNP and PTIO, GSNO, DEA NONOate and cPTIO did not elevate Cd content and phytochelatins (PC2, PC3) were rather elevated. These data provide evidence that various NO modulators are useful in terms of NO and ROS manipulation but interactions with intact plants affect metal uptake and must therefore be used with caution. In this view, cPTIO and DEA NONOate revealed the less pronounced side impacts and are recommended as suitable NO scavenger/donor in plant physiological studies under Cd excess.
- MeSH
- Antioxidants chemistry MeSH
- Cyclic N-Oxides chemistry MeSH
- Nitric Oxide Donors chemistry MeSH
- Microscopy, Fluorescence MeSH
- Glutathione chemistry MeSH
- Chamomile drug effects MeSH
- Imidazoles chemistry MeSH
- Cadmium chemistry MeSH
- Microscopy, Confocal MeSH
- Ascorbic Acid chemistry MeSH
- Nitroprusside chemistry MeSH
- Nitric Oxide chemistry MeSH
- Reactive Oxygen Species chemistry MeSH
- S-Nitrosoglutathione chemistry MeSH
- Seeds drug effects MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Eventual protective action of calcium (Ca, 100 or 1000 μM) against cadmium (Cd, 10 or 100 μM) toxicity in common lichen Hypogymnia physodes after 24 h of exposure was studied. Total Cd reached 482 and 2801 μg/g DW in 10 and 100 μM Cd treatments while Ca content reached over 23 mg/g DW in 1000 μM Ca treatment. Ca suppressed Cd accumulation by 23 and 38% in total fraction and completely in absorbed fraction. Fluorescence microscopy of Cd and Ca ions revealed good correlation with quantitative data. Cd stimulated increase in ROS formation and lipid peroxidation as detected using fluorescent reagents and quantification of H2O2 while co-application of Ca suppressed these effects. Formation of nitric oxide was mainly affected by cadmium. Cd depleted amount of amino acids but proteins or phenols remained unaffected by Cd or Ca. On the contrary, sum of thiols, reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid were depleted by Cd but reversed mainly by higher Ca dose. Among organic acids, only Cd-induced depletion of citric acid content was reversed by Ca. Data indicate that ameliorative effect of Ca under Cd excess in lichens is comparable with effect in plants and metabolic responses in various life lineages are discussed.
Kadmium je toxický kov, ktorý predstavuje vysoké riziko poškodenia ľudského organizmu. Vyskytuje sa bežne v životnom prostredí, má široké uplatnenie v metalurgickom priemysle, pri výrobe plastov, farebných pigmentov a akumulátorov. Cieľom štúdie bolo sledovať účinnosť komplexu preventívnych opatrení na zníženie expozície kadmiom, ktoré boli zavedené v podniku na výrobu nikel-kadmiových batérií v období od 1. februára 2013 do 1. februára 2014 (každodenná výmena pracovného odevu, umývanie vlasov, holenie tváre u mužov, dôkladné umývanie tváre a rúk). K tomu sa po ôsmych mesiacoch pridalo trojmesačné užívanie výživových doplnkov z Chlorella kessleri alebo s vybranými vitamínmi a minerálmi. Súbor tvorilo 16 pracovníkov (9 žien a 7 mužov) o priemernom veku 50,2 ± 1,5 rokov (x ± SD), ktorí boli v práci vystavení priemerne 20,6 ± 2,5 rokov oxidu kademnatému. V súbore boli 3 fajčiari, 8 pracovníkov žilo v blízkosti podniku. V rámci pracovných lekárskych prehliadok boli pomocou GT-AAS Atómovej absorpčnej spektrometrie s elektrotermickou atomizáciou sledované vstupné a priebežné hodnoty obsahu kadmia v moči v celom súbore a v dvoch podskupinách. Prínos iniciovaných preventívnych opatrení bol posudzovaný zmenami biologického expozičného testu kadmia v moči, štatisticky pomocou neparametrického párového Wilcoxonovho a Krustalovho-Wallisovho testu na hladine štatistickej významnosti p < 0,05. Medián vstupného biologického expozičného testu kadmia v moči bol u celého súboru 10,6 μg Cd . g-1 kreatinínu. Po implementácii organizačných preventívnych opatrení hodnoty kadmia v moči klesli na 5,5 μg Cd.g-1 kreatinínu (p < 0,001). Bezprostredne po ukončení trojmesačného užívania doplnkov stravy hodnoty kadmia v moči opäť poklesli na 1,1 μg Cd . g-1 kreatinínu (p < 0,001). Rozdiel v účinnosti použitých doplnkov stravy zistený nebol (p > 0,05). O tri mesiace po ukončení užívania doplnkov sa však hladiny kadmia v moči znova zvýšili na 6,0 μg Cd . g-1 kreatinínu. Analýza hladín biologických expozičných testov kadmia v moči preukázala efektívnosť preventívnych opatrení vzhľadom na expozíciu zamestnancov. Použitie výživových doplnkov ukázalo okamžitý krátkodobý účinok, avšak pre hodnotenie ich účinku na vylučovanie kadmia močom, ako aj možného zníženia rizika ohrozenia zdravia je nevyhnutný ďalší výskum.
Cadmium is a toxic metal representing a damage of high risk to the human organism. It commonly occurs in the environment, but it plays a significant role in metallurgy, plastics production as well as in pigments and accumulators. The study investigated the effect of complex preventive measures, which were introduced in nickel-cadmium battery factory (daily replacement of working clothes, hair washing, men’s shaving, face and hand washing) from February 1st 2013 to February 1st 2014 to decrease cadmium exposure levels. In addition, after eight months, nutritional supplements either from Chlorella kessleri or by selected vitamins and minerals for three months were added. The group included 16 workers (9 women and 7 men) with average age 50.2 ± 1.5 years (mean ± SD), who had been occupationally exposed to cadmium oxide for 20.6 ± 2.5 years in the average. The group included three smokers and 8 workers have been living in neighbourhood of the factory. The initial and follow-up values of cadmium content in urine were determined in the whole group and two subgroups by GT-AAS atomic absorption spectrometry with electro- -thermic atomization. The effect of the preventive measures was evaluated by changes in urine cadmium levels as a part of the biological exposure tests and differences in cadmium levels were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and Krustal-Wallis tests with a significance level 5 %. The initial median urine cadmium level in the whole group was 10.6 μg Cd . g-1 creatinine. After implementation of organizational preventive measures, the values of cadmium decreased to 5.5 μg Cd . g-1 creatinine (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the effectiveness of the used supplements (p > 0.05). Three months after the supplementation use, cadmium urine levels increased again to 6.0 μg Cd . g-1 creatinine. The analysis of cadmium urine levels confirmed the effectiveness of preventive measures on workers exposure. The use of nutritional supplements showed immediate short-term effect; however, further research is needed to evaluate their effect on elimination of cadmium and possible health risk reduction.
- MeSH
- Occupational Health MeSH
- Cadmium * urine toxicity MeSH
- Creatinine urine MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Dietary Supplements MeSH
- Occupational Exposure * adverse effects MeSH
- Industry MeSH
- Occupational Health Services MeSH
- Research MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
Oxidative tissue damage is considered an early sign of cadmium (Cd) toxicity and has been linked with carcinogenesis. Manganese(II) - at low doses, was found to act as a potent antioxidant against oxidative stress in different in vitro systems producing lipid peroxidation conditions. The present study investigates in vivo antioxidant effects of Mn2+ pretreatment in acute Cd intoxication with regard to lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defense system and cadmium distribution in the tissues of mice. Four groups of male mice (n=7–8) were used: Cd group was injected sc a single dose of CdCl2 • 21 H2O (7 mg/kg b.w.); Cd+Mn group was treated ip with MnCl2 • 4H2O (20 mg/kg b.w.) 24 hours before Cd intoxication; Mn group received manganese treatment only; Control group received saline only. Twenty-four hours after Cd intoxication an increased lipid peroxidation (p<0.05), depleted GSH level (p<0.01), increased activity of GSH-Px (p<0.05) and inhibited CAT activity (p<0.01) were found in Cd-treated group compared to controls. Manganese(II) pre-treatment either completely prevented (LP, GSH, GSH-Px) or significantly attenuated (CAT) these changes. Manganese(II) treatment alone decreased LP, enhanced hepatic GSH level and had no effect on antioxidant enzymes compared to control group. A significant increase of Cd concentration in the liver and decreased Cd concentration in the kidneys and testes were found in Cd+Mn treated mice compared to Cd-only treated group. The effect of manganese may result from a different metallothionein induction in particular organs. Manganese(II) pretreatment attenuated the interference of cadmium with Ca homeostasis, the alteration in Zn and Cu levels remained mostly unaffected.
Heavy metal contamination, one of the greatest global problems, not only endangers humans and animals but also negatively affects plants. New trends, the production and industrial applications of metals in nanoforms, lead to release of large amounts of nanoparticles into the environment. However, the influence of nanoparticles on living organisms is not well understood. Cadmium is a heavy metal not essential for plants, and to its phytotoxicity also contributes its chemical similarity to zinc. It has been recorded that zinc at low concentrations reduces the toxicity of cadmium, but our results with ZnO nanoparticles did not proved it. In contrast, ZnO nanoparticles significantly increased the negative effect of cadmium, which was reflected mainly in changes in the content of photosynthetic pigments.
- MeSH
- Pigments, Biological metabolism MeSH
- Carex Plant drug effects physiology MeSH
- Photosynthesis drug effects MeSH
- Cadmium toxicity MeSH
- Metal Nanoparticles toxicity MeSH
- Zinc Oxide toxicity MeSH
- Zinc toxicity MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Cadmium is a toxic element ubiquitous in the environment, which damages biological systems in various ways. The major source of cadmium exposure is food. High cadmium content in the soil leads to high cadmium concentrations in certain plants such as grains (above all surface layers and germs), oil or non-oil seeds, fruit and vegetables. These food commodities are the crucial components of a vegetarian nutrition. Blood cadmium concentrations were measured in two non-smoking population groups: the vegetarian group (n = 80) and the non-vegetarian (control) group of general population on traditional mixed diet (n = 84). The significantly higher blood cadmium content (1.78±0.22 vs. 0.45±0.04 μg/l) was measured in vegetarian group. Healthy risk values > 5μg/l were found in 6 vegetarians vs. no non-vegetarian. The highest cadmium concentration (3.15±0.77 μg/l) was measured in vegan subgroup (plant food only, n = 10) and that value decreased with increasing animal food consumption (1.75±0.36 μg/l, lactovegetarian and lactoovovegetarian subgroup /added dairy products and eggs, n = 41/, 1.34±0.21 μg/l, semivegetarian subgroup /as a previous subgroup and added white meat, n = 29/). Risk vegetarians vs. non-risk vegetarians consume significantly higher amounts of whole grain products, grain sprouts and oil seeds. Blood cadmium content is directly influenced by age (r = 0.32, p < 0.001), by whole grain product intake (r = 0.66, p < 0.001) and by duration of vegetarianism (r = 0.5, p < 0.001). Oxidative stress plays a major role in chronic cadmium induced hepatic and renal toxicity as well as in other consequences of cadmium injuries. Vegetarians have significantly higher plasma concentrations of natural antioxidants. The sufficient antioxidative protection against cadmium induced free radical formation in vegetarians may inhibit the harmful effects of greater cadmium intake from plant food.
Background and objectives Major limitation of the sewage sludge use in agriculture is a potential release of heavy metals from the sludge and their accumulation to toxic levels in the topsoil. The total content of the metals can be important for long-term assessment of sewage sludge application, but only an available portion of the metal can immediately affect its accumulation in plant biomass. The influence of materials affecting pH (limestone, lime) and sorption capacity (bentonite, zeolite), added to sewage sludges of various origin and incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions for eight months, on the distribution of Cd and Zn was studied. Materials and Methods The modified SM&T EUR 14763 EN sequential extraction procedure was applied to evaluate water-soluble, exchangeable, Fe/Mn oxide-bound, organic-bound, and residual cadmium and zinc in the treated sewage sludge. In alkaline solution (AS) and humic acid solution (HA), obtained by fractionation of humic substances, Cd and Zn contents were determined. The content of fulvic acids (FA) was calculated as FA = AS ? HA. Results The Zn proportion in water-soluble and exchangeable fractions was greater than that of Cd. Limestone and lime addition to sludge decreased the Cd and Zn contents in available fraction at the end of aerobic incubation. Most Cd and Zn was bound in sludge incubated under anaerobic conditions in organic and residual fractions. Lack of air caused a higher portion of organic Cd and Zn in humic acid fraction compared with aerobic conditions. The limestone addition to sludge and aerobic or anaerobic incubation strongly enhanced the Cd proportion in humic acid fraction compared with bentonite and zeolite addition. A greater cadmium proportion was bound in humic acid fraction compared with zinc.
