Diethylstilbestrol attenuates antioxidant activities in testis from male mice

It has been reported that acute exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) induces apoptosis in the testis, and antioxidants play a role in preventing DES-induced tissue damage. In this study, the effect of chronic exposure to DES on the antioxidants was examined in the testis and liver. Eight-week old male ICR mice were treated subcutaneously with various doses of DES for 20 days. Morphologically apparent apoptotic changes, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-positive cells and TUNEL-positive DNA-fragmentation, were demonstrated in the testis, but were minimal in the liver. Activities of antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH) peroxidase and GSH S -transferase decreased in both the liver and testis. The activity of Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased in the liver but increased in the testis. The activity of Cu, Zn-SOD decreased in the liver but was unchanged in the testis. On Western and Northern blots, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase ( γ-GCS), a rate limiting enzyme of GSH synthesis, was increased in the liver dependent on the dose of DES. However, the expression of γ-GCS was reduced in the testis. Since quinones, metabolites of DES, generate reactive oxygen species, which damage DNA, antioxidants are important to prevent the damage. The data suggest that antioxidant activities are impaired by DES, and the levels of GSH are related to DES-induced apoptosis in the testis.     

Nitric Oxide Exposure of CC531 Rat Colon Carcinoma Cells Induces γ-glutamyltransferase which May Counteract Glutathione Depletion and Cell Death

&#110 -Glutamyltransferase (GGT) has a central role in glutathione homeostasis by initiating the breakdown of extracellular GSH. We investigated in the present study whether nitric oxide exposure of CC531 rat colon carcinoma cells modulates GGT and how the activity of the enzyme affects the level of intracellular GSH. The data show that GGT activity was induced in a dose-related manner by two NO-donors (spermineNONOate and nitrosoglutathione) and that antioxidants partly inhibited the induction. SpermineNONOate lowered intracellular GSH and induced apoptosis. Cultivating the cells in cystine-depleted medium also resulted in a 50% lowering of GSH, but this was avoided when GSH was added to the medium. This effect was mediated by the activity of GGT and shown after inhibiting GGT activity with acivicin and cyst(e)ine transporters with alanine and homocysteic acid. This shows that the cells benefit from GGT in maintaining the intracellular GSH level. Cells with induced GGT activity obtained after NO incubation showed a higher uptake rate of cysteine (2-fold), measured by incubating the cells with 35 S-radiolabeled GSH. The enzyme was also induced by interferon- &#110 and tumor necrosis factor- &#102, but this induction was not connected to activation of the endogenous nitric oxide synthase, as the addition of aminoguanidine, a NO-synthase inhibitor, did not affect the induction. The present study shows that the activity of GGT is upregulated by NO-donors and that the colon carcinoma cells, when cultivated in cystine-depleted medium, benefit from the enzyme in maintaining the intracellular level of GSH. Thus, the enzyme will add to the protective measures of the tumor cells during nitrosative stress.     

哮喘豚鼠肺、肝组织中还原型谷胱甘肽、γ谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶及其重链mRNA的表达

目的研究支气管哮喘（简称哮喘）豚鼠肺、肝组织中还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）、γ谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶（γ-GCS）活性及其重链（γ-GCSh）mRNA表达的差异和变化。方法取健康雄性豚鼠30只,随机分为哮喘组（A组）、地塞米松治疗组（B组）及对照组（C组）,每组10只。采用腹腔内注射联合雾化吸入卵清蛋白复制哮喘豚鼠模型,用生物化学反应比色法检测各组豚鼠肺、肝组织中还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）、总谷胱甘肽（TGSH）和γ-GCS的活性,用逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）法检测各组豚鼠肺、肝组织中γ-GCSh mRNA的表达。结果A组豚鼠与B组、C组比较肺内γ-GCS活性及γ-GCSh mRNA的表达明显升高,相应的总谷胱甘肽水平增加（P均〈0.01）,但GSH水平较对照组、治疗组下降（P〈0.05）;肝脏组织内γ-GCS活性、γ-GCSh mRNA的表达、TGSH及GSH浓度A、B、C三组比较差异无统计学意义（P均〉0.05）。结论哮喘豚鼠肺内γ-GCS、TGSH及γ-GCSh mRNA表达增高,并可能在抗氧化损伤中发挥重要作用,而TGSH、GSH、γ-GCS及γ-GCSh mRNA在哮喘豚鼠肝脏局部表达无变化。     

Embryotoxicity induced by diethylstilbestrol in vitro1

The embryotoxic potential of diethylstilbestrol (DES) was examined in a whole embryo culture system containing a P-450–dependent bioactivating system. Sprague-Dawley rat embryos were explanted on day 10 and cultured for 24 hours. Concentration-dependent effects of DES on embryonic growth parameters, viability, and embryotoxicity were observed. Concentrations of DES greater than 0.26 mM (final concentration) produced 100% embryolethality, while those below 0.15 mM were without significant effects. At a final concentration of 0.19 mM, DES produced only a slight increase in embryolethality. The same concentration elicited a marked increase in observed embryotoxicity, including prosencephalic hypoplasia, incomplete axial rotation, and open neural tubes. In addition, reductions in embryonic length, somite number, and protein and DNA content were observed. An exogenous P-450–dependent hepatic biotransforming (catechol-generating) system failed to alter either the incidence of observed toxic effects or measured growth parameters. Likewise, exposure of cultured embryos to 20% carbon monoxide (CO) failed to reduce DES-induced embryotoxicity, indicating a lack of participation of an endogenous P-450-dependent embryonic bioactivating system. Arachidonic acid (0.20 mM) and/or indomethacin (0.50 mM) also had no observable effect on DES-induced embryotoxicity, suggesting that prostaglandin synthase was not involved in the embryotoxic activity of DES, as has been proposed to explain its carcinogenic effect. The antioxidants N-acetylcysteine (1.14 mM) and α-tocopherol (0.08 mM) failed to protect against DES-induced embryotoxicity, while the antiestrogen tamoxifen (up to 0.85 mM) actually enhanced this effect of DES in culture. The DES analogs Z,Z-dienestrol (DIES, 0.10 mM) and hexestrol (HES, 0.48 mM) were both embryotoxic in vitro. The presence of an exogenous P-450-dependent hepatic biotransforming system appeared to protect against HES-induced embryolethality but had little effect upon DIES-induced embryotoxicity. The results were consistent with a direct effect of DES independent of either estrogenicity or exogenously generated metabolites.     

Diethylstilbestrol-induced estrogen receptor-dependent [Ca2+]i rises and apoptosis in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells

The effect of the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and cell viability was explored in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1). [Ca2+]i and cell viability were measured by using the fluorescent dyes fura-2 and WST-1, respectively. DES at concentrations>or=1 proportional, variant increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The Ca2+ signal was reduced partly by removing extracellular Ca2+. In Ca2+-free medium, after pretreatment with 50 proportional, variant DES, 1 proportional, variant thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor)-induced [Ca2+]i rises were abolished. Conversely, thapsigargin pretreatment abolished DES-induced [Ca2+]i rises. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 did not alter DES-induced [Ca2+]i rises. At a concentration of 5 proportional, variant, DES increased cell viability. At concentrations of 100-200 microM, DES decreased viability in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of 5 and 100 microM DES on viability was partly reversed by prechelating cytosolic Ca2+ with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N' -tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). DES-induced cell death was induced via apoptosis as demonstrated by propidium iodide staining. DES (100 microM)-induced [Ca2+]i rises were largely inhibited by pretreatment with the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI-182,780 (100 microM). ICI-182,780 did not affect 5 microM DES-induced increase in viability but partly reversed 100 microM DES-induced cell death. Collectively, in CHO-K1 cells, DES induced [Ca2+]i rises by stimulating estrogen receptors leading to Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum in a phospholipase C-independent manner, and Ca2+ influx. DES-caused cytotoxicity was mediated by an estrogen receptor- and Ca2+-dependent pathway.     

核因子相关因子2调节大鼠气道上皮细胞γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶表达

红系衍生的核因子相关因子2(Nrf2)是调节抗氧化基因表达的关键转录因子.γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶(γ-GCS)是肺内主要的抗氧化基因,但Nrf2如何调节γ-GCS表达目前仍不清楚.该文采用香烟烟雾提取物(CSE)诱导大鼠气道上皮细胞为研究对象,探索Nrf2调节γ-GCS基因表达机制.细胞免疫荧光显示,Nrf2蛋白质在CSE处理1、3和6h组,主要在胞核中表达.细胞免疫化学与Western印迹显示,γ-GCS蛋白质在CSE1、3、6h组表达明显增强,其中Western印迹结果高于对照组(P0.05);Nrf2胞核蛋白质表达增强.p-aPKCι/ζ蛋白质在CSE1、3h组表达增强,与对照组相比差异显著(P0.05).RT-PCR结果表明,γ-GCSmRNA在CSE1、3、6h组表达明显高于对照组(P0.05).γ-GCS活性在CSE1、3、6h组增高并高于对照组(P0.05).GSH含量在CSE3、6h组明显高于对照组(P0.05).预先加入aPKCι/ζ抑制剂RO813220,Nrf2胞浆蛋白质表达增强,GSH含量、p-aPKCι/ζ蛋白质、γ-GCS蛋白质与其mRNA和活性均明显低于CSE3h组(P0.05).相关性分析显示Nrf2与γ-GCS、γ-GCS活性、p-aPKCι/ζ呈正相关,p-aPKCι/ζ与Nrf2、γ-GCS、γ-GCS活性呈正相关(P0.05).以上结果表明,CSE可能通过aPKCι/ζ-Nrf2信号通路调节γ-GCS的表达水平和活性.     

Effects of Dietary Antioxidants on Human DNA Ex Vivo

The protective effect of fruits and vegetables against cancer is well established. It is believed that this effect is mediated by antioxidants and decreased oxidative damage to DNA. However, the identity of the antioxidant(s) responsible is not clear. Moreover, a potentially damaging pro-oxidant effect of some antioxidants has been reported. In this study the ex vivo effects of several dietary antioxidants, including quercetin, various catechins, ascorbic acid and &#102 -tocopherol, were investigated, at concentrations up to 200 &#117 &#119 M, using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay for DNA damage. Lymphocytes from three healthy subjects were pre-incubated with these antioxidants, and the comet assay was performed on treated, untreated, challenged and unchallenged cells in parallel, oxidant challenge being induced by 5 &#117 min exposure to hydrogen peroxide (final concentrations H 2 O 2 : 30, 45, or 60 &#117 &#119 M). Results using this ex vivo cellular assay showed protection by some antioxidants (quercetin, caffeic acid), no effect by some (catechin, epicatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate) and an apparently damaging effect by others (epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate). Damage may have been caused by production of H 2 O 2 from these polyphenolics. Neither ascorbic acid nor &#102 -tocopherol protected or damaged DNA. Further study of the role of quercetin and caffeic acid in DNA protection is needed.     

γ-Glutamylcysteine synthetase and γ-glutamyl transferase as differential enzymatic sources of γ-glutamylpeptides in mice

Some γ-glutamylpeptides in blood plasma are putative biomarkers for pathological conditions of the liver. γ-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) are two such potential enzymes that are responsible for the production of γ-glutamylpeptides. GGT produces γ-glutamylpeptides by transferring the γ-glutamyl moiety from glutathione to an amino acid or a peptide. γ-GCS normally catalyzes the production of γ-glutamylcysteine from glutamate and cysteine in the glutathione-synthesizing reaction, but other amino acids can also serve as an acceptor of a γ-glutamyl group, thus resulting in the formation of a variety of γ-glutamylpeptides. Based on liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses, we observed differences in the distribution of γ-glutamylpeptides between the liver and kidney and were able to measure the activities of γ-GCS as well as the GGT reactions by quantifying the resulting γ-glutamylpeptides. The enzymatic characterization of γ-GCS in liver homogenates indicated that several γ-glutamylpeptides including γ-glutamyltaurine are actually produced. Cys showed the lowest Km value (0.06 mM) while other amino acids had much higher Km values (ranging from 21 to 1800 mM). The moderate Km values for these amino acids suggest that they were not the preferred amino acids in this conversion but were utilized as acceptor substrates for the production of the corresponding γ-glutamylpeptides by the γ-GCS reaction under Cys-deficient conditions. Thus, the production of these γ-glutamylpeptides by γ-GCS is directly correlated with a low Cys content, suggesting that their measurement in blood plasma could be useful for predicting the presymptomatic disease state of the liver with a defect in GSH redox balance.     

PI3K/Akt-aPKC_（ι/ζ）-Nrf2调控大鼠气道上皮细胞γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶表达

目的：观察香烟烟雾提取物（CSE）是否通过磷酯酰肌醇-3-激酶（PI3K）/Akt-不典型蛋白激酶Cι/ζ（aP-KCι/ζ）-核因子相关因子2（Nrf2）信号通路调控大鼠气道上皮细胞γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶（-γGCS）表达。方法：用Western blot法检测-γGCS、Nrf2、p-Akt和p-aPKCι/ζ蛋白质,细胞免疫化学法观察-γGCS蛋白质表达,反转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）法检测-γGCSmRNA,免疫荧光法检测Nrf2蛋白质,流式分析法检测p-Akt阳性细胞率,双酶法测定-γGCS活性,酶循环分析法测定总还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量。结果：暴露CSE 3 h,GSH含量显著升高,Nrf2胞核蛋白质、p-aPKCι/ζ蛋白质、p-Akt蛋白质及其阳性细胞率、-γGCS蛋白质及其mRNA和活性均显著增强。aPKCι/ζ抑制剂RO813220明显减弱p-aPKCι/ζ蛋白质、-γGCS蛋白质及其mRNA和活性表达,但增强Nrf2胞浆蛋白质表达,对p-Akt无影响。p-Akt抑制剂LY294002及RO813220＋LY294002均降低p-aPKCι/ζ蛋白质、p-Akt蛋白质及阳性细胞率、-γGCS蛋白质及其mRNA和活性表达,增强Nrf2胞浆蛋白质表达。直线相关性分析显示Nrf2与-γGCS、p-Akt及p-aPKCι/ζ呈正相关,p-Akt与Nrf2、p-aPKCι/ζ及-γGCS呈正相关,p-aPKCι/ζ与Nrf2、p-Akt及-γGCS呈正相关（P〈0.05）。结论：CSE可能通过PI3K/Akt-aPKCι/-ζNrf2调节-γGCS表达。     

Protective effect of various antioxidants on the toxicity of sulphur mustard administered to mice by inhalation or percutaneous routes

Protective effect of various antioxidants, trolox (water soluble analogue of vitamin E), quercetin (bioflavonoid) and glutathione reduced (GSH), was studied following sulphur mustard (SM) intoxication. SM, a blistering agent was administered to Swiss albino female mice through inhalation (1 LC50=42.3 mg/m3 for 1 h duration; 14 days observation for mortality) and percutaneous (1 LD50=154.7 mg/kg; 7 days observation for mortality) routes. The antioxidants were administered three times at the dose of trolox, 500 microg/kg; quercetin, 5 mg/kg and GSH, 400 mg/kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection, one immediately following SM exposure, then once each day for 2 days after SM treatment. The effect of antioxidants on survival, markers of oxidative damage and purine metabolites was investigated. Survival study animals were observed for 14 days. Oxidative markers (in blood, liver and lung) and purine metabolites (in blood and urine) were investigated 72 h after SM treatment. Survival time increased significantly following trolox and quercetin treatments through the inhalation route. Significant decrease in GSH and increase in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) indicated oxidative damage to liver and lung tissues following SM inhalation and percutaneous exposure. Blood and urinary uric acid, end product of purine metabolism showed an increased following both routes of exposures. The antioxidants, trolox and quercetin protected the liver and lung tissues from oxidative damage caused by SM exposure through inhalation and percutaneous routes. This study showed that antioxidants could enhance survival time, protect liver and lung from oxidative damage and reduce accumulation of purine metabolites in blood following SM intoxication.     

Protective Role of Glutathione Synthesis on Radiation-Induced DNA Damage in Rabbit Brain

1. Radiotherapy has attracted increasing interest in recent years. It is known that ionizing radiation induces oxygen radical injury, whereas oxidative stress by the radiation can cause cellular responses to defense cellular injury. In this study, the metabolism of antioxidants in response to ionizing radiation to the brain was studied in the brain using experimental rabbits.2. Ionizing radiation to the hemicerebrum caused an increase in the levels of glutathione (GSH) and the activity of a GSH synthesizing enzyme, -glutamylcysteine synthetase (-GCS), and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD). Ionizing radiation also induced DNA-damage estimated by the formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. These changes were dependent on the radiation dose.3. Previous intrathecal-administration of buthionine sulfoximine (100 M), a specific inhibitor of -GCS, increased DNA damage by radiation in the radiated hemicerebrum. That of S-methyl GSH, on the other hand, resulted in a significant reduction of DNA damage by radiation.4. These results suggest that synthesis of GSH and Cu,Zn-SOD is responsive to ionizing radiation and this induction of antioxidants may play a role in reducing tissue damage in radiotherapy.     

Lead‐induced DNA damage and cell apoptosis in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell: Attenuation via N‐acetyl cysteine and tannic acid

This study investigates the exposure of lead‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA damage, and apoptosis and also evaluates the therapeutic intervention using antioxidants in human renal proximal tubular cells (HK‐2 cells). Following treatment of HK‐2 cells with an increasing concentration of lead nitrate (0–50 μM) for 24 h, the intracellular ROS level increased whereas the GSH level decreased significantly in a dose‐dependent manner. Comet assay results revealed that lead nitrate showed the ability to increase the levels of DNA strand breaks in HK‐2 cells. Lead exposure also induced apoptosis through caspase‐3 activation at 30 μg/mL. Pretreatment with N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) and tannic acid showed a significant ameliorating effect on lead‐induced ROS, DNA damage, and apoptosis. In conclusion, lead induces ROS, which may exacerbate the DNA damage and apoptosis via caspase‐3 activation. Additionally, supplementation of antioxidants such as NAC and tannic acid may be used as salvage therapy for lead‐induced DNA damage and apoptosis in an exposed person.     

Gene expression change in the Müllerian duct of the mouse fetus exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero

In utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) induces various abnormalities in the Müllerian duct of the mouse. In order to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with DES-induced abnormalities of the Müllerian duct, gene expression was examined on Gestation Day (GD) 19 in mouse fetuses exposed to DES (67 microg/kg body weight) from GDs 10 to 18. Microarray analysis revealed that 387, 387, and 225 genes were upregulated and 177, 172, and 75 genes were downregulated by DES in the oviduct, uterus, and vagina, respectively. DES exposure in utero commonly upregulated 72 genes and downregulated 15 genes in these three organs. The present study demonstrated that organ-specific gene expression patterns in the mouse Müllerian duct were altered by in utero DES exposure. DES-induced changes in expression of genes such as Dkk2, Nkd2, and sFRP1 as well as changes in genes of the Hox, Wnt, and Eph families in the female mouse fetal reproductive tract could be the basis for various abnormalities in reproductive tracts following exposure to this estrogenic drug.     

Diethylstilbestrol-Induced Estrogen Receptor-Dependent [Ca2+]i Rises and Apoptosis in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) Cells

The effect of the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) on cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentrations ([Ca²⁺]_i) and cell viability was explored in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1). [Ca²⁺]_i and cell viability were measured by using the fluorescent dyes fura-2 and WST-1, respectively. DES at concentrations ≥ 1∝ increased [Ca²⁺]_i in a concentration-dependent manner. The Ca²⁺ signal was reduced partly by removing extracellular Ca²⁺. In Ca²⁺-free medium, after pretreatment with 50∝ DES, 1∝ thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ pump inhibitor)-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rises were abolished. Conversely, thapsigargin pretreatment abolished DES-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rises. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 did not alter DES-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rises. At a concentration of 5∝, DES increased cell viability. At concentrations of 100–200 μ M, DES decreased viability in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of 5 and 100 μM DES on viability was partly reversed by prechelating cytosolic Ca²⁺ with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′ -tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). DES-induced cell death was induced via apoptosis as demonstrated by propidium iodide staining. DES (100 μ M)-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rises were largely inhibited by pretreatment with the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI-182,780 (100 μ M). ICI-182,780 did not affect 5 μ M DES-induced increase in viability but partly reversed 100 μ M DES-induced cell death. Collectively, in CHO-K1 cells, DES induced [Ca²⁺]_i rises by stimulating estrogen receptors leading to Ca²⁺ release from the endoplasmic reticulum in a phospholipase C-independent manner, and Ca²⁺ influx. DES-caused cytotoxicity was mediated by an estrogen receptor- and Ca²⁺-dependent pathway.     

Effects of in utero exposure to Bisphenol A or diethylstilbestrol on the adult male reproductive system

The objective of this study was to determine whether in utero exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) induced reproductive tract abnormalities in the adult male testis. Using the C57/Bl6 mouse, we examined sex‐organ weights, anogenital distance, and testis histopathology in adult males exposed in utero via oral gavage to sesame oil, 50 µg/kg BPA, 1000 µg/kg BPA, or 2 µg/kg diethylstilbestrol (DES) as a positive control from gestational days 10 to 16. No changes in sperm production or germ cell apoptosis were observed in adult testes after exposure to either chemical. Adult mRNA levels of genes associated with sexual maturation and differentiation, GATA4 and ID2, were significantly lower only in DES‐exposed testes. In summary, the data indicate no gross alterations in spermatogenesis after in utero exposure to BPA or DES. At the molecular level, in utero exposure to DES, but not BPA, leads to decreased mRNA expression of genes associated with Sertoli cell differentiation. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 92:526–533, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Protective effects of GSH,vitamin E,and selenium on lipid peroxidation in cadmium-fed rats

Increased intake of Cd results in its retention and in peroxidative damage in soft tissues. Coadministration of antioxidants, viz., glutathione (GSH), α-tocopherol, and Se, restricted the uptake and distribution of Cd in liver and kidney of rats. Moreover, no rise in malondialdehyde was recorded. Although possible antioxidative mechanisms manifested by GSH, α-tocopherol, and Se have been discussed, it is hypothesized that GSH functions as a Cd chelator. Glutathione yielded favorable effects in comparison to Se and α-tocopherol.     

Effects of Cadmium Chloride and Sodium Selenite Alone or in Combination on the Liver of Male Sprague–Dawley Rats Assessed by Different Assays

This study assessed the impact of either cadmium chloride (Cd) or sodium selenite (Se) alone or in combination on male Sprague–Dawley rats. For this purpose, body and liver weights, comet and TUNEL assays, histological analysis and levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in liver were determined in four groups of male Sprague–Dawley rats. The rats were given subcutaneous doses of 1 mg/kg body weight (BW) of either normal saline (control = Ct) or Cd or Se or Cd plus Se (Cd + Se) on alternate days for 4 weeks. The Cd group showed increased DNA damage, apoptosis and hepatic levels of lipid peroxidation and altered histology. Conversely, the antioxidant levels in this group were decreased as compared with the control group. The Se group also showed DNA damage, apoptosis and altered histology and reduced catalase activity, but it was less severe than the Cd group. In the Cd + Se group, ameliorating effects of Se on Cd-induced changes were observed. While the Se was able to curtail the toxic effect of Cd, the Cd or Se alone were genotoxic and cytotoxic for rats receiving a high pharmacological but non-fatal dose of 1 mg/kg BW.     

Glucocorticoid Receptor Knockdown Decreases the Antioxidant Protection of B16 Melanoma Cells: An Endocrine System-Related Mechanism that Compromises Metastatic Cell Resistance to Vascular Endothelium-Induced Tumor Cytotoxicity

We previously reported an interorgan system in which stress-related hormones (corticosterone and noradrenaline), interleukin-6, and glutathione (GSH) coordinately regulate metastatic growth of highly aggressive B16-F10 melanoma cells. Corticosterone, at levels measured in tumor-bearing mice, also induces apoptotic cell death in metastatic cells with low GSH content. In the present study we explored the potential role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of metastatic cell death/survival during the early stages of organ invasion. Glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) knockdown decreased the expression and activity of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), the rate-limiting step in GSH synthesis, in metastatic cells in vivo independent of the tumor location (liver, lung, or subcutaneous). The decrease in γ-GCS activity was associated with lower intracellular GSH levels. Nrf2- and p53-dependent down-regulation of γ-GCS was associated with a decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase 1 and 2, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, but not of the O₂ ⁻-generating NADPH oxidase. The GCR knockdown-induced decrease in antioxidant protection caused a drastic decrease in the survival of metastatic cells during their interaction with endothelial cells, both in vitro and in vivo; only 10% of cancer cells attached to the endothelium survived compared to 90% survival observed in the controls. This very low rate of metastatic cell survival was partially increased (up to 52%) in vivo by inoculating B16-F10 cells preloaded with GSH ester, which enters the cell and delivers free GSH. Taken together, our results indicate that glucocorticoid signaling influences the survival of metastatic cells during their interaction with the vascular endothelium.     

Diethylstilbestrol versus estradiol as neonatal disruptors of the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) cervix

The synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) is an established, estrogenic endocrine disruptor (ED). The Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) offers some unique advantages as an experimental system to investigate the perinatal ED action of DES and other estrogenic EDs. Previous analyses regarding the consequences of neonatal administration (100 microg) of DES versus estradiol-17beta (E2) showed that DES had a more potent disruptive effect on morphogenesis and gene expression in the uterus, oviduct, and ovary as well as in the testis and male accessory organs. The objectives of the present study were to describe the histopathological consequences of the two neonatal treatment regimens in the hamster cervix and to compare them with our previous observations in the hamster uterus. As previously found in the hamster uterus, DES was more potent than E2 as a neonatal disruptor of the hamster cervix in prepubertal animals and in ovarian-intact adult animals. However, the cervix-versus-uterus scenario diverged in animals that were ovariectomized prepubertally and then chronically stimulated with natural estrogen (E2). We confirmed previous observations that neonatal exposure to DES, but not to E2, permanently alters estrogen responsiveness in the adult hamster uterus, but neither neonatal treatment regimen affected estrogen responsiveness in the adult hamster cervix. These results suggest that an unidentified ovarian factor influences the extent of neonatal DES-induced disruption of the cervix, but not of the uterus, in hamsters.     

Protective effects of vitamin E and curcumin on L-thyroxine-induced rat testicular oxidative stress

Present study examines effects of curcumin and vitamin E on oxidative stress parameters, antioxidant defence enzymes and oxidized (GSSG) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in testis of L-thyroxine (T4)-induced hyperthyroid rats. The oxidative stress in T4-treated rat testis was evident from elevation in oxidative stress parameters such as lipid peroxide and protein carbonyl contents, decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. This is accompanied with decrease in number and mortality of epididymal sperms. When the T4-treated rats were fed with vitamin E and/or curcumin, the lipid peroxide and protein carbonyl contents in crude homogenates of testes decreased to normal level. Treatment of curcumin and/or vitamin E to T4-treated rats resulted in elevation of SOD level in postmitochondrial fraction (PMF) and mitochondrial fraction (MF) and CAT in PMF, with decreased GPx activity in MF. However, curcumin or vitamin E was unable to change GPx activity alone but in together they elevated the GPx in PMF of T4-treated rat testis. Both the antioxidants are incapable of producing significant changes in GSH:GSSG ratio of PMF of T4-treated rats. In MF, GSH:GSSG ratio elevated and decreased respectively by curcumin and vitamin E treatments to T4-treated rats, however, in together these antioxidants caused an elevated GSH:GSSG ratio with a value less than when vitamin E given alone to T4-treated rats. Vitamin E not the curcumin elevates total sperm count and percentage of live sperm impaired by hyperthyroid state. In summary, both vitamin E and curcumin are efficient in protecting testis from oxidative stress generated by T4 mainly in restoring antioxidant enzymes to the level of euthyroid animals up to some extent but vitamin E is more efficient than curcumin.