Antioxidant effect of vitamin E treatment on some heavy metals-induced renal and testicular injuries in male mice

Toxic heavy metals in water, air and soil are global problems that are a growing threat to humanity. Heavy metals are widely distributed in the environment and some of them occur in food, water, air and tissues even in the absence of occupational exposure. The antioxidant and protective influences of vitamin E on a mixture of some heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd and Cu)-induced oxidative stress and renal and testicular injuries were evaluated in male mice. Exposure of mice to these heavy metals in drinking water for seven weeks resulted in statistical increases of plasma creatinine, urea and uric acid concentrations. The levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutases (SOD) in kidney and testis tissues were significantly declined. Moreover, the histopathological evaluation of kidney and testis showed severe changes in mice treated with these heavy metals. Administration of vitamin E protected the kidney and testis of mice exposed to heavy metals as evidenced by appearance of normal histological structures, insignificant changes in the values of plasma creatinine, urea and uric acid, and the levels of kidney GSH and SOD, while the levels of testis GSH and SOD were notably decreased. These data suggest that the administration of vitamin E protects against heavy metals-induced renal and testicular oxidative stress and injuries.     

牛组织重金属含量与饲养环境的相关性

通过选择不同污染程度的区域进行取样,分析了贵州地区不同污染水平下牛组织中重金属(Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd)的含量和与饲养环境的相关性.结果表明:贵州不同污染水平下牛组织中的Cu、Zn基本符合国家食品卫生要求,Pb只有污染地区的肝脏和肾脏超过限量标准,Cd污染较严重,除非污染区肝脏外,牛肾脏和肝脏中Cd的平均含量均超过国家肉类制品卫生限量标准,但肌肉组织符合卫生标准;牛组织重金属元素含量与饲养环境中的土壤、饲料和饮用水源的重金属含量和污染程度密切相关,尤其是肾脏组织,其相关系数r＞0.78.饲料向牛组织的重金属迁移系数,随饲料元素含量的增加而逐渐降低,其中Cd的迁移系数最大,Pb的迁移系数最低;必需元素和有害元素在不同组织中的比值,随污染程度的增加而降低.肾脏的Cu/Cd和Zn/Cd值比其它组织低得多,Cd主要在肾脏中蓄积,Cu主要在肝脏组织蓄积,Zn主要在肌肉和肝脏,Pb主要在肾脏和肝脏.     

Assessment of heavy metals around Abakaliki metropolis and potential bioaccumulation and biochemical effects on the liver,kidney, and erythrocyte of rats

This study investigated changes in kidney, liver and erythrocyte of male rats after exposure to ground water samples collected in the studied areas and treated water sample. Results reveal high levels of heavy metals in water from studied areas and a concomitant accumulation of metals in liver, kidney and blood of rats. Heavy metal contaminated underground water (HMCUW) caused a significant increase in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), including glutathione (GSH) levels. Principal component analysis implicated geogenic and anthropogenic factors for underground water contamination by heavy metals in the areas. However, activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), 51 nucleotidase (51NT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) significantly increased in kidney, liver and erythrocytes of rats compared with control group (p < 0.001). We observed significant (p < 0.001) increase in serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine levels compared to control. Heavy metals in HMCUW are above ambient levels and possess significant decrease in triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels. Histology revealed alterations in architecture of the kidney and liver. Prolonged exposure to HMCUW could induce oxidative damage in kidney, liver and erythrocyte which could elicit liver and kidney dysfunctions.     

Assessment of heavy metal toxicity related with human health risk in the surface water of an industrialized area by a novel technique

This study innovates an assessment technique to evaluate heavy metal toxic load (HMTL). Assessment of surface water in Durgapur industrial area, West Bengal India illustrates that heavy metals in majority of sampling locations exceed the drinking water quality standards. Therefore, pollution status and health impact were predicted by heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and hazard index (HI). More than 50% of sampling locations were marked as polluted. Moreover, 5% and 90% of sampling locations near the industries have health risk to adult and child on ingestion. The study of specific exposure-time and exposure-duration affirms the suitability of water for fishing and regular activities. However, HPI or HI does not quantify heavy metal concentrations that pose threat to human health. Therefore, the proposed assessment technique, HMTL, determines the concentration of heavy metals responsible for health hazard. HMTL identifies Mn, Pb, and Co as toxic metals and estimates 85%, 63%, and 70% removal of these metals from surface water to limit pollution. Origins of metals were also investigated through statistical techniques, which revealed that Fe has geogenic and anthropogenic source, while other metals originate by anthropogenic activities solely. This study demonstrates that HMTL will help the planning authority to document effective water quality management plan.     

Individual and Combined Effects of Arsenic and Lead on Behavioral and Biochemical Changes in Mice

Arsenic (As) toxicity has caused an environmental tragedy affecting millions of people in the world. Little is known about the toxic effects of As on neurobehavioral and biochemical changes in vivo. Along this line of metal toxicity, co-exposure of lead (Pb) could aggravate the situation in the host. The present study was designed to explore the combined effects of As and Pb on behavioral changes like anxiety, spatial memory and learning impairment, and blood indices related to organ dysfunction. Exposure of mice to As (10 mg/kg body weight), Pb (10 mg/kg body weight), and As + Pb via drinking water significantly decreased the time spent exploring the open arms while it increased the time spent in the closed arms compared to control mice in the elevated plus maze. The mean latency time of the control group to find the platform decreased significantly during the learning for 7 days compared to all three treated groups in the Morris water maze test, and the As-exposed group spent significantly less time in the desired quadrant as compared to the control group in the probe trial. Both metals posed an anxiety-like behavior and deficits in spatial memory and learning, and also altered blood indices related to liver and kidney dysfunction, and a combined exposure of these metals inhibited the individual accumulation of As and Pb. Taken together, these data suggest that As has more toxic effects on neurobehavioral and biochemical changes than Pb, and there may be antagonism in the effects and accumulation between these two toxicants.     

Water quality index,Labeo rohita,and Eichhornia crassipes: Suitable bio-indicators of river water pollution

The present study investigated the water quality index (WQI) of the Kshipra river at Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, India, using native fish Labeo rohita, and plant Eichhornia crassipes. The temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, turbidity, and dissolved solids were found to be within the prescribed limits. However, heavy metals concentration exceeded the limit except for Cu and Zn. Their occurrence in river water was as follows: Ni > Fe > Cd > Cr > Mn > Zn > Cu. Among these heavy metals, Cd was found to be highly bioavailable, whereas Zn was the least bioavailable metal. Based on WQI, the water was found to be unfit for drinking, and the high WQI value was due to the presence of Cr and Cd. In fish tissues (muscle, liver, gut, gills, and kidney), the highest and lowest metal pollution index was found in gills (45.03) and kidneys (12.21), respectively. Bioaccumulation of these metals resulted in significant depletion of energy reserves (protein, glucose, and glycogen) and also altered hematological parameters. Moreover, liver function tests showed hepatic damage in the exposed fish. In-plant, both the bioaccumulation and mobility factor exceeded 1 for all these metals. On the other hand, the translocation factor was found to be beyond 1 for Fe, Ni, and Zn. These high values make this plant fit for phytoextraction of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cd and phytostabilization of Cr in water. Moreover, consumption of L. rohita from the Kshipra River does not pose a non-cancer risk as the target hazard quotient was below 1, but it may pose cancer risk because of the presence of Cr in the range of 1.402 × 10^?3 to 1.599 × 10^?3.     

Effect of vitamin E and selenium on antioxidant enzymes in brain,kidney and liver of cigarette smoke-exposed mice

The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of vitamin E and selenium (Se) application on alteration of antioxidant enzyme activities against cigarette smoking induced oxidative damage in brains, kidneys and liver of mice. Male mice (balb/c) were exposed to cigarette smoke and treated with Se and/or vitamin E. Glutathione transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GRX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities in mice brain, kidney and liver were measured spectrophotometrically. GST, GPX, GRX, SOD and CAT enzyme activities in the brains of smoke-exposed mice were found lower than the enzymes activities of control mice and Se-and vitamin E-treated mice at the end of the three and five months. Opposite to brain, enzyme activities in kidneys and livers of smoke-exposed mice were found higher than the enzymes activities of control mice and Se-and vitamin E-treated mice at the end of the three and five months. Activities of GST, GPX, GRX SOD and CAT in the livers, kidneys and brains of smoke-exposed mice were found statistically different (p < 0.01) compared to control mice and Se-and vitamin E-treated mice. Combined application of vitamin E and Se had an additive protective effect against changing enzymes activities in smoke-exposed mice livers, kidneys and brains at the end of the both application periods. These results suggest that cigarette smoke exposure enhances the oxidative stress, thereby disturbing the tissue antioxidant defense system and combined application of vitamin E and Se protects the brain, kidney and liver from oxidative damage through their antioxidant potential.     

Arsenic and Heavy Metal Concentrations in Drinking Water in Pakistan and Risk Assessment: A Case Study

The present study was performed to assess drinking water quality and potential health risk in the Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. For this purpose drinking water samples were collected from local available sources and analyzed for physico-chemical characteristics, arsenic (As) and heavy metals. Results revealed high levels of toxic heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and As contaminations in the drinking water. Results were evaluated for chronic risk including average daily intake (ADI) and hazard quotient (HQ). Among heavy metals the HQ values were highest for Cd (5.80) and As (2.00). Therefore, populations in the study area may be at a low level of chronic toxicity and carcinogenic risk. Statistical analyses showed that contribution of different drinking water sources to the mean contaminant levels in the study area was insignificant (p =.53). Correlation analysis further revealed that anthropogenic activities were the main sources of contamination, rather than geogenic. This study strongly recommends the treatment of urban and industrial wastewater in the vicinity of the study area and provision of safe drinking water.     

Carcinogenic and Non-carcinogenic Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Groundwater Wells in Neyshabur Plain,Iran

The present work reports the As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Fe concentrations of drinking water samples in Neyshabur Plain, Iran. This study aimed also to ascertain the potential consumers’ health risk of heavy metal intake. Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The highest and lowest average values in the analyzed water samples were observed for Fe (9.78 ± 5.61 μg/L) and As (1.30 ± 2.99 μg/L), respectively. These values were well below the limits recommended by the World Health Organization and the Iranian national standard. Heavy metal pollution index and heavy metal evaluation index were used to evaluate drinking water quality. The risk index was calculated by chronic daily intake and hazard quotient according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency approach. Heavy metal pollution index in all the samples was less than 100, indicating that it is a low-level heavy metal. The total risk of all heavy metals in the urban environment varied from 40.164 × 10⁻⁷ to 174.8 × 10⁻⁷. In this research, the maximum average of risk belonged to lead and copper with the respective values of 60.10 × 10⁻⁷and 33.99 × 10⁻⁷ from the selected wells. However, considering the toxic effect of some elements, including Pb and As, in the chronic exposure of consumers, we suggest a continuous evaluation and monitoring of drinking water resources.

     

Vitamins A and E in liver,kidney, and whole blood of East Greenland polar bears sampled 1994–2008: reference values and temporal trends

Vitamins A (retinol) and E (α-tocopherol) are dietary vitamins, essential for, e.g., growth and development, reproduction, and immune function. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been found to be related to vitamin A and E metabolism. However, few investigations have been published on this health issue in polar bears (Ursus maritimus). The aim of this study was thus to provide reference values for concentrations of vitamin A in liver, kidney cortex, and whole blood and vitamin E in kidney cortex and whole blood from 166 East Greenland polar bears, as well as to assess the relationship between POPs and vitamin concentrations. In addition, vitamin concentrations were analyzed for temporal trends (1994–2008). Results showed vitamin A in liver to be higher in adult bears and the concentrations of vitamin E in kidney and blood to likewise be generally higher in adult bears. In addition, all analyzed contaminant groups were correlated with at least one of the vitamin parameters, predominantly in a negative way. Finally, vitamin A liver concentrations as well as concentration of vitamin E in kidney and blood showed a temporal increase. Together, these results add to the weight of evidence that POPs could be disrupting polar bear vitamin status. However, while the observed temporal increases in vitamin concentrations were likely POP related, the question remains as to whether they stem from influence of contaminants only or also, e.g., changes in prey species. Further studies are needed to tease apart the causes underlying these changes in vitamin concentrations.     

Apple Cider Vinegar Modulates Serum Lipid Profile,Erythrocyte, Kidney,and Liver Membrane Oxidative Stress in Ovariectomized Mice Fed High Cholesterol

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potentially beneficial effects of apple cider vinegar (ACV) supplementation on serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, liver and kidney membrane lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant levels in ovariectomized (OVX) mice fed high cholesterol. Four groups of ten female mice were treated as follows: Group I received no treatment and was used as control. Group II was OVX mice. Group III received ACV intragastrically (0.6 % of feed), and group IV was OVX and was treated with ACV as described for group III. The treatment was continued for 28 days, during which the mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet. The lipid peroxidation levels in erythrocyte, liver and kidney, triglycerides, total, and VLDL cholesterol levels in serum were higher in the OVX group than in groups III and IV. The levels of vitamin E in liver, the kidney and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and erythrocyte-reduced glutathione (GSH) were decreased in group II. The GSH-Px, vitamin C, E, and β-carotene, and the erythrocyte GSH and GSH-Px values were higher in kidney of groups III and IV, but in liver the vitamin E and β-carotene concentrations were decreased. In conclusion, ACV induced a protective effect against erythrocyte, kidney, and liver oxidative injury, and lowered the serum lipid levels in mice fed high cholesterol, suggesting that it possesses oxidative stress scavenging effects, inhibits lipid peroxidation, and increases the levels of antioxidant enzymes and vitamin.     

硅藻重金属污染生态学研究进展

硅藻是水生生态系统健康的指示生物之一,对环境变化极为敏感,某些典型硅藻已应用于指示水体重金属污染.本文围绕地表水重金属污染,从毒性效应、生物吸附和累积、生态适应机制及生物指示与生态修复作用等方面,综述了硅藻重金属污染生态学研究进展,阐述重金属污染下硅藻的生长趋势和硅壳形态的变化,硅藻对重金属生物吸附和生物累积的差别,硅藻对重金属的表面络合和离子交换等生态适应机制,以及硅藻对水体重金属污染的指示作用和生态修复作用,为水生生态系统的重金属污染防治与预警技术提供科学依据.     

Comparison of melatonin, vitamin E and L-carnitine in the treatment of neuro- and hepatotoxicity induced by thioacetamide

This study was designed to evaluate and compare the effect of melatonin, vitamin E and L-carnitine on brain and liver oxidative stress and liver damage. Oxidative stress and hepatic failure were produced by a single dose of thioacetamide (TAA) (150 mg kg(-1)) in Wistar rats. A dose of either melatonin (3 mg kg(-1)) vitamin E (20 mg kg(-1) ) or L-carnitine (100 mg kg(-1)) was used. Blood samples were taken from the neck vasculature in order to determine ammonium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and liver enzymes. Lipid peroxidation products, glutathione (GSH) content and antioxidative enzymes were determined in cerebral and hepatic homogenates. The results showed a decrease in BUN and in the antioxidant enzymes activities and GSH in the brain and liver. Likewise, TAA induced significant enhancement of lipid peroxidation products levels in both liver and brain, as well as in ammonia values. Melatonin, vitamin E and L-carnitine, although melatonin more significantly, decreased the intensity of the changes produced by the administration of TAA alone. Furthermore melatonin combined with TAA, decreased the ammonia levels and increased the BUN values compared with TAA animals. Also it was more effective than vitamin E or L-carnitine in these actions. These data show the protective effect of these agents, especially melatonin, against oxidative stress and hepatic damage present in fulminant hepatic failure.     

Total nitrogen and pH-controlled chemical speciation,bioavailability and ecological risk from Cd,Cr, Cu,Pb and Zn in the water level-fluctuating zone sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir

We investigated the distribution and chemical speciation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in the water level-fluctuating (WLF) zone of the main stream (MS) and tributaries (ZX and MX) of the Three Gorges Reservoir. We evaluated the ecological risk and pollution level from heavy metals based on the Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), Risk Assessment Code (RAC), and Ratio of Secondary Phase and Primary Phase (RSP). Our results indicated that the total and bio-available heavy metal contents were higher in the tributaries than in the MS. Moderate pollution from Cd and light pollution from Pb were observed both at the MS and ZX sites, whereas the MX site exhibited a pattern of heavy Cd pollution and light Cr and Pb pollution. In our study area, the results indicated that Cd exhibited a higher ecological risk than did the other heavy metals. Finally, the pH and nitrogen content of sediments may play a key role in controlling the amount of heavy metal bioavailability, further inducing a higher potential ecological risk.     

Protective effects of ascorbic acid, dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate, and sodium selenate on ethanol-induced liver damage of rats

In this study, the effect of a combination of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate), and selenium (sodium selenate) on ethanol-induced liver damage in rats was investigated, morphologically and biochemically. The ethanol-induced injury was produced by the administration of 1 mL of absolute ethanol to each rat. Animals received vitamin C (250 mg/kg), vitamin E (250 mg/kg), and selenium (0.5 mg/kg) (ViCESe) for 3 d 1 h prior to the administration of absolute ethanol. In the liver of the animals given ethanol, the degenerative changes such as extreme hyperemia, vacuolization in cells of portal areas, a dilation in sinusoids, mononuclear cell infiltration, a swelling in cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum and in mitochondrial cristae, an increase in smooth endoplasmic reticulum, many lipid vacuoles were observed both light and electron microscopically. A similar structure was usually distinguished when compared with control animals, in rats given ethanol + ViCESe. In this group, the findings indicating cellular damage were either not observed at all or were decreased. In the group administered ethanol, a reduction of the blood glutathione (GSH) level and increases in serum values of alanine aminotranserase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities were observed, whereas in the control group, the reverse was found to occur. On the other hand, in the group in which ethanol + ViCESe was administered, it was observed that the blood GSH value and serum ALP and ALT activities increased and serum AST, LDH, and GGT activities decreased. As a result, the present study indicates that ViCESe because of their antioxidant activity against ethanol damage have a protective effect on the liver.     

Circadian rhythms of folate and vitamin B12 concentration in relation to convulsive thresholds of mice

Circadian rhythms of folate and vitamin B₁₂ concentrations in the liver, brain and blood of Swiss mice have been determined. The relation of the changes in vitamin concentration to circadian rhythms in locomotor activity, drinking activity and convulsive thresholds (maximal electroshock seizure threshold) have been determined also. Both free folic acid (FFA) and total folic acid (TFA) of liver and blood showed minimum values at 21.00–24.00 h and maximum values at 06.00–09.00 h. Liver TFA declined at a steady rate from the peak value at 09.00 h whereas liver FFA and plasma folate maintained constant values from 09.00–18.00 h then declined rapidly. Brain folate (TFA and FFA) showed no rhythm. The concentrations of vitamin B₁₂ in plasma, liver and brain showed only minor fluctuations. Locomotor and drinking activities showed very similar rhythms with a sustained period of high activity between 12.00–21.00 h followed by a much shorter second period of high activity (23.00–03.00 h). Convulsive threshold declined during the first period of increased locomotor and drinking activities reaching a minimum value at 21.00 h thus just preceding the nadir in folate concentrations in liver and blood.     

长期重金属胁迫对农田土壤微生物生物量、活性和种群的影响

调查了沈阳张士灌区长期污水灌溉造成的原位农田土壤重金属污染状况,从土壤微生物生物量、微生物活性和微生物种群数量的角度评价了长期重金属污染对农田土壤生态系统的影响.结果表明,张士灌区土壤存在严重的Cd污染,土壤Cd含量达1.75～3.89 mg·kg ^-1,部分区域还伴有Cu、Zn复合污染.在目前污染程度下,土壤微生物生物量碳(C_mic)、微生物商(qM)、土壤脱氢酶活性以及自生固氮菌数量随土壤重金属含量增加呈下降趋势,代谢商(qCO₂)随土壤重金属含量增加显著升高,而底物诱导呼吸强度(SIR)、纤维素酶活性以及细菌、放线菌和真菌数量无明显变化.相关性分析表明,土壤Cd含量变化是影响微生物参数变化的主要因素,在微生物参数中微生物商和代谢商对重金属污染最敏感.     

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Channa punctatus (Bloch) in river Ramganga (U.P.), India

Ganga is the largest riverine system of India with a fragile ecosystem. Its prone to anthropogenic disturbances because of its cultural, economic and environmental values. The contamination of river Ganga by heavy metals (HM) is due to biotic (anthropogenic sources) and abiotic (pesticides, fertilizers) sources that poses a devastating health hazard to human, plant and edible fish life. The chemical analysis with the help of atomic absorption spectrometer performed on its water samples demonstrated the accumulation of heavy metals such as Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn). Moreover, the spectrophotometric analysis indicated clearly the accumulation of heavy metals in order of occurrence (Fe > As > Cd > Zn > Pb) in liver and (Zn > Fe > As > Cd > Pb) in kidney of edible fish Channa punctatus. The present study has be used to sensitively monitor the extent of heavy metals pollution in the biotic aqua life of river Ramganga system and its suggested that the bioaccumulation of heavy metal in Channa punctatus has reached above permissible limits for human consumption, indicating potential health risks. Necessary biological steps should be taken to handle such food pollution and prevent the environmental risk and food chain disruption.     

Liver-protective effect of tocopherol acetate and selenium-containing preparations in tetracycline antibiotic lesions of the liver

It was shown on 99 male albino rats that vitamin E, sodium selenite and Astragalus. L. infusion used separately lowered the toxic effect of tetracycline on the liver, while the use of vitamin E in combination with sodium selenite or Astragalus L. infusion prevented such an effect of the antibiotic. This was evident from the decreased levels of lipid peroxidation products, i.e. diene conjugates and malonic dialdehyde in the blood and liver, and a simultaneous increase in the ratio of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups in these biosubstrates. Parallelism of the changes in these indices of the blood and liver was observed. It is suggested that lipid peroxidation plays an important part in the pathogenesis of liver affection with tetracyclines. The combined use of vitamin E and selenium-containing drugs is considered advisable for the prophylaxis and treatment of such affections.