Cadmium accumulation and tolerance of Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia fauriei (Lythraceae) seedlings for phytoremediation applications

Contamination by heavy metals is one of the most serious environmental problems generated from human activities. Because phytoremediation utilizes plants to uptake contaminants, it could potentially be used to remediate metal-contaminated areas. A pot culture experiment with four levels of cadmium (Cd) (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg of Cd/kg dry soil) was conducted to investigate Cd accumulation and tolerance of roots, shoots, and leaves of Lagerstroemia indica and Lagerstroemia fauriei as well as their potential for phytoremediation. Experimental results indicated that Cd inhibited seedling growth only at the higher Cd exposure concentration (40 and 80 mg/kg). The tolerance index revealed that on average L. indica is more tolerant of Cd than L. fauriei. Moreover, plants in the experiment accumulated Cd differentially. In comparisons between L. indica and L. fauriei, the leaves of the former had higher concentrations of Cd, while the roots of latter had higher concentrations of Cd. Furthermore, the roots, shoots, and leaves had very high bioaccumulation factors that markedly exceeded 1.0 (exceptional only in shoots of 80 mg/kg for L. fauriei), indicating that the seedlings extracted Cd from the soil. The leaves' translocation factor of L. indica was greater than 1.0, being significantly higher than that of L. fauriei. Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b and total declined in both species significantly as Cd concentrations exceeded 40 mg/kg in the soil. In contrast, lipid peroxidation and proline content was found to increase with increasing Cd concentration. From the assessments of biomass production, Cd tolerance and uptake L. indica and L. fauriei could stand as excellent species for remediating Cd-contaminated soils.     

Cd Hyperaccumulative Characteristics of Australia Ecotype Solanum Nigrum L. and Its Implication in Screening Hyperaccumulator

A pot culture experiment was used to determine the differences in uptake characteristics of a cadmium hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. discovered in China, an ecotype from Melbourne, Australia and a non-hyperaccumulator Solanum melogena. Australian ecotype was not significantly different to the China ecotype. In particular, Cd concentration in leaves and shoots of S. nigrum collected from Australia were 166.0 and 146.3 mg kg^?1 respectively when 20 mg kg^?1 Cd spiked, and were not significantly different to the ecotype imported from China which had 109.8 and 85.3 mg kg^?1 respectively, in the stems and leaves. In contrast, the tolerance of the eggplant to Cd was significantly less than the two S. nigrum ecotypes. Although some morphological properties of S. nigrum collected from Australia were different from that of the plants collected from China, Cd hyperaccumulator characteristics of two ecotypes were similar. The results suggested that the tolerance and uptake of Cd may be a constitutive trait of this species.     

Metal phytoremediation potential of naturally growing plants on fly ash dumpsite of Patratu thermal power station,Jharkhand, India

Three naturally growing plants Ipomoea carnea, Lantana camara, and Solanum surattense were found in fly ash dumpsite of Patratu thermal power station, Jharkhand, India. They were assessed for their metal uptake potential. The fly ash was slightly alkaline with very less nitrogen and organic carbon but enriched with phosphorus and heavy metals. Lantana camara and Ipomoea carnea showed good translocation from root to shoot for most of the metals except Mn and Pb. The order of metal accumulation in stem of both the plants were Fe(205mg/kg)>Mn(65mg/kg)>Cu(22.35mg/kg)>Pb(6.6mg/kg)>Cr(3.05mg/kg)>Ni(1 mg/kg)>Cd(0.5 mg/kg) and Fe(741 mg/kg)>Mn(154.05 mg/kg)>Cu(20.75 mg/kg)>Pb(6.75 mg/kg)>Ni(4.0 mg/kg)>Cr(3.3mg/kg)>Cd(0.05mg/kg), respectively. But Solanum surattense accumulated most of the metals in roots. The order was in the following order, Mn (382.2mg/kg) >Fe (264.1mg/kg) > Cu (25.35mg/kg) >Pb (5.95 mg/kg) > Ni (1.9 mg/kg) > Cr (1.8mg/kg) > Cd (0.55 mg/kg). The order of Bioconcentration factor (BCF) in root and shoot followed almost the same order as, Mn>Fe>Ni>Pb>Cu>Cr≈ Cd in all the three species. ANOVA showed significant variation in metal accumulation by root and stem between the species. Finally, it can be concluded that Solanum surattense can be used as phytostabilizer and other two species as phytoextractor of metal for fly ash dumpsite reclamation.     

Cadmium phytoextraction from loam soil in tropical southern China by Sorghum bicolor

The cadmium (Cd) uptake characteristics by Sorghum bicolor cv. Nengsi 2# and Cowley from the acidic sandy loam soil (pH = 6.1) during the entire growth period (100 days) were investigated in pot outdoors in a tropical district of southern China, Hainan Island. The Cd-spiked levels in soil were set as 3 and 15 mg/kg. Correspondingly, the available Cd levels in soil extracted by Mehlich III solution were 2.71 and 9.41 mg/kg, respectively. Basically, two varieties in a full growth period (100 days) did not show a significant difference in their growth and Cd uptake. Under high Cd stress, the plant growth was inhibited and its biomass weight and height decreased by 38.7–51.5% and 27.6–28.5%, respectively. However, S. bicolor showed higher bioaccumulation capability of Cd from soil to plant [bioconcentration factor (BCF)>4], and higher transfer capability of Cd from roots to shoots [translocation factor (TF)>1] under high Cd stress; Cd contents in the roots, stems, and leaves of S. bicolor reached 43.79–46.07, 63.28–70.60, and 63.10–66.06 mg/kg, respectively. S. bicolor exhibited the potential phytoextraction capability for low or moderate Cd-contamination in acidic sandy loam soil.     

Growth and nutrients accumulation potentials of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) in different habitats in Egypt

Arundo donax L. has a high biomass production and a tendency toward community dominance in many habitats and thereby a tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions. Therefore, the present study investigated the potentiality of A. donax to accumulate nutrients and trace metals in its biomass. Six main habitats (Nile Bank, Drain Bank, Canal Bank, Field Edges, Railways and Roadsides) were recognized. At each habitat, six quadrats (each 1 m²), distributed equally in two sites, were selected for growth measurements (e.g., density, shoot height, diameter, leaf area and biomass), plant and soil analyses. Plants from Nile, Canal and Drain Banks had the highest values of most growth measurements, while those from Railways and Roadsides had the lowest. Canal Bank plants accumulated the highest concentrations of P, Cu and Pb in their leaves; Zn in the stem; and Mg, Cd and Fe in the rhizome. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) of A. donax, for Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn, was greater than 1, while the translocation factor (TF) of most trace metals was less than unity in most habitats. In conclusion, A. donax showed morphological plasticity in response to habitat heterogeneity, and its growth was most vigorous in the riparian habitats. The high BF, as well as the significant positive correlations between trace metals, especially Cd, in soil and plant, renders A. donax a powerful phytoremediator.     

A Study on Cadmium Phytoremediation Potential of Indian Mustard,Brassica juncea

The objective of this study was to investigate Cd phytoremediation ability of Indian mustard, Brassica juncea. The study was conducted with 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg Kg^?1 CdCl₂ in laboratory for 21 days and Cd concentrations in the root, shoot and leaf tissues were estimated by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The plant showed high Cd tolerance of up to 400 mg Kg^?1 but there was a general trend of decline in the root and shoot length, tissue biomass, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. The tolerance index (TI) of plants were calculated taking both root and shoot lengths as variables. The maximum tolerance (TI _shoot = 87.4 % and TI _root = 89.6 %) to Cd toxicity was observed at 25 mg Kg^?1, which progressively decreased with increase in dose. The highest shoot (10791 μg g^?1 dry wt) and root (9602 μg g^?1 dry wt) Cd accumulation was achieved at 200 mg kg^?1 Cd treatment and the maximum leaf Cd accumulation was 10071.6 μg g^?1 dry wt achieved at 100 mg Kg^?1 Cd, after 21 days of treatment. The enrichment coefficient and root to shoot translocation factor were calculated, which, pointed towards the suitability of Indian mustard for removing Cd from soil.     

Flow of toxic metals in food-web components of tropical mangrove ecosystem,Southern India

The concentration of heavy metals in water, sediment, and various food-web components like plankton, shrimp, bivalve, and fishes were collected from Muthupet mangrove ecosystem. Heavy metal concentration in water samples was relatively lesser than the biological and sediment samples. Among the heavy metals studied, zinc showed highest concentration ranged from 1.81 to 81.5 mg/kg or mg/L, whereas Cd (0–26.06 mg/kg or mg/L) was found to be lesser in all the samples except a few organisms viz. Anadara sp. (26.06 mg/kg), Coilia sp. (10.09 mg/kg), Anguila sp. (9.14 mg/kg), and Tachysurus maculates (6.95 mg/kg) observed during this study. Pb and Cu were ranged from 10.29 to 14.99 mg/kg and 0.59 to 16.06 mg/kg, respectively. The reported values of heavy metals were several folds higher than permissible levels of international regulatory agencies like WHO, FAO, and USEPA. The order of accumulation of heavy metals in biological samples are as follows: Pb > Cu > Zn > Cd. All the biota showed a higher degree of bioconcentration factor for Zn, in the range of 3.90–34.39. Principal component analysis concluded that Muthupet was contaminated by lithogenic as well as anthropogenic activities.Therefore, field observation and sample analysis clearly indicated that sampling sites were polluted with both point and nonpoint source of pollution.     

Cadmium Removal Potential from Contaminated Soil by Tagetes erecta L. and Panicum maximum: Influence of Soil pH

The potential for cadmium (Cd) removal from contaminated soil by two species—marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum)—was investigated in pot culture experiments in a greenhouse in triplicate. The concentration of Cd was varied from 50 to 200 mg kg^?1 and the pH was varied from 5.0 to 7.5 to investigate the effect of pH on Cd uptake. The results showed that total biomass of Guinea grass was around nine and seven times higher than that of marigold for Cd treatments of 50 and 100 mg kg^?1 at pH 5.0, respectively. Total cadmium uptake at Cd treatments of 50 and 100 mg kg^?1 at pH 5.0 by Guinea grass was 19.28 ± 3.14 and 36.06 ± 4.28 mg kg^?1, respectively, and for marigold was 15.66 ± 4.17 and 20.38 ± 3.24 mg kg^?1, respectively. The total Cd uptake by Guinea grass was 1.23 and 1.77 higher than that of marigold at Cd treatments of 50 and 100 mg kg^?1, respectively, at pH 5.0 due to higher biomass. The maximum Cd uptake by marigold and Guinea grass occurred at pH 5.0 at Cd treatment of 100 mg kg^?1. The results clearly show that the two species behave very differently for Cd uptake. Guinea grass is easy to grow, drought tolerant and, due to its higher biomass, it can be used for remediation of Cd-contaminated soil.     

A two-year field study of phytoremediation using Solanum nigrum L. in China

A two-year in-situ phytoremediation trial was launched in Shenyang Zhangshi (Sewage) Irrigation Area (SZIA). The phytoremediation efficiency of Solanum nigrum L. was determined, by both monitoring the change of soil Cadmium level in the upper 20 cm of soil, and calculating the plant uptake of soil Cd. After two years experimental, by monitoring the soil Cd concentrations, The Cd concentrations decreased on average from 2.75 mg kg^?1to 2.45 mg kg^?1 in the first year and from 2.33 mg kg^?1 to 1.53 mg kg^?1 in the second year, amounting to a decrease by a factor of 10.6% in the first year and 12% in the second year. After two years phytoremediation by S. nigrum, Cd concentrations of the seven experimental plots with S. nigrum growth decreased from 2.75 mg kg^?1 to 1.53 mg kg^?1, a decrease by a factor of 24.9%. And the soil Cd concentration decreased only 2.1% and 1.7% in the bared experimental plot. And the calculating of Cd uptake by S. nigrum shown that, the plants uptake 4.46% and 5.18% of the total soil Cd in 2008 and 2009, while the soil Cd concentrations decreased by a factor of 10.6% in 2008 and 12.1% in 2009.     

Cadmium Sorption Characteristics of Soil Amendments and its Relationship with the Cadmium Uptake by Hyperaccumulator and Normal Plants in Amended Soils

In order to select appropriate amendments for cropping hyperaccumulator or normal plants on contaminated soils and establish the relationship between Cd sorption characteristics of soil amendments and their capacity to reduce Cd uptake by plants, batch sorption experiments with 11 different clay minerals and organic materials and a pot experiment with the same amendments were carried out. The pot experiment was conducted with Sedum alfredii and maize (Zea mays) in a co-cropping system. The results showed that the highest sorption amount was by montmorillonite at 40.82 mg/g, while mica was the lowest at only 1.83 mg/g. There was a significant negative correlation between the n value of Freundlich equation and Cd uptake by plants, and between the logarithm of the stability constant K of the Langmuir equation and plant uptake. Humic acids (HAs) and mushroom manure increased Cd uptake by S. alfredii, but not maize, thus they are suitable as soil amendments for the co-cropping S. alfredii and maize. The stability constant K in these cases was 0.14–0.16 L/mg and n values were 1.51–2.19. The alkaline zeolite and mica had the best fixation abilities and significantly decreased Cd uptake by the both plants, with K ≥ 1.49 L/mg and n ≥ 3.59.     

CADMIUM ACCUMULATION IN THE ROOTLESS MACROPHYTE WOLFFIA GLOBOSA AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR PHYTOREMEDIATION

Cadmium (Cd) pollution around the world is a serious issue demanding acceptable solutions, one of which is phytoremediation that is both cost-effective and eco-friendly. Removal of Cd from contaminated water using plants with high growth rates and sufficient Cd accumulation abilities could be an appropriate choice. Here, we investigated a potential Cd accumulator, Wolffia, a rootless duckweed with high growth rate. Cd uptake, accumulation, tolerance, and phytofiltration ability by Wolffia globosa were examined. Furthermore, the effects of arsenic (As) on Cd uptake and phytofiltration by W. globosa were also studied. Cd uptake kinetics showed a linear pattern and a hyperbolic pattern without a plateau in lower (0–2 μM) and higher (0–200 μM) Cd concentration ranges, respectively, suggesting rapid Cd uptake by W. globosa. Cd accumulation ability by W. globosa was higher at Cd concentrations < 10 μM than at >10 μM. All the five species of Wolffia exposed to 1 μM Cd for 5 days accumulated > 500 mg Cd kg^?1 DW. Ten gram fresh W. globosa could diminish almost all the Cd (2 μM) in a 200 mL solution. This enormous accumulation ability was mostly due to passive adsorption of Cd by the apoplast. Arsenic had no significant effect on Cd uptake and phytofiltration. The fresh fronds also showed a great As extracting ability. The results indicated that Wolffia is a strong Cd accumulator and has great Cd phytoremediation potential. Therefore, this plant can be used in fresh aquatic environments co-contaminated by low-levels of Cd and As.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of International Journal of Phytoremediation to view the supplemental file.     

珊瑚树（Viburnum odoratissinum）对污染土壤中镉的耐受和富集特征

通过温室盆栽试验,研究珊瑚树对土壤中镉(Cd)的耐受和富集特征。研究结果表明,珊瑚树对污染土壤中Cd具有较强的耐受能力。培养56 d内,土壤中Cd含量对珊瑚树生物量影响不明显;随着培养时间的延长(105—203 d),珊瑚树的生长明显受到土壤中Cd的抑制作用。与对照处理(土壤中Cd含量为3.6 mg/kg)相比,培养154 d后,土壤中Cd含量为24.6 mg/kg处理下珊瑚树叶片中叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素和丙二醛(MDA)含量没有明显变化;培养203 d后,土壤中Cd含量为24.6mg/kg处理下珊瑚树叶片中类胡萝卜素和MDA含量无明显变化,但叶片中叶绿素a和叶绿素b含量明显受到抑制,从而导致珊瑚树叶片的生长明显受到抑制(P0.05)。培养203 d后,珊瑚树对土壤中Cd的富集系数和转运系数均大于1,表明珊瑚树对土壤中Cd具有一定的富集和转运能力。上述结果表明,珊瑚树对Cd污染土壤具有一定的生态修复潜力。     

Efficiency of Rumex dentatus L. Leaves Extract for Enhancing Phytoremediation of Plantago major L. in Soil Contaminated by Carbosulfan

Carbosulfan and carbofuran induce water pollution and health issues. Such issues may be solved by phytoremediation. Here we tested the potential of adding Rumex dentatus L. leaves extract to Plantago major L. for enhancing phytoremediation of carbosulfan-contaminated soil. The phytoremediation efficiency of P. major L. amended with R. dentatus L. leaves extract was significantly greater than that of P. major only and R. dentatus with respect to the removal of carbosulfan from contaminated soil. The contribution of R. dentatus leaves extract to the degradation of carbosulfan in the soil were 20.95%, 18.85%, 5.2% and 1.85% after 2, 4, 8 and 16 days of treatments, respectively. The presence of P. major amended with R. dentatus leaves extract showed significant effect on uptake of carbosulfan into roots at 2 and 4 days, the uptake ratio was about 2.39 and 1.31 times higher compared to P. major alone, respectively. Carbofuran appeared in the P. major roots amended with R. dentatus leaves extract within 2 days of treatment (5.49 mg/kg) and reached the maximum over 8 days (10.19 mg/kg), while carbofuran appeared in the P. major over 4 days of treatment (4.09 mg/kg) and reached the maximum (6.92 mg/kg) over 8 days of exposure. Carbosulfan taken up into P. major leaves reached 4.36 mg/kg over 4 days, while it reached 2.75 mg/kg in P. major leaves amended with R. dentatus leaves extract over the same time. Carbofuran translocated into the P. major leaves amended with R. dentatus leaves extract and reached the maximum over 16 days of exposure (10.43 mg/kg), followed by P. major (9.47 mg/kg) and R. dentatus leaves (9.5 mg/kg), respectively. This study indicates that R. dentatus leaves extract can improve the efficiency of phytoremediation of carbosulfan.     

Effects of exogenous NO supplied with different approaches on cadmium toxicity in lettuce seedlings

The study aimed to test the effects of sodium nitroprusside [SNP, a nitric oxide (NO) donor], supplied with different approaches on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in lettuce seedlings (Lactuca sativa) in a pot experiment. SNP (8.94 mg) was applied into Cd-contaminated soil directly or added into a capsule, a paper bag, starch-coated granules, or foliar application. Cd (50 mg kg^? 1) reduced chlorophyll content, caused oxidative stress, increased Cd accumulation in roots and leaves, and inhibited the uptake of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe). The addition of exogenous NO in Cd-contaminated soil increased chlorophyll content, improved antioxidant enzyme activities, promoted the uptake of Ca, Mg, and Fe, reduced Cd-induced oxidative damages, and inhibited Cd transferred from roots to shoots. Moreover, SNP supplied with different approaches had varied effects on Cd tolerance of lettuce seedlings. The alleviated effect of SNP applied into soil directly was the worst, and the three SNP slow release materials had better alleviation effects on Cd toxicity. Foliar SNP application had the best effects on increasing Cd tolerance in lettuce seedlings.     

一种新发现的镉超积累植物--钻叶紫菀(Aster subulatus Michx.)

通过野外调查和温室营养液砂培试验,发现并鉴定出钻叶紫菀（Aster subulatus Michx.）是一种新的镉（Cd）超积累植物。调查结果发现,钻叶紫菀对土壤中高含量的Cd有很强的忍耐、吸收和积累能力,其地上部茎、叶Cd含量分别为90.0-150.7mg/kg和119.8-172.6mg/kg,平均值分别为132.8mg/kg和139.2mg/kg。砂基营养液培养试验证明,钻叶紫菀对生长介质中的Cd有很强的忍耐能力,当生长介质中Cd浓度高达150mg/L时,植株仍生长正常,其株高与对照相比无显著差异;地上部Cd含量及其积累量均随生长介质中Cd浓度的增加而增加,当生长介质中Cd浓度为120mg/L时,地上部茎Cd含量和积累量达到最高值,分别为5672.50mg/kg、4.93mg/株。结果表明,钻叶紫菀是一种新的Cd超积累植物,为今后探明植物超积累Cd的机理和Cd污染土壤的植物修复提供一种新的种质资源。     

Enhanced Phytoextraction by As Hyperaccumulator Isatis cappadocica Spiked with Sodium Nitroprusside

The present study investigates the possible role of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) supplementation as sodium nitroprusside (SNP), on increasing phytoextraction and phytoremediation ability of arsenic hyperaccumulator, Isatis cappadocica. Arsenate (500, 1000 and 1500 µM) alone or in combination with 200 µM SNP was given to hydroponically grown plants for 14 days. The highest level of arsenate (1500 µM) reduced the plant growth and chlorophyll content, while SNP alleviated these inhibitory effects. The application of SNP significantly increased the As concentration in the root (from 1004 to 1943 mg/kg) and shoots (from 1304 to 1859 mg/kg) compared with As-stressed plants. However, SNP treatment did not affect translocation factor value significantly in the As-stressed plants which shows enhancement of both As uptake and translocation under SNP application. This is the first study demonstrating the favorable effects of SNP on As tolerance, uptake, and accumulation of highly valuable As hyperaccumulator, I. cappadocica.     

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi On Yield and Phytoremediation Performance of Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) Under Heavy Metals Stress

In order to study the effect of mycorrhizal fungi (inoculated and non-inoculated) and heavy metals stress [0, Pb (150 and 300 mg/kg) and Cd (40 and 80 mg/kg)] on pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), a factorial experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with 4 replications in Research Greenhouse of Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Tehran, Iran, during 2012–2013. Plant height, herbal and flower fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight and root volume, colonization percentage, total petal extract, total petal flavonoids, root and shoot P and K uptakes, and Pb and Cd accumulations in root and shoot were measured. Results indicated that with increasing soil Pb and Cd concentration, growth and yield of pot marigold was reduced significantly; Cd had greater negative impacts than Pb. However, mycorrhizal fungi alleviated these impacts by improving plant growth and yield. Pot marigold concentrated high amounts of Pb and especially Cd in its roots and shoots; mycorrhizal plants had a greater accumulation of these metals, so that those under 80 mg/kg Cd soil^?1 accumulated 833.3 and 1585.8 mg Cd in their shoots and roots, respectively. In conclusion, mycorrhizal fungi can improve not only growth and yield of pot marigold in heavy metal stressed condition, but also phytoremediation performance by increasing heavy metals accumulation in the plant organs.     

Phytoremediation applications in natural condition and in mesocosm: The uptake of cadmium by Lemna minuta Kunth,a non-native species in Italian watercourses

Metal pollution in water and soil is an environmental and public health issue. Cadmium (Cd) is included in the list of priority hazardous substances in the European Water Framework Directive. Phytoremediation system is a cost-effective, plant-based approach that takes advantage of the ability of plants to concentrate elements and compounds from the environment and to metabolize various molecules in their tissues. We studied the presence and the importance of an invasive species, such as Lemna minuta, in the environment and the effects of Cd pollution on this species. Growth, removal, and tolerance were evaluated for different Cd concentrations and different times of plant exposure. Overall, the results show that L. minuta has a good capacity of growth, metal bioconcentration, and tolerance up to 3 days of exposure at 0.5 and 1.5 mg L^?1 of Cd. In particular, L. minuta was able to accumulate Cd up to 3771 mg kg^?1 on dry mass basis. We can conclude that L. minuta possesses a great capability of Cd absorption and accumulation, thus supporting a potential use of this species in designing a metal bioremediation system in phytoremediation field.     

The Effect of Selenium on the Cd-Induced Apoptosis via NO-Mediated Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway in Chicken Liver

Cd-induced apoptosis and the protective effects of Se against Cd-induced injury have been reported in previous studies. However, little is known regarding the effects of Cd-induced apoptosis in hepatic cells and the antagonistic effects of Se on Cd in poultry. In the present study, 128 healthy 31-week-old laying hens were randomly divided into four groups, which were fed basic diets, with the addition of Se (Na₂SeO₃, 2 mg/kg), Cd (CdCl₂, 150 mg/kg), or Se + Cd (150 mg/kg of CdCl₂ and 2 mg/kg of Na₂SeO₃) for 90 days. Ultrastructural changes, nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities, results of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay of apoptosis, and the expression of iNOS and apoptosis-related genes in livers were determined. It was observed that Cd treatment significantly increased the concentrations of NO and iNOS activity in chicken livers. The production of excessive NO initiated the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Exposure to Cd increased the mRNA and the protein expression levels of iNOS, caspase-3, Bax, p53, and Cyt-c. Furthermore, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 decreased. Treatment with Se significantly alleviated Cd-induced apoptosis in chicken livers, as evidenced by a reduction in the production of NO, iNOS activity, the number of apoptotic cells, and mRNA and protein expression levels of iNOS, caspase-3, Bax, and Cyt-c. It indicated that Cd induced NO-mediated apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and Se exerted antagonizing effects. The present study provides new insights as to how Se affects Cd-induced toxicity in the chicken liver.     

Neuroprotective effect of quercetin in ectoenzymes and acetylcholinesterase activities in cerebral cortex synaptosomes of cadmium-exposed rats

This study investigated the effect of quercetin on nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase), 5′-nucleotidase, adenosine deaminase (ADA), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in synaptosomes from cerebral cortex of adult rats exposed to cadmium (Cd). Rats were exposed to Cd (2.5 mg/Kg) and quercetin (5, 25 or 50 mg/Kg) by gavage for 45 days. Rats were randomly divided into eight groups (n = 8–10): saline/ethanol, saline/Querc 5 mg/kg, saline/Querc 25 mg/kg, saline/Querc 50 mg/kg, Cd/ethanol, Cd/Querc 5 mg/kg, Cd/Querc 25 mg/kg, and Cd/Querc 50 mg/kg. Results demonstrated that AChE activity increased in the Cd/ethanol group when compared to saline/ethanol group. Treatment with quercetin prevented the increase in AChE activity when compared to Cd/ethanol group. Quercetin treatment prevented the cadmium-induced increase in NTPDase, 5-nucleotidase, and ADA activities in Cd/ethanol group when compared to saline/ethanol group. Our data showed that quercetin have a protector effect against Cd intoxication. This way, is a promising candidate among the flavonoids to be investigated as a therapeutic agent to attenuate neurological disorders associated with Cd intoxication.