The present study was performed in order to discern the effects of combined exposure to cadmium and mercury on liver function and histopathological alterations in male adult Wistar rats. In the present investigation, ...The present study was performed in order to discern the effects of combined exposure to cadmium and mercury on liver function and histopathological alterations in male adult Wistar rats. In the present investigation, cadmium (100 mg/l) and mercury (25 mg/l) were administered orally for 10 weeks separately or in combination. The rational for studying cadmium and mercury is that both of these metals are encountered frequently in the same contaminated areas. In liver, the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate amino tranferase (AST) increased significantly in the cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) alone or in combination (Cd + Hg) compared to the control suggesting that both cadmium and mercury cause hepatotoxicity spatially when co-administrated. We noted an increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in Cd and combined Cd + Hg treated groups while it decreased in Hg treated group. There was no statistically significant change in the level of total bilirubilin. Serum urea concentration showed a significant increase in the Cd and Hg groups compared to the control group. However an increase in serum creatinine concentration was noted only in the combined treated rats showing that renal insufficiency is more serious in the co-exposed group. Light microscopic examination indicated severe histological changes in the two organs under Cd and mercury influence. Results of the present investigation clearly showed that mercury has profound effects of hepatic handling of cadmium (synergistic effect) as shown by histological and biochemical results. Moreover, we observed a antagonist effect between these two toxic metals on kidney markers such as urea.展开更多
Pomological characterization and biochemical study were conducted on five pomegranate fruits cultivars. Results show statistically significant difference between varieties. Indeed, pomegranate seeds play a key role in...Pomological characterization and biochemical study were conducted on five pomegranate fruits cultivars. Results show statistically significant difference between varieties. Indeed, pomegranate seeds play a key role in determining the pomological quality of the fruit. Interestingly, Kalai ranks first with 256.06 g of the mass of fresh seeds which has 73% of the Total fresh weight (TFW). Besides, the mass of fresh seeds and TFW showed a significant negative correlation with the percentage of fresh peel (r = -0.987 and r = -0.930, respectively, p ). Parallelly, two major sugars were detected in seeds: glucose, fructose followed by arabinose. Meanwhile, malic and citric acids are both main organic acids accumulated in pomegranate seeds. By determining the acidity index “AI”, citric acid was found to be the most predominant organic acid in sour pomegranate varieties like Kalai and Garsi. Though, Tounsi and Zahri variety are the sweetest, thus, having least amounts of citric acid and highest AI levels.展开更多
Amyloid peptide, the main component of senile plaques, is a major biological characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of the present study conducted on human neuronal SK-N-BE cells was to evaluate whether ...Amyloid peptide, the main component of senile plaques, is a major biological characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of the present study conducted on human neuronal SK-N-BE cells was to evaluate whether oligomerized Aβ1-40-induced cell damages was associated with lipid modifications. Under treatment with Aβ1-40 (10 - 100 μM;24 - 48 h), cell viability was recorded with the MTT test and by measuring LDH activity. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential and ATP production were assessed using flow cytometry and a luciferase-based ATP bioluminescence assay, respectively. Annexin V-CF647 staining assay for cell apoptosis detection was performed using flow cytometry. Potentially intracellular cytotoxic lipids (oxysterols: 7α-hydroxycholesterol (7α-OHC), 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7β-OHC), and 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol;arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6);VLCFAs (C22:0, C24:0, C24:6 and C26:0)) were measured using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The cellular level of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3), often altered in AD, was also quantified. In the presence of Aβ1-40, the percentage of MTT-positive cells decreased and was associated with an increase in LDH activity. In addition, treatment with oligomerized Aβ1-40 induced a decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane potential as well as an apoptotic cell death. Sterol analysis revealed a higher cholesterol level and a significant increase of cytotoxic oxysterols per cell (7KC + 7β-OHC), and of the [(7β-OHC + 7KC)/cholesterol] ratio, considered as a lipid peroxidation index, in Aβ1-40-treated cells. An enhancement of C20:4 n-6, C22:6 n-3 and saturated VLCFAs was also observed. Therefore, Aβ1-40-induced side effects are associated with intracellular accumulation of lipids, especially cholesterol, oxysterols (7β-OHC, 7KC), C20:4 n-6, and saturated VLCFAs, which could in turn contribute to neurotoxicity.展开更多
The treatment of microglial BV-2 cells with sodium arsenate（As（V）：0.1-400 μmol/L — 48 hr）induces a dose-dependent response.The neurotoxic effects of high concentrations of As（V）（100,200 and 400 μmol/L） are...The treatment of microglial BV-2 cells with sodium arsenate（As（V）：0.1-400 μmol/L — 48 hr）induces a dose-dependent response.The neurotoxic effects of high concentrations of As（V）（100,200 and 400 μmol/L） are characterized by increased levels of mitochondrial complexesⅠ,Ⅱ,and Ⅳ followed by increased superoxide anion generation.Moreover,As（V） triggers an apoptotic mode of cell death,demonstrated by an apoptotic SubG1 peak,associated with an alteration of plasma membrane integrity.There is also a decrease in transmembrane mitochondrial potential and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate ATP.It is therefore tempting to speculate that As（V） triggers mitochondrial dysfunction,which may lead to defective oxidative phosphorylation subsequently causing mitochondrial oxidative damage,which in turn induces an apoptotic mode of cell death.展开更多
文摘The present study was performed in order to discern the effects of combined exposure to cadmium and mercury on liver function and histopathological alterations in male adult Wistar rats. In the present investigation, cadmium (100 mg/l) and mercury (25 mg/l) were administered orally for 10 weeks separately or in combination. The rational for studying cadmium and mercury is that both of these metals are encountered frequently in the same contaminated areas. In liver, the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate amino tranferase (AST) increased significantly in the cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) alone or in combination (Cd + Hg) compared to the control suggesting that both cadmium and mercury cause hepatotoxicity spatially when co-administrated. We noted an increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in Cd and combined Cd + Hg treated groups while it decreased in Hg treated group. There was no statistically significant change in the level of total bilirubilin. Serum urea concentration showed a significant increase in the Cd and Hg groups compared to the control group. However an increase in serum creatinine concentration was noted only in the combined treated rats showing that renal insufficiency is more serious in the co-exposed group. Light microscopic examination indicated severe histological changes in the two organs under Cd and mercury influence. Results of the present investigation clearly showed that mercury has profound effects of hepatic handling of cadmium (synergistic effect) as shown by histological and biochemical results. Moreover, we observed a antagonist effect between these two toxic metals on kidney markers such as urea.
文摘Pomological characterization and biochemical study were conducted on five pomegranate fruits cultivars. Results show statistically significant difference between varieties. Indeed, pomegranate seeds play a key role in determining the pomological quality of the fruit. Interestingly, Kalai ranks first with 256.06 g of the mass of fresh seeds which has 73% of the Total fresh weight (TFW). Besides, the mass of fresh seeds and TFW showed a significant negative correlation with the percentage of fresh peel (r = -0.987 and r = -0.930, respectively, p ). Parallelly, two major sugars were detected in seeds: glucose, fructose followed by arabinose. Meanwhile, malic and citric acids are both main organic acids accumulated in pomegranate seeds. By determining the acidity index “AI”, citric acid was found to be the most predominant organic acid in sour pomegranate varieties like Kalai and Garsi. Though, Tounsi and Zahri variety are the sweetest, thus, having least amounts of citric acid and highest AI levels.
文摘Amyloid peptide, the main component of senile plaques, is a major biological characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of the present study conducted on human neuronal SK-N-BE cells was to evaluate whether oligomerized Aβ1-40-induced cell damages was associated with lipid modifications. Under treatment with Aβ1-40 (10 - 100 μM;24 - 48 h), cell viability was recorded with the MTT test and by measuring LDH activity. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential and ATP production were assessed using flow cytometry and a luciferase-based ATP bioluminescence assay, respectively. Annexin V-CF647 staining assay for cell apoptosis detection was performed using flow cytometry. Potentially intracellular cytotoxic lipids (oxysterols: 7α-hydroxycholesterol (7α-OHC), 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7β-OHC), and 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol;arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6);VLCFAs (C22:0, C24:0, C24:6 and C26:0)) were measured using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The cellular level of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3), often altered in AD, was also quantified. In the presence of Aβ1-40, the percentage of MTT-positive cells decreased and was associated with an increase in LDH activity. In addition, treatment with oligomerized Aβ1-40 induced a decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane potential as well as an apoptotic cell death. Sterol analysis revealed a higher cholesterol level and a significant increase of cytotoxic oxysterols per cell (7KC + 7β-OHC), and of the [(7β-OHC + 7KC)/cholesterol] ratio, considered as a lipid peroxidation index, in Aβ1-40-treated cells. An enhancement of C20:4 n-6, C22:6 n-3 and saturated VLCFAs was also observed. Therefore, Aβ1-40-induced side effects are associated with intracellular accumulation of lipids, especially cholesterol, oxysterols (7β-OHC, 7KC), C20:4 n-6, and saturated VLCFAs, which could in turn contribute to neurotoxicity.
基金supported by grants from the University of Bourgogne(Dijon,France)the University of Monastir(Monastir,Tunisia)
文摘The treatment of microglial BV-2 cells with sodium arsenate（As（V）：0.1-400 μmol/L — 48 hr）induces a dose-dependent response.The neurotoxic effects of high concentrations of As（V）（100,200 and 400 μmol/L） are characterized by increased levels of mitochondrial complexesⅠ,Ⅱ,and Ⅳ followed by increased superoxide anion generation.Moreover,As（V） triggers an apoptotic mode of cell death,demonstrated by an apoptotic SubG1 peak,associated with an alteration of plasma membrane integrity.There is also a decrease in transmembrane mitochondrial potential and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate ATP.It is therefore tempting to speculate that As（V） triggers mitochondrial dysfunction,which may lead to defective oxidative phosphorylation subsequently causing mitochondrial oxidative damage,which in turn induces an apoptotic mode of cell death.
