Objective The objective of this study was to investigate arsenic induced changes in blood 8-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) after in vitro and in vivo exposure to this element and its response to co-administrat...Objective The objective of this study was to investigate arsenic induced changes in blood 8-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) after in vitro and in vivo exposure to this element and its response to co-administration of meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and monoisoamyl DMSA (MiADMSA) either individually or in combination. Methods Rat whole blood was exposed to varying concentrations (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mmol/L) of arsenic (III) or arsenic (V), to assess their effects on blood ALAD activity. Varying concentrations of MiADMSA and DMSA (0.1,0.5 and 1.0 mmol/L) were also tried in combination to determine its ability to mask the effect of arsenic induced (0.5 mmol/L) inhibition of blood ALAD in vitro. In vitro and in vivo experiments were also conducted to determine the effects of DMSA and MiADMSA either individually or in combination with arsenic, on blood ALAD activity and blood arsenic concentration. Results In vitro experiments showed significant inhibition of the enzyme activity when 0.1-0.5 mmol/L of arsenic (III and V) was used. Treatment with MiADMSA increased ALAD activity when blood was incubated at the concentration of 0.1 mmol/L arsenic (III) and 0.1 mmol/L MiADMSA. No effect of 0.1 mmol/L MiADMSA on ALAD activity was noticed when the arsenic concentration was increased to 0.2 and 0.5 mmol/L. Similarly, MiADMSA at a lower concentration (0.1 mmol/L) was partially effective in the turnover of ALAD activity against 0.5 mmol/L arsenic (III), but at two higher concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 mmol/L) a complete restoration of ALAD activity was observed. DMSA at all the three concentrations (0.1,0.5 and 1.0 mmol/L) was effective in restoring ALAD activity to the normal value. Conclusions The results thus suggest that arsenic has a distinct effect on ALAD activity. Another important toxicological finding of the present study, based on in vivo experiments further suggests that combined administration of DMSA and MiADMSA could be more beneficial for reducing blood ALAD inhibition and blood arsenic concentration than the individual treatment.展开更多
In the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway of higher plants, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is metabolized by ALA dehydratase (ALAD). Here, we isolated ALAD1 cDNA from common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its dipl...In the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway of higher plants, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is metabolized by ALA dehydratase (ALAD). Here, we isolated ALAD1 cDNA from common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its diploid progenitors, and produced transgenic tobacco plants expressing the wheat ALAD1 gene. The ALAD1 genes were highly conserved among wheat relatives, and three homoeologous loci of wheat ALAD1 (TaALAD1) were equally transcribed in common wheat. A transient expression assay of a TaALAD1-GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion protein suggested that TaALAD1 is localized in chloroplasts. Overexpression of TaALAD1 in transgenic tobacco resulted in a significant increase in ALAD activity in leaves. Moreover, the transgenic tobacco showed vigorous growth and increased survival rate on medium containing ALA at herbicidal concentrations. These results indicate that wheat ALAD1 has catalytic activity in metabolizing ALA in plastids, and that ectopic expression of TaALAD1 in transgenic plants increases their tolerance to ALA application at high concentrations.展开更多
Fishes are excellent markers of the extent of pollution from heavy metals in aquatic environments given that they are found at various levels of the food chain.This study aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation of he...Fishes are excellent markers of the extent of pollution from heavy metals in aquatic environments given that they are found at various levels of the food chain.This study aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals(Zn,Pb,Cd,As,and Hg)as well as the activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase(δ-ALA-D)in the livers of cat fishes(Clarias gariepinus)collected from three rivers(Donga,Ibi and Gindin-Dorowa)in Taraba State,Nigeria.The concentrations of heavy metals in the liver tissues were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer in accordance with the method of AOAC(2019),while theδ-ALA-D activity was assayed using the method of Sassa(1982).Results revealed that only Zn and As were present in the liver samples from the three rivers.Pb was found only in the liver from Gindin-Dorowa at the concentration of 0.0012mg/kg which is not significant(P<0.05)when compared with other locations,while Hg and Cd were absent in all the liver samples.The liver sample from Gindin-Dorowa had the highest concentration of Zn(4.2500 mg/kg),followed by Ibi(3.2067 mg/kg),and Donga having the least(2.5500 mg/kg),which were all substantially(P<0.05)different from one another.However,there was no significant(P<0.05)difference in the As composition of liver from Donga(0.0013 mg/kg),Ibi(0.0012 mg/kg)and Gindin-Dorowa(0.0010 mg/kg).The result ofδ-ALA-D activity showed that the highest enzymatic activity was found in the liver sample from Donga which has the least Zn and no Pb content,followed by Ibi sample.This validates the report that heavy metals impairδ-ALA-D activity.Nonetheless,the concentrations of all metals in fish livers from all regions do not exceed the acceptable limits set by international law,making them safe for human consumption and possibly not having a negative impact on public health.Since there is little or no industrial activity in the studied locations,these levels may be consequent to low anthropogenic inputs.The current situation should be safeguarded to prevent pollution of the river’s aquatic biota in the near future,and more appropriate steps should be made to guarantee higher fish quality and life in the rivers.展开更多
Organoseleniums are a class of compounds attracting attention across the globe owing to their Glutathione peroxidase(GPx)mimicry,which confers on them a strong antioxidant activity.Diphenyl diselenide(DPDS)is an Organ...Organoseleniums are a class of compounds attracting attention across the globe owing to their Glutathione peroxidase(GPx)mimicry,which confers on them a strong antioxidant activity.Diphenyl diselenide(DPDS)is an Organoselenium whose GPx mimetic property has been suggested to rely on the oxidation of non-protein or protein thiols critical to the activities of some sulfhydryl enzymes.This study,therefore investigated the GPx mimic/antioxidant property of DPDS as well as the role of thiols of two key sulfhydryl enzymes,cerebral Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase(sodium pump)and hepatic delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase(δ-ALAD)in the GPx mimicry of DPDS.Albino Wistar rats were euthanized,and the liver and brain were removed and used to assay for the effect of DPDS on lipid peroxidation induced by two prooxidants[Fe2^(+)(10μM)and H2O2,(1 mM)]as well as the activities of the sulfhydryl enzymes.The results revealed that DPDS profoundly(P<0.05)counteracted Fe2^(+)and H2O2-induced lipid peroxidation in the rats’hepatic and cerebral tissues.Furthermore,the results of assay systems for lipid peroxidation and sodium pump revealed that DPDS inhibited Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase and lipid peroxidation in the brain tissue homogenates in the same reaction system.A similar result was obtained in the assay system for lipid peroxidation and hepaticδ-ALAD as DPDS simultaneously inhibited the enzyme’s activity and lipid peroxidation.This suggests that the GPx mimetic property of DPDS may be linked to the enzymes’loss of activity,which further validates the suggestions that the enzymes’inhibition,as well as the antioxidant action of DPDS,rely on the oxidation of critical thiols of the enzymes.However,the GPx mimicry of DPDS should be investigated in the presence of thiol-blocking or oxidizing agents in biological systems in order to further ascertain the role of protein thiols.展开更多
文摘Objective The objective of this study was to investigate arsenic induced changes in blood 8-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) after in vitro and in vivo exposure to this element and its response to co-administration of meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and monoisoamyl DMSA (MiADMSA) either individually or in combination. Methods Rat whole blood was exposed to varying concentrations (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mmol/L) of arsenic (III) or arsenic (V), to assess their effects on blood ALAD activity. Varying concentrations of MiADMSA and DMSA (0.1,0.5 and 1.0 mmol/L) were also tried in combination to determine its ability to mask the effect of arsenic induced (0.5 mmol/L) inhibition of blood ALAD in vitro. In vitro and in vivo experiments were also conducted to determine the effects of DMSA and MiADMSA either individually or in combination with arsenic, on blood ALAD activity and blood arsenic concentration. Results In vitro experiments showed significant inhibition of the enzyme activity when 0.1-0.5 mmol/L of arsenic (III and V) was used. Treatment with MiADMSA increased ALAD activity when blood was incubated at the concentration of 0.1 mmol/L arsenic (III) and 0.1 mmol/L MiADMSA. No effect of 0.1 mmol/L MiADMSA on ALAD activity was noticed when the arsenic concentration was increased to 0.2 and 0.5 mmol/L. Similarly, MiADMSA at a lower concentration (0.1 mmol/L) was partially effective in the turnover of ALAD activity against 0.5 mmol/L arsenic (III), but at two higher concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 mmol/L) a complete restoration of ALAD activity was observed. DMSA at all the three concentrations (0.1,0.5 and 1.0 mmol/L) was effective in restoring ALAD activity to the normal value. Conclusions The results thus suggest that arsenic has a distinct effect on ALAD activity. Another important toxicological finding of the present study, based on in vivo experiments further suggests that combined administration of DMSA and MiADMSA could be more beneficial for reducing blood ALAD inhibition and blood arsenic concentration than the individual treatment.
基金supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) No. 21380005Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research No. 23658010) to Shigeo Takumipartially supported by Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology, Creation of Innovation Centers for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research Areas (Innovative Bioproduction Kobe), MEXT, Japan.
文摘In the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway of higher plants, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is metabolized by ALA dehydratase (ALAD). Here, we isolated ALAD1 cDNA from common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its diploid progenitors, and produced transgenic tobacco plants expressing the wheat ALAD1 gene. The ALAD1 genes were highly conserved among wheat relatives, and three homoeologous loci of wheat ALAD1 (TaALAD1) were equally transcribed in common wheat. A transient expression assay of a TaALAD1-GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion protein suggested that TaALAD1 is localized in chloroplasts. Overexpression of TaALAD1 in transgenic tobacco resulted in a significant increase in ALAD activity in leaves. Moreover, the transgenic tobacco showed vigorous growth and increased survival rate on medium containing ALA at herbicidal concentrations. These results indicate that wheat ALAD1 has catalytic activity in metabolizing ALA in plastids, and that ectopic expression of TaALAD1 in transgenic plants increases their tolerance to ALA application at high concentrations.
文摘Fishes are excellent markers of the extent of pollution from heavy metals in aquatic environments given that they are found at various levels of the food chain.This study aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals(Zn,Pb,Cd,As,and Hg)as well as the activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase(δ-ALA-D)in the livers of cat fishes(Clarias gariepinus)collected from three rivers(Donga,Ibi and Gindin-Dorowa)in Taraba State,Nigeria.The concentrations of heavy metals in the liver tissues were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer in accordance with the method of AOAC(2019),while theδ-ALA-D activity was assayed using the method of Sassa(1982).Results revealed that only Zn and As were present in the liver samples from the three rivers.Pb was found only in the liver from Gindin-Dorowa at the concentration of 0.0012mg/kg which is not significant(P<0.05)when compared with other locations,while Hg and Cd were absent in all the liver samples.The liver sample from Gindin-Dorowa had the highest concentration of Zn(4.2500 mg/kg),followed by Ibi(3.2067 mg/kg),and Donga having the least(2.5500 mg/kg),which were all substantially(P<0.05)different from one another.However,there was no significant(P<0.05)difference in the As composition of liver from Donga(0.0013 mg/kg),Ibi(0.0012 mg/kg)and Gindin-Dorowa(0.0010 mg/kg).The result ofδ-ALA-D activity showed that the highest enzymatic activity was found in the liver sample from Donga which has the least Zn and no Pb content,followed by Ibi sample.This validates the report that heavy metals impairδ-ALA-D activity.Nonetheless,the concentrations of all metals in fish livers from all regions do not exceed the acceptable limits set by international law,making them safe for human consumption and possibly not having a negative impact on public health.Since there is little or no industrial activity in the studied locations,these levels may be consequent to low anthropogenic inputs.The current situation should be safeguarded to prevent pollution of the river’s aquatic biota in the near future,and more appropriate steps should be made to guarantee higher fish quality and life in the rivers.
文摘Organoseleniums are a class of compounds attracting attention across the globe owing to their Glutathione peroxidase(GPx)mimicry,which confers on them a strong antioxidant activity.Diphenyl diselenide(DPDS)is an Organoselenium whose GPx mimetic property has been suggested to rely on the oxidation of non-protein or protein thiols critical to the activities of some sulfhydryl enzymes.This study,therefore investigated the GPx mimic/antioxidant property of DPDS as well as the role of thiols of two key sulfhydryl enzymes,cerebral Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase(sodium pump)and hepatic delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase(δ-ALAD)in the GPx mimicry of DPDS.Albino Wistar rats were euthanized,and the liver and brain were removed and used to assay for the effect of DPDS on lipid peroxidation induced by two prooxidants[Fe2^(+)(10μM)and H2O2,(1 mM)]as well as the activities of the sulfhydryl enzymes.The results revealed that DPDS profoundly(P<0.05)counteracted Fe2^(+)and H2O2-induced lipid peroxidation in the rats’hepatic and cerebral tissues.Furthermore,the results of assay systems for lipid peroxidation and sodium pump revealed that DPDS inhibited Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase and lipid peroxidation in the brain tissue homogenates in the same reaction system.A similar result was obtained in the assay system for lipid peroxidation and hepaticδ-ALAD as DPDS simultaneously inhibited the enzyme’s activity and lipid peroxidation.This suggests that the GPx mimetic property of DPDS may be linked to the enzymes’loss of activity,which further validates the suggestions that the enzymes’inhibition,as well as the antioxidant action of DPDS,rely on the oxidation of critical thiols of the enzymes.However,the GPx mimicry of DPDS should be investigated in the presence of thiol-blocking or oxidizing agents in biological systems in order to further ascertain the role of protein thiols.