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Signaling mechanisms and disrupted cytoskeleton in the diphenyl ditelluride neurotoxicity. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2014; 2014:458601. [PMID: 25050142 PMCID: PMC4090446 DOI: 10.1155/2014/458601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from our group supports that diphenyl ditelluride (PhTe)2 neurotoxicity depends on modulation of signaling pathways initiated at the plasma membrane. The (PhTe)2-evoked signal is transduced downstream of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCC), N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA), or metabotropic glutamate receptors activation via different kinase pathways (protein kinase A, phospholipase C/protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and Akt signaling pathway). Among the most relevant cues of misregulated signaling mechanisms evoked by (PhTe)2 is the cytoskeleton of neural cells. The in vivo and in vitro exposure to (PhTe)2 induce hyperphosphorylation/hypophosphorylation of neuronal and glial intermediate filament (IF) proteins (neurofilaments and glial fibrillary acidic protein, resp.) in different brain structures of young rats. Phosphorylation of IFs at specific sites modulates their association/disassociation and interferes with important physiological roles, such as axonal transport. Disrupted cytoskeleton is a crucial marker of neurodegeneration and is associated with reactive astrogliosis and apoptotic cell death. This review focuses the current knowledge and important results on the mechanisms of (PhTe)2 neurotoxicity with special emphasis on the cytoskeletal proteins and their differential regulation by kinases/phosphatases and Ca2+-mediated mechanisms in developmental rat brain. We propose that the disrupted cytoskeletal homeostasis could support brain damage provoked by this neurotoxicant.
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Comparsi B, Meinerz DF, Franco JL, Posser T, de Souza Prestes A, Stefanello ST, dos Santos DB, Wagner C, Farina M, Aschner M, Dafre AL, Rocha JBT. Diphenyl ditelluride targets brain selenoproteins in vivo: inhibition of cerebral thioredoxin reductase and glutathione peroxidase in mice after acute exposure. Mol Cell Biochem 2012; 370:173-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-012-1408-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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de Andrade RB, Gemelli T, Guerra RB, Funchal C, Wannmacher CMD. Kinetic studies on the inhibition of creatine kinase activity by 3-butyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenyltelluro)oct-en-1-one in the cerebral cortex of rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2012; 50:3468-74. [PMID: 22884765 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Revised: 07/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Tellurium has been used as an industrial component of many alloys and in the electronic industry. Organotellurium compounds can cause poisoning which leads to neurotoxic symptoms such as significant impairment of learning, spatial memory and are potentially neurotoxic to human beings. However, the molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity of organotellurium compounds are not well understood. Considering that creatine kinase plays a key role in energy metabolism of tissues with intermittently high and fluctuating energy requirements, such as nervous tissue, the main objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which 3-butyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenyltelluro)oct-en-1-one inhibit creatine kinase activity, a key enzyme of energy homeostasis, in the cerebral cortex of 30-day-old Wistar rats. For the kinetic studies, the Lineweaver-Burk plot was used to characterize the mechanisms of enzyme inhibition by 3-butyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenyltelluro)oct-en-1-one. The results suggested that this compound inhibits creatine kinase activity by two different mechanisms: competition with ADP and oxidation of critical sulfhydryl groups for the functioning of the enzyme. The potential for inhibition of creatine kinase to occur in vivo may contribute to the neurotoxicity observed by this organochaocogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Binkowski de Andrade
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, UFRGS, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2600, CEP 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Ogata-Ikeda I, Seo H, Kawanai T, Hashimoto E, Oyama Y. Cytotoxic action of bisabololoxide A of German chamomile on human leukemia K562 cells in combination with 5-fluorouracil. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2011; 18:362-365. [PMID: 20863677 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2010] [Revised: 06/11/2010] [Accepted: 08/11/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) is a popular ingredient in herbal teas. In previous study, micromolar bisabololoxide A, one of main constituents in German chamomile, exerted cytotoxic action on rat thymocyte, a normal non-proliferative cell. This result prompted us to study the effect of bisabololoxide A on proliferative cancer cells and to seek the possibility of its use with 5-fluorouracil, an anticancer agent. In this study, the effect of micromolar bisabololoxide A on human leukemia K562 cells was cytometrically examined. Although the incubation of K562 cells with 10 μM bisabololoxide A for 72h did not significantly increase the percentage populations of dead cells and shrunken cells, the inhibitory action on the growth was obviously observed. It was not the case for the concentrations of less than 5 μM. The threshold concentration of bisabololoxide A to exert the cytotoxic action on K562 cells was ascertained to be 5-10 μM. Bisabololoxide A at 5-10 μM did not exert cytotoxic action on normal non-proliferative cells (rat thymocytes) in our previous study. Since the antiproliferative action of micromolar bisabololoxide A on cancerous cells was expected to be beneficial to cancer treatment, the modification of antiproliferative action of 5-fluorouracil (3-30 μM) by bisabololoxide A was studied. The combination of 5-fluorouracil and bisabololoxide further inhibited the growth of K562 cells although the additive inhibition of growth by bisabololoxide A became smaller as the concentration of 5-fluorouracil increased. Therefore, it is suggested that the simultaneous application of German chamomile containing bisabololoxide A may reduce the dose of 5-fluorouracil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuko Ogata-Ikeda
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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Pinton S, Luchese C, Nogueira CW. Comparison of the antioxidant properties and the toxicity of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl ditelluride with the parent compound, diphenyl ditelluride. Biol Trace Elem Res 2011; 139:204-16. [PMID: 20191388 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-010-8645-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2009] [Accepted: 02/04/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The hypothesis to be tested in this study is whether the introduction of the chloro group into diphenyl ditelluride molecule (p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl ditelluride, compound 1b) alters the antioxidant and scavenging activity of diphenyl ditelluride (compound 1a) in vitro. The results revealed that 1a and 1b had a potent antioxidant activity in vitro. However, the introduction of a functional group, chloro, into diphenyl ditelluride molecule (1b) did not cause great alterations in the antioxidant action of diphenyl ditelluride against lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl, and scavenging of 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) and 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals. Based on the in vitro results, different doses (0.25 and 0.75 µmol/kg) of 1a and 1b or vehicle (canola oil, 1 ml/kg) were administered to rats to investigate if the presence of chloro into diphenyl ditelluride molecule reduces its toxicity. The data demonstrate that the chloro group introduced into diphenyl ditelluride molecule did not alter the acute oral toxicity in rats. The administration of compound 1a in rats only altered the urea level, while compound 1b caused alterations in all toxicological parameters analyzed (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, urea and creatinine levels) in plasma of rats. The results of the present investigation support similar antioxidant and scavenging activities of 1a and 1b in rat liver homogenate in vitro. Furthermore, the presence of chloro into diphenyl ditelluride molecule did not alter the mortality index but increased toxicity of diphenyl ditelluride in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Pinton
- Laboratório de Síntese, Reatividade e Avaliação Farmacológica e Toxicológica de Organocalcogênios, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900 RS, Brazil
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Funchal C, Carvalho CAS, Gemelli T, Centeno AS, Guerra RB, Salvador M, Dani C, Coitinho A, Gomez R. Effect of Acute Administration of 3-Butyl-1-Phenyl-2-(Phenyltelluro)Oct-En-1-One on Oxidative Stress in Cerebral Cortex, Hippocampus, and Cerebellum of Rats. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2010; 30:1135-42. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-010-9547-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/10/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Apoptosis-inducing action of two products from oxidation of sesamol, an antioxidative constituent of sesame oil: a possible cytotoxicity of oxidized antioxidant. Toxicol In Vitro 2010; 24:1720-6. [PMID: 20510349 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2010.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2009] [Revised: 04/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Many effects of sesamol, an antioxidative constituent of sesame oil, have been reported for human health benefits due to its antioxidative action. However, we recently isolated two cytotoxic products, trimer and tetramer of sesamol, from oxidation of sesamol by an assay-guided purification. In this study, we have revealed some cytotoxic characteristics of these products in rat thymocytes and human leukemia K562 cells. Incubation of cells with trimer or tetramer at 10-30 microM for 24h significantly increased cell lethality and population of rat thymocytes containing hypodiploid DNA, suggesting cell death with DNA fragmentation, while it was not the case for 30 microM sesamol. The cytotoxic action of tetramer was more potent than that of trimer in rat thymocytes when their concentrations were 10-30 microM. The incubation of cells with 10 microM tetramer for 24h increased the population of cells with exposed phosphatidylserine, the activity of caspases, and the nick of DNA. These results indicate tetramer-induced apoptosis. In K562 cells, the incubation with tetramer at 10 microM for 72 h significantly inhibited the growth without affecting the lethality. However, tetramer at 30 microM significantly increased cell lethality. It is likely that tetramer exerts more cytotoxic action on normal non-proliferative cells (rat thymocytes) rather than proliferative cancer cells (human leukemia K562 cells). It may be necessary to consider the condition for preservation of sesamol and the safety of products from in vivo oxidation of sesamol for human health.
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Meinerz DF, Sudati JH, dos Santos DB, Frediani A, Alberto EE, Allebrandt J, Franco JL, Barbosa NBV, Aschner M, da Rocha JBT. Evaluation of the biological effects of (S)-dimethyl 2-(3-(phenyltellanyl) propanamido) succinate, a new telluroamino acid derivative of aspartic acid. Arch Toxicol 2010; 85:43-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-010-0555-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2009] [Accepted: 05/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Bisabololoxide A, one of the main constituents in German chamomile extract, induces apoptosis in rat thymocytes. Arch Toxicol 2009; 84:45-52. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-009-0472-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2009] [Accepted: 09/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Santos D, Schiar V, Paixão M, Meinerz D, Nogueira C, Aschner M, Rocha J, Barbosa N. Hemolytic and genotoxic evaluation of organochalcogens in human blood cells in vitro. Toxicol In Vitro 2009; 23:1195-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2009.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2008] [Revised: 04/24/2009] [Accepted: 05/20/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Carvalho CAS, Gemelli T, Guerra RB, Oliboni L, Salvador M, Dani C, Araújo AS, Mascarenhas M, Funchal C. Effect of in vitro exposure of human serum to 3-butyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenyltelluro)oct-en-1-one on oxidative stress. Mol Cell Biochem 2009; 332:127-34. [PMID: 19554424 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-009-0182-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2009] [Accepted: 06/09/2009] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to verify the effect of the organochalcogen 3-butyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenyltelluro)oct-en-1-one on some parameters of oxidative stress in human serum. Serum of volunteers were incubated for 30 min in the presence or absence of 1, 10, or 30 microM of 3-butyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenyltelluro)oct-en-1-one and oxidative stress was measured. First, we tested the influence of the compound on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(*)) radical-scavenging and verified that the organotellurium did not have any antioxidant properties. The organochalcogen was capable to enhance TBARS but the compound was not able to alter carbonyl assay. Furthermore, the organochalcogen provoked a reduction of protein thiol groups measured by the sulfhydryl assay. Moreover, the organotellurium enhanced the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase, inhibited the activity of glutathione peroxidase and did not modify the glutathione S-transferase activity. Furthermore, nitric oxide production and hydroxyl radical activity were not affected by the compound. Our findings showed that this organochalcogen induces oxidative stress in human serum, indicating that this compound is potentially toxic to human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Augusto Souza Carvalho
- Rede Metodista de Educação do Sul, Centro Universitário Metodista IPA. Rua Cel. Joaquim Pedro Salgado, 80, Porto Alegre, RS, 90420-060, Brazil
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Penz J, Gemelli T, Carvalho CAS, Guerra RB, Oliboni L, Salvador M, Dani C, Araújo AS, Funchal C. Effect of 3-butyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenyltelluro)oct-en-1-one on oxidative stress in cerebral cortex of rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2009; 47:745-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2009.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2008] [Revised: 12/11/2008] [Accepted: 01/04/2009] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Fujimoto A, Sakanashi Y, Matsui H, Oyama T, Nishimura Y, Masuda T, Oyama Y. Cytometric analysis of cytotoxicity of polyphenols and related phenolics to rat thymocytes: potent cytotoxicity of resveratrol to normal cells. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2009; 104:455-62. [PMID: 19389048 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2009.00386.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic actions of polyphenols and related phenolics have received considerable attention since these compounds induce apoptosis in several types of cancer cells in vitro. A plausible criterion for the use of such compounds is that they should not exert any toxic effect on normal cells. However, information about the toxicity of polyphenols and related phenolics to normal cells is limited. In this study, the effects of polyphenols and related phenolics on rat thymocytes were examined by flow cytometric analysis with appropriate fluorescent probes. The compounds examined in this study were caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, (+)-catechin, 6-gingerol, sesamol, resveratrol, and eugenol. Of these, resveratrol was the most cytotoxic on rat thymocytes incubated for 24 hrs with 100 microM of this compound. Resveratrol at a concentration of 10 microM or more (up to 100 microM) led to a significant dose-dependent increase in the population of dead cells, shrunken living cells, annexin V-positive cells and cells with hypodiploidal DNA. In the presence of benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe) fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK), a pan-inhibitor of caspases, the resveratrol-induced increase in the population of cells with hypodiploidal DNA was partially inhibited. Overall, it is suggested that resveratrol at a concentration of 10 microM or more induces apoptosis in normal cells as well as cancer cells (previously reported elsewhere). Thus, at concentrations that are suitable for chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic actions, resveratrol may exert a cytotoxic effect on normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Fujimoto
- Laboratory of Cellular Signaling, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8502, Japan
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Řezanka T, Sigler K. Biologically Active Compounds Of Semi-Metals. BIOACTIVE NATURAL PRODUCTS (PART O) 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1572-5995(08)80018-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Borges VC, Rocha JBT, Savegnago L, Nogueira CW. Repeated administration of diphenyl ditelluride induces hematological disorders in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2007; 45:1453-8. [PMID: 17397981 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2007.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2006] [Revised: 01/31/2007] [Accepted: 02/07/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated potential toxic effects of diphenyl ditelluride, as measured by biochemical and hematological parameters. Rats were given a daily dose of 0.3 micromol/kg diphenyl ditelluride by subcutaneous route and sacrificed at different times (24 and 48 h). Hepatic and renal TBARS levels were changed by diphenyl ditelluride exposure at the dose 0.9 micromol/Kg in rats. Diphenyl ditelluride exposure demonstrated an increase in AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) activities. Plasma creatinine and urea levels increase after diphenyl ditelluride exposure. Diphenyl ditelluride also produced a significant decrease in plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In contrast, this compound, at all doses tested, induced a marked increase in total leukocyte counts. The present study suggests that diphenyl ditelluride induces hematological disorders and provides evidence for renal and hepatic toxicity in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- V C Borges
- Departamento de Quimica, Centro de Ciencias Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900, RS, Brazil
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Avila DS, Gubert P, Dalla Corte CL, Alves D, Nogueira CW, Rocha JBT, Soares FAA. A biochemical and toxicological study with diethyl 2-phenyl-2-tellurophenyl vinylphosphonate in a sub-chronic intraperitoneal treatment in mice. Life Sci 2007; 80:1865-72. [PMID: 17383683 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2007.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2006] [Revised: 02/06/2007] [Accepted: 02/15/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Diethyl-2-phenyl-2-tellurophenyl vinylphosphonate (DPTVP) is an organotellurium compound with low toxicity after subcutaneous administration in mice. This study evaluated possible in vivo and ex vivo toxicological effects of daily injections of DPTVP for 12 days in mice, using the intraperitoneal administration. This route potentially increases the pharmacokinetics of absorption, distribution, metabolism and toxicity of DPTVP. Treatment with DPTVP (0, 30, 50, 75, 100, 250, 350 or 500 micromol/kg) were not associated with mortality or body weight loss. Nevertheless, the liver and liver-to-body weight ratio increased in groups treated with 350 and 500 micromol/kg of DPTVP. However, plasmatic aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities (classical markers of hepatotoxicity) were not increased after diethyl-2-phenyl-2-tellurophenyl vinylphosphonate administration. Hepatic, renal and cerebral thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), delta-ALA-D activity and Vitamin C levels were not modified after DPTVP treatment. Renal and hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were unchanged after DPTVP treatment. Conversely, SOD activity significantly increased in brain in groups treated with 50, 75, 100 and 500 micromol/kg of DPTVP treated groups. Our findings corroborates that brain is a potential target for organochalcogen action. The absence of severe overt signs of toxicity after sub-chronic exposure to DPTVP reinforces the necessity for more detailed pharmacological studies concerning this new organotellurium compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana Silva Avila
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
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Schiar VPP, Dos Santos DB, Lüdtke DS, Vargas F, Paixão MW, Nogueira CW, Zeni G, Rocha JBT. Screening of potentially toxic chalcogens in erythrocytes. Toxicol In Vitro 2007; 21:139-45. [PMID: 17084588 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2006.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2006] [Revised: 08/25/2006] [Accepted: 08/29/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous literature reports have demonstrated that a number of human diseases, including inflammation and cancer, can be caused by environmental and occupational exposure to toxic compounds, via DNA damage, protein modifications, or lipid peroxidation. The present study was undertaken to screen the toxicity of a variety of chalcogens using erythrocytes as a model of cell injury. The toxicity of these compounds was evaluated via quantification of hemolysis and lipid peroxidation. The present investigation shows that diphenyl ditelluride and phenyl tellurides are toxic to erythrocytes. The organoselenium compounds were not toxic to erythrocytes even when tested at high concentrations and with a hematocrit of 45%. The hemolytic effect of tellurides was not positively correlated with thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) production suggesting that lipid peroxidation is not involved in the hemolysis provoked by organotellurium compounds. The results suggest that chalcogen compounds may be toxic to human erythrocytes, depending on their structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Patrícia P Schiar
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
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