Histopathological effects of hexavalent chronium in mouse kidney

Association between metal implants and urinary chromium levels in US adults: a cross-sectional study from NHANES

Metal implants play a significant role in orthopedics, commonly used for treating fractures, joint replacement surgeries, spinal procedures, and more. Chromium (Cr), crucial in these implants, may raises health concerns. However, the relationship between metal implants and urine Cr levels remains uncertain. We aimed to evaluate this relationship. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 1419 individuals aged 40 years or older using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2017 to 2020. Multivariate linear regression models and subgroup analysis were applied to assess associations between metal implants and urine Cr levels. Among the 1419 participants, 402 [28.3%] self-reported having metal objects in their bodies. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, metal implants were positively correlated with the accumulation of urine Cr (β = 0.41, 95% CI 0.04-0.77, p = 0.028). However, the positive correlation of metal implants with urine Cr was only present in females (β = 0.81, 95% CI 0.08-1.53, p = 0.029), but not in males. Our study revealed higher urine Cr levels in individuals with metal implants, with noticeable gender differences. Additionally, those with metal implants exhibited a more pronounced elevation in urine Cr levels with increasing age compared to individuals without implants.

A review of novel green adsorbents as a sustainable alternative for the remediation of chromium (VI) from water environments

The presence of heavy metal, chromium (VI), in water environments leads to various diseases in humans, such as cancer, lung tumors, and allergies. This review comparatively examines the use of several adsorbents, such as biosorbents, activated carbon, nanocomposites, and polyaniline (PANI), in terms of the operational parameters (initial chromium (VI) concentration (C_o), temperature (T), pH, contact time (t), and adsorbent dosage) to achieve the Langmuir's maximum adsorption capacity (q_m) for chromium (VI) adsorption. The study finds that the use of biosorbents (fruit bio-composite, fungus, leave, and oak bark char), activated carbons (HCl-treated dry fruit waste, polyethyleneimine (PEI) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) PEI-KOH alkali-treated rice waste-derived biochar, and KOH/hydrochloric acid (HCl) acid/base-treated commercial), iron-based nanocomposites, magnetic manganese-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites, copper-based nanocomposites, graphene oxide functionalized amino acid, and PANI functionalized transition metal are effective in achieving high Langmuir's maximum adsorption capacity (q_m) for chromium (VI) adsorption, and that operational parameters such as initial concentration, temperature, pH, contact time, and adsorbent dosage significantly affect the Langmuir's maximum adsorption capacity (q_m). Magnetic graphene oxide functionalized amino acid showed the highest experimental and pseudo-second-order kinetic model equilibrium adsorption capacities. The iron oxide functionalized calcium carbonate (IO@CaCO₃) nanocomposites showed the highest heterogeneous adsorption capacity. Additionally, Syzygium cumini bark biosorbent is highly effective in treating tannery industrial wastewater with high levels of chromium (VI).

Polysaccharide from dandelion enriched nutritional composition, antioxidant capacity, and inhibited bioaccumulation and inflammation in Channa asiatica under hexavalent chromium exposure

Taraxacum mongolicum polysaccharide (TMP) exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, making it an attractive candidate for aquatic-product-safety applications. Here, this study was aimed to investigate the effects of dietary TMP on the growth, nutritional composition, antioxidant capacity, bioaccumulation and inflammation in Channa asiatica under hexavalent chromium stress. The C. asiatica was randomly distributed into five groups: The first group served as the blank control group (CK), the subsequent groups were fed TMP-supplemented feed (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg), respectively, and exposed to waterborne Cr⁶⁺ for 28 days. Our results indicated that the TMP effectively increased (P < 0.05) C. asiatica muscle flavour amino acid, total free amino acids, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), and EPA + DHA contents, enhanced positively antioxidant enzyme activity (GPX, SOD, CAT, T-AOC), reduced oxidative stress parameters (MDA, PC), and up-regulated antioxidant-related genes mRNA expression. Meanwhile, the appropriate amount of TMP supplementation also inhibited the bioaccumulation of Cr⁶⁺ in tissues and alleviated the inflammatory response (P < 0.05). Furthermore, sensory evaluation implied that the overall score of sashimi and cooked fillet in the 2.0 g/kg TMP group was the highest in the experimental group, second only to CK. In brief, these results elucidate that TMP-supplemented diets excellently ameliorated the growth, enriched nutritional composition and antioxidant capacity, and inhibited bioaccumulation and inflammation in C. asiatica exposed to waterborne Cr⁶⁺.

Toxic effects of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) on bioaccumulation, apoptosis, oxidative damage and inflammatory response in Channa asiatica

The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of Cr⁶⁺ on bioaccumulation, digestion, immunity, oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation-related genes in Channa asiatica. The fish was exposed to waterborne Cr⁶⁺ concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L) for 28 and 56 days. Our results demonstrated that the accumulation of Cr⁶⁺ in tissues increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and the content in tissue was liver > gill > gut > muscle. Meanwhile, Cr⁶⁺ exposure led to a remarkable suppression of digestion, immunity and antioxidant capacity in C. asiatica. Inversely, MDA and PC content were positively correlated with Cr⁶⁺ exposure concentration. Furthermore, the expression of genes went up with the increase of waterborne Cr⁶⁺ concentration. Among them, HSP90, NF-κB and TNF-α have a sharp increase. These results elucidate that waterborne Cr⁶⁺ exposure may induce bioaccumulation, inhibit digestion and immunity, promote oxidative stress and up-regulate the expression of apoptosis and inflammation-related genes in C. asiatica.

Comparative Cr, As and CCA induced Cytostaticity in mice kidney: A contribution to assess CCA toxicity

CCA (Chromium Copper Arsenate) treated wood, widely used in outdoor residential structures and playgrounds, poses considerable dangers of leaching of its components to the environment. In this study, mouse kidney samples were used to evaluate the effects of CCA, chromium trioxide (CrO₃) and arsenic pentoxide (As₂O₅) on cell pathophysiology by flow cytometry. Samples were collected after 14, 24, 48 and 96 h of animal exposure. While Cr had no statistically significant cytostatic effects, As₂O₅ induced a S-phase delay in animals exposed for 24 h, and over time a G0/G1 phase blockage. The effects of CCA in S-phase were similar, but more severe than those of As₂O₅. Since environmental and public health hazards due to the long durability of CCA-treated wood products, these data confirm that CCA has profoundly toxic effects on cell cycle, distinct from the compounds themselves. These cytostatic effects support cell cycle dynamics as a valuable endpoint to assess the toxicity of remaining CCA-treated infrastructures, and the expected increased waste stream over the coming decades.

Risk of cancer after primary total hip replacement: The influence of bearings, cementation and the material of the stem

Background and purpose - Despite the increasing number of total hip replacements (THRs), their systemic influence is still not known. We have studied the influence of specific features of THRs-the bearing surface, the use of bone cement and the material of the stem-on the cancer incidence. Patients and methods - In a retrospective cohort study we identified 8,343 patients with THRs performed at Valdoltra Hospital from September 1, 1997 to December 31, 2009. Patient data were linked to national cancer and population registries. The standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and Poisson regression relative risks (RR) were calculated for all and specific cancers. Results - General cancer risk in our cohort was comparable to the population risk. Comparing with population, the risk of prostate cancer was statistically significantly higher in patients with metal-on-metal bearings (SIR =1.35); with metal-on-polyethylene bearings (SIR =1.30), with non-cemented THRs (SIR =1.40), and with titanium alloy THRs (SIR =1.41). In these last 3 groups there was a lower risk of hematopoietic tumors (SIR =0.69; 0.66 and 0.66 respectively). Risk of kidney cancer was significantly higher in the non-metal-on-metal, non-cemented, and titanium alloy groups (SIR =1.30; 1.46 and 1.41 respectively). Risk of colorectal and lung cancer was significantly lower in the investigated cohort (SIR =0.82 and 0.83, respectively). Risk for all cancers combined as well as for prostate and skin cancer, shown by Poisson analysis, was higher in the metal-on-metal group compared with non-metal-on-metal group (RR =1.56; 2.02 and 1.92, respectively). Interpretation - Some associations were found between the THRs' features, especially a positive association between metal-on-metal bearings, and specific cancers.

The chromium accumulation and its physiological effects in juvenile rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii, exposed to different levels of dietary chromium (Cr(6+)) concentrations

Juvenile rockfish (mean length 13.7±1.7 cm, and mean weight 55.6±4.8 g) were exposed for 4 weeks with the different levels of dietary chromium (Cr(6+)) at 0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 mg/kg. The profile of chromium in the tissues of rockfish is dependent on the exposure periods and chromium concentration. After 4 weeks, the order of chromium accumulation in tissues was liver>kidney>spleen>intestine>gill>muscle. The dietary chromium exposure decreased the growth rate and hepatosomatic index of rockfish. The major hematological findings were significant decrease in the red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit (Ht) value, and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration exposed to ≥120 mg/kg chromium concentrations. The dietary chromium exposure (≥120 mg/kg) led to notable increase in glucose, cholesterol, glutamic oxalate transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in plasma, whereas there was no considerable change in calcium, magnesium, total protein, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The results indicated that the dietary chromium exposure to rockfish can induce significant chromium accumulation in the specific tissues, inhibition of growth, and hematological alterations.

Differential distribution of cobalt, chromium, and nickel between whole blood, plasma and urine in patients after metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasty

Evidence shows that raised cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) whole blood concentrations correlate with poor device outcome in patients following metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasty. To understand the local and systemic pathological effects of these raised metal concentrations it is important to define their distribution between whole blood, plasma, and urine. The metals were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS). Two hundred and five plasma, 199 whole blood, and 24 sets of urine samples were analyzed from 202 patients with Co-Cr alloy MoM hip prostheses implanted between 8 months to 12 years (mean 6.0 years) prior to analysis. Plasma Co (median 39.1 nmol/L) showed significantly positive 1:1 correlation with whole blood Co (median 45.9 nmol/L; R(2)  = 0.98, p < 0.001, slope = 1.0). Plasma Cr (median 53.8 nmol/L) and whole blood Cr (median 40.3 nmol/L) were also correlated; however, concentrations were significantly higher in plasma indicating relatively little blood cell uptake (R(2)  = 0.96, p < 0.001, slope = 1.6). Urinary Co was up to threefold higher than Cr (median 334.0 vs. 97.3 nmol/L respectively). Nickel concentrations in whole blood, plasma, and urine were low relative to Co and Cr. The analysis shows fundamental differences in the physiological handling of these metals: Co is distributed approximately equally between blood cells and plasma, whereas Cr is mainly in plasma, despite which, Cr had far less renal excretion than Co.

Nephrotoxicity of CCA-treated wood: A comparative study with As(2)O(5) and CrO(3) on mice

The purpose of this work was to assess the acute toxicity on male mice to a chromated copper arsenate (CCA) solution, a widespread wood preservative used in building industry until 2002. Animals were subcutaneously injected with CCA (7.2mg/kg arsenic and 10.2mg/kg chromium per body weight), CrO(3) (10.2mg/kg), As(2)O(5) (7.2mg/kg) and NaCl (0.9%) per se, during 48h and 96h, for histopathology, histochemistry, chromium and arsenic analysis. The results showed some histopathological changes within renal tubules lumen of CCA exposed animals (during 48h, and 96h), and CrO(3) (for the period of 96h). Furthermore, the renal levels of arsenic and chromium in treated animals were statistically more evident than controls. Although, the same contents of pentavalent arsenic and hexavalent chromium were injected into treated animals with CCA and with the prepared solutions of As(2)O(5) and CrO(3), a different distribution of the pattern of these compounds was observed in kidneys.

Acute toxicity impacts of hexavalent chromium on behavior and histopathology of gill, kidney and liver of the freshwater fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch)

Alteration in behavioral patterns and histopathology of gill, kidney and liver were studied in Channa punctatus, after acute exposure to hexavalent chromium. The 96h LC(50) of chromium salt, potassium dichromate was determined to be 41.75mg/L. The exposed fish displayed erratic swimming and became lethargic. The changes in gills were characterized by epithelial hyperplasia, lamellar fusion, oedema, epithelial lifting, epithelial necrosis and desquamation, aneurism as well as curling of secondary lamellae. Hypertrophy of epithelial cells of renal tubules with reduced lumens, atrophy of the renal tubules, glomeruli contraction in the Bowman's capsules and necrosis of haematopoietic tissues were observed in the trunk kidney of exposed fish. The interrenal cells of the head kidney exhibited distinct hypertrophy and vacuolization. The liver hepatocytes showed cytoplasmic vacuolization with the lateral nuclei arrangement. Hepatocytes atrophy and increase in sinusoidal space were also observed. The result showed that acute chromium toxicity severely affects the vital organs and normal behavior which may be deleterious for fish populations.

Histopathological effects of hexavalent chromium in the ovary of a fresh water fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch)

The histopathological effects of hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) in the ovary of a fresh water teleost, Channa punctatus were investigated. An exposure-dependent alteration in ovarian histology is reported. For both acute and chronic exposures to Cr (VI), the percentages of atretic oocytes were increased; this increase was more pronounced in the acute exposure group. A decrease in percentage of vitellogenic oocytes was observed in the chronic exposure group indicating impairment of vitellogenesis. The hepatocellular vacuolization and atrophy along with pyknotic nuclei in both acute and chronic chromium exposed fish liver supports the vitellogenic impairment. The observed alterations may be due to both direct cytotoxic effect of Cr (VI) on the ovary as well as mediation by overall systemic toxicity affecting other vital organs.

Orthopaedic metals and their potential toxicity in the arthroplasty patient

The long-term effects of metal-on-metal arthroplasty are currently under scrutiny because of the potential biological effects of metal wear debris. This review summarises data describing the release, dissemination, uptake, biological activity, and potential toxicity of metal wear debris released from alloys currently used in modern orthopaedics. The introduction of risk assessment for the evaluation of metal alloys and their use in arthroplasty patients is discussed and this should include potential harmful effects on immunity, reproduction, the kidney, developmental toxicity, the nervous system and carcinogenesis.