Apoptotic process of cerebellar degeneration in experimental methylmercury intoxication of rats

Methylmercury Induces Apoptosis in Mouse C17.2 Neural Stem Cells through the Induction of OSGIN1 Expression by NRF2

Methylmercury is a known environmental pollutant that exhibits severe neurotoxic effects. However, the mechanism by which methylmercury causes neurotoxicity remains unclear. To date, we have found that oxidative stress-induced growth inhibitor 1 (OSGIN1), which is induced by oxidative stress and DNA damage, is also induced by methylmercury. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the relationship between methylmercury toxicity and the induction of OSGIN1 expression using C17.2 cells, which are mouse brain neural stem cells. Methylmercury increased both OSGIN1 mRNA and protein levels in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, these increases were almost entirely canceled out by pretreatment with actinomycin D, a transcription inhibitor. Furthermore, similar results were obtained from cells in which expression of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) was suppressed, indicating that methylmercury induces OSGIN1 expression via NRF2. Methylmercury causes neuronal cell death by inducing apoptosis. Therefore, we next investigated the role of OSGIN1 in methylmercury-induced neuronal cell death using the activation of caspase-3, which is involved in apoptosis induction, as an indicator. As a result, the increase in cleaved caspase-3 (activated form) induced by methylmercury exposure was decreased by suppressing OSGIN1, and the overexpression of OSGIN1 further promoted the increase in cleaved caspase-3 caused by methylmercury. These results suggest, for the first time, that OSGIN1 is a novel factor involved in methylmercury toxicity, and methylmercury induces apoptosis in C17.2 cells through the induction of OSGIN1 expression by NRF2.

Methylmercury-induced brain neuronal death in CHOP-knockout mice

Apoptosis is one of the hallmarks of MeHg-induced neuronal cell death; however, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. We previously reported that MeHg exposure induces neuron-specific ER stress in the mouse brain. Excessive ER stress contributes to apoptosis, and CHOP induction is considered to be one of the major mechanisms. CHOP is also increased by MeHg exposure in the mouse brain, suggesting that it correlates with increased apoptosis. In this study, to clarify whether CHOP mediates MeHg-induced apoptosis, we examined the effect of CHOP deletion on MeHg exposure in CHOP-knockout mice. Our data showed that CHOP deletion had no effect on MeHg exposure-induced weight loss or hindlimb impairment in mice, nor did it increase apoptosis or inhibit neuronal cell loss. Hence, CHOP plays little role in MeHg toxicity, and other apoptotic pathways coupled with ER stress may be involved in MeHg-induced cell death.

Methylmercury exposure during prenatal and postnatal neurodevelopment promotes oxidative stress associated with motor and cognitive damages in rats: an environmental-experimental toxicology study

The environmental contamination by methylmercury (MeHg) is a major concern for public health. The effects of MeHg in the central nervous system (CNS) of adult animals have been extensively investigated; however, little is known about the effects of MeHg exposure during intrauterine and lactation periods on motor and cognitive functions of adolescent rats. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of MeHg exposure during intrauterine life and lactation on both motor and cognitive functions of offspring rats. Ten female Wistar rats were exposed to 40 μg/kg/day of MeHg through cookie treats from the first day of pregnancy until the last day of breastfeeding. Both motor and cognitive functions of offspring male rats were assessed by open field, rotarod, and step-down inhibitory avoidance tests. Forty-one days after birth, the hippocampus and cerebellum were collected to determine total Hg content, antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and nitrite levels. MeHg exposure during CNS development increased Hg levels in both hippocampal and cerebellar parenchymas, triggered oxidative stress throughout ACAP and GSH decrease, increased LPO and nitrite levels. These alterations resulted in reduced spontaneous and stimulated locomotion and short- and long-term memory deficits. Therefore, damages triggered by MeHg exposure during intrauterine life and lactation had detrimental effects on oxidative biochemistry and motor and cognitive functions of offspring rats.

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The MeHg exposure during CNS development increased mercury levels in hippocampal and cerebellar parenchyma.

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The MeHg intoxication during pregnancy and lactation impairs the redox status of hippocampus and cerebellum of the offspring.

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MeHg exposure causes behavioral effects in motor ability and cognition of offspring rats.

Imaging Microstructural Damage and Alveolar Bone Loss in Rats Systemically Exposed to Methylmercury: First Experimental Evidence

The alveolar bone is an important mineralized structure of the periodontal support apparatus, and information about the methylmercury (MeHg) effects on the structural integrity is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether systemic, chronic, and low-dose exposure to MeHg can change the alveolar bone microstructure of rats. Adult Wistar rats (n = 30) were exposed to 0.04 mg/kg/day of MeHg or vehicle through intragastric gavage. The animals were euthanized after 60 days, and blood samples were collected for trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and comet assays. The mandible of each animal was collected and separated into hemimandibles that were used to determine the total Hg level in the bone and to analyze microstructural damage and alveolar bone loss in terms of trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), and exposed root area of the second molars. MeHg exposure triggered oxidative stress in blood represented by lower levels of GSH and TEAC and the increase in LPO and DNA damage of the blood cells. High total Hg levels were found in the alveolar bone, and the microstructural analyses showed a reduction in Tb.N, Tb.Th, and BV/TV, which resulted in an increase in the exposed root area and a decrease in bone height. Long-term MeHg exposure promotes a systemic redox imbalance associated with microstructural changes and alveolar bone loss and may indicate a potential risk indicator for periodontal diseases.

The antioxidant role of STAT3 in methylmercury-induced toxicity in mouse hypothalamic neuronal GT1-7 cell line

Oxidative stress, impairment of antioxidant defenses, and disruption of calcium homeostasis are associated with the toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg). Yet, the relative contribution and interdependence of these effects and other molecular mechanisms that mediate MeHg-induced neurotoxicity remain uncertain. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of anti-apoptotic and cell cycle progression genes. In addition to its role in cell growth and survival, STAT3 regulates redox homeostasis and prevents oxidative stress by the modulation of nuclear genes that encode for electron transport complexes (ETC) and antioxidant enzymes. Here we tested the hypothesis that STAT3 contributes to the orchestration of the antioxidant defense response against MeHg injury. We show that MeHg (>1 μM) exposure induced STAT3 activation within 1 h and beyond in mouse hypothalamic neuronal GT1-7 cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. Pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation exacerbated MeHg-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant responses. Finally, treatment with the antioxidant Trolox demonstrated that MeHg-induced STAT3 activation is mediated, at least in part, by MeHg-induced ROS generation. Combined, our results demonstrated a role for the STAT3 signaling pathway as an early response to MeHg-induced oxidative stress.

Micro-endoscopy for Live Small Animal Fluorescent Imaging

Intravital microscopy has emerged as a powerful technique for the fluorescent visualization of cellular- and subcellular-level biological processes in vivo. However, the size of objective lenses used in standard microscopes currently makes it difficult to access internal organs with minimal invasiveness in small animal models, such as mice. Here we describe front- and side-view designs for small-diameter endoscopes based on gradient-index lenses, their construction, their integration into laser scanning confocal microscopy platforms, and their applications for in vivo imaging of fluorescent cells and microvasculature in various organs, including the kidney, bladder, heart, brain, and gastrointestinal tracts, with a focus on the new techniques developed for each imaging application. The combination of novel fluorescence techniques with these powerful imaging methods promises to continue providing novel insights into a variety of diseases.

The therapeutic and protective effects of bee pollen against prenatal methylmercury induced neurotoxicity in rat pups

The current study evaluated the protective and therapeutic potency of bee pollen in ameliorating the toxic effects of methylmercury (MeHg), by measuring certain biochemical parameters related to neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and glutamate excitotoxicity in the male neonate brain. Healthy, pregnant female rats (N = 40) were randomly divided into 5 groups, each comprising10 male neonates, as follows: (i) neonates delivered by control mothers; (ii) neonates delivered by MeHg-treated mothers who received 0.5 mg/kg BW/day MeHg via drinking water from gestational day 7 till postnatal day 7; (iii) neonates delivered by bee pollen treated mothers who received 200-mg/kg BW bee pollen from postnatal day 0 for 4 weeks; (iv) protective group of neonates delivered by MeHg and bee pollen-treated mothers, who continued to receive bee pollen until day 21 at the same dose, and (v) therapeutic group of neonates delivered by MeHg- treated mothers followed by bee pollen treatment, wherein they received 200-mg/kg BW bee pollen from postnatal day 0 for 4 weeks. Selected biochemical parameters in brain homogenates from each group were measured. MeHg-treated groups exhibited various signs of brain toxicity, such as a marked reduction in neurotransmitters (serotonin (5-HT), nor-adrenalin (NA), dopamine (DA)) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and elevated levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), caspase-3, and glutamate (Glu). Bee pollen effectively reduced the neurotoxic effects of MeHg. Minimal changes in all measured parameters were observed in MeHg-treated animals compared to the control group. Therefore, bee pollen may safely improve neurotransmitter defects, inflammation, apoptosis, and glutamate excitotoxicity.

Brain morphometric profiles and their seasonal modulation in fish (Liza aurata) inhabiting a mercury contaminated estuary

Mercury (Hg) is a potent neurotoxicant known to induce important adverse effects on fish, but a deeper understanding is lacking regarding how environmental exposure affects the brain morphology and neural plasticity of specific brain regions in wild specimens. In this work, it was evaluated the relative volume and cell density of the lateral pallium, hypothalamus, optic tectum and molecular layer of the cerebellum on wild Liza aurata captured in Hg-contaminated (LAR) and non-contaminated (SJ) sites of a coastal system (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). Given the season-related variations in the environment that fish are naturally exposed, this assessment was performed in the winter and summer. Hg triggered a deficit in cell density of hypothalamus during the winter that could lead to hormonal dysfunctions, while in the summer Hg promoted larger volumes of the optic tectum and cerebellum, indicating the warm period as the most critical for the manifestation of putative changes in visual acuity and motor-dependent tasks. Moreover, in fish from the SJ site, the lateral pallium relative volume and the cell density of the hypothalamus and optic tectum were higher in the winter than in summer. Thus, season-related stimuli strongly influence the size and/or cell density of specific brain regions in the non-contaminated area, pointing out the ability of fish to adapt to environmental and physiological demands. Conversely, fish from the Hg-contaminated site showed a distinct seasonal profile of brain morphology, presenting a larger optic tectum in the summer, as well as a larger molecular layer of the cerebellum with higher cell density. Moreover, Hg exposure impaired the winter-summer variation of the lateral pallium relative size (as observed at SJ). Altogether, seasonal variations in fish neural morphology and physiology should be considered when performing ecotoxicological studies in order to better discriminate the Hg neurotoxicity.

Changes in Biochemical Processes in Cerebellar Granule Cells of Mice Exposed To Methylmercury

At postnatal day 34, male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed orally once a day to a total of five doses totaling 1.0 or 5.0 mg/kg of methylmercuric chloride or sterile deionized water in moistened rodent chow. Eleven days after the last dose cerebellar granule cells were acutely isolated to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential using CM-H2DCFDA and TMRM dyes, respectively. For visualizing intracellular calcium ion distribution using transmission electron microscopy, mice were perfused 11 days after the last dose of methylmercury (MeHg) using the oxalate-pyroantimonate method. Cytosolic and mitochondrial protein fractions from acutely isolated granule cells were analyzed for cytochrome c content using Western blot analysis. Histochemistry (Fluoro-Jade dye) and immunohistochemistry (activated caspase 3) was performed on frozen serial cerebellar sections to label granule cell death and activation of caspase 3, respectively. Granule cells isolated from MeHg-treated mice showed elevated ROS levels and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential when compared to granule cells from control mice. Electron photomicrographs of MeHg-treated granule cells showed altered intracellular calcium ion homeostasis ([Ca2+]i) when compared to control granule cells. However, in spite of these subcellular changes and moderate relocalization of cytochrome c into the cytosol, the concentrations of MeHg used in this study did not produce significant neuronal cell death/apoptosis at the time point examined, as evidenced by Fluoro-Jade and activated caspase 3 immunostaining, respectively. These results demonstrate that short-term in vivo exposure to total doses of 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg MeHg through the most common exposure route (oral) can result in significant subcellular changes that are not accompanied by overt neuronal cell death.

Methylmercury and brain development: A review of recent literature

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent environmental pollutant, which elicits significant toxicity in humans. The central nervous system (CNS) is the primary target of toxicity, and is particularly vulnerable during development. Maternal exposure to MeHg via consumption of fish and seafood can have irreversible effects on the neurobehavioral development of children, even in the absence of symptoms in the mother. It is well documented that developmental MeHg exposure may lead to neurological alterations, including cognitive and motor dysfunction. The neurotoxic effects of MeHg on the developing brain have been extensively studied. The mechanism of toxicity, however, is not fully understood. No single process can explain the multitude of effects observed in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. This review summarizes the most current knowledge on the effects of MeHg during nervous system development considering both, in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Considerable attention was directed towards the role of glutamate and calcium dyshomeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as the effects of MeHg on cytoskeletal components/regulators.

Unveiling the neurotoxicity of methylmercury in fish (Diplodus sargus) through a regional morphometric analysis of brain and swimming behavior assessment

The current study aims to shed light on the neurotoxicity of MeHg in fish (white seabream - Diplodus sargus) by the combined assessment of: (i) MeHg toxicokinetics in the brain, (ii) brain morphometry (volume and number of neurons plus glial cells in specific brain regions) and (iii) fish swimming behavior (endpoints associated with the motor performance and the fear/anxiety-like status). Fish were surveyed for all the components after 7 (E7) and 14 (E14) days of dietary exposure to MeHg (8.7μgg^-1), as well as after a post-exposure period of 28days (PE28). MeHg was accumulated in the brain of D. sargus after a short time (E7) and reached a maximum at the end of the exposure period (E14), suggesting an efficient transport of this toxicant into fish brain. Divalent inorganic Hg was also detected in fish brain along the experiment (indicating demethylation reactions), although levels were 100-200 times lower than MeHg, which pinpoints the organic counterpart as the great liable for the recorded effects. In this regard, a decreased number of cells in medial pallium and optic tectum, as well as an increased hypothalamic volume, occurred at E7. Such morphometric alterations were followed by an impairment of fish motor condition as evidenced by a decrease in the total swimming time, while the fear/anxiety-like status was not altered. Moreover, at E14 fish swam a greater distance, although no morphometric alterations were found in any of the brain areas, probably due to compensatory mechanisms. Additionally, although MeHg decreased almost two-fold in the brain during post-exposure, the levels were still high and led to a loss of cells in the optic tectum at PE28. This is an interesting result that highlights the optic tectum as particularly vulnerable to MeHg exposure in fish. Despite the morphometric alterations reported in the optic tectum at PE28, no significant changes were found in fish behavior. Globally, the effects of MeHg followed a multiphasic profile, where homeostatic mechanisms prevented circumstantially morphometric alterations in the brain and behavioral shifts. Although it has become clear the complexity of matching brain morphometric changes and behavioral shifts, motor-related alterations induced by MeHg seem to depend on a combination of disruptions in different brain regions.

Hydroxytyrosol, a dietary phenolic compound forestalls the toxic effects of methylmercury-induced toxicity in IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells

This study demonstrates the protective potential of hydroxytyrosol (HT), an olive oil phenol, against methylmercury (MeHg)-induced neurotoxicity using IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cell line. HT inhibited MeHg-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity as confirmed by MTT, micronucleus, and comet assays. Cells preconditioned with HT showed reduction of MeHg-induced cellular oxidative stress along with the maintenance of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-tranferase, and catalase. Fluorescence microscopy and DNA ladder assays indicated the inhibitory effect of HT against MeHg-induced apoptosis, which was further established by Western blotting. An effective concentration of 5 µM HT caused downregulation of p53, bax, cytochrome c, and caspase 3 and upregulation of prosurvival proteins including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and metallothionein. This work indicates the cytoprotective potential of HT against MeHg-induced toxicity primarily by the lowering of oxidative stress, which may be endorsed to its antigenotoxic and antiapoptotic potential, in addition to its free radical scavenging ability. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1264-1275, 2016.

Inorganic mercury accumulation in brain following waterborne exposure elicits a deficit on the number of brain cells and impairs swimming behavior in fish (white seabream-Diplodus sargus)

The current study contributes to fill the knowledge gap on the neurotoxicity of inorganic mercury (iHg) in fish through the implementation of a combined evaluation of brain morphometric alterations (volume and total number of neurons plus glial cells in specific regions of the brain) and swimming behavior (endpoints related with the motor activity and mood/anxiety-like status). White seabream (Diplodus sargus) was exposed to realistic levels of iHg in water (2μgL(-1)) during 7 (E7) and 14 days (E14). After that, fish were allowed to recover for 28 days (PE28) in order to evaluate brain regeneration and reversibility of behavioral syndromes. A significant reduction in the number of cells in hypothalamus, optic tectum and cerebellum was found at E7, accompanied by relevant changes on swimming behavior. Moreover, the decrease in the number of neurons and glia in the molecular layer of the cerebellum was followed by a contraction of its volume. This is the first time that a deficit on the number of cells is reported in fish brain after iHg exposure. Interestingly, a recovery of hypothalamus and cerebellum occurred at E14, as evidenced by the identical number of cells found in exposed and control fish, and volume of cerebellum, which might be associated with an adaptive phenomenon. After 28 days post-exposure, the optic tectum continued to show a decrease in the number of cells, pointing out a higher vulnerability of this region. These morphometric alterations coincided with numerous changes on swimming behavior, related both with fish motor function and mood/anxiety-like status. Overall, current data pointed out the iHg potential to induce brain morphometric alterations, emphasizing a long-lasting neurobehavioral hazard.

Methylmercury upregulates RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) in SH-SY5Y cells and mouse cerebellum

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly neurotoxic compound that, in adequate doses, can cause damage to the brain, including developmental defects and in severe cases cell death. The RE-1-silencing transcription factor (REST) has been found to be involved in the neurotoxic effects of environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In this study, we investigated the effects of MeHg treatment on REST expression and its role in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We found that MeHg exposure caused a dose- and time- dependent apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the appearance of apoptotic hallmarks including caspase-3 processing and annexin V uptake. Moreover, MeHg increased REST gene and gene product expression. MeHg-induced apoptotic cell death was completely abolished by REST knockdown. Interestingly, MeHg (1μM/24h) increased the expression of REST Corepressor (Co-REST) and its binding with REST whereas the other REST cofactor mammalian SIN3 homolog A transcription regulator (mSin3A) was not modified. In addition, we demonstrated that the acetylation of histone protein H4 was reduced after MeHg treatment and was critical for MeHg-induced apoptosis. Accordingly, the pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin-A (TSA) prevented MeHg-induced histone protein H4 deacetylation, thereby reverting MeHg-induced neurotoxic effect. Male mice subcutaneously injected with 10mg/kg of MeHg for 10 days showed an increase in REST expression in the granule cell layer of the cerebellum together with a decrease in histone H4 acetylation. Collectively, we demonstrated that methylmercury exposure can cause neurotoxicity by activating REST gene expression and H4 deacetylation.

Autoantibodies associated with prenatal and childhood exposure to environmental chemicals in Faroese children

Methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are ubiquitous and persistent environmental chemicals with known or suspected toxic effects on the nervous system and the immune system. Animal studies have shown that tissue damage can elicit production of autoantibodies. However, it is not known if autoantibodies similarly will be generated and detectable in humans following toxicant exposures. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study to investigate if autoantibodies specific for neural and non-neural antigens could be detected in children at age 7 years who have been exposed to environmental chemicals. Both prenatal and age-7 exposures to mercury, PCBs, and PFCs were measured in 38 children in the Faroe Islands who were exposed to widely different levels of these chemicals due to their seafood-based diet. Concentrations of IgM and IgG autoantibodies specific to both neural (neurofilaments, cholineacetyltransferase, astrocyte glial fibrillary acidic protein, and myelin basic protein) and non-neural (actin, desmin, and keratin) antigens were measured and the associations of these autoantibody concentrations with chemical exposures were assessed using linear regression. Age-7 blood-mercury concentrations were positively associated with titers of multiple neural- and non-neural-specific antibodies, mostly of the IgM isotype. Additionally, prenatal blood-mercury and -PCBs were negatively associated with anti-keratin IgG and prenatal PFOS was negatively associated with anti-actin IgG. These exploratory findings demonstrate that autoantibodies can be detected in the peripheral blood following exposure to environmental chemicals. The unexpected association of exposures with antibodies specific for non-neural antigens suggests that these chemicals may have toxicities that have not yet been recognized.

Mercury levels in raccoons (Procyon lotor) from the Warta Mouth National Park, northwestern Poland

This is the first report on mercury (Hg) levels in the liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, and brain of raccoon in Europe. It studied Hg concentration in 24 raccoons from the Warta Mouth National Park, northwestern Poland by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The highest total Hg concentrations in the raccoon were found in the liver (maximum, 18.45 mg/kg dry weight), while the lowest in the brain (maximum, 0.49 mg/kg dw). In adult raccoons, Hg concentrations in the liver, kidney, and brain were higher than in immature individuals (p<0.001), while similar in skeletal muscle in both age groups. Our results are consistent with studies by other authors conducted in North America in areas with similar environmental conditions.

Optical fine-needle imaging biopsy of the brain

We demonstrate optical fine-needle imaging biopsy (FNIB), combining a fine needle (22 gauge) and a high-resolution side-view probe (350-μm diameter) for minimally invasive interrogation of brain tissue in situ. We apply this technique to examine pathogenesis in murine models of neurodegeneration, brain metastasis of melanoma, and arterial occlusion, respectively. The demonstrated ability to obtain cellular images in the deep brain without craniotomy may be useful in the longitudinal studies of brain diseases.

Degeneration of peripheral nervous system in rats experimentally induced by methylmercury intoxication

The objective of this study is to elucidate the primary action of methylmercury chloride (MMC) intoxication on peripheral nervous system. We chronologically observed the pathological changes of sciatic nerve, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, ventral and dorsal roots in rats given 4 mg/kg/day of MMC on consecutive days and killed on days 11, 15, 18 and 21. On day 11, an initial axonal degeneration of type B neuron occurred, predominantly in the distal portions of sciatic nerve. The DRG type A neuron was infiltrated by MRF-1-positive macrophages on day 11. Electron microscopy also demonstrated degenerated mitochondria in type A neuron. On day 21, most of type A neurons seemed to have disappeared. However, type B neurons were well preserved. Immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies, P0 and neurofilament, demonstrated that both of proteins significantly decreases from day 15. In conclusion, these results indicate that the primary action on type A neuron is the neuron body that consequently results in an anterograde degeneration of nerve fibers, while the type B neuron degeneration occurs in a dying-back process in this subacute model. These findings suggest that the mechanisms involved in the degeneration induced by MMC vary and may depend on certain intrinsic factors peculiar to these neurons.

Methylmercury: a potential environmental risk factor contributing to epileptogenesis

Epilepsy or seizure disorder is one of the most common neurological diseases in humans. Although genetic mutations in ion channels and receptors and some other risk factors such as brain injury are linked to epileptogenesis, the underlying cause for the majority of epilepsy cases remains unknown. Gene-environment interactions are thought to play a critical role in the etiology of epilepsy. Exposure to environmental chemicals is an important risk factor. Methylmercury (MeHg) is a prominent environmental neurotoxicant, which targets primarily the central nervous system (CNS). Patients or animals with acute or chronic MeHg poisoning often display epileptic seizures or show increased susceptibility to seizures, suggesting that MeHg exposure may be associated with epileptogenesis. This mini-review highlights the effects of MeHg exposure, especially developmental exposure, on the susceptibility of humans and animals to seizures, and discusses the potential role of low level MeHg exposure in epileptogenesis. This review also proposes that a preferential effect of MeHg on the inhibitory GABAergic system, leading to disinhibition of excitatory glutamatergic function, may be one of the potential mechanisms underlying MeHg-induced changes in seizure susceptibility.

Methylmercury inhibits electron transport chain activity and induces cytochrome c release in cerebellum mitochondria

The involvement of oxidative stress has been suggested as a mechanism for toxicity caused by methylmercury (MeHg). One of the major critical sites for oxidative stress is the mitochondria. In this research, to clarify the target site in mitochondria affected by MeHg, the individual activities of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) (I∼IV) were examined in the liver, cerebrum and cerebellum of MeHg-intoxicated rats. In addition, to elucidate the mechanism underlying MeHg toxicity, cytochrome c release, caspase 3 activity and histological study were examined in the cerebrum and cerebellum. The cerebellum was found to be an exclusive tissue in which significant MeHg-induced alterations were observed. The complex II activity in the cerebellum mitochondria significantly decreased after MeHg exposure. Cytochrome c release from mitochondria increased only in the cerebellum by MeHg exposure. However, no significant alterations in caspase 3 activity or histological structure were found in brain tissues. These results suggest that MeHg acts on the constituents of complex II in the cerebellum, and induces mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to a release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. These events were considered to occur at the early stage of MeHg intoxication.

Methylmercury-induced neurotoxicity and apoptosis

Methylmercury is a widely distributed environmental toxicant with detrimental effects on the developing and adult nervous system. Due to its accumulation in the food chain, chronic exposure to methylmercury via consumption of fish and sea mammals is still a major concern for human health, especially developmental exposure that may lead to neurological alterations, including cognitive and motor dysfunctions. Mercury-induced neurotoxicity and the identification of the underlying mechanisms has been a main focus of research in the neurotoxicology field. Three major mechanisms have been identified as critical in methylmercury-induced cell damage including (i) disruption of calcium homeostasis, (ii) induction of oxidative stress via overproduction of reactive oxygen species or reduction of antioxidative defenses and (iii) interactions with sulfhydryl groups. In vivo and in vitro studies have provided solid evidence for the occurrence of neural cell death, as well as cytoarchitectural alterations in the nervous system after exposure to methylmercury. Signaling cascades leading to cell death induced by methylmercury involve the release of mitochondrial factors, such as cytochrome c and AIF with subsequent caspase-dependent or -independent apoptosis, respectively; induction of calcium-dependent proteases calpains; interaction with lysosomes leading to release of cathepsins. Interestingly, several pathways can be activated in parallel, depending on the cell type. In this paper, we provide an overview of recent findings on methylmercury-induced neurotoxicity and cell death pathways that have been described in neural and endocrine cell systems.

Effect of alpha-ketoglutarate and N-acetyl cysteine on cyanide-induced oxidative stress mediated cell death in PC12 cells

Cyanide is a mitochondrial poison, which is ubiquitously present in the environment. Cyanide-induced oxidative stress is known to play a key role in mediating the neurotoxicity and cell death in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. PC12 cells are widely used as a model for neurotoxicity assays in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of alpha-ketoglutarate (A-KG), a potential cyanide antidote, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant against toxicity of cyanide in PC12 cells. Cells were treated with various concentrations (0.625—1.25 mM) of potassium cyanide (KCN) for 4 hours, in the presence or absence of simultaneous treatment of A-KG (0.5 mM) and NAC (0.25 mM). Cyanide caused marked decrease in the levels of cellular antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR). Lipid peroxidation indicated by elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) was found to be accompanied by decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant status (TAS) of the cells. Cyanide-treated cells showed notable increase in caspase-3 activity and induction of apoptotic type of cell death after 24 hours. A-KG and NAC alone were very effective in restoring the levels of GSH and TAS, but together they significantly resolved the effects of cyanide on antioxidant enzymes, MDA levels, and caspase-3 activity. The present study reveals that combination of A-KG and NAC has critical role in abbrogating the oxidative stress-mediated toxicity of cyanide in PC12 cells. The results suggest potential role of A-KG and NAC in cyanide antagonism.

Molecular cloning, expression patterns and subcellular localization of porcine TMCO1 gene

The product of transmembrane and coiled-coil domains 1 (TMCO1) gene is a member of DUF841 superfamily of several eukaryotic proteins with unknown function. The partial DNA sequence of porcine TMCO1 was first cloned with a pig 567 bp ORF encoding 188 amino acids. By tissues expression analysis, the TMCO1 was found highly expressed in the liver, kidney and heart. The porcine TMCO1 protein was subsequently demonstrated to localize in the mitochondrion by confocal fluorescence microscopy. This data provides an important basis for conducing further studies on the functions and regulatory mechanisms underlying the role of TMCO1 gene.

Possible involvement of cathepsin B released by microglia in methylmercury-induced cerebellar pathological changes in the adult rat

There is increasing evidence that cathepsin B (CB), a lysosomal cysteine protease, is one of the toxic molecules that are secreted by activated microglia. We herein provide evidence that CB released by activated microglia may play a role in the methylmercury (MeHg)-induced pathological changes observed in the cerebellum of the adult rat. Pathological changes tended to progress slowly after treatment with MeHg (5 mg/kg) for 12 consecutive days. At 5 days after the final treatment of MeHg, there was a mild pyknotic change of the granule cells, whereas a marked accumulation of activated microglia was observed in the granule cell layer of the lingual and central lobe. At 8 days after the final treatment, intense pyknotic changes of the granule cells and the accumulation of activated microglia were observed throughout the cerebellar vermis. CB first significantly increased at 3 days after the final treatment of MeHg as the mature form. CB mainly increased in activated microglia which accumulated in the granule cell layer. The coadministration of CA074, an irreversible CB inhibitor, with MeHg significantly reduced the severity of pyknotic changes of the granule cells. Furthermore, primary cultured microglia secreted the mature CB in the culture medium following cellular activation. These observations strongly suggest that CB secreted by activated microglia is thus closely associated with the MeHg-induced severe pyknotic changes of the cerebellar granule cells. The treatment of CA074 could be a potentially effective therapeutic intervention to prevent the pathological changes in the cerebellum caused by ingestion of MeHg-contaminated food.

Neurobehavioural and molecular changes induced by methylmercury exposure during development

There is an increasing body of evidence on the possible environmental influence on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Both experimental and epidemiological studies have demonstrated the distinctive susceptibility of the developing brain to environmental factors such as lead, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls at levels of exposure that have no detectable effects in adults. Methylmercury (MeHg) has long been known to affect neurodevelopment in both humans and experimental animals. Neurobehavioural effects reported include altered motoric function and memory and learning disabilities. In addition, there is evidence from recent experimental neurodevelopmental studies that MeHg can induce depression-like behaviour. Several mechanisms have been suggested from in vivo- and in vitro-studies, such as effects on neurotransmitter systems, induction of oxidative stress and disruption of microtubules and intracellular calcium homeostasis. Recent in vitro data show that very low levels of MeHg can inhibit neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells. This review summarises what is currently known about the neurodevelopmental effects of MeHg and consider the strength of different experimental approaches to study the effects of environmentally relevant exposure in vivo and in vitro.

Cell viability and proteomic analysis in cultured neurons exposed to methylmercury

Methylmercury is an environmental contaminant with special selectivity for cerebellar granule cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of long-term methylmercury exposure on cell viability and cellular proteome in cultured cerebellar granule cells. Primary cultures of mice cerebellar granule cells were treated with 0-300 nM methylmercury at 2 days in vitro (div) and afterwards the cells were harvested at 12 div. 100 nM methylmercury produced loss of cell viability, reduced intracellular glutamate content and increased lipid peroxidation. Glutamate transport was not modified by methylmercury treatment. Cell death induced by 300 nM methylmercury at 8 div was apoptotic without producing activation of caspase 3. Extracts of total protein were separated by 2D electrophoresis. Around 800 protein spots were visualized by silver staining in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Gel images were digitized and protein patterns were analysed by image analysis. Several spots were identified through a combination of peptide mass fingerprinting and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The mitochondrial protein 3-ketoacid-coenzyme A transferase I was decreased up to 39% of controls at concentrations of methylmercury that did not produce cytotoxic effects, whereas the cytoplasmic proteins lactate dehydrogenase chain B and actin did not change.

Mercury exposure and public health

Mercury is a metal that is a liquid at room temperature. Mercury has a long and interesting history deriving from its use in medicine and industry, with the resultant toxicity produced. In high enough doses, all forms of mercury can produce toxicity. The most devastating tragedies related to mercury toxicity in recent history include Minamata Bay and Niagata, Japan in the 1950s, and Iraq in the 1970s. More recent mercury toxicity issues include the extreme toxicity of the dimethylmercury compound noted in 1998, the possible toxicity related to dental amalgams, and the disproved relationship between vaccines and autism related to the presence of the mercury-containing preservative, thimerosal.

Differential effects of methylmercury intoxication in the rat's barrel field as evidenced by NADPH diaphorase histochemistry

In the present study, we investigated the effects of mercury intoxication on the structure of the posteromedial barrel subfield (PMBSF) in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) of adult rats, as revealed by histochemical reactivity to the enzyme NADPH diaphorase (NADPH-d). Enzymatic reactivity in the neuropil inside barrels was drastically reduced in intoxicated animals, suggesting that the synthesis and/or transport of the nitric oxide synthase enzyme can be altered in acute mercury intoxication. However, the cell bodies and dendrites of barrel neurons, also strongly reactive to the enzyme, were spared from the mercury's deleterious effects.

High susceptibility of neural stem cells to methylmercury toxicity: effects on cell survival and neuronal differentiation

Neural stem cells (NSCs) play an essential role in both the developing embryonic nervous system through to adulthood where the capacity for self-renewal may be important for normal function of the CNS, such as in learning, memory and response to injury. There has been much excitement about the possibility of transplantation of NSCs to replace damaged or lost neurones, or by recruitment of endogenous precursors. However, before the full potential of NSCs can be realized, it is essential to understand the physiological pathways that control their proliferation and differentiation, as well as the influence of extrinsic factors on these processes. In the present study we used the NSC line C17.2 and primary embryonic cortical NSCs (cNSCs) to investigate the effects of the environmental contaminant methylmercury (MeHg) on survival and differentiation of NSCs. The results show that NSCs, in particular cNSCs, are highly sensitive to MeHg. MeHg induced apoptosis in both models via Bax activation, cytochrome c translocation, and caspase and calpain activation. Remarkably, exposure to MeHg at concentrations comparable to the current developmental exposure (via cord blood) of the general population in many countries inhibited spontaneous neuronal differentiation of NSCs. Our studies also identified the intracellular pathway leading to MeHg-induced apoptosis, and indicate that NSCs are more sensitive than differentiated neurones or glia to MeHg-induced cytotoxicity. The observed effects of MeHg on NSC differentiation offer new perspectives for evaluating the biological significance of MeHg exposure at low levels.

Chronic ingestion of uranyl nitrate perturbs acetylcholinesterase activity and monoamine metabolism in male rat brain

Recent animal studies have shown that uranium can reach the brain after chronic exposure. However, little information is available on the neurological effects of chronic long-term exposure to uranium. In the present study, the effects during 1.5, 6 and 9-month periods of chronic ingestion of uranyl nitrate (UN) in drinking water (40 mg of uranium per litre) on cholinergic acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and on dopaminergic and serotoninergic metabolisms were investigated in several areas of male Srague Dawley rat brains. Uranium brain accumulation and distribution was also investigated after 1.5 and 9 months. Both after 1.5, 6 and 9 months of exposure, AChE activity was unaffected in the striatum, hippocampus and frontal cortex. Nevertheless, AChE activity was transitionally perturbed in the cerebellum after 6 months of exposure. After 1.5 months of exposure, DA level increased in hypothalamus. After 6 months of exposure, a tiny but significant modification of the DAergic turnover ratio was detected in the frontal cortex. And after 9 months, UN produced a significant decrease in the 5HIAA level and the 5HTergic turn-over ratio in the frontal cortex and also a decrease in the DOPAC level and DAergic turn-over ratio in the striatum. Uranium brain accumulation was statistically significant in striatum after 1.5 months and in striatum, hippocampus and frontal cortex after 9 months of exposure. Although neurochemical changes did not always correlated with increased accumulation of uranium in specific areas, these results suggest that chronic ingestion of UN can cause chronic and progressive perturbations of physiological level of neurotransmitter systems. Considering previous reports on behavioural uranium-induced effects and the involvement of neurotransmitters in various behavioural processes, it would be crucial to determine whether these neurochemical disorders were accompanied by neurobehavioral deficits even at 40 mg of uranium per litre exposure.

Very low levels of methylmercury induce cell death of cultured rat cerebellar neurons via calpain activation

Methylmercury, an environmental neurotoxicant, induces the apoptotic death of cerebellar granule cells in vitro at a low concentration. To further understand the mechanism of cell death, we used a rat cerebellar granule cell culture system to investigate whether the calpain/cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (cdk5)/p35 cascade, an important cascade for neuronal apoptosis, is involved in the methylmercury-induced death. A noteworthy finding was that the cerebellar granular cell death was increased at a very low concentration of methylmercury, 30 nM, which is lower than that previously reported. The high sensitivity to methylmercury indicates that this culture system is useful for studying methylmercury toxicity at very low concentrations. Using this system, we here found that the methylmercury-induced death was inhibited by the calpain inhibitor II. Furthermore, it was shown that, in methylmercury-exposed cells, alpha-fodrin and tau, calpain substrates, were cleaved to the fragments that disappeared by treatment with the calpain inhibitor II. We next assayed and showed that the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in cerebellar granule cells increased after methylmercury exposure in a time- and dose-dependent manner, significantly even at 30 nM. These results indicated that a very low concentration of methylmercury causes the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration to increase, activates calpain in the cells, and then induces cell death. We further found that the p35 protein was also processed to p25 that forms the cdk5-p25 complex, a hyperactive kinase for tau. However, an immunoblot using the anti-phosphorylated tau antibody showed that there was no increase of phosphorylated tau in methylmercury-exposed cells. These results suggested that methylmercury-induced cell death via calpain activation should not involve the stimulation of tau phosphorylation activity.

Participation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors on methylmercury-induced DNA damage in rat frontal cortex

Methylmercury (MeHg) inhibits glutamate uptake by astrocytes, which can contribute to neuronal loss through excitotoxicity. We explored the extent at which this phenomenon is involved in MeHg-induced DNA damage in the rat cortex. MeHg amounts that increase extracellular glutamate (1.5, 7.5 and 15 nmol, according to previous reports) were stereotaxically injected in the frontal cortex of adult rats before DNA-damage determination by means of a quantitative TUNEL assay. After either 24 or 48 h, the cortex of all exposed animals showed significant increments of damaged DNA, compared with rats that only received sterile saline. In parallel experiments, we found that the administration of a non competitive NMDA receptor antagonist (MK-801, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) 1 h before MeHg injection, significantly reduced DNA damage. These results demonstrate that activation of NMDA receptors contributes importantly to MeHg neurotoxicity.

Disruption of Intraneuronal Divalent Cation Regulation by Methylmercury: Are Specific Targets Involved in Altered Neuronal Development and Cytotoxicity in Methylmercury Poisoning?

Methylmercury is an environmental contaminant which causes relatively specific degeneration of the granular layer of the cerebellum, despite its ability to bind thiol groups in proteins of all cell types. The mechanisms underlying the specific targeting of cells during MeHg poisoning may depend on specific receptors and other targets related to divalent cation homeostasis, particularly intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)(i) signaling. MeHg disrupts Ca(2+)(i) homeostasis in a number of neuronal models, including cerebellar granule cells in primary culture, and contributes to MeHg-induced cell death, impaired synaptic function and disruption of neuronal development. Interestingly, the disruption of [Ca(2+)](i) regulation occurs through specific pathways which affect Ca(2+) regulation by organelles, particularly mitochondria and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Cholinergic pathways which affect [Ca(2+)](i) signaling also appear to be critical targets, particularly muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors which are linked to Ca(2+) release through inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP(3)) receptors. [Ca(2+)](i) dysregulation may also underlie observed alterations in cerebellar neuron development through interaction with specific target(s) in the developing axon. In this review, we examine the hypothesis that MeHg affects specific targets to cause disruption of neuronal development and cell death.

Comparison of cytopathological changes induced by mercury chloride exposure in renal cell lines (VERO and BGM)

The response to mercury chloride was assessed in two cell lines of renal origin, determining the range of toxic concentrations by Neutral Red assay after 24-h of exposure. Morphological changes in the Buffalo Green Monkey (BGM) and VERO cell lines after exposure to subcytotoxic doses (0.045 and 0.038mM, respectively) equivalent to EC10 (effective concentrations 10%) of mercury chloride were evaluated at the structural and ultrastructural level by optic, transmission and scanning microscopy. Using transmission electron microscopy, the most notable findings in treated cells were the presence of intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies and apoptotic bodies. Scanning microscopy pointed to a cell with a disrupted perinuclear region and a decreased number of surface microvilli. Similar alterations in both in vivo and in vitro experiments have been described by other authors. We conclude that BGM and VERO renal cell lines can be considered as useful tools for toxicological studies involving mercury chloride.

Developmental neuropathology of environmental agents

The developing central nervous system (CNS) is more vulnerable to injury than the adult one. Although a great deal of research has been devoted to subtle effects of developmental exposure, such as neurobehavioral changes, this review instead focuses on a number of chemicals that have been shown, in several experimental models as well as humans, to cause morphological changes in the developing nervous system. Chemicals that are discussed include methylmercury (MeHg), lead (Pb), antiepileptic drugs, and ethanol. Additionally, the issue of silent neurotoxicity, i.e., persistent morphological and/or biochemical injury that remains clinically unapparent until later in life, is discussed.

Neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity assessment in CBA/J mice with chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection and multiple oral exposures to methylmercury

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of multiple low doses of methylmercury (MeHg) on the course of a chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Four groups of 6-wk-old female CBA/J mice either were fed 25 T. gondii tissue cysts of the ME-49 strain or were vehicle control. Six weeks later, half of each group was orally gavaged with 8-mg/kg body weight doses of MeHg on days 0, 2, 4, 7, 10, and 13, totaling 4 experimental groups. Mice were killed on day 17 or 18 after MeHg exposure. Flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations in the thymus demonstrated a significant increase in the percentage of CD4- CD8+ T-cells in mice exposed to MeHg with a concurrent T. gondii infection. Groups of mice exposed to MeHg showed a decrease in total thymic cellularity and cellularity of all T-cell subpopulations when compared with control mice, but viability of these cells was unaffected. Splenic cell viability was decreased in mice exposed to MeHg, but alterations in T-cell subpopulations were not noted. These data indicate that multiple low doses of MeHg may not exacerbate chronic toxoplasmosis, but MeHg-induced effects on the immune system were evident.

Retinol-induced apoptosis in larval pancreas of Bufo bufo

Tadpoles of Bufo bufo at the end of premetamorphosis were exposed to the action of retinol diluted in the rearing water at two concentrations: 20 and 40 microM, for 48 h. Assuming that retinol causes growth suppression by cell death induction, the TUNEL reaction for the detection of apoptotic cells was performed on paraffin sections of pancreas. The results showed that retinol induced a significant dose-dependent increase of number of apoptotic cells with respect to controls, in which apoptosis was scarce. Electron microscopic observations of treated specimens showed that the effects of retinol mostly occurred on exocrine cells: condensed crescent-shaped nuclear chromatin, dark cytoplasm with long projections; conversely, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum appeared unaffected.

Neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity assessment in CBA/J mice with chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection and single-dose exposure to methylmercury

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that localizes in the brain where it can cause life-threatening disease. Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-documented neurotoxicant that accumulates in the brain. We investigated end points associated with immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity in mice exposed to MeHg during a chronic T. gondii infection. Two groups of 6-week-old, female CBA/J mice were either fed 25 T. gondii tissue cysts of the ME-49 strain or given vehicle. Six weeks later, half of the mice in each group were orally gavaged with a single dose of 20 mg/kg body weight of MeHg, creating four groups of mice (vehicle control, T. gondii, MeHg, and T. gondii/MeHg). Mice were sacrificed 7 days post MeHg exposure. MeHg exposure caused a significant decrease in mouse body weight. MeHg administration resulted in an increase of splenic cellularity and spleen-to-body weight ratios. MeHg had no significant effect on the percentages of CD4(+), CD8(+), or non-T-cell subpopulations in the spleen. MeHg dosed mice demonstrated an increase in absolute numbers of splenic CD4(+), CD8(+), or non-T cells when compared to mice in control and T. gondii-infected groups. Thymic CD4(+)CD8(+) T-cell subpopulations were decreased (p <.05) by MeHg with or without a concurrent T. gondii infection. There was a significant (p <.05) increase in brain tissue cyst counts within the group exposed to both MeHg and T. gondii (16 +/- 4, mean +/- SE, n = 7) versus T. gondii alone (4 +/- 1, n = 8). Histopathological examination demonstrated encephalitis, gliosis, and meningitis in brains from mice infected with T. gondii. These data indicate that exposure to both MeHg and T. gondii has synergistic effects, with effects of MeHg especially on the immune system.

Experience effects on brain development: possible contributions to psychopathology

Researchers and clinicians are increasingly recognizing that psychological and psychiatric disorders are often developmentally progressive, and that diagnosis often represents a point along that progression that is defined largely by our abilities to detect symptoms. As a result, strategies that guide our searches for the root causes and etiologies of these disorders are beginning to change. This review describes interactions between genetics and experience that influence the development of psychopathologies. Following a discussion of normal brain development that highlights how specific cellular processes may be targeted by genetic or environmental factors, we focus on four disorders whose origins range from genetic (fragile X syndrome) to environmental (fetal alcohol syndrome) or a mixture of both factors (depression and schizophrenia). C.H. Waddington's canalization model (slightly modified) is used as a tool to conceptualize the interactive influences of genetics and experience in the development of these psychopathologies. Although this model was originally proposed to describe the 'canalizing' role of genetics in promoting normative development, it serves here to help visualize, for example, the effects of adverse (stressful) experience in the kindling model of depression, and the multiple etiologies that may underlie the development of schizophrenia. Waddington's model is also useful in understanding the canalizing influence of experience-based therapeutic approaches, which also likely bring about 'organic' changes in the brain. Finally, in light of increased evidence for the role of experience in the development and treatment of psychopathologies, we suggest that future strategies for identifying the underlying causes of these disorders be based less on the mechanisms of action of effective pharmacological treatments, and more on increased knowledge of the brain's cellular mechanisms of plastic change.

Methylmercury increases glutamate extracellular levels in frontal cortex of awake rats

A current hypothesis about methylmercury (MeHg) neurotoxicity proposes that neuronal damage is due to excitotoxicity following glutamate uptake alterations in the astrocyte. By sampling from a microdialysis probe implanted in the frontal cortex of adult Wistar rats, we measured the effects of acute exposure to either 10 or 100 microM MeHg through the microdialysis probe, on glutamate extracellular levels in 15 awake animals. After baseline measurements, the perfusion of MeHg during 90 min induced immediate and significant elevations in extracellular glutamate at 10 microM (9.8-fold, P<.001) and at 100 microM (2.4-fold, P=.001). This in vivo demonstration of increments of extracellular glutamate supports the hypothesis that dysfunction of glutamate neurotransmission plays a key role in MeHg-induced neural damage.

Immunohistochemical detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in the setting of ongoing necrosis after radiofrequency ablation

After radiofrequency ablation (RFA), hepatocellular carcinoma undergoes complete necrosis and an ongoing necrosis that is irreversible and characterized histologically by disrupted cell outlines, homogenous cytoplasmic eosinophilia, and preserved nuclear staining, with the cells appearing quite distinct from viable cancer cells. Antibody to detect single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) specifically labeled nuclei in the setting of ongoing necrosis, but not viable tumor cells, whereas human mitochondrial antibody labeled the cytoplasm of viable cells but not cells of ongoing necrosis. The results demonstrate that RFA causes denaturation of both DNA and proteins and that the immunohistochemistry of ssDNA and mitochondrial protein is useful in detection of ongoing necrosis after RFA and provides pathological information on the validity of this procedure.

Methylmercury poisoning in common marmosets--a study of selective vulnerability within the cerebral cortex

Neuropathological lesions found in chronic human Minamata disease tend to be localized in the calcarine cortex of occipital lobes, the pre- and postcentral lobuli, and the temporal gyri. The mechanism for the selective vulnerability is still not clear, though several hypotheses have been proposed. One hypothesis is vascular and postulates that the lesions are the result of ischemia secondary to compression of sulcal arteries from methylmercury-induced cerebral edema. To test this hypothesis, we studied common marmosets because the cerebrum of marmosets has 2 distinct deep sulci, the calcarine and Sylvian fissures. MRI analysis, mercury assays of tissue specimens, histologic and histochemical studies of the brain are reported and discussed. Brains sacrificed early after exposure to methylmercury showed high contents of methylmercury and edema of the cerebral white matter. These results may explain the selective cortical degeneration along the deep cerebral fissures or sulci.