Cellular and physiological approaches to evaluate the chelating effect of Chlorella on metal ion stressed lymphocytes

The function of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in response to cadmium exposure

Throughout history, pollution has become a part of our daily life with the improvement of life quality and the advancement of industry and heavy industry. In recent years, the adverse effects of heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), on human health have been widely discussed, particularly on the immune system. Here, this review summarizes the available evidence on how Cd exposure may affect health. By analyzing the general manifestations of inflammation caused by Cd exposure, we find that the role of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in vivo can counteract Cd-induced harm. Additionally, we elucidate the effects of n-3 PUFAs on the immune system, and analyze their prophylactic and therapeutic effects on Cd exposure. Overall, this review highlights the role of n-3 PUFAs in the pathological changes induced by Cd exposure. Although n-3 PUFAs remain to be verified whether they can be used as therapeutic agents, as rehabilitation therapy, supplementation with n-3 PUFAs is reliable and effective.

Quantitative evaluation of mercury adsorption and removal efficacy of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) powder in mice

Spirulina is a blue-green alga, grown in alkaline water and used for detoxification of several toxic metal ions. Apart from its nutritional value, it is also used for the decontamination of toxic metal ions. Therefore, present study was envisaged to evaluate the adsorption and removal efficiency of Spirulina powder for mercury. The adsorption efficiency of Spirulina was evaluated in terms of weight of adsorbent, contact time, simulated gastric (SGF) and intestinal (SIF) fluid, and mercury concentration. In vivo removal efficacy of Spirulina for mercury was evaluated in mice. The mercury content in major tissues, urine and feces was estimated. The whole tissue retention and excretion of mercury after treatment with Spirulina were taken as a measure of its metal ions removal efficacy. Activated charcoal was taken as a standard adsorbent for comparative study. The maximum adsorption capacity of Spirulina and charcoal for mercury was found to be 66.667 and 158.730 mg g^-1 in water, 83.33 and 94.340 mg g^-1 in SGF and 125.0 and 133.33 mg g^-1 in SIF, respectively. In mice, Spirulina and activated charcoal were significantly reduced the mercury deposition in tissues and facilitated their excretion through feces. Spirulina has shown good adsorption and removal efficacy like activated charcoal. Therefore, Spirulina can be used as a potential adsorbent to remove mercury from the body.

Cadmium binding during leaf senescence in Festuca arundinacea: Promotion phytoextraction efficiency by harvesting dead leaves

Phytoextraction by harvesting dead leaves is a novel cadmium (Cd) phytoremediation strategy in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), which provides feasibility for the phytoremediation of Cd-polluted soils and cleaner food production. The highest Cd in dead leaves is the result of Cd accumulation during the process of leaf senescence. However, it is not known the mechanism of Cd accumulation during the leaf senescence, which limits the phytoextraction efficiency of this technology. In this study, we found that the contents of phytochelatins (PC), glutathione (GSH), and non-protein thiols (NPT) were increased during the process of leaf senescence and Cd stress significantly promoted PC, GSH, and NPT. Transcriptome analysis showed that the pathway of glutathione metabolism was significantly enriched in the senescent leaf under Cd stress. 19 genes encoding GST, enzymes catalyzing GSH-Cd binding, were up-regulated in the senescent leaf. The increases of PC, GSH, and NPT in the senescent leaf for Cd-binding could be from the pathways of the protein degradation rather than their synthesis, because genes encoding cysteine protease (catalyzes protein degradation) were significantly promoted, but both GSH synthetase (GS) and PC synthetase (PCS) did not show the significant changes between the young and senescent leaves. Our results indicated that Cd accumulation during the leaf senescence could be the result of the promotion of Cd-binding by PC, GSH, and NPT, which provide insights into the regulatory mechanism and further genetic engineering to promote the phytoextraction efficiency by harvesting dead leaves in tall fescue.