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Navarro-Sempere A, Martínez-Peinado P, Rodrigues AS, Garcia PV, Camarinho R, Grindlay G, Gras L, García M, Segovia Y. Metallothionein expression in the central nervous system in response to chronic heavy metal exposure: possible neuroprotective mechanism. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:8257-8269. [PMID: 37580456 PMCID: PMC10611846 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01722-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
It has been reported that volcanoes release several tonnes of mercury per year among other heavy metals through eruptions, fumaroles, or diffuse soil degassing. Since a high percentage of the world's population lives in the vicinity of an active volcano, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accumulation of these metals in the central nervous system and the presence of cellular mechanisms of heavy metal detoxification such as metallothioneins. To carry out this study, wild mice (Mus musculus) chronically exposed to an active volcanic environment were captured in Furnas village (Azores, Portugal) and compared with those trapped in a reference area (Rabo de Peixe, Azores, Portugal). On the one hand, the heavy metal load has been evaluated by analyzing brain and cerebellum using ICP-MS and a mercury analyzer and on the other hand, the presence of metallothionein 2A has been studied by immunofluorescence assays. Our results show a higher load of metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead in the central nervous system of exposed mice compared to non-exposed individuals and, in addition, a higher immunoreactivity for metallothionein 2A in different areas of the cerebrum and cerebellum indicating a possible neuroprotection process.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Navarro-Sempere
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - P Martínez-Peinado
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - A S Rodrigues
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- IVAR, Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - P V Garcia
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Azorean Biodiversity Group, CE3c, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - R Camarinho
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- IVAR, Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - G Grindlay
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Alicante, PO Box 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - L Gras
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Alicante, PO Box 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - M García
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - Y Segovia
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain.
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Camarinho R, Pardo AM, Garcia PV, Rodrigues AS. Epithelial morphometric alterations and mucosecretory responses in the nasal cavity of mice chronically exposed to hydrothermal emissions. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:2783-2797. [PMID: 34448062 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01067-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Air pollutants (either of natural or anthropogenic origin) represent a considerable environmental risk to human health by affecting the respiratory system and causing respiratory disorders. In this study, we investigate the effects of chronic exposure to hydrothermal emissions on the nasal cavity of mice since it is the first and the most exposed region of the respiratory system. This study, carried in S. Miguel Island, Azores-Portugal, used Mus musculus as a bioindicator species. Mice were captured in an area with non-eruptive active volcanism (Furnas Village) and another area without volcanism (Rabo de Peixe, reference site). The hydrothermal emissions present at Furnas Village are characterized by the continuous release of several gases (CO2, H2S, 222Rn) along with metals (e.g. Hg, Cd, Zn, Al) and particulate matter into the environment. We test the hypothesis whether chronic exposure to this specific type of pollution causes epithelial morphometric, mucosecretory and neuronal alterations on the nasal cavity. Thickness measurements were taken in the squamous, respiratory and olfactory epithelia. The relative density of cell types (basal, support and neurons) was also assessed in the olfactory epithelium and the mucosecretory activity was determined in the lateral nasal glands, Bowman's gland and goblet cells. Mice chronically exposed to hydrothermal emissions presented thinner olfactory epithelia and lesser mucous production, which could result in loss of olfactory capabilities as well as a decrease in the protective function provided by the mucous to the lower respiratory tract. For the first time, it is demonstrated that, in mice, this specific type of non-eruptive active volcanism causes epithelial and mucosecretory alterations, leading to the loss of olfactory capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Camarinho
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- IVAR Instituto de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - A Madrero Pardo
- Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P V Garcia
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- cE3c, Centre for ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes/Azorean Biodiversity Group, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
| | - A S Rodrigues
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
- IVAR Instituto de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
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Navarro-Sempere A, García M, Rodrigues AS, Garcia PV, Camarinho R, Segovia Y. Occurrence of Volcanogenic Inorganic Mercury in Wild Mice Spinal Cord: Potential Health Implications. Biol Trace Elem Res 2022; 200:2838-2847. [PMID: 34415497 PMCID: PMC9132843 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-021-02890-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Mercury accumulation has been proposed as a toxic factor that causes neurodegenerative diseases. However, the hazardous health effects of gaseous elemental mercury exposure on the spinal cord in volcanic areas have not been reported previously in the literature. To evaluate the presence of volcanogenic inorganic mercury in the spinal cord, a study was carried out in São Miguel island (Azores, Portugal) by comparing the spinal cord of mice exposed chronically to an active volcanic environment (Furnas village) with individuals not exposed (Rabo de Peixe village), through the autometallographic silver enhancement histochemical method. Moreover, a morphometric and quantification analysis of the axons was carried out. Results exhibited mercury deposits at the lumbar level of the spinal cord in the specimens captured at the site with volcanic activity (Furnas village). A decrease in axon calibre and axonal atrophy was also observed in these specimens. Given that these are relevant hallmarks in the neurodegenerative pathologies, our results highlight the importance of the surveillance of the health of populations chronically exposed to active volcanic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Navarro-Sempere
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - M García
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - A S Rodrigues
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- IVAR, Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - P V Garcia
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, and Azorean Biodiversity Group, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - R Camarinho
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- IVAR, Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Y Segovia
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain.
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