Metallothionein-I accumulation in the rat lung following a single paraquat administration

Impact of deltamethrin exposure on mRNA expression levels of metallothionein A, B and cytochrome P450 1A in rainbow trout muscles

Metallothioneins (MT) are widely utilized to identify specific responses to heavy metal pollution. In addition, there is evidence demonstrating that in vertebrates MT synthesis is stimulated by different endogenous and exogenous agents in particular compounds leading to production of ROS. Also, cytochrome P450 1A can enhance the generation of ROS. On this basis, MT and CYP 1A induction can be considered as biomarkers of oxidative stress. In the current study, we examined the influences of pesticide administration on the expression of MT-A, MT-B and CYP 1A. For this purpose, we produced muscle metallothionein-A, metallothionein-B and cytochrome P450 1A cDNAs and used quantitative RT-PCR to assay mRNAs in rainbow trout exposed to acute and long-term deltamethrin administration. We observed that deltamethrin exposure significantly (p<0.05) increased the expression levels of Cyp1A, MT-A and MT-B in a time dependent manner. Results of our study contributes to the identification of inducers of such biomarkers in addition to well known agents.

Protective effect of metallothionein to ras DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide and ferric ion-nitrilotriacetic acid

Metallothionein (MT) is a strong antioxidant, due to a large number of thiol groups in the MT molecule and MT has been found in the nucleus. To investigate whether MT can directly protect DNA from damage induced by hydroxyl radical, the effects of MTs on DNA strand scission due to incubation with ferric ion-nitrilotriacetic acid and H2O2 (Fe3+ -NTA/H2O2) were studied. The Fe3+-NTA/H2O2 resulted in a higher rate of deoxyribose degradation, compared to incubation of Fe3+/H2O2, presumably mediated by the formation of hydroxyl radicals (*OH). This degradation was inhibited by either Zn-MT or Cd-MT, but not by Zn2+ or Cd2+ at similar concentrations. The Fe3+ -NTA/H2O2 resulted in a concentration dependent of increase in DNA strand scission. Damage to the sugar-phosphodiester chain was predominant over chemical modifications of the base moieties. Incubation with either Zn-MT or Cd-MT inhibited DNA damage by approximately 50%. Preincubation of MT with EDTA and N-ethylmaleimide, to alkylate sulfhydryl groups of MT, resulted in MT that was no longer able to inhibit DNA damage. These results indicates that MT can protect DNA from hydroxyl radical attack and that the cysteine thiol groups of MT may be involved in its nuclear antioxidant properties.

Differential induction of metallothionein synthesis by interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rat tissues

Metallothionein (MT) synthesis induced by the inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), was studied in vivo. Administration of recombinant human IL-6 or TNF to rats caused the acute phase responses including rapid decreases in plasma zinc (Zn), and increases in plasma copper (Cu) and ceruloplasmin. Hepatic concentration of MT-I, one of MT isoforms, began to increase within 3 h after the injection of IL-6 or TNF. In IL-6-treated rats, MT-I concentration in liver reached a maximum level at 12 h and decreased with a transient rebound, whereas, in TNF-treated rats, a high level of MT-I lasted for about 48 h. MT-II, the other MT isoform, was induced more than MT-I in liver by both cytokines. MT-I was also induced in lung and heart by TNF, but little by IL-6. The data suggest that IL-6 may be responsible for MT synthesis in liver, whereas TNF may be responsible not only in liver but also in lung and heart. Furthermore plasma concentration of MT did not always reflect the enhanced concentration of MT by TNF and IL-6 in liver, suggesting involvement of many factors influencing plasma MT levels. The interrelation between IL-6 and TNF for MT synthesis has also been discussed.

Oxygen free radicals and metallothionein

It is generally accepted that the principal roles of metallothionein lie in the detoxification of heavy metals and regulation of the metabolism of essential trace metals. However, there is increasing evidence that it can act as a free radical scavenger. This article reviews the evidence supporting such a physiological role and describes induction of metallothionein synthesis by oxidative stress, possible mediators for this induction, and the radical scavenging capability of metallothionein in tissues and cells. The relationship between metallothionein and other antioxidant defense systems and the medical implications of the free radical scavenging properties of metallothionein are also discussed.

Induction of hepatic metallothionein by paraquat

Paraquat, a frequently used contact herbicide, produces oxidative stress by undergoing redox cycling and generating reactive oxygen species. Paraquat is also effective at increasing hepatic levels of metallothionein (MT). The mechanism(s) by which agents that induce oxidative stress produce increases in MT concentrations is not yet known. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to characterize the elevation in hepatic MT produced by paraquat administration to mice and to examine potential mechanism(s) of this increase. A dose-response study for increases in MT showed that administration of 0.1 to 0.5 mmol/kg of paraquat, sc, increased hepatic MT with a maximal increase of 36-fold. Subsequent studies were carried out with paraquat at a dose (0.3 mmol/kg, sc) that caused oxidative stress, as shown by a 35-fold increase in the biliary excretion of oxidized glutathione. There were coordinate elevations of both hepatic MT-I and MT-II mRNA of approximately 5-fold with peaks at both 6 and 24 hr after paraquat. The time course for the elevation in hepatic MT protein following paraquat treatment showed that MT levels had a maximal increase of 18-fold obtained at 36 hr. Paraquat appears to be an indirect MT inducer, in that there were no elevations in MT when cultured mouse hepatocytes were exposed to paraquat. No rise in liver Zn was observed prior to the increase in hepatic MT, thus, a Zn redistribution to the liver did not cause the increase in hepatic MT following paraquat administration. Adrenalectomy did not abolish the increase in MT produced by paraquat, suggesting that adrenal gland products are not required for the increase in MT produced by paraquat. In conclusion, the chemical mediator responsible for the increase in hepatic MT after paraquat was not determined, but the elevation in MT concentration appears to be due to increased transcription.

Induction of metallothionein synthesis by menadione or carbon tetrachloride is independent of free radical production

The relationship between induction of hepatic metallothionein (MT) synthesis and lipid peroxidation by free radical production following an injection of menadione or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice was studied. The hepatic concentration of MT was increased by menadione significantly at 25 mg/kg or higher. A significant increase in thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, indicative of lipid peroxidation, was observed in the liver at menadione doses of 62.5 mg/kg or higher. Both the MT and the TBA value in the liver were significantly increased at the low dose of CCl4. The concentration of MT was increased significantly 4-8 hr after administrations of these compounds. The increase of TBA value over time was similar to that of MT concentration after administration of CCl4, but not after administration of menadione. The MT concentration in the menadione group was higher than that in the CCl4 group, and the TBA level in the menadione group was lower than that in the CCl4 group. Pretreatment with vitamin E caused a significant reduction in the TBA value, but did not affect the MT level in the liver. The concentration of MT did not significantly correlate with the TBA value in either the menadione or the CCl4 group. Pretreatment with phenobarbital, which promotes free radical production, did not influence induction of MT synthesis following an injection of menadione or CCl4. Neither L-buthionine sulfoximine nor 2-cyclo-hexen-1-one, which decreases hepatic glutathione, influenced the induction of MT by menadione. These data suggest that induction of MT synthesis by menadione or CCl4 is independent of free radical production in the liver.

Metallothionein in human retinal pigment epithelial cells: expression, induction and zinc uptake

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays several important roles in the continual support and renewal of photoreceptor outer segments. In the present study, we have demonstrated that RPE cells contain a low molecular weight protein with a high capacity for zinc binding that is dependent on available sulfhydryl groups. This protein is inducible by a 24 hour incubation of cultured RPE in medium supplemented with zinc, cadmium, or dexamethasone. The induction of this protein is correlated with an increased capacity for zinc-65 uptake into cultured RPE. Analysis with a cDNA probe specific for the human metallothionein II gene corroborated the existence and induction of metallothionein gene products in RPE cells. Based on these properties, we have identified this protein as metallothionein. The induction of metallothionein likely has a critical influence on the zinc economy of the RPE.

Induction of hepatic metallothionein by nonmetallic compounds associated with acute-phase response in inflammation

Induction of hepatic metallothionein (MT) synthesis by several nonmetallic compounds and its relationship to an acute-phase response in inflammation were studied in mice. Subcutaneous injections of menadione, paraquat, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and several organic solvents caused an increase of hepatic MT concentration. This MT contained only zinc. Menadione and n-hexane caused the greatest accumulation of hepatic MT among these nonmetallic compounds (about 13-fold). The concentration of Zn was significantly decreased in plasma in contrast to liver after an injection of these nonmetallic compounds. When 65ZnCl2 was injected iv after these injections, uptake of 65Zn to the liver was increased. This effect was not observed after treatment with cycloheximide. The association with inflammation of this induction of MT accumulation was examined by determination of acute-phase proteins. The concentration of fibrinogen in the plasma was significantly increased following injection of those nonmetallic compounds which caused marked hepatic MT accumulation. An injection of 1 N NaOH, 1 N HCl, turpentine oil, or endotoxin caused a significant increase in the plasma concentration of fibrinogen and in the hepatic MT concentration. Injections of n-hexane as well as turpentine oil significantly increased hepatic MT concentration and plasma concentration of fibrinogen and ceruloplasmin with time. The concentration of fibrinogen was significantly correlated (r = 0.789) with the concentration of hepatic MT. Neither adrenalectomy nor pretreatment with dexamethasone prevented hepatic MT accumulation caused by these compounds. These results indicate that induction of hepatic MT synthesis by these nonmetallic compounds is associated with an acute-phase response in inflammation and is independent of glucocorticoids.

Increase in metallothionein produced by chemicals that induce oxidative stress

Metallothionein (MT) is a low-molecular-weight protein with a high cysteine content that has been proposed to play a role in protecting against oxidative stress. For example, MT has been shown to be a scavenger of hydroxyl radicals in vitro, and cells with high levels of MT are resistant to radiation. However, it is not known if compounds that cause oxidative stress affect MT levels. Therefore, mice were injected subcutaneously with 11 chemicals (t-butyl hydroperoxide, paraquat, diquat, menadione, metronidazole, adriamycin, 3-methylindole, cisplatin, diamide, diethyl maleate, and phorone) that produce oxidative stress by four main mechanisms. MT was quantitated in the cytosol of major organs (liver, pancreas, spleen, kidney, intestine, heart, and lung) by the Cd/hemoglobin radioassay 24 hr after administration of the chemicals. All agents significantly increased MT levels in at least one organ. Liver was the most responsive to these agents in that all 11 chemicals increased MT concentrations in liver, with diethyl maleate, paraquat, and diamide producing 20- to 30-fold increases. Pancreas and kidney were the next most responsive organs to these chemicals. The organ least responsive to these agents was the heart, as only 3 compounds caused significant increases in MT concentrations in heart. Diethyl maleate and diquat were the most general inducers of MT in that they increased MT in six of the seven organs examined. No treatment resulted in a significant decrease in MT concentration in any organ. In conclusion, chemicals that produce oxidative stress by one of four distinct mechanisms are very effective at increasing MT concentrations in a variety of organs. This suggests that MT might be involved in protecting against oxidative stress.

Enhanced lipid peroxidation is not necessary for induction of metallothionein-I by oxidative stress

A study has been made of factors which may influence the induction of metallothionein-I (MT-I) synthesis by the superoxide radical generating agent, paraquat (PQ). Hepatic concentrations of zinc (Zn) and MT-I increased in rats injected with PQ (40 mg/kg, s.c.) or fasting, but were greater in the former. Renal concentration of MT-I increased in fasted rats but not in PQ-treated rats. The data suggest that the increase in MT-I concentrations in PQ-treated rats is not caused by reduction in food intake. Administration of PQ increased hepatic concentrations of Zn, MT-I and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS), indicating the occurrence of lipid peroxidation. Treatment of rats with vitamin E (400 mg/kg, s.c.) on 4 successive days before injection of PQ prevented only the enhancement of lipid peroxidation. The data indicate that the induction of MT synthesis by PQ is not correlated with enhancement of lipid peroxidation. Similar results were obtained in the liver of rats subjected to the radical-generating conditions, such as fasting and exposure to carbon tetrachloride. Free radicals may induce MT synthesis by direct or indirect mechanisms.