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Badalamenti N, Salbitani G, Cianciullo P, Bossa R, De Ruberto F, Greco V, Basile A, Maresca V, Bruno M, Carfagna S. Chemical Composition of Salvia fruticosa Mill. Essential Oil and Its Protective Effects on Both Photosynthetic Damage and Oxidative Stress in Conocephalum conicum L. Induced by Environmental Heavy Metal Concentrations. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1990. [PMID: 38001843 PMCID: PMC10669765 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12111990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Salvia L., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, contains more than 900 species distributed in various parts of the world. It is a genus containing aromatic plants used both in the culinary field and above all in the cosmetic area to produce several perfumes. Salvia fruticosa Mill., notoriously known as Greek Salvia, is a plant used since ancient times in traditional medicine, but today cultivated and used in various parts of Europe and Africa. Polar and apolar extracts of this plant confirmed the presence of several metabolites such as abietane and labdane diterpenoids, triterpenoids, steroids, and some flavonoids, causing interesting properties such as sedative, carminative, and antiseptic, while its essential oils (EOs) are mainly characterized by compounds such as 1,8-cineole and camphor. The aim of this work concerns the chemical analysis by GC and GC-MS, and the investigation of the biological properties, of the EO of S. fruticosa plants collected in eastern Sicily. The gas-chromatographic analysis confirmed the presence of 1,8-cineole (17.38%) and camphor (12.81%), but at the same time, also moderate amounts of α-terpineol (6.74%), β-myrcene (9.07%), camphene (8.66%), β-pinene (6.55%), and α-pinene (6.45%). To study the protective effect of EOs from S. fruticosa (both the total mixture and the individual compounds) on possible damage induced by heavy metals, an in vitro system was used in which a model organism, the liverwort Conocephalum conicum, was subjected to the effect of a mix of heavy metals (HM) prepared using values of concentrations actually measured in one of the most polluted watercourses of the Campania region, the Regi Lagni. Finally, the antioxidant response and the photosynthetic damage were examined. The exogenous application of the EO yields a resumption of the oxidative stress induced by HM, as demonstrated by the reduction in the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) content and by the increased activity of antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Furthermore, plants treated with HMs and EO showed a higher Fv/Fm (maximal quantum efficiency of PSII in the dark) with respect to HMs-only treated ones. These results clearly indicate the protective capacity of the EO of S. fruticosa against oxidative stress, which is achieved at least in part by modulating the redox state through the antioxidant pathway and on photosynthetic damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natale Badalamenti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (N.B.); (M.B.)
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanna Salbitani
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (P.C.); (R.B.); (V.G.); (S.C.)
| | - Piergiorgio Cianciullo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (P.C.); (R.B.); (V.G.); (S.C.)
| | - Rosanna Bossa
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (P.C.); (R.B.); (V.G.); (S.C.)
| | - Francesca De Ruberto
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Valeria Greco
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (P.C.); (R.B.); (V.G.); (S.C.)
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (P.C.); (R.B.); (V.G.); (S.C.)
| | - Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (P.C.); (R.B.); (V.G.); (S.C.)
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (N.B.); (M.B.)
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca “Riutilizzo Bio-Based Degli Scarti da Matrici Agroalimentari” (RIVIVE), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Carfagna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.S.); (P.C.); (R.B.); (V.G.); (S.C.)
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Maresca V, Badalamenti N, Ilardi V, Bruno M, Basile A. The Antioxidant Properties and Protective Capacity of Prangos trifida and Cachrys cristata Essential Oils against Cd Stress in Lunularia cruciata and Brassica napus. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040793. [PMID: 37107168 PMCID: PMC10135355 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The genera Prangos Lindl. and Cachrys L., for a long time interpreted as a single genus but today distinct and separate, and both belonging to the majestic Apiaceae family, are species with a large distribution and are used in ethnomedicine in various countries, especially in Asian countries. In this context, we investigated the chemical characteristics and biological properties of two essential oils (EOs) obtained from different specimens, namely Cachrys cristata (Cc) and Prangos trifida (Pt). The chemical composition of the two EOs was investigated by GC-MS analysis. From gas-chromatography analyses, while the (Cc) EO was rich in β-myrcene (45.34%), allo-ocimene (10.90%), and 2,4,6-trimethylbenzaldehyde (23.47%), the (Pt) EO was characterized by moderate amounts of α-pinene (8.85%), sylvestrene (11.32%), α-phellandrene (12.14%), (Z)-β-ocimene (18.12%), and finally, p-mentha-1,3,8-triene (9.56%). Furthermore, the protective and antioxidant capacity of (Pt) and (Cc) EOs on Lunularia cruciata and Brassica napus exposed to cadmium (Cd) stress was studied. To study these possible effects, the liverwort and oilseed rape, previously pretreated with both EOs, were subsequently subjected to oxidative stress by treatment with Cd. Then, DNA damage and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured in both EOs-pretreated and untreated samples to examine EOs-induced tolerance to Cd toxicity. The results indicate that (Pt) and (Cc) EOs have antioxidant and protective capacity in modulating the redox state through the antioxidant pathway by reducing oxidative stress induced by Cd. Furthermore, B. napus was found to be a more resistant and tolerant species than L. cruciata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maresca
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 4, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Natale Badalamenti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ilardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 4, 80126 Napoli, Italy
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A Molecular Mechanism to Explain the Nickel-Induced Changes in Protamine-like Proteins and Their DNA Binding Affecting Sperm Chromatin in Mytilus galloprovincialis: An In Vitro Study. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030520. [PMID: 36979455 PMCID: PMC10046793 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Nickel is associated with reproductive toxicity, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms of nickel-induced effects on sperm chromatin and protamine-like proteins (PLs). In the present work, we analyzed PLs from Mytilus galloprovincialis by urea-acetic acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (AU-PAGE) and SDS-PAGE and assessed their binding to DNA by Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) after exposing mussels to 5, 15, and 35 µM NiCl2 for 24 h. In addition, a time course of digestion with MNase and release of PLs from sperm nuclei by the NaCl gradient was performed. For all exposure doses, in AU-PAGE, there was an additional migrating band between PL-III and PL-IV, corresponding to a fraction of PLs in the form of peptides detected by SDS-PAGE. Alterations in DNA binding of PLs were observed by EMSA after exposure to 5 and 15 µM NiCl2, while, at all NiCl2 doses, increased accessibility of MNase to sperm chromatin was found. The latter was particularly relevant at 15 µM NiCl2, a dose at which increased release of PLII and PLIII from sperm nuclei and the highest value of nickel accumulated in the gonads were also found. Finally, at all exposure doses, there was also an increase in PARP expression, but especially at 5 µM NiCl2. A possible molecular mechanism for the toxic reproductive effects of nickel in Mytilus galloprovincialis is discussed.
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Salbitani G, Maresca V, Cianciullo P, Bossa R, Carfagna S, Basile A. Non-Protein Thiol Compounds and Antioxidant Responses Involved in Bryophyte Heavy-Metal Tolerance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065302. [PMID: 36982378 PMCID: PMC10049163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Heavy-metal pollution represents a problem which has been widely discussed in recent years. The biological effects of heavy metals have been studied in both animals and plants, ranging from oxidative stress to genotoxicity. Plants, above all metal-tolerant species, have evolved a wide spectrum of strategies to counteract exposure to toxic metal concentrations. Among these strategies, the chelation and vacuolar sequestration of heavy metals are, after cell-wall immobilization, the first line of defence that prevent heavy metals from interacting with cell components. Furthermore, bryophytes activate a series of antioxidant non-enzymatic and enzymatic responses to counteract the effects of heavy metal in the cellular compartments. In this review, the role of non-protein thiol compounds and antioxidant molecules in bryophytes will be discussed.
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Tran DT, Vu DT, Le MC. Adsorptive removal of heavy metals from water using thermally treated laterite: an approach for production of drinking water from rain water. J DISPER SCI TECHNOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/01932691.2023.2165094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dinh-Trinh Tran
- VNU Key Lab. of Advanced Materials for Green Growth, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Duc-Toan Vu
- Research of Organic Matter (ROOM), Environmental and Life Science Research Laboratory, Thuyloi University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Manh-Cuong Le
- Faculty Building Material, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Maresca V, Badalamenti N, Ilardi V, Bruno M, Bontempo P, Basile A. Chemical Composition of Thymus leucotrichus var. creticus Essential Oil and Its Protective Effects on Both Damage and Oxidative Stress in Leptodictyum riparium Hedw. Induced by Cadmium. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11243529. [PMID: 36559642 PMCID: PMC9785703 DOI: 10.3390/plants11243529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The chemical profile of the essential oil (EO) of the aerial parts of Thymus leucotrichus var. creticus (Lamiaceae), a taxon not previously studied, was investigated by GC-MS analysis, using a DB-Wax polar column. Oxygenated monoterpenes and monoterpene hydrocarbons dominate the EO, with thymol (46.97%) and p-cymene (28.64%) as the main constituent of these two classes, respectively. The ability of the EO of T. leucotrichus to reduce Cd toxicity was studied in aquatic moss Leptodictyum riparium. To study EO-induced tolerance to Cd toxicity, apex growth, number of dead cells, DNA damage and antioxidant response in gametophytes were examined. The exogenous application of the EO yields a resumption of growth rate and a reduction in the number of dead cells; it also reduces the oxidative stress induced by Cd, as demonstrated by the reduction of the ROS content (with a decrease of 1.52% and 5%) and by the increased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) (with an increase of 1.44% and 2.29%), CAT catalase (1.46% and 2.91%) and glutathione-S-transferase GST (1.57% and 1.90%). Furthermore, the application of the EO yields a reduction of DNA damage. These results clearly indicate the protective capacity of the EO of T. leucotrichus in modulating the redox state through the antioxidant pathway by reducing the oxidative stress induced by Cd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Natale Badalamenti
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ilardi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (A.B.); Tel.: +39-091-23897531 (M.B.)
| | - Paola Bontempo
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (A.B.); Tel.: +39-091-23897531 (M.B.)
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Esposito M, Canzanella S, Danese A, Pepe A, Gallo P. Essential and Non-Essential Elements in Razor Clams ( Solen marginatus, Pulteney, 1799) from the Domitio Littoral in Campania (Southwestern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10080452. [PMID: 36006131 PMCID: PMC9413232 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10080452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The levels of essential (Cu, Cr, Co, Mn, Se, Zn) and non-essential (As, Be, Bi, Cd, Cs, Ga, Ni, Pb, Sr, Tl, U, V) trace elements were studied in razor clams (Solen marginatus) collected from the Tyrrhenian coast of Southern Italy at five selected sites along the Domitio littoral in the Campania region. The main objectives of this study were to assess the contamination status of these bivalve mollusks and to evaluate the risks to the environment and consumers due to metal contamination. The concentrations of 18 trace elements were determined after microwave-assisted mineralization and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of the toxic elements Pb and Cd were below the maximum levels established by Commission Regulation (EC) 1881/2006, while higher average concentrations of arsenic were found at each of the five sites studied. Regarding the other trace elements, contamination levels followed the order: Zn > Sr > Mn > Cu > Se > Cr > V > Ni > Co > Ga > Cs > Be > U > Bi > Tl. No significant differences among the sites were found with regard to any of the trace elements analyzed, and element levels in razor clams did not reflect sediment contamination. The results demonstrated the substantial food safety of the razor clams in this area with respect to heavy metals but revealed a potential health risk due to arsenic contamination in all the areas sampled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Esposito
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Chemistry, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Silvia Canzanella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Chemistry, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Amalia Danese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Chemistry, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Angela Pepe
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Chemistry, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Pasquale Gallo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Department of Chemistry, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy
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Moriello C, Costabile M, Spinelli M, Amoresano A, Palumbo G, Febbraio F, Piscopo M. Altered Expression of Protamine-like and Their DNA Binding Induced by Cr(VI): A Possible Risk to Spermatogenesis? Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050700. [PMID: 35625627 PMCID: PMC9138527 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromium (VI) is the most dangerous oxidation state among the stable forms of chromium. In this work, we evaluated the effect of exposing Mytilus galloprovincialis for 24 h to 1, 10, and 100 nM chromium (VI) on the properties of Protamine-like (PLs) and their gene levels in the gonads. Specifically, we analyzed, by AU-PAGE and SDS-PAGE, PLs extracted from unexposed and exposed mussels. In addition, via EMSA, we evaluated the ability of PLs to bind DNA and also verified their potential to protect DNA from oxidative damage. Finally, we assessed possible alterations in gonadal expression of mt10, hsp70, and genes encoding for PLs-II/PL-IV and PL-III. We found that for all experimental approaches the most relevant alterations occurred after exposure to 1 nM Cr(VI). In particular, a comigration of PL-II with PL-III was observed by SDS-PAGE; and a reduced ability of PLs to bind and protect DNA from oxidative damage was recorded. This dose of chromium (VI) exposure was also the one that produced the greatest alterations in the expression of both mt10 and PL-II/PL-IV encoding genes. All of these changes suggest that this dose of chromium (VI) exposure could affect the reproductive health of Mytilus galloprovincialis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Moriello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Martina Costabile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Michele Spinelli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Giancarlo Palumbo
- Commodity Science Laboratory, Department of Economics, Management and Institutions, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Ferdinando Febbraio
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.M.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Printarakul N, Meeinkuirt W. The bryophyte community as bioindicator of heavy metals in a waterfall outflow. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6942. [PMID: 35484326 PMCID: PMC9050711 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10980-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The species diversity and heavy metal accumulation in bryophytes were determined in Huay Pah Lahd stream in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Thailand. Eight bryophytes from two major taxonomic groupings (epilithic mosses and liverworts) were investigated. Of these, Fissidens crispulus var. crispulus was the most dominant taxon with an importance value (IV) of 28.98%, while Ectropothecium zollingeri, Claopodium prionophyllum, and Hyophila involuta were also dominant taxa with IV ≥ 10%. Scopelophila cataractae, a rare moss species with the lowest IV (0.91%) had the greatest capacity to accumulate metals in tissue, particularly Fe, Zn, Cd and Cu in protonemata (8026.7, 1187.2, 16.9 and 530.1 mg kg−1, respectively). The highest enrichment factors (EFs) of Zn, Cd and Cu (5.3, 2.4 and 0.9, respectively) were also found in S. cataractae, while the highest EFMn (1.1) was found in H. involuta. Enrichment factors of most heavy metals were < 5 from the study bryophytes, which suggests that natural processes were the key source of heavy metals. Dilution effects caused by increased water volume during the rainy season may be responsible for low pollutant loads and the maintenance of good water quality in this waterfall stream, which is favorable for biota and general environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narin Printarakul
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.,Research Center in Bioresources for Agriculture, Industry and Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Weeradej Meeinkuirt
- Water and Soil Environmental Research Unit, Nakhonsawan Campus, Mahidol University, Nakhonsawan, 60130, Thailand.
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Biological Effects of Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Fields at 27 GHz on Sperm Quality of Mytilus galloprovincialis. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10040521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recently, an increasing use of wireless internet technologies has been demonstrated. The devices which use these technologies emit in new spectral regions an electromagnetic radiation (EMF) which could interact with the male reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the effect of electromagnetic fields at 27 GHz on sperm quality in Mytilus galloprovincialis. Sperm samples were collected from sexually mature males of M. galloprovincialis and placed in seawater. Once we evaluated the number and quality of spermatozoa, sperm cells were exposed to electromagnetic fields radiated by a pyramidal horn antenna. The effect of exposure was evaluated after 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 min by a light microscope and using an Eosin test. Ten replications were performed for each time series, and statistical analysis was carried out by t-test. Sperm motility decreased after 10 min of exposure, and after 30 min most of the spermatozoa were immobile and not vital. This study provides useful data on the potential ecological impact of the high-band 5G on animal fertility, the effect of which is currently under investigation.
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Maresca V, Salbitani G, Moccia F, Cianciullo P, Carraturo F, Sorbo S, Insolvibile M, Carfagna S, Panzella L, Basile A. Antioxidant response to heavy metal pollution of Regi Lagni freshwater in Conocephalum conicum L. (Dum.). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 234:113365. [PMID: 35259593 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Conocephalum conicum L. is a cosmopolitan liverwort species able to respond to local environmental pollution by changing its biological features. In the present study, we assessed the different biological responses in C. conicum to heavy metal contamination of Regi Lagni channels, a highly polluted freshwater body. As for the in field experiment, we set up moss bags containing collected samples of the local wild growing C. conicum, from the upstream site (non-polluted area), and we exposed them in the three selected sites characterized by different and extreme conditions of heavy metal pollution. In addition, to better understand the contribution of heavy metals to the alterations and response of the liverwort, we performed in vitro tests, using the same concentration of heavy metals measured in the sites at the moment of the exposition. In both experimental settings, bioaccumulation, ultrastructural damage, reactive oxygen species production and localization, antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferases), glutathione (reduced and oxidized) levels, localization of compounds presenting thiol groups and phenolic content were investigated. The results showed that the samples from different sites and conditions (for in vitro tests) showed significant differences. In particular, the ultrastructural alterations show a trend correlated to the different exposure situations; ROS contents, glutathione, antioxidant enzyme activities, and phenolic contents were increased showing an enhancement of the antioxidant defense both by the enzymatic way and by using the synthesis of antioxidant phenolic compounds. This study confirms the ability of C. conicum to respond to heavy metal pollution and the responses studied are, at least partially, correlated to the presence of heavy metals. All the responses considered respond consistently with the pollution trend and they can be proposed as pollution biomarkers. Therefore, we suggest the use of C. conicum to identify local hot spots of pollution in further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Federica Moccia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | | | | | - Sergio Sorbo
- CeSMA, section of Microscopy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Marilena Insolvibile
- ISPRA, Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Rome, Italy.
| | - Simona Carfagna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Lucia Panzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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Makaras T, Stankevičiūtė M. Swimming behaviour in two ecologically similar three-spined (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) and nine-spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius L.): a comparative approach for modelling the toxicity of metal mixtures. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:14479-14496. [PMID: 34617211 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16783-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sticklebacks (Gasterosteiformes) are increasingly used in ecological and evolutionary research and have become well established as role model species for biologists. However, ecotoxicology studies concerning behavioural effects in sticklebacks regarding stress responses, mainly induced by chemical mixtures, have hardly been addressed. For this purpose, we investigated the swimming behaviour (including mortality rate based on 96-h LC50 values) of two ecologically similar three-spined (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and nine-spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius) to short-term (up to 24 h) metal mixture (MIX) exposure. We evaluated the relevance and efficacy of behavioural responses of test species in the early toxicity assessment of chemical mixtures. Fish exposed to six (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Cr) metals in the mixture were either singled out by the Water Framework Directive as priority or as relevant substances in surface water, which was prepared according to the environmental quality standards (EQSs) of these metals set for inland waters in the European Union (EU) (Directive 2013/39/EU). The performed behavioural analysis showed the main effect on the interaction between time, species, and treatment variables. Although both species exposed to MIX revealed a decreasing tendency in swimming activity, these species' responsiveness to MIX was somewhat different. Substantial changes in the activity of G. aculeatus were established after a 3-h exposure to MIX solutions, which was 1.43-fold lower, while in the case of P. pungitius, 1.96-fold higher than established 96-h LC50 values for each species. This study demonstrated species-specific differences in response sensitivity to metal-based water pollution, indicating behavioural insensitivity of P. pungitius as model species for aquatic biomonitoring and environmental risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Makaras
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos Str. 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania.
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13
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Montano L, Maugeri A, Volpe MG, Micali S, Mirone V, Mantovani A, Navarra M, Piscopo M. Mediterranean Diet as a Shield against Male Infertility and Cancer Risk Induced by Environmental Pollutants: A Focus on Flavonoids. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031568. [PMID: 35163492 PMCID: PMC8836239 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of environmental factors in influencing health status is well documented. Heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, pesticides, ultrafine particles, produced by human activities put a strain on the body’s entire defense system. Therefore, together with public health measures, evidence-based individual resilience measures are necessary to mitigate cancer risk under environmental stress and to prevent reproductive dysfunction and non-communicable diseases; this is especially relevant for workers occupationally exposed to pollutants and/or populations residing in highly polluted areas. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high intake of fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoids, that can promote the elimination of pollutants in tissues and fluids and/or mitigate their effects through different mechanisms. In this review, we collected evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies showing that the impairment of male fertility and gonadal development, as well as cancers of reproductive system, due to the exposure of organic and inorganic pollutants, may be counteracted by flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit and Service of Lifestyle Medicine in UroAndrology, Local Health Authority (ASL), 84124 Salerno, Italy;
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Maugeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy;
| | - Maria Grazia Volpe
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, CNR, 83100 Avellino, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Micali
- Urology Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Mirone
- Department of Neurosciences, Science of Reproduction and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- Department of Food, Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary public health, Italian National Health Institute, 00161 Roma, Italy;
| | - Michele Navarra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
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14
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Reprotoxic Impact of Environment, Diet, and Behavior. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031303. [PMID: 35162326 PMCID: PMC8834893 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive health is progressively declining due to multiples endogenous and exogenous factors, such as environmental contaminants, diet and behavior. Accumulated evidences confirm that fertility and reproductive function have been adversely affected by exposure to chemical contaminants released in the environment. Today, the impact of diet and behavior on reproductive processes is also receiving special attention from the scientific community. Indeed, a close relationship between diet and fertility has been proven. Furthermore, a combination of unhealthy behavior, such as exposure to hazardous compounds and stress factors, poses living organisms at higher risk of reprotoxic effects. In particular, it has been described that poor life behaviors are associated with reduced male and female fertility due to decreased gamete quality and function. Most of the erroneous behaviors are, furthermore, a source of oxidative stress that, leading to epigenetic alterations, results in an impaired reproductive fitness. This review reports the detrimental impact of the most common environmental chemical stressors, diet, and behavior on reproductive functionality and success. Although clear evidences are still scarce, reassuring data are provided that a healthy diet and reverting unhealthy lifestyles may be of help to recover physiological reproductive conditions.
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Xu Y, Yang R, Zhang J, Gao L, Ni X. Distribution and dispersion of heavy metals in the rock-soil-moss system of the black shale areas in the southeast of Guizhou Province, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:854-867. [PMID: 34342823 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15335-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Black shales are easily exposed due to human activities such as mining, road construction, and shale gas development, which results in several environmental issues including heavy metal (HM) pollution, soil erosion, and the destruction of vegetation. Mosses are widely used to monitor metal pollution in the atmosphere, but few studies on the distribution and dispersion of HMs in the rock-soil-moss system are available. Here, mosses (Pohlia flexuosa Harv. in Hook), growing soils, and corresponding parent rocks were collected from black shale areas. After appropriate pretreatment, samples were analyzed for multiple elemental concentrations by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. The results show that black shale parent rocks have elevated HM concentration and act as a source of multiple metals. The overlying soil significantly inherits and accumulates heavy metals released from black shale. Significant positive correlations between HMs in P. flexuosa and the growing soils indicate that HMs are mainly originating from geological source rather than atmospheric deposition. Differential accumulation of HMs is observed between rhizoids and stems in our study. Moreover, P. flexuosa is able to cope with high concentrations of toxic metals without any visible negative effect on its growth and development. Finally, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) for all the HMs in P. flexuosa is less than 1, indicating that it has a tolerance and exclusion mechanism for these metals, especially for the non-essential elements As and Pb. Therefore, the luxuriant and spontaneous growth of P. flexuosa could be used as a phytostabilization pioneer plant in the black shale outcrop where vascular plants are rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyuan Xu
- College of Resources and Environment Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Ruidong Yang
- College of Resources and Environment Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225127, China
| | - Lei Gao
- College of Resources and Environment Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Xinran Ni
- College of Resources and Environment Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
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16
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Maresca V, Bellini E, Landi S, Capasso G, Cianciullo P, Carraturo F, Pirintsos S, Sorbo S, Sanità di Toppi L, Esposito S, Basile A. Biological responses to heavy metal stress in the moss Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 229:113078. [PMID: 34929502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Leptodictyum riparium, a widely distributed aquatic moss, can both tolerate and accumulate very high concentrations of toxic heavy metals, with only slight apparent damage. Here we report the effects on photosynthetic yield, glutathione (GSH), phytochelatin (PCn) synthesis, nitrogen metabolism and cellular localization of molecules rich in SH groups in L. riparium exposed in vitro to heavy metals. We simulated the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb detected in Regi Lagni, Italy, one of the most contaminated freshwater sites in Southern Europe, in the laboratory to test how the moss responds to heavy metal contamination. There was a steady decrease of photosynthetic efficiency correlated with the heavy metal concentrations and ultrastructural organization. All PCn levels increased significantly as the concentration of heavy metals increased, while the GSH levels did not appear to be particularly affected. A significant increase of GDH and NADH-GOGAT activities increased with increasing heavy metal concentration. Immunoblotting analysis revealed an increase of the chl-GS2 while no significant increase was detected in the cyt-GS1. These results give insight into the molecular events underlying the metal-tolerance of the aquatic moss L. riparium exposed to environmental heavy metal concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Erika Bellini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Landi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Capasso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Federica Carraturo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece; Botanical Garden, University of Crete, 741 00 Rethymnon, Greece
| | - Sergio Sorbo
- CeSMA, Microscopy Section, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Sergio Esposito
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80126 Naples, Italy.
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Sharma P, Ahmad M, Rathee S, Singh HP, Batish DR, Kohli RK. Bridging the gap: linking morpho-functional traits' plasticity with hyperaccumulation. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:762. [PMID: 34727237 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09504-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plant species exhibiting heavy metal tolerance are instrumental in phytoremediation of metalliferous sites. Most of the time, variations in plant functional traits (PFTs) are overlooked while identifying hyperaccumulators. However, investigating morphological, physiological, and phenological variations can contribute to our knowledge about stress tolerance, and aid in identifying potential hyperaccumulators. In the present study, we investigated variation in morpho-functional traits in Solanum nigrum, a known hyperaccumulator, under lead (Pb) stress. Twenty-one PFTs including 9 above-ground (leaf count, leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf thickness, leaf dry mass, shoot length, stem dry mass, stem diameter), 3 below-ground (root length, root dry mass, and root diameter), 4 reproductive (flower bud count, fruit count, flower count, and fruit dry mass), and 5 photosynthetic traits (total chlorophyll, total carotenoid, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and photosynthetic efficiency) under varying Pb concentrations (500-2000 mg kg-1) were assessed. Pillai's trace test (MANOVA) depicted significant variations in above-ground, below-ground, and photosynthetic traits, whereas reproductive traits did not vary significantly with progressive metal concentration. However, most of the studied traits except flower count, fruit dry mass, and chlorophyll b varied significantly under Pb stress. The study depicts that enhanced PFT's plasticity enables S. nigrum to grow in Pb-contaminated soil effectively without impacting plant fitness. Plasticity of morpho-functional traits, therefore, establishes itself as a resourceful approach in successful identification of phytoremediation capacity of a plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Sharma
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India
| | - Mustaqeem Ahmad
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India
| | - Sonia Rathee
- Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Harminder P Singh
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India.
| | - Daizy R Batish
- Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
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18
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Could Kallikrein-Related Serine Peptidase 3 Be an Early Biomarker of Environmental Exposure in Young Women? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168833. [PMID: 34444582 PMCID: PMC8392638 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenols and phthalates affect androgen receptor-mediated signaling that directly regulates Kallikrein-Related serine Peptidase 3 (KLK3) secretion, indicating that environmental factors may play a role in KLK3 secretion. With the aim of obtaining preliminary data on whether KLK3 could serve as an early marker of environmental pollution effects, in 61 and 58 healthy women living in a high environmental impact (HEI) and low environmental impact (LEI) area, respectively, serum KLK3 levels at different phases of menstrual cycle were measured. KLK3 values resulted in always being higher in the HEI group with respect to the LEI group. These differences were particularly relevant in the ovulatory phase (cycle day 12°–13°) of the menstrual cycle. The differences in KLK3 values during the three phases of the menstrual cycle were significant in the LEI group differently from the HEI group. In addition, higher progesterone levels were observed in the LEI group with respect to the HEI group in the luteal phase, indicating an opposite trend of KLK3 and progesterone in this phase of the menstrual cycle. Although changes in KLK3 could also depend on other factors, these preliminary data could be an early indication of an expanding study of the role of biomarkers in assessing early environmental effects for female reproductive health.
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19
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Montano L, Donato F, Bianco PM, Lettieri G, Guglielmino A, Motta O, Bonapace IM, Piscopo M. Semen quality as a potential susceptibility indicator to SARS-CoV-2 insults in polluted areas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:37031-37040. [PMID: 34053043 PMCID: PMC8164491 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14579-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The epidemic of the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted worldwide with its infectious spread and mortality rate. Thousands of articles have been published to tackle this crisis and many of these have indicated that high air pollution levels may be a contributing factor to high outbreak rates of COVID-19. Atmospheric pollutants, indeed, producing oxidative stress, inflammation, immuno-unbalance, and systemic coagulation, may be a possible significant co-factor of further damage, rendering the body prone to infections by a variety of pathogens, including viruses. Spermatozoa are extremely responsive to prooxidative effects produced by environmental pollutants and may serve as a powerful alert that signals the extent that environmental pressure, in a specific area, is doing damage to humans. In order to improve our current knowledge on this topic, this review article summarizes the relevant current observations emphasizing the weight that environmental pollution has on the sensitivity of a given population to several diseases and how semen quality, may be a potential indicator of sensitivity for virus insults (including SARS-CoV-2) in high polluted areas, and help to predict the risk for harmful effects of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. In addition, this review focused on the potential routes of virus transmission that may represent a population health risk and also identified the areas of critical importance that require urgent research to assess and manage the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit, EcoFoodFertility Project, Coordination Unit, Local Health Authority (ASL) Salerno, Oliveto Citra, Via M. Clemente, 84020 Oliveto Citra, SA Italy
| | - Francesco Donato
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Unit of Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Pietro Massimiliano Bianco
- ISPRA, Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Via Vitaliano Brancati 60, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Lettieri
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Oriana Motta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Ian Marc Bonapace
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria (VA), Varese, Italy
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
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20
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Erythrocytes as a Model for Heavy Metal-Related Vascular Dysfunction: The Protective Effect of Dietary Components. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126604. [PMID: 34203038 PMCID: PMC8235350 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Heavy metals are toxic environmental pollutants associated with severe ecological and human health risks. Among them is mercury (Hg), widespread in air, soil, and water, due to its peculiar geo-biochemical cycle. The clinical consequences of Hg exposure include neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Furthermore, increased risk for cardiovascular diseases is also reported due to a direct effect on cardiovascular tissues, including endothelial cells, recently identified as important targets for the harmful action of heavy metals. In this review, we will discuss the rationale for the potential use of erythrocytes as a surrogate model to study Hg-related toxicity on the cardiovascular system. The toxic effects of Hg on erythrocytes have been amply investigated in the last few years. Among the observed alterations, phosphatidylserine exposure has been proposed as an underlying mechanism responsible for Hg-induced increased proatherogenic and prothrombotic activity of these cells. Furthermore, following Hg-exposure, a decrease in NOS activity has also been reported, with consequent lowering of NO bioavailability, thus impairing endothelial function. An additional mechanism that may induce a decrease in NO availability is the generation of an oxidative microenvironment. Finally, considering that chronic Hg exposure mainly occurs through contaminated foods, the protective effect of dietary components is also discussed.
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21
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Lettieri G, Notariale R, Ambrosino A, Di Bonito A, Giarra A, Trifuoggi M, Manna C, Piscopo M. Spermatozoa Transcriptional Response and Alterations in PL Proteins Properties after Exposure of Mytilus galloprovincialis to Mercury. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041618. [PMID: 33562685 PMCID: PMC7915165 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is an environmental pollutant that impacts human and ecosystem health. In our previous works, we reported alterations in the properties of Mytilus galloprovincialis protamine-like (PL) proteins after 24 h of exposure to subtoxic doses of toxic metals such as copper and cadmium. The present work aims to assess the effects of 24 h of exposure to 1, 10, and 100 pM HgCl2 on spermatozoa and PL proteins of Mytilus galloprovincialis. Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry indicated accumulation of this metal in the gonads of exposed mussels. Further, RT-qPCR analyses showed altered expression levels of spermatozoa mt10 and hsp70 genes. In Mytilus galloprovincialis, PL proteins represent the major basic component of sperm chromatin. These proteins, following exposure of mussels to HgCl2, appeared, by SDS-PAGE, partly as aggregates and showed a decreased DNA-binding capacity that rendered them unable to prevent DNA damage, in the presence of CuCl2 and H2O2. These results demonstrate that even these doses of HgCl2 exposure could affect the properties of PL proteins and result in adverse effects on the reproductive system of this organism. These analyses could be useful in developing rapid and efficient chromatin-based genotoxicity assays for pollution biomonitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Lettieri
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.L.); (A.A.); (A.D.B.)
| | - Rosaria Notariale
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy; (R.N.); (C.M.)
| | - Alessia Ambrosino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.L.); (A.A.); (A.D.B.)
| | - Alfredo Di Bonito
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.L.); (A.A.); (A.D.B.)
| | - Antonella Giarra
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Marco Trifuoggi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Caterina Manna
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy; (R.N.); (C.M.)
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.L.); (A.A.); (A.D.B.)
- Correspondence:
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22
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Maresca V, Sorbo S, Loppi S, Funaro F, Del Prete D, Basile A. Biological effects from environmental pollution by toxic metals in the "land of fires" (Italy) assessed using the biomonitor species Lunularia cruciata L. (Dum). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:115000. [PMID: 32806400 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The liverwort Lunularia cruciata was collected from the town of Acerra, in the heart of the so-called 'Land of Fires' a large area in the eastern part of Campania region of Italy affected by burning of waste and fraudulent dumping and one of the vertices of the "Italian Triangle of Death" so said for the high incidence and mortality from tumors. The data obtained from these samples were compared with samples collected in two other sites representing two different environmental conditions. The soil below the samples, and gametophytes, were collected and analyzed for the concentration of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V. DNA damage, Reactive Oxygen Species production and localization, activity of antioxidant enzymes and presence of chelating molecules were investigated. All biomarkers provided an answer closely related to the pollution conditions at the 3 sites. We discuss the data considering the possibility of using these biological changes as environmental pollution biomarkers. Finally, it is underlined the importance of phytochelatins due to of their specificity for metal pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maresca
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli "Federico II" - Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Sergio Sorbo
- Ce.S.M.A, Università di Napoli "Federico II" - Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita, Università di Siena, Via Pier Andrea Mattioli, 453100, Siena, Italy
| | - Federica Funaro
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli "Federico II" - Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Davide Del Prete
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli "Federico II" - Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli "Federico II" - Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 4, 80126, Napoli, Italy.
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23
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Lettieri G, Marra F, Moriello C, Prisco M, Notari T, Trifuoggi M, Giarra A, Bosco L, Montano L, Piscopo M. Molecular Alterations in Spermatozoa of a Family Case Living in the Land of Fires. A First Look at Possible Transgenerational Effects of Pollutants. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186710. [PMID: 32933216 PMCID: PMC7555199 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In our previous work, we reported alterations in protamines/histones ratio, in DNA binding of these proteins and their involvement in DNA oxidative damage in 84% of the young men living in the Land of Fires. In the present work, we extended our findings, evaluating any alterations in spermatozoa of a family case, a father and son, living in this area, to also give a first look at the possibility of transgenerational inherited effects of environmental contaminants on the molecular alterations of sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBP), DNA and semen parameters. In the father and son, we found a diverse excess of copper and chromium in the semen, different alterations in SNBP content and low DNA binding affinity of these proteins. In addition, DNA damage, in the presence of CuCl2 and H2O2, increased by adding both the father and son SNBP. Interestingly, son SNBP, unlike his father, showed an unstable DNA binding and were able to produce DNA damage even without external addition of CuCl2, in line with a lower seminal antioxidant activity than the father. The peculiarity of some characteristics of son semen could be a basis for possible future studies on transgenerational effects of pollutants on fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Lettieri
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Federica Marra
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Claudia Moriello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Marina Prisco
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Tiziana Notari
- Check Up—Day Surgery, Polydiagnostic and Research Centre, Reproductive Medicine Unit, 84131 Salerno, Italy;
| | - Marco Trifuoggi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Antonella Giarra
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Liana Bosco
- Department of Biological, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed.16, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit of the “S. Francesco d’Assisi” Hospital, Local Health Authority (ASL) Salerno, EcoFoodFertility Project Coordination Unit, 84020 Oliveto Citra, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (M.P.); Tel.: +39-082-879-7111 (ext. 271) (L.M.); +39-081-679-081 (M.P.)
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (F.M.); (C.M.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (M.P.); Tel.: +39-082-879-7111 (ext. 271) (L.M.); +39-081-679-081 (M.P.)
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Maresca V, Lettieri G, Sorbo S, Piscopo M, Basile A. Biological Responses to Cadmium Stress in Liverwort Conocephalum conicum (Marchantiales). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186485. [PMID: 32899890 PMCID: PMC7555243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative damage (production and localization of reactive oxygen species) and related response mechanisms (activity of antioxidant enzymes), and induction of Heat Shock Protein 70 expression, have been studied in the toxi-tolerant liverwort Conocephalum conicum (Marchantiales) in response to cadmium stress using two concentrations (36 and 360 µM CdCl2). Cadmium dose-dependent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and related activity of antioxidant enzymes was observed. The expression level of heat shock protein (Hsp)70, instead, was higher at 36 µM CdCl2 in comparison with the value obtained after exposure to 360 µM CdCl2, suggesting a possible inhibition of the expression of this stress gene at higher cadmium exposure doses. Biological responses were related to cadmium bioaccumulation. Since C. conicum was able to respond to cadmium stress by modifying biological parameters, we discuss the data considering the possibility of using these biological changes as biomarkers of cadmium pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (G.L.)
| | - Gennaro Lettieri
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (G.L.)
| | - Sergio Sorbo
- Centro di Servizi Metrologici Avanzati (CeSMA), Microscopy Section, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (G.L.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (A.B.); Tel.: +39-081-679-081 (M.P.); +39-081-253-8508 (A.B.)
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (G.L.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (A.B.); Tel.: +39-081-679-081 (M.P.); +39-081-253-8508 (A.B.)
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Piscopo M, Notariale R, Tortora F, Lettieri G, Palumbo G, Manna C. Novel Insights into Mercury Effects on Hemoglobin and Membrane Proteins in Human Erythrocytes. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25143278. [PMID: 32707650 PMCID: PMC7397049 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25143278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a global environmental pollutant that affects human and ecosystem health. With the aim of exploring the Hg-induced protein modifications, intact human erythrocytes were exposed to HgCl2 (1-60 µM) and cytosolic and membrane proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and AU-PAGE. A spectrofluorimetric assay for quantification of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation was also performed. Hg2+ exposure induces alterations in the electrophoretic profile of cytosolic proteins with a significant decrease in the intensity of the hemoglobin monomer, associated with the appearance of a 64 kDa band, identified as a mercurized tetrameric form. This protein decreases with increasing HgCl2 concentrations and Hg-induced ROS formation. Moreover, it appears resistant to urea denaturation and it is only partially dissociated by exposure to dithiothreitol, likely due to additional protein-Hg interactions involved in aggregate formation. In addition, specific membrane proteins, including band 3 and cytoskeletal proteins 4.1 and 4.2, are affected by Hg2+-treatment. The findings reported provide new insights into the Hg-induced possible detrimental effects on erythrocyte physiology, mainly related to alterations in the oxygen binding capacity of hemoglobin as well as decreases in band 3-mediated anion exchange. Finally, modifications of cytoskeletal proteins 4.1 and 4.2 could contribute to the previously reported alteration in cell morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (C.M.)
| | - Rosaria Notariale
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Luigi de Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy; (R.N.); (F.T.)
| | - Fabiana Tortora
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Luigi de Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy; (R.N.); (F.T.)
| | - Gennaro Lettieri
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giancarlo Palumbo
- Department of Economics, Management, Institutions, University of Naples Federico II, via Cupa Nuova Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Caterina Manna
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Luigi de Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy; (R.N.); (F.T.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (C.M.)
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Lettieri G, D’Agostino G, Mele E, Cardito C, Esposito R, Cimmino A, Giarra A, Trifuoggi M, Raimondo S, Notari T, Febbraio F, Montano L, Piscopo M. Discovery of the Involvement in DNA Oxidative Damage of Human Sperm Nuclear Basic Proteins of Healthy Young Men Living in Polluted Areas. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124198. [PMID: 32545547 PMCID: PMC7349829 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA oxidative damage is one of the main concerns being implicated in severe cell alterations, promoting different types of human disorders and diseases. For their characteristics, male gametes are the most sensitive cells to the accumulation of damaged DNA. We have recently reported the relevance of arginine residues in the Cu(II)-induced DNA breakage of sperm H1 histones. In this work, we have extended our previous findings investigating the involvement of human sperm nuclear basic proteins on DNA oxidative damage in healthy males presenting copper and chromium excess in their semen. We found in 84% of those males an altered protamines/histones ratio and a different DNA binding mode even for those presenting a canonical protamines/histones ratio. Furthermore, all the sperm nuclear basic proteins from these samples that resulted were involved in DNA oxidative damage, supporting the idea that these proteins could promote the Fenton reaction in DNA proximity by increasing the availability of these metals near the binding surface of DNA. In conclusion, our study reveals a new and unexpected behavior of human sperm nuclear basic proteins in oxidative DNA damage, providing new insights for understanding the mechanisms related to processes in which oxidative DNA damage is implicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Lettieri
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (G.D.); (E.M.); (C.C.); (R.E.)
| | - Giovanni D’Agostino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (G.D.); (E.M.); (C.C.); (R.E.)
| | - Elena Mele
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (G.D.); (E.M.); (C.C.); (R.E.)
| | - Carolina Cardito
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (G.D.); (E.M.); (C.C.); (R.E.)
| | - Rosa Esposito
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (G.D.); (E.M.); (C.C.); (R.E.)
| | - Annalinda Cimmino
- CNR, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, via Pietro Castellino, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonella Giarra
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Marco Trifuoggi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.G.); (M.T.)
| | | | - Tiziana Notari
- GEA—Gynecology Embryology Andrology—Reproductive Medicine Unit of Check Up Polydiagnostic Center, 84131 Salerno, Italy;
| | - Ferdinando Febbraio
- CNR, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, via Pietro Castellino, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (L.M.); (M.P.); Tel.: +39-081-613-2611 (F.F.); +39-082-879-7111 (ext. 271) (L.M.); +39-081-679-081 (M.P.)
| | - Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit of the “S. Francesco d’Assisi” Hospital, Local Health Authority (ASL) Salerno, EcoFoodFertility Project Coordination Unit, 84020 Oliveto Citra, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (L.M.); (M.P.); Tel.: +39-081-613-2611 (F.F.); +39-082-879-7111 (ext. 271) (L.M.); +39-081-679-081 (M.P.)
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (G.L.); (G.D.); (E.M.); (C.C.); (R.E.)
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (L.M.); (M.P.); Tel.: +39-081-613-2611 (F.F.); +39-082-879-7111 (ext. 271) (L.M.); +39-081-679-081 (M.P.)
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Kováčik J, Dresler S, Babula P. Long-term impact of cadmium in protonema cultures of Physcomitrella patens. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 193:110333. [PMID: 32088551 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Antioxidative responses of axenic protonema cultures of the moss Physcomitrella patens exposed to 10 μM Cd over 40 d were studied. Cd treatment suppressed growth by ca. 75% with concomitant browning of some filaments and suppression of chlorophyll autofluorescence but had no impact on tissue water content. Despite this negative growth responses which could be related to enhanced ROS formation (as detected using fluorescence staining reagents for total ROS, hydroperoxides and lipid peroxidation), some metabolites revealed strong elevation by Cd which could contribute to attenuation of long-term Cd stress (elevation of ascorbic, malic and citric acids). Molar ratio of malate to Cd was 12.7 and citrate to Cd 2.5, thus potentially contributing to Cd chelation. Interestingly, GSH/GSSG pool and nitric oxide formation remained unaltered by Cd. Accumulation of Cd reached 82 μg/g DW with bioaccumulation factor of 73. Data indicate that Cd induces elevation of potentially protective metabolites even after prolonged exposure though they do not prevent oxidative stress sufficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Kováčik
- Department of Biology, University of Trnava, Priemyselná 4, 918 43, Trnava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Sławomir Dresler
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Science, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| | - Petr Babula
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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The Moss Leptodictyum riparium Counteracts Severe Cadmium Stress by Activation of Glutathione Transferase and Phytochelatin Synthase, but Slightly by Phytochelatins. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051583. [PMID: 32111035 PMCID: PMC7084805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present work, we investigated the response to Cd in Leptodictyum riparium, a cosmopolitan moss (Bryophyta) that can accumulate higher amounts of metals than other plants, even angiosperms, with absence or slight apparent damage. High-performance liquid chromatography followed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry of extracts from L. riparium gametophytes, exposed to 0, 36 and 360 µM Cd for 7 days, revealed the presence of γ-glutamylcysteine (γ-EC), reduced glutathione (GSH), and traces of phytochelatins. The increase in Cd concentrations progressively augmented reactive oxygen species levels, with activation of both antioxidant (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and detoxifying (glutathione-S-transferase) enzymes. After Cd treatment, cytosolic and vacuolar localization of thiol peptides was performed by means of the fluorescent dye monochlorobimane and subsequent observation with confocal laser scanning microscopy. The cytosolic fluorescence observed with the highest Cd concentrations was also consistent with the formation of γ-EC-bimane in the cytosol, possibly catalyzed by the peptidase activity of the L. riparium phytochelatin synthase. On the whole, activation of phytochelatin synthase and glutathione-S-transferase, but minimally phytochelatin synthesis, play a role to counteract Cd toxicity in L. riparium, in this manner minimizing the cellular damage caused by the metal. This study strengthens previous investigations on the L. riparium ability to efficiently hinder metal pollution, hinting at a potential use for biomonitoring and phytoremediation purposes.
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Haydari M, Maresca V, Rigano D, Taleei A, Shahnejat-Bushehri AA, Hadian J, Sorbo S, Guida M, Manna C, Piscopo M, Notariale R, De Ruberto F, Fusaro L, Basile A. Salicylic Acid and Melatonin Alleviate the Effects of Heat Stress on Essential Oil Composition and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in Mentha × piperita and Mentha arvensis L. Antioxidants (Basel) 2019; 8:E547. [PMID: 31766277 PMCID: PMC6912601 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8110547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the chemical profile of essential oils and antioxidant enzymes activity (catalase CAT, superoxide dismutase SOD, Glutathione S-transferases GST, and Peroxidase POX) in Mentha × piperita L. (Mitcham variety) and Mentha arvensis L. (var. piperascens), in response to heat stress. In addition, we used salicylic acid (SA) and melatonin (M), two brassinosteroids that play an important role in regulating physiological processes, to assess their potential to mitigate heat stress. In both species, the heat stress caused a variation in the composition of the essential oils and in the antioxidant enzymatic activity. Furthermore both Salicylic acid (SA) and melatonin (M) alleviated the effect of heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Haydari
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Collage of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 31787-316, Karaj 77871-31587, Iran; (M.H.); (A.T.); (A.A.S.-B.)
| | - Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology—University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (M.G.); (M.P.); (F.D.R.)
| | - Daniela Rigano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Alireza Taleei
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Collage of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 31787-316, Karaj 77871-31587, Iran; (M.H.); (A.T.); (A.A.S.-B.)
| | - Ali Akbar Shahnejat-Bushehri
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Collage of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 31787-316, Karaj 77871-31587, Iran; (M.H.); (A.T.); (A.A.S.-B.)
| | - Javad Hadian
- Medicinal Plants and Drug Research Institute, ShahidBeheshti University, G.C. Tehran 11369, Iran;
| | - Sergio Sorbo
- C.e.S.M.A. University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Biology—University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (M.G.); (M.P.); (F.D.R.)
| | - Caterina Manna
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Luigi de Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.M.); (R.N.)
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology—University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (M.G.); (M.P.); (F.D.R.)
| | - Rosaria Notariale
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Luigi de Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.M.); (R.N.)
| | - Francesca De Ruberto
- Department of Biology—University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (M.G.); (M.P.); (F.D.R.)
| | - Lina Fusaro
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology—University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (M.G.); (M.P.); (F.D.R.)
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Piscopo M. Seasonal dependence of cadmium molecular effects on Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) protamine-like protein properties. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:1418-1429. [PMID: 31317589 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Mussels have a seasonal reproduction and cadmium is a common stressor in estuarine and coastal environments. In previous studies, we have shown that exposure to subtoxic doses of cadmium produced alterations in the properties of winter Mytilus galloprovincialis sperm protamine-like (PL) proteins. In this study, it was analyzed the possibility that these cadmium effects may be seasonal. Winter and summer mussels were exposed to CdCl2 , and it was tested the PL-proteins for cadmium bioaccumulation, electrophoretic pattern, DNA binding, and potentiality to induce DNA oxidative damage. It was found that cadmium exposure did not produce the same effects on PL-proteins of summer mussels that were produced on PL-proteins of winter mussels, that is: cadmium bioaccumulation, alterations in the acetic acid-urea polyacrylamide gels (AU-PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE pattern, a reduced DNA binding affinity and the ability to induce DNA oxidative damage. PL-proteins from summer mussels, apart from not being affected by all the abovementioned effects of cadmium, also showed a very low DNA binding affinity, independent of cadmium exposure. This study reveals clock-associated seasonal responses to cadmium in M. galloprovincialis. Understanding the mechanisms through which environmental signals guide biological rhythms is fundamental to understanding the seasonal sensitivity of this bioindicator, to use M. galloprovincialis in appropriate seasonal periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Piscopo
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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Tortora F, Notariale R, Maresca V, Good KV, Sorbo S, Basile A, Piscopo M, Manna C. Phenol-Rich Feijoa sellowiana (Pineapple Guava) Extracts Protect Human Red Blood Cells from Mercury-Induced Cellular Toxicity. Antioxidants (Basel) 2019; 8:antiox8070220. [PMID: 31336755 PMCID: PMC6680458 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8070220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant polyphenols, with broadly known antioxidant properties, represent very effective agents against environmental oxidative stressors, including mercury. This heavy metal irreversibly binds thiol groups, sequestering endogenous antioxidants, such as glutathione. Increased incidence of food-derived mercury is cause for concern, given the many severe downstream effects, ranging from kidney to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the possible beneficial properties of Feijoa sellowiana against mercury toxicity were tested using intact human red blood cells (RBC) incubated in the presence of HgCl2. Here, we show that phenol-rich (10–200 µg/mL) extracts from the Feijoa sellowiana fruit potently protect against mercury-induced toxicity and oxidative stress. Peel and pulp extracts are both able to counteract the oxidative stress and thiol decrease induced in RBC by mercury treatment. Nonetheless, the peel extract had a greater protective effect compared to the pulp, although to a different extent for the different markers analyzed, which is at least partially due to the greater proportion and diversity of polyphenols in the peel. Furthermore, Fejioa sellowiana extracts also prevent mercury-induced morphological changes, which are known to enhance the pro-coagulant activity of these cells. These novel findings provide biochemical bases for the pharmacological use of Fejioa sellowiana-based functional foods in preventing and combating mercury-related illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Tortora
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via Luigi de Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Notariale
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via Luigi de Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cupa Nuova Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Katrina Vanessa Good
- Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3R4, Canada
| | - Sergio Sorbo
- Ce.S.M.A, Microscopy Section, University of Naples Federico II, via Cupa Nuova Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cupa Nuova Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cupa Nuova Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Caterina Manna
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via Luigi de Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy.
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Lettieri G, Maione M, Ranauda MA, Mele E, Piscopo M. Molecular effects on spermatozoa of Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to hyposaline conditions. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:650-660. [PMID: 30938011 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Salinity represents a critical environmental and an ecological factor in the reproduction of marine species. As global climate changes and anthropogenic factors affect salinity, in this study, we have analyzed the responses of Mytilus galloprovincialis spermatozoa to hyposaline stress. We exposed mussels, in laboratory tanks, for 24 hr at 18°C to control (35.9 psu) and three hyposaline (17.1, 22.6, and 26.2 psu) conditions, and evaluated the expression of sperm hsp70 and protamine-like proteins genes. Further we analyzed the electrophoretic pattern, the DNA binding and the release from sperm nuclei of protamine-like proteins. For all experimental approaches used, the results obtained at 17.1 psu condition were very similar to those obtained in the control condition, while alterations were always recorded at 22.6 and 26.2 psu conditions. Particularly, at 22.6 and 26.2 psu, was observed: 42.5- and 17.1-fold increase in hsp70 expression, respectively, and hypoexpression of PL-II/PLIV protamine-like proteins genes. Further, electrophoretic mobility shift assays and salt-induced release of nuclear proteins from sperm nuclei, revealed alterations in the PL proteins/DNA binding, in these two hyposaline conditions. The similarity between the results obtained in control and in the more severe hyposaline condition (17.1 psu) could indicate a phenomenon of fertility preservation strategy due to gamete plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Lettieri
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studki di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Martina Maione
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studki di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Elena Mele
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studki di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studki di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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De Guglielmo V, Puoti R, Notariale R, Maresca V, Ausió J, Troisi J, Verrillo M, Basile A, Febbraio F, Piscopo M. Alterations in the properties of sperm protamine-like II protein after exposure of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck 1819) to sub-toxic doses of cadmium. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 169:600-606. [PMID: 30496991 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.11.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Protamine-like proteins (PL-II, PL-III and PL-IV) represent the major basic nuclear component of Mytilus galloprovincialis L sperm chromatin. The present study investigates the effects induced on the properties of PL-II protein after exposure of Mytilus galloprovincialis L for 24 h to 1.5 and 5 µM CdCl2. We found cadmium accumulation in protamine-like proteins with a linear grow up with the exposition dose. In particular, after 5 µM CdCl2 mussels exposure, the mobility of PL-II band changed in SDS-PAGE, suggesting structural rearrangement in presence of cadmium. Structural analysis using fluorescent probes, indicated that at 5 µM CdCl2 the complete conformational change of PL-II protein was reached. In the same condition of mussels exposure of 5 µM CdCl2, PL-II protein changed its DNA binding mode, which determined a closer DNA binding, because higher amount of NaCl were required for PL-II protein release by sperm nuclei. These results supported the hypothesis that mussel exposure to this CdCl2 dose, although lower to toxic ones, affects the properties of this protein and as a consequence chromatin organization of spermatozoa that is essential for the success of fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgilia De Guglielmo
- University of Naples Federico II, Dept. of Biology, via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaela Puoti
- University of Naples Federico II, Dept. of Biology, via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Notariale
- University of Naples Federico II, Dept. of Biology, via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana Maresca
- University of Naples Federico II, Dept. of Biology, via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Juan Ausió
- University of Victoria, Dept. of Biochemistry & Microbiology, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jacopo Troisi
- Theoreo srl-spin-off dell'Universita` degli Studi di Salerno, 84090 Salerno, Italy
| | - Mariavittoria Verrillo
- University of Naples Federico II, Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, Via Università 100, 84055 Portici, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- University of Naples Federico II, Dept. of Biology, via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Febbraio
- CNR, Institute of Protein Biochemistry, via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Marina Piscopo
- University of Naples Federico II, Dept. of Biology, via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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Lin H, Liu J, Dong Y, He Y. The effect of substrates on the removal of low-level vanadium, chromium and cadmium from polluted river water by ecological floating beds. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 169:856-862. [PMID: 30597785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.11.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ecological floating beds (EFBs) is one of the effective methods lately used to remove heavy metals pollutions in water. However, the role of substrate in EFBs was mainly focused on the study of microorganisms, and the effect of substrates on plants enrichment of heavy metals was rarely investigated. This study aimed to investigate the promotion of different substrates (green zeolite, sepiolite, absorbent paper, and ceramsite) on the removal of multi-heavy metals (V, Cr, and Cd) by Acorus calamus L. It also investigated the plant growth status. Results showed that the relative increase rate of Acorus calamus L. fresh weight increased the most in EFBs with green zeolite group (EFB-GZ), which was 60.50%, higher than 38.17% in EFBs with Acorus calamus L. (EFB-A). The enrichment ability of multi-metals in Acorus calamus L. was stronger in EFBs with substrates than in EFB-A, and green zeolite was the best. After 34 days, the total removal efficiency of V, Cr and Cd in EFB-GZ were 79.91%, 95.24% and 91.80%, respectively. Heavy metals translocation from root to shoot influenced by the kinds of substrates. In EFB-GZ, the translocation factor (TF) of V, Cr and Cd were 0.081, 0.263 and 0.180, respectively (0.024, 0.608 and 0.032 in EFB-A). The ability of Acorus calamus L. to resist multi-metals stress was significantly higher in EFBs with substrates than that in EFB-A and the activity of SOD, POD and CAT were increased by heavy metals stress. Our results acquired that green zeolite was the best substrate to promote multi-metals uptake by Acorus calamus L., which could effectively maintain the pH of water, provide a stable environment and nutriment for Acorus calamus L. Green zeolite can promote the translocation of V and Cd from root to shoot in Acorus calamus L., but is not conducive to Cr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Lin
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory on Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Junfei Liu
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory on Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yingbo Dong
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory on Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yinhai He
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory on Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing 100083, China
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Lettieri G, Mollo V, Ambrosino A, Caccavale F, Troisi J, Febbraio F, Piscopo M. Molecular effects of copper on the reproductive system of mytilus galloprovincialis. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:1357-1368. [PMID: 30648312 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to assess the effects induced by 24 hr exposure to a subtoxic copper concentration on the reproductive system (gonads, spermatozoa, and protamine-like [PL] proteins) of Mytilus galloprovincialis. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry indicated accumulation of this metal in gonads, spermatozoa, and PL proteins of exposed mussels. Further, real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses showed altered expression levels of mt10 and PL proteins genes in spermatozoa and gonads, respectively, of exposed mussels. Protamine-like proteins, which represent the main basic component of sperm chromatin of this organism, showed a higher DNA binding affinity and a different DNA binding mode in exposed mussels. Moreover, an increased amount of NaCl was required for the release from sperm nuclei of PL-III, the main PL protein component. Finally, PL proteins extracted from exposed mussels promoted DNA oxidative damage in the presence of H 2 O 2. These results demonstrate that the tolerable copper amount could also affect the properties of PL proteins and determine the negative effects on the reproductive system of this organism. These analyses could be useful to develop quick and efficient chromatin-based genotoxicity tests for pollution biomonitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Lettieri
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Velia Mollo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Ambrosino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Filomena Caccavale
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
| | - Jacopo Troisi
- Theoreo srl-spin-off, Company of the University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Febbraio
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Research Council of Italy, Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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