Aluminum fluoride affects the structure and functions of cell membranes

Preliminary investigation of aluminium fluoride complexes in aqueous solutions with capillary electrophoresis coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

It is crucial to identify and confirm the original species of aluminium ions (Al³⁺ ) dissolved in water, since they behave differently. Depending on their species, the toxicity differs. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and CE coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE/ICP-MS) were explored to identify and determine simple systems of Al species solutions at pH 3.0.

METHODS

The new combinations of techniques, namely, ESI-MS coupled with CE for identification of species and ICP-MS coupled with CE for confirmation, were applied to for the analyses of Al and fluoride (F) solutions.

RESULTS

Al monomers, some Al dimers and trimers were detected by CE/ESI-MS. CE/ICP-MS experiments were conducted with the assembled interface. As a result, the calibration line showed R²  = 0.9856, and the detection limits were 35 nL and 0.037 μM. The results were compared with data obtained using MINEQL+.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the Al species detected were monomers; some dimers and trimers were detected by CE/ESI-MS, but they were not detected by CE-ICP-MS, probably owing to extremely low concentrations. The Al speciation technique was improved by CE/ESI-MS, and the Al species present at extremely low concentrations were ascertained by CE/ICP-MS. The use of coupled instruments will be one of the most powerful tools for identifying dissolved metal ions.

Aluminium toxicosis: a review of toxic actions and effects

Aluminium (Al) is frequently accessible to animal and human populations to the extent that intoxications may occur. Intake of Al is by inhalation of aerosols or particles, ingestion of food, water and medicaments, skin contact, vaccination, dialysis and infusions. Toxic actions of Al induce oxidative stress, immunologic alterations, genotoxicity, pro-inflammatory effect, peptide denaturation or transformation, enzymatic dysfunction, metabolic derangement, amyloidogenesis, membrane perturbation, iron dyshomeostasis, apoptosis, necrosis and dysplasia. The pathological conditions associated with Al toxicosis are desquamative interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, granulomas, granulomatosis and fibrosis, toxic myocarditis, thrombosis and ischemic stroke, granulomatous enteritis, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, anemia, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, sclerosis, autism, macrophagic myofasciitis, osteomalacia, oligospermia and infertility, hepatorenal disease, breast cancer and cyst, pancreatitis, pancreatic necrosis and diabetes mellitus. The review provides a broad overview of Al toxicosis as a background for sustained investigations of the toxicology of Al compounds of public health importance.

Aluminum Chloride Causes the Dysfunction of Testes Through Inhibiting the ATPase Enzyme Activities and Gonadotropin Receptor Expression in Rats

The aim of this experiment is to explore the effects of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) on the ATPase enzymes and gonadotropin receptors in the testes. Eighty male Wistar rats were orally exposed to 0 mg/kg body weight (BW) (control group, CG), 64 mg/kg BW (low-dose group, LG), 128 mg/kg BW (mid-dose group, MG), or 256 mg/kg BW (high-dose group, HG) for 120 days. The microstructure and ultrastructure of testes; the activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, Mg²⁺-ATPase, and Ca²⁺-ATPase; and the mRNA and protein expressions of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptors (LHR) in the testes were examined. The results showed that the testes histological structure were damaged; the activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, Mg²⁺-ATPase, and Ca²⁺-ATPase, the mRNA and protein expressions of FSHR and LHR in the testes were all decreased in the rats with AlCl₃ exposure. It indicates that AlCl₃ causes the dysfunction of testes in rats.

Effect of fluoride on photosynthesis, growth and accumulation of four widely cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in India

Long-term use of fluoride contaminated groundwater to irrigate crops; especially paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) has resulted in elevated soil fluoride levels in Eastern India. There is, therefore, growing concern regarding accumulation of fluoride in rice grown on these soils. A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of F on germination and phytotoxicity of four varieties of rice (Orzya sativa L.) (MTU-1010; IET-4094; IET-4786 and GB-1) grown in petri dish in a green house with inorganic sodium fluoride (NaF). Three different levels (0, 5, 10 and 20mg/L) of NaF solution were applied. At the end of the experiment (28 days), biochemical analysis (pigment, sugar, protein, amino acid and phenol), lipid peroxidation, root ion leakage and catalase activity along with fluoride accumulation and fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots of four cultivars were measured. The results revealed that all the four studied varieties exhibited gradual decrease of germination pattern with increasing concentration of F. Pigment and growth morphological study clearly demonstrated that the variety IET-4094 was the least influenced by F compare to the other three varieties of rice. The translocation factor (TF) was recorded to be the highest for variety IET-4786 (0.215 ± 0.03) at 5mg/L F concentration. All the four varieties showed higher level of fluoride accumulation in root than in shoot. Variable results were recorded for biochemical parameters and lipid peroxidation. Catalase activity and relative conductivity (root ion leakage) gradually increased with increasing F concentration for all the four varieties. It is speculated that fluoride accumulation in rice straw at very high levels will affect the feeding cattle and such contaminated straw could be a direct threat to their health and also, indirectly, to human health via presumably contaminated meat and milk.

Role of Spirulina in mitigating hemato-toxicity in Swiss albino mice exposed to aluminum and aluminum fluoride

Aluminum is ingested through foods, water, air, and even drugs. Its intake is potentiated further through foods and tea prepared in aluminum utensils and Al salt added in the drinking water for removal of suspended impurities and also fluoride in the affected areas. The ameliorating role of a blue green alga Spirulina is well documented to various pollutants in the animal models. We, therefore, examined its protective role (230 mg/kg body weight) on the hematology of male Swiss albino mice treated with aluminum (sub-acute = 78.4 mg/kg body weight for 7 days, sub-chronic = 7.8 mg/kg body weight for 90 days) and aluminum fluoride (sub-acute = 103 mg/kg body weight, sub-chronic = 21 mg/kg body weight), along with their recovery after 90 days of sub-chronic exposure. This study revealed significant reduction in the values of RBC (5-18 %), Hb (15-17 %), PCV (8-14 %), and platelets (26-36 %), and increase in WBC (54-124 %) in the treated mice, particularly after sub-acute exposure. Aluminum fluoride was comparatively more toxic than aluminum. Further, Spirulina supplement not only alleviated toxicity of test chemicals in Swiss albino mice but also led to their better recovery after withdrawal.

Application of a new HPLC-ICP-MS method for simultaneous determination of Al(3+) and aluminium fluoride complexes

The paper presents the new HPLC-ICP-MS method used for conducting speciation analysis of aluminum as free Al(3+) and aluminum fluoride complexes during one analysis. In the study, 5% HNO3 was used as a derivative reagent in order to minimize the possibility of clogging the torch in ICP-MS. Using the new HPLC-ICP-MS method, speciation analysis of aluminum and aluminum fluoride complexes was conducted on the basis of model solutions and real samples (soil-water extracts and groundwater samples). The analysis in the presented analytical system lasts only 4 min.

Aluminum Trichloride Induces Hypertension and Disturbs the Function of Erythrocyte Membrane in Male Rats

Aluminum (Al) is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust. Al accumulates in erythrocyte and causes toxicity on erythrocyte membrane. The dysfunction of erythrocyte membrane is a potential risk to hypertension. The high Al content in plasma was associated with hypertension. To investigate the effect of AlCl3 on blood pressure and the function of erythrocyte membrane, the rats were intragastrically exposed to 0, 64(1/20 LD50), 128(1/10 LD50), and 256(1/5 LD50) mg/kg body weight AlCl3 in double distilled water for 120 days, respectively. Then, we determined the systolic and mean arterial blood pressures of rats, the osmotic fragility, the percentage of membrane proteins, the activities of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, Mg(2+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-pX), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the erythrocyte membrane in this experiment. The results showed that AlCl3 elevated the systolic and mean arterial blood pressure of rats, increased the osmotic fragility, decreased the percentage of membrane protein, inhibited the activities of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, Mg(2+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase, CAT, SOD and GSH-pX, and increased the MDA content of erythrocyte membrane. These results indicate that AlCl3 may induce hypertension by disturbing the function of erythrocyte membrane.

Microscopy and Microanalysis of Blood in a Snake Head Fish, Channa gachua Exposed to Environmental Pollution

Conventional and highly sophisticated analytical methods (Cyria et al., 1989; Massar et al., 2012a) were used to analyze micro-structural and micro-analytical aspects of the blood of snake head fish, Channa gachua, exposed to municipal wastes and city garbage. Red (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts and hemhemoglobin content were found to be higher in pollution affected fish as compared with control. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the occurrence of abnormal erythrocytes such as crenated cells, echinocytes, lobopodial projections, membrane internalization, spherocytes, ruptured cells, contracted cells, depression, and uneven elongation of erythrocyte membranes in fish inhabiting the polluted sites. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed the presence of silicon and lead in the RBCs of pollution affected fish. Significance of the study includes the highly sophisticated analytical approach, which revealed the aforementioned micro-structural abnormalities.

Effects of Different Concentrations of Fluoride in Oral Mucosal Cells in Albino Rats

INTRODUCTION

Fluoride has been described to be physiologically essential for the normal development and growth of human beings. However, it is well known that excessive fluoride causes skeletal, nonskeletal and dental complications. Therefore, outlining the cytogenetic effects induced by fluorosis is necessary.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the cytomorphology of exfoliated oral mucosal cells among various concentrations of fluoride.

STUDY DESIGN

Study group comprised of 12 Albino Wistar rats, categorized into A,B and C groups (fed with 25 ppm,50 ppm and 100 ppm concentration of NaF), each group consisting of 4 rats, with 4 controls (fed with 1ppm concentration of NaF in distilled water). Each group was fed for a period of 42 days.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cytological smears were taken from the buccal mucosa of each group after 42 days of fluoride administration. The samples were stained with the papanicolaou method and assessed for Cytomorphometrical changes in maximum diameter of nucleus, minimum diameter of nucleus, perimeter of the nucleus, maximum diameter of the cell, minimum diameter of the cell and perimeter of the cell by image analysis software and the results were statistically analysed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

Mean values of maximum diameter, minimum diameter and perimeter of the nucleus increased in fluoride induced study groups when compared to controls and the results showed that p-value was statistically significant (p-value: 0.000, 0.001). Mean value of maximum diameter, minimum diameter and perimeter of the cell decreased in fluoride induced subjects when compared with controls which were statistically not significant (p-value: 0.791, 0.600 & 0.719). A continuous increase in the nuclear size and decrease in the cell size was identified in fluoride induced groups as compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

The observations of our present study revealed that cellular changes occur with severity of fluorosis. These cellular morphological changes may possibly eventuate into dysplastic alterations, which can progress to malignant changes.

Fluoride and aluminium disturb neuronal morphology, transport functions, cholinesterase, lysosomal and cell cycle activities

Fluoride and aluminium have been reported to cause severe alterations in the brain. However, their exact mechanisms of neurotoxic activities remain unknown.

AIM

This study was designed to investigate the role of fluoride and aluminium in neuronal transport, lysosomal, cell cycle protein and acetylcholinesterase activities.

METHOD

Adult Wistar rats were given low and high doses of fluoride, aluminium and a combination of both with the control group receiving distilled water for 30 days. Blood sera and brain homogenates were quantified for alkaline phosphatase (biomarker for neuronal transport) activities. Brain sections were stained with cresyl fast violet to detect neuronal cell damage. Histochemical demonstration of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and the immunohistochemical detection of cell cycle protein (anti-cyclin D) and lysosomal protein (anti-cathepsin D) were done using the antigen retrieval method.

RESULT

Results showed severe histomorphologic alterations, dysregulation of membrane transport activities, inhibition of AChE activities and increased expression of lysosomal and cell cycle proteins.

CONCLUSION

These findings confirm that excessive fluoride and aluminium intake induces the progression of cell death which inhibit AChE activities and trigger the release of lysosomal and cell cycle proteins.

An in vitro study on reproductive toxicity of aluminium chloride on rabbit sperm: The protective role of some antioxidants

An in vitro study using rabbit sperm was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of aluminium chloride (AlCl(3)) at 0, 2 and 4h of incubation on sperm motility and viability, oxidative status and the activities of some antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)), transaminases and acid phosphatase. The role of vitamin C (1 mM) or vitamin E (2 mM) was also investigated in counteracting deterioration caused by AlCl(3) on the tested parameters. Rabbit sperm was incubated with different concentrations of AlCl(3) (0, 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mM) with or without vitamin C or vitamin E for 2 and 4 h. Results revealed that the percentage of motile and viable sperm decreased significantly after AlCl(3) treatment at 10, 15 and 20 mM and the response was both concentration and time dependent. Aluminium chloride at concentrations of 10, 15 and 20 mM caused significant induction of oxidative stress as evidenced by increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and inhibition in the activities of SOD and CAT. Increase in the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) and decline in the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) were also observed at AlCl(3) concentrations of 15 and 20 mM. Co-incubation with either vitamin C or vitamin E resulted in marked degrees of protection against AlCl(3)-induced cytotoxic effects, represented in decreased TBARS levels and restoration of enzymes activities near control. On the other hand, no significant effect was exerted from vitamin C or vitamin E on motility and viability. The present study demonstrated that AlCl(3) caused deterioration in sperm motility and viability, enhancement of free radicals and alterations in enzymes activities. The antioxidants revealed protective effects against the cytotoxicity of AlCl(3).

Human erythrocytes are affected in vitro by extracts of Ugni molinae leaves

Ugni molinae Turcz, also known as "Murtilla", is a plant that grows in the south of Chile. Infusions of their leaves have long been used in traditional native herbal medicine. The chemical composition of the leaves indicates the presence of polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties. In order to evaluate the mechanisms of their antioxidant properties and the toxicity of the aqueous extracts of leaves, the extracts were induced to interact with human red cells, their isolated unsealed membranes (IUM) and large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) of dimyristoylphosphatidyltidylcholine (DMPC), representative of phospholipid classes located in the outer monolayer of the erythrocyte membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated that the extracts achieved a significant alteration in the shape of the erythrocytes as they changed their discoid shape to echinocytes. According to the bilayer couple hypothesis, the shape change indicates that the polyphenols were located in the outer moiety of the red cell membrane. This conclusion was confirmed by the fluorescence experiments performed in IUM and DMPC LUV. In fact, the extracts produced slight initial increases followed by sharp decreases at higher concentrations in the anisotropy and general polarization parameters. These results imply that the extracts induced structural perturbations in the acyl chain and polar group packing arrangements of the erythrocyte IUM and DMPC LUV lipid bilayers: first ordering and afterwards disordering them as the extract concentration increased.

The Chemical Species of Aluminum Influences Its Paracellular Flux across and Uptake into Caco-2 Cells, a Model of Gastrointestinal Absorption

Aluminum (Al) can cause neurotoxicity, a low-turnover osteomalacia, and microcytic anemia. To test the null hypothesis that the chemical form (species) of Al does not influence its mechanism or rate of absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, Al flux across and uptake into Caco-2 cells was investigated. Caco-2 cells were grown on porous membranes mounted in vertical diffusion chambers or in 35-mm-diameter plastic cell culture dishes. When 8 mM 27Al was introduced as the ion, citrate, maltolate, fluoride, or hydroxide, the apical to basolateral apparent permeability (Papp) of Al correlated highly with the Papp of lucifer yellow (LY), a paracellular marker, except when introduced as Al hydroxide. The uptake rate of Al when introduced as the fluoride was > when introduced as the ion > maltolate > citrate > hydroxide. The activation energy of Al introduced as the ion, citrate, maltolate, and fluoride, determined from Arrhenius plots, was 13-22 KJ/mol, suggesting diffusion-mediated uptake. With exposure to 2 microM Al (containing 26Al as a tracer) introduced as the ion, hydroxide, citrate, and fluoride, Al and LY Papp were consistent with results obtained with 8 mM Al, but were not Al species dependent. Approximately 0.015% of the 26Al fluxed across the cell monolayer; 0.75% was associated with cells. Lumogallion staining imaged by confocal laser microscopy showed Al co-localized with DAPI in the nucleus. The results suggest that (1) soluble Al species predominantly diffuse through the paracellular pathway, (2) the ligand-dependent flux rate of Al is due to an effect on the tight junctions, (3) Caco-2 cell uptake of Al is a diffusion process, and (4) the ligand can influence the rate of cellular Al uptake.