Lead-induced attenuation in the aggregation of acetylcholine receptors during the neuromuscular junction formation

Positive and inverse correlation of blood lead level with erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase and intelligence quotient in children: implications for neurotoxicity

Blood lead level (BLL) is insufficiently sensitive for early detection of Lead-induced neurotoxicity (LIN). This study determined the possible role of the combination of BLL, intelligent quotient (IQ) and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the early detection of LIN in Children. Apparently healthy children (n=309) from eight public primary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria were recruited and classified into: children with Elevated BLL (EBLL) and children with Acceptable BLL (control) based on CDC cut-off for childhood lead exposure. Neurological indices (speech, memory, cranial nerves and cerebellar functions), IQ, BLL and erythrocyte AChE activity were assessed using standard methods, Standard Progressive Matrices, AAS and HPLC respectively. Statistical analysis involved Student’s t-test, Pearson’s correlation and multivariate regression. p<0.05 was considered significant. There were 169 (54.7%) children with EBLL while there were 140 (45.3%) control children. Both groups exhibited normal speech, memory, cranial nerves and cerebellar functions. However, IQ was lower in EBLL children (85.9±11.6) compared with control (91.5±14.0) while BLL and AChE activity were higher in EBLL children (0.4±0.1 μmol/l; 117.5±25.5 μkat/l) compared with control (0.2±0.0 μmol/l; 59.4±10.2 μkat/l). BLL showed inverse correlation with IQ (r=–0.134, p=0.019) but positive correlation with AChE (r=0.978, p≤0.001). 16.2% of the observed variation in BLL could be accounted for by AChE using the equation; [BLL=–0.007+0.003 AChE] p<0.05. Elevated blood lead level is prevalent among the school children and appears to have adverse effect on their IQ. Erythrocyte AChE could be a promising marker for early recognition of significant environmental lead exposure and lead-induced neurotoxicity in children.

Cholinergic neurons regulate secretion of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor by skeletal muscle cells in culture

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been identified as a potent survival factor for both central and peripheral neurons. GDNF has been shown to be a potent survival factor for motor neurons during programmed cell death and continuous treatment with GDNF maintains hyperinnervation of skeletal muscle in adulthood. However, little is known about factors regulating normal production of endogenous GDNF in skeletal muscle. This study aimed to examine the role that motor neurons play in regulating GDNF secretion by skeletal muscle. A co-culture of skeletal muscle cells (C2C12) and cholinergic neurons, glioma×neuroblastoma hybrid cells (NG108-15) were used to create nerve-muscle interactions in vitro. Acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on nerve-myotube co-cultures were blocked with alpha-bungarotoxin (α-BTX). GDNF protein content in cells and in culture medium was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and western blotting. GDNF localization was examined by immunocytochemistry. The nerve-muscle co-culture study indicated that the addition of motor neurons to skeletal muscle cells reduced the secretion of GDNF by skeletal muscle. The results also showed that blocking AChRs with α-BTX reversed the action of neural cells on GDNF secretion by skeletal muscle. Although ELISA results showed no GDNF in differentiated NG108-15 cells grown alone, immunocytochemical analysis showed that GDNF was localized in NG108-15 cells co-cultured with C2C12 myotubes. These results suggest that motor neurons may be regulating their own supply of GDNF secreted by skeletal muscle and that activation of AChRs may be involved in this process.

Study on the toxic effect of lead(II) ion on Escherichia coli

The toxic effects of lead(II) have been studied in Escherichia coli cells. Using microcalorimetric analysis, it was shown that E. coli growth was inhibited in the presence of Pb2+ resulting from damage to the cell membrane and that Pb2+ takes part in the metabolism of cells. Treatment with lysozyme confirms damage to the cell's outer membrane. Similarities between the ionic radii and charge/radius ratio cause Pb(II) to replace Ca(II) at the binding sites of lipopolysacharides, leading to rupture of protecting areas on the cell's surface. Consequently, the protection and functionality of outer membrane is lost, thus becoming the basis for the biological effect of Pb2+ on E. coli.