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Kang B, Wang J, Guo S, Yang L. Mercury-induced toxicity: Mechanisms, molecular pathways, and gene regulation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 943:173577. [PMID: 38852866 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Mercury is a well-known neurotoxicant for humans and wildlife. The epidemic of mercury poisoning in Japan has clearly demonstrated that chronic exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) results in serious neurological damage to the cerebral and cerebellar cortex, leading to the dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), especially in infants exposed to MeHg in utero. The occurrences of poisoning have caused a wide public concern regarding the health risk emanating from MeHg exposure; particularly those eating large amounts of fish may experience the low-level and long-term exposure. There is growing evidence that MeHg at environmentally relevant concentrations can affect the health of biota in the ecosystem. Although extensive in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that the disruption of redox homeostasis and microtube assembly is mainly responsible for mercurial toxicity leading to adverse health outcomes, it is still unclear whether we could quantitively determine the occurrence of interaction between mercurial and thiols and/or selenols groups of proteins linked directly to outcomes, especially at very low levels of exposure. Furthermore, intracellular calcium homeostasis, cytoskeleton, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter release, and DNA methylation may be the targets of mercury compounds; however, the primary targets associated with the adverse outcomes remain to be elucidated. Considering these knowledge gaps, in this article, we conducted a comprehensive review of mercurial toxicity, focusing mainly on the mechanism, and genes/proteins expression. We speculated that comprehensive analyses of transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics could enhance interpretation of "omics" profiles, which may reveal specific biomarkers obviously correlated with specific pathways that mediate selective neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolun Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012 Beijing, China
| | - Jinghan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012 Beijing, China
| | - Shaojuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012 Beijing, China
| | - Lixin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012 Beijing, China.
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2
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Sun L, Zhou Z, Wu Y, Meng Z, Huang H, Li T, Wang Z, Yang Y. A novel colormetric and light-up fluorescent sensor from flavonol derivative grafted cellulose for rapid and sensitive detection of Hg 2+ and its applications in biological and environmental system. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131209. [PMID: 38565364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Mercury ion (Hg2+) is one of harmful heavy metal ions that can accumulate inside the human organism and cause some health problems. In the article, a highly effective fluorescent probe named EC-T-PCBM was prepared by grafting flavonol derivatives onto ethyl cellulose for the specific recognition of Hg2+. EC-T-PCBM exhibited a remarkable fluorescence light-up response toward Hg2+ with excellent sensitivity. EC-T-PCBM possessed several prominent sensing properties for Hg2+, such as low detection limit (43.9 nM), short response time (5 min), and wide detection pH range (6-9). The response mechanism of EC-T-PCBM to Hg2+ has been verified through 1H NMR titration and DFT computation. Additionally, EC-T-PCBM not only can be used for accurately determining trace amount of Hg2+ in actual environmental water samples, but also can serve as a portable and rapid device by loading it on test strips for sensitive and selective visualization of Hg2+. More importantly, the confocal fluorescence imaging of onion cells suggested the favorable cell membrane permeability of EC-T-PCBM and its prominent ability to continuously monitor the enrichment from Hg2+ within fresh plant tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linfeng Sun
- Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Light Industry and Food, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Zihang Zhou
- Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Light Industry and Food, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yangmei Wu
- Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Light Industry and Food, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Zhiyuan Meng
- Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Light Industry and Food, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Huan Huang
- Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Light Industry and Food, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Ting Li
- Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Light Industry and Food, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Zhonglong Wang
- Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Light Industry and Food, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yiqin Yang
- Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Light Industry and Food, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
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3
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An Y, Li B, Yu Y, Zhou Y, Yi J, Li L, Sun Y, Qiang Z, Liu Y, Wang P. A rapid and specific fluorescent probe based on aggregation-induced emission enhancement for mercury ion detection in living systems. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133331. [PMID: 38142657 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a harmful heavy metal that seriously threatens the environment and organisms. In this study, we combined the aggregation-induced emission mechanism and the advantages of peptides to design a novel tetraphenylene (TPE)-based peptide fluorescent probe, TPE-Cys-Pro-Gly-His (TPE-CPGH), in which the sulfhydryl group of Cys in the peptide chain and the imidazolium nitrogen provided by His were used to mimic the Hg2+ binding site of metalloproteins. The β-fold formed by Pro-Gly was used to promote the spatial coordination of the probe with Hg2+ and the formation of the coordination complex aggregates, these changes led to the "turn on" response to Hg2+. The detection of Hg2+ by TPE-CPGH not only showed high specificity and sensitivity (LOD=46.2 nM), but also had the advantages of fast response and applicability for detection over a wide pH range. Additionally, TPE-CPGH effectively detected Hg2+ in environmental samples, living cells and organisms due to its low cytotoxicity, high water solubility and cell membrane permeability. More interestingly, TPE-CPGH was also mitigated Hg2+ exposure-induced oxidative stress toxicity in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong An
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Gansu University Of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China; Gansu University Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine & Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China; Gansu Pharmaceutical Industry Innovation Research Institute, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Gansu Province Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Yongzhi Yu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Gansu Province Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Yucen Zhou
- Gansu University Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine & Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Jianfeng Yi
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Gansu University Of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Lepeng Li
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Gansu University Of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Yongqiang Sun
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Gansu University Of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Zhengze Qiang
- Gansu Pharmaceutical Industry Innovation Research Institute, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China.
| | - Yongqi Liu
- Gansu University Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine & Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China.
| | - Peng Wang
- Chemical Synthesis and Pollution Control Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, PR China.
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Dack K, Bustamante M, Taylor CM, Llop S, Lozano M, Yousefi P, Gražulevičienė R, Gutzkow KB, Brantsæter AL, Mason D, Escaramís G, Lewis SJ. Genome-Wide Association Study of Blood Mercury in European Pregnant Women and Children. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2123. [PMID: 38136945 PMCID: PMC10742428 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury has high industrial utility and is present in many products, and environmental contamination and occupational exposure are widespread. There are numerous biological systems involved in the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of Hg, and it is possible that some systems may be impacted by genetic variation. If so, genotype may affect tissue concentrations of Hg and subsequent toxic effects. Genome-wide association testing was performed on blood Hg samples from pregnant women of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n = 2893) and children of the Human Early Life Exposome (n = 1042). Directly-genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were imputed to the Haplotype Reference Consortium r1.1 panel of whole genotypes and modelled againstlog-transformed Hg. Heritability was estimated using linkage disequilibrium score regression. The heritability of Hg was estimated as 24.0% (95% CI: 16.9% to 46.4%) in pregnant women, but could not be determined in children. There were 16 SNPs associated with Hg in pregnant women above a suggestive p-value threshold (p < 1 × 10-5), and 21 for children. However, no SNP passed this threshold in both studies, and none were genome-wide significant (p < 5 × 10-8). SNP-Hg associations were highly discordant between women and children, and this may reflect differences in metabolism, a gene-age interaction, or dose-response effects. Several suggestive variants had plausible links to Hg metabolism, such as rs146099921 in metal transporter SLC39A14, and two variants (rs28618224, rs7154700) in potassium voltage-gated channel genes. The findings would benefit from external validation, as suggestive results may contain both true associations and false positives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Dack
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK; (K.D.)
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain (G.E.)
| | - Caroline M. Taylor
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK;
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain (G.E.)
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO- Universitat Jaume I - Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Lozano
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO- Universitat Jaume I - Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Preventative Medicine, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Paul Yousefi
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK; (K.D.)
| | - Regina Gražulevičienė
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, 53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Kristine Bjerve Gutzkow
- Department of Air Quality and Noise, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 222 Skoyen, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Department of Food Safety, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 222 Skoyen, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dan Mason
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Duckworth Lane, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Georgia Escaramís
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain (G.E.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sarah J. Lewis
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK; (K.D.)
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK
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5
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Korotkov SM. Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Is the General Reason for Apoptosis Induced by Different-Valence Heavy Metals in Cells and Mitochondria. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14459. [PMID: 37833908 PMCID: PMC10572412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This review analyzes the causes and consequences of apoptosis resulting from oxidative stress that occurs in mitochondria and cells exposed to the toxic effects of different-valence heavy metals (Ag+, Tl+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Al3+, Ga3+, In3+, As3+, Sb3+, Cr6+, and U6+). The problems of the relationship between the integration of these toxic metals into molecular mechanisms with the subsequent development of pathophysiological processes and the appearance of diseases caused by the accumulation of these metals in the body are also addressed in this review. Such apoptosis is characterized by a reduction in cell viability, the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, the expression of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and Bcl-2), and the activation of protein kinases (ERK, JNK, p53, and p38) by mitogens. Moreover, the oxidative stress manifests as the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, mitochondrial swelling, an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and H2O2, lipid peroxidation, cytochrome c release, a decline in the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨmito), a decrease in ATP synthesis, and reduced glutathione and oxygen consumption as well as cytoplasm and matrix calcium overload due to Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The apoptosis and respiratory dysfunction induced by these metals are discussed regarding their interaction with cellular and mitochondrial thiol groups and Fe2+ metabolism disturbance. Similarities and differences in the toxic effects of Tl+ from those of other heavy metals under review are discussed. Similarities may be due to the increase in the cytoplasmic calcium concentration induced by Tl+ and these metals. One difference discussed is the failure to decrease Tl+ toxicity through metallothionein-dependent mechanisms. Another difference could be the decrease in reduced glutathione in the matrix due to the reversible oxidation of Tl+ to Tl3+ near the centers of ROS generation in the respiratory chain. The latter may explain why thallium toxicity to humans turned out to be higher than the toxicity of mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey M Korotkov
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Thorez pr. 44, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia
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6
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Abdallah DM, Kamal MM, Aly NES, El-Abhar HS. Anandamide modulates WNT-5A/BCL-2, IP3/NFATc1, and HMGB1/NF-κB trajectories to protect against mercuric chloride-induced acute kidney injury. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11899. [PMID: 37488162 PMCID: PMC10366223 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38659-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) has a physiological role in regulating renal blood flow, whereas its analogs ameliorated renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Nonetheless, the role of AEA against mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced renal toxicity has not been unraveled. Rats were allocated into control, HgCl2, and HgCl2/AEA treated groups. The administration of AEA quelled the HgCl2-mediated increase in inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1). The endocannabinoid also signified its anti-inflammatory potential by turning off the inflammatory cascade evidenced by the suppression of high mobility group box protein-1 (HMGB1), receptor of glycated end products (RAGE), nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB), and unexpectedly PPAR-γ. Additionally, the aptitude of AEA to inhibit malondialdehyde and boost glutathione points to its antioxidant capacity. Moreover, AEA by enhancing the depleted renal WNT-5A and reducing cystatin-C and KIM-1 (two kidney function parameters) partly verified its anti-apoptotic capacity, confirmed by inhibiting caspase-3 and increasing B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2). The beneficial effect of AEA was mirrored by the improved architecture and kidney function evidenced by the reduction in cystatin-C, KIM-1, creatinine, BUN, and caspase1-induced activated IL-18. In conclusion, our results verify the reno-protective potential of AEA against HgCl2-induced kidney injury by its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic capacities by modulating WNT-5A/BCL-2, IP3/NFATC1, HMGB-1/RAGE/NF-κB, caspase-1/IL-18, and caspase-3/BCL-2 cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalaal M Abdallah
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
| | - Mahmoud M Kamal
- Research Institute of Medical Entomology, General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nour Eldin S Aly
- Research Institute of Medical Entomology, General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hanan S El-Abhar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt (FUE), Cairo, 11835, Egypt
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Palomar A, Quiñonero A, Medina-Laver Y, Gonzalez-Martin R, Pérez-Debén S, Alama P, Domínguez F. Antioxidant Supplementation Alleviates Mercury-Induced Cytotoxicity and Restores the Implantation-Related Functions of Primary Human Endometrial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108799. [PMID: 37240143 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108799] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) cytotoxicity, which is largely mediated through oxidative stress (OS), can be relieved with antioxidants. Thus, we aimed to study the effects of Hg alone or in combination with 5 nM N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on the primary endometrial cells' viability and function. Primary human endometrial epithelial cells (hEnEC) and stromal cells (hEnSC) were isolated from 44 endometrial biopsies obtained from healthy donors. The viability of treated endometrial and JEG-3 trophoblast cells was evaluated via tetrazolium salt metabolism. Cell death and DNA integrity were quantified following annexin V and TUNEL staining, while the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified following DCFDA staining. Decidualization was assessed through secreted prolactin and the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) in cultured media. JEG-3 spheroids were co-cultured with the hEnEC and decidual hEnSC to assess trophoblast adhesion and outgrowth on the decidual stroma, respectively. Hg compromised cell viability and amplified ROS production in trophoblast and endometrial cells and exacerbated cell death and DNA damage in trophoblast cells, impairing trophoblast adhesion and outgrowth. NAC supplementation significantly restored cell viability, trophoblast adhesion, and outgrowth. As these effects were accompanied by the significant decline in ROS production, our findings originally describe how implantation-related endometrial cell functions are restored in Hg-treated primary human endometrial co-cultures by antioxidant supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palomar
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IVI Foundation-IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Alicia Quiñonero
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IVI Foundation-IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Yassmin Medina-Laver
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IVI Foundation-IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Roberto Gonzalez-Martin
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IVI Foundation-IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Pilar Alama
- Department of Gynecology, IVIRMA-Valencia, 46015 Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Domínguez
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IVI Foundation-IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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Vieira JCS, Braga CP, Queiroz JVD, Cavecci-Mendonça B, Oliveira GD, Freitas NGD, Fernandes AAH, Fernandes MDS, Buzalaf MAR, Adamec J, Zara LF, Padilha PDM. The effects of mercury exposure on Amazonian fishes: An investigation of potential biomarkers. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 316:137779. [PMID: 36632955 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to mercury can interfere with the expression of proteins and enzymes, compromise important pathways, such as apoptosis and glucose metabolism, and even induce the expression of metallothioneins. In this study, analytical techniques were used to determine the concentration of total mercury (THg) in muscle and liver tissue, protein pellets, and spots [using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS)], and molecular techniques were used to identify metalloproteins present in mercury-associated protein spots. Thirty individuals from three different fish species, Cichla sp. (n = 10), Brachyplatystoma filamentosum (n = 10), and Semaprochilodus sp. (n = 10) from the Brazilian Amazon were used. Oxidative stress indicators [such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), a marker of lipid peroxidation (LPO)] and the possible expression of metallothioneins in muscle and liver tissues were investigated. The two piscivorous species, Cichla sp. and B. filamentosum, presented the highest concentrations of mercury in their hepatic tissue, 1219 ± 15.00 and 1044 ± 13.6 μg kg-1, respectively, and in their muscle tissue, 101 ± 1.30 μg kg-1 and 87.4 ± 0.900 μg kg-1, respectively. The non-carnivorous species Semaprochilodus sp. had comparatively low concentrations of mercury in both its hepatic (852 ± 11.1 μg kg-1) and muscle (71.4 ± 0.930 μg kg-1) tissues. The presence of mercury was identified in 24 protein spots using GFAAS; concentrations ranged from 11.5 to 787 μg kg-1, and mass spectrometry identified 21 metal-binding proteins. The activities of GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD, related to oxidative stress, decreased proportionally as tissue Hg concentrations increased, while the levels of LPO markers increased, indicating the presence of stress. Our study results demonstrate possible mercury interference in oxidative stress markers (GSH-Px, CAT, SOD, and LPO), in addition to the identification of 21 metal-binding proteins as possible biomarkers of mercury exposure in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - João Vitor de Queiroz
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruna Cavecci-Mendonça
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Grasieli de Oliveira
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Jiri Adamec
- University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln, United States
| | - Luiz Fabrício Zara
- University of Brasília (UNB), College of Planaltina, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Pedro de Magalhães Padilha
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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9
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Mishra M, Nichols L, Dave AA, Pittman EH, Cheek JP, Caroland AJV, Lotwala P, Drummond J, Bridges CC. Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Injury and Role of Toxic Heavy Metals in Chronic Kidney Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:11105. [PMID: 36232403 PMCID: PMC9569673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disease that affects millions of adults every year. Major risk factors include diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which affect millions of adults worldwide. CKD is characterized by cellular injury followed by permanent loss of functional nephrons. As injured cells die and nephrons become sclerotic, remaining healthy nephrons attempt to compensate by undergoing various structural, molecular, and functional changes. While these changes are designed to maintain appropriate renal function, they may lead to additional cellular injury and progression of disease. As CKD progresses and filtration decreases, the ability to eliminate metabolic wastes and environmental toxicants declines. The inability to eliminate environmental toxicants such as arsenic, cadmium, and mercury may contribute to cellular injury and enhance the progression of CKD. The present review describes major molecular alterations that contribute to the pathogenesis of CKD and the effects of arsenic, cadmium, and mercury on the progression of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Mishra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - Larry Nichols
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Sciences Education, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - Aditi A. Dave
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - Elizabeth H Pittman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - John P. Cheek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - Anasalea J. V. Caroland
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - Purva Lotwala
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - James Drummond
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
| | - Christy C. Bridges
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA
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10
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Transport and Toxicity of Methylmercury-Cysteine in Cultured BeWo Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010394. [PMID: 35008820 PMCID: PMC8745507 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury is a heavy metal toxicant that is prevalent throughout the environment. Organic forms of mercury, such as methylmercury (MeHg), can cross the placenta and can lead to lasting detrimental effects in the fetus. The toxicological effects of MeHg on the placenta itself have not been clearly defined. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to assess the transport of MeHg into placental syncytiotrophoblasts and to characterize the mechanisms by which MeHg exerts its toxic effects. Cultured placental syncytiotrophoblasts (BeWo) were used for these studies. The transport of radioactive MeHg was measured to identify potential mechanisms involved in the uptake of this compound. The toxicological effects of MeHg on BeWo cells were determined by assessing visible pathological change, autophagy, mitochondrial viability, and oxidative stress. The findings of this study suggest that MeHg compounds are transported into BeWo cells primarily by sodium-independent amino acid carriers and organic anion transporters. The MeHg altered mitochondrial function and viability, decreased mitophagy and autophagy, and increased oxidative stress. Exposure to higher concentrations of MeHg inhibited the ability of cells to protect against MeHg-induced injury. The findings show that MeHg is directly toxic to syncytiotrophoblasts and may lead to disruptions in the fetal/maternal transfer of nutrients and wastes.
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From Molecules to Behavior in Long-Term Inorganic Mercury Intoxication: Unraveling Proteomic Features in Cerebellar Neurodegeneration of Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010111. [PMID: 35008538 PMCID: PMC8745249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury is a severe environmental pollutant with neurotoxic effects, especially when exposed for long periods. Although there are several evidences regarding mercury toxicity, little is known about inorganic mercury (IHg) species and cerebellum, one of the main targets of mercury associated with the neurological symptomatology of mercurial poisoning. Besides that, the global proteomic profile assessment is a valuable tool to screen possible biomarkers and elucidate molecular targets of mercury neurotoxicity; however, the literature is still scarce. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term exposure to IHg in adult rats’ cerebellum and explore the modulation of the cerebellar proteome associated with biochemical and functional outcomes, providing evidence, in a translational perspective, of new mercury toxicity targets and possible biomarkers. Fifty-four adult rats were exposed to 0.375 mg/kg of HgCl2 or distilled water for 45 days using intragastric gavage. Then, the motor functions were evaluated by rotarod and inclined plane. The cerebellum was collected to quantify mercury levels, to assess the antioxidant activity against peroxyl radicals (ACAPs), the lipid peroxidation (LPO), the proteomic profile, the cell death nature by cytotoxicity and apoptosis, and the Purkinje cells density. The IHg exposure increased mercury levels in the cerebellum, reducing ACAP and increasing LPO. The proteomic approach revealed a total 419 proteins with different statuses of regulation, associated with different biological processes, such as synaptic signaling, energy metabolism and nervous system development, e.g., all these molecular changes are associated with increased cytotoxicity and apoptosis, with a neurodegenerative pattern on Purkinje cells layer and poor motor coordination and balance. In conclusion, all these findings feature a neurodegenerative process triggered by IHg in the cerebellum that culminated into motor functions deficits, which are associated with several molecular features and may be related to the clinical outcomes of people exposed to the toxicant.
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Lin X, Zhang W, He L, Xie H, Feng B, Zhu H, Zhao J, Cui L, Li B, Li YF. Understanding the hepatoxicity of inorganic mercury through guts: Perturbance to gut microbiota, alteration of gut-liver axis related metabolites and damage to gut integrity. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 225:112791. [PMID: 34555721 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) brings adverse effects to the environment and human beings and inorganic mercury (IHg) is a typical hepatic toxin. This work studied the impacts of IHg on gut microbes and metabolome together with its damage to liver and gut in rats through gut microbiome, metabolomics and metallomics. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were orally exposed to 0.4 μg/mL IHg and sacrificed after 24 h. It was found that IHg perturbed greatly on the gut microbiota, such as increased pathogenic bacteria like G. bacillus. In addition, IHg also changed gut-liver axis related metabolites, which was confirmed by the secretion of a large number of inflammatory factors in both the gut and the liver. The changed gut-liver axis related metabolites correlated well to the changes of gut microbiome. In all, besides the direct deposition in liver of Hg, the perturbance to gut microbiome and alteration of gut-liver axis related metabolites by IHg also contributed to its hepatoxicity, which provides new insights about the hepatoxicity of chemicals. The strategy applied in this work may also be used to understand the hepatoxicity of other chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Lin
- Jilin Medical University, Jilin 132013, Jilin, China; CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, & National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, & National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, Guizhou, China
| | - Lina He
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, & National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongxin Xie
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, & National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bo Feng
- Jilin Medical University, Jilin 132013, Jilin, China
| | - Heyun Zhu
- Jilin Medical University, Jilin 132013, Jilin, China
| | - Jiating Zhao
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, & National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liwei Cui
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, & National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bai Li
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, & National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu-Feng Li
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, & National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Rojas-Franco P, Franco-Colín M, Blas-Valdivia V, Melendez-Camargo ME, Cano-Europa E. Arthrospira maxima ( Spirulina) prevents endoplasmic reticulum stress in the kidney through its C-phycocyanin. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2021; 22:603-608. [PMID: 34269013 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2000725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina) is a cyanobacterium which is considered a nutraceutical because it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties in different renal disease models (Rodriguez-Sánchez et al., 2012; Aziz et al., 2018; Memije-Lazaro et al., 2018). The therapeutic effects are due to the presence of metabolites with biological effects similar to those of essential fatty acids ω-3 and ω-6, vitamins A, C and E, and accessory pigments such as phycobiliproteins. One of the most abundant phycobiliproteins in A. maxima is C-phycocyanin (Mysliwa-Kurdziel and Solymosi, 2017). This molecule is responsible for nephroprotective action in a model of acute kidney injury (AKI) because it reduces oxidative stress and caspase activation (Rodriguez-Sánchez et al., 2012; Rojas-Franco et al., 2018). However, both A. maxima and its C-phycocyanin are related to the reduction of the redox environment. Thus, they probably help to maintain the adequate function of the intracellular organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum. However, this therapeutic action has not been evaluated previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Placido Rojas-Franco
- Laboratorio de Metabolismo I, Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
| | - Margarita Franco-Colín
- Laboratorio de Metabolismo I, Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
| | - Vanessa Blas-Valdivia
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
| | - María Estela Melendez-Camargo
- Laboratorio de Toxicologia Hepática y Renal, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
| | - Edgar Cano-Europa
- Laboratorio de Metabolismo I, Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
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Pamphlett R, Doble PA, Bishop DP. The Prevalence of Inorganic Mercury in Human Kidneys Suggests a Role for Toxic Metals in Essential Hypertension. TOXICS 2021; 9:67. [PMID: 33801008 PMCID: PMC8004013 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9030067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The kidney plays a dominant role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension, but the initial pathogenic events in the kidney leading to hypertension are not known. Exposure to mercury has been linked to many diseases including hypertension in epidemiological and experimental studies, so we studied the distribution and prevalence of mercury in the human kidney. Paraffin sections of kidneys were available from 129 people ranging in age from 1 to 104 years who had forensic/coronial autopsies. One individual had injected himself with metallic mercury, the other 128 were from varied clinicopathological backgrounds without known exposure to mercury. Sections were stained for inorganic mercury using autometallography. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used on six samples to confirm the presence of autometallography-detected mercury and to look for other toxic metals. In the 128 people without known mercury exposure, mercury was found in: (1) proximal tubules of the cortex and Henle thin loops of the medulla, in 25% of kidneys (and also in the man who injected himself with mercury), (2) proximal tubules only in 16% of kidneys, and (3) Henle thin loops only in 23% of kidneys. The age-related proportion of people who had any mercury in their kidney was 0% at 1-20 years, 66% at 21-40 years, 77% at 41-60 years, 84% at 61-80 years, and 64% at 81-104 years. LA-ICP-MS confirmed the presence of mercury in samples staining with autometallography and showed cadmium, lead, iron, nickel, and silver in some kidneys. In conclusion, mercury is found commonly in the adult human kidney, where it appears to accumulate in proximal tubules and Henle thin loops until an advanced age. Dysfunctions of both these cortical and medullary regions have been implicated in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension, so these findings suggest that further studies of the effects of mercury on blood pressure are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Pamphlett
- Discipline of Pathology, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2050, Australia
- Department of Neuropathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney 2050, Australia
| | - Philip A. Doble
- Elemental Bio-Imaging Facility, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney 2007, Australia; (P.A.D.); (D.P.B.)
| | - David P. Bishop
- Elemental Bio-Imaging Facility, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney 2007, Australia; (P.A.D.); (D.P.B.)
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Personalized Prevention in Mercury-Induced Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case Report. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10217839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to low levels of mercury is involved in the development of motor neuron diseases (MND). Genetic alterations may have a crucial role in the onset and progression. We presented a case of a TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1)-mutated 54-year-old male worker who developed a MND due to chronic mercury exposure at work. He was employed in a chlor-alkali plant in Central Italy. After two years of employment he had acute mercury intoxication with suggestive neurological symptoms and a high urinary level of the metal. Through years, many episodes of intoxication occurred, but he continued to perform the same job and be exposed to mercury. After yet another episode of intoxication in 2013, he showed fasciculations of the upper limbs and trunk, and electromyographic activity patterns were consistent with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In 2016, a genetic test revealed a mutation of TBK1, an ALS-related gene. This case highlights the important role of genetics in personalized occupational medicine. Occupational physicians should use genetic tests to identify conditions of individual susceptibility in workers with documented frequent episodes of mercury intoxication recorded during health surveillance programs to customize prevention measures in the workplace and act before damage appears.
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Li S, Shi M, Wan Y, Wang Y, Zhu M, Wang B, Zhan Y, Ran B, Wu C. Inflammasome/NF-κB translocation inhibition via PPARγ agonist mitigates inorganic mercury induced nephrotoxicity. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 201:110801. [PMID: 32502906 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) pollution poses global human health and environmental risks. However, still knowledge gaps exist on both exposures and health effects. Here, we combined transcriptome sequencing technique to further investigate the specific mechanisms of inorganic Hg toxicity in the kidney. Strikingly, transcriptomic analysis revealed that 4174 unigenes (including 2646 upregulated and 1528 downregulated unigenes) were differentially expressed under acute HgCl2 (5 mg/kg) exposure in the kidney. Additionally, we observed that HgCl2 selectively induced tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) to participate in renal damage, which was consistent with the high-throughput sequencing data. The phenomenon is accompanied by NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB signal activation in the kidney. Simultaneously, ELISA results shown that TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 concentrations in the kidney were significant increased. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPAR) signaling pathway might be vital toxic mechanism of Hg in the kidney. Then, our data showed that PPARγ agonist (GW 1929) attenuated HgCl2 (15 μg/ml)-induced apoptosis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation via decreasing translocation of NF-κB and increasing Bcl2 levels in vitro. Along with this, we demonstrated that PPARγ antagonists (GW9662) effectively aggravated HgCl2-induced nephrotoxicity. Overall, our results suggested that PPARγ signaling pathway is considered to be a protective mechanism to combat against HgCl2-triggered NLRP3 inflammasome activation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwen Li
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Mei Shi
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Ying Wan
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Yanling Wang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Mei Zhu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Boya Wang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Yangmei Zhan
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Bing Ran
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Chunling Wu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan Province, PR China.
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Ajsuvakova OP, Tinkov AA, Aschner M, Rocha JB, Michalke B, Skalnaya MG, Skalny AV, Butnariu M, Dadar M, Sarac I, Aaseth J, Bjørklund G. Sulfhydryl groups as targets of mercury toxicity. Coord Chem Rev 2020; 417:213343. [PMID: 32905350 PMCID: PMC7470069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2020.213343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The present study addresses existing data on the affinity and conjugation of sulfhydryl (thiol; -SH) groups of low- and high-molecular-weight biological ligands with mercury (Hg). The consequences of these interactions with special emphasis on pathways of Hg toxicity are highlighted. Cysteine (Cys) is considered the primary target of Hg, and link its sensitivity with thiol groups and cellular damage. In vivo, Hg complexes play a key role in Hg metabolism. Due to the increased affinity of Hg to SH groups in Cys residues, glutathione (GSH) is reactive. The geometry of Hg(II) glutathionates is less understood than that with Cys. Both Cys and GSH Hg-conjugates are important in Hg transport. The binding of Hg to Cys mediates multiple toxic effects of Hg, especially inhibitory effects on enzymes and other proteins that contain free Cys residues. In blood plasma, albumin is the main Hg-binding (Hg2+, CH3Hg+, C2H5Hg+, C6H5Hg+) protein. At the Cys34 residue, Hg2+ binds to albumin, whereas other metals likely are bound at the N-terminal site and multi-metal binding sites. In addition to albumin, Hg binds to multiple Cys-containing enzymes (including manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), arginase I, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase, etc.) involved in multiple processes. The affinity of Hg for thiol groups may also underlie the pathways of Hg toxicity. In particular, Hg-SH may contribute to apoptosis modulation by interfering with Akt/CREB, Keap1/Nrf2, NF-κB, and mitochondrial pathways. Mercury-induced oxidative stress may ensue from Cys-Hg binding and inhibition of Mn-SOD (Cys196), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) (Cys497) activity, as well as limiting GSH (GS-HgCH3) and Trx (Cys32, 35, 62, 65, 73) availability. Moreover, Hg-thiol interaction also is crucial in the neurotoxicity of Hg by modulating the cytoskeleton and neuronal receptors, to name a few. However, existing data on the role of Hg-SH binding in the Hg toxicity remains poorly defined. Therefore, more research is needed to understand better the role of Hg-thiol binding in the molecular pathways of Hg toxicology and the critical role of thiols to counteract negative effects of Hg overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga P. Ajsuvakova
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia
- Federal Scientific Center of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey A. Tinkov
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia
- Federal Scientific Center of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Michael Aschner
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - João B.T. Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, CCNE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | - Anatoly V. Skalny
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia
- Federal Scientific Center of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Monica Butnariu
- Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timișoara, Timişoara, Romania
- CONEM Romania Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences Group, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timișoara, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Ioan Sarac
- Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timișoara, Timişoara, Romania
- CONEM Romania Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences Group, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timișoara, Timişoara, Romania
| | - Jan Aaseth
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM), Mo i Rana, Norway
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Rojas-Franco P, Franco-Colín M, Torres-Manzo AP, Blas-Valdivia V, Thompson-Bonilla MDR, Kandir S, Cano-Europa E. Endoplasmic reticulum stress participates in the pathophysiology of mercury-caused acute kidney injury. Ren Fail 2020; 41:1001-1010. [PMID: 31736398 PMCID: PMC6882499 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2019.1686019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute exposure to mercury chloride (HgCl2) causes acute kidney injury (AKI). Some metals interfere with protein folding, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and the activation of cell death mechanisms, but in the case of mercury, there is no knowledge about whether the ERS mediates tubular damage. This study aimed to determinate if HgCl2 causes an AKI course with temporary activation of ERS and if this mechanism is involved in kidney cell death. Male mice were intoxicated with 5 mg/kg HgCl2 and sacrificed after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of mercury administration. The kidneys of euthanized mice were used to assess the renal function, oxidative stress, redox environment, antioxidant enzymatic system, cell death, and reticulum stress markers (PERK, ATF-6, and IRE1α pathways). The results indicate temporary-dependent renal dysfunction, oxidative stress, and an increase of glutathione-dependent enzymes involved in the bioaccumulation process of mercury, as well as the enhancement of caspase 3 activity along with IRE1a, GADD-153, and caspase 12 expressions. Mercury activates the PERK/eIF2α branch during the first 48 h. Meanwhile, the activation of PERK/ATF-4 branch allowed for ATF-4, ATF-6, and IRE1α pathways to enhance GADD-153. It led to the activation of caspases 12 and 3, which mediated the deaths of the tubular and glomerular cells. This study revealed temporary-dependent ERS present during AKI caused by HgCl2, as well as how it plays a pivotal role in kidney cell damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Plácido Rojas-Franco
- Laboratorio de Metabolismo I Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Margarita Franco-Colín
- Laboratorio de Metabolismo I Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - Vanessa Blas-Valdivia
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - Sinan Kandir
- Department of Physiology, Ceyhan Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Edgar Cano-Europa
- Laboratorio de Metabolismo I Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
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