Carbon disulfide cytotoxicity on cultured cardiac myocyte cell of rats

Comparative effects of Mancozeb and Disulfiram-induced striated muscle myopathies in Long-Evans rats

Dithiocarbamates (DTCs) like mancozeb (MZ) and disulfiram (DS) are used throughout agriculture and medicine and have been implicated in neurotoxicity. Little research has been studied on the reported myopathies caused by these compounds. Their pathogenesis and mechanism of muscle toxicity has not been fully studied. The aim of this study is to investigate if DTCs alter striated muscle tissues in vivo. Long-Evans rats were treated with either MZ or DS followed by analysis of muscle biomarkers and metal levels. DS resulted in increases in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cardiac troponin, and myoglobin levels. Creatine kinase-MB serum levels decreased. Mancozeb only showed an increase in serum LDH. Both MZ and DS-treatment resulted in altered metal levels in the myocardium but not skeletal muscle. Ultrastructural alterations included damaged mitochondria and myofibril splitting. The presence of multivesicular bodies, and alterations of the intercalated disc were also seen.

Cardiotoxicity of Consolida rugulosa, a poisonous weed in Western China

Poisonous weeds are a global problem since they not only hinder local economic development, but also cause ecological harm. Consolida rugulosa (family Ranunculaceae) is a weed that is widespread in Northwestern China and causes severe poisoning when ingested by livestock. In the present study, we purified the toxins in this plant and investigated their mechanism of action. Five natural diterpene alkaloids (compounds 1-5)-including two new compounds (1 and 2)-were isolated, and five semi-synthetic derivatives (6-10) were synthesised based on 4 or 5 for structure-activity analysis. The toxicity of the compounds was evaluated in vitro with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. All of the compounds-especially 1-stimulated LDH release in primary cultured rat myocardial cells, an effect that was blocked by the Na⁺ channel blocker lidocaine. Electrocardiography revealed that rats treated with 1 had severe arrhythmia, while heart Doppler echocardiography and analysis of serum biomarkers levels revealed that administration of 1 for 15 days induced changes in cardiac structure and myocardial enzyme levels. These effects were antagonised by lidocaine treatment. Thus, diterpene alkaloids are the main compounds responsible for the cardiotoxicity of C. rugulosa, which can be mitigated by co-administration of lidocaine.

Role of Endoplasmic reticulum apoptotic pathway in testicular Sertoli cells injury induced by Carbon disulfide

The exposure of Carbon disulfide (CS2) is associated with germ cell injury and male infertility in animals and humans. However, the molecular mechanism is currently unknown. This study show here that CS2-induced Sertoli cells injury via Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) apoptotic pathway. SD male rats were exposed to doses of CS2 (0, 50, 250, 1250mgm(-3)) for 4weeks. After treatment, loose structures of seminiferous tubules and disordered cell arrangements were observed by light microscopy. Ultrastructural lesions, deformed chromatins and vacuoles formed from swollen ER were observed by electron microscopy. After primary culture of Sertoli cells, a dose-dependent increased apoptosis were found. The increased activity of Caspase 3, accumulation of intracellular Ca(2+), up-regulation of mRNA and protein expressions of ER apoptotic relative molecules (Calpain 2, Cleaved-Caspase 12, GRP78 and CHOP) were also found in this study. Altogether, our findings indicated that ER apoptotic pathway played an important role in CS2-induced Sertoli cell impairment.