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Ke T, Santamaria A, Junior FB, Rocha JBT, Bowman AB, Aschner M. Methylmercury exposure-induced reproductive effects are mediated by dopamine in Caenorhabditis elegans. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2022; 93:107120. [PMID: 35987454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2022.107120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a neurotoxicant that exists in the natural environment, which level can be greatly increased because of human activity. MeHg exposures have the risk of being detrimental to the development of the nervous system. Studies on MeHg toxicity have largely focused on the mechanisms of its neurotoxicity following developmental exposures. Additionally, reproductive toxicity of developmental MeHg exposures has been noted in rodent models. The model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a self-fertilizing animal which has a short lifespan around 20 days. Most C. elegans are hermaphrodites that can generate both sperm and oocytes. To investigate the effects of developmental MeHg exposures on the reproduction in C. elegans, larvae stage 1 worms were exposed to MeHg (0, 0.01 or 0.05 μM) for 24 h. The laid eggs and oocytes were compared during each day at adult stages for 6 days. We showed that MeHg exposure significantly induced an increased number of eggs in day 1 adults without an effect on the timing of egg laying or the total number of eggs or oocytes over the 6-day period. The expression of dat-1 and cat-2 and dopamine levels were increased in worms exposed to MeHg. Supplementation with 100 μM dopamine recapitulated the effect of MeHg on the number of eggs present in day 1 adults. Furthermore, the effect of MeHg on the number of eggs was abrogated in the cat-2 mutant worms CB1112. The number of oocytes in the 6-day adult stages was decreased by MeHg in the dat-1 mutant RM2702. MeHg exposures did not change the mating rate or the number of offspring from mating. Combined, these novel findings show that developmental exposure to low levels of MeHg has limited effects on the reproduction in C. elegans. Furthermore, our data support a modulatory role of dopamine in MeHg-induced effects on reproduction in this model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ke
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, United States
| | - Abel Santamaria
- Laboratorio de Aminoácidos Excitadores/Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular y Nanotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, 14269 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fernando Barbosa Junior
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - João B T Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Aaron B Bowman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2051, United States
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, United States.
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Cunha L, Bonfim L, Lima G, Silva R, Silva L, Lima P, Oliveira-Bahia V, Freitas J, Burbano R, Rocha C. In vivo evaluation of the potential protective effects of prolactin against damage caused by methylmercury. Braz J Med Biol Res 2022; 55:e11976. [PMID: 35857996 PMCID: PMC9296129 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2022e11976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-biodegradable metals such as mercury accumulate in living organisms during
life (bioaccumulation) and also within trophic webs (biomagnification) and may
reach high concentrations in humans. The contamination of humans by mercury in
drinking water and food may be common, in particular in riverside communities
that have a diet rich in fish. In vitro studies of human cell
lines exposed to the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of methylmercury have shown
that prolactin has potential cytoprotective properties and may act as a
co-mitogenic factor and inhibitor of apoptosis. The present in
vivo study investigated the protective potential of prolactin
against the toxic effects of methylmercury in the mammal Mus
musculus. Histological and biochemical analyses, together with
biomarker of genotoxicity, were used to verify the protective potential of
prolactin in mice exposed to methylmercury. The reduction in kidney and liver
tissue damage was not significant. However, results of biochemical and genotoxic
analyses were excellent. After prolactin treatment, a significant reduction was
observed in biochemical parameters and mutagenic effects of methylmercury. The
study results therefore indicated that prolactin has protective effects against
the toxicity of methylmercury and allowed us to suggest the continuation of
research to propose prolactin in the future, as an alternative to prevent the
damage caused by mercury, especially in populations that are more exposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Cunha
- Laboratório de Citogenética Humana, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - L Bonfim
- Laboratório de Citogenética Humana, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - G Lima
- Laboratório Multidisciplinar de Morfofisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - R Silva
- Laboratório de Morfofisiologia Aplicada à Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - L Silva
- Laboratório de Morfofisiologia Aplicada à Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - P Lima
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - V Oliveira-Bahia
- Laboratório Multidisciplinar de Morfofisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - J Freitas
- Laboratório de Morfofisiologia Aplicada à Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - R Burbano
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Hospital Ophir Loyola, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - C Rocha
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Diretoria de Pós-Graduação, Pesquisa e Inovação (DPI), Belém, PA, Brasil
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Sex Dependent Action of Aroclor 1254 on Basal and sGnRHa-Stimulated Secretion of LH from the Pituitary Cells of Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio L. ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/aoas-2020-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in many vertebrates, changing the hormonal regulation of reproduction. To identify one of the possible sites of action of PCBs on gonadotropin release in common carp, the direct effects of Aroclor 1254 on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion from dispersed pituitary cells were investigated. Pituitary cells were obtained from sexually mature male and female common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) at the time of natural spawning. The cells were incubated with different concentrations of Aroclor 1254 (5, 10, 50 and 100 ng mL–1 medium) and/or salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (sGnRHa) at a concentration of 10−8 M. LH levels were measured in the cultured medium by the ELISA method after 10 hours of cell incubation. Incubation of male pituitary cells in the presence of tested concentrations of Aroclor did not change the basal LH secretion to the media. In the female pituitary cell incubations Aroclor (5, 10 and 100 ng mL–1 medium) caused a significant increase in LH concentrations in comparison to control incubations. In the case of sGnRHastimulated LH secretion in incubations of cells of both sexes, all the concentrations of Aroclor significantly stimulated LH release and potentiated stimulatory effects of sGnRH analogue. These results indicate that endocrine disrupters, such as Aroclor 1254, may affect reproduction in fish, acting also directly on gonadotrophs at the level of the pituitary gland, changing LH secretion.
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Garcia MS, Orcini WA, Peruquetti RL, Perobelli JE. New approach for reproductive toxicity assessment: chromatoid bodies as a target for methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls in prepubertal male rats. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:914-922. [PMID: 32586421 DOI: 10.1071/rd19447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the reproductive toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg) and Aroclor (Sigma-Aldrich), alone or in combination, following exposure of prepubertal male rats considering the chromatoid body (CB) as a potential target. The CB is an important molecular regulator of mammalian spermatogenesis, primarily during spermatid cytodifferentiation. Male Wistar rats were exposed to MeHg and/or Aroclor , according the following experimental design: control group, which was administered in corn oil (vehicle) only; MeHg-treated group, which was administered 0.5mg kg-1 day-1 MeHg; Aroclor-treated group, which was administered 1mg kg-1 day-1 Aroclor; Mix-LD, group which was administered a low-dose mixture of MeHg (0.05mg kg-1 day-1) and Aroclor (0.1mg kg-1 day-1); and Mix-HD group, which was administered a high-dose mixture of MeHg (0.5mg kg-1 day-1) and Aroclor (1.0mg kg-1 day-1). MeHg was diluted in distilled water and Aroclor was made up in corn oil (volume 1mL kg-1). Rats were administered the different treatments from PND23 to PND53 by gavage, . The morphophysiology of CBs was analysed, together with aspects of steroid hormones status and regulation, just after the last treatment on PND53. In addition, the long-term effects on sperm parameters were assessed in adult animals. MeHg exposure increased mouse VASA homologue (MVH) protein levels in seminiferous tubules, possibly affecting the epigenetic status of germ cells. Aroclor produced morphological changes to CB assembly, which may explain the observed morphological defects to the sperm flagellum and the consequent decrease in sperm motility. There were no clear additive or synergistic effects between MeHg and Aroclor when administered in combination. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MeHg and Aroclor have independent deleterious effects on the developing testis, causing molecular and morphological changes in CBs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that CBs are targets for toxic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Garcia
- School of Health Sciences, Sagrado Coração University, Rua Irmã Arminda, 10-50, Jd., Brasil, 17011-160, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil; and Experimental Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista, Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, Encruzilhada, 11070-102 Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - W A Orcini
- Molecular Biology and Cytogenetics Laboratory, Sagrado Coração University, Rua Irmã Arminda, 10-50, Jd., Brasil, 17011-160, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R L Peruquetti
- School of Health Sciences, Sagrado Coração University, Rua Irmã Arminda, 10-50, Jd., Brasil, 17011-160, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil; and Molecular Biology and Cytogenetics Laboratory, Sagrado Coração University, Rua Irmã Arminda, 10-50, Jd., Brasil, 17011-160, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil; and Office of the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Sagrado Coração University, Rua Irmã Arminda, 10-50, Jd., Brasil, 17011-160, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J E Perobelli
- Experimental Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista, Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça, 144, Encruzilhada, 11070-102 Santos, SP, Brazil; and Corresponding author.
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Puty B, Leão LKR, Crespo-Lopez ME, Almeida APCPSC, Fagundes NCF, Maia LC, Lima RR. Association between methylmercury environmental exposure and neurological disorders: A systematic review. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2019; 52:100-110. [PMID: 30732869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The mercury-related central nervous system disorders have been extensively studied on animal models and human beings. However, clinical evidences of which neurological changes are in fact associated with mercury exposure remains controversial. This systematic review (Prospero registration under the number CRD42016041760) aimed to elucidate the association of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure with neurological alteration in populations living in MeHg-endemic risk area. A systematic search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis criteria using available databases PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, OpenGrey and Google Scholar. A search of the following terms: "methylmercury compounds", "organomercury compounds", "neurologic manifestations", "memory disorders", "neurobehavioral manifestations" and "communication disorders" were performed in a systematic way. Studies focusing on MeHg exposure and subsequent neurological alteration on humans (>13 years) were included. Evaluation of methodological quality and risk of bias as well as the level of evidence was performed. Our results have identified 470 studies and six articles were eligible for systematic review inclusion criteria. The studies suggested alterations related to the psychosensory, motor and coordination system, as well as motor speech, hearing, visual impairment, mood alterations and loss of intelligent quotient. Of all the six studies, two presented a high risk of bias, with methodological problems related to the confounding factors and all studies presented evidence level ranged from very low to low. In this way our results revealed that a definitive demonstration of an association of MeHg and neurological alterations in human beings is still a pending subject. Future studies in this topic should take into consideration more confident and reliable methods to answer this question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Puty
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belem, Brazil.
| | - Luana Ketlen Reis Leão
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belem, Brazil.
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belem, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Lucianne Cople Maia
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belem, Brazil.
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Meroni SB, Galardo MN, Rindone G, Gorga A, Riera MF, Cigorraga SB. Molecular Mechanisms and Signaling Pathways Involved in Sertoli Cell Proliferation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:224. [PMID: 31040821 PMCID: PMC6476933 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells are somatic cells present in seminiferous tubules which have essential roles in regulating spermatogenesis. Considering that each Sertoli cell is able to support a limited number of germ cells, the final number of Sertoli cells reached during the proliferative period determines sperm production capacity. Only immature Sertoli cells, which have not established the blood-testis barrier, proliferate. A number of hormonal cues regulate Sertoli cell proliferation. Among them, FSH, the insulin family of growth factors, activin, and cytokines action must be highlighted. It has been demonstrated that cAMP/PKA, ERK1/2, PI3K/Akt, and mTORC1/p70SK6 pathways are the main signal transduction pathways involved in Sertoli cell proliferation. Additionally, c-Myc and hypoxia inducible factor are transcription factors which participate in the induction by FSH of various genes of relevance in cell cycle progression. Cessation of proliferation is a pre-requisite to Sertoli cell maturation accompanied by the establishment of the blood-testis barrier. With respect to this barrier, the participation of androgens, estrogens, thyroid hormones, retinoic acid and opioids has been reported. Additionally, two central enzymes that are involved in sensing cell energy status have been associated with the suppression of Sertoli cell proliferation, namely AMPK and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Among the molecular mechanisms involved in the cessation of proliferation and in the maturation of Sertoli cells, it is worth mentioning the up-regulation of the cell cycle inhibitors p21Cip1, p27Kip, and p19INK4, and of the gap junction protein connexin 43. A decrease in Sertoli cell proliferation due to administration of certain therapeutic drugs and exposure to xenobiotic agents before puberty has been experimentally demonstrated. This review focuses on the hormones, locally produced factors, signal transduction pathways, and molecular mechanisms controlling Sertoli cell proliferation and maturation. The comprehension of how the final number of Sertoli cells in adulthood is established constitutes a pre-requisite to understand the underlying causes responsible for the progressive decrease in sperm production that has been observed during the last 50 years in humans.
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Oxidative Biochemistry Disbalance and Changes on Proteomic Profile in Salivary Glands of Rats Induced by Chronic Exposure to Methylmercury. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2017; 2017:5653291. [PMID: 28811865 PMCID: PMC5546058 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5653291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is one of the most toxic mercury species, which can cause many systemic damages, but little is known about its effect in the salivary glands. This study aimed to analyze the mercury levels, oxidative stress, and proteomic profile in parotid, submandibular, and sublingual salivary glands of rats, after chronic MeHg intoxication. Two groups of twenty male Wistar rats (90 days of age) were used on the experiment. MeHg group was intoxicated by intragastric gavage with MeHg at a dose of 0.04 mg/kg/day for 60 days, while the control group received only oil. After the period of intoxication, the glands were collected for evaluation of total mercury levels, proteomic profile, and oxidative balance by analyzing the antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and nitrite levels. Our results have showed that mercury levels were significant in all three glands compared to the respective control. It also showed lower levels of ACAP, as well as higher LPO and nitrite levels. The proteomic profile presented impairments on structural components of cytoskeleton, metabolic pathways, and oxidative biochemistry. Thus, the exposure to MeHg was able to generate oxidative stress that could be associated with changes in the proteomic profile of salivary glands.
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