Assessment of toxic elements' content in swine kidneys: Pathomorphological analysis

Integrative investigation of hematotoxic effects induced by low doses of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic mixture: In vivo and in silico approach

The effect of the lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) mixture (MIX) on hematotoxicity development was investigated trough combined approach. In vivo subacute study (28 days) was performed on rats (5 per group): a control group and five groups orally exposed to increasing metal(loid) mixture doses, MIX 1- MIX 5 (mg/kg bw./day) (Pb: 0.003, 0.01, 0.1, 0.3, 1; Cd: 0.01, 0.03, 0.3, 0.9, 3; Hg: 0.0002, 0.0006, 0.006, 0.018, 0.06; As: 0.002, 0.006, 0.06, 0.18, 0.6). Blood was taken for analysis of hematological parameters and serum iron (Fe) analysis. MIX treatment increased thrombocyte/platelet count and MCHC and decreased Hb, HCT, MCV and MCH values compared to control, indicating the development of anemia and thrombocytosis. BMDIs with the narrowest width were identified for MCH [pg] (6.030E-03 - 1.287E-01 mg Pb/kg bw./day; 2.010E-02 - 4.290E-01 mg Cd/kg bw./day; 4.020E-04 - 8.580E-03 mg Hg/kg bw./day; 4.020E-03 - 8.580E-02 mg As/kg bw./day). In silico analysis showed target genes connected with MIX and the development of: anemia - ACHE, GSR, PARP1, TNF; thrombocytosis - JAK2, CALR, MPL, THPO; hematological diseases - FAS and ALAD. The main extracted pathways for anemia were related to apoptosis and oxidative stress; for thrombocytosis were signaling pathways of Jak-STAT and TPO. Changes in miRNAs and transcription factors enabled the mode of action (MoA) development based on the obtained results, contributing to mechanistic understanding and hematological risk related to MIX exposure.

Concentrations of essential and non-essential toxic trace elements in wild boar (Sus Scrofa L., 1758) tissues from southern Turkey

Wild animals, including wild boars, are suitable for use as bioindicators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of selected essential (Co, Cu, Fe, Se, Zn) and non-essential (As, Cd, Pb) potentially toxic trace elements in various tissues (hair and hoof) of wild boars hunted in the vicinity of Antalya province in Turkey, in relation to hunting seasons. Concentrations in mg/kg on dry weight basis were determined as 0.37 ± 0.27 mg/kg for As, 0.05 ± 0.04 mg/kg for Cd, 0.24 ± 0.33 mg/kg for Co, 4.84 ± 2.48 mg/kg for Cu, 289.94 ± 165.26 mg/kg for Fe, 8.71 ± 15.68 mg/kg for Pb, 0.24 ± 0.10 mg/kg for Se, and 28.99 ± 21.41 mg/kg for Zn in the hair samples; and as 0.11 ± 0.04 mg/kg for As, 0.01 ± 0.04 mg/kg for Cd, 0.01 ± 0.01 mg/kg for Co, 1.03 ± 0.25 mg/kg for Cu, 56.88 ± 18.68 mg/kg for Fe, 0.30 ± 0.18 mg/kg for Pb, 0.11 ± 0.05 mg/kg for Se, and 17.91 ± 10.98 mg/kg for Zn in the hoof samples.