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Rhouma MB, Venditti M, Haddadi A, Knani L, Chouchene L, Boughammoura S, Reiter RJ, Minucci S, Messaoudi I. Melatonin counteracts cadmium-induced rat testicular toxicity via the mechanistic target rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:470-482. [PMID: 38433718 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2792] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The protective action of melatonin (MLT) against the harmful effects of cadmium (Cd) on testicular activity in rats has been documented previously; however, the involved molecular mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Herein, we investigate the involvement of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) on the ability of MLT to counteract the damage induced by Cd on the rat testicular activity. Our study confirmed that Cd has harmful effects on the testes of rats and the protective action exerted by MLT. We reported, for the first time, that the addition of rapamycin (Rapa), a specific mTOR inhibitor, to animals co-treated with Cd and MLT completely abolished the beneficial effects exerted by MLT, indicating that the mTOR pathway partially modulates its helpful effects on Cd testicular toxicity. Interestingly, Rapa-alone treatment, provoking mTOR inhibition, produced altered morphological parameters, increased autophagy of germ and somatic cells, and reduced serum testosterone concentration. In addition, mTOR inhibition also reduced protein levels of markers of steroidogenesis (3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) and blood-testis barrier integrity (occludin and connexin 43). Finally, Rapa altered sperm parameters as well as the ability of mature spermatozoa to perform a proper acrosome reaction. Although further investigation is needed to better clarify the molecular pathway involved in MLT action, we confirm that MLT alleviating Cd effects can be used as a supplement to enhance testicular function and improve male gamete quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariem B Rhouma
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio-ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate "F. Bottazzi", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Asma Haddadi
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio-ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Latifa Knani
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio-ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Lina Chouchene
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio-ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Sana Boughammoura
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio-ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Russel J Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate "F. Bottazzi", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Imed Messaoudi
- Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio-ressourcés, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
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Li Y, Liu J, Ran N, Zheng C, Wang P, Li J, Fang Y, Fang D, Ma Y. Potential pathological mechanisms and pharmacological interventions for cadmium-induced miscarriage. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 273:116118. [PMID: 38367606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116118] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of cadmium (Cd) contamination has emerged as a significant global concern. Exposure to Cd during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive summaries on Cd-induced miscarriage. Therefore, it is imperative to further strengthen research into in vivo studies, clinical status, pathological mechanisms, and pharmacological interventions for Cd-induced miscarriage. This study systematically presents the current knowledge on animal models and clinical trials investigating Cd exposure-induced miscarriage. The underlying mechanisms involving oxidative stress, inflammation, endocrine disruption, and placental dysfunction caused by Cd-induced miscarriage are also extensively discussed. Additionally, potential drug interventions such as melatonin, vitamin C, and vitamin E are highlighted for their pharmacological role in mitigating adverse pregnancy outcomes induced by Cd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Li
- Medical College, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang 312000, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnostic and Traceability Technologies for Food Poisoning, Beijing 100013, China
| | - Na Ran
- Medical College, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang 312000, China
| | - Changwu Zheng
- Medical College, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang 312000, China
| | - PingPing Wang
- Medical College, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang 312000, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- Medical College, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang 312000, China
| | - Yumeng Fang
- Medical College, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang 312000, China
| | - Danna Fang
- Medical College, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang 312000, China
| | - Yeling Ma
- Medical College, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang 312000, China.
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Yin G, Wang Z, Li P, Cao Y, Zhou Z, Wu W, Li X, Lou Q. Tim-3 deficiency aggravates cadmium nephrotoxicity via regulation of NF-κB signaling and mitochondrial damage. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111434. [PMID: 38176346 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111434] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Kidney is the target organ of serious cadmium injury. Kidney damage caused by cadmium exposure is greatly influenced by the inflammatory response and mitochondrial damage. T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) is an essential protein that functions as a negative immunological checkpoint to regulate inflammatory responses. Mice were given cadmium treatments at various dosages (0, 1.5, 3, 4.5 mg/kg) and times (0, 3, 5, 7 days) to assess the effects of cadmium on kidney damage. We found that the optimal way to induce kidney injury in mice was to inject 4.5 mg/kg of cadmium intraperitoneally for five days. It is interesting that giving mice 4.5 mg/kg of cadmium intravenously for seven days drastically lowered their survival rate. After cadmium exposure, Tim-3 knockout mice exhibited higher blood concentrations of urea nitrogen and creatinine compared to control mice. Tim-3 impacted the expression of oxidative stress-associated genes such as UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1 member A9 (Ugt1a9), oxidative stress-induced growth inhibitor 2 (Osgin2), and S100 calcium binding protein A8 (S100a8), according to RNA-seq and real-time RT-PCR data. Tim-3 deficiency also resulted in activated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. The NF-κB inhibitor 2-[(aminocarbonyl)amino]-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-thiophenecarboxamide (TPCA-1) significantly alleviated cell apoptosis, oxidative stress response, and renal tubule inflammation in Tim-3 knockout mice exposed to cadmium. Furthermore, cadmium caused obvious B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X (Bax) translocation from cytoplasm to mitochondria, which can be inhibited by TPCA-1. In conclusion, Tim-3 prevented mitochondrial damage and NF-κB signaling activation, hence providing protection against cadmium nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanyi Yin
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, PR China
| | - Zhonghang Wang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, PR China
| | - Peiyao Li
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, PR China
| | - Yaping Cao
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, PR China
| | - Ziou Zhou
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, PR China
| | - Wenbin Wu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, PR China
| | - Xuemiao Li
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, PR China
| | - Qiang Lou
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, PR China.
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Cengiz M, Gür B, Sezer CV, Cengiz BP, Gür F, Bayrakdar A, Ayhancı A. Alternations in interleukin-1β and nuclear factor kappa beta activity (NF-kB) in rat liver due to the co-exposure of Cadmium and Arsenic: Protective role of curcumin. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 102:104218. [PMID: 37451528 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104218] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium chloride (Cd) and sodium arsenite (As) are two prominent examples of non-biodegradable substances that accumulate in ecosystems, pose a serious risk to human health and are not biodegradable. Although the toxicity caused by individual use of Cd and As is known, the toxicity of combined use (Cd+As) to mammals is poorly understood. The present study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of curcumin (CUR), a naturally occurring bioactive component isolated from the root stem of Curcuma longa Linn., in preventing liver damage caused by a Cd+As mixture. A group of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to intraperitoneal administration of Cd+As (0.44 mg/kg+5.55 mg/kg i.p.) and CUR (100 or 200 mg/kg) for a period of 14 days. The experimental results showed that the animals treated with Cd+As exhibited changes in liver biochemical parameters, inflammation and oxidative stress at the end of the experiment. Administration of CUR significantly reduced inflammation, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the Cd+As plus CUR groups compared to the Cd+As group. Furthermore, histological examination of the liver tissue showed that administration of CUR had led to a significant reduction in the liver damage observed in the Cd+As group. The present study provides scientific evidence for the protective effects of CUR against lipid peroxidation, inflammation, oxidative stress and liver damage induced by Cd+As in the liver of rats. The results of our in vivo experiments were confirmed by those of our molecular modelling studies, which showed that CUR can enhance the diminished antioxidant capacity caused by Cd+As.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Cengiz
- Department of Elementary Education, Faculty of Education, Siirt University, Siirt, Turkey.
| | - Bahri Gür
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Iğdır University, Iğdır, Turkey.
| | - Canan Vejselova Sezer
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskişehir Technical University, 26470 Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Betül Peker Cengiz
- Department of Pathology, Eskişehir Yunus Emre State Hospital, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Fatma Gür
- Department of Dental Prosthesis Technology, Vocational School of Health Services, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Alpaslan Bayrakdar
- Vocational School of Higher Education for Healthcare Services, Iğdır University, Iğdır, Turkey
| | - Adnan Ayhancı
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
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Li W, Chen K, Li Q, Tang Y, Jiang Y, Su Y. Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Alleviating Cadmium Stress in Medicago truncatula Gaertn. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:547. [PMID: 36771633 PMCID: PMC9920379 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination is a global problem for ecosystems and human health. Remediation of contaminated soils has received much attention in the last decade. Aided mitigation of heavy metal phytotoxicity by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategy. This study was carried out to investigate the mitigation effect of AMF inoculation on heavy metal toxicity in Medicago truncatula under soil cadmium stress. Therefore, a pot experiment was designed to evaluate the growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, Cd uptake and distribution, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, root soil physicochemical properties, and metabolite profile analysis of M. truncatula with/without AMF inoculation in Cd (20 mg/Kg)-contaminated soil. The results showed that inoculating AMF under Cd stress might enhance photosynthetic efficiency, increase plant biomass, decrease Cd and MDA content, and improve soil physicochemical properties in M. truncatula. Non-targeted metabolite analysis revealed that inoculation with AMF under Cd stress significantly upregulated the production of various amino acids in inter-root metabolism and increase organic acid and phytohormone synthesis. This study provides information on the physiological responses of mycorrhizal plants to heavy metal stress, which could help provide deeper insight into the mechanisms of heavy metal remediation by AMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanting Li
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Ke Chen
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Qiong Li
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Yunlai Tang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Yuying Jiang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Yu Su
- Sichuan Academy of Forestry, Chengdu 610036, China
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