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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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Liu J, Wang E, Cheng Z, Gao Y, Chen C, Jia R, Luo Z, Wang L. Zinc alleviates cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity via regulating ion homeostasis, metallothionein expression, and inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in the freshwater crab Sinopotamon henanense. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 262:115188. [PMID: 37418865 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a carcinogenic environmental pollutant that harms male reproductive systems by lowering sperm quality, impairing spermatogenesis, and causing apoptosis. Although zinc (Zn) has been reported to alleviate Cd toxicity, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this work was to investigate the mitigating effects of Zn on Cd-induced male reproductive toxicity in the freshwater crab Sinopotamon henanense. Cd exposure not only resulted in its accumulation but also in Zn deficiency, decreased sperm survival rate, poor sperm quality, altered ultrastructure, and increased apoptosis in the testis of the crabs. Morever, Cd exposure increased the expression and distribution of metallothionein (MT) in the testis. However, Zn supplementation effectively mitigated the aforementioned effects of Cd, as demonstrated by preventing Cd accumulation, increasing Zn bioavailability, alleviating apoptosis, increasing mitochondrial membrane potential, decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and restoring MT distribution. Moreover, Zn also significantly reduced the expression of apoptosis-related (p53, Bax, CytC, Apaf-1, Caspase-9, Caspase-3), metal transporter-related ZnT1, metal-responsive transcription factor 1 (MTF1), and the gene and protein expression of MT, while increasing the expression of ZIP1 and Bcl-2 in the testis of Cd-treated crabs. In conclusion, Zn alleviates Cd-induced reproductive toxicity via regulating ion homeostasis, MT expression, and inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in the testis of S. henanense. The information obtained in this study may serve as the foundation for further investigation into the development of mitigation strategies for adverse ecological and human health outcomes associated with Cd contamination or poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
| | - Ermeng Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
| | - Ziru Cheng
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
| | - Chienmin Chen
- Department of Environmental Resource Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan City 000700, Taiwan
| | - Ru Jia
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhi Luo
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
| | - Lan Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China.
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Torres-Rodríguez HF, Graniel-Amador MA, Cruz-Camacho CJ, Cantú-Martínez AA, Martínez-Martínez A, Petricevich VL, Montes S, Castañeda-Corral G, Jiménez-Andrade JM. Characterization of pain-related behaviors, changes in bone microarchitecture and sensory innervation induced by chronic cadmium exposure in adult mice. Neurotoxicology 2022; 89:99-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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McCall JL, Blair HC, Blethen KE, Hall C, Elliott M, Barnett JB. Prenatal cadmium exposure does not induce greater incidence or earlier onset of autoimmunity in the offspring. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249442. [PMID: 34478449 PMCID: PMC8415597 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that exposure of adult mice to environmental levels of cadmium (Cd) alters immune cell development and function with increases in anti-streptococcal antibody levels, as well as decreases in splenic natural regulatory T cells (nTreg) in the adult female offspring. Based on these data, we hypothesized that prenatal Cd exposure could predispose an individual to developing autoimmunity as adults. To test this hypothesis, the effects of prenatal Cd on the development of autoimmune diabetes and arthritis were investigated. Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice were exposed to Cd in a manner identical to our previous studies, and the onset of diabetes was assessed in the offspring. Our results showed a similar time-to-onset and severity of disease to historical data, and there were no statistical differences between Cd-exposed and control offspring. Numerous other immune parameters were measured and none of these parameters showed biologically-relevant differences between Cd-exposed and control animals. To test whether prenatal Cd-exposure affected development of autoimmune arthritis, we used SKG mice. While the levels of arthritis were similar between Cd-exposed and control offspring of both sexes, the pathology of arthritis determined by micro-computed tomography (μCT) between Cd-exposed and control animals, showed some statistically different values, especially in the female offspring. However, the differences were small and thus, the biological significance of these changes is open to speculation. Overall, based on the results from two autoimmune models, we conclude that prenatal exposure to Cd did not lead to a measurable propensity to develop autoimmune disease later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L. McCall
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - Harry C. Blair
- Department of Pathology, Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology, the and the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Kathryn E. Blethen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - Casey Hall
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - Meenal Elliott
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - John B. Barnett
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
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Boughammoura S, Zarka M, Messaoudi I, Solal MC. Interactions between cadmium and zinc on gene expression pattern of differentiation markers in MC3T3-E1 cell line. Xenobiotica 2021; 51:1038-1046. [PMID: 34338604 DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2021.1963881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated, in vitro, the interactions between cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) during the proliferation and differentiation process using bone MC3T3-E1 cell line.Cells were treated with CdCl2 and/or ZnCl2 for 24 and 48 h and 5 µM CdCl2 was found as low cytotoxic dose and 25 µM ZnCl2 as the best Zn treatment for cell proliferation. Gene expression of some bone markers (Runx2, collagen α1 (Colα1), osteocalcin (Oc), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone sialoprotein (BSP)) was studied at 24, 48 and 72 h.Treatment by CdCl2 depressed Runx2, Colα1, and BSP mRNA levels after 24 h. Oc and ALP gene expression was found to be decreased after 72 h.CdCl2 -exposure decreased ALP activity and Ca deposit in matrix. In concomitant treatment by CdCl2 and ZnCl2, gene expression of osteoblastic markers was found to be up-regulated (p < 0, 05) compared to CdCl2 treated cells, ALP staining and mineralization were increased.Our results show that Zn could prevent Cd-induced toxicity on MC3T3-E1 cells, probably through the restoration of Runx2, col α1, BSP, ALP and Oc and gene expression inhibited by Cd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Boughammoura
- LR11ES41: Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut de Biotechnologie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Mylène Zarka
- U1132: Biologie de l'Os et de Cartilage, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France
| | - Imed Messaoudi
- LR11ES41: Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut de Biotechnologie, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Martine Cohen Solal
- U1132: Biologie de l'Os et de Cartilage, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France
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Gu J, Li S, Wang G, Zhang X, Yuan Y, Liu X, Bian J, Tong X, Liu Z. Cadmium Toxicity on Chondrocytes and the Palliative Effects of 1α, 25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D 3 in White Leghorns Chicken's Embryo. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:637369. [PMID: 33644155 PMCID: PMC7902530 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.637369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) can causes osteoporosis and joint swelling. However, the mechanism of Cd toxicity in chondrocytes and how to alleviate Cd poisoning to chondrocytes are still unclear. Herein, we evaluated the toxicity of Cd to chicken chondrocytes, and whether vitamin D can relieve the toxicity of Cd to chondrocytes. Primary chondrocytes were collected from knee-joint cartilage of 15-day-old chicken embryos. They were treated with (0, 1, 2, and 4) μM Cd alone, 10-8 M 1α,25-(OH)2D3 alone, or 2 μM Cd combined with 10-8 M 1α,25-(OH)2D3. We found that Cd significantly inhibited Sox9 and ACAN mRNA expression, which are markers for chondrocyte differentiation, downregulated the mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulated the Bax/B-cell lymphoma 2 ratio. Furthermore, Cd significantly promoted matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression, thus accelerating the degradation of extracellular matrix. And Cd also inhibited the expression of main macromolecular protein of extracellular matrix, Collagen type IIα1 (COL2A1) and acid mucopolysaccharide. However, 1α,25-(OH)2D3 pretreatment significantly alleviated the toxicity effects of Cd on the differentiation, apoptosis and extracellular matrix gene expression in primary chondrocytes. Conclusively, Cd exposure could inhibited chicken embryo chondrocytes differentiation, extracellular matrix gene expression, and induced chondrocyte apoptosis. However, these toxic effects of Cd are alleviated by the pretreatment of chondrocytes with 1α,25-(OH)2D3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong Gu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Saihui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Guoshuai Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xueqing Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xuezhong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jianchun Bian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xishuai Tong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China.,Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China.,Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Cadmium exposure negatively affects the microarchitecture of trabecular bone and decreases the density of a subset of sympathetic nerve fibers innervating the developing rat femur. Biometals 2020; 34:87-96. [PMID: 33145678 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-020-00265-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is toxic to the skeletal system resulting in bone loss and pain. We aimed at determining the effect of chronic Cd exposure on bone density and microarchitecture along with changes in the density of a subset of sensory and sympathetic nerve fibers innervating the developing rat femur. Newborn male Wistar rats were injected daily for 49 days with CdCl2 (1 mg/kg i.p.) or saline solution (control group). At the day of sacrifice, levels of Cd in the right femur, liver and kidney were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Additionally, microCT followed by immunohistochemical analyses were performed in the left femur. Results showed Cd accumulation in trabecular bone neared levels seen in liver and kidney. Cd concentration in cortical bone was significantly lower versus trabecular bone. MicroCT analysis revealed that Cd-exposed rats had a significant decrease in trabecular bone parameters at the distal femoral metaphysis; however, most of the cortical bone parameters were not significantly affected. Cd-exposed rats showed a significant loss of TH+ sympathetic nerve fibers, but not of CGRP+ sensory nerve fibers, at the level of bone marrow of the femoral diaphysis as compared to control rats. This study shows that Cd negatively affects bone density and microarchitecture of trabecular bone and decreases the density of sympathetic nerve fibers innervating rat femur. Future studies are warranted to determine the toxigenic mechanisms of Cd on sympathetic nerves and how sympathetic denervation influences bone loss in animals exposed to Cd.
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Zhang X, Zhao Y, Cheng C, Li L, Xiao M, Zhang G, Lu X. Combined effects of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and bisphenol A on thyroid hormone homeostasis in adolescent female rats. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:40882-40892. [PMID: 32681327 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09949-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates and bisphenols are two typical classes of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which cause endocrine disorder in humans and animals. Phthalates and bisphenols are suggested to be associated with thyroid dysfunction. However, the effects of combined exposure and the detailed mechanisms are yet poorly understood. We investigated the combined effects of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and bisphenol A (BPA) on thyroid function during puberty. Female Sprague Dawley rats were gavaged from postnatal 28 to 70 days with a single or combined exposure of DEHP (0, 150, and 750 mg/kg/day) and BPA (0, 20, and 100 mg/kg/day) according to a 3 × 3 factorial design. The thyroid weights reduced after combined exposure to the highest dose of DEHP and BPA, which noted their adverse effects on thyroid. Additionally, DEHP could increase the number of follicular epithelial cells in thyroid. Both DEHP and in combination with BPA could disturb the levels of thyroid hormones in serum, such as TT3 and TT4. Meanwhile, the possible mechanism was also discussed in the present study. DEHP treatment induced a significant increase of phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein (Creb) via estrogen receptor α (Esr1), while the upregulation was nullified by the concomitant presence of BPA. In conclusion, the complex action of DEHP/BPA mixture may disturb the thyroid hormone homeostasis, which ultimately would affect the development of thyroid during puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuejiao Zhao
- Cancer Hospital of China Medical University/Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Liuli Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyang Xiao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Guopei Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobo Lu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
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