Arsenite Inhibits Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator Synthesis through NRF2 Activation in Cultured Human Vascular Endothelial EA.hy926 Cells

Association between Heavy Metals, Metalloids and Metabolic Syndrome: New Insights and Approaches

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important public health issue that affects millions of people around the world and is growing to pandemic-like proportions. This syndrome is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pathologic condition characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Moreover, the etiology of MetS is multifactorial, involving many environmental factors, including toxicant exposures. Several studies have associated MetS with heavy metals exposure, which is the focus of this review. Environmental and/or occupational exposure to heavy metals are a major risk, contributing to the development of chronic diseases. Of particular note, toxic metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium may contribute to the development of MetS by altering oxidative stress, IL-6 signaling, apoptosis, altered lipoprotein metabolism, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and other mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the known and potential roles of heavy metals in MetS etiology as well as potential targeted pathways that are associated with MetS. Furthermore, we describe how new approaches involving proteomic and transcriptome analysis, as well as bioinformatic tools, may help bring about an understanding of the involvement of heavy metals and metalloids in MetS.

Developmental analysis of reconstructed embryos of second-generation cloned transgenic goats

To improve the efficiency of the production of transgenic cloned goats by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the development of reconstructed embryos of first-generation (G1) and second-generation (G2) cloned transgenic goats were compared and analyzed. Primary transgenic fetal fibroblasts were used as donor cells for G1 somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). When the G1 transgenic embryos developed to 35 days in the recipient goats, transgenic fetal fibroblasts were isolated from them and used as donor cells for the G2 clone. In the G1 clones, the average fusion rate of reconstructed embryos was 73.62±2.9%, the average development rate (2-4 cells) was 33.96±2.36%, and the pregnancy rate of transplant recipients was 31.91%. In the G2 clones, the average fusion rate of the reconstructed embryos was 90.29±2.03%, the average development rate was 66.46±3.30%, and the pregnancy rate was 58.14%. These results indicate that in the G2 clones, the fusion rate of eggs, the development rate of reconstructed embryos, and the pregnancy rate of transplant recipients were significantly higher than those of G1 clones. We believe these results will lay a solid foundation for the efficient production of transgenic cloned animals in the future.