Influence of cadmium on metallothionein expression and products of lipid peroxidation in the organs of hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas)

Abstract

Cadmium occurs naturally in the environment and as an anthropogenic pollutant. Exposure to low concentrations of cadmium is inevitable and may produce toxic effects. Another important aspect of cadmium toxicity is its interaction, often antagonistic, with essential elements such as selenium. The aim of this study was to highlight the risks of long-term exposure to low cadmium concentrations, using a scientific and chemical approach and hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) as model organisms in a field study. Two study areas were monitored. Levels of cadmium and selenium were quantified in the organs of hares, the expression of metallothioneins I + II and the products of lipid peroxidation were determined. The median cadmium concentrations (wet weight) in the muscle, liver, kidney and brain of hares from an exposed group ranged from 0.033 to 0.037, 0.763 to 1.054, 3.090 to 16.594 and 0.016 to 0.087 µg g(-1), respectively; whereas, the median selenium concentrations (wet weight) ranged from 0.100 to 0.108, 0.153 to 0.332, 0.677 to 0.701 and 0.078 to 0.116 µg g(-1), respectively. Expression of the metallothioneins I + II proteins was observed in tissues. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) equivalents, increased with the cadmium concentration. Further research on long-term exposure to low concentrations of cadmium in the environment is needed.

The Levels of Mineral Elements and Toxic Metals in the Longissimus lumborum Muscle, Hair and Selected Organs of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus L.) in Poland

“…Multiple correlations between metals and between metals and other structural compounds can influence the physiology of living organisms and even cause various dysfunctions. Long-term exposure to relatively low concentrations of metals, especially Cd, may lead to interactions with lipid peroxidation products, especially in muscles, liver or kidneys, and even have a toxic effect on many systems because of Cd binding to biological structures [ 35 ]. This research confirmed several statistically significant correlations between the same element in different matrices ( Table 4 ).…”

Breast Cancer Frequency and Exposure to Cadmium: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

“…In the human body, most of the Cd is bounded to low molecular weight proteins functioning in the essential metals such as zinc called metallothioneins (Freisinger and Vasak, 2013;Linsak et al, 2013). The Cd-metallothioneins complex is dispersed to different organs and tissues, and is eventually reabsorbed in kidneys, so Cd accumulates in tissues because of absence of mechanism for the excretion of this heavy metal from the body (Fujishiro et al, 2012;Tekin et al, 2012).…”

Activity of Selected Antioxidant Enzymes, Selenium Content and Fatty Acid Composition in the Liver of the Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus L.) in Relation to the Season of the Year

“…Although these authors also demonstrated an insufficient level of this element (0.255 mg kg −1 ww) in brown hares, it was significantly higher compared to the results obtained in the present study. Linšak et al [ 37 ] reported selenium deficiency in brown hares in Croatia, from the cadmium unpolluted area (0.332 mg kg −1 ww) and contaminated areas (0.153 mg kg −1 ww).…”