Metabolomic Alteration in the Plasma of Wild Rodents Environmentally Exposed to Lead: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Lead poisoning is often considered a traditional disease; however, the specific mechanism of toxicity remains unclear. The study of Pb-induced alterations in cellular metabolic pathways is important to understand the biological response and disorders associated with environmental exposure to lead. Metabolomics studies have recently been paid considerable attention to understand in detail the biological response to lead exposure and the associated toxicity mechanisms. In the present study, wild rodents collected from an area contaminated with lead (N = 18) and a control area (N = 10) were investigated. This was the first ever experimental metabolomic study of wildlife exposed to lead in the field. While the levels of plasma phenylalanine and isoleucine were significantly higher in a lead-contaminated area versus the control area, hydroxybutyric acid was marginally significantly higher in the contaminated area, suggesting the possibility of enhancement of lipid metabolism. In the interregional least-absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso) regression model analysis, phenylalanine and isoleucine were identified as possible biomarkers, which is in agreement with the random forest model. In addition, in the random forest model, glutaric acid, glutamine, and hydroxybutyric acid were selected. In agreement with previous studies, enrichment analysis showed alterations in the urea cycle and ATP-binding cassette transporter pathways. Although regional rodent species bias was observed in this study, and the relatively small sample size should be taken into account, the present results are to some extent consistent with those of previous studies on humans and laboratory animals.

A review of important heavy metals toxicity with special emphasis on nephrotoxicity and its management in cattle

“…It acts similar to calcium in the body and builds up in the kidney, the liver, and other tissues (96,97). Clinically, poisoned cattle typically exhibit indications of malnutrition, emaciation, muscle loss, aberrant fetal development, opaque hair, and moderate anemia and thickening of phalange epiphyses (78,98,99). Additionally, according to other studies, Pb-poisoned cattle exhibit ataxia, paresis of the hypoglossal nerve, severe depression, muscle twitching, convulsions, coma, death, and respiratory failure (83, 100).…”

“…Pb is considered one of the major environmental toxins in industrial areas of the world and animals are frequently exposed to it ( 78 , 79 ). Numerous environmental factors including industrial pollution, agricultural practices ( 80 ), cosmetics, automobiles, paints, and contaminated feed and soil ( Figure 2 ) can cause Pb poisoning, which is especially common in animals ( 81 , 82 ).…”

“…In yet another study, concentrations of Cd, As, and Pb was determined in the kidney and the liver of cattle near a lead and zinc mine in Zambia, which was ranked among the top ten contaminated places in the world. The concentration of metals was measured in the kidney and liver of 51 cattle from Kabwe and other places in Zambia ( 79 ). Maximum metal concentrations expressed in the kidney and the liver were 0.05 As, 19.37 Cd, and 1.8 Pb.…”

Interdisciplinary approach to addressing lead pollution caused by mining activity in Kabwe, The Republic of Zambia

“…These results suggested that Pb concentrations in incisor crowns may reflect Pb contamination in rat habitats and may serve as a new monitoring indicator. The most recent report on rodents concerns the effects of Pb exposure on metabolism (Nakata et al, 2022). In this study, metabolomic analysis of plasma was performed using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).…”

Optimized Design of English Learning Environment Based on Deep Neural Network

“…e new curriculum standard of college English requires teachers to change the traditional teaching style, optimize students' English learning style, and strengthen the cultivation of students' learning strategies so as to improve their learning ability [3]. However, because of the impact of traditional English education, the English learning environment in colleges has certain problems in terms of physical and psychological environment that need to be solved as soon as possible [4].…”