Biological Trace Element Research最新文献

The biological significance of trace elements such as chromium extends beyond basic cellular functions, influencing key processes like inflammation and oxidative stress. In this study, we explore the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of a trace element complex, Chromium-D-phenylalanine (Cr(D-Phe)₃), through in vivo and in silico approaches. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using a carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in rats, coupled with histopathological and biochemical analyses. The antioxidant effects of Cr(D-Phe)₃ were evaluated by measuring reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as a marker of inflammation. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamics simulations were conducted to elucidate the compound's binding affinity and stability with cyclooxygenase enzymes. Cr(D-Phe)₃ exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity, with the 40 μg/kg dose achieving 34.40% (p < 0.001) oedema inhibition, comparable to diclofenac sodium (42.40%). Treatment with Cr(D-Phe)₃ restored GSH levels (+ 62.10%, p < 0.001), reduced LPO (24.72%, p < 0.001), and lowered TNF-α (31.73%, p < 0.001) in carrageenan injected rats, demonstrating potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between Cr(D-Phe)₃ and COX enzymes, suggesting its potential mechanism of action in modulating inflammatory pathways. This study highlights the potential of Cr(D-Phe)₃ as a chromium-based trace element complex with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These findings warrant further preclinical investigations to elucidate its full pharmacological potential and applications in managing inflammatory conditions.

This study aims to explore the relationship between osteoarthritis and the trace elements zinc and copper and to provide a theoretical basis for research on the related mechanisms for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoarthritis. We searched all the literature indexed in Web Of Science, Embase, and PubMed as of January 10, 2024, summarized the zinc and copper detection indexes in patients with osteoarthritis, obtained clinical data through literature screening, quality assessment, and data extraction, and analyzed the data using Revman 5.4. A total of 13 papers were included in this study, totaling 7983 study subjects. These were divided into osteoarthritis and healthy control groups. The results from the meta-analysis showed that in patients with osteoarthritis, circulating copper levels, but not zinc levels, were significantly higher compared to healthy individuals. The level of copper in the blood of patients with osteoarthritis is significantly higher than that of healthy people.

The detrimental effects of fluoride on neurotoxicity have been widely recorded, yet the detailed mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. This study explores lysosomal iron metabolism in fluoride-related neurotoxicity, with a focus on the Steap3/TRPML1 axis. Utilizing sodium fluoride (NaF)-treated human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and mouse hippocampal neuron (HT22) cell lines, our research demonstrates that NaF enhances the accumulation of ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) in these cells, disrupting lysosomal iron metabolism through the Steap3/TRPML1 axis. Notably, NaF exposure upregulated ACSL4 and downregulated GPX4, accompanied by reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. These changes indicate increased vulnerability to ferroptosis within neuronal cells. The iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) mitigates this disruption. DFO binds to lysosomal Fe²⁺ and inhibits the Steap3/TRPML1 axis, restoring normal lysosomal iron metabolism, preventing lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), and reducing neuronal cell ferroptosis. Our findings suggest that interference in lysosomal iron metabolism may mitigate fluoride-induced neurotoxicity, underscoring the critical role of the Steap3/TRPML1 axis in this pathological process.

This study aims to comprehensively assess the presence of aflatoxins, pervasive fungal toxins, and heavy metals (lead, chromium, cadmium) in the local feed of fish and shrimp. Forty-eight samples of the fish and shrimp feed were collected from the Dhaka and Sathkhira districts of Bangladesh respectively. Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detector, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) was used for the heavy metal detection after sample digestion. The standard analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists were followed for analyzing the proximate composition of the feed samples. The findings revealed the high toxic concentration of total aflatoxins particularly in fish feed (196.25 μg/kg). Concurrently, varying concentrations of heavy metals, including lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr), were detected, with the highest levels found in shrimp feed at 3.324 and 174.6 mg/kg, respectively. In comparison, highest contamination of cadmium (Cd) was found in fish feed at 0.398 mg/kg. The outcomes are growing concerns regarding the quality of locally sourced feed and emphasizing the need for prompt corrective actions. Otherwise, neglecting this concern may lead to the possibility of both fish and, ultimately, humans who consume them being vulnerable to the absorption and accumulation of these assessed toxic compounds.

Lates calcarifer (Bloch) is a potential candidate fish species for culture in marine and brackishwater. A continuous gill cell line was derived from L. calcarifer by the explant culture method and has been passaged for 132 times, in Leibovitz's L-15 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 28 °C. The cells showed a rate of recovery between 90 and 95% after being successfully cryopreserved at various passage levels and formed monolayer in 2-3 days without any morphological changes. Immunophenotypic analysis of the SBG cell line revealed that they are of epithelial origin. Polymerase chain reaction assay using mitochondrial 12S rRNA primer specific to L. calcarifer was used to confirm the authenticity of the established gill cell line origin from seabass. The transfection efficiency was evaluated in Seabass Gill (SBG) cell line using pEGFP-N1 and Lipofectamine™ 3000. Transfection efficiency was found to be between 13 and 16%. The cytotoxicity of three different metal detecting probes was evaluated by MTT and Alamar blue assays to determine safe concentration. The result revealed that SBG cell line can be applied for recognition of metals using probes. The current study established, for the first time, a gill-derived cell line (SBG) from Lates calcarifer and its application for the detection of intracellular indium, mercury, and lutetium ions by specific fluorescent probes.

The environmental pollution of cadmium is worsening, and its significant carcinogenic effects on humans have been confirmed. Cadmium can induce cancer through various signaling pathways, including the ERK/JNK/p38MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, NF-κB, and Wnt. It can also cause cancer by directly damaging DNA and inhibiting DNA repair systems, or through epigenetic mechanisms such as abnormal DNA methylation, LncRNA, and microRNA. However, the detailed mechanisms of Cd-induced cancer are still not fully understood and require further investigation.

The present study evaluates the protective properties of boric acid (BA) against the toxic effects induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293). The focus is on various parameters such as cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. OTA is a known mycotoxin that has harmful effects on the liver, kidneys, brain, and nervous system. BA, on the other hand, a boron-based compound, is known for its potential as a vital micronutrient with important cellular functions. The results show that BA administration not only increases cell viability but also mitigates the cytotoxic effects of OTA. This is evidenced by a reduction in the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), indicating less damage to cell membranes. In addition, BA shows efficacy in reducing genotoxic effects, as the frequency of micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CA) decreases significantly, suggesting a protective role against DNA damage. In addition, the study shows that treatment with BA leads to a decrease in oxidative stress markers, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic intervention against the deleterious effects of OTA. These results emphasize the need for further research into the protective mechanisms of boron, particularly BA, in combating cell damage caused by OTA.

Cadmium (Cd) is a serious environmental pollutant affecting various tissues/organs in broilers and compromising their immunological function and productivity. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate Cd-induced immunotoxicity and potential immunoprotective effect of rutin nanoparticles (RNPs) in the bursal tissue of broilers. A total number of 150 chicks from the Hubbard breed were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group I was fed on standard basal diet (SD) with normal drinking water (DW), Group II received SD containing RNPs (50 mg/kg feed) with DW, Group III fed on SD and DW containing Cd (150 mg/L), Group IV co-treated with rutin-enforced SD (50 mg/kg diet) and DW containing Cd (150 mg/L), and finally, Group V co-supplemented with RNP-enhanced SD (50 mg/kg diet) DW containing Cd (150 mg/L). Productive performance, economic efficiency, oxidative biomarkers, histopathological changes, and the expression level of TLR-4, HSP-70, caspase 3, NF-κB, Bcl-2, and Bax were assessed in the BF tissue. Cd led to severe production and economic losses in exposed birds with a marked surge of oxidative biomarkers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and histopathological changes in the bursal tissue which could be explained through upregulation of the Hsp70/TLR4/NF-κB molecular pathway in the BF tissue. Meanwhile, RNPs could alleviate most of these changes and prevail optimistic immunomodulatory properties which subsequently could enhance broilers' productivity when incorporated in their diets.

The study assesses associations between microelement levels, fatty acid composition, and oxidative stress markers in grass carp muscle in the summer and autumn seasons. Additionally, various factors were considered, including the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total THQ (TTHQ), and metal pollution index (MPI), to evaluate potential health risks for consumers. The microelements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn) were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and total mercury was determined using cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). Fatty acid profiling was realized using gas chromatography (GC) detection with a flame ionization detector (FID). The overall tendency of microelement levels was as follows: Fe > Zn > Al > Sr > Ba > Ni > Se > Cr> Cu > Mn > Pb > As > Li > Hg;