Combined effects of estrogen deficiency and cadmium exposure on calcified hard tissues: animal model relating to itai-itai disease in postmenopausal women. (73/120)

Using ovariectomized rats as a model of postmenopausal women, we studied the effects of estrogen (Es) deficiency and in combination with cadmium (Cd) exposure on the calcified hard tissues related to the development of itai-itai disease. Es deficiency suppressed the synthesis of carbonic anhydrase required for the crystal nucleation process, causing the crystal structure defects in the tooth enamel. Regarding the combined effects of Es deficiency and Cd exposure on the bone, in which rats were given drinking water containing Cd ions, soft X-ray radiography revealed a development of labyrinthine pattern in the calvaria, and micro-computed tomography demonstrated the declining trabecular architecture of the tibia, suggesting Cd-induced osteoporotic change. Further, electron microscopy showed the increase of amorphous minerals in the calvaria. In conclusion, the combined effects of Es deficiency and Cd exposure can be responsible for accelerating the declining bone strength together with the crystal structure defects resulting in the preferential occurrence of itai-itai disease in postmenopausal women.(Communicated by Tatsuo SUDA, M.J.A.).  (+info)

Chronic exposure to cadmium disrupts the adrenal gland activity of the newt Triturus carnifex (Amphibia, Urodela). (74/120)

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Impaired endocytosis in proximal tubule from subchronic exposure to cadmium involves angiotensin II type 1 and cubilin receptors. (75/120)

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Epidemiology of renal tubular dysfunction in the inhabitants of a cadmium-polluted area in the Jinzu River basin in Toyama Prefecture. (76/120)

Urinary beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m), alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1-m), amino-nitrogen, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, cadmium concentrations, and pH values were analyzed in urine samples from 187 females aged 55-66 years in the Jinzu River basin, which is known to be a cadmium-polluted area, and from 32 controls living in two adjacent reference areas in 1983-1984. Mean urinary beta 2-m, alpha 1-m, amino-nitrogen, glucose, cadmium concentrations and pH values in the inhabitants of the Jinzu River basin were significantly higher than those in the adjacent reference areas. Sixty-four inhabitants in a cadmium-polluted area were found to have renal tubular dysfunction with urinary beta 2-m level exceeding 1 mg/g creatinine and urinary glucose level exceeding 100 mg/g creatinine. The severity of renal tubular dysfunction in several inhabitants were comparable to those of the patients with Itai-itai disease. Mean cadmium concentrations in rice (mean: 0.32-0.57 ppm) which has been daily consumed by the inhabitants of the Jinzu River basin were significantly higher than those in the reference areas (mean: 0.12-0.13 ppm). The close relationship between cadmium exposure and the degree of renal tubular dysfunction was well demonstrated by principal component analysis.  (+info)

Dietary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory intake modifies the effect of cadmium exposure on markers of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. (77/120)

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cGMP levels in chronic cadmium disease and osteoarthritis. (78/120)

To investigate the effect of cadmium on guanyl cyclase activity, urine levels of the nucleotide cGMP were measured in patients with bone and renal lesions resulting from chronic cadmium exposure, in patients with osteoarthritis and in a normal age-matched control population. The effects of cadmium, zinc and mercury salts on blood mononuclear cell cGMP production were also studied in vitro. The two patient groups exhibited clear differences in cGMP excretion. Lower urine cGMP (59%, P less than 0.01) and creatinine values (43%, P less than 0.01) were found in cadmium-exposed patients and higher cGMP values (56%, P less than 0.05) in patients with osteoarthritis, compared to the control group. Creatinine adjusted cGMP values were also lower in cadmium-exposed patients (28%, P less than 0.05) and higher in patients with osteoarthritis (130%, P less than 0.01). In vitro, a 10 h exposure of mononuclear cells to cadmium or mercury salts depressed guanyl cyclase activity in most experiments. At 10(-4) M, mercury was consistently more inhibitory in all cultures (95%, P less than 0.01). As cadmium has a potential for inhibiting guanyl cyclase activity in human tissue, the low urine cGMP values found in patients with cadmium disease may be attributable to chronic cadmium exposure. High guanyl cyclase activity in patients with osteoarthritis may be associated with inflammation.  (+info)

A study on the effect of garlic to the heavy metal poisoning of rat. (79/120)

When garlic (Allium sativum) was administered to rat per os simultaneously with cadmium, methylmercury and phenylmercury to detect the protective effect against the heavy metal poisoning, accumulation of heavy metals in liver, kidneys, bone and testes were decreased, and histopathological damages and the inhibition of serum alkaline phosphatase activities by heavy metals were reduced. Such effect of garlic was not shown in the 1.7% garlic treated group and most remarkable in the 6.7% garlic treated group. The protective effect of garlic was superior to those of 2,3 dimercapto-1-propanol (BAL) and D-penicillamine (PEN), and nearly similar to those of 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (APEN), the current remedies, while garlic was not effective as a curative agent for heavy metal poisoning. The excretion of cadmium was enhanced, more through feces than urine by garlic but the effect to the urinary excretion of cadmium was not significant comparing with DMSA or APEN when cadmium was ip injected in the first 3 days during the 12 days of oral administration of DMSA, APEN or garlic.  (+info)

Changes in 45Ca and 109Cd uptake, membrane potential and cell pH in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provoked by Cd2+. (80/120)

The effect of Cd2+ poisoning of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on 45Ca, 109Cd and [14C]tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP) uptake and cell pH was examined. At Cd2+ concentrations that produced substantial K+ efflux the rates of uptake of 45Ca, 109Cd and [14C]TPP increased progressively during incubation of the cells with Cd2+, and the cell pH was lowered concomitantly. The initial rates of uptake of the divalent cations and of TPP were increased in cells pre-loaded with Cd2+, which shows that stimulation of the ion fluxes was exerted by the Cd2+ that accumulated in the cells. The distribution ratio of TPP between cells and medium, however, was decreased by Cd2+. Although hyperpolarization of the cell membrane by Cd2+ cannot be excluded, it is argued that Cd2+ primarily stimulated divalent cation uptake by increasing the cation permeability of the cell membrane allowing the cations to enter the cells more easily.  (+info)