Dioxin alters inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has well characterized effects on specific immune responses, but the effects on the innate immune system are less understood. The effect of TCDD on inflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was evaluated in C57BL/6J female mice. Mice were treated with 30?µg?kg^?1 TCDD or vehicle once, p.o., and 4 days later, animals received LPS (0.05?×?10⁷?EU?kg^?1, i.p.) or vehicle. Inflammatory mediators and the liver injury marker, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), were measured, and liver histology was evaluated. TCDD-treated animals had higher plasma ALT activity than vehicle-treated animals, but the effect was mild and time-dependent. Few changes in liver histopathology were observed, mainly represented in greater steatosis in TCDD/LPS-treated mice compared to mice treated with LPS or TCDD alone. LPS produced a time-dependent increase in the plasma concentrations of interleukins (IL)-6, -10, and -12 and interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1. With the exception of IL-12, concentrations of each of these mediators were higher in plasma of mice co-treated with TCDD and LPS compared to either agent alone. The dose–response curve for the concentration of IL-6 in plasma suggested that dioxin increased the potency of LPS to cause the release of this cytokine but not the maximal response. Co-treatment with TCDD and LPS also led to greater expression of mRNA for IL-10 and IFN-γ compared to either TCDD or LPS alone. These results suggest that TCDD changes the inflammatory cytokine profile induced by LPS and that LPS enhances the hepatic steatotic response to TCDD.     

Protective effects of curcumin on antioxidant status,body weight gain,and reproductive parameters in male rats exposed to subchronic 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin (CUR) on antioxidant status, body weight (BW) gains, and some reproductive parameters in male rats exposed to subchronic doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups. The first group was kept as control. The second group (TCDD group) was given TCDD at a dose of 50 ng·kg^?1 BW per day; the third group (CUR group) was treated with CUR at a dose of 80 mg·kg^?1 BW per day. The fourth group (TCDD + CUR group) was given TCDD and CUR at the same doses simultaneously. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly increased in the TCDD group. In addition, TCDD exposure decreased liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activities of kidney and brain, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities of liver, kidney, and brain, and glutathione levels of liver, kidney, and heart. However, CUR treatment with TCDD exposure decreased MDA levels in all tissues and increased SOD activities of liver, kidney, and brain, CAT activity of heart, and GSH-Px activities of heart and brain. TCDD caused a decrease in BW gain, and CUR partially eliminated this effect of TCDD. In addition, while reproductive organ weights, sperm concentration, and sperm motility tended to decrease with TCDD exposure, these effects tended to be close to normal levels by CUR treatment. In conclusion, CUR was seen to be effective in the treatment and prevention of toxicity induced by subchronic TCDD exposure.     

Thymic involution produced by diesel exhaust particles and their constituents in mice

Epidemiological studies suggest that diesel exhaust particles (DEP) contribute to an increase in allergic diseases. To assess the effects of DEP on the central immune system, mice were exposed to DEP by intraperitoneal (IP) administration. Exposure to DEP resulted in severe thymic involution accompanied by a reduction in the number of thymocytes, especially in cortical CD4⁺CD8⁺ double positive and double negative subsets. Core carbon particles associated with a mixture of chemical compounds in DEP did not appear to be responsible for the DEP-induced thymic involution because carbon graphite does not affect neither the number nor the CD4/CD8 profile of thymocytes. Extraction of DEP by ether, acidic and basic solvents showed that several independent fractions including the neutral ether fraction, which contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), induced thymic involution. Among major PAH components of DEP, benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), and benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) were very potent inducers of thymic involution at an ED50 of less than 100?ng per mouse body. Nonetheless, DEP treatment of mice with targeted disruption of genes encoding the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT), or microsomal epoxide hydolase (mEH) indicated that DEP produced thymic involution even in the absence of PAH-induced AHR/ARNT signal transduction or mEH-mediated PAH catabolism. On the other hand, BaP-mediated thymic involution was completely dependent on AHR, partially dependent on ARNT in T cells, and independent of mEH. These results indicate that DEP-induced thymic involution is mediated both by PAH-AHR/ARNT-dependent and -independent mechanisms.     

Combined effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in rats

The objective of this work was to evaluate potential interactions between 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls congeners (PCBs) in rats. Groups of five adult female rats were given 0, 2.5, 25, 250, or 1000?ng TCDD/kg body weight/day or TCDD in combination with a mixture of PCB congeners at a concentration of 2 or 20?µg?kg^?1 body weight/day by gavage for 28 days. After the 28-day treatment period, the rats were killed for the analysis of biochemical, liver enzyme activities, and hematological and pathological end points. Growth suppression, increased absolute and relative liver weights, and decreased thymic weight were observed in the 1000?ng TCDD group alone, or the groups receiving a mixture of 1000?ng TCDD and 2 and 20?µg PCBs. TCDD-increased liver and thymic weights were not altered by PCBs; however, growth suppression was more pronounced in animals receiving 1000?ng TCDD and 2?µg PCBs. Increased hepatic microsomal methoxy resorufin-O-demethylase and ethoxy resorufin-O-deethylase activities occurred in 250 and 1000?ng?kg^?1 TCDD-treated animals, which were antagonized by PCBs. Effects of 250?ng TCDD on serum cholesterol and liver uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase activity were reduced by 20?µg PCBs. Treatment with 1000?ng TCDD increased serum albumin, decreased liver vitamin A, increased kidney vitamin A, and liver microsomal glutathione-S-transferase activity, which were not affected by PCBs. Decreased hemoglobin, platelet, packet cell volume, and red cell indices were observed in TCDD-treated rats, but no interactive effects were seen. Histopathological evaluation revealed that liver, thyroid, and thymus were the target organs, but the effects of co-exposure to PCBs and TCDD were variable. These results indicate that the mixture effects of PCBs and TCDD may be additive, synergistic, or antagonistic depending on the dose level and end points measured.     

2,3,7,8-四氯苯并二噁英（TCDD）短期染毒可造成着床前胚胎丢失并伴随雌性生殖器官中毒物相关蛋白的诱导表达（Short Time Exposure of TCDD Causing Loss of Implantation Failure of Embryos and Its Associated with Induced Expression of Relevant Proteins）

为探明妊娠早期胚胎的丢失是否与卵巢、输卵管、子宫组织受到2,3,7,8-四氯苯并二噁英(TCDD)直接毒害有关,检测了NIH小鼠胚胎着床前期和后期TCDD暴露对胚胎毒性影响的敏感性,并利用免疫组化方法分析了模型动物肝脏、子宫、输卵管和卵巢组织中TCDD所引起的AhR、ARNT以及Cyp1a2分子标记物的变化.检测发现:妊娠第9d,100ng·kg-1·d-1剂量TCDD经口染毒,造成胚胎着床数量减少,且着床前期暴露的影响大于着床后期;子宫蜕膜反应受到明显抑制;胚胎迁移率没有明显变化,但胚胎数量减少.免疫组织化学分析发现正常组小鼠的肝脏、子宫、输卵管和卵巢组织中有AhR和Cyp1a2弱阳性信号表达,ARNT有细胞核的强阳性信号表达;妊娠第1～8d、第1～3d和第4～8d处理组小鼠肝脏、子宫、输卵管和卵巢组织中的AhR、Cyp1a2的阳性面积和光密度值均高于正常组;随处理时间和组织蓄积量的增加,ARNT在组织中的变化由胞核(妊娠第1～3d组)表达到胞浆(妊娠第4～8d组)表达,然后完全无表达(妊娠第1～8d组).以上研究结果表明:TCDD对早期妊娠小鼠子宫、输卵管和卵巢组织中的AhR、ARNT和Cyp1a2的激活和代谢方式与肝脏相同,说明雌性生殖系统中的组织有TCDD蓄积和代谢活性,这可能是导致早期胚胎迁移、着床等过程改变,造成胚胎丢失的重要原因.     

Biomarkers as tools to assess the chronic toxicity of ammonia in the juvenile Mugil cephalus

With juvenile fish as the subject, the effects of low concentration ammonia on antioxidant system were studied using Mugil cephalus. Samples of gill and liver tissue were obtained from 0.35, 0.70, 1.5 and 3?mg/L ammonia groups at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days of exposure, at which times the biomarkers were measured. Results showed that gill malondialdehyde (MDA) content exhibited an initial significant increase (p?≤?0.05) at unionised ammonia concentrations of 0.70, 1.5 and 3.0?mg/L on day 5, followed by subsequent declines, while liver MDA levels exhibited significant increases (p?≤?0.05) at unionised ammonia concentrations of 1.5?mg/L starting on day 10 and at 3.0?mg/L starting on day 5. With exposure to ammonia at different concentrations, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity in liver and gill decreased over time. The Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity was negatively related to ammonia concentration from 0.70 to 3.0?mg/L. Overall, our results show that MDA and Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, evaluated here as potential biomarkers of ammonia exposure, exhibited responses to sublethal concentrations of ammonia that were concentration dependent.     

溴氰菊酯对菲律宾蛤仔体内酶活性和组织损伤的初步探索

采用不同质量浓度的溴氰菊酯(0.0070 mg·L~(-1)、0.014 mg·L~(-1)、0.020 mg·L~(-1)、0.027 mg·L~(-1))对菲律宾蛤仔进行20 d半静置染毒,测定不同时间淋巴液中乙酰胆碱酯酶(ACh E)和钠离子-钾离子-三磷酸腺苷酶(Na~+-K~+-ATPase)活性、鳃和肝脏中谷胱甘肽转硫酶(GST)活性的变化,并观察染毒20 d后鳃丝组织和消化盲囊组织的损伤情况。酶活性分析结果显示,与对照组相比,低浓度组(0.0070 mg·L~(-1))试验期间酶活性均无显著差异(P0.05);中浓度组(0.014 mg·L~(-1)、0.020 mg·L~(-1))淋巴液中ACh E和Na~+-K~+-ATPase均呈先激活后抑制的变化规律(P0.05),鳃和肝脏中GST活性均呈上升趋势(P0.05);高浓度组(0.027mg·L~(-1))淋巴液中ACh E和Na~+-K~+-ATPase、肝脏中GST活性在试验期间持续下降(P0.01),而鳃中GST活性呈先抑制后升高的趋势(P0.05)。研究表明,低中浓度的溴氰菊酯对菲律宾蛤仔体内的酶活性表现为先诱导后抑制,具有明显的时间、剂量效应;高浓度的溴氰菊酯对菲律宾蛤仔体内酶活持续抑制,且染毒浓度越高,组织细胞变异越显著,表现为鳃丝上皮细胞纤毛层萎缩、纤毛脱落,消化盲囊上皮细胞膨胀,出现包涵体样结构。     

The chelation of metal ions by the acylpolyamine toxins from the web-spider Nephilengys cruentata: effects in the intoxication/detoxification of preys

Summary. Orb-web-spiders present a series of different strategies for prey capture, involving the use of different types of silk for web building, the use of adhesive traps in the webs, the secretion of toxic compounds to the spider’s preys in the adhesive coating of the capture web and the biosynthesis of a wide range of structurally related acylpolyamine toxins in their venoms. The polyamine toxins usually block neuromuscular junctions and/or the central nervous system (CNS) of Arthropods, targeting specially the ionotropic glutamate receptors; this way these toxins are used are as chemical weapons to kill / paralyze the spider’s prey. Polyamine toxins contain many azamethylene groups involved with the chelation of metal ions, which in turn can interact with the glutamate receptors, affecting the toxicity of these toxins. It was demonstrated that the chelation of Ni⁺², Fe⁺², Pb⁺², Ca⁺² and Mg⁺² ions by the desalted crude venom of Nephilengys cruentata and by the synthetic toxin JSTX-3, did not cause any significant change in the toxicity of the acylpolyamine toxins to the model-prey insect (honeybees). However, it was also reported that the chelation of Zn⁺² ions by the acylpolyamines potentiated the lethal / paralytic action of these toxins to the honeybees, while the chelation of Cu⁺² ions caused the inverse effect. Atomic absorption spectrometry and Plasma-ICP analysis both of N. cruentata venom and honeybee’s hemolymph revealed that the spider’s venom concentrates Zn⁺² ions, while the honeybee’s hemolymph concentrates Cu⁺² ions. These results are suggesting that the natural accumulation of Zn⁺² ions in N. cruentata venom favors the prey catching and/or its maintenance in the web, while the natural accumulation of Cu⁺² ions in prey’s hemolymph minimizes the efficiency of the acylpolyamine toxins as killing/paralyzing tool.     

3种毒性预测模型在镉对小麦根毒性预测中的应用及比较

一些基于重金属形态的生物毒性机理模型被广泛应用于水体和陆生生态系统,例如:自由离子活度模型(FIAM)、生物配体模型(BLM)和生物膜电势斯特恩双电层模型(GCSM),但不同模型的应用效果之间还缺乏系统比较。本研究选取小麦作为受试生物,采用水培实验进行了镉对小麦根伸长的毒性测试,通过数据分析软件对实验数据进行非线性拟合,分别建立了3种模型,并从根毒性、根表面吸附镉和根中富集镉3个方面对3个模型的预测能力进行了比较。除此之外,选取苹果酸和柠檬酸2种有机配体,研究了配体对镉生物毒性的影响。结果表明,Ca~(2+)和H~+对Cd的根毒性存在竞争效应,而Mg~(2+)、K~+和Na~+未发现竞争效应。由于BLM模型同时考虑了镉的自由离子态浓度和竞争离子的影响,在预测镉对杨麦13号根毒性和生物体内富集量时效果最好。而FIAM和GCSM模型由于计算中仅考虑了离子活度的影响,缺乏对竞争离子保护效应的考虑,因此预测效果相对较差;此外,Cd对小麦根毒性的主要受扩散过程控制,而非跨膜过程,这可能也是FIAM模型和GCSM模型预测不佳的原因之一。同时结果还发现有机配体存在时尽管降低了溶液中镉的离子活度,但未显著影响镉毒性,进一步证明了扩散过程对Cd毒性的影响。以上结果为评价和预测镉的陆生生态毒性提供了基础数据和模型依据。     

Effect of copper on volume regulation in the marine flagellate Dunaliella marina

The marine flagellate Dunaliella marina responds to hypotonic media in the same way as animal cells: an initial phase of osmotic swelling occurs, followed by a second, more prolonged phase of cell shrinkage — the volume-regulation phase. D. marina also volume-regulates in hypertonic media. This does not usually occur in animal cells exposed to normal concentrations of K⁺. Copper concentrations of 2 ppm and higher inhibit regulation of cell volume in D. marina transferred to hypotonic media. This is probably due to reduced cell-membrane permeability to K⁺ and/or Cl^- and not to an interference with the Na⁺/K⁺ exchange pump. These findings suggest that volume regulation is functionally independent of the Na⁺/K⁺ exchange pump. The method described herein appears to be a suitable biotest for pollutants, providing specific information on their effects on the permeability of cell membrane.     

Arsenic (V) removal from groundwater by GE-HL nanofiltration membrane: effects of arsenic concentration, pH, and co-existing ions

A laboratory-scale investigation was performed to study arsenic (As (V)) removal by negatively charged GE-HL nanofiltration (NF) membrane in simulated drinking water. Effects of As (V) concentration (0–200 μg·L^?1), pH, and co-ions and counter-ions were investigated. The NF membrane presented good stability, and the rejection rates exceeded 90%. The rejection rates of As (V) decreased with the increase of As (V) concentration, while it increased with the increase of pH (reached 96% at pH 6.75). Moreover, a negative relationship was observed between the co-existing ions of Cl^?, Na⁺, SO ₄ ^2? , and Ca²⁺ and the removal of As (V), in which bivalent ions presented more significant effects than monovalent ions.     

Screening the methanolic extracts of some plants for tyrosinase inhibitory activity

Melanin is responsible for pigmentation of skin and hair. It protects the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation; however, its abnormal production may lead to different diseases such as hyper-pigmentation or vitiligo. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in melanin production, therefore inhibitors of this enzyme should have broad application. Due to the adverse effects of synthetic inhibitors currently being used, the search for new inhibitors, especially natural ones, is needed. The methanolic extracts of 80 plants were tested for their tyrosinase inhibitory activities by spectrophotometry at 492?nm. The inhibition mode of effective plant extracts was determined using the Lineweaver-Burk plots. Among these plant extracts, Alhagi camelorum (camel thorn), Camelia sinensis (green tea), Cuminum cyminum (Cumin), Lawsonia inermis (henna), Quercus infectoria (masso), and Vaccinium arctostaphylos (Caucasian whortleberry) were identified as tyrosinase inhibitors with inhibitory effect of more than 50% at concentrations of 1.14?g?L^?1. The inhibition mode of four newly found effective plant extracts showed that A. camelorum and V. arctostaphylos inhibit the enzyme in a competitive manner whereas L. inermis and Q. infectoria have mixed inhibitory effect. To recommend these plant extracts for hyper-pigmentation disorders and other applications, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed.     

2,3,7,8-TCDD的短期暴露对HepG2肝癌细胞内小分子代谢产物的影响

为了研究二恶英对细胞的代谢毒性,探究其肝毒性的作用机制,以二恶英中毒性最强的2,3,7,8-四氯代二苯并-对-二恶英(TCDD)为代表污染物,以HepG2肝癌细胞为受试对象,采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法和高效液相色谱/串联质谱法考察了TC-DD的24h暴露对HepG2细胞的增殖活性以及细胞的葡萄糖、氨基酸、尿素和甘油等小分子代谢物的影响。结果显示,短暂的TCDD暴露对HepG2细胞的增殖活性无显著影响。24h的TCDD暴露对细胞的葡萄糖消耗量无显著影响,但当TCDD浓度增至1nmol·L-1时,葡萄糖的消耗量表现出一定的降低趋势。0.01nmol·L-1TCDD就会使细胞脯氨酸和谷氨酸的合成能力下降,且谷氨酸的变化表现出明显的剂量-效应关系;TCDD可刺激细胞对缬氨酸、苏氨酸、酪氨酸、甲硫氨酸以及亮氨酸与异亮氨酸的吸收,并具有明显的浓度依赖性。随着TCDD浓度的增加,甘油和尿素产生量的降低趋势逐渐明显,1nmol·L-1TCDD处理24h后,甘油和尿素的产生量仅为对照组的1%和18%。研究表明,TCDD在短时间内使HepG2细胞内的一系列小分子代谢产物发生了不同程度的改变,且呈现出一定的剂量-效应关系。可见,TCDD可通过干扰HepG2肝癌细胞的代谢过程产生毒性。     

Effects of environmental hypercapnia on hemato-immunological parameters,carbonic anhydrase,and Na+, K+-ATPase enzyme activities in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissues

In this study, the effects of environmental hypercapnia on hemato-immunological parameters and the activities of respiratory enzymes such as carbonic anhydrase (CA) and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase were investigated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissues (gill, liver and kidney). Batches of 12 fish were exposed to 4.5 mg L^?1 (control) and 14 mg L^?1 CO₂. No mortalities occurred during the 14 days of the experimental period. Red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Ht) levels, and innate immune parameters such as nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT), lysozyme, and myeloperoxidase activities, and the melano-macrophage frequency were negatively affected by elevated CO₂ levels. Patterns of change in CA activity differed among the gill, liver, and kidney. Compared with the activities of CA in the control group, the CA enzyme was significantly stimulated at day 7 in the gill tissue, whereas it was stimulated at day 14 of the experiment in the liver tissue of fish exposed to 14 mg L^?1 CO₂ (P < 0.05). In contrast to the pattern of CA enzyme activities, the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase enzymes were stimulated significantly in the liver after day 7 but inhibited in the kidney and gill (P < 0.05). These results suggest that a subchronic exposure to hypercapnia of rainbow trout tissues may lead to adaptive changes in the respiratory enzymes and negatively affects hemato-immunological parameters.     

Protein kinase C and ion transport in the posterior gills of the Chinese crabEriocheir sinensis

The possible involvement of protein kinase C in control of ion transport was investigated on a preparation of isolated, perfused posterior gills of the Chinese crabsEriocheir sinensis (collected in 1989 from lakes near Emden, northern Germany) acclimated to fresh water. 1-oleyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), two activators of protein kinase C, when added to the perfusion saline, induced depolarisation of the transepithelial potential difference (PD) and an increase in transepithelial Na⁺ influx. The observed increase was proportional to OAG concentration up to 250µM, with a 2.5× accelerated Na⁺ influx. OAG and PMA remained without effect on Cl^– fluxes. The observed effects were in agreement with an activation, via protein kinase C, of the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase located on the serosal side of the epithelium.     

Smoke alleviates adverse effects induced by stress on rice

Smoke and salinity are environmental hazards. Smoke produced DNA damage, inflammatory, and oxidative stress in humans while salinity reduced plant yield. However, smoke from plants is beneficial towards plant growth. In this study, smoke of two plants, Buhania varegata (1:1000 and 1:5000 dilutions (v/v)) and Cymbopogon jwarancusa (1:500 and 1:1000), were used to determine effects on different physiological and biochemical parameters in rice Basmati-385 (B-385) and Shaheen Basmati under different saline concentrations (control: 50, 100, and 150 mM). With increasing salinity, germination%, seedling growth, K⁺, Ca⁺, cell membrane stability, and total nitrogen and protein contents were decreased while Na⁺ content increased. However, seeds primed with different dilution of smoke significantly diminished the adverse effects of salinity and shown to produce positive responses in all of the above parameters. The most effective dilutions were 1:5000 for Buhania varegata and C-500 for Cymbopogon jwarancusa. It seems that priming with plant smoke solution is a potent stimulant for plant growth exerting a significant role in physiology and biochemistry of rice plants under saline condition.     

Inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase and of active ion-transport functions in the gills of the shore crab Carcinus maenas induced by cadmium

Inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase from gill plasma membranes of the shore crab Carcinus maenas by cadmium was investigated and compared with inhibitory effects by known antagonists (ouabain and Ca²⁺). For comparative considerations the Cd²⁺-inhibition of the enzyme from dog kidney was also tested. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase from dog kidney and from crab gill differed greatly in sensitivity against ouabain. The inhibition constant K _i of the dog enzyme amounted to 9.1 × 10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹, i.e. more than 300-fold smaller than the K _i of 2.9 × 10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ determined for the crab enzyme. Ca²⁺ inhibited the activity of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase from crab gill plasma membranes with a K _i of 4.3 × 10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹. The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase from crab gill was inhibited by Cd²⁺ with a K _i of 9.1 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹. Cd²⁺ inhibited the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase from dog kidney with a K _i (6.4 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹) comparable to that observed in the crab gill enzyme. Under experimental conditions Cd²⁺-inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase was irreversible. Repeated washing, centrifugation and homogenization of the plasma membranes (four times) with Cd²⁺-free buffer did not restore any activity lost in the presence of 1 × 10⁻³ mol l⁻¹ Cd²⁺. Since ouabain-insensitive (nonspecific) ATPases in the plasma membrane fraction of crab gills were inhibited by Cd²⁺ in the same way as Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, the heavy metal is considered as an unspecific ATPase inhibitor. Comparing these results with literature data on Cd²⁺-binding to electrophoretically separated proteins suggests that Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase is a Cd²⁺-binding enzyme. The results obtained on Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase were reflected by Cd²⁺-inhibition of the branchial ion-transport functions depending on this enzyme. The transepithelial short-circuit current of isolated gill half lamellae, a direct measure of area-specific active ion uptake, and the transepithelial potential difference of isolated, perfused whole gills, also indicative of active ion uptake, were inhibited by the heavy metal in a time- and dose-dependent mode. Remarkably these inhibitions were also irreversible. These findings are ecologically and biomedically significant: even when the actual environmental or tissue concentrations measured are low, biological microstructures such as Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase may accumulate the heavy metal by tight binding over prolonged periods until the first inhibitory effects occur. Received: 25 June 1997 / Accepted: 25 August 1997     

Early murine immune responses from endotracheal exposures to biotechnology-related Bacillus strains

An immunology-based in vivo screening regime was used to assess the potential pathogenicity of biotechnology-related microbes. Strains of Bacillus cereus (Bc), Bacillus subtilis (Bs), Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and Bt commercial products (CPs) were tested. Balb/c mice were endotracheally instilled with purified spores, diluted CP, or vegetative cells (VC) (live or dead). Exposed mice were evaluated for changes in behavioral and physical symptoms, bacterial clearance, pulmonary granulocytes, and pulmonary and circulatory pyrogenic cytokines (interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), as well as acute phase biomarkers (fibrinogen and serum amyloid A). Except for some differences in clearance rates, no marked effects were observed in mice exposed to any spore at 10⁶ or 10⁷ colony forming units (cfu). In contrast, live Bc or Bt VCs (10⁵ or 10⁶?cfu) produced shock-like symptoms (lethargy, hunched appearance, ruffled fur, and respiratory distress), and 11–200-fold elevations in pyrogenic cytokines at 2-h post-exposure. In the study, 4-h effects included increased lethargy, ocular discharge, and 1.5–4-fold rise in circulatory acute phase markers, but no indications of recovery. Bs VC did not produce any changes in symptoms or biomarkers. After 2 or 4?h of exposure to dead VC, increases of only plasma IL-1β and TNF-α (4.6- and 12.4-fold, respectively) were observed. These findings demonstrate that purified spores produced no marked effects in mice compared to that of metabolically active bacteria. This early screening regime was successful in distinguishing the pathogenicity of the different Bacillus species, and might be useful for assessing the relative hazard potential of other biotechnology-related candidate strains.     

Ultrastructure of the gonad and gametogenesis in the eastern oyster,Crassostrea virginica. II. Testis and spermatogenesis

The pelagic harpacticoid copepod, Macrosetella gracilis (A. Scott), is found in association with colonies of the nitrogen-fixing (diazotrophic), bloomforming cyanobacterium Trichodesmium spp. in tropical and subtropical waters. M. gracilis is one of the few direct grazers of these often toxic cyanobacteria. Experiments investigating NH ₊ ⁴ regeneration by M. gracilis were conducted in the Caribbean in September 1992 and the Coral Sea, Australia in November 1994. Rates of M. gracilis ingestion of Trichodesmium thiebautii labelled with ¹⁵N₂ measured in the eastern Caribbean indicated that M. gracilis could consume 33 to 45% of total T. thiebautii colony N d^-1 and >100% of new N fixed d^-1. We also measured the release of NH ₊ ⁴ by M. gracilis feeding on T. thiebautii, as well as by non-feeding copepods, using ¹⁵N isotope dilution methods. In non-feeding copepods, rates of NH ₊ ⁴ release increased as numbers of copepods were increased as both copepod numbers and food availability increased. In the presence of T. thiebautii colonies, M. gracilis had an average rate of NH ₊ ⁴ regeneration of 7.7±1.5 nmol N copepod^-1 h^-1 (±SE), which was significantly higher than when food was absent (1.9±0.7 nmol N copepod^-1 h^-1). Rates of M. gracilis excretion were relatively high based on excretion: ingestion ratios, which could be due to having a high-N food source readily available, to sloppy-feeding effects, or as a response to toxins in the cyanobacterium. Incubations of M. gracilis with and without T. erythraeum resulted in significant increases in [NH ₊ ⁴ ] as a function of copepod density only. Ammonium leakage from the cyanobacterium and/or microheterotroph associates was relatively low. M. gracilis, through excretion and possible mechanical breakage of cells while grazing, appears to provide a direct link between atmospherically derived new nitrogen and regenerated NH ₊ ⁴ in the oligotrophic systems where Trichodesmium spp. are abundant.