The effect of chronic formaldehyde exposure on the hippocampus in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat model

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic formaldehyde (FA) exposure on the hippocampus in the chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat model. Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: (A) sham-operated bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) with room air inhalation, (B) BCCAO with room air inhalation, (C) sham-operated BCCAO with FA inhalation at a concentration of 10?mL?vapor?m^?3, 1?h per day for 90 days, and (D) BCCAO with FA inhalation. Decreased mobility, injected conjunctivae, and overreaction were observed in groups C and D rats after 30 days of FA exposure. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased significantly in group D at 90 days after FA exposure. The expression of Bax protein increased, while Bcl-2 and NR2B proteins decreased significantly in group D compared to group B or C. Neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) positive cells decreased significantly in group D. Neuronal loss, oxidative stress, and the expression of proteins were more prominent at 90 days after FA exposure, especially in group D. Oxidative stress-induced neuronal damages in the hippocampus may be a possible mechanism of neurotoxicity as a result of chronic FA exposure. Chronic exposure of FA caused more neuronal damage in the chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat model.     

Dietary Spirulina platensis alleviates aluminum and aluminum fluoride induced histopathological and biochemical alterations in mice kidney

Aluminum and its salts widely used in our daily life have been reported nephrotoxic to humans and animals following prolonged exposure. Therefore, the present study was made to examine the renoprotective role of Spirulina platensis against Al³⁺ and AlF₃ in male Swiss albino mice. Exposure to these chemicals decreased feed and water intake, and body and kidney weights. Histology of kidney and their biochemistry were also markedly altered along with that of serum biochemistry. Spirulina not only minimize toxic effects of test chemicals but also favored faster recovery of treated mice after their withdrawal.     

碲化镉量子点对小鼠睾丸组织的氧化损伤（Effects of CdTe Quantum Dots on the Antioxidant Enzymes Activity and Lipid Peroxidation in Testes of Mice）

为探讨碲化镉量子点(CdTeQDs)对小鼠睾丸的急性氧化损伤作用,将20只雄性ICR小鼠随机分成4组:对照组、1d、3d、7d(3个不同时间组),采用尾静脉注射进行一次性染毒2.5μmol·kg-1CdTeQDs,对照组注射等体积生理盐水.染毒后对睾丸的脏器系数以及组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性,丙二醛(MDA)含量分别进行测定,从而检测CdTeQDs对睾丸组织的急性氧化损伤作用.结果显示,与对照组相比,随染毒时间的延长,睾丸脏器系数无显著性变化(p>0.05);GSH-Px和SOD活性随染毒时间的延长呈逐渐升高趋势;而CAT活性呈逐渐降低趋势,且与对照组差异显著(p<0.01);MDA含量显著高于对照(p<0.01),且随时间变化不大.CdTeQDs染毒可导致小鼠睾丸组织氧化损伤,其损伤程度与染毒时间之间具有一定的时间-效应关系.     

甲醛及苯系物混合暴露对小鼠肺脏的氧化损伤作用

为探讨甲醛、苯、甲苯及二甲苯混合气体急性暴露对小鼠肺脏的氧化损伤作用,选用雄性健康昆明种小鼠50只,随机分为对照组和4个染毒组。染毒组1到4中甲醛、苯、甲苯和二甲苯浓度依次为:1.0+1.1+2.0+2.0μg·L-1、3.0+3.3+6.0+6.0μg·L-1、5.0+5.5+10.0+10.0μg·L-1、10.0+11.0+20.0+20.0μg·L-1,各染毒组混合气体的浓度分别是我国室内空气质量标准(GB/T18883-2002)的10、30、50和100倍。用静式吸入染毒方式,每天染毒2h,共染毒10d,实验结束后,测定小鼠肺脏中的氧化损伤指标。结果表明:染毒组小鼠的体重增加幅度均低于对照组,肝脏和脾脏系数显著低于对照组,肺脏ROS、MDA含量随染毒剂量的增加而增加,T-AOC、GSH、CAT、GSH-Px及SOD活力随染毒剂量的增加而降低,并且ROS、MDA含量与混合气体的浓度呈显著的正相关关系,GSH含量与混合气体的浓度呈显著的负相关关系。研究结果显示,甲醛、苯、甲苯及二甲苯混合气体急性暴露对小鼠肺脏具有氧化损伤作用,混合气体的联合毒性效应强于单一组分,ROS、MDA和GSH可以作为评价VOCs急性暴露对机体氧化损伤作用的敏感生物学标志。     

羰基镍急性中毒对大鼠骨髓细胞的DNA损伤

通过动物实验观察不同剂量羰基镍对大鼠骨髓细胞DNA损伤程度。采用SD大鼠,以135 mg·m~(-3)和250 mg·m~(-3)羰基镍为染毒组,250 mg·m~(-3)氯气为阳性对照组,静态方式染毒30 min。未染毒组为正常对照组,大鼠染毒后1、2、3和7 d分别采集样本。采用单细胞凝胶电泳检测每组大鼠骨髓细胞DNA的损伤程度。彗星尾长和Olive尾矩2个指标的分析结果表明,大鼠骨髓细胞DNA损伤程度随着羰基镍染毒剂量的增加而增加,在4个时间点各剂量组间均有显著差异(P0.05)且随时间的变化有一定的规律,损伤程度在3 d时达到最大,而后缓慢下降。羰基镍急性中毒对大鼠骨髓细胞DNA有一定的损伤,且存在剂量-效应关系,各剂量组损伤程度有一定的时间效应规律。     

Changes in cardiac rhythm and calcium levels in guinea pigs treated chronically with fenitrothion

Fenitrothion, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, causes bradycardia following long‐term exposure. To analyse the mechanism underlying these cardiac changes, ginea pigs were exposed to fenitrothion 5 and 10 mg/kg for 30 consecutive days. Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed increase in PR and RR intervals. These changes were more prominent in the animals receiving 10 mg/kg fenitrothion which occasionally showed extrasystoles. In isolated atria preparation heart rate was decreased at higher dose. Amplitude of cardiac rhythm decreased with respect to increased ACh concentration. Hypocalcemia was recorded in fenitrothion‐treated animals. The residual content of fenitrothion was increased in both groups of animals following a pattern: brain> spleen> heart> liver> kidney.     

Effect of formaldehyde exposure on structure and function of epididymis in adult rats: a histological and biochemical study

Formaldehyde (FA), a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, is extensively used in hospitals, laboratories, and industrial settings. Previous studies showed that FA exerts adverse effects on testicular function and as epididymis is known to play an important role in the maturation and storage of sperm, the effects of FA were examined on epididymis. In particular, this study was designed to investigate the influence of FA on structure and function of epididymis in adult male rats using histological and biochemical methods. Sprague-Dawley adult rats were randomly allotted to three groups and exposed to FA at a 0 (control), 0.5, or 10 mg m^?3 by inhalation for 28 days. The results indicated that epididymal toxicity of FA was concentration dependent. Epdididymal structure and function in rats of 0.5 mg m^?3 FA exposure group showed no apparent difference from control. However, epididymal weight, sperm count and motility, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly decreased, whereas the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased in epididymis of rats exposed to 10 mg m^?3 FA. Moreover, microscopy with hematoxylin and eosin (H&;E) staining showed atrophy of epididymal tubules, disintegration of epididymal epithelium, disorganization, and even vacuolar denaturalization of epididymal epithelial cells. There was hyperemia in interstitial vasculature and lumina were oligozoospermic in rats of 10 mg m^?3 FA exposure group. In conclusion, FA exposure alters the epididymal structure and function by inducing oxidative stress in epididymis of adult rats.     

十溴联苯醚(BDE 209)孕哺期及出生后暴露对子代小鼠血液系统影响初探

本研究旨在探讨BDE 209长期暴露对出生后不同发育阶段子鼠血液系统的影响。将75只雌性昆明小鼠随机分为对照组、低剂量组(1.5 mg·kg-1·d-1)和高剂量组(225 mg·kg-1·d-1)。BDE 209暴露10 d后,将雌鼠与雄鼠合笼。选取怀孕时间相近(相差不过2 d)的10只孕鼠持续染毒直至自然分娩。出生后子鼠在哺乳期通过母乳染毒,断乳后则按照与母鼠相同的方式进行染毒,并在不同时间点进行外周血常规、外周血形态学、骨髓细胞形态学、骨髓细胞染色体组型和数目分析。血常规结果显示,低、高剂量BDE 209暴露对出生后不同发育阶段子鼠的白细胞计数没有影响,即白细胞、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞及单核细胞的数量均无显著变化(P0.05);红细胞系统检查显示一定性别差异,即低剂量和高剂量BDE 209染毒的雄性小鼠在PND30出现红细胞(RBC)(P0.05)、血红蛋白(Hb)(P0.05或P0.01)及红细胞压积(P0.05或P0.01)的显著降低;而雌性小鼠只在PND 30出现红细胞压积的降低(P0.05);在PND 30,高剂量暴露组的雌性及雄性小鼠,低剂量暴露组的雌性小鼠均出现血小板计数的显著降低(P0.05或P0.01);而PND 60、PND 90的实验组血小板均未观察到显著改变(P0.05)。外周血形态学检查表明,低剂量组在PND 30、PND 60,及高剂量组在PND 90检测到典型异常结果多表现为白细胞数的增多。而低剂量组在PND 90检测到的典型异常结果多表现为异型深染淋巴细胞(P0.05)。骨髓形态学检测表明,低剂量组子代雄性及雌性小鼠在PND 60、PND 90骨髓涂片可检测到骨髓细胞的异常结果,表现为骨髓增生活跃,高剂量组雄性小鼠在PND 90观察到3例异常涂片,表现为骨髓增生异常(P0.05)。研究结果表明,BDE 209长期暴露可能导致出生子代外周血和骨髓的毒性,提示具有血液系统发育毒性。     

围生期双酚A暴露对子代大鼠脾脏免疫功能的影响

为了研究围生期双酚A(BPA)暴露对子代脾脏免疫功能的影响,选择F344大鼠,按体重随机分为对照、低、中、高4个剂量组(BPA暴露剂量分别为0、4、40、400mg·kg-1·d-1),从雌鼠妊娠第0天开始至子鼠出生后30天,每天灌胃染毒1次,观察子鼠脾脏组织形态学的变化,并采用实时定量PCR检测IL-2、IL-12、IFN-γ、TNF-α4种细胞因子mRNA表达的改变.结果表明,1)与对照组相比,低剂量组子鼠脾重、脾脏指数均显著增加(p<0.05),体重无显著变化(p>0.05);中剂量组子鼠脾脏指数显著增加(p<0.05),体重和脾重无显著变化(p>0.05);高剂量组子鼠体重、脾重均显著降低(p<0.05),脾脏指数无显著变化(p>0.05).2)与对照组相比,各暴露组子鼠脾脏IL-2、IL-12、IFN-γ、TNF-α4种细胞因子mRNA表达均显著降低(p<0.01).以上结果提示,BPA可能能够透过胎盘屏障并通过乳汁传递给子代,降低子代的机体免疫功能.     

Testosterone concentrations and male genital organ morphology in Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris) dietary exposed to organohalogen contaminants

This study investigated whether low-level, long-term in utero and post-natal exposure to organohalogen pollutants disrupts male reproductive organ morphology and testosterone production in Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris), as a model of Arctic top predators feeding on marine mammals. Six male dogs were followed for 1 year and testosterone concentrations, testes/baculum morphology and baculum bone mineral density (BMD) was determined. Three males were exposed to organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) in utero through maternal dietary intake of minke whale blubber (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), with a post-weaning ∑OHC intake of 10.4–11.7 µg kg^?1 day^?1 resulting in an adipose tissue range of ∑OHC 4518–5729 ng (g lw)^?1 after 1 year. Three control males were exposed to very low concentrations of OHCs through pork fat. No significant differences were seen in plasma testosterone concentrations, baculum weight, BMD, and testicular length in the six male dogs (control, n = 3 and exposed, n = 3) measured at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 months of age. Testicular weights were significantly lower in the exposed group (p = 0.015, n = 2). Although this study had a limited number of animals, it was observed that in utero and the following 12 months of chronic exposure to a complex mixture of contaminants in the form of naturally accumulated OHCs does not affects testosterone levels, but possibly affects testicular weights in sledge dogs.     

Effect of hypoxia on the circulating levels of essential mineral elements in rats

Changes occurring in concentrations of certain trace metals and electrolytes viz. chromium, copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, magenesium and chloride in plasma of rats exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia were evaluated. Batches of Sprague-Dowley rats (12 in each group) were exposed for 1, 7,14 and 21 days to a simulated altitude 7,620 m for 6 h per day and one group of unexposed animals was kept as control. There was a significant rise of 153% in plasma chromium levels of 1 day exposed group in comparison to the unexposed group which tends to normalise on subsequent exposure. There was a gradual increase in plasma copper levels of 9.0, 28.2, 62.6 and 65.6% respectively in 1,7,14 and 21 days exposed rats in comparison to unexposed rats. On the other hand plasma zinc levels were seen to be decreasing during entire exposure. Plasma sodium levels decreased initially in 1 and 7 day exposed rats and increased in later groups whereas plasma potassium levels of exposed groups remained low in comparison to unexposed group. Chloride levels were found to be elevated in 14 and 21 day exposed groups. The plasma calcium and magnesium levels were higher in all exposed groups over unexposed groups. Changes in chromium, copper and zinc observed in the present study during exposure to hypoxic stress may be responsible for the hyperglycemia and anorexia encountered during intial phase of high altitude acclimatisation.     

PCB disposition and different biological effects in rats following direct soil exposure vs. PCBs off-gassed from the soil

A comparison of PCB congener profiles and limited biological effects was made between direct exposure to PCB-contaminated soil and vapor phase PCBs from that soil to determine congener patterns useful for identifying exposure sources in humans and wildlife. Weanling female Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to either control or PCB-contaminated soil (from a landfill in Southern Illinois) for 1 and 2 weeks. The exposures were via direct contact with the soil or via airborne exposure with the rats isolated from the soil by a wire screen. Total PCB of 25% contaminated soil used in the study was 13?500?ppm. No PCBs were detectable in control rats. In direct-exposed rats, total PCB residues in fat pad, ear skin, serum, liver, and inguinal lymph nodes after the 1-week exposure were 6256, 185, 3.2, 149, and 41?ppm, respectively, but decreased to 465, 72, 1.7, 106, and 32.4?ppm after the 2-week exposure. In airborne-exposed rats, total PCB residues were 7.8, 1.6, 0.03, 0.2, and 0.6 in the same manner and slightly increased in fat pad and ear skin to 11.6 and 2.14, respectively. Decreases in both the concentrations and percentages of “episodic” PCBs (those congeners rapidly metabolized) in the fat pad were apparent following the 2-week exposure compared to the 1-week exposure by both routes. Both EROD and BROD activities were significantly increased in the direct-exposed rats, whereas only BROD activity increased in airborne-exposed rats. Serum T ₄ levels were depleted in the direct-exposed rats regardless of time of exposure but were increased insignificantly after 1-week and significantly after 2 weeks in the airborne-exposed rats. No significant changes in serum insulin levels were apparent in any of the treated groups. The results suggested that exposure of animals to PCBs via different routes could result in different PCB profiles, which could cause different biological effects.     

The role of thymoquinone as antioxidant protection on oxidative stress induced by imidacloprid in male and female Swiss albino mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ), an antioxidant agent, against imidacloprid (IMI)-induced oxidative stress in male and female mice. In total, 48 Swiss Albino male and female mice were fed a standard rodent diet and divided into 3 equal groups: the animals in the control group (vehicle treated) were given corn oil, the second group were orally administered 15 mg/kg/day IMI alone, and the third group were orally administered 15 mg/kg/day IMI and with TQ at 10 mg/kg/day for 21 days. During the experimental period, there were no significant changes between initial body weights and final body weights of IMI treated male and female mice. IMI produced significant increase in blood, liver, kidney, and heart malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decrease in blood and liver glutathione (GSH) levels. In addition, IMI treatment decreased erythrocyte, liver, and kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in male mice and decreased erythrocyte and liver SOD activity in female mice. Erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activities were found to be low in male and female mice. However, treatment with TQ reversed IMI-induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, TQ exhibited protective action against the IMI-induced histopathological changes in tissues of male and female mice. In conclusion, TQ was found to be effective in protecting mice against IMI-induced oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms.     

胚胎期和哺乳期全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)暴露致大鼠学习记忆能力下降

为了探讨全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)的发育神经毒性,寻找PFOS发育神经毒性作用的敏感期,利用水迷宫和组织病理切片技术,研究了胚胎期和哺乳期暴露于PFOS后新生大鼠发育情况、学习记忆能力、抓力以及海马组织病理学改变。结果显示：PFOS导致仔鼠发育迟缓,睁眼期延迟。仔鼠出生后体重与对照组相比出现显著性降低。同一PFOS暴露浓度下,胚胎期暴露组体重低于哺乳期暴露组,抓力差异不显著。水迷宫实验结果显示,TT15(胚胎期和哺乳期均暴露于15 mg·L^-1 PFOS)和TC15(仅胚胎期暴露于15 mg·L^-1 PFOS)暴露组仔鼠逃避潜伏期显著高于对照组,且TC15暴露组仔鼠逃避潜伏期显著性高于CT15(仅哺乳期暴露于15 mg·L^-1 PFOS)暴露组。空间探索实验中,TT15暴露组仔鼠在目标象限的游泳时间显著性低于对照组,其他组无显著性差异。组织病理切片结果显示暴露组海马组织细胞数量减少,出现细胞凋亡现象。结果表明,PFOS造成仔鼠的发育延迟以及学习记忆能力下降的关键作用时期可能是胚胎期。     

邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基）己酯对斜生栅藻的生态毒性作用

为了研究邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯(DEHP)对水生藻类的生态毒性作用,以斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)为受试对象,设置5个DEHP浓度梯度(5、10、20、40、80mg·L-1)和1个对照组,实验周期为96h,以藻细胞数量和光合色素含量为测试指标,检测了DEHP对斜生栅藻生长的影响.结果表明,DEHP对斜生栅藻生长和色素含量具有一定的影响:暴露96h后,各DEHP暴露组斜生栅藻生物量(藻细胞数)与对照组均有显著差异(p<0.05),且随DEHP暴露浓度的升高,生物量逐渐降低;各DEHP暴露组叶绿素a、b含量均显著低于对照(p<0.05),在较低DEHP浓度(5、10mg·L-1)下,叶绿素a、b含量略呈上升趋势,较高DEHP浓度(≥40mg·L-1)下,则呈下降趋势;DEHP暴露对类胡萝卜素含量影响不大,除80mg·L-1组显著降低(p<0.05)外各实验组差异不大(p>0.05).     

Promotive Effect of Glutathione on the Formation of DNA-Protein Crosslinks Induced by Formaldehyde in vitro and in vivo

研究发现,在环境水平的甲醛染毒之后,动物体内的谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量会发生显著减少,并呈现剂量-效应关系.值得思索的是,GSH的减少对甲醛所致的遗传毒性指标DNA-蛋白质交联(DPC)没有明显的保护作用.为了深入探讨GSH与甲醛的联合作用,进行了体外和体内两项实验.体外实验以Hela细胞为实验材料,实验组分为4组:对照组、250μMGSH组、250μM甲醛组、250μM甲醛和250μMGSH联合作用组;体内实验以昆明小鼠为实验材料,采用腹腔注射方法连续染毒两周.实验组分为4组:对照组、1mMGSH组、1mM甲醛组、1mM甲醛和1mM GSH联合作用组.体外实验与体内实验结果表明,单独GSH染毒组所致DPC与试剂对照组之间没有统计学差异(p>0.05;p>0.05),甲醛染毒组所致DPC显著高于对照组(p<0.01;p<0.05),联合作用组所致DPC不但显著高于试剂对照组(p<0.01;p<0.01)而且还显著高于甲醛染毒组(p<0.05;p<0.01).结果提示,GSH单独作用不能诱导DPC形成,但是GSH对甲醛所致的DPC具有促进作用.同时论文对这种协同作用的发生机制进行了讨论,作者认为GSH与甲醛的协同作用,和GSH与一氧化氮的协同作用的分子机制类似。     

Vitamin E-mediated protection on methomyl-induced alterations in rat liver

The present study was carried out to observe the possible beneficial effects of Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant on methomyl-induced biochemical and histological alterations in rat liver. To carry out the investigations, animals were segregated in four different groups. Animals in Group I served as normal controls. Animals in Group II were given single methomyl dose orally in water (9 mg kg^?1 b.wt). Animals in Group III were injected intraperitoneally with Vitamin E (50 mg kg^?1 b.wt) for 1 week on alternate days. Animals in Group IV were administered Vitamin E 1 week before subjecting them to methomyl treatment. Animals in all the groups were sacrificed 24 h after the end of treatments. Different biochemical estimations were carried out, which included estimation of aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Further, to examine the oxidative damage lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) levels as well as antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and glutathione-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were estimated in liver samples. AchE activity was inhibited significantly both in serum and liver following methomyl treatment. Administration of methomyl caused a significant increase in serum AST, ALT and ALP which indicated hepatic damage. LPO was found to be significantly increased, whereas GSH levels were decreased in the liver of methomyl-treated animals. The activities of SOD and catalase were significantly decreased whereas GST and GSHPx activities were found to be elevated significantly following methomyl treatment. No significant change in the enzyme activity of GR and glutathione-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase was observed after methomyl treatment. Vitamin E supplementation was able to attenuate appreciably the methomyl-induced changes in LPO levels along with SOD and GST activities. Histopathological studies following methomyl treatment revealed that hepatocytes, were not very well delineated and nuclei showed degenerative changes. Whereas, following Vitamin E supplementation in combined treatment group nuclei showing degenerative changes become less in number. The study, therefore, concludes that Vitamin E has a potential in mitigating most of the adverse effects induced by methomyl acute toxicity.     

Reproductive toxicity of metals in calanoid copepods

This study investigated the effect of exposure route on metal accumulation, tissue distribution, and toxicity in the marine copepods Acartia hudsonica and A. tonsa. Sublethal toxicity was measured as decreases in egg production, hatching rate, ovarian development and protein (yolk) content of the egg. When algal food, exposed to Hg at 1 nM or Cd at 5 nM resulting in cells containing 34 and 64 nmol metal g^-1 dry weight, respectively, was ingested over a 4-h period by copepods, the total copepod body burden increased nine-fold for Hg and two-fold for Cd over background concentrations, and egg production decreased by 50%. Sublethal concentrations of metals were >2 orders of magnitude lower than LC₅₀ concentrations. Hatching rate, ovarian development and egg protein content all decreased following trophic exposure to metals, implying that the process of yolk accumulation (vitellogenesis) was affected. Exposure to dissolved Cd had no effect, but dissolved Hg at concentrations as low as 0.25 nM did affect egg production. Different toxic effects following different exposure routes were related to different metal distributions in the copepods: exposure to dissolved metal resulted in metal deposition in the exoskeleton, whereas exposure to dietary metal resulted in metal deposition in internal tissues. These findings indicate that enrichment of metal concentrations in internal tissues, which occurs primarily after exposure to dietary metal, affects vitellogenesis. The reproduction rate decreases by about 75% at metal concentrations only moderately higher than levels in coastal waters. Toxicity tests involving aquatic animals need to consider effects following uptake by different pathways, including the trophic transfer of metals.     

挥发性有机物混合暴露对小鼠脑组织的氧化损伤及学习记忆能力的影响

为探讨挥发性有机物混合急性暴露对小鼠脑组织氧化损伤及学习记忆能力的影响,选用雄性昆明种小鼠50只,随机分为对照组和4个染毒组。1到4号染毒组中甲醛、苯、甲苯和二甲苯浓度依次为:(1.0+1.1+2.0+2.0)、(3.0+3.3+6.0+6.0)、(5.0+5.5+10.0+10.0)、(10.0+11.0+20.0+20.0)mg·m~(-3)。各染毒组混合气体组分的浓度分别是我国室内空气质量标准(GB/T18883—2002)的10、30、50和100倍。结果显示,在Morris水迷宫实验第4天,2、3和4号染毒组小鼠的逃避潜伏期分别为(68.9±10.3)、(72.2±4.0)和(71.5±5.1)s,比对照组(48.5±10.1)s显著延长(P<0.05或P<0.01),但小鼠的脑体比和抓力在染毒期间没有明显变化。同时,随着染毒剂量的增加,小鼠脑组织中GSH含量显著降低,ROS和MDA含量显著升高。研究表明,挥发性有机物混合暴露可导致小鼠学习记忆能力降低,而脑组织氧化损伤可能是引起神经毒性,导致学习记忆能力降低的原因之一。     

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.