Pollution of River Mahaweli and farmlands under irrigation by cadmium from agricultural inputs leading to a chronic renal failure epidemic among farmers in NCP, Sri Lanka

Chronic renal failure (CRF) associated with elevated dietary cadmium (Cd) among farming communities in the irrigated agricultural area under the River Mahaweli diversion scheme has reached a significantly higher level of 9,000 patients. Cadmium, derived from contaminated phosphate fertilizer, in irrigation water finds its way into reservoirs, and finally to food, causing chronic renal failure among consumers. Water samples of River Mahaweli and its tributaries in the upper catchment were analyzed to assess the total cadmium contamination of river water and the possible source of cadmium. Except a single tributary (Ulapane Stream, 3.9?μg?Cd/l), all other tested tributaries carried more than 5?μg?Cd/l, the maximum concentration level accepted to be safe in drinking water. Seven medium-sized streams carrying surface runoff from tea estates had 5.1-10?μg?Cd/l. Twenty larger tributaries (Oya), where the catchment is under vegetable and home garden cultivation, carried 10.1-15?μg?Cd/l. Nine other major tributaries had extremely high levels of Cd, reaching 20?μg?Cd/l. Using geographic information system (GIS), the area in the catchment of each tributary was studied. The specific cropping system in each watershed was determined. The total cadmium loading from each crop area was estimated using the rates and types of phosphate fertilizer used by the respective farmers and the amount of cadmium contained in each type of fertilizer used. Eppawala rock phosphate (ERP), which is mostly used in tea estates, caused least pollution. The amount of cadmium in tributaries had a significant positive correlation with the cadmium loading of the cropping system. Dimbula Tea Estate Stream had the lowest Cd loading (495.9?g/ha/year), compared with vegetable-growing areas in Uma Oya catchment with 50,852.5?g?Cd/ha/year. Kendall's τ rank correlation value of total Cd loading from the catchment by phosphate fertilizer used in all crops in the catchment to the Cd content in the tributaries was +0.48. This indicated a major contribution by the cropping system in the upper catchment area of River Mahaweli to the eventual Cd pollution of river water. Low soil pH (4.5-5.2), higher organic matter content (2-3%), and 18-20?cmol/kg cation exchange capacity (CEC) in upcountry soil have a cumulative effect in the easy release of Cd from soil with the heavy surface runoff in the upcountry wet zone. In view of the existing water conveyance system from upcountry to reservoirs in North Central Province (NCP) through diversion of River Mahaweli, in addition to their own nonpoint pollution by triple superphosphate fertilizer (TSP), this demands a change in overall upper catchment management to minimize Cd pollution through agriculture inputs to prevent CRF due to elevated dietary cadmium among NCP farmers.     

Elevated Levels of Cadmium and Zinc in Paddy Soils and Elevated Levels of Cadmium in Rice Grain Downstream of a Zinc Mineralized Area in Thailand: Implications for Public Health

Prolonged consumption of rice containing elevated cadmium (Cd) levels is a significant health issue particularly in subsistence communities that are dependent on rice produced on-farm. This situation is further exacerbated in areas of known non-ferrous mineralization adjacent to rice-based agricultural systems where the opportunity for contamination of rice and its eventual entry into the food chain is high. In the current study, an assessment of the degree of soil Cd and Zn contamination and associated rice grain Cd contamination downstream of an actively mined zone of Zn mineralization in western Thailand was undertaken. Total soil Cd and Zn concentrations in the rice-based agricultural system investigated ranged from 0.5 to 284 mg kg⁻¹ and 100 to 8036 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Further, the results indicate that the contamination is associated with suspended sediment transported to fields via the irrigation supply. Consequently, the spatial distribution of Cd and Zn is directly related to a field’s proximity to primary outlets from in-field irrigation channels and inter-field irrigation flows with 60–100% of the Cd and Zn loading associated with the first three fields in irrigation sequence. Rice grain Cd concentrations in the 524 fields sampled, ranged from 0.05 to 7.7 mg kg⁻¹. Over 90% of the rice grain samples collected contained Cd at concentrations exceeding the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC) draft Maximum Permissible Level for rice grain of 0.2 mg Cd kg⁻¹. In addition, as a function of demographic group, estimated Weekly Intake (WI) values ranged from 20 to 82 μg Cd per kg Body. This poses a significant public health risk to local communities. The results of this study suggest that an irrigation sequence-based field classification technique in combination with strategic soil and rice grain sampling and the estimation of WI values via rice intake alone may be a useful decision support tool to rapidly evaluate potential public health risks in irrigated rice-based agricultural systems receiving Cd contaminated irrigation water. In addition, the proposed technique will facilitate the cost effective strategic targeting of detailed epidemiological studies thus focusing resources to specific ‘high risk’ areas.     

Medical geology in tropical countries with special reference to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka provides an ideal opportunity for the study of the effect of geology on human health. The vast majority of the people of Sri Lanka still live in rural areas within areas termed geochemical provinces. Very broadly, one could say that a geochemical province has characteristic chemical composition in soil, water stream sediments and rocks, enabling their delineation from others. The chemical composition is presumed to be have an impact on the health of the inhabitants of the particular geochemical province, particularly because of the fact that their food and water are obtained mostly from the terrain itself. This leads to the concept of “diseases of geochemical origin”. Among these are dental fluorosis, iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) and selenium-based diseases. The Dry Zone of Sri Lanka has several areas rich in groundwater fluoride, the ingestion of which leads to dental fluorosis. Iodine deficiency diseases are more common in the Wet Zone, though their aetiologies are more complicated. Interestingly, it has also been observed that significant proportions of the female population of Sri Lanka are selenium-deficient, which could well be related to the geological environment. Chronic renal failure (CRF) has been observed in some areas of the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka, where there is a relationship of CRF with the mineral content of drinking water. This subject matter falls under the auspices of Medical Geology, a scientific discipline still in its infancy, and much more concerted studies are needed to attract the attention of medical research.     

Urinary cadmium concentrations in a population downstream: from a zinc mining area in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand

Urinary cadmium (UCd) is a good indicator of long-term exposure to cadmium. UCd concentrations resulting from juvenile cadmium exposure in 3 sub-districts of Tak Province, Thailand, were investigated. The target population was divided by gender and into 2 age subgroups: 9–12 and 13–15 years. A total of 748 urine samples were collected and analyzed by spectrophotometer. All samples had UCd of more than 1.0 μg/g creatinine (Cr). Total UCd means among the 3 sub-districts were 1.31, 1.01, and 0.87 μg/g Cr; the Thai population mean is 0.5 μg/g. The difference among the three sub-districts was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Total means for UCd were 1.13 μg/g Cr for boys, 1.00 for girls, 1.01 μg/g Cr for those 9–12 years old, and 1.18 for those 13–15. UCd concentrations were not significantly different between genders and age groups. Likely dietary sources of cadmium exposure for the subject population were surveyed.     

镉致鸡血管氧化应激与金属硫蛋白含量的变化

为探讨镉(Cd)对血管抗氧化功能及金属硫蛋白(MT)的影响,将180只50日龄健康雌性海兰鸡随机分为3组(对照组、低剂量组和高剂量组),分别饲喂含0、140、210mg·kg-1(BW)CdCl2的基础日粮,在饲养20、40、60d后采集主动脉和前腔静脉,测定其MT含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量.结果表明:1)Cd暴露后,与对照组相比,低剂量组血管MT含量显著升高(p<0.01),并随暴露时间的延长而逐渐增加;高剂量组血管MT含量显著降低(p<0.01),并随暴露时间的延长先升高后降低.2)随着Cd暴露剂量的加大,血管SOD、GSH-Px活性逐渐降低,而MDA含量逐渐升高,具有明显的剂量-效应关系.3)随着暴露时间的延长,血管SOD、GSH-Px活性逐渐降低,MDA含量逐渐升高,具有明显的时间-效应关系.4)Cd暴露下,主动脉与前腔静脉各指标具有相同的变化趋势.以上结果表明,Cd具有血管毒性,其毒作用机理可能与MT含量变化以及抗氧化功能失衡有关.     

污灌与镉胁迫对菠菜几种抗氧化酶活性的影响（Effects of Sewage Irrigation and Cadmium Stresses on the Activities of Several Antioxidant Enzymes of Spinach）

为了探讨污水灌溉与镉胁迫对菠菜抗氧化酶活性的影响,采用盆栽试验的方法,分别用清水和生活污水配制不同浓度(0、1、5、10、50mg·L-1)的Cd2+溶液,对菠菜进行受试处理,每5d灌喷1次,共处理5次.分别采用邻苯二酚比色法、L-苯丙氨酸比色法、水杨酸比色法和高锰酸钾滴定法,对菠菜叶片多酚氧化酶(PPO)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、β-1,3葡聚糖酶(β-1,3glucanase)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性进行了测定.结果表明:1)清水处理系列:随着镉处理浓度的增大,与清水对照相比,PPO、PAL活性呈先升高后降低的趋势,CAT活性略有升高,β-1,3葡聚糖酶活性略有降低,各暴露组与清水对照组相比,均呈现显著差异(p<0.05).2)污水处理系列:随着镉处理浓度的增大,与污水对照相比,PPO、PAL活性呈先升高后降低的趋势,CAT和β-1,3葡聚糖酶活性呈逐渐降低趋势;各暴露组与污水对照相比,均呈现显著差异(p<0.05).3)相同Cd2+浓度下,与清水处理相比,各浓度污水处理PAL和PPO活性均明显降低(p<0.05);而β-1,3葡聚糖酶明显升高(p<0.05).以上结果显示:单一镉污染和生活污水与镉复合污染对菠菜不同抗氧化系统酶具有不同影响,这可能与污水中各成分与镉的相互作用有关.     

利用体外实验方法评估稻米中镉的生物可给性和健康风险

为了研究稻米中镉(Cd)的生物可给性与稻米理化性质之间的相互关系以及稻米摄入而导致的Cd健康风险,从湖南某些地区采集了16个稻米样品,利用in vitro方法研究了这些稻米中Cd的生物可给性及其人体健康风险。结果表明:在16个样品中,有13个样品的Cd含量超过稻米中Cd的限量标准(0.2 mg·kg-1)。稻米中Cd的溶解态含量及其生物可给性变化较大,胃阶段和肠阶段Cd的溶解态含量范围分别为0.102~1.70 mg·kg-1和0.015~0.249 mg·kg-1,平均值分别为0.698 mg·kg-1和0.103 mg·kg-1,胃阶段和肠阶段Cd的生物可给性的范围分别为56.8%~82.0%和6.62%~15.9%,平均值分别为70.9%和11.1%。模拟肠液中Cd的溶解态含量与稻米的纤维含量之间有显著的相关性。如果不考虑稻米中Cd的生物可给性,所采集的所有稻米样品的摄入都将导致成人和儿童健康风险。如果我们考虑了稻米中的生物可给性,只有31%的稻米样品会对成人产生健康风险,将有50%的稻米样品会对儿童产生健康风险。     

镉在鲤鱼组织内的蓄积及对血浆指标的影响

随着工业的迅速发展,水环境中的镉污染日趋严重,镉的蓄积性强,毒性高。为了进一步研究镉在鱼类不同组织内的蓄积及其对血浆指标的影响,以鲤鱼(Cyprinus carpio)为受试生物,设置3个浓度梯度,镉浓度分别为0(对照组)、5和50μg·L-1,试验周期为30d。结果显示,随着暴露时间的延长,染毒组鲤鱼鳃、肝胰脏和肾脏中镉蓄积量与对照组相比均显著升高(p<0.05),其中肾脏蓄积量最大,其次为肝胰脏和鳃,且50 μg·L-1染毒组各组织镉蓄积量显著高于5 μg·L-1染毒组(p<0.05);30d时,5和50 μg·L-1染毒组鳃、肝胰脏和肾脏中镉蓄积量分别为对照组的12.3和43.5倍、5.1和27.3倍、11.9和70.8倍;鲤鱼肌肉中仅检测到微量镉(0.02～0.04mg·kg-1),且暴露时间和镉暴露浓度不影响肌肉中镉的蓄积量。整个试验期间,各染毒组血浆中钙和磷含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量和谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性与对照组相比无显著差异(p>0.05)。研究表明,不同程度的水体镉污染均能造成鲤鱼各组织(肌肉除外)内较高浓度的镉蓄积,但对血浆指标无显著影响。     

Studies on the uptake of cadmium by the crab Carcinus maenas in the laboratory. I. Accumulation from seawater and a food source

The crab Carcinus maenas (L.) was exposed to radioactively labelled cadmium dissolved in seawater at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 ppm, the latter concentration being toxic to the crabs (50% mortality after 12.3 days). Net accumulation of cadmium from solution was proportional to the level and time period of cadmium exposure. Total absorbed cadmium levels reached 0.0043 and 0.0412 mg Cd g^-1 dry weight after 40 days exposure to 0.1 and 1 ppm Cd, respectively, and 0.1115 mg Cd g^-1 dry weight after 12.3 days average exposure to 10 ppm Cd. The highest tissue concentration was found in the midgut gland, reaching 0.786 mg Cd g^-1 dry weight after 12.3 days average exposure to 10 ppm Cd. The midgut gland only contained about 10% of the total cadmium absorbed from solution, while the exoskeleton contained the bulk of obsorbed cadmium (59 to 80%) probably passively adsorbed onto the surface. When cadmium was absorbed by the crabs from a food source, the midgut gland contained 16.9% of the total absorbed cadmium whereas the exoskeleton now contained only 22.2%. Ten percent of the cadmium available in the food source (Artemia salina) was accumulated by the crabs. When placed in cadmium-free seawater, crabs that had accumulated cadmium from solution lost 69% of the absorbed cadmium in 10 days, mostly from the exoskeleton which lost 78% of its original absorbed cadmium concentration.     

Chronic kidney diseases of uncertain etiology (CKDue) in Sri Lanka: geographic distribution and environmental implications

The increase in the number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients from the north central region of Sri Lanka has become a environmental health issue of national concern. Unlike in other countries where long-standing diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of renal diseases, the majority of CKD patients from this part of Sri Lanka do not show any identifiable cause. As the disease is restricted to a remarkably specific geographical terrain, particularly in the north central dry zone of the country, multidisciplinary in-depth research studies are required to identify possible etiologies and risk factors. During this study, population screening in the prevalent region and outside the region, analysis of geoenvironmental and biochemical samples were carried out. Population screening that was carried out using a multistage sampling technique indicated that the point prevalence of CKD with uncertain etiology is about 2–3% among those above 18 years of age. Drinking water collected from high-prevalent and non-endemic regions was analyzed for their trace and ultratrace element contents, including the nephrotoxic heavy metals Cd and U using ICP-MS. The results indicate that the affected regions contain moderate to high levels of fluoride. The Cd contents in drinking water, rice from affected regions and urine from symptomatic and non-symptomatic patients were much lower indicating that Cd is not a contributing factor for CKD with uncertain etiology in Sri Lanka. Although no single geochemical parameter could be clearly and directly related to the CKD etiology on the basis of the elements determined during this study, it is very likely that the unique hydrogeochemistry of the drinking water is closely associated with the incidence of the disease.     

Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology in Sri Lanka and the exposure to environmental chemicals: a review of literature

Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) has emerged as a serious health issue in Sri Lanka. The disease has been recorded in the North Central Province of the country. While studies have elicited many hypotheses concerning the pathogenicity of CKDu, none adequately explains the cause of CKDu and the measures needed to minimise its occurrence. Nephrotoxic heavy metal (oid)s such as cadmium, arsenic, lead, and chromium are present in biological samples of people from endemic areas. This review appraises evidence on the effects of long-term exposure to low concentration of nephrotoxic heavy metals, which could be the principal cause of CKDu. Although a considerable variation exists in metal concentrations in patients’ blood and urine, higher levels of heavy metals were consistently observed in affected areas. This review finds that the populations in the endemic areas are exposed to heavy metal (oid)s at low concentrations, which are considered as safe levels; nevertheless, it influences the incidence of CKDu. Recent global studies on chronic kidney disease (CKD) revealed a low concentration of heavy metals in diseased patients. Research findings indicated that CKDu patients in Sri Lanka demonstrated similar blood levels of Cd, Pb, and higher concentrations of Cr than that have been reported globally. Further studies on the influence of combinations of nephrotoxic heavy metals at low concentrations on reduced glomerular filtration rate and other renal biomarkers could explain CKDu pathogenicity.

     

Minimal health impact from exposure to diet-sourced cadmium on a population in central Jamaica

Elevated concentrations of naturally occurring Cd have been found mainly in the bauxitic soils of central Jamaica at levels up to 100–1,000 times higher than typical worldwide averages. Some food crops cultivated on these soils absorb significant amounts of Cd. Autopsy studies of kidney Cd concentrations confirm elevated human exposure, and some long-term residents in central Jamaica exceed the general population average by a factor of two. Diet studies have ascertained that a population in central Jamaica is at risk of being exposed to Cd levels in excess of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) set by the WHO of 7 μgCd/kg bodyweight/week, and the EU TWI of 2.5 μgCd/kg bodyweight/week. Elevated levels of urine cadmium (U-Cd) and beta-2 microglobulin (β2-MG) concentrations were confirmed with a strong correlation between soil Cd and the U-Cd. Also, higher β2-MG concentrations (>200μg/g creatinine) were found in the population with U-Cd concentrations greater than 2.5μg/L. While this identification is often taken to indicate impairment in the reabsorption capacity of the renal tubules leading to renal disease, there is no evidence in the mortality records of enhanced deaths in central Jamaica compared with the general population resulting from renal disease or diabetes related complications. The highest median age of death in the island is found in Manchester, the parish with the highest average Cd concentration. While we have identified a possible Cd linked renal dysfunction, significant indications of morbidity are not present in the general population.     

Distribution of heavy metals in soil and accumulation in plants at an agricultural area of Umudike,Nigeria

This study assessed the distribution of heavy metals in soil and their subsequent accumulation in plants at a site at Umudike, Nigeria, that had been contaminated by agrochemicals. Soil and plant samples were analysed for zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd). The highest concentrations of Zn (251.50 mg/kg) and Cd (61.33 mg/kg) were obtained at a soil depth of 0–10 cm. The highest concentrations of Zn (16.52 mg/kg), Cd (27.12 mg/kg) and Cr (164.07 mg/kg) were accumulated by Baphia nitida. The levels of Cd, Cr and Zn in soil were 27.97–61.33, 24.97–45.43 and 148.57–251.50 mg/kg, and their concentrations in B. nitida were 16.18–27.13, 97.99–164.07 and 0.10–16.52 mg/kg, respectively. There were significant correlations between Cd and Cr and Cd and Zn in soil, as well as between Cd and Cr in plants. The concentration of Cd in soil reflected a state of pollution relative to Dutch criteria for soil and the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission.     

云南疣柄牛肝菌属真菌中汞含量及食用健康风险分析

汞(Hg)对人类健康有明显的毒害作用,多数野生食用菌对Hg有很强的富集能力,测定野生食用菌中总Hg含量,并对其进行食用安全评估有重要意义。采用冷原子吸收光谱法测定云南常见疣柄牛肝菌属真菌菌盖、菌柄中总汞(Hg)含量,分析样品对Hg的富集特征;以FAO/WHO现行每周Hg允许摄入量(provisional tolerable weekly intake,PTWI)标准,评估疣柄牛肝菌属真菌的食用安全性。结果显示,不同产地、种类及不同采集时间疣柄牛肝菌属真菌的总Hg含量差异明显,菌盖中总Hg含量在0.54~4.80 mg·kg-1dw之间,菌柄总Hg含量在0.32~2.80 mg·kg~(-1)dw之间,同一种牛肝菌菌盖总Hg含量均大于菌柄(Q(C/S)1),表明疣柄牛肝菌属真菌对Hg的积累量与生长环境、种类、部位等有关。根据FAO/WHO暂行的每周Hg允许摄入量标准(0.004 mg·kg-1bw),成年人(60 kg)每周食用300 g(鲜重)采自云南的疣柄牛肝菌属真菌,Hg摄入量远低于PTWI标准,对人体Hg暴露风险较低。     

镉致癌的分子机制研究进展

镉是一种无处不在的重金属环境污染物,广泛用于工业环境中。普通人主要通过摄食、吸烟及饮水等方式摄入镉。1993年国际肿瘤研究机构(IARC)就已将镉及其化合物列为第1类人致癌物,镉的致癌性被广泛研究,大量研究发现镉会提高肺癌、前列腺癌、乳腺癌、消化道肿瘤等肿瘤的患病风险。但至目前为止,镉的致癌分子机制尚不清楚。大量研究认为镉通过以下几方面致癌:氧化应激、抑制DNA损伤修复、DNA异常甲基化、抑制细胞凋亡、影响细胞周期调控、致多种基因异常表达、雌激素样效应、促进肿瘤干细胞生长、慢性炎症刺激。     

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology and the effect of multiple-ion interactions

High incidence of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDU) prevalent in many countries (e.g., Sri Lanka, equatorial America) is reviewed in the context of recent experimental work and using our understanding of the hydration of ions and proteins. Qualitative considerations based on Hofmeister-type action of these ions, as well as quantitative electrochemical models for the Gibbs free energy change for ionpair formation, are used to explain why (1) fluoride and water hardness due to magnesium ions (but not due to calcium ions) and similarly (2) cadmium ions in the presence of suitable pairing ions can be expected to be more nephrotoxic, while arsenite in the presence of fluoride and hardness may be expected to be less nephrotoxic. No synergy of arsenic with calcium hardness is found. The analysis is applied to a variety of ionic species that may be found in typical water sources to predict their likely combined electrochemical action. These results clarify the origins of chronic kidney disease that has reached epidemic proportions in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka as being most likely due to the joint presence of fluoride and magnesium ions in drinking water. The conclusion is further strengthened by a study of the dietary load of Cd and other toxins in the affected regions and in the healthy regions where the dietary toxin loads and lifestyles are similar, and found to be safe especially when the mitigating effects of micronutrient ionic forms of Zn, Se, as well as corrections for bioavailability are taken into account. The resulting etiological picture is consistent with the views of most workers in the field who have suspected that fluoride and other ions found in the hard water stagnant in shallow household wells were the major causative factors of the disease. Similar incidence of CKDu found in other hot tropical climates is likely to have similar origins.     

水体沉积物结合态镉对大型溞（Daphnia magna）的生物毒性研究

选择大型溞(Daphnia magna)作为受试生物,以大型溞体内金属积累量、金属硫蛋白含量和死亡率作为测试指标,考察了上覆水体系与水柱-沉积物共存体系中金属镉(Cd)的毒性状况,探讨了水体沉积物中重金属的生物毒性作用机制.结果表明:暴露于水柱-沉积物共存体系和上覆水体系中的大型溞体内的生物积累量均随沉积物Cd含量的升高而升高,且前者显著高于后者,说明沉积物中的Cd可通过食物吸收等途径对生物体致毒、致害;暴露于两种体系中的大型溞体内的MT含量在低浓度条件下随沉积物中Cd含量的升高而升高,当Cd含量高于800μg·g-1时MT含量大幅度下降,并且两体系之间无显著差别;暴露于两种体系中的大型溞幼溞死亡率无显著差别.上覆水中溶解态Cd和沉积物中可交换态Cd是对水生生物重要的毒性影响形态.     

Fluoride in Ceylon tea and its implications to dental health

The purpose of this study was to assess the fluoride content of Ceylon Tea, which is a popular beverage throughout the world. The fluoride content of tea infusions prepared from different grades of tea leaves collected from different parts of the tea-growing regions (25 samples) of Sri Lanka was measured using a fluoride-selective electrode. Fluoride leaching was found to vary from 0.32 to 1.69 mg F/l, but there were no significant differences in terms of fluoride leaching between tea from different tea-growing regions or between tea of different grades. Dental fluorosis is widespread throughout the dry zone of Sri Lanka, and drinking water has traditionally been considered to be the main contributory factor to the development of fluorosis. However, diet, the consumption of tea in particular, may also contribute to the manifestation of dental diseases.     

模拟酸雨对南方红壤镉释放的影响

采用室内模拟酸雨淋溶土柱的方法,研究了酸雨对2种红壤镉释放的影响。结果表明,酸雨加速了红壤中镉的释放。在pH4.5的酸雨作用下,镉的平均释放水平是对照的1.6～1.7倍,在pH3.5的酸雨作用下,镉的平均释放水平是对照的2.0～6.5倍。经过相当于9150～10650mm降水量的淋溶后,pH4.5的酸雨使红壤镉的累积释放量提高63.0%～80.0%,pH3.5的酸雨使其提高102.7%～630.6%。红壤镉的释放与铝、铁的释放具有极显著或显著相关性。酸雨对镉释放的影响可增加水体中镉的负荷,从而加重镉对人类的直接或潜在危害。     

原花青素对镉引起的鸡胚睾丸氧化损伤的缓解作用

为探索原花青素对镉引起的鸡胚睾丸氧化损伤的缓解作用,本实验设置了对照组、镉、葡萄籽提取物原花青素(grape seed proanthocyanidin extract,GSPE)和镉+GSPE组,在胚胎期第6.5天(E6.5)注射0.05 mg·kg-1镉或2.5 mg·kg-1GSPE,统计孵化率和睾丸指数,并在E17.5检测睾丸形态、氧化指标、细胞凋亡和内质网应激相关基因的表达情况。结果表明:与对照组相比,镉处理组孵化率和睾丸指数均显著降低;睾丸组织结构出现了细胞核固缩、空泡化和染色质周缘化等变化,过氧化氢和丙二醛水平升高、超氧化物歧化酶活性显著降低、谷胱甘肽含量明显减少,凋亡细胞显著增多;睾丸中抗凋亡基因Bcl-2 mRNA表达水平下降,同时促凋亡基因Caspase3和内质网应激相关基因(XBP-1和HO-1)mRNA表达水平显著上升。然而,GSPE联合处理,明显缓解了镉引起的睾丸损伤,使孵化率和睾丸指数回升,抗氧化水平和内质网应激得到改善,凋亡细胞显著减少,睾丸形态趋于正常。结果表明:GSPE可通过其抗氧化作用降低XBP-1相关的内质网应激基因的表达,从而缓解镉引起的鸡胚睾丸生殖毒性。