Involvement of mitochondrial-mediated caspase-3 activation and lysosomal labilization in acrylamide-induced liver toxicity

Acrylamide (ACR) is a chemical frequently used in both industrial and synthetic processes and may be produced during food processing. ACR at very high concentrations is postulated to exert its toxicity through the stimulation of an oxidative stress. ACR in excessive doses induces the central nervous system, reproduction, and genetic toxicity. However, ACR effects on the liver, a major organ of drug metabolism, have not been adequately explored. In addition, the role of mitochondria in an ACR-mediated hepatotoxicity is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic mechanisms attributed to ACR using isolated rat hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were isolated by the collagenase perfusion method and incubated with an EC50_2hr concentration of ACR for 3 hr. The EC50_{2 hr} of ACR on isolated rat hepatocytes was determined to be 1 mM. Based on our results, hepatocytes cytotoxicity of ACR (1 mM) was mediated by a reactive oxygen species formation and lipid peroxidation. Incubation of hepatocytes with ACR produced rapid hepatocyte glutathione depletion which is another marker of the cellular oxidative stress. ACR cytotoxicity was also associated with mitochondrial injury as evidenced by the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential and lysosomal membrane leakiness. Our results also showed that ACR induced caspase-3 activation, the final mediator of apoptosis signaling. These findings contribute to a better understanding underlying mechanisms involved in ACR hepatotoxicity originating from the oxidative stress and ending in mitochondrial/lysosomal damage and cell death signaling.     

Influence of hypothyroidism on oxidative stress,c-Fos expression,cell cycle,and apoptosis in rats testes

The molecular basis of male reproduction for cross-regulation between androgen and thyroid hormone axes is still rudimentary. This study aims to define a possible mechanism of hypothyroidism-induced reproductive influence with respect to sex hormone, mineral, sperm motility, oxidative stress, c-Fos expression, cell cycle, and apoptosis in rat testes. The Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (NS) and hypothyroidism group [1 ml/100g BW/day, 0.1% propylthiouracil (PTU)] by intragastric gavage for 60 days. Blood samples were collected to measure the serum levels. The epididymis was excised to measure sperm motility and testes were excised to measure mineral, oxidative stress, c-Fos expression, cell cycle, and apoptosis. After 60 days, body weight, relative testes weight, triiodothyronine, and total thyroxine were all significantly decreased, whereas thyroid stimulating hormone was increased in the hypothyroidism group. A significant increase in sex hormone level of estradiol (E2) and significant decreases in testosterone (T) and T/E2 ratio were observed following PTU treatment. And sperm quality was also significantly changed. There were significant decreases in the contents of calcium (Ca²⁺) and zinc (Zn²⁺). On the other hand, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents significantly increased, whereas the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide content significantly decreased in hypothyroid rats. The mRNA and protein expressions of c-Fos decreased significantly. The cell percentage in G0/G1 phase increased significantly, whereas decreased significantly in S and G2/M phases. Also, a significant increase in testicular cell apoptosis was observed in hypothyroid-treated rats. These results suggested that hypothyroidism could affect reproductive function in the form of changed sex hormone levels, sperm motility and testicular Ca²⁺ and Zn²⁺, and enhanced oxidative stress leading to c-Fos abnormal expression and increased apoptosis.     

水环境中不同形态氮对甲芬那酸光降解影响机制的研究

研究了紫外光照射下水环境中不同形态的无机氮(NO-3、NO-2和NH+4)对甲芬那酸(MEF)光解的影响.NO-3与NO-2均促进MEF的光解,NH+4对MEF的光解基本无影响;在NO-3、NO-2存在下添加适量异丙醇,显著抑制MEF的降解,实验表明NO-3、NO-2在光照下产生了·OH并参与对MEF的氧化降解.同时模拟研究了水体处于不同p E值下,水中存在的不同形态的无机氮对MEF光解的复合影响,其对MEF光解促进作用不是简单的叠加关系,增大p E值,MEF的光解速率先增大后减小.当NO-2和NH+4共存时,对MEF的光解主要表现为NO-2的影响;当NO-2和NO-3共存时,两者对MEF的光解存在拮抗作用.     

三相生物流化床处理低C/N污水的亚硝化过程控制研究

将短程硝化与生物流化床相结合,采用低碳氮比的人工合成污水进行启动,考察进水COD、氨氮、DO、p H对硝化和亚硝化过程的影响。研究表明,较短的水力停留时间(HRT)和较少的接种污泥量有利于生物膜的生长,能够成功实现生物流化床的快速启动。高进水氨氮浓度有助于反应器实现亚硝酸盐的积累,但是这种积累并不稳定。当反应器中p H为7.5~8.1,ρ(DO)为1.5~2.5 mg/L时,最大亚硝化率达到75%左右,氨氮去除率达85%以上。出水NO-2-N和NO-3-N浓度随进水COD浓度的增加而减少;当进水COD浓度为50 mg/L时,出水硝酸盐浓度急剧减少,亚硝酸盐浓度有所降低,反应器发生同步硝化反硝化脱氮现象。     

Cu(II), Fe(III) and Mn(II) combinations as environmental stress factors have distinguishing effects on Enterococcus hirae

Pollution by various heavy metals as environmental stress factors might affect bacteria. It was established that iron (Fe(III)), manganese (Mn(II)) and copper (Cu(II)) ion combinations caused effects on Enterococcus hirae that differed from the sum of the effects when the metals were added separately. It was shown that the Cu²⁺-Fe³⁺ combination decreased the growth and ATPase activity of membrane vesicles of wild-type E. hirae ATCC9790 and atpD mutant (with defective F_oF₁-ATPase) MS116. Addition of Mn²⁺-Fe³⁺ combinations within the same concentration range had no effects on growth compared to control (without heavy metals). ATPase activity was increased in the presence of Mn²⁺-Fe³⁺, while together with 0.2 mmol/L N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), ATPase activity was decreased compared to control (when only 0.2 mmol/L DCCD was present). These results indicate that heavy metals ion combinations probably affect the FOF1-ATPase, leading to conformational changes. Moreover the action may be direct or be mediated by environment redox potential. The effects observed when Fe³⁺ was added separately disappeared in both cases, which might be a result of competing processes between Fe³⁺ and other heavy metals. These findings are novel and improve the understanding of heavy metals ions effects on bacteria, and could be applied for regulation of stress response patterns in the environment.     

Cu(II), Fe(III) and Mn(II) combinations as environmental stress factors have distinguishing effects on Enterococcus hirae

Pollution by various heavy metals as environmental stress factors might affect bacteria. It was established that iron (Fe(III)), manganese (Mn(II)) and copper (Cu(II)) ion combinations caused effects on Enterococcus hirae that differed from the sum of the effects when the metals were added separately. It was shown that the Cu^2 +–Fe^3 + combination decreased the growth and ATPase activity of membrane vesicles of wild-type E. hirae ATCC9790 and atpD mutant (with defective F_oF₁-ATPase) MS116. Addition of Mn^2 +–Fe^3 + combinations within the same concentration range had no effects on growth compared to control (without heavy metals). ATPase activity was increased in the presence of Mn^2 +–Fe^3 +, while together with 0.2 mmol/L N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), ATPase activity was decreased compared to control (when only 0.2 mmol/L DCCD was present). These results indicate that heavy metals ion combinations probably affect the F_OF₁-ATPase, leading to conformational changes. Moreover the action may be direct or be mediated by environment redox potential. The effects observed when Fe^3 + was added separately disappeared in both cases, which might be a result of competing processes between Fe^3 + and other heavy metals. These findings are novel and improve the understanding of heavy metals ions effects on bacteria, and could be applied for regulation of stress response patterns in the environment.     

Cu(Ⅱ), Fe(Ⅲ) and Mn(Ⅱ) combinations as environmental stress factors have distinguishing effects on Enterococcus hirae

Pollution by various heavy metals as environmental stress factors might affect bacteria. It was established that iron(Fe(Ⅲ)), manganese(Mn(Ⅱ)) and copper(Cu(Ⅱ)) ion combinations caused effects on Enterococcus hirae that differed from the sum of the effects when the metals were added separately. It was shown that the Cu2+–Fe3+combination decreased the growth and ATPase activity of membrane vesicles of wild-type E. hirae ATCC9790 and atp D mutant(with defective FoF1-ATPase) MS116. Addition of Mn2+–Fe3+combinations within the same concentration range had no effects on growth compared to control(without heavy metals). ATPase activity was increased in the presence of Mn2+–Fe3+, while together with0.2 mmol/L N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide(DCCD), ATPase activity was decreased compared to control(when only 0.2 mmol/L DCCD was present). These results indicate that heavy metals ion combinations probably affect the FOF1-ATPase, leading to conformational changes. Moreover the action may be direct or be mediated by environment redox potential.The effects observed when Fe3+was added separately disappeared in both cases, which might be a result of competing processes between Fe3+and other heavy metals. These findings are novel and improve the understanding of heavy metals ions effects on bacteria,and could be applied for regulation of stress response patterns in the environment.     

不同方法测定水体总氮存在的问题探讨及条件优化研究

利用碱性过硫酸钾消解紫外分光光度法,探讨了消解时间和消解温度对空白吸光值的影响,认为增加消解时间可以降低空白吸光值,而提高消解温度对空白吸光值的影响不大;对于某些样品中总氮含量低于氨氮含量的现象,将碱性过硫酸钾装入小试管,再放入装有水样的比色管中,虽然能够减少氨气形式逸出的氮含量,但回收率较低;连续流动和流动注射-盐酸萘乙二胺分光光度法,在以后的修订中应增加过硫酸钾含氮量以及镉柱还原能力大小的界定.     

气相分子吸收光谱法测定氨氮校准曲线斜率、截距参考值研究

主要阐述了气相分子吸收光谱法测定氨氮的校准曲线斜率、截距参考值的分析.文章收集了临安市环境监测站实验室自2012年以来气相分子吸收光谱法氨氮校准曲线制作的一系列原始数据,并通过数理统计方法对校准曲线、残余标准偏差、斜率扩展不确定度、截距扩展不确定度开展了详细讨论,得出气相分子吸收光谱法氨氮校准曲线截距a值、斜率b值实验室参考值.此结果对实验室分析人员判定氨氮项目校准曲线制作是否合格具有一定的参考价值.     

总氮自动分析仪在地表水监测中的优势与局限研究

文章分析了总氮自动分析仪在地表水监测中的优势与局限。通过对检出限、精密度、准确度等一系列实验室质量要求进行测定发现,该法的空白较低,准确度和精密度均能达到国标要求,分析效率高,但检出限偏高,适合总氮含量较高的地表水监测,对于含量较低的地表水,还应使用传统的国标方法检测。