Impaired behavior and changes in some biochemical markers of bivalve (Ruditapes decussatus) due to zinc toxicity

Susceptibility and response of bivalves, the clam Ruditapes decussatus, to zinc (Zn) were studied by monitoring behavior using valve movement and some biochemical parameters. The LC₅₀ was 4.1 mg L^?1 at 7 days. Depuration of Zn from their tissues was also followed. Accumulation of Zn increased with concentration and duration of exposure. After 20 days, Zn caused impairment of valve movement as well as the antioxidant system, decreasing glutathione and protein levels and increasing the lipid peroxidation which is indicative of oxidative damage. Results suggested that behavior and biochemical parameters of clam R. decussatus were sensitive and suitable responses for assessing the effects of Zn on the aquatic ecosystems. It could be concluded that there is a time–dose–response relationship of Zn with behavior and oxidative stress of R. decussatus.     

Baseline activities of four biomarkers in three life-stages of the amphipod,Leptocheirus plumulosus

This study investigated differences in baseline levels of four cellular biomarkers (glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPx), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and cholesterol (CHL)) in the larval, juvenile, and adult stages of the estuarine amphipod, Leptocheirus plumulosus. Glutathione, LPx, and AChE exhibited the same pattern of decreasing levels with increasing developmental stage. Cholesterol showed an inverse relationship of increasing levels with increasing developmental stages. This research provides valuable background information that may be used in future assessments of amphipod biomarker research.     

Studies on metabolic extract of Altemaria alternata and toxicity

Altemaria alternata were isolated from wheat seeds collected from villages in Tianshui area of Gansu Province where Kaschin-Beck disease is prevalent. TLC, IR and UV analyses of metabolic extract of A. alternata show that A. alternata produce main secondary metabolites, including alternariol, alternariol methyl ether, and tenuazonic acid.There was a significant decrease in Se-GSH-Px and SOD activities, and an acceleration in lipid peroxidation in rats fed with a diet containing metabolites produced by A. alternata.     

Prenatal diagnosis of glutathione synthase deficiency

Prenatal diagnosis for glutathione synthase (EC 6·3.2·3) deficiency in two pregnancies of an at-risk couple was performed on amniotic fluid taken at 16 weeks' gestation. 5-Oxoproline (pyroglutamic acid) levels were 970 and 790 μmol/l compared with the normal mean value of 29 μmol/l (range 13–51 μmol/l). The pregnancies were terminated and the diagnosis in one case was subsequently confirmed by assay of glutathione synthase in cultured fetal fibroblasts. In the other, post-mortem tissue samples failed to grow.     

内质网应激和氧化应激通路对DINP诱发Allergic March的介导作用

为了研究增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯（diisononyl phthalate,DINP）致Allergic March的作用机制,以雄性BALB/c小鼠为受试动物,随机分为5组,包括空白对照组（生理盐水）、20 mg·kg^-1 DINP组、OVA组、20 mg·kg^-1 DINP+OVA组和4-苯基丁酸（4-PBA）拮抗组（20 mg·kg^-1 DINP+OVA+4-PBA）,染毒周期为47 d.以肺组织匀浆测定活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）、还原型谷胱甘肽（glutathione,GSH）、丙二醛（malondialdehyde,MDA）和一氧化氮（nitric oxide,NO）.采用ELISA试剂盒检测血清中总免疫球蛋白E（T-IgE）、OVA特异性免疫球蛋白E（OVA-IgE）和白细胞介素-33（IL-33）评价机体的炎症因子,并同时观察肺组织的病理变化结果.与生理盐水组比较,OVA组的肺功能、Th2免疫系统功能亢进的分子、氧化应激指标和肺组织病理学损伤都有所加重.与OVA组比较,20 mg·kg^-1 DINP+OVA组的肺功能、Th2免疫系统功能亢进的分子、氧化应激指标和肺组织病理学损伤同样也有所加重.而4-PBA拮抗组（20 mg·kg^-1 DINP+OVA+4-PBA）与20 mg·kg^-1 DINP+OVA组相比较,其各项指标都有了明显的减轻.实验结果表明,20 mg·kg^-1的DINP能加重小鼠的Allergic March,内质网应激拮抗剂4-PBA可使Allergic March症状减轻,对小鼠肺组织起保护作用,说明内质网应激通路可能通过调节氧化应激介导了DINP所致的Allergic March.     

Integrated assessment of biochemical responses in Mediterranean crab (Carcinus maenas) collected from Monastir Bay, Tunisia

The biochemical response of Mediteranean Crab (Carcinus maenas) collected at five stations of Monastir Bay and from Kuriat station as control was studied using a set of complementary biomarkers. The catalase, glutathione S-transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, acetycholinesterase activities; and metallothionein and malonediladehyde levels in gills were evaluated. Results revealed differences among sites in relation to each specific biomarker. Hence, a suite of biomarkers can be used to discriminate sampling sites according to types of pollution, reflecting differing conditions of anthropogenic impact. Based on Integrated Biomarker Response, the highest values and critical biochemical alteration were observed at Khniss and Ksibat in response to urban and industrial discharges and the lowest IBR value was found at reference site. The current study has shown clearly that a biomarker-based index is usefulness tool in the monitoring Tunisian coast using C. maenas as sentinel specie. Further studies in progress to investigate the seasonal variations of IBR levels and its relationship to pollutants concentrations in the sediment, gills and digestive gland of Carcinus maenas from Monastir Bay.     

谷胱甘肽S-转移酶的功能、应用及克隆表达

谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(glutathione S-transferases,GSTs,E.C.2.5.1.18)是由多个基因编码、具有多种功能的超家族酶,广泛存在于动物、植物、微生物等多种生物组织中。在生物体遇到高盐、干旱、除草剂、有机污染物等逆境时,GSTs常发挥其Ⅱ相代谢酶和抗氧化酶的双重功能,以保护生物体免受逆境的损害。文章综述了GSTs的分类、结构、功能、应用及克隆表达等方面的研究进展。     

近江牡蛎4种类型GST基因cDNA全序列的克隆与分析

为从分子水平上研究不同类型谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(Glutathione S-transferase,GST)基因在近江牡蛎(Crassostrea ariakensis)等贝类体内代谢去毒过程中的作用,采用RT-PCR及RACE法,分离、克隆得到近江牡蛎肝脏4种类型GST基因cDNA全序列.序列分析结果表明,mu、pi、omega、sigma4种类型GST基因cDNA全长分别为970bp、773bp、999bp、1277bp,分别编码215、207、242、203个氨基酸.构建系统进化树发现,除太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)pi型GST外,所有类型GSTs序列都能各自聚集成一簇.     

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。