Abstract
As an environmental and industrial pollutant, cadmium (Cd) can cause a broad spectrum of toxicological effects. Multiple organs, especially the liver, are considerably affected by Cd in both humans and animals. We investigated the protective effects of metallothionein (MT) and vitamin E (VE) supplementation on Cd-induced apoptosis in the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) liver. Grass carp were divided into four groups: the control group, Cd + phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) group, Cd + VE group, and Cd + MT group. All fish were injected with CdCl2 on the first day and then VE, MT, and PBS were given 4 days postinjection, respectively. The results showed that Cd administration resulted in liver poisoning in grass carp, which was expressed as an increase in Cd contents, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, percentage of hepatocyte apoptosis, and apoptosis-related gene mRNA transcript expression. However, VE and MT treatments protected against Cd-induced hepatotoxicity in grass carp by decreasing Cd contents, lipid peroxidation, and histological damage and reducing the percentage of hepatocyte apoptosis by regulating related mRNA transcript expression. These data demonstrate that oxidative stress and activation of the caspase signaling cascade play a critical role in Cd-induced hepatotoxicity. However, VE and MT alleviate Cd-induced hepatotoxicity through their antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects, and MT has a more powerful effect than VE.
Highlights
Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental toxin and occupational pollutant and was listed as one of the most toxic substances to human health and the most malicious carcinogen by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, respectively [1, 2]
Heavy metals contained in food products have a negative impact on human health, as it will be chronic if the food they consume contains heavy metals
The limit standard of heavy metal residues in food in China stipulates that the limit of Cd concentration is 0.03 mg/kg in fruits, 0.05 mg/kg in vegetables and eggs, and 0.1 mg/kg in aquatic products
Summary
Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental toxin and occupational pollutant and was listed as one of the most toxic substances to human health and the most malicious carcinogen by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, respectively [1, 2]. Cd can be transferred to humans following the ingestion of aquatic organisms This issue is critical in Cd intoxication research, for the aquaculture industry and for human health [9]. The translocation of MT to the nucleus is probably associated with the protection of cells by resisting DNA damage and apoptosis as well as gene transcription during different stages of the cell cycle [22]. It is unclear whether MT can protect fish from damage through these pathways.
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