• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.397-403
• /
• 2015

Heavy metals reduce the photosynthetic efficiency and disrupt metabolic reactions in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, by replacing the metal ions in metalloproteins that use essential metal ions, such as Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe, as co-factors, heavy metals ultimately lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These, in turn, cause destruction of the cell membrane through lipid peroxidation, and eventually cause the plant to necrosis. Given the aforementioned factors, this study was aimed to understand the physiological responses of rice to cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) toxicity and the effect of essential metal ions on homeostasis. In order to confirm the level of physiological inhibition caused by heavy metal toxicity, hydroponically grown rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Dongjin) plants were exposed with $0-50{\mu}M$ cadmium (Cd, $CdCl_2$) and arsenic (As, $NaAsO_2$) at 3-leaf stage, and then investigated malondialdehyde (MDA) contents after 7 days of the treatment. With increasing concentrations of Cd and As, the MDA content in leaf blade and root increased with a consistent trend. At 14 days after treatment with $30{\mu}M$ Cd and As, plant height showed no significant difference between Cd and As, with an identical reduction. However, As caused a greater decline than Cd for shoot fresh weight, dry weight, and water content. The largest amounts of Cd and As were found in the roots and also observed a large amount of transport to the leaf sheath. Interestingly, in terms of Cd transfer to the shoot parts of the plant, it was only transported to upper leaf blades, and we did not detect any Cd in lower leaf blades. However, As was transferred to a greater level in lower leaf blades than in upper leaf blades. In the roots, Cd inhibited Zn absorption, while As inhibited Cu uptake. Furthermore, in the leaf sheath, while Cd and As treatments caused no change in Cu homeostasis, they had an antagonist effect on the absorption of Zn. Finally, in both upper and lower leaf blades, Cd and As toxicity was found to inhibit absorption of both Cu and Zn. Based on these results, it would be considered that heavy metal toxicity causes an increase in lipid peroxidation. This, in turn, leads to damage to the conductive tissue connecting the roots, leaf sheath, and leaf blades, which results in a reduction in water content and causes several physiological alterations. Furthermore, by disrupting homeostasis of the essential metal ions, Cu and Zn, this causes complete heavy metal toxicity.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.17-22
• /
• 2008

A rapid, inexpensive enzymatic method is proposed for indirect water quality testing in terms of heavy metal toxicity. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was applied for heavy metal toxicity test as an effective criterion in water quality. The toxicity of Pb (lead) and Cd (cadmium) for water flea, Moina macrocopa, were evaluated for $2{\sim}8\;days$ with variables of mobilization ability. And the reproduction impairment of Moina macrocopa were investigated as the parameter of chronic toxicity twst for Pb and Cd. As a result, the $EC_{50}$ for immobilization of Moina macrocopa were Pb and Cd were 1.6749 and 0.4683, respectively. The values of reproducive impairment to Moina macrocopa for Pb and Cd were 9.5938 and 8.3264 in $EC_{50}$. A significant alteration of G6PDH (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) activity of Moina macrocopa was observed when Cd and Pb were treated in media. The results obtained indicate that G6PDH activity of Moina macrocopa can be used as an indicative parameter in aquatic toxicity tests for heavy metals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.410-420
• /
• 1988

This study were performed to investigate effect of dietary cadmium(Cd) and protein levels on growth, body protein metabolism and Cd toxicity in growing rats. Forty eight male rats of Sprague-Dawley weighing 113$\pm$2g were blocked into 6 groups accoridng to body weight. Dietary protein were given at the levels of 7, 15 and 40% of diet and Cd (200ppm)were either added or not. The result obtained were summerized as follow; 1) Food intake, weight gain, FER PER, liver and kidney weight, weight and length of bones, hematocrit, and hemoglobin content in Cd-added groups were low than those in Cd-free groups. 2) Serum total protein showed no significant difference with Cd addition, but it was significantly lower in low protein diet groups. Liver protein in Cd-added groups was lower than Cd-free groups, and was tend to be increased with increasing dietary protein level. 3) Daily urinary and fecal nitrogen excretions in Cd-added groups were lower than Cd-free groups, and were increased with increasing dietary protein level. 4) Cadmium contents in blood, liver, kidney, and femur were tend to be decreased with increasing dietary protein level. Especially, Cd content in kidney of Cd-added groups was significantly decreased with increasing dietary protein level. 5) Daily urinary and fecal Cd excretions were tend to be increased with increasing dietary protein level, and Cd-added-high protein diet group showed the highest Cd excretion among the Cd-added groups, Cd absorption ration and Cd retention ratio were tend to be decreased with increasing dietary protein level.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.46 no.8
• /
• pp.496-512
• /
• 2023

A fructose-enriched diet is thought to contribute to hepatic injury in developing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the cellular mechanism of fructose-induced hepatic damage remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether fructose induces cell death in primary hepatocytes, and if so, to establish the underlying cellular mechanisms. Our results revealed that treatment with high fructose concentrations for 48 h induced mitochondria-mediated apoptotic death in mouse primary hepatocytes (MPHs). Endoplasmic reticulum stress responses were involved in fructose-induced death as the levels of phosho-eIF2α, phospho-C-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) increased, and a chemical chaperone tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) prevented cell death. The impaired oxidation metabolism of fatty acids was also possibly involved in the fructose-induced toxicity as treatment with an AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activator and a PPAR-α agonist significantly protected against fructose-induced death, while carnitine palmitoyl transferase I inhibitor exacerbated the toxicity. However, uric acid-mediated toxicity was not involved in fructose-induced death as uric acid was not toxic to MPHs, and the inhibition of xanthine oxidase (a key enzyme in uric acid synthesis) did not affect cell death. On the other hand, treatment with inhibitors of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)⁺-consuming enzyme CD38 or CD38 gene knockdown significantly protected against fructose-induced toxicity in MPHs, and fructose treatment increased CD38 levels. These data suggest that CD38 upregulation plays a role in hepatic injury in the fructose-enriched diet-mediated NASH. Thus, CD38 inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent fructose-enriched diet-mediated NASH.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.90-102
• /
• 2010

Objectives: This study was investigated the protective effect of Spatholobi Caulis water extract against cadmium (CdCl2, Cd)-induced hepatic toxicity in rats. Methods: To induce acute hepatic toxicity, Cd (4 mg/kg body weight) was dissolved in normal saline and intravenously injected into rats. Then, the rats received either a vehicle or silymarin (100 mg/kg) or Spatholobi Caulis water extract (30, 50 mg/kg/day) for 3 days, and were exposed to a single injection of Cd 24 h after the last Spatholobi Caulis/vehicle treatment. Results: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly increased by Cd treatment. In contrast, pretreatment with Spatholobi Caulis reduced ALT, AST and LDH. Cd-intoxicated liver damage was significantly inhibited by treatment of Spatholobi Caulis 30 and 50 mg/kg at histopathological observations in the present study. Conclusions: These results can be considered as direct evidence that Spatholobi Caulis has favorable inhibitory effects on the Cd-intoxicated liver damages. The efficacy of Spatholobi Caulis 30 mg/kg shows similar effects to that of silymarin 100 mg/kg, and more favorable hepatoprotective effects were observed in Spatholobi Caulis 50 mg/kg as compared with silymarin 100 mg/kg against Cd-intoxicated hepatopathies in the present study.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the effect of chlorella on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in Cd-administered rats. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats (14 week-old) were blocked into 6 groups. Cadmium chloride was given at levels of 0 or 325 mg (Cd: 0, 160 ppm), and chlorella powder at levels of 0, 3 and 5%. Cadmium was accumulated in blood and tissues (liver, kidney and small intestine) in the Cd-exposed groups, while the accumulation of Cd was decreased in the Cd-exposed chlorella groups. Fecal and urinary Cd excretions were remarkably increased in Cd-exposed chlorella groups. Thus, cadmium retention ratio and absorption rate were decreased in the Cd exposed chlorella groups. Urinary and serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance were not changed in experimental animals. In addition, metallothionein (MT) synthesis in tissues was increased by Cd administration. The Cd-exposed chlorella groups indicated lower MT concentration compared to the Cd-exposed groups. Moreover, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was not changed by dietary chI orella and Cd administration. According to the results above, this study could suggest that Cd toxicity can be alleviated by increasing Cd excretion through feces. Therefore, when exposed to Cd, chlorella is an appropriate source which counteracts heavy metal poisoning, to decrease the damage of tissues by decreasing cadmium absorption.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.644-650
• /
• 2016

In soil-to-plant transfer of heavy metals, the amount absorbed and accumulated varies depending on the environment conditions. The absorption rate of cadmium (Cd) in plants differs considerably depending on the bioavailability of Cd in the soil, while usage by various organic matters is also reported to affect absorption patterns. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the difference in the transfer of essential metal ions and Cd to various plant parts when rice straw compost was used to cultivate soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Daepung). In the two-leaf stage of soybean cultivated in a greenhouse, Cd was mixed in the soil, after which the Cd and essential metal ions contents, and physiological changes of soybean seedlings were studied on the 15th and 25th day. The Cd toxicity in the plant was reduced with the use of rice straw compost. Further, the Cd content varied with the plant part, and was higher in young leaves (3rd and 4th leaf) than in the stem. When analyzed by leaf age, the Cd transfer was highest in young leaves (3rd and 4th leaf), followed by mature leaves (1st and 2nd leaf). While there was no significant difference between plant tissues in the absorption rate of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) when rice straw compost was used against Cd toxicity, the absorption rate of manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) showed a significant decline in both the control and rice straw compost treatment conditions, as well as a significant difference between leaf ages. Therefore, these results confirm that the use of rice straw compost against Cd toxicity is effective, and implies that the rate of Cd transfer in the soybean plant varies significantly with leaf age.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.203-214
• /
• 2017

Environmental toxicity due to cadmium (Cd) pollution in croplands causes critical problems worldwide. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important crop in Asia, including South Korea, and numerous studies have evaluated the relationship between Cd and antioxidants to alleviate Cd uptake from the soil into plants. However, information about the relationship between phosphorus (P) and antioxidants in rice seedlings is still limited with regard to Cd phytotoxicity. We therefore investigated the physiological responses of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv 'Dongjin') seedlings to Cd toxicity and the effect of P application on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant changes. The exposure of rice seedlings to $30{\mu}M$ Cd inhibited plant growth; increased the contents of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde; and induced Cd uptake by the roots and leaves. Application of P to Cd-exposed seedlings decreased Cd-induced oxidative stress by enhancing the capacity of ascorbate (AsA) production and ROS-scavenging, and decreased Cd transfer from the roots to the leaves. These results suggest that P application alleviated Cd-induced growth inhibition and oxidative damage by restricting Cd translocation from the roots to the leaves and maintaining sufficient levels of AsA.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.157-166
• /
• 2005

Uptake kinetics of Cd and Zn by leaves and rhizome of the seagrass Zostera marina were examined in controlled laboratory radiotracer experiments. Subsequently, acute toxicity of Cd, Cu and TBT on photosynthetic quantum yield (ΔF/Fm’ of Z. marina were determined, and the differential sensitivities of rapid light curve (RLC) to those harmful substances were also compared. All measurements on photosynthetic activity were determined by chlorophyll a fluorescence method using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM). Metal uptake by Z. marina was saturated with increasing exposure time in leaves and rhizomes. Uptake of Zn by Z. marina was faster than that of Cd. Metal uptake rates in Z. marina decreased with the increase of dissolved metal concentrations and also with the increase of biomass. The adverse effect of TBT on effective quantum yield was stronger than other pollutants. Average acute toxicity on the RLC of the seagrass exposed to TBT and two heavy metals (Cd and Cu) was going to decrease as follows: TBT > Cd > Cu. Our preliminary results in this study suggested that Z. marina potentially can be used as a biomonitor of harmful substances contamination in coastal waters.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.283-288
• /
• 2007

In order to elucidate the relationship between the sludge retention time(SRT) and the toxicity of heavy metals, such as copper (Cu), cadmium(Cd), and zinc(Zn), in sequencing batch reactor(SBR) process, IC50 was estimated with measuring of INT-dehydrogenase activity in variable SRTs. When the concentrations of heavy metals were increased, the activity of INT-dehydrogenase was gradually decreased indicating the heavy metals inhibit bacterial activity. Cu showed higher toxicity than Zn and Cd. $IC_{50}$ of Cu, Cd, and Zn ranged from $0.37\sim1.96$ mg/L, $15.4\sim16.9$ mg/L, and $9.70\sim23.4$ mg/L, respectively. The toxicity of Cu and Zn was reversely proportional to the length of SRT. It is probably caused by the increased concentration of extracellular polymeric substances in longer SRT which absorb heavy metals. Therefore, the operation of SBR with increased SRT is desirable in treatment of industrial wastewater containing heavy metals.