Four groups of goldfish were exposed to cadmium in a concentration of 20 mg Cd/l water under aquarium conditions. The duration of exposure was 1, 4, 7 and 15 days. It was shown that the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the red blood cells (RBC) significantly decreased after the first day of cadmium exposure. However, the SOD activity increased after 7 and 15 days of cadmium treatment. Elevated activity of catalase (CAT) was found in erythrocytes of cadmium-treated fishes after 15 days, whereas plasma GOT levels was increased after 7 and 15 days and GPT levels after 1, 4, 7 and 15 days of cadmium treatment. This was accompanied by a significant decrease of blood hemoglobin concentrations (after 15 days) and hematocrit values (after 7 and 15 days). However, the concentration of blood glucose significantly increased after 1, 4, 7 and 15 days of cadmium exposure. These results indicate that cadmium causes oxidative stress and tissue damage in the exposed fishes., R.V. Žikić, A. Š. Štajn, S. Z. Pavlović, B. I. Ognjanović, Z. S. Saičić., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Anthropogenic activities and improper uses of phosphate fertilizers have led to an increase in cadmium concentrations in agricultural soils. Brassinosteroids are steroid hormones that are rapidly assimilated and metabolised with beneficial roles in physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Our aim was to ascertain whether exogenous treatment with 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) can mitigate the Cd toxicity, and whether this substance can reduce the Cd accumulation in plant tissues. Furthermore, the dose response to EBR was determined following exposure to Cd in Vigna unguiculata. The experiment was a completely randomised factorial design with two concentrations of Cd (0 and 500 μM) and three concentrations of EBR (0, 50, and 100 nM). Spraying plants exposed to Cd with EBR significantly reduced the concentrations of Cd and increased nutrient contents in all tissues. The EBR treatment caused significant enhancements in leaf, root, and total dry matter. Foliar application of EBR reduced the negative effects of Cd toxicity on chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange parameters. Pretreatment with EBR also increased contents of pigments in plants exposed to Cd, compared with the identical treatments without EBR. Cd elevated contents of oxidant compounds, inducing cell damages, while EBR significantly decreased the concentrations of these compounds. We confirmed that EBR mitigated the negative effects related to Cd toxicity, reduced the absorption and transport of Cd, and increased the contents of essential elements. In plants exposed to Cd, the most apparent dose response was found for 100 nM EBR, with beneficial repercussions on growth, gas exchange, primary photosynthetic processes, and photosynthetic pigments, which were intrinsically connected to lower production of oxidant compounds and cell damage., L. R. Santos, B. L. Batista, A. K. S. Lobato., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The present study was devised to assess the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) administration on certain andrological, endocrinological and biochemical alterations in adult male rabbits (n=24). The animals were assigned to control (n=8) and experimental (n=16) group. Experimental group was orally administered with 1.5 mg/kg body weight of CdCl2. The trials were carried out for a total of 5 weeks and blood sampling was carried out on weekly basis. A gradual decrease was noticed for body weight in the experimental group from week 1 to 5, being significantly lower in week 4 and 5 (P<0.05). A similar decremented trend was noticed for serum testosterone level being significantly lower in experimental group in week 4 and 5 (P<0.001). Significantly lower values were noticed for prolactin in experimental group in week 4 and 5 (P<0.05), than in the control. On the contrary, serum cortisol level showed a gradual increase in experimental group, from week 1 to 5, being significantly higher in week 4 and 5 (P<0.05). Regarding the biochemical attributes, all the parameters under study revealed a gradually ascending trend. Statistical significance was, however, achieved in varying weeks and at varying levels. The total protein and albumin were significantly higher in week 4 and 5 (P<0.01); alanine aminotransferase in week 2 (P<0.01), 3 (P<0.001), 4 (P<0.01) and 5 (P<0.001); aspartate aminotransferase in week 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (P<0.01); and alkaline phosphatase in week 1, 2 (P<0.01), 3, 4 and 5 (P<0.0001), respectively. Overall mortality rate in experimental group was 68.75 (11/16). In a nutshell, Cd exposure results in adverse effects on all physiological parameters of body and may lead to lethal consequences., S. Sajjad, H. Malik, U. Farooq, F. Rashid, H. Nasim, S. Tariq, S. Rehman., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We studied cadmium toxicity in murine hepatocytes in vitro. Cadmium effects on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were assayed, using a laser scanning confocal microscope with a fluorescent probe, Fluo-3/AM. The results showed that administration of cadmium chloride (CdCl2, 5, 10, 25 μM) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of hepatocyte viability and an elevated aspartate aminotransfe rase (AST) activity in the culture medium (p<0.05 for 25 μM CdCl2 vs. control). Significant increases of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in 10 and 25 μM CdCl2-exposed groups were observed (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). A greatly decreased albumin content and a more malondialdehyde (MDA) formation also occurred after CdCl2 treatment. The Ca2+ concentrations in the culture medium of CdCl2-exposed hepatocytes were significantly decreased, while [Ca2+]i appeared to be significantly elevated (p<0.05 or p<0.01 vs. control). We found that in Ca2+-containing hydroxyethyl piperazine ethanesulfonic acid-buffered salt solution (HBSS) only, CdCl2 elicited [Ca2+]i increases, which comprised an initially slow ascent and a strong elevated phase. However, in Ca2+-containing HBSS with addition of 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borane (2-APB), CdCl2 caused a mild [Ca 2+] i elevation in the absence of an initial rise phase. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ showed that CdCl2 induced an initially slow [Ca2+]i rise alone without being followed by a markedly elevated phase, but in a Ca2+-free HBSS with addition of 2-APB, CdCl2 failed to elicit the [Ca2+]i elevation. These results suggest that abnormal Ca2+ homeostasis due to cadmium may be an important mechanism of the development of the toxic effect in murine hepatocytes. [Ca2+]i elevation in acutely cadmium-exposed hepatocytes is closely related to the extracellular Ca2+ entry and an excessive release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores., S. S. Wang, L. Chen, S. K. Xia., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Pearson) plants were grown in growth chambers for 25 days with cadmium (Cd) and then exposed briefly to ozone (O3). Gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and pigment composition were analysed in leaves at the end of the treatment to assess the effects of a single pollutant and their combination on photosynthesis. The CO2 assimilation rate was dramatically reduced in plants subjected to the combined treatment, while the single effect of Cd appeared less severe than that of O3. The decline of CO2 photoassimilation found in all
O3-exposed plants was attributed to both stomatal and nonstomatal limitations. Tomato plants seemed to detoxify Cd to a great extent, but this resulted in growth suppression. In response to O3 exposure, the plants protected their photosystems by heat dissipation of excess energy via the xanthophyll cycle. Cd combined with O3 affected adversely this cycle resulting in an increase in photosynthetic performance under the same experimental light conditions., E. Degl’Innocenti, A. Castagna, A. Ranieri, L. Guidi., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The effects of selenium (Se) on antioxidant defense system in liver and kidneys of rats with cadmium (Cd)-induced toxicity were examined. Cd exposure (15 mg Cd/kg b.m./day as CdCl2 for 4 weeks) resulted in increased lipid peroxidation (LP) in both organs (p<0.005 and p<0.01). Vitamin C (Vit C) was decreased in the liver (p<0.005), whereas vitamin E (Vit E) was increased in the liver and kidneys (p<0.005 and p<0.05) of Cd-exposed animals. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were decreased in both tissues (p<0.05 and p<0.005), whereas catalase (CAT) activity was decreased only in liver (p<0.005). Glutathione S-transferase (GST) increased in both tissues (p<0.005 and p<0.01). Treatment with Se (0.5 mg Se/kg b.m./day as Na2SeO3 for 4 weeks) significantly increased liver and kidneys SOD and GSH-Px activities (p<0.05 to p<0.005), as well as CAT and GST activities only in the liver (p<0.01). In animals exposed to Se, both the concentrations of Vit C (p<0.01) and Vit E (p<0.005) were increased in both tissues. Co-treatment with Se resulted in reversal of oxidative stress with significant decline in analyzed tissues Cd burden. Our results show that Se may ameliorate Cd-induced oxidative stress by decreasing LP and altering antioxidant defense system in rat liver and kidneys and that Se demonstrates the protective effect from cadmium-induced oxidative damage., B. I. Ognjanović, S. D. Marković, S. Z. Pavlović, R. V. Žikić, A. Š. Štajn, Z. S. Saičić., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Results of cadmium sorption and desorption, as well as distribution coefficients of cadmium in the soils from the Danubian Lowland and from Veľký Ďur (neighbourhood of the nuclear power plant Jaslovske Bohunice) are presented in this study. It was found that Cd adsorption is high in studied soils already after the one-minute lasting Cd-soil contact. The results obtained show that the highest sorption of cadmium is in the loamy-sand soil from Kalinkovo (99.75 %). Zeolite application was the most effective in the loam soil from Macov. Sorption of cadmium in this soil increased by 1.45%. The presence of zeolite in chosen soil samples influenced Cd desorption, too. In loamy-sand soil from Kalinkovo cadmium desorption decreased by 50 % after zeolite application. Sorption experiments with radionuclides (85Sr and 137Cs) were conducted on brown earth from the site Velľký Ďur. The 137Cs sorption is very high in studied soil. Zeolite is more effective in the case of 85Sr. Desorption of radiostrontium decreased by 50% after zeolite application. and V práci sa prezentujú výsledky sorpcie, desorpcie a hodnoty rozdeľovacieho koeficientu kadmia vo vybraných vzorkách pôd Podunajskej nížiny a hnedozeme z lokality Veľký Ďur. Kadmium je silne sorbované sledovanými pôdami už po 1 minúte trvania kontaktu. Najvyššia sorpcia sa pozorovala u hlinito-piesočnatej pôdy z lokality Kalinkovo, kde pomerné adsorbované množstvo S kadmia bolo 99,75 %. Aplikácia zeolitu sa najviac prejavila u hlinitej pôdy z Macova, kde sa pomerné adsorbované množstvo S kadmia zvýšilo o 1,45 %. Zeolit ovplyvnil aj desorpciu naviazaného kadmia v sledovaných pôdnych vzorkách. Najviac kadmia sa desorbovalo z hlinito-piesočnatej pôdy z Kalinkova a aplikácia zeolitu znížila pomerné desorbované množstvo kadmia na menej ako polovicu. Sorpčné experimenty s rádionuklidmi (85Sr a 137Cs) boli vykonané na hnedozemi z lokality Veľký Ďur. 137Cs je už samotnou pôdou sorbované takmer na 100 % a prítomnosť zeolitu už sorpciu prakticky nezvyšuje. Zeolit zvyšuje sorpciu hlavne u rádiostroncia. Desorpcia stroncia po aplikácii zeolitu sa znížila o 50 %.
Cadmium inhibits photosynthetic capacity of plants by disturbing protein conformations, whereas phytocystatins prevent degradation of target proteins and are involved in abiotic stress tolerance. Two mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cultivars, Ro Agro 4001 and Amruta, were grown with Cd (50 µM) in order to study physiological and biochemical basis of differences in Cd tolerance. Amruta accumulated higher Cd and H2O2 concentrations in leaves than that of Ro Agro 4001. Cd significantly decreased photosynthesis and growth of plants in both cultivars by reducing a chlorophyll content, gas exchange parameters, and activity of Rubisco; the effects were more prominent in Amruta than those in Ro Agro 4001. The greater photosynthesis and growth of Ro Agro 4001 under Cd stress might be attributed to its higher phytocystatin activity together with greater ascorbate peroxidase activity, photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency, sulphur assimilation (ATP-sulphurylase activity and S content), and contents of cysteine and reduced glutathione compared to Amruta. In contrast, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was higher in Amruta than that of Ro Agro 4001 under control conditions, whereas the Cd treatment increased significantly the SOD activity in both cultivars with the greater increase in Ro Agro 4001. The fluorescence spectra of phytocystatin showed a lesser change in Ro Agro 4001 under Cd stress than that in Amruta suggesting higher resistance of Ro Agro 4001 to Cd. The higher phytocystatin activity under Cd stress in Ro Agro 4001 compared to Amruta enabled the plants to protect their proteins more efficiently. This resulted in a greater increase of photosynthetic capacity in Ro Agro 4001 than that of Amruta. Thus, the phytocystatin activity may be considered as a physiological parameter for augmenting photosynthesis and growth of mustard under Cd stress., T. S. Per, S. Khan, M. Asgher, B. Bano, N. A. Khan., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The effects of acute exposure to cadmium (Cd) on the blood antioxidant defense system, lipid peroxide concentration and hematological parameters, as well as the possible protective role of vitamin E were studied. Male Wistar albino rats (3 months old) were treated with cadmium (0.4 mg Cd/kg b.m., i.p., 24 h before the experiment) or with vitamin E + Cd (20 IU Vit E/kg b.m., i.m., 48 h + 0.4 mg Cd/kg b.m., i.p., 24 h before the experiment). The hematological parameters were assessed: red blood cell counts, hematocrit value and hemoglobin concentration were significantly decreased in the blood of Cd-treated rats. Intoxication with cadmium was also followed by significantly increased lipid peroxide concentrations. We also observed increased activity of antioxidant defense enzymes: copper zinc containing superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase as well as concentrations of non-enzymatic components of antioxidant defense system: reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E. Pretreatment with vitamin E exhibited a protective role on the toxic effects of cadmium on the hematological values, lipid peroxide concentration as well as on enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of antioxidant defense system., B. I. Ognjanović, S. Z. Pavlović, S. D. Maletić, R. V. Žikić, A. Š. Štajn, R. M. Radojičić, Z. S. Saičić, V. M. Petrović., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The paper presents the results of research of surface water and sediment contamination by the specific pollutants in the Klabava River Basin, subcatchment of Vltava River in Central Bohemia, Czech Republic. The analysis of spatial and temporal dynamics of the contamination is based on the water and sediment chemistry data from the long-term monitoring maintained by the Vltava River Authority completed by the own monitoring established in the Klabava River basin. The research revealed that the most important water and sediment contamination loads are mainly concentrated in the industrial area between cities Hrádek and Rokycany situated on downstream of the river basin. The performed analysis identified the cadmium as the most critical parameter as its concentrations in surface water exceeded the references limits up to several hundred times. However, pollution with the specific organic substances was still below the critical limit, except for the AOX indicator. The results of sample-taking in the river basin allowed analyzing the effect of extreme flood in August 2002 on the changes in the sediment load by heavy metals. Contaminated sediments were mostly washed out by the inundation and this resulted in significantly lower values than were observed in the previous seasons. Repeated observations however indicate that the pollution concentrations are gradually reaching their original values. and Článek představuje výsledky výzkumu znečištění povrchových vod a sedimentů specifickým znečištěním v povodí Klabavy. Analýza vychází z dostupných dat o chemismu vody a plavenin ze sledování podniku Povodí Vltavy a z vlastních dat získaných rozbory vzorků odebraných na síti účelově zřízených profilů. Pro hodnocení chemismu sedimentů byly použity standardní metody - porovnání s pozaďovými hodnotami geogenního prostředí podle Turekiana a Wedepohla a zatřídění do tříd jakosti podle Igeo. Z výsledků vyplývá, že zatížení vody i sedimentů je soustředěno zejména do oblasti průmyslového a sídelního uskupení mezi Hrádkem a Rokycany. Varovné jsou zde především koncentrace kadmia ve vodě, které v této oblasti překračují referenční hodnoty i několiksetkrát, silnou zátěž potvrzují i analýzy sedimentu. Znečištění specifickými organickými látkami s výjimkou ukazatele AOX nedosahuje kritických hodnot. Výsledky vlastních odběrů umožnily rovněž zhodnotit vliv povodně v srpnu 2002 na změnu zátěže sedimentů. Kontaminované sedimenty byly povodní vyplaveny a hodnoty, naměřené bezprostředně po povodni, jsou výrazně nižší než v předchozím období. Díky pokračující zátěži se však postupně vrací k původním hodnotám.