Modification of electrodes with polymer nanocomposites: Application to the simultaneous determination of Zn(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) in water samples.

Currently, there is a need for fast and sensitive analytical methods for monitoring metals in water due to the progressive increase in the presence of metal ions in the environment. These metals reach the environment mainly from industrial activity and heavy metals are non-biodegradable. The present work evaluates different polymeric nanocomposites to carry out the simultaneous electrochemical determination of Cu, Cd, and Zn in water samples.

A soybean based-diet prevents Cadmium access to rat cerebellum, maintaining trace elements homeostasis and avoiding morphological alterations.

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most dangerous heavy metals that exists. A prolonged exposure to Cd causes toxic effects in a variety of tissues, including Central Nervous System (CNS), where it can penetrate the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). Cd exposure has been linked to neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases.

Glycine max (soy) based diet improves antioxidant defenses and prevents cell death in cadmium intoxicated lungs.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal and an important environmental contaminant. We analyzed its effects on oligoelements, oxidative stress, cell death, Hsp expression and the histoarchitecture of rat lung under different diets, using animal models of subchronic cadmium intoxication. We found that Cd lung content augmented in intoxicated groups: Zn, Mn and Se levels showed modifications among the different diets, while Cu showed no differences.

[Ion transporters in the lungs. Use as therapeutic targets].

The chloride channels, sodium and bicarbonate channels, and aquaporin water channels are coordinated to maintain the airway surface liquid that is necessary for mucociliary clearance. The general mechanism for the transport of electrolytes and fluids depends mainly on the differential expression and distribution of ion transporters and pumps. Ions and water move through the paracellular or transcellular pathways.

Recombinant heat shock protein 27 (HSP27/HSPB1) protects against cadmium-induced oxidative stress and toxicity in human cervical cancer cells.

Cadmium (Cd) is a carcinogen with several well-described toxicological effects in humans, but its molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. Overexpression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27/HSPB1)-a multifunctional protein chaperone-has been shown to protect cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis triggered by Cd exposure. The aims of this work were to investigate the potential use of extracellular recombinant HSP27 to prevent/counteract Cd-induced cellular toxicity and to evaluate if peroxynitrite was involved in the development of Cd-induced toxicity.

A Mouse Model of Diet-Induced Obesity Resembling Most Features of Human Metabolic Syndrome.

Increased chicken-derived fat and fructose consumption in the human diet is paralleled by an increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS). Herein, we aimed at developing and characterizing a mouse model of diet-induced obesity (DIO) resembling most of the key features of the human MS. To accomplish this, we fed male C57BL/6J mice for 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks with either a low-fat diet (LFD) or a high-chicken-fat diet (HFD) and tap water with or without 10% fructose (F).

HER2 and β-catenin protein location: importance in the prognosis of breast cancer patients and their correlation when breast cancer cells suffer stressful situations.

In human breast cancer, β-catenin localization has been related with disease prognosis. Since HER2-positive patients are an important subgroup, and that in breast cancer cells a direct interaction of β-catenin/HER2 has been reported, in the present study we have explored whether β-catenin location is related with the disease survival. The study was performed in a tumor bank from patients (n = 140) that did not receive specific anti-HER2 therapy.

Cytoprotective mechanisms in rats lung parenchyma with zinc deprivation.

Suboptimal intake of Zinc (Zn) is one of the most common worldwide nutritional problems. The aim of this study is to provide new evidence on the relation between moderate Zn restriction, and cytoprotective functions in airway epithelium. We analyzed the effect of moderate Zn deficiency (ZD) on the expression of several pro and anti-apoptotic proteins and cytoprotective factors (Hsp27 and Hsp 70i), as well as the effect of restoring Zn during the refeeding period.

Alterations of the extracellular matrix of lung during zinc deficiency.

Suboptimal intake of Zn is one of the most common nutritional problems worldwide. Previously, we have shown that Zn deficiency (ZD) produces oxidative and nitrosative stress in the lung of rats. We analyse the effect of moderate ZD on the expression of several intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton, as well as the effect of restoring Zn during the refeeding period.

Nutritional deficiencies and phospholipid metabolism.

Phospholipids are important components of the cell membranes of all living species. They contribute to the physicochemical properties of the membrane and thus influence the conformation and function of membrane-bound proteins, such as receptors, ion channels, and transporters and also influence cell function by serving as precursors for prostaglandins and other signaling molecules and modulating gene expression through the transcription activation. The components of the diet are determinant for cell functionality.

Alteration in the expression of inflammatory parameters as a result of oxidative stress produced by moderate zinc deficiency in rat lung.

Suboptimal intake of dietary zinc (Zn) is one of the most common nutritional problems worldwide. Previously, the authors have shown that zinc deficiency (ZD) produces oxidative and nitrosative stress in lung of male rats. The goal of this study is to test the effect of moderate ZD on insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-5, NADH oxidase (NOX)-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), as well as the effect of restoring zinc during the refeeding period.

Zn-limited diet modifies the expression of the rate-regulatory enzymes involved in phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol synthesis.

Suboptimal intake of Zn is one of the most common nutritional worldwide problems. Previously, we showed that Zn deficiency produces alterations in lung lipid metabolism in rats. We studied the effect of a Zn-limited (ZL) diet on the expression of the enzymes involved in phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol synthesis.

Effects of chronic exposure to cadmium on prostate lipids and morphology.

Cadmium is an environmental toxic metal implicated in human prostate carcinogenesis. The mechanism of its toxicity is not fully understood. Previously, we showed that cadmium exposure induces oxidative stress, especially lipid peroxidation.

Overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in rat zinc-deficient lung: Involvement of a NF-kappaB dependent pathway.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases. The goal of this study was to measure the response of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 enzymes (COX-2) in lung with moderate zinc deficiency. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups receiving (1) a zinc-deficient diet (ZD) or (2) a zinc-adequate control diet.

Morphological changes and oxidative stress in rat prostate exposed to a non-carcinogenic dose of cadmium.

Cadmium chloride is an environmental toxicant implicated in human prostate carcinogenesis. The mechanism of its toxicity is far from fully understood. This study evaluates the effect of exposure to an oral non-carcinogenic dose of cadmium (15 ppm in drinking water for three months) on different parameters of the ventral prostatic lobe of normal and exposed rats.

Chronic zinc deficiency induces an antioxidant adaptive response in rat lung.

Few studies are available about the role of dietary zinc (Zn) in respiratory diseases. Adult male rats were divided into 2 groups and fed respectively a moderate Zn-deficient diet and a Zn-adequate control diet. In lung tissue at 2 months, thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS), total glutathione, glutathione disulfide, protein carbonyls, metallothionein, and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, CuZn-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) were increased, but protein thiols decreased.