Cadmium-induced oxidative stress and histological damage in the myocardium. Effects of a soy-based diet.

Cd exposure has been associated to an augmented risk for cardiovascular disease. We investigated the effects of 15 and 100 ppm of Cd on redox status as well as histological changes in the rat heart and the putative protective effect of a soy-based diet. Male Wistar rats were separated into 6 groups and treated during 60 days as follows: groups (1), (2) and (3) were fed a casein-based diet; groups (4), (5) and (6), a soy-based diet; (1) and (4) were given tap water; (2) and (5) tap water containing 15 ppm of Cd²⁺; and (3) and (6) tap water containing 100 ppm of Cd²⁺.

Lead and cadmium accumulation in anuran amphibians of a permanent water body in arid Midwestern Argentina.

Purpose: Heavy metals have been detected in water and sediments from the Embalse La Florida, an artificial lake in the arid region of San Luis province, Argentina, representing one of the few sources of permanent water for reproduction of native anuran species. This study assesses lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in the anuran species found in this water reservoir as well as differences between compounds, species and sites of collection.

Methods: Adult anuran amphibians were collected on the north and south shores of the Embalse La Florida and Pb and Cd concentrations were measured in whole body homogenates digested using wet ashing techniques.

Modelling spatial and temporal variations in the water quality of an artificial water reservoir in the semiarid midwest of Argentina.

Temporal and spatial patterns of water quality of an important artificial water reservoir located in the semiarid Midwest of Argentina were investigated using chemometric techniques. Surface water samples were collected at 38 points of the water reservoir during eleven sampling campaigns between October 1998 and June 2000, covering the warm wet season and the cold dry season, and analyzed for dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, pH, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, hardness, bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, fluoride, sodium, potassium, iron, aluminum, silica, phosphate, sulfide, arsenic, chromium, lead, cadmium, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), viable aerobic bacteria (VAB) and total coliform bacteria (TC). Concentrations of lead, ammonium, nitrite and coliforms were higher than the maximum allowable limits for drinking water in a large proportion of the water samples.

Myocardial oxidative stress following sub-chronic and chronic oral cadmium exposure in rats.

We investigated the effect of oral cadmium intoxication on the antioxidant/prooxidant status in serum and heart. Wistar rats, separated into four groups, that received: (1) tap water for 60 days (control); (2), (3) and (4) Cd(2+) (15 ppm)-containing water, during 15, 30 and 60 days, respectively. Lipoperoxidation increased in serum and heart of group 4.

Contamination of heavy metals in birds from Embalse La Florida (San Luis, Argentina).

Embalse La Florida is an artificial lake located in midwestern Argentina's San Luis province. It provides drinking water to approximately 70% of the province's human population and approximately 20% of the province is irrigated with water from the reservoir. The presence of heavy metals in Embalse La Florida's water has previously been reported.

Organochlorine contamination in anuran amphibians of an artificial lake in the semiarid midwest of Argentina.

Artificial water reservoirs are important for fauna in arid-semiarid regions, because they provide suitable habitats for species that depend on water, such as amphibians. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are toxic, persistent compounds that tend to bioaccumulate and bioconcentrate. We evaluated contaminant levels in anurans from an artificial lake (Embalse La Florida) in a semiarid region of the Midwest Argentina.

Organochlorine pesticide contamination in three bird species of the Embalse La Florida water reservoir in the semiarid midwest of Argentina.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCs) have a variety of acute and chronic pathological effects on animals, are persistent in the environment and are accumulated in adipose tissue of animals. In Argentina there are few studies reporting the OC contamination in the fauna. Moreover, no data are available for an ecologically relevant region, the arid-semiarid midwest region of Argentina.