title: Metallothionein-1 and metallothionein-2 gene expression and localisation of apoptotic cells in Zn-treated LEC rat liver.
abstract: The aims of the present work were to determine the effect of long-term treatment with zinc (Zn) on metallothionein (MT) concentrations and to study the levels of both MT-1 and MT-2 mRNAs in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat liver. We also identified apoptotic cells comparing two cytochemical techniques. Thirteen rats received 50 mg zinc acetate daily by gavage, 13 rats received no treatment, and both groups were killed after 60 days. Finally four rats were killed 35 days after birth (T(0)). The results demonstrate that the Zn-treated group had higher levels of MT than both the untreated and basal ones. Quantification of mRNA indicates that the level of the Zn-treated group was significantly higher than the untreated group. Confocal fluorescent staining with monoclonal antibody (Mab) against single-strand DNA localised the hepatic cells that had chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation typical of apoptosis, especially in the untreated group sections. The intensity and quantity of fluorescence decreased in both the treated and basal groups. The higher sensitivity of Mab staining compared to TUNEL, which revealed both apoptotic and necrotic cells, reflects the different action mechanism of the two techniques. These findings confirm, in LEC rats, the important role of Zn in cellular protection in relation to MT expression and apoptotic processes as cellular responses to DNA damage by free radicals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Padova, via U. Bassi, 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santon
authors.forename: Giacomo Carlo
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Sturniolo
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Albergoni
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Irato
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005453:Fluorescence; D015870:Gene Expression; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020332:Rats, Inbred LEC; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis; D019345:Zinc Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014131:Trace Elements; D008668:Metallothionein; D019345:Zinc Acetate