title: Role of calcium channels in cadmium-induced disruption of cortisol synthesis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
abstract: The mechanisms of toxicity of cadmium (Cd(2+)) in adrenal steroidogenesis were investigated in vitro in adrenocortical cells of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Toxicity of Cd(2+) was increased in absence of extracellular Ca(2+), but was prevented in Ca(2+)-supplemented medium. Pretreatment of cells with BAY K8644 (BAY), an agonist of voltage-dependent calcium channels, increased the Cd(2+)-mediated inhibition of ACTH-stimulated secretion but not pregnenolone (PREG)-stimulated secretion. Nicardipine, an antagonist of voltage-dependent calcium channels, also increased the inhibition of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulated secretion by Cd(2+). These results suggest that opening of voltage-dependent calcium channels with BAY may allow Cd(2+) entry at the same time as calcium, thus increasing toxicity of Cd(2+), however voltage-dependent calcium channels may not be the only way of entry into adrenocortical cells. The influx of Cd(2+), measured as intracellular Cd(2+) using Fluo-3 in PREG-stimulated adrenocortical cells, was significantly enhanced by the stimulation. These results suggest that the deleterious effect of Cd(2+) on cortisol steroidogenesis may be enhanced when the endocrine stress response is triggered.
authors.affiliation: Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, TOXEN Research Centre, C.P. 8888 Succ. CentreVille, Montréal, Qc., Canada H3C 3P8.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lacroix
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hontela
mesh_terms: D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D017686:Oncorhynchus mykiss / Q000378:metabolism*; D011284:Pregnenolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002104:Cadmium; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D011284:Pregnenolone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009529:Nicardipine; D006854:Hydrocortisone