l-Arginine normalizes NOS activity and zinc-MT homeostasis in the kidney of mice chronically exposed to inorganic mercury.
Inorganic mercury (HgCl2) exposure provokes damage in many organs, especially kidney. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, total NOS activity and the profiles of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and Hg as well as their distribution when bound to specific intracellular proteins, including metallothioneins (MT), were studied during HgCl2 exposure and after l-arginine treatment in C57BL/6 mouse kidney. HgCl2 exposure modulates differently iNOS expression and NOS activity, increasing iNOS expression but, conversely, decreasing total NOS activity in the mouse kidney. Moreover, during Hg exposure an increased MT production occurs. The kidney damage leads to a loss of urinary proteins, increased plasma creatinine and high Zn mobilization with consequent increased urinary Zn excretion. l-arginine treatment recovers NOS activity and induces a normalization of MT induction, plasma creatinine values and urinary proteins excretion, suggesting that l-arginine may limit kidney damages by Hg exposure.
Piacenza
Francesco
F
Department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies, Occupational Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Torrette, Ancona, Italy.
Malavolta
Marco
M
Cipriano
Catia
C
Costarelli
Laura
L
Giacconi
Robertina
R
Muti
Elisa
E
Tesei
Silvia
S
Pierpaoli
Sara
S
Basso
Andrea
A
Bracci
Massimo
M
Bonacucina
Viviana
V
Santarelli
Lory
L
Mocchegiani
Eugenio
E
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000633:toxicity; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000139:chemically induced; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C021267:zinc thionein; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D003300:Copper; D008668:Metallothionein; D001120:Arginine; D003404:Creatinine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D008628:Mercury