Estrogenic response in male bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) hepatocytes after single or combined exposure to cadmium (Cd) and 17beta-estradiol (E2).
Contamination by heavy metals and sex hormones in a water environment is an important health issue. In this study, we investigated the estrogenic effects of cadmium (Cd) administration alone and in combination with 17beta-estradiol (E2) on the hepatocytes of male Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). Their vitellogenin (VTG) expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed upon exposure to Cd alone or to both Cd and E2. Our results suggest that the VTG levels induced by the co-treatment of 100 nM E2 and 100 nM CdCl(2) were significantly higher than those induced by 100 nM E2 alone (p < 0.05), and were comparable to vitellogenin induction observed with 1 μM E2. A similar result was observed by western blot analysis in the culture medium of hepatocytes. Meanwhile, Cd (but not E2) increased the ROS levels. These results suggest that Cd has a cooperative effect with E2 in the induction of VTG, thus acting as an estrogenic disruptor. Cd also causes oxidative stress that occurs with the enhanced vitellogenesis.
Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
Keun Woo
KW
Lee
Ziwei
Z
Chang
Beom-Seok
BS
Oh
Ming
M
Lu
Jang-Su
JS
Park
D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000633:toxicity*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011892:Rana catesbeiana; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002104:Cadmium; D004958:Estradiol