title: Influence of cadmium on metallothionein expression and products of lipid peroxidation in the organs of hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas).
abstract: Cadmium occurs naturally in the environment and as an anthropogenic pollutant. Exposure to low concentrations of cadmium is inevitable and may produce toxic effects. Another important aspect of cadmium toxicity is its interaction, often antagonistic, with essential elements such as selenium. The aim of this study was to highlight the risks of long-term exposure to low cadmium concentrations, using a scientific and chemical approach and hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) as model organisms in a field study. Two study areas were monitored. Levels of cadmium and selenium were quantified in the organs of hares, the expression of metallothioneins I + II and the products of lipid peroxidation were determined. The median cadmium concentrations (wet weight) in the muscle, liver, kidney and brain of hares from an exposed group ranged from 0.033 to 0.037, 0.763 to 1.054, 3.090 to 16.594 and 0.016 to 0.087 µg g(-1), respectively; whereas, the median selenium concentrations (wet weight) ranged from 0.100 to 0.108, 0.153 to 0.332, 0.677 to 0.701 and 0.078 to 0.116 µg g(-1), respectively. Expression of the metallothioneins I + II proteins was observed in tissues. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) equivalents, increased with the cadmium concentration. Further research on long-term exposure to low concentrations of cadmium in the environment is needed.
authors.affiliation: Teaching Institute of Public Health, Primorsko-Goranska County, Kresimirova 52a, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia.
authors.forename: Dijana Tomić
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Linšak
authors.forename: Zeljko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Linšak
authors.forename: Zdravko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Spirić
authors.forename: Emil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Srebočan
authors.forename: Marin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glad
authors.forename: Arijana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cenov
authors.forename: Hrvoje
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jakovac
authors.forename: Cedomila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Milin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002104:Cadmium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D017523:Croatia; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D034621:Hares / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D008668:Metallothionein; D012643:Selenium
keywords: biomonitoring; cadmium; hares; lipid peroxidation; metallothioneins, selenium