title: Accumulated Metals and Metallothionein Expression in Organs of Hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) Within Natural Gas Fields of Podravina, Croatia.
abstract: Environmental impact of natural gas facility near Molve (Podravina, Croatia) was assessed using hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) as biomonitors. Elevated levels of heavy metals in the environment lead to their accumulation in different tissues of hares. The authors have tested accumulation and distribution of several metals in hare liver, kidney, and muscle tissues. The accumulation of copper in hare liver and kidneys with concomitant decrease of zinc was observed in animals from Podravina region as opposed to the control group of animals (Island Krk, Croatia). Secondly, the expression of metallothioneins was assessed because of their crucial role in metal homeostasis. Observed elevation of metallothionein expression in tested organs emphasizes the possible prolonged negative effects of heavy metals in the surroundings as well as a state of oxidative stress in animals. Further monitoring of the area is necessary for better control of hydrocarbon processing to diminish the possible negative environmental effects.
authors: a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka , Rijeka , Croatia.
authors: Marin
authors: M
authors: Tota
authors: Hrvoje
authors: H
authors: Jakovac
authors: Zdravko
authors: Z
authors: Špirić
authors: Emil
authors: E
authors: Srebočan
authors: Čedomila
authors: Č
authors: Milin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017523:Croatia; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D034621:Hares / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D061329:Oil and Gas Fields; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D008668:Metallothionein
keywords: copper; environment; hares; metallothionein; zinc