Myocardial oxidative stress following sub-chronic and chronic oral cadmium exposure in rats.

We investigated the effect of oral cadmium intoxication on the antioxidant/prooxidant status in serum and heart. Wistar rats, separated into four groups, that received: (1) tap water for 60 days (control); (2), (3) and (4) Cd(2+) (15 ppm)-containing water, during 15, 30 and 60 days, respectively. Lipoperoxidation increased in serum and heart of group 4. Circulating paraoxonase-1 activity was higher in groups 2 and 3. Protein carbonyl-groups increased while total and reduced glutathione levels decreased in the heart after 15 days of cadmium intoxication. Cardiac catalase activity was higher in groups 3 and 4 but glutathione peroxidase activity diminished in the heart of all poisoned groups. Superoxide dismutase transcript levels as well as Nrf2 expression also increased in the heart of groups 2 and 3, while gp91phox and p47phox mRNA levels rose only in group 3. We suggest cadmium intoxication modifies antioxidant/prooxidant ratio in serum and heart in a time-of-exposure-dependent way.

Contamination of heavy metals in birds from Embalse La Florida (San Luis, Argentina).

Embalse La Florida is an artificial lake located in midwestern Argentina's San Luis province. It provides drinking water to approximately 70% of the province's human population and approximately 20% of the province is irrigated with water from the reservoir. The presence of heavy metals in Embalse La Florida's water has previously been reported. Nevertheless, no information about the levels of these contaminants in birds is available for this region. The aim of this study, therefore, is to (1) establish baseline data on lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels in birds from Embalse La Florida, (2) assess metal accumulation patterns between organs and bird species, and (3) evaluate the potential risk that these heavy metals pose for the local avifauna. We measured Pb and Cd in bone, pectoralis muscle, liver, gonad, and brain of three bird species representative of the Embalse La Florida ecosystem: Podiceps major (Great Grebe), Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Neotropic Cormorant), both of which are piscivorous, and Pitangus sulphuratus (Great Kiskadee), which is omnivorous. We also measured both heavy metals in Great Grebe eggs. Pb and Cd were detected in all of the tissues we assayed, and Pb concentrations were significantly higher than those for Cd in all tissues. The patterns of Pb and Cd accumulation differed between tissues, however. In general, gonads had the highest concentrations of Pb while Cd tended to accumulate in the liver. An interspecific analysis revealed that the omnivorous species had higher levels of both metals in bone, liver, and brain compared to both piscivorous species. There were no differences in Pb and Cd concentrations between males and females. The highest liver level of Pb (4.69 ppm wet weight) detected in Great Kiskadee, was comparable to those associated with toxic effects in birds, and Pb concentrations found in the liver of two females and two males (2.07 to 2.32 ppm wet weight) were also similar to those that could be physiologically detrimental in other species. In all birds assayed, Cd levels in liver tissue were lower than those typically shown to be harmful. Our results indicate that Great Kiskadees are highly polluted by Pb and their exposure to this contaminant exceeds the level reported to trigger adverse effects. This is the first study to assay heavy metals in birds from midwest Argentina and provides a starting point for studies examining the impact that these metals have on both wildlife and humans in the region.