Spectroscopic imaging to assess biochemical alterations in liver carcinoma cells exposed to transition metals.

Despite the invaluable role of transition metals in every living organism, it should be remembered that failure to maintain the proper balance and exceed the appropriate dose may have the opposite effect. In the era of such a popular and propagated need for supplementation in the media, one should bear in mind the harmful effects that may become the result of improper and excessive intake of transition metals. This article establishes the feasibility of Raman (RS) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging at the single-cell level to investigate the cellular response to various transition metals. These two non-destructive and perfectly complementary methods allow for in-depth monitoring of changes taking place within the cell under the influence of the agent used. HepG2 liver carcinoma cells were exposed to chromium, iron, cobalt, molybdenum, and nickel at 1 and 2 mM concentrations. Spectroscopic results were further supported by biological evaluation of selected caspases concentration. The caspase- 3, 6, 8, 9, and 12 concentrations were determined with the use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. This study shows the induction of apoptosis in the intrinsic pathway by all studied transition metals. Cellular metabolism alterations are induced by mitochondrial metabolism changes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) metabolism variations. Moreover, nickel induces not only the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis but also the extrinsic pathway of this process.

Effects of vanadium complexes supplementation on V, Cu, Mn, K, Fe, Zn, and Ca concentration in STZ diabetic rats pancreas.

The objective of the study was to assess the effects of Na[V(V)O(O2)2(2,2'-bpy)] x 8 H2O (complex 1), Na[V(V)O(O2)2(1,10'-phen)] x 5 H2O (complex 2), Na[V(V)O(O2)2(4,4'-Me-2,2'-bpy)] x 8 H2O (complex 3), [V(V)O(SO,)(1,10'-phen)] x 2 H2O, (complex 4), [V(IV)O(SO4)(2,2'-bpy)] x H2O (complex 5), where: 2,2'-bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, 1.10'-phen = 1,10'-phenanthroline, 4,4'-Me-2,2'-bpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine and a small insulin injection on V, Cu, Mn, K, Fe, Zn, and Ca concentration in the STZ (streptozotocin) diabetic rats pancreas during a 5-week treatment with the tested complexes. In all groups of animals metal concentration in the pancreas was investigated by means of Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) method. Maximum concentration of vanadium was observed in the pancreas for complex 5 (1.69 +/- 0.09 mg/kg dry weight), lower for complex 3 (1.51 +/- 0.10 mg/kg dry weight), and the lowest for complex 1 (1.21 +/- 0.27 mg/kg dry weight) supplementation. The influence of vanadium administration on other metals' concentration in the rats' pancreas was also investigated. All vanadium-tested complexes showed an increase of zinc concentration in the examined pancreas in comparison to the diabetic animals not treated with vanadium. The results were the highest for complex 1 and the lowest for complex 5. The concentration of Fe, Cu, Mn, K and Ca in the pancreas is not evidently influenced by administration of the vanadium complexes.

Distribution of selected elements in calcific human aortic valves studied by microscopy combined with SR-µXRF: influence of lipids on progression of calcification.

Calcified heart valves display a significant imbalance in tissue content of trace and essential elements. The valvular calcification is an age-related process and there are data suggesting involvement of lipids. We studied elemental composition and lipid distribution in three distinct regions of calcified human aortic valves, representing successive stages of the calcific degeneration: normal, thickened (early lesion) and calcified (late lesion), using SR-µXRF (Synchrotron Radiation Micro X-Ray Fluorescence) for elemental composition and Oil Red O (ORO) staining for demonstration of lipids. Two-dimensional SR-µXRF maps and precise point spectra were compared with histological stainings on consecutive valve sections to prove topographical localization and colocalization of the examined elements and lipids. In calcified valve areas, accumulation of calcium and phosphorus was accompanied by enhanced concentrations of strontium and zinc. Calcifications preferentially developed in lipid-rich areas of the valves. Calcium concentration ratio between lipid-rich and lipid-free areas was not age-dependent in early lesions, but showed a significant increase with age in late lesions, indicating age-dependent intensification of lipid involvement in calcification process. The results suggest that mechanisms of calcification change with progression of valve degeneration and with age.

Influence of vanadium-organic ligands treatment on selected metal levels in kidneys of STZ rats.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of five organic vanadium complexes supplement and a small dose of insulin injection on V, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ca, and K level in the streptozotocin diabetic rat's kidney during a 5-week treatment with the tested complexes. In all groups of animals, metal level in the lyophilized kidney organs was investigated by means of the proton induced X-ray emission method. Tissue vanadium level was naturally higher in vanadium-treated rats. The maximum level of vanadium was observed in the kidney (x(mean) = 16.6 µg/g). The influence of vanadium administration on other metal level in rat's tissue was also investigated. Spectacular influence of vanadium action was observed on copper and zinc level in examined tissue.

Effects of vanadium complexes supplementation on V, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ca and K concentration in STZ diabetic rat's spleen.

Abstract: The objective of the study was to assess the effects of five vanadium organic complexes administered with small insulin injection, on V, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ca and K concentration in STZ (streptozotocin) diabetic rats tissues during a 5-week treatment with the tested complexes. In all groups of animals, metal concentration in a dry spleen samples was investigated by the proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. Obviously, vanadium tissue concentration was higher in vanadium-treated rats. Concentration of vanadium in the spleen was x = 21.3 microg/g of dry sample. Vanadium administration influenced other metals concentration of rats tissues. The most pronounced influence of vanadium was observed on iron concentration in the spleen. All results were calculated for correlation between different groups of animals. Present study showed small interferences between trace element changes in diabetic, or non diabetic rats after vanadium treatment. Measured elements, especially zinc, manganese and copper, are co-factors of enzymes and their content changes can influence on organism homeostasis in diabetes treatment. Understanding and recognizing these relationship may permit better diabetes treatment in the future.

Preliminary study on the distribution of selected elements in cancerous and non-cancerous kidney tissues.

In this study special interest was given to trace elements recognized as to be carcinogenic to humans. The kidney tissue sections were analyzed in order to determine the concentrations of elements present in the sample. The Synchrotron Radiation Induced X-ray Emission (SRIXE) technique was applied using a white photon microbeam. The results from cancerous parts of the kidney tissues were compared to non-cancerous parts and to the control group. In addition the iron concentration level was determined in the serum of those patients. Two-dimensional scans are presented to illustrate the differences between perfused and not-perfused tissues. According to this study there is no significant difference in the Mn concentration between cancerous and non-cancerous parts of the kidney, but the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ti, V, Cu, Se, and Zn are at a lower concentration level in the cancerous parts than in the non-cancerous parts. A converse observation has been made for Fe. This may be associated with different metabolism and dynamics of the cancer process and both higher vascularization and need of higher blood supply in the cancerous tissue. The two-dimensional scanning of thin kidney sections showed differences in the trace element distributions depending on the analyzed samples: perfused and non-perfused. Perfusion removed blood mostly from the peritubular capillaries while in the glomerulus some capillaries had a relatively high Fe content. A low Fe concentration was observed in nephron tubules while a converse observation has been made for Cd. This may indicate that Cd is localized in the cells but not in the blood.