Biomedical subjects

B Quintanilla-Vega

Publications and source records attributed to B Quintanilla-Vega.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Genetic damage caused by methyl-parathion in mouse spermatozoa is related to oxidative stress.

Organophosphorous (OP) pesticides are considered genotoxic mainly to somatic cells, but results are not conclusive. Few studies have reported OP alterations on sperm chromatin and DNA, and oxidative stress has been related to their toxicity. Sperm cells are very sensitive to oxidative damage which has been associated with reproductive dysfunctions. We evaluated the effects of methyl-parathion (Me-Pa; a widely used OP) on sperm DNA, exploring the sensitive stage(s) of spermatogenesis and the relationship with oxidative stress. Male mice (10-12-weeks old) were administered Me-Pa (3-20 mg/kg bw/i.p.) and euthanized at 7- or 28-days post-treatment. Mature spermatozoa were obtained and evaluated for chromatin structure through SCSA (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay; DNA Fragmentation Index parameters: Mean DFI and DFI%) and chromomycin-A(3) (CMA(3))-staining, for DNA damage through in situ-nick translation (NT-positive) and for oxidative stress through lipid peroxidation (LPO; malondialdehyde production). At 7-days post-treatment (mature spermatozoa when Me-Pa exposure), dose-dependent alterations in chromatin structure (Mean DFI and CMA(3)-staining) were observed, as well as increased DNA damage, from 2-5-fold in DFI% and NT-positive cells. Chromatin alterations and DNA damage were also observed at 28-days post-treatment (cells at meiosis at the time of exposure); suggesting that the damage induced in spermatocytes was not repaired. Positive correlations were observed between LPO and sperm DNA-related parameters. These data suggest that oxidative stress is related to Me-Pa alterations on sperm DNA integrity and cells at meiosis (28-days post-treatment) and epididymal maturation (7-days post-treatment) are Me-Pa targets. These findings suggest a potential risk of Me-Pa to the offspring after transmission.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Spermatozoa nucleus takes up lead during the epididymal maturation altering chromatin condensation.

Lead (Pb) alters sperm chromatin condensation (CC) and the mechanisms are investigated. During spermatogenesis, protamines replace histones and disulfide bonds formation during epididymal maturation condense the chromatin. We evaluated sperm Pb uptake in testis and epididymis and the effects on CC in mice (0.06% Pb(2+)/16 weeks/drinking water). Spermatozoa from caput epididymis (CP) and cauda epididymis-vas deferens (CE-VD) were obtained and CC was measured by SCSA. Lead levels in spermatozoa from CP were lower than those from CE-VD, and correlated with a decreased CC, while Pb in CE-VD spermatozoa correlated with an increased CC. Lead accumulation into the nucleus was observed and Pb binding to nuclear sulfhydryl groups decreased chromatin decondensation in vitro. Our results suggest that spermatozoa take up Pb during testicular development and epididymal transport and alter CC, depending of the timing of Pb incorporation into the sperm nucleus, which finally may interfere with the chromatin decondensation process after fertilization.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Diazinon alters sperm chromatin structure in mice by phosphorylating nuclear protamines.

Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides, widely used in agriculture and pest control, are associated with male reproductive effects, including sperm chromatin alterations, but the mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown. The main toxic action of OP is related to phosphorylation of proteins. Chemical alterations in sperm nuclear proteins (protamines), which pack DNA during the last steps of spermatogenesis, contribute to male reproductive toxicity. Therefore, in the present study, we tested the ability of diazinon (DZN), an OP compound, to alter sperm chromatin by phosphorylating nuclear protamines. Mice were injected with a single dose of DZN (8.12 mg/kg, i.p.), and killed 8 and 15 days after treatment. Quality of sperm from epididymis and vas deferens was evaluated through standard methods and chromatin condensation by flow cytometry (DNA Fragmented Index parameters: DFI and DFI%) and fluorescence microscopy using chromomycin-A(3) (CMA(3)). Increases in DFI (15%), DFI% (4.5-fold), and CMA(3) (2-fold) were observed only at 8 days post-treatment, indicating an alteration in sperm chromatin condensation and DNA damage during late spermatid differentiation. In addition, an increase of phosphorous content (approximately 50%) in protamines, especially in the phosphoserine content (approximately 73%), was found at 8 days post-treatment. Sperm viability, motility, and morphology showed significant alterations at this time. These data strongly suggest that spermatozoa exposed during the late steps of maturation were the targets of DZN exposure. The correlation observed between the phosphorous content in nuclear protamines with DFI%, DFI, and CMA(3) provides evidence that phosphorylation of nuclear protamines is involved in the OP effects on sperm chromatin.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Genetic polymorphisms and activity of PON1 in a Mexican population.

Human paraoxonase (PON1) plays a role in detoxification of organophosphorus (OP) compounds by hydrolyzing the bioactive oxons, and in reducing oxidative low-density lipoproteins, which may protect against atherosclerosis. Some PON1 polymorphisms have been found to be responsible for variations in catalytic activity and expression and have been associated with susceptibility to OP poisoning and vascular diseases. Both situations are of public health relevance in Mexico. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate PON1 phenotype and the frequencies of polymorphisms PON1 -162, -108, 55, and 192 in a Mexican population. The studied population consisted of unrelated individuals (n = 214) of either gender, 18-52 years old. Serum PON1 activity was assayed using phenylacetate and paraoxon as substrates. PON1 variants, -162, 55, and 192, were determined by real-time PCR using the TaqMan System, and PON1 -108 genotype by PCR-RFLP. We found a wide interindividual variability of PON1 activity with a unimodal distribution; the range of enzymatic activity toward phenylacetate was 84.72 to 422.0 U/mL, and 88.37 to 1645.6 U/L toward paraoxon. All four PON1 polymorphisms showed strong linkage disequilibrium (D% >90). PON1 polymorphisms -108, 55, and 192 were independently associated with arylesterase activity; whereas the activity toward paraoxon was related only with PON1 192 polymorphism, suggesting that this polymorphism is determinant to infer PON1 activity. A better understanding of the phenotype and genotypes of PON1 in Mexican populations will facilitate further epidemiological studies involving PON1 variability in OP poisoning and in the development of atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Organophosphorous pesticide exposure alters sperm chromatin structure in Mexican agricultural workers.

Our objective was to evaluate alterations in sperm chromatin structure in men occupationally exposed to a mixture of organophosphorus pesticides (OP) because these alterations have been proposed to compromise male fertility and offspring development. Chromatin susceptibility to in situ acid-induced denaturation structure was assessed by the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Urinary levels of alkylphosphates (DAP) were used to assess exposure. Diethylthiophosphate (DETP) was the most frequent OP metabolite found in urine samples indicating that compounds derived from thiophosphoric acid were mainly used. Chromatin structure was altered in most samples. About 75% of semen samples were classified as having poor fertility potential (>30% of Percentage of DNA Fragmentation Index [DFI%]), whereas individuals without OP occupational exposure showed average DFI% values of 9.9%. Most parameters of conventional semen analysis were within normality except for the presence of immature cells (IGC) in which 82% of the samples were above reference values. There were significant direct associations between urinary DETP concentrations and mean DFI and SD-DFI but marginally (P = 0.079) with DFI%, after adjustment for potential confounders, including IGC. This suggests that OP exposure alters sperm chromatin condensation, which could be reflected in an increased number of cells with greater susceptibility to DNA denaturation. This study showed that human sperm chromatin is a sensitive target to OP exposure and may contribute to adverse reproductive outcomes. Further studies on the relevance of protein phosphorylation as a possible mechanism by which OP alter sperm chromatin are required.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Stress proteins induced by arsenic.

The elevated expression of stress proteins is considered to be a universal response to adverse conditions, representing a potential mechanism of cellular defense against disease and a potential target for novel therapeutics. Exposure to arsenicals either in vitro or in vivo in a variety of model systems has been shown to cause the induction of a number of the major stress protein families such as heat shock proteins (Hsp). Among them are members with low molecular weight, such as metallotionein and ubiquitin, as well as ones with masses of 27, 32, 60, 70, 90, and 110 kDa. In most of the cases, the induction of stress proteins depends on the capacity of the arsenical to reach the target, its valence, and the type of exposure, arsenite being the biggest inducer of most Hsp in several organs and systems. Hsp induction is a rapid dose-dependent response (1-8 h) to the acute exposure to arsenite. Thus, the stress response appears to be useful to monitor the sublethal toxicity resulting from a single exposure to arsenite. The present paper offers a critical review of the capacity of arsenicals to modulate the expression and/or accumulation of stress proteins. The physiological consequences of the arsenic-induced stress and its usefulness in monitoring effects resulting from arsenic exposure in humans and other organisms are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Chromium increases pancreatic metallothionein in the rat.

The ability of chromium (Cr) salts to increase metallothionein (MT) levels in rat liver, kidney and pancreas, and its relationship with the presence of toxic effects are reported here. Rats were injected subcutaneously with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 mg K2Cr2O7/kg and sacrificed 24 h later. Total Cr accumulation followed a dose-dependent pattern, levels in kidney being higher than those in liver or pancreas, suggesting different tissue bioavailabilities and accumulation patterns. Cr(IV) administration resulted in a tissue-specific MT induction: pancreas and liver showed five- and 3.5-fold MT increases, respectively; no increase was observed in the kidney. A positive correlation was observed between zinc and MT concentrations in liver, and between total Cr and MT concentrations in pancreas. Serum alpha-amylase activity showed a dose-dependent increase starting from 20 mg/kg, whereas serum glucose levels increased at doses higher than 30 mg/kg. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were increased in a dose-dependent manner, from 20 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. Our results showed that treatment with Cr(VI) can induce MT synthesis in pancreas and suggests a subsequent binding of Cr to MT. Also, pancreas is a target organ for Cr toxicity, and the usefulness of alpha-amylase activity as a sensitive biomarker of Cr toxicity in human exposed populations merits further study.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Lead effects on protamine-DNA binding.

BACKGROUND: Lead impairs male fertility and may affect offspring of exposed males, but the mechanisms for this impairment are not completely clear. Protamine P1 and P2 families pack and protect mammalian sperm DNA. Human HP2 is a zinc-protein and may have an important role in fertility. As lead has affinity for zinc-containing proteins, we evaluated its ability in vitro to bind to HP2 and its effects on HP2-DNA binding. Methods and Results UV/VIS spectroscopic data indicated that HP2 binds both Pb(2+) and Zn(2+)(as chloride salts). They also provided evidence that thiol groups mainly participate for Zn(2+)-binding; however, HP2 has additional binding sites for Pb(2+). The mobility shift assay showed that lead interaction with HP2 caused a dose-dependent decrease on HP2 binding to DNA, suggesting that lead may alter chromatin stability. CONCLUSIONS: These in vitro results demonstrate that lead can interact with HP2 altering the DNA-protamine binding. This chemical interaction of lead with protamines may result in chromatin alterations, which in turn may lead to male fertility problems and eventually to DNA damage.

Chromatin↗

PubMed2000

Lead interaction with human protamine (HP2) as a mechanism of male reproductive toxicity.

During spermatogenesis, histones are replaced by protamines, which condense and protect sperm DNA. In humans, zinc contributes to sperm chromatin stability and binds to protamine P2 (HP2). Chemical interactions with nuclear protamines, which prevent normal sperm chromatin condensation, may induce changes in the sperm genome and thus affect fertility and offspring development. Since lead has a high affinity for zinc-containing proteins, we investigated lead interactions with HP2 as a novel mechanism of its toxicity to sperm. UV/vis and CD spectroscopy results indicated that HP2 binds Pb(2+) at two different sites, causing a conformational change in the protein. They also provided evidence that thiol groups are primarily involved in Zn(2+) and Pb(2+) binding to HP2 and that HP2 may have additional binding sites for Pb(2+) not related to Zn(2+). HP2 affinities for Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) were very similar, suggesting that Pb(2+) can compete with or replace Zn(2+) in HP2 in vivo. This interaction of lead with HP2 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the extent of HP2-DNA binding, although lead interaction with DNA also contributed to this effect. Therefore, the ability of lead to decrease the level of HP2-DNA interaction may result in alterations to sperm chromatin condensation, and thus in reduced fertility.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

High-affinity renal lead-binding proteins in environmentally-exposed humans.

Chronic low level lead (Pb) exposure is associated with decrements in renal function in humans, but the molecular mechanisms underlying toxicity are not understood. We investigated cytosolic Pb-binding proteins (PbBP) in kidney of environmentally-exposed humans to identify molecular targets of Pb and elucidate mechanisms of toxicity. This study is unique in that it localized PbBPs based on physiologic Pb that was bound in vivo. Two Pb-binding polypeptides were identified, thymosin beta 4 (T beta 4, 5 kDa) and acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP, 9 kDa, also known as diazepam binding inhibitor, DBI). These polypeptides, which have not been previously recognized for their metal-binding capabilities, were shown to bind Pb with high affinity (Kd approximately 14 nM) and to account for an estimated > 35% of the total Pb in kidney cortex tissue. Both T beta 4 and ACBP (DBI) occur across animal species from invertebrates to mammals and in all major tissues, serving multiple possible functions (e.g. regulation of actin polymerization, calmodulin-dependent enzyme activity, acyl-CoA metabolism, GABA-A/benzodiazepine receptor modulation, steroidogenesis, etc.). Thus, these data provide the first evidence of specific molecular targets of Pb in kidney of environmentally-exposed humans, and they suggest that low-level Pb toxicity may occur via alteration of T beta 4 and ACBP (DBI) function in renal and other tissues, including the central nervous system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Effects of arsenite pretreatment on the acute toxicity of parathion.

Parathion (PA) is a phosphorotioate pesticide requiring P-450-mediated oxidations to become activated to paraoxon, or to be metabolised to its less toxic metabolites. On the other hand, sodium arsenite [As(III)] markedly decreases total hepatic P-450 content and dependent monoxygenase activities. Our aim was to determine the effects of As(III) pretreatment on the acute toxicity of PA and its possible relationship with the effects of As(III) on P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities. Adult male Wistar rats were pretreated with As(III) (5.6 mg As(III)/kg, s.c.), and 24 h later given PA (5 to 20 mg/kg, per os). As(III) pretreatment increased the acute toxicity of PA, reducing 38% its median lethal dose (LD50) from 11.68 to 7.21 mg PA/kg. In addition, As(III) pretreatment further decreased the inhibitory effect of PA on brain acetylcholinesterase activity, reducing 33% the median inhibitory dose (ID50) from 3.44 to 2.31 mg PA/kg. whereas As(III) alone had no significant effects. As(III) decreased the P-450 content to 87% of control values, reduced EROD activity to 74% and BROD activity to 41%; PA produced no significant effects on these parameters, whereas the joint administration of As(III)+ PA produced effects similar to those of As(III). PROD activity was reduced to 36% of control value by PA, whereas As(III) alone produced no significant effects. However, As(III) pretreatment apparently protected against the inhibition of CYP2B1-mediated PROD activity produced by PA, since PROD values were similar to those of control animals. Our results also indicated that the increase in PA toxicity caused by As(III) pretreatment, could also be related to the CYP2B2 isoform, since decreases in CYP2B2-dependent BROD activity were observed in both As(III) and As(III) + PA groups, but not in PA-treated animals, suggesting that CYP2B2 is involved in PA detoxification.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Lead-binding proteins in brain tissue of environmentally lead-exposed humans.

This study reports the partial purification and characterization of cytosolic lead binding proteins (PbBPs) in human brain tissue of environmentally Pb-exposed subjects. The isolated proteins were initially characterized based upon the presence of endogenously associated Pb. Following partial purification (Sephadex G-75 and A-25 DEAE anion-exchange chromatography), the isolated PbBPs (contained within a single DEAE peak) showed a single class of high affinity binding sites with an apparent Kd of 10(-9) M, based upon competition assays using radioactive 203Pb and Hill and Scatchard analysis. The presence of endogenously bound Pb with the isolated proteins indicated the association of Pb with the protein(s) in vivo in these environmentally Pb-exposed subjects, since the samples were prepared in an ultraclean lead analysis laboratory. Moreover, the persistence of Pb-protein binding throughout the initial two steps (Sephadex G-75 and A-25 DEAE) of the purification scheme is consistent with the high affinity and stability of binding measured with the radiolead competition assays. The DEAE isolated PbBPs were further purified by denaturing reversed-phase HPLC analysis, resulting in the isolation of two proteins, thymosin beta 4 (5 kDa, pI 5.1) and a second as yet unidentified protein with an approximate molecular mass of 20 kDa and a pI of 5.9. Qualitative 203Pb-binding analysis of these HPLC purified proteins suggested that they may be primarily responsible for the observed Pb binding in the single DEAE peak. Nearly identical results were obtained in brain cytosols from male and female, and young and adult individuals, although further quantitative analyses are needed to investigate possible sex and age relationships. These data are significant because they contribute to a better understanding of the presence of PbBPs in a sensitive target organ for Pb toxicity in humans, suggesting a possible role of these or similar proteins as sensitive biomarkers of Pb exposure and toxicity.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Porphyrin production and excretion by long-term cultures of adult rat hepatocytes and effect of lead exposure.

Porphyrin production and excretion and the effects of lead exposure were studied in long-term cultures of adult rat hepatocytes cultured on a feeder layer of 3T3 cells after addition of 5-aminolevulinic acid. Porphyrin excretion into the culture medium showed an irregular profile during the first 10 days, with a maximum increase of 50% at day 4 and at day 10 a value similar to that of day 1. Thereafter, porphyrin excretion decreased progressively to 18% of the initial value after 4 weeks. The cellular porphyrin content, after 7 and 28 days in culture, reached values 3.8 and 2.4-fold higher than the corresponding day 1 value. The exposure to 0.5 and 2.4 microM Pb2+ for up to 28 days produced a biphasic effect on porphyrin excretion. Firstly, there was a progressive decrease up to 81% during the first 6 days of lead exposure and, secondly, this effect was followed by an increase reaching control values at day 15 and of up to 6.7-fold after 22 days of exposure to 2.4 microM Pb2+. Similar changes were observed in cellular porphyrin content. The exposure to 0.5 and 2.4 microM Pb2+ for 2 and 4 weeks also produced morphological alterations and release of cytoplasmic enzymes. Our results show that hepatocytes cultured on 3T3 cells produce and excrete porphyrins for 28 days and that exposure for 4 weeks to micromolar lead concentrations alters these functions and cell morphology and produces cytotoxic effects which are better evaluated by monitoring alterations in porphyrin excretion than by enzyme leakage. They also suggest that this culture system is a useful model for assessing the toxic effects of xenobiotics on the biosynthesis of heme by liver cells.

Animals↗