P.J. Vuchetich

Bio: P.J. Vuchetich is an academic researcher from Creighton University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Oxidative stress & Lipid peroxidation. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 288 citations.

Induction of oxidative stress and DNA damage by chronic administration of naphthalene to rats.

Abstract: Naphthalene is a bicyclic aromatic compound that is widely used in various domestic and commercial applications including lavatory scent disks, soil fumigants and moth balls Little information is available regarding the mechanism of naphthalene toxicity We have assessed the oral, low dose (005 LD50) chronic effects of naphthalene (110 mg/kg/day po in corn oil) for 120 consecutive days on lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation in the liver and brain tissues of female Sprague-Dawley rats The animals were sacrificed on 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 days of treatment Maximum increases in hepatic and brain lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation were observed between 90 and 105 days of treatment Following administration of naphthalene for 90 days, approximately 14- and 13-fold increases in lipid peroxidation were observed in the hepatic and brain tissues, respectively, while under the same conditions and time points 19- and 25-fold increases in hepatic and brain DNA fragmentation were observed, respectively These results demonstrate that low dose chronic administration of naphthalene induces an oxidative stress resulting in tissue damaging effects that may contribute to the toxicity and carcinogenicity of naphthalene

Heavy metal toxicity and the environment.

Abstract: Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that have a high atomic weight and a density at least five times greater than that of water. Their multiple industrial, domestic, agricultural, medical, and technological applications have led to their wide distribution in the environment, raising concerns over their potential effects on human health and the environment. Their toxicity depends on several factors including the dose, route of exposure, and chemical species, as well as the age, gender, genetics, and nutritional status of exposed individuals. Because of their high degree of toxicity, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury rank among the priority metals that are of public health significance. These metallic elements are considered systemic toxicants that are known to induce multiple organ damage, even at lower levels of exposure. They are also classified as human carcinogens (known or probable) according to the US Environmental Protection Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This review provides an analysis of their environmental occurrence, production and use, potential for human exposure, and molecular mechanisms of toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity.

Chelation in Metal Intoxication

Abstract: Chelation therapy is the preferred medical treatment for reducing the toxic effects of metals. Chelating agents are capable of binding to toxic metal ions to form complex structures which are easily excreted from the body removing them from intracellular or extracellular spaces. 2,3-Dimercaprol has long been the mainstay of chelation therapy for lead or arsenic poisoning, however its serious side effects have led researchers to develop less toxic analogues. Hydrophilic chelators like meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid effectively promote renal metal excretion, but their ability to access intracellular metals is weak. Newer strategies to address these drawbacks like combination therapy (use of structurally different chelating agents) or co-administration of antioxidants have been reported recently. In this review we provide an update of the existing chelating agents and the various strategies available for the treatment of heavy metals and metalloid intoxications.

Toxicity and Carcinogenicity of Chromium Compounds in Humans

Abstract: Chromium is a human carcinogen primarily by inhalation exposure in occupational settings. Although lung cancer has been established as a consequence of hexavalent chromium exposure in smokers and nonsmokers, some cancers of other tissues of the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems have also been noted. Except for a few reports from China, little is known about the health risks of environmental exposures to chromium. Likewise, there has been a lack of epidemiological studies of human exposure to hexavalent Cr by drinking water or ingestion, and it has been suggested that humans can perhaps tolerate hexavalent Cr at higher levels than the current drinking water standard of 50 ppb. This review highlights the most recent data on the induction of skin tumors in mice by chronic drinking-water exposure to hexavalent chromium in combination with solar ultraviolet light. This experimental system represents an important new animal model for chromate-induced cancers by ingestion of drinking water, and it suggests by extrapolation that chromate can likely be considered a human carcinogen by ingestion as well. The potential use of this animal model for future risk assessment is discussed.