Showing papers on "Zinc toxicity published in 2018"

Hydrogen sulfide regulates the levels of key metabolites and antioxidant defense system to counteract oxidative stress in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants exposed to high zinc regime

Abstract: In the present experiment, we aimed to test the impact of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on growth, key oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide, mineral elements, and antioxidative defense in Capia-type red sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants subjected to high concentration of zinc (Zn). A factorial experiment was designed with two Zn levels (0.05 and 0.5 mM) and 0.2 mM sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) as a donor of H2S supplied in combination plus nutrient solution through the root zone. High level of Zn led to reduce dry mass, chlorophyll pigments, fruit yield, leaf maximum fluorescence, and relative water content, but enhanced endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), free proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), H2S, as well as the activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes. Exogenously applied NaHS significantly enhanced plant growth, fruit yield, water status, the levels of H2S and proline as well as the activities of different antioxidant enzymes, while it significantly suppressed EL, MDA, and H2O2 contents in the pepper plants receiving low level Zn. NaHS application to the control plants did not significantly change all these parameters tested except the dry matter which increased significantly. High Zn regime led to increase intrinsic Zn levels in the leaves and roots, but it lowered leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and iron (Fe) concentrations. However, NaHS reduces the Zn conc. and enhances Fe and N in leaf and root organs. It can be concluded that NaHS can mitigate the harmful effects of Zn on plant growth particularly by lowering the concentrations of H2O2, Zn, EL, and MDA, and enhancing the activities of enzymatic antioxidants and levels of essential nutrients in pepper plants.

Biphasic zinc compartmentalisation in a human fungal pathogen

Abstract: Nutritional immunity describes the host-driven manipulation of essential micronutrients, including iron, zinc and manganese. To withstand nutritional immunity and proliferate within their hosts, pathogenic microbes must express efficient micronutrient uptake and homeostatic systems. Here we have elucidated the pathway of cellular zinc assimilation in the major human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Bioinformatics analysis identified nine putative zinc transporters: four cytoplasmic-import Zip proteins (Zrt1, Zrt2, Zrt3 and orf19.5428) and five cytoplasmic-export ZnT proteins (orf19.1536/Zrc1, orf19.3874, orf19.3769, orf19.3132 and orf19.52). Only Zrt1 and Zrt2 are predicted to localise to the plasma membrane and here we demonstrate that Zrt2 is essential for C. albicans zinc uptake and growth at acidic pH. In contrast, ZRT1 expression was found to be highly pH-dependent and could support growth of the ZRT2-null strain at pH 7 and above. This regulatory paradigm is analogous to the distantly related pathogenic mould, Aspergillus fumigatus, suggesting that pH-adaptation of zinc transport may be conserved in fungi and we propose that environmental pH has shaped the evolution of zinc import systems in fungi. Deletion of C. albicans ZRT2 reduced kidney fungal burden in wild type, but not in mice lacking the zinc-chelating antimicrobial protein calprotectin. Inhibition of zrt2Δ growth by neutrophil extracellular traps was calprotectin-dependent. This suggests that, within the kidney, C. albicans growth is determined by pathogen-Zrt2 and host-calprotectin. As well as serving as an essential micronutrient, zinc can also be highly toxic and we show that C. albicans deals with this potential threat by rapidly compartmentalising zinc within vesicular stores called zincosomes. In order to understand mechanistically how this process occurs, we created deletion mutants of all five ZnT-type transporters in C. albicans. Here we show that, unlike in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, C. albicans Zrc1 mediates zinc tolerance via zincosomal zinc compartmentalisation. This novel transporter was also essential for virulence and liver colonisation in vivo. In summary, we show that zinc homeostasis in a major human fungal pathogen is a multi-stage process initiated by Zrt1/Zrt2-cellular import, followed by Zrc1-dependent intracellular compartmentalisation.

New Insights into the Role of Zinc Acquisition and Zinc Tolerance in Group A Streptococcal Infection

Abstract: Zinc plays an important role in host innate immune function. However, the innate immune system also utilizes zinc starvation ("nutritional immunity") to combat infections. Here, we investigate the role of zinc import and export in the protection of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus; GAS), a Gram-positive bacterial pathogen responsible for a wide spectrum of human diseases, against challenge from host innate immune defense. In order to determine the role of GAS zinc import and export during infection, we utilized zinc import (ΔadcA ΔadcAII) and export (ΔczcD) deletion mutants in competition with the wild type in both in vitro and in vivo virulence models. We demonstrate that nutritional immunity is deployed extracellularly, while zinc toxicity is utilized upon phagocytosis of GAS by neutrophils. We also show that lysosomes and azurophilic granules in neutrophils contain zinc stores for use against intracellular pathogens.

Interactive effects of coffee bean supplementation and waterborne zinc toxicity on growth performance, biochemical variables, antioxidant activity and zinc bioaccumulation in whole body of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Abstract: Roasted coffee powder (RCP; Coffea arabica) is usually used as a beverage for human but there are few attempts to use it as a natural feed supplement in fish diets. In this study, common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., (11.8 ± 0.09 g) were reared in zinc (Zn)-containing water at concentrations of 0.0 or 5.0 mg/L and cosupplemented with 0.0 or 1.0 g RCP/kg diet for 6 weeks to investigate effects of RCP supplementation, Zn exposure and their interaction on fish performance, biochemical variables, antioxidant activity and Zn bioaccumulation in whole fish body. Fish growth and feed intake were significantly affected by RCP supplementation, Zn toxicity and their interaction. However, fish fed a RCP-supplemented diet did not exhibit better performance than those fed the RCP-free diet and both diets produced higher fish performance than the Zn-toxicated fish. It is noticed that RCP supplementation to Zn-toxicated fish enhanced their growth, and feed utilization as compared to Zn-toxicated fish alone. Fish fed control and RCP-enriched diets showed no significant differences in biochemical variables, which were significantly altered due to waterborne Zn toxicity. Moreover, Zn reduced significantly; meanwhile, RCP supplementation increased significantly superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Notably, Zn exposure could reduce fish growth and antioxidant activity and increase Zn deposition in whole fish body. And RCP intake could enhance the antioxidant activity exerting a protective effect against Zn toxicity, thereby reducing Zn bioaccumulation in whole fish body.

Hemin Through the Heme Oxygenase 1/Ferrous Iron, Carbon Monoxide System Involved in Zinc Tolerance in Oryza Sativa L.

Abstract: Several pharmacological experiments were performed to investigate the possible roles of heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) and its catalytic products on hemin-induced attenuation of excess zinc toxicity. The results showed that hemin markedly reduced concentrations of zinc in rice seedlings (including roots and shoots); this effect may be achieved by down-regulating the relative expression of OsZIP1, OsZIP3, OsZIP7, and OsZIP8. However, zinc protoporphyrin IX (Znpp, an HO1 inhibitor) application could reverse hemin-induced decreases in zinc accumulation and upregulate the relative expression of the above four genes. These results showed that HO1 is indeed involved in the mitigation of zinc stress. The following experiments were conducted to illustrate the contributive effect of different hemin by-products in the hemin-mediated attenuating effect. The results showed that bilirubin (BR) does not have any alleviative effect, whereas carbon monoxide (CO) has a similar effect as hemin; the alleviative effect of ferrous ion (Fe2+) is even better than that of hemin. Altogether, these findings suggested that hemin, through the HO1/Fe2+, CO system, may reduce zinc accumulation in rice seedlings and ultimately strengthen Zn tolerance of rice seedlings.

Zinc in Soil Environment for Plant Health and Management Strategy

Abstract: Zinc is an essential element for photosynthesis and its deficiency may play a role in the reduction of activity of rubisco and hence decreased rate of photosynthesis in higher plants Zinc deficiency sometimes resembles Fe/Mn deficiencies Under severe zinc deficiency the shoot apices die ('die-back') as is widely distributed Zinc toxicity leads to chlorosis in young leaves Induced manganese deficiency might also be of importance as high zinc supply strongly decreases the manganese content of plants Most preventing measures for zinc deficiency are selection of Zn efficient variety that is tolerant to high level of bicarbonate as well as low zinc in soil Curative measure for correcting are application of 20-25 kg/ha ZnSo4 in acid soil, 22 kg Zn/ha initially followed by 5-10 kg Zn in the later years or 50% gypsum + 10 t GM + 22 kg Zn once in 2-3 years in sodic soils, 10-15 kg/ha Zn as foliar spray at tillering stage and 2 times latter is very helpful for correct this deficiency Zinc is very tightly bound to phytic acid and the formation of protein-zinc-phytic acid complexes increases the resistance to hydrolysis that leads to decrease in bioavailability of Zn to human and animals Enrichment of cereal grains with Zn through both genetic (eg, breeding) and agronomic (eg, application of Zn fertilizers) biofortification is a high priority area of research, and will contribute to minimizing Zn-deficiency-related health problems in human populations

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 Revealed Its Response Mechanisms to Elevated Levels of Zinc Stress.

Abstract: The whole-genome transcriptional response of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to stress-inducing concentrations of zinc was analyzed in this study by RNA sequencing to thoroughly investigate the bacterial cell response to zinc toxicity The data revealed that different levels of zinc stress strongly affected the transcription of genes from the following categories: metal transport genes, genes involved in membrane homeostasis, oxidative-stress-responding genes, and genes associated with basic cellular metabolism At the lowest zinc dose, only several genes associated with metal transport and membrane homeostasis were strongly influenced At the intermediate zinc dose, transcriptional changes of genes belonging to these two categories were highly pronounced In addition, the intermediate zinc stress produced high levels of oxidative stress, and influenced amino acid metabolism and respiratory chains of P putida At the highest zinc dose, the induction of genes responsible for Fe-S cluster biogenesis was the most remarkable feature Moreover, upregulation of glyoxylate cycle was observed In summary, the adaptation of the cell envelope, the maintenance of metal homeostasis and intracellular redox status, and the transcriptional control of metabolism are the main elements of stress response, which facilitates the survival of P putida KT2440 in zinc-polluted environments

Zinc in plant-soil system and management strategy

Abstract: Zinc is an essential element for photosynthesis and its deficiency may play a role in the reduction of activity of rubisco and hence decreased rate of photosynthesis in higher plants. Zinc deficiency sometimes resembles Fe/Mn deficiencies. Under severe zinc deficiency the shoot apices die ‘die-back ’as is widely distributed. Zinc toxicity leads to chlorosis in young leaves. Induced manganese deficiency might also be of importance as high zinc supply strongly decreases the manganese content of plants. Most preventing measures for zinc deficiency is selection of Zn efficient variety that is tolerant to high level of bicarbonate as well as low zinc in soil. Curative measure for correcting is application of 20–25 kg/ha ZnSO4 in acid soil is very helpful for correct this deficiency. Zinc is very tightly bound to phytic acid and the formation of protein-zinc-phytic acid complexes increases the resistance to hydrolysis that leads to decrease in bioavailability of Zn to human and animals. Enrichment of cereal grains with Zn through both genetic and agronomic biofortification is a high priority area of research, and will contribute to minimizing Zndeficiency-related health problems in human populations.

Cd and Zn interactions and toxicity in ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes in axenic culture

Abstract: Background. Metal contamination in soils affects both above- and belowground communities, including soil microorganisms. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are an important component in belowground community and tolerant strains have great potential in enhancing plant-based remediation techniques. We assessed cadmium and zinc toxicity in five ECM species in liquid media (Hebeloma subsaponaceum; H. cylindrosporum; H. crustuliniforme; Scleroderma sp.; Austroboletus occidentalis) and investigated the potential of Zn to alleviate Cd toxicity. Due to highly divergent results reported in the literature, liquid and solid media were compared experimentally for the first time in terms of differential toxicity thresholds in Cd and Zn interactions. Methods. A wide range of Cd and Zn concentrations were applied to ectomycorrhizal fungi in axenic cultures (in mg L

Assessment of the Biocompatibility and Biological Effects of Biodegradable Pure Zinc Material in the Colorectum.

Abstract: Little attention has been paid to the biocompatibility and biological effects of zinc as a material. Here, we therefore investigated the biocompatibility and anti-inflammatory and collagen-promoting effects of pure zinc material in the colorectum. Our in vitro results indicated that zinc toxicity and concentration were closely related. Low concentrations of zinc ions and pure zinc material extract had only minor effects on the viability of primary rectal mucosal epithelial cells; however, cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations greater than 0.017 μg/μL and 60%, respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that zinc pins degraded slowly in the colorectum (their volume decreasing by approximately 7.79% over 1 month) and did not cause serious adverse reactions. Pure zinc material was found to inhibit acute inflammation through increased expression of ENA-78 and F4/80. Moreover, zinc material heightened expression of collagen and VEGF, factors conducive to wound healing, in surrounding colorectal tissues. These preliminary results suggest that zinc shows great promise as an implant material for medical applications involving colorectal surgery.

Vacuolar zinc transporter Zrc1 is required for detoxification of excess intracellular zinc in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.

Abstract: Zinc is an important transition metal in all living organisms and is required for numerous biological processes. However, excess zinc can also be toxic to cells and cause cellular stress. In the model fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a vacuolar zinc transporter, Zrc1, plays important roles in the storage and detoxification of excess intracellular zinc to protect the cell. In this study, we identified an ortholog of the S. cerevisiae ZRC1 gene in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Zrc1 was localized in the vacuolar membrane in C. neoformans, and a mutant lacking ZRC1 showed significant growth defects under high-zinc conditions. These results suggested a role for Zrc1 in zinc detoxification. However, contrary to our expectation, the expression of Zrc1 was induced in cells grown in zinc-limited conditions and decreased upon the addition of zinc. These expression patterns were similar to those of Zip1, the high-affinity zinc transporter in the plasma membrane of C. neoformans. Furthermore, we used the zrc1 mutant in a murine model of cryptococcosis to examine whether a mammalian host could inhibit the survival of C. neoformans using zinc toxicity. We found that the mutant showed no difference in virulence compared with the wildtype strain. This result suggests that Zrc1-mediated zinc detoxification is not required for the virulence of C. neoformans, and imply that zinc toxicity may not be an important aspect of the host immune response to the fungus.

Protective effect of garlic (Allium sativum) against zinc poisoning in the testicular tissue of goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Abstract: Zinc is essential to the body; however, in high concentrations, it can be toxic. In this study, the protective effect of garlic (Allium sativum) against the toxic effect of zinc on the testicular tissues of goldfish (Carassius auratus) was assessed. Seventy-five healthy fish were allocated into 5 equal groups: control group, untreated; group 1, exposed to zinc sulfate (Merck, Germany) at dose of 3 mg/L; groups 2, 3, and 4 were also exposed to zinc sulfate in the same concentration as group 1 but their diet was supplemented with garlic (A. sativum) at 0.5, 1, and 2.5% of daily diet, respectively. After 45 days, 8 fish from each group were randomly selected, testicular tissue taken, and assessed histologically. Severe histopathologic lesions were seen in groups 1 and 2 and to lesser extents in groups 3 and 4 as garlic concentration increased. This showed that goldfish testicular tissue is sensitive to zinc toxicity and that garlic can reduce zinc accumulation in tissues, indicating that antioxidant compounds from garlic might act as chelators for zinc, allowing its excretion from the body.

Application of kinetic bioluminescence inhibition assay using live cultures of Aliivibrio fischeri for determination of zinc toxicity

Abstract: Variation in zinc toxicity with variation in environmental conditions was studied using the kinetic bioluminescence inhibition assay conducted with live cultures of Aliivibrio fischeri. A good correlation was observed between the static assay and flash assay for colorless non-turbid samples. Color and turbidity had negligible impact on the flash assay results while the static assay caused artifacts. Naturally occurring water samples showed wide variation in the toxicity profiles. Change in zinc toxicity was determined in response to variation in hardness, alkalinity and other coexisting cations/anions in model lake water and in the presence of a solid matrix. The presence of other anions and cations in model lake water reduced and enhanced zinc toxicity, respectively, due to changes in zinc speciation, and bioluminescence inhibition was well correlated with free zinc ion concentration. Increase in alkalinity and sulfate in model lake water lowered zinc toxicity, whereas increase in ammonium ions enhanced the toxicity. Variation in toxicity with hardness was dependent on the Ca: Mg hardness ratio in the samples. The presence of solid matrix decreased toxicity of the aqueous extracts, and toxicity of the matrix was found to increase with decreasing grain size. Speciation pattern of zinc in the respective fractions, however, revealed no direct relationship between zinc associated with fraction that are considered bioavailable to higher organism and the observed toxicity. This assay may be recommended for toxicity analysis of environmental samples since most of the results obtained correlate well with observations reported in toxicity studies with higher organisms.

Health impact of exposure to copper and zinc among workers in a metal die casting foundry in 10th ramadan city

Abstract: Introduction: Little information is present regarding health impact of copper and zinc exposure among metal die casting workers in Egyptian foundries. Aim of work: 1-To measure blood levels of zinc and copper among the studied groups, 2- To measure the prevalence of respiratory hazards among exposed workers and their impact, 3-To identify other health problems due to copper and zinc exposure such as anemia and respiratory disorders, and lastly 4- To correlate such problems with blood levels of zinc and copper. Material and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 male workers, 30 of them were the exposed group involved in processes like melting. The other 30 were chosen from the administrative departments in the same foundry as the reference group. All workers were interviewed using questionnaire for occupational history, respiratory and other symptoms. Blood samples were taken to measure serum copper and zinc, hemoglobin (Hb), and white blood cells counts (WBCs). Ventilatory functions were assessed too. Results: The study showed no significant difference in the blood levels of zinc and copper among the studied groups. However, symptoms related to copper and zinc toxicity were significantly more prevalent among the exposed group, like respiratory symptoms, symptoms regarding skin, throat and eye irritation, metallic taste in the mouth and exhaustion. Symptoms suggestive of metal fume fever including flue like symptoms, arthralgia, fever, and leukocytosis were more prevalent among the exposed workers, but without significant difference. There was no significant correlation between copper and zinc blood levels and other findings such as; Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire scores, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate scores, mean Hb, and WBCs level. Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference in blood levels of zinc and copper among the studied groups, exposed workers were complaining of different symptoms, one of which was respiratory symptoms that had a significant impact on their social and psychological functioning.

Investigation the effects of different concentration of Copper, Lead and Cadmium of soil on Zinc accumulation inside different organs of Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Abstract: Phytoremediation is one method which initiated recent decades for amendment and clean up the contaminated soils with organic and mineral compounds. Aim of this research is investigation the effects of different concentration of Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) of soil on Zinc accumulation inside different organs of Eucalyptus camaldulensis. In this study 3 treatments of Cadmium (5, 10 and 15 ppm), 3 treatments of copper(5, 10 and 15 ppm) , study 3 treatments of Zinc(1, 3 and 10 ppm), 3 treatments of Lead (5, 100 and 200 ppm), and 3 treatments of combination these elements in 3 level and 6 replication carried out based on Completely Randomized Design for Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Result of this research clearly indicated that concentration and kind of heavy metals existent in soil are affecting on the rate of uptake and accumulation and also location of Zinc accumulation inside different organs of Eucalyptus camaldulensis. 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