RGD Reference Report - Lead and cadmium co-exposure mediated toxic insults on hepatic steroid metabolism and antioxidant system of adult male rats. - Rat Genome Database

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Lead and cadmium co-exposure mediated toxic insults on hepatic steroid metabolism and antioxidant system of adult male rats.

Authors: Pandya, CD  Pillai, PP  Gupta, SS 
Citation: Pandya CD, etal., Biol Trace Elem Res. 2010 Jun;134(3):307-17. Epub 2009 Aug 4.
RGD ID: 4890953
Pubmed: PMID:19652923   (View Abstract at PubMed)
DOI: DOI:10.1007/s12011-009-8479-6   (Journal Full-text)

The redox status and steroid metabolism of liver of adult male rat exposed to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) either alone or in co-exposure (0.025 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally/15 days) was studied. Pb and Cd significantly accumulated in the liver. The activity of steroid metabolizing enzymes 17-betahydroxysteroid oxidoreductase and uridine diphosphate-glucuronyltransferase were decreased in experimental animals. 17-beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was reduced to 33%, 38%, and 24% on treatment of Pb, Cd, and co-exposure (Pb + Cd). Furthermore, the activity of uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase was significantly reduced to 27% (Pb exposure), 36% (Cd exposure), and 25% (co-exposure of Pb + Cd). Cd exposure exhibited more toxic effect than Pb, while co-exposure demonstrated the least. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase decreased and glutathione peroxidase increased in mitochondrial and post-mitochondrial fractions. The level of lipid peroxidation increased, and cellular glutathione concentration decreased. Hepatic DNA was decreased, whereas RNA content and the activity of alanine transaminase remained unchanged. Histological studies revealed that only Cd-exposed groups exhibited cytotoxic effect. These results suggest that when Pb and Cd are present together in similar concentrations, they exhibited relatively decreased toxic effect when compared to lead and cadmium in isolation with regard to decreased steroid metabolizing and antioxidant enzyme activities. This seems that the toxic effect of these metals is antagonized by co-exposure due to possible competition amongst Pb and Cd for hepatic accumulation.

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Biological Process
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
response to lead ion  IEP 4890953 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Hsd17b3  (hydroxysteroid (17-beta) dehydrogenase 3)


Additional Information