Hideki Fukino

Effect of Zinc Pretreatment on Mercuric Chloride-Induced Lipid Peroxidation in the Rat Kidney

The effect of zinc on mercuric chloride-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat kidney was investigated. The rats received zinc acetate (2.0 mmol/kg, po) for 2 days before being given mercuric chloride (15 mumol/kg, sc) and were killed 6, 12, and 24 hr after the last injection. Lipid peroxidation occurred in the rat kidney 12 hr after mercury administration, and this mercury-induced lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by zinc pretreatment. A decrease in vitamin C and E contents in the kidney was observed 12 hr after the administration of mercury, and this decrease was prevented by zinc pretreatment. In the kidney of rats pretreated with zinc, the activities of the protective enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, were increased after mercury injection. Non-protein sulfhydryl content (mostly glutathione) also rose markedly. The results indicate that zinc not only induces metallothionein, but also increases protective enzyme activities and glutathione content, which would tend to inhibit lipid peroxidation and suppress mercury toxicity.

Mechanism of protection by zinc against mercuric chloride toxicity in rats: Effects of zinc and mercury on glutathionine metabolism

To investigate the mechanism by which zinc suppresses mercury toxicity, the effects of zinc and mercury on glutathione (GSH) metabolism in the rat kidney were studied. When the time course of GSH level in the rat kidney was examined at 2, 6, and 12 h after treatment of rats with both metals, an increase of GSH was found and was apparently related to the activation of some GSH-associated enzymes. In the kidney of rats treated with both metals, the response of the protective function involving GSH and GSH-associated enzymes depended on the magnitude of mercury toxicity but appeared to be independent of the zinc dosage. The administration of diethyl maleate (DEM), which depletes GSH, increased lipid peroxidation and mercury toxicity concomitantly with a decrease of GSH level in the kidney of rats treated with zinc and mercury. In conclusion, the data suggest that an increased GSH level in the kidney resulting from the activation of GSH-associated enzymes plays a role in the protective effect of zinc against mercury toxicity.

Mutagenicity of airborne particles

The mutagenicity of airborne particles was studied in the Ames Salmonella system. The mutagenic activity of benzene extracts from airborne particles was more active in strain TA98 in the presence and absence of S9 mix than in strain TA100. The presence of mutagens, other than benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), which did not require S9 mix, was indicated. However, the monthly variation of direct-acting mutagenic activity showed a pattern similar to that of B[a]P at atmospheric concentration. The monthly variations of atmospheric NO, NO2, NO-2 and NO-3 concentrations were also similar to that of the direct-acting mutagenic activity. Atmospheric concentrations of heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, Cd, V and Cu were also found to be related to direct-acting mutagenic activity. These results suggest that emissions from automobiles, home heaters and power plants etc. may be a primary source of atmospheric, direct-acting mutagens. It is suggested that secondary direct-acting mutagens might be partly formed by the nitration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) with NO2 in the atmosphere because concentrations of B[a]P, NO2 and NO-3 increased simultaneously when the highest direct-acting mutagenic activity was observed.

Correlations among atmospheric elements, airborne particulate matter, benzene extracts, benzo(a)pyrene, NO, NO2 and so2 concentrations in Japan

Abstract Concentration levels of elements, airborne particulate matter, benzene extracts, benzo(a)pyrene B(a)P, NO, NO2 and SO2 in five residential areas were seasonally determined from May 1979 to January 1980. These air pollutants exhibited higher concentration in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. These were correlations among Pb, Cu, Ni, V and Se, among Si, Fe, Al and Ti and among NO, NO2, B(a)P, benzene extracts and airborne particulate matter. NO, NO2, B(a)P, benzene extracts and airborne particulate matter were correlated with Pb, Cu, Ni, V and Se, but not appreciably with Si, Fe, Al and Ti. On the basis of correlations between various air pollutants, the emitting source of the air pollutants and the health hazard by combined air pollution were discussed.