Manjoor Ali

Thorium-induced oxidative stress mediated toxicity in mice and its abrogation by Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate

Purpose: Thorium (232Th, IV) preferentially accumulates in the liver, femur and spleen, which necessitates evaluation of its toxic effect in these organs. The present study was aimed at evaluation of liver function, oxidative stress and histological alterations in these organs. Materials and methods: Swiss albino mice were administered either with Thorium nitrate (10 mg/kg body weight/day equivalent to 1090 pCi/kg body weight/day) for 30 days (1/40th dose of LD50/30; the dose of thorium required to kill 50% of the test cohort within 30 days) intraperitoneally or with calcium salt of diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (Ca-DTPA, 100 μmole/kg body/weight) intravenously or both. Liver function tests and oxidative damage was assessed. The concentration of Th in the tissues was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) method. Results: Administration of Th prevented the increase in the body and liver weight and altered liver functions. Th treatment to mice showed a decrease in the activities and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, and increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation. The extent of observed oxidative damage was correlated with accumulation of Th in examined organs and further associated with histological alterations. Furthermore it was found that these effects were significantly lower when the chelating agent, Ca-DTPA, was given 1 h after Th injection. Conclusion: Administration of subtoxic concentration of Th to mice markedly altered the liver functions and induced oxidative stress in the liver, femur and spleen of mice. The results further demonstrated that Ca-DTPA significantly protected mice against the toxic effects of Th.

Role of membrane sialic acid and glycophorin protein in thorium induced aggregation and hemolysis of human erythrocytes

Thorium-232 ((232)Th), a natural radionuclide from the actinide family, is abundantly present in monazite and other ores. It is used as one of the prime fuel materials in nuclear industry and may pose an exposure risk to nuclear workers and members of the public. Human erythrocytes, as a classical cellular membrane model, were coincubated with (232)Th in order to elucidate whether this naturally occurring important radionuclide produced perturbations to cell membrane. Present study revealed that erythrocytes underwent aggregation or lysis depending on the ratio of (232)Th to cell. Scanning electron micrographs showed that erythrocytes transformed into equinocytes and/or spherocytes after (232)Th treatment. Further examination of erythrocyte by atomic force microscopy suggested significant increase in surface roughness after (232)Th treatment. Experiments on neuraminidase treated and/or anti-GpA antibody blocked erythrocytes suggested significant role of membrane sialic acid and glycophorin A (GpA) protein in aggregation or hemolytic effects of (232)Th. Further results showed that (232)Th caused hemolysis by colloid osmotic mechanism, as evidenced by potassium efflux, osmotic protection and osmotic fragility studies. Osmoprotection experiments indicated that hemolysis get elicited through the formation of membrane pores of approximately 2.0 nm in size. Hemolysis studies in presence of inhibitors (TEA, bumetanide, DIDS and amiloride) revealed the role of K(+) channel, Na(+)/K(+)/2Cl(-) channel, Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) anion exchanger and Na(+)/H(+) antiporter in (232)Th induced erythrolysis. Presence of non-diffusible cation (N-methyl d-glucasamine) or anion (gluconate) in erythrocyte suspending medium further confirm the role of Na(+) and Cl(-) influx in hemolytic effect of (232)Th. These findings provide significant insight in structural, biochemical and osmotic toxic effects of (232)Th on human erythrocytes.

Radioprotection of plasmid and cellular DNA and Swiss mice by silibinin

The radioprotective effect of a non-toxic bioactive component in plant milk thistle, silibinin against genotoxicity induced by gamma-irradiation was investigated in vivo/in vitro. Under in vitro conditions of irradiation, silibinin protected plasmid pBR322 DNA against gamma-radiation-induced strand breaks in a concentration dependent manner (0-200microM). Under cellular conditions of radiation exposure (3Gy), silibinin offered protection to lymphocyte DNA as evidenced from reduction in DNA damage and micronuclei formation, which showed correlation to the extent of intracellular reactive oxygen species reduction. Our extended animal studies suggest that oral administration of silibinin (70mg/kg for 3 days) to mice prior to whole-body gamma-exposure (7.5Gy) resulted in significant protection to radiation-induced mortality and DNA damage in blood leukocytes. However, silibinin treatment after irradiation was not as effective as pre-administration. In conclusion, present study indicated that silibinin has a strong potential to prevent radiation-induced DNA damage under both in vitro and in vivo.

Thorium-induced neurobehavioural and neurochemical alterations in Swiss mice

Purpose: Thorium (232Th), a heavy metal radionuclide that targets the liver and skeleton, has been shown to accumulate in the central nervous system at low levels. The present study was aimed to investigate neurobehavioural and neurochemical changes in mice treated with 232Th at sub-lethal doses. Materials and methods: Swiss albino mice were administered intraperitoneally with thorium nitrate. The chelation-based therapeutic effect of calcium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (Ca-DTPA) was tested on the 232Th-treated mice. 232Th localisation was determined in brain regions by the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) method. Achetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity in different brain regions was evaluated to assess the cholinergic function of mice CNS. Oxidative damage was evaluated by assessing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (i.e., superoxide dismutase and catalase) and the level of lipid peroxidation. The neurobehavioural alteration in the treated mice was studied by the shuttle box method. Results: 232Th accumulation found in different brain regions followed the order: Cerebellum (Cbl) > cortex (Ctx) > hippocampus (Hp) > striatum (Str). However, removal of 232Th by Ca-DTPA was significant from brain regions like Cbl, Ctx and Str but not from Hp. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity was observed in the treated mice but activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase was found substantially decreased. 232Th treatment impaired the learning and memory-based neurobehaviour of the mice. Furthermore, our data suggest that Ca-DTPA injection in 232Th-treated animals failed to improve the neurobehaviour of the treated mice, perhaps because Ca-DTPA could not decorporate 232Th or mitigate 232Th-mediated neurochemical changes effectively from/in hippocampus, a brain region implicated in learning and memory response. Conclusion: Administration of 232Th in mice caused neurobehavioural alteration and impairment of cholinergic function, which might be the consequence(s) of oxidative stress induction in different brain regions.

The interaction of actinide and lanthanide ions with hemoglobin and its relevance to human and environmental toxicology

Due to increasing use of lanthanides/actinides in nuclear and civil applications, understanding the impact of these metal ions on human health and environment is a growing concern. Hemoglobin (Hb), which occurs in all the kingdom of living organism, is the most abundant protein in human blood. In present study, effect of lanthanides and actinides [thorium: Th(IV), uranium: U(VI), lanthanum: La(III), cerium: Ce(III) and (IV)] on the structure and function of Hb has been investigated. Results showed that these metal ions, except Ce(IV) interacted with carbonyl and amide groups of Hb, which resulted in the loss of its alpha-helix conformation. However, beyond 75μM, these ions affected heme moiety. Metal-heme interaction was found to affect oxygen-binding of Hb, which seems to be governed by their closeness with the charge-to-ionic-radius ratio of iron(III). Consistently, Ce(IV) being closest to iron(III), exhibited a greater effect on heme. Binding constant and binding stoichiometry of Th(IV) were higher than that of U(VI). Experiments using aquatic midge Chironomus (possessing human homologous Hb) and human blood, further validated metal-Hb interaction and associated toxicity. Thus, present study provides a biochemical basis to understand the actinide/lanthanide-induced interference in heme, which may have significant implications for the medical and environmental management of lanthanides/actinides toxicity.

The interaction of human serum albumin with selected lanthanide and actinide ions: Binding affinities, protein unfolding and conformational changes

Human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant soluble protein in blood plays critical roles in transportation of biomolecules and maintenance of osmotic pressure. In view of increasing applications of lanthanides- and actinides-based materials in nuclear energy, space, industries and medical applications, the risk of exposure with these metal ions is a growing concern for human health. In present study, binding interaction of actinides/lanthanides [thorium: Th(IV), uranium: U(VI), lanthanum: La(III), cerium: Ce(III) and (IV)] with HSA and its structural consequences have been investigated. Ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform-infrared, Raman, Fluorescence and Circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques were applied to study the site of metal ions interaction, binding affinity determination and the effect of metal ions on protein unfolding and HSA conformation. Results showed that these metal ions interacted with carbonyl (CO..:)/amide(N..-H) groups and induced exposure of aromatic residues of HSA. The fluorescence analysis indicated that the actinide binding altered the microenvironment around Trp214 in the subdomain IIA. Binding affinity of U(VI) to HSA was slightly higher than that of Th(IV). Actinides and Ce(IV) altered the secondary conformation of HSA with a significant decrease of α-helix and an increase of β-sheet, turn and random coil structures, indicating a partial unfolding of HSA. A correlation was observed between metal ions ability to alter HSA conformation and protein unfolding. Both cationic effects and coordination ability of metal ions seemed to determine the consequences of their interaction with HSA. Present study improves our understanding about the protein interaction of these heavy ions and their impact on its secondary structure. In addition, binding characteristics may have important implications for the development of rational antidote for the medical management of health effects of actinides and lanthanides.

Thorium induced cytoproliferative effect in human liver cell HepG2: role of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor and downstream signaling.

Thorium-232 ((232)Th), a naturally-occurring actinide has gained significant attention due to its immense potential as a nuclear fuel for advanced reactors. Understanding the biological effects of (232)Th would significantly impact its efficient utilization with adequate health protection. Humans administered with (232)Th (thorotrast patients) or experimental animal models showed that liver is one of the major sites of (232)Th accumulation. Present study reports cellular effects of (232)Th-nitrate in a human-derived liver cell (HepG2). Results showed that the low concentration of (232)Th (0.1-10 μM) induced proliferation of HepG2 cells which was inhibited by the pre-treatment of cells with neutralizing antibody against insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R). Consistently, (232)Th treatment was found to increase the phosphorylated level of IGF-1R-associated molecule, IRS1 which serves to activate PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways. Pre-treatment with specific inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002) or JNK-MAPK (SP600125) significantly abrogated the cytoproliferative effect of (232)Th. Immunofluorescence analysis showed increased levels of phospho-Akt and phospho-JNK, downstream kinases of IGF-1R, in (232)Th-treated HepG2 cells suggesting the role of IGF-1R-mediated signaling in (232)Th-stimulated cell proliferation. The cell cycle analysis showed that (232)Th increased S and G2-M cell fractions concomitant to the increase of cyclin-E level. Thus, the present investigation highlights the role of IGF-1R-mediated signaling in the cytoproliferative effect of (232)Th in human liver cells at low concentration.

Decorporation and therapeutic efficacy of liposomal-DTPA against thorium-induced toxicity in the Wistar rat

Purpose: This study examined the effect of liposomal encapsulation of 99mTc-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (metastable technetium labeled DTPA) on its organ distribution and therapeutic effect of optimized neutral liposomal-DTPA against thorium (232Th)-induced liver toxicity and its accumulation in rat animal model. Materials and methods: 99mTc-DTPA was encapsulated in neutral (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine:cholesterol) and positively (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine:cholesterol:stearylamine) charged liposomes using thin film hydration method. Comparative efficacy of liposomal and free DTPA (11.2 mg/kg) was examined in terms of its effect on 232Th accumulation and subsequent toxicity in the liver and blood of rat administered with 232Th-nitrate (600 μg/kg). Organ distribution of free or liposomal 99mTc-DTPA was determined by solid scintillation counting and 232Th accumulation by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. Results: Neutral liposomes encapsulated with 99mTc-DTPA showed more uptake in liver, spleen and blood than with positively charged liposomal- and free- 99mTc-DTPA. Administration of 232Th-nitrate to rat significantly increased the levels of liver toxicity markers and of oxidative injury, which were found to be restored more significantly by neutral liposomal-DTPA than free-DTPA. The accumulation of 232Th in liver and blood of contaminated mice was found to be decreased more significantly by neutral liposomal-DTPA than by free-DTPA. Conclusions: Decorporation and consequent mitigation of 232Th induced toxicity may be significantly improved by liposomal encapsulation of DTPA, a chelating agent.

Mechanism of carcinogenesis after exposure of actinide radionuclides: Emerging concepts and missing links

Radiation carcinogenesis may be associated with external and/or internal sources of radiation exposure during accidental, occupational, or diagnostic/therapeutic conditions. Most of the radiation carcinogenic events are established after acute doses of low linear energy transfer external radiation. Moreover, the carcinogenic effects of internalized radioisotopes are also reported at their acute/chronic doses. In this regard, actinide radionuclides (like 238U, 239Pu, 232Th, and 241Am) are of great importance as fuel material or waste generated during nuclear power production. These radionuclides may result in incidence of cancer when internalized at high doses while accidental or occupation exposure. Even though the basic carcinogenic mechanism after external or internal radiation exposure remains the same, the magnitude of systemic or target specific radiation effects may vary in these radiation exposure conditions. The majority of the studies investigating biological, carcinogenic, and other health effects of actinide radionuclides are limited only up to quantification of these effects without much mechanistic insights. Moreover, the radiobiological processes, such as bystander effect, genomic instability, and adaptive response, governing the cellular radiosensitivity of targeted/nontargeted cells also need to be studied in the context of carcinogenesis after actinide radionuclides internalization. The review aims to highlight the emerging radiobiological concepts and missing links about actinide radionuclides-induced carcinogenesis. In addition, an overview has been presented about biological and health effects of major actinide radionuclides.

Recent advances in radiation research for human health and environment

The 1st International Conference on Radiation Research: Impact on Human Health and Environment (2016) and First Biennial Meeting of Society for Radiation Research was organized at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai (India). Recent developments in molecular, translational, and clinical radiobiology were discussed among basic and translational scientists as well as clinicians. The meeting has covered the topics ranging from the most recent insight into the paradigm shift from DNA-based radiation health effects (epigenetics), radiation biology from laboratory clinic, radiobiologically relevant redox metabolism, hypoxia, stem cell biology, hyperthermia to advances in dose deposition, and understanding the molecular biological effects of high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. Mechanism of radiobiological effects of actinides, and the search for novel radiosensitizers, radiation countermeasures, and efficient actinide decorporation agents were discussed for further improvement in cancer radiotherapy, radiation protection, and medical management of internal contamination in humans. This report summarizes the key points of recent observations/results presented in the meeting, and highlights their importance in view of human health and environment. This document would also help in understanding the significance of synergistic interaction among radiation researchers, scientists, clinicians, medical physicists, and radiation environmentalists for harnessing the real potential of radiation/radioactivity for better care of human health and environment.