WHEN CADMIUM ATTACKS LUNGS: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ANIMAL AND VEGETAL PROTEIN SOURCES IN DIET

BOLDRINI, GG; MOYANO, MF

Mendoza

Congreso; Congreso SBC 2018; 2018

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo (SBC)

Cadmium is a naturally occurring toxic heavy metal with common exposure in industrial workplaces, plant soils and from smoking. Among its effects are the generation of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, alteration in gene expression and apoptosis/cáncer. Pulmonary response might lead to the development of diseases such as asthma, COPD, and lung cancers. On the other hand, it is known that consumption of soy protein has beneficial health effects, e.g.: lowering cholesterol, decreased weight in cases of obesity and protection against breast cancer. We studied Cd effects on lung morphology, bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) and oxidative stress markers under different diets. 4 lots of female Wistar rats were used: 2 lots received casein (Cas) and 2 lots received soybean (Soy) as protein sources. Within each group: 1 lot received regular water (Co) and the other 15ppm of Cd in the drinking water, for 60 days. BAL was performed and nitrites concentration was measured. Total RNA was isolated with Trizol and cDNA was obtained. SOD, GPx and Nrf-2 were determined by PCR. S28 was the control. TBAR?S and Catalase (CAT) activity were determined. Lungs were examined for evidence of injury and analyzed morphometrically. A lung section was mineralized and Cd, Cu, Zn, Se and Mn concentrations were measured by ICP-MS. Cd was higher in intoxicated groups, but only significant in Cas-Cd (p