Tl(I) and Tl(III) induce alterations in lipid metabolism in differentiated MDCK cells

VERSTRAETEN SV; FERNANDEZ MC; MOREL GOMEZ E

CABA

Congreso; III International Congress in Translational Medicine; 2016

Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires

Thallium (Tl) is atoxic heavy metal that contaminates the environment and affects human health. Tlintoxication affects several organs and tissues, being the kidney a main targetof Tl toxicity. However, the molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Tlhas two oxidation states, the monovalent (Tl(I)) and trivalent (Tl(III))cations. Since most heavy metals disturb cell lipid homeostasis, in the presentwork we studied if Tl may affect lipid metabolism in differentiated renalepithelial (MDCK) cells. Confluent MDCK cells were differentiated in hypertonicmedium for 72 h and further incubated for 48 h in the absence or presence ofTl(I) or Tl(III) (10 or 100 mM). After incubation,cells were collected, counted and lipids were extracted. Chloroformic extractswere resolved by TLC; phospholipids (PLs), cholesterol (Cho) andtriacylglycerides (TG) contents were analyzed. Both Tl(I) and Tl(III) significantlyincreased PLs and Cho. Accordingly, microscopy images showed morphologicalalterations in cells. Together, results could suggest an expansion of membranes.Also, Tl(I) and Tl(III) significantly increased TG content along with anincreased LD´s size and number. Also, Tl(I) and Tl(III) increased endogenouslipids biosynthesis. Obtained results indicate that Tl-mediated damage would involvesevere alterations in lipid metabolism.