CONSEQUENCES OF THALLIUM EXPOSURE ON MDCK CELLS LIPIDS METABOLISM

MOREL GOMEZ, E; CASALI, C; FAGGIONATO, D; VERSTRAETEN, S.V; FERNANDEZ TOME, M.C.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; XLVIX Reunión Anual Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; 2013

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular

Thallium (Tl) is a toxic heavy metal that among other symptoms causes renal damage. In the present study we investigated the effects of Tl(I) and Tl(III) on lipids metabolism in a renal epithelial (MDCK) cell line. Cells were exposed to 10 or 100 μM of Tl(I) or Tl(III) for either 24 or 48 h. The profile of phospholipids (PL), cholesterol(Cho) and triacylglycerides (TG) was evaluated. No changes were observed at 10 μM Tl(I), but increased total PL (24 h: 28%, 48 h: 40%) and Cho (24 h: 30%, 48 h: 52%) contents were found at 100 μM Tl(I). TG content was decreased by 30% and increased by 80% after 24 and 48 h of Tl(I) treatment, respectively. Tl(III) (100 μM) increased both PL and Cho content around 100% after 24 h and 300% after 48 h of incubation. TG content was increased by 60 and 600% after 24 and 48 h, respectively. Such an increase was also evidenced in lipid droplet size. PL profile showed decreased phosphatidylethanolamine and increased phosphatidylcholine contents. After 48 h, both cations decreased the fluidity of the outer monolayer of plasma membrane, increased that of the inner monolayer, and increased the annular fluidity. Tl(III) caused marked alterations in cells ultrastructure. The increase in cell membranescomponents (PL and Cho) and fatty acid storage (TG) as well as the changes in membrane properties may contribute to renal cell dysfunction in Tl-exposed people.