TL(I) and TL(III) induce alterations in lipid metabolism in differentiated mdck cells

MOREL GOMEZ, EMANUEL; VERSTRAETEN, SANDRA; MARÍA DEL CARMEN FERNÁNDEZ

CORDOBA

Congreso; 52 REUNION ANUAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE BIOQUIMICA Y BIOLOGÍA MOLECULAR; 2016

SAIB

Thallium (Tl) is a toxic heavy metal that contaminates the environment and affects human health. Tl intoxication affects several organsand tissues, being the kidney a main target of Tl toxicity. However, the molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Tl has twooxidation states, the monovalent (Tl(I)) and trivalent (Tl(III)) cations. Since most heavy metals disturb cell lipid homeostasis, in thepresent work we studied if Tl may affect lipid metabolism in differentiated renal epithelial (MDCK) cells. Confluent MDCK cellswere differentiated in hypertonic medium for 72 h and further incubated for 48 h in the absence or presence of Tl(I) or Tl(III) (10 or100 µM). After incubation, cells were collected, counted and lipids were extracted. Chloroformic extracts were resolved by TLC;phospholipids (PLs), cholesterol (Cho) and triacylglycerides (TG) contents were analyzed. Both Tl(I) and Tl(III) significantlyincreased PLs and Cho. Accordingly, microscopy images showed morphological alterations in cells. Together, results could suggest anexpansion of membranes. Also, Tl(I) and Tl(III) significantly increased TG content along with an increased LD´s size and number.Also, Tl(I) and Tl(III) increased endogenous lipids biosynthesis. Obtained results indicate that Tl-mediated damage would involvesevere alterations in lipid metabolism. *Both have to be considered as last authors.