Uptake and toxic effects of heavy metal ions: interactions among cadmium, copper and zinc in cultured cells

Absorption of metal ions by KB, HeLa and L-59 cells has been analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the course of culture. Ions of the elements of the fourth period in the periodic chart such as Fe(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Mn(II) and Ni(II) were not taken up, but those of the higher periods, such as Cd(II), Pb(II), Hg(II) and Ag(I) were were taken up easily. The uptake behavior by the cultured cells was in accordance with the characteristic features of metals, that metals in the fourth period are essential elements, and most of the elements of the fifth and the sixth periods are non-essential or toxic elements. The initial rate of Cd(II) uptake and the Cd(II) concentration has a sigmoidal relationship. Cd(II) was absorbed homotropically through cell membranes. The uptake of Cd(II) was specifically inhibited by Cu(II), but was affected little by Zn(II). The toxicity of Cd(II) to KB cells was greatly enhanced in the presence of Cu(II). On the contrary, the toxicity of Cd(II) was reduced by the addition of Zn(II) at several concentrations of Cd(II). The toxicity of Cd(II) did not depend on the amount of Cd(II) absorbed in the cells, but was determined by cofactors such as Cu(II). The interaction between Cd(II) and Cu(II) may be important for Itai-itai disease.     

Uptake and toxic effects of heavy metal ions: Interactions among cadmium,copper and zinc in cultured cells

Summary Absorption of metal ions by KB, HeLa and L-59 cells has been analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the course of culture. Ions of the elements of the fourth period in the periodic chart such as Fe(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Mn(II) and Ni(II) were not taken up, but those of the higher periods, such as Cd(II), Pb(II), Hg(II) and Ag(I) were were taken up easily. The uptake behavior by the cultured cells was in accordance with the characteristic features of metals, that metals in the fourth period are essential elements, and most of the elements of the fifth and the sixth periods are non-essential or toxic elements.The initial rate of Cd(II) uptake and the Cd(II) concentration has a sigmoidal relationship. Cd(II) was absorbed homotropically through cell membranes. The uptake of Cd(II) was specifically inhibited by Cu(II), but was affected little by Zn(II). The toxicity of Cd(II) to KB cells was greatly enhanced in the presence of Cu(II). On the contrary, the toxicity of Cd(II) was reduced by the addition of Zn(II) at several concentrations of Cd(II). The toxicity of Cd(II) did not depend on the amount of Cd(II) absorbed in the cells, but was determined by cofactors such as Cu(II). The interaction between Cd(II) and Cu(II) may be important for Itai-itai disease.     

Release of fibrinolytic activators from human tumours cultured in vitro

Zusammenfassung Unter Verwendung einer Methode, welche die Bestimmung der fibrinolytischen Aktivität in Organkulturen erlaubt, wurden verschiedene orale Tumoren untersucht und dabei eine Korrelation zwischen der Waskularisierung der Tumoren und der entwickelten fibrinolytiscshen Aktivität festgestellt. Dagegen konnte kein Unterschied in der fibrinolytischen Aktivität von malignen und benignen Tumoren nachgewiesen werden.

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This investigation was supported by T. Nilson's Fond for Medical Research, Riksbankens Jubileumsfond and the Swedish Medical Research Council B 70-17X-3800-01.     

Release of 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine from neoplastic mast cells by alkaline tissue extracts

Zusammenfassung Alkalische Extrakte diverser Rattengewebe setzen 5-Hydroxytryptamin (Serotonin) und Histamin aus Suspensionen neoplastischer Mastzellen der Maus frei. Gehirnund Nierenextrakte zeigen die grösste Aktivität. Zugabe von Glukose in die Nährlösung verhindert das Freiwerden der Amine. Eine vorläufige Charakterisierung des aktiven Materials ist unternommen worden.

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Aided in part by grant B-940 from National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness, and in part by the James Hudson Brown Memorial Fund of Yale Medical School.

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This work was done in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Medicine by L. T. P.

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Squibb post-doctoral fellow in Pharmacology; present address, Department of Pharmacology, Royal College of Surgeons, London.     

The metabolism of methadone by cultured mammalian cells

Summary Rat hepatoma tissue culture cells and mouse leukemic cells were found to metabolize [1-³H] methadone to at least 2 unidentified radioactive compounds. These results suggest that cultured cells may be useful models for studying methadone metabolism by specific cell types.This study was supported by United States Public Health Service Research Grant No. MH 15622. The illustrations were prepared by Diane J. Kastelic.     

Inhibition of interleukin-1 beta release from cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by prednisolone

Prednisolone, a water-soluble glucocorticoid hormone, suppressed the secretion of interleukin-1 beta from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in culture. The prednisolone-induced suppression of the monokine release was dose-related and the half maximal response was observed at 0.1 nM.     

The metabolism of methadone by cultured mammalian cells.

Rat hepatoma tissue culture cells and mouse leukemic cells were found to metabolize [1-3H] methadone to at least 2 unidentified radioactive compounds. These results suggest that cultured cells may be useful models for studying methadone metabolism by specific cell types.     

Effects of temperature on the bioaccumulation of cadmium by the crayfish Ponstacus leptodactylus. Microanalysis by X-ray spectrography and secondary ion emission

Low temperatures (10 +/- 1 degrees C) induce a rapid entry of cadmium into the body across the gills and gut; higher temperatures (20 +/- 1 degrees C) induce a medium and long term absorption and storage of the metal in the digestive gland and its long term accumulation in the exoskeleton. From a methodical point of view, electron microprobe appears more suitable than secondary ion emission microanalysis for the detection of cadmium.     

Release of noradrenaline from adrenergic transmitter granules by tyramine

Zusammenfassung Tyramin (3–50 µg/ml) setzt aus mikrogranularem Sediment von Kuhmilznerven Noradrenalin frei (Inkubation 30 min bei +20°C). Mit Dopamin und Octopamin wurde in denselben Konzentrationen keine sichere Wirkung beobachtet.     

Interferon-beta can induce the production of plasminogen activator by cultured human cancer cells

Three cultured human cell lines, renal cancer cells (ACHN), bladder cancer cells (EJ), and fibroblasts transformed in culture by Co-60 gamma rays (KMST-6), when treated with interferon-beta, produced 1.5 to 4 times as much plasminogen activator as the untreated control cultures. This enhanced production of PA was inhibited by cycloheximide or actinomycin D.     

Release of growth hormone from somatotropin producing cells of hepatectomized mice without the participation of the Golgi complex

Resumen El reticulo endoplasmico de las celulas somatotropas del raton hepatectomizado se encuentra muy dilatado y contiene material denso en el interior de sus cisternas. Estas se observan frecuentemente en contacto con la membrana celular en zonas en que ésta y el intersticio presentan un aumento de densidad. Se sugiere un mecanismo directo de secreción de la hormona sintetizada en exceso en el reticulo endoplasmico, sin pasar previamente por el complejo de Golgi.

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This investigation was supported by a grant from the Comision de Investigacion Cientifica de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Thanks are due to the members of the technical staff of the Institute for their technical assistance.     

Release of a cytotoxic factor by murine spleen cells in the presence of a tumour allograft

Résumé Des cellules spléniques de souris, ayant accepté une allogreffe tumorale, libèrent, lorsqu'elles sont remises en présence des cellules tumorales dans des chambres à diffusion, un facteur cytotoxique soluble mais à un taux bien moindre que lorsque la souris a rejetté l'allogreffe tumorale.

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This work was supported by INSERM, 3, rue Léon Bonnat, Paris 16^c (France).     

Release of oxidases from the roots of plants

Summary In this paper, we report on the isolation and purification of the oxidase released from the roots ofLactuca sativa seedlings. This is the first time that the release of oxidases from the roots of plants into their rhizosphere has been reported.