Tag Archives: cadmium

1517-1526 S. Vasiljeva, G. Smirnova, N. Basova and D. Babarykin
Cadmium-induced oxidative damage and protective action of fractioned red beet (Beta vulgaris) root juice in chickens
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Cadmium-induced oxidative damage and protective action of fractioned red beet (Beta vulgaris) root juice in chickens

S. Vasiljeva¹*, G. Smirnova¹², N. Basova¹ and D. Babarykin²

¹University of Latvia, Institute of Biology, 3 Miera Str., LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
²Institute of Innovative Biomedical Technology Ltd, 2 Inchukalna Str., LV-1014 Riga, Latvia
*Correspondence: svetlana.vasiljeva@lu.lv

Abstract:

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most dangerous environmental bioaccumulative pollutants that affects many organs in humans and animals. Present investigation was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of fractioned red beetroot juice on Cd-induced oxidative stress in chickens. The named red beetroot juice fraction (BJF) was received by juice ultrafiltration. Per oral administration of BJF for 10 days followed by dietary Cd exposure (50 mg kg-1 of diet) was evaluated in the in vivo experiments in chickens. The prominent increase of Cd concentration in blood plasma, liver and kidney provoked the rise of oxidative processes activity in organs. BJF treatment attenuated the Cd-induced oxidative stress. The changes of oxidative stress markers – the reduction of hepatic and kidney malondialdehyde amount, the increase of glutathionperoxidase level in liver and blood catalase activity indicated the possible antioxidative influence of BJF. Chickens exposed to Cd showed no evidence of clinical toxicity, but exhibited some features of adverse action of this heavy metal. The increase of uric acid concentration in blood serum is associated with protein catabolic processes intensified by Cd affect. Suppressive effect of Cd on the immune response in chickens manifested in alteration of cell and humoral immunity parameters. The data of the most investigated oxidative stress markers, biochemical and immunological indices in Cd-exposed chickens were almost back to the values, when received BJF per os during 10 days. Administration of fractioned red beetroot juice to Cd-treated chickens prevented the oxidative impact of this heavy metal and provided immunomodulating effect.

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418–427 A. Kasiuliene, V. Paulauskas and J. Kumpiene
Influence of nitrogen fertilizer on Cd and Zn accumulation in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) biomass
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Influence of nitrogen fertilizer on Cd and Zn accumulation in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) biomass

A. Kasiuliene¹*, V. Paulauskas¹ and J. Kumpiene²

¹Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Institute of Environment and Ecology,
Studentu str. 11, Akademija, LT-53361 Kaunas dist., Lithuania
²Lulea University of Technology, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural
Resources Engineering, SE 971 87 Lulea, Sweden
*Correspondence: alfreda.kasiuliene@gmail.com

Abstract:

Diffuse soil contamination with heavy metals and Cd in particular is a matter of serious concern. Application of conventional remediation methods usually is not feasible due to the large territories and relatively low heavy metal content. Thus, phytoremediation is seen as an alternative. Rapeseed was grown on Cd and Zn contaminated as well as clean soil under the greenhouse conditions. Solid and liquid nitrogen fertilizers were applied during the pot experiment in order to test their influence on heavy metal accumulation in plant tissues. Vegetative parameters were measured four times during the pot experiment and it was concluded, that the elevated concentrations of Cd and Zn in the soil did not disrupt the development of rapeseed plants. Furthermore, plants from contaminated soil produced significantly bigger seeds in comparison to plants from uncontaminated soil. Calculated Bioconcentration factors for rapeseed grown on Cd and Zn contaminated soil in all cases were below unity, thus possibility to use this plant species for phytoextraction purposes is limited, but it can be successfully grown on contaminated land as an energy crop. Application of nitrogen fertilizers had a significant effect on heavy metal accumulation and decreased Cd and Zn concentrations in rapeseed roots and stems with leaves were recorded. Accumulation differences between the liquid and solid fertilizer applications were negligible.

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578-584 I. Blanco-Penedo, J.L. Benedito, R.F. Shore, M. Miranda,M. García Vaquero and M. López-Alonso
Influence of farm type (organic, conventional and intensive) on toxic metal accumulation in calves in NW Spain
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Influence of farm type (organic, conventional and intensive) on toxic metal accumulation in calves in NW Spain

I. Blanco-Penedo¹, J.L. Benedito¹, R.F. Shore², M. Miranda³,M. García Vaquero¹ and M. López-Alonso¹

¹Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Departamento de Patoloxía Animal, Facultade deVeterinaria, 27002 Lugo, Spain
²Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg,Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
³Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultade deVeterinaria, 27002 Lugo, Spaine-mail: isabel.blanco.penedo@usc.es.

Abstract:

The aim of the present study was to determine how accumulation of toxic metals by beef-cattle in NW Spain varies between farms that have markedly different practices (including intensive, conventional and organic management) and to determine possible key factors affecting toxic metal assimilation by cattle. Soil, feed (forage and concentrate) and animal tissues (liver and kidney from 120 calves) were collected from nine farms across NW Spain and were analysed for metals by ICP-MS. Toxic metal concentrations in beef calves were generally low but did vary significantly between farms. There were no consistent patterns of difference in tissue metal concentrations between farms from different regions or between farms with different management practices. Variations in arsenic, cadmium and mercury concentrations in calf tissues were not significantly explained by soil or diet metal concentrations but were significantly and inversely related to the proportion of concentrate in the ration. Higher levels of metal residues in tissues were associated with consumption of low amounts of concentrate and relatively high levels of grazing. Higher toxic metal intake due to grazing is likely to be largely a result of soil ingestion.

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