EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEAD CONTAMINATION ON CATTLE IN A LEAD/ZINC MINING AREA: CHANGES IN CATTLE IMMUNE SYSTEMS ON EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN VIVO AND IN VITRO
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Date
2012-01-31
Authors
Yabe, John
Ikenaka, Yoshinori
Nakayama, Shouta M. M.
Muroya, Taro
Konnai, Satoru
Darwish, Wageh Sobhy
Muzandu, Kaampwe
Choongo, Kennedy
Mainda, Geoffrey
Teraoka, Hiroki
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sectac Press
Abstract
Abstract—The Republic of Zambia is rich in mineral resources, such as zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb), and mining is a key industry in Zambia.
A previous study of Pb pollution in Kabwe, one of the main mining areas, found that soil was contaminated with high levels of toxic
metals over a substantial area. In the present study, the authors focus on toxic metal pollution in cattle, one of the most important
domestic animals in Zambia. Blood samples from cattle in Kabwe and a control area (Lusaka) were tested for toxic metal content. They
also measured mRNA expression of metal-responsive proteins and cytokines in white blood cells using real-time reverse transcriptase
polymerase chain reaction. In the present in vitro study, The authors cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cattle,
exposing them to Pb acetate for 24 h and analyzing mRNA expression of metal-responsive proteins and selected cytokines. Lead
concentrations in cattle blood from Kabwe were significantly greater than those from Lusaka, as were the mRNA expressions of
metallothionein-2 (MT-2), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interferon-g (IFN-g), interleukin-1b (IL-1b), IL-6, and inducible nitric
oxide synthase (iNOS). The present in vitro study demonstrated that Pb exposure led to an increase in the expressions of MT-2, TNF-a,
IL-1b, and iNOS, similar to those found in vivo. These results indicate the possibility of immune system modulations in cattle from the
Kabwe area.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Cattle , Cytokines , Immune system , Lead , Metallothionein