Kyong-Son Min

Publications of Kyong-Son Min

• Oxidation and turnover of renal metallothioneins after an injection of ferric nitrilotriacetate.

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Naomi Kishi, Nozomu Yamashita, Keiichi Tanaka

  Chemico-biological interactions. 01/2012; 195(1):61-7.

  Metallothioneins (MTs) have demonstrated strong antioxidant properties, however the biological significance of their effect against hydroxyl radical toxicity remains unclear. We investigated theMetallothioneins (MTs) have demonstrated strong antioxidant properties, however the biological significance of their effect against hydroxyl radical toxicity remains unclear. We investigated the oxidation and turnover of renal MTs in MT-preinduced mice after an injection of ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA). Incubation of MTs with Fe-NTA and H(2)O(2) resulted in a loss of their metal-binding properties and a decrease in their thiol concentration independent of binding potential and isoforms. Moreover, in vitro reduction of renal oxidized MT with dithiothreitol (DTT) reversed these oxidative changes. An injection of Fe-NTA oxidized renal preinduced MT in Zn- and Cd-pretreated mice. The metal-binding properties of renal MTs were lost when the Fe-NTA dose was increased. However, analysis of renal MTs using an immunoassay showed that its protein concentration did not decrease 4h after the injection with various Fe-NTA doses. Furthermore, in vitro reduction of renal oxidized MTs with DTT resulted in an increase in the concentration of metals in the MT fraction. These data indicate that radicals produced by Fe-NTA may oxidize MTs in vitro and in vivo. When we investigated the turnover of oxidized MTs in Fe-NTA-treated mice, effects on the concentration of renal (35)S-labeled MTs were opposite to those observed in Cd-pretreated mice. The concentration of preinduced (35)S-labeled MTs in the kidneys of Cd-pretreated mice showed a significant decrease (p<0.05), whereas that of newly synthesized (35)S-labeled MTs showed a considerable increase. These data suggest that degradation of oxidized MTs may be faster than intact MTs. Therefore, the radical scavenging system of MTs may include their induction and degradation during oxidative stress conditions.

• β-Citryl-L-glutamate acts as an iron carrier to activate aconitase activity.

  Authors: Michiko Hamada-Kanazawa, Masanori Narahara, Masaoki Takano, Kyong Son Min, Keiichi Tanaka, Masaharu Miyake

  Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin. 01/2011; 34(9):1455-64.

  The compound β-citryl-L-glutamate (β-CG) was initially isolated from developing brains, though its functional roles remain unclear. In in vitro experiments, the [Fe(II)(β-CG)] complex activatedThe compound β-citryl-L-glutamate (β-CG) was initially isolated from developing brains, though its functional roles remain unclear. In in vitro experiments, the [Fe(II)(β-CG)] complex activated aconitase in the presence of reducing reagents, whereas no Fe complex with citrate, glutamate, or deferoxamine displayed such an effect. β-CG and [Fe(II)(β-CG)] both bound to the fourth labile Fe atom (Fe(a)) in the [4Fe-4S] cluster of aconitase. Furthermore, [Fe(II)(β-CG)] reactivated aconitase damaged by ammonium peroxodisulfate (APS), while β-CG and citrate had no effect. These findings suggest that [Fe(II)(β-CG)] can transfer Fe to aconitase disassembled by APS. In intact mitochondria, both β-CG and [Fe(II)(β-CG)] bound to Fe(a) of aconitase, whereas only [Fe(II)(β-CG)] reactivated the enzyme disassembled by APS. In cultured neuronal cells, β-CG significantly enhanced cell viability by accelerating mitochondrial activity in primary cultures of neurons from newborn mouse cerebrum tissues. Thus, the β-CG plays a role as an Fe-carrier for mitochondrial aconitase, and then activates it. Taken together, these findings suggest that β-CG is an endogenous low molecular weight Fe chaperone for aconitase.

• Increased hepatic accumulation of ingested Cd is associated with upregulation of several intestinal transporters in mice fed diets deficient in essential metals.

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Hidenori Ueda, Tetsuya Kihara, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology. 11/2008; 106(1):284-9.

  Essential metals (EMs) can affect the metabolism of nonessential metals. It has been suggested that Fe deficiency increases intestinal absorption of Cd via divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). ToEssential metals (EMs) can affect the metabolism of nonessential metals. It has been suggested that Fe deficiency increases intestinal absorption of Cd via divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). To investigate whether EM nutritional status is a host risk factor for Cd accumulation, we studied the effect of nutritional status of Ca, Cu, Mg, Zn, and Fe that most often ingested by humans at levels below recommended dietary allowances on tissue accumulation of orally administered Cd. Mice were divided into groups and given different EM-deficient (EMDF) diets (CaDF, CuDF, MgDF, ZnDF, or FeDF) for 4 weeks. EMDF mice had significantly (p < 0.05) lower plasma or hepatic concentrations of the deficient EM than did mice receiving control diets. Hepatic Cd accumulation was significantly (p < 0.05) increased after oral Cd administration in all EMDF mice, but not in any EM-supplemented mice. Intestinal expression of mRNAs for the Fe-transporters DMT1 and ferroportin was increased in FeDF mice, but not in other EMDF mice, causing an increase in hepatic Fe concentration. Similarly, intestinal expression of mRNA for calcium transporter 1 was significantly increased in CaDF mice, but not in other EMDF mice. These results suggest that DMT1 is not the sole transporter of Cd, and that Cd is absorbed and accumulated through multiple pathways that maintain EM homeostasis in EMDF condition. Therefore, EM nutritional status is a risk factor for increasing hepatic accumulation of ingested Cd.

• Effect of hemolytic and iron-deficiency anemia on intestinal absorption and tissue accumulation of cadmium.

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Naoyuki Iwata, Noriko Tetsutikawahara, Satomi Onosaka, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicology letters. 07/2008; 179(1):48-52.

  Abnormal iron (Fe) metabolism induces iron-deficiency anemia (FeDA) and also affects body cadmium (Cd) accumulation. However, whether hemolytic anemia also affects Cd metabolism is not known. WeAbnormal iron (Fe) metabolism induces iron-deficiency anemia (FeDA) and also affects body cadmium (Cd) accumulation. However, whether hemolytic anemia also affects Cd metabolism is not known. We compared the intestinal absorption and tissue accumulation of Cd after oral administration of Cd to mice with hemolytic anemia induced by treatment with phenylhydrazine (PHA mice) to that in mice with FeDA. Although the hematocrit decreased significantly in mice with either type of anemia, the Fe concentration decreased in the livers and kidneys of FeDA mice, but increased in those of PHA mice. After an oral administration with various amounts of Cd, hepatic and renal Cd concentrations significantly increased in both FeDA and PHA mice. An intraduodenal injection of Fe raised the hepatic Fe content in FeDA mice to the control level and raised the hepatic Fe content in PHA mice to 2.4 times that in control mice. Intestinal divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) expression increased significantly in mice with both types of anemia. These data indicate that, despite the accumulation of hepatic Fe associated with PHA, PHA also significantly increases hepatic and renal Cd accumulation according to an stimulation of intestinal DMT1 expression, as occurs in FeDA mice. This suggests that anemia may be a risk factor for Cd accumulation.

• Involvement of intestinal calcium transporter 1 and metallothionein in cadmium accumulation in the liver and kidney of mice fed a low-calcium diet.

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Hidenori Ueda, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicology letters. 02/2008; 176(1):85-92.

  Essential metals can affect the metabolism of nonessential metals. Calcium (Ca) is an essential mineral that is commonly lacking in the diet. When we fed 5-week-old male mice for 4 weeks on aEssential metals can affect the metabolism of nonessential metals. Calcium (Ca) is an essential mineral that is commonly lacking in the diet. When we fed 5-week-old male mice for 4 weeks on a purified diet containing 0.005% Ca (CaDF mice), the Ca concentration in the plasma, liver and kidneys did not decreased. Cd accumulation increased in the liver and kidneys of CaDF mice given 1mg/kg Cd orally each day for 5 days, but not in those given intraperitoneal injections of Cd or Cd-metallothionein (Cd-MT). The zinc (Zn) concentration increased significantly in the intestinal cytosol and plasma during the time the mice were fed the low-Ca diet, and expression of both MT-1 and ZnT-1 sharply increased with a similar time course. Intestinal mRNA expression of CaT1, a Ca transporter, was more than 10 times higher in CaDF mice than in controls, although expression of other transporters, including DMT1, decreased in CaDF mice. These results suggest that CaT1 may stimulate the intestinal absorption of Cd and Zn, and some Cd may be distributed to the kidneys along with MT induced by Zn.

• [Physiological significance of metallothionein in oxidative stress]

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min

  Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. 05/2007; 127(4):695-702.

  Metallothionein (MT), a ubiquitous family of low-molecular weight metal-binding proteins, comprises 30% cysteine residues. Although all of the thiol residues in MT are bound to metals, it stillMetallothionein (MT), a ubiquitous family of low-molecular weight metal-binding proteins, comprises 30% cysteine residues. Although all of the thiol residues in MT are bound to metals, it still remains active to reactive oxygen species. Each cysteine residue in MT is more effective at protecting DNA from hydroxyl radical attack than the glutathione cysteine in vitro. Prooxidative agents such as paraquat and carbon tetrachloride induce MT synthesis mediated by some responsive elements. MT demonstrates strong antioxidant properties, yet the physiological relevance of its antioxidant action is not clear. An injection of ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), which produces reactive oxygen species, caused transcriptional induction of MT synthesis in the liver and kidney. Pretreatment of mice with Zn attenuated nephrotoxicity induced by Fe-NTA. After a Fe-NTA injection, a loss of Cd-binding properties of preinduced MT was observed only in kidneys of Zn-pretreated mice but not in liver. MT-enriched hepatocytes are resistant to Fe-NTA toxicity, oxidative DNA, and cell damage during conditions of glutathione depletion. In glutathione-depleted cells, but not in non-treated cells, Cd-binding properties of cellular MT decreased with increasing concentration of Fe-NTA. Moreover, Cd released from MT after an injection of Fe-NTA induced new MT protein again. Thus MT may act as a secondary antioxidant in cellular protection system against oxidative stress.

• Metallothionein-enriched hepatocytes are resistant to ferric nitriloacetate toxicity during conditions of glutathione depletion.

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Naoko Tanaka, Taeko Horie, Hiroko Kawano, Noriko Tetsuchikawahara, Satomi Onosaka

  Toxicology letters. 09/2005; 158(2):108-15.

  Metallothionein (MT) is involved not only in heavy metal homeostasis/detoxification but also in radical scavenging, yet the relevance to other antioxidant systems and physiological significance underMetallothionein (MT) is involved not only in heavy metal homeostasis/detoxification but also in radical scavenging, yet the relevance to other antioxidant systems and physiological significance under oxidative stress has not been clarified. We studied that ability of MT, induced by zinc and cadmium, to protect against oxidative damage induced by ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) in glutathione depleted primary cell cultures. Treatment with Fe-NTA resulted in significant decreases in cell survival and increases in medium LDH activity in control cells following depletion of glutathione. The toxic effects of Fe-NTA were modulated in Zn-MT-enriched cells. In glutathione-depleted cells, but not in non-treated cells, Cd-binding properties of cellular Zn-MT decreased with increasing concentration of Fe-NTA. Both Zn-MT and Cd-MT-enriched cells were resistant to higher doses of Fe-NTA. These results indicate that MT may act a cellular radical scavenger in the absence of GSH. Thus, MT may function as a secondary antioxidant in a cellular protection system.

• Induction of hepatic and renal metallothionein synthesis by ferric nitrilotriacetate in mice: the role of MT as an antioxidant.

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Fumio Morishita, Noriko Tetsuchikawahara, Satomi Onosaka

  Toxicology and applied pharmacology. 05/2005; 204(1):9-17.

  Metallothionein (MT) demonstrates strong antioxidant properties, yet the physiological relevance of its antioxidant action is not clear. Injection of mice with ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)Metallothionein (MT) demonstrates strong antioxidant properties, yet the physiological relevance of its antioxidant action is not clear. Injection of mice with ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) caused a dose-dependent increase in hepatic and renal MT. Fe-NTA caused a greater increase in hepatic and renal MT concentration (2.5- and 4-fold) compared with FeCl(3) at the same dose of ferric ion. MT mRNA levels were markedly elevated in both of tissues. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values in both tissues reached a maximum after 2-4 h. The MT concentrations were significantly increased after 2-4 h in liver and after 8-16 h in kidneys. Plasma concentrations of cytokines such as IL-6 and TNFalpha were elevated by 4 h; IL-6 levels were 24 times higher after Fe-NTA than that after injection of FeCl(3). Pretreatment of mice with ZnSO(4) attenuated nephrotoxicity induced by Fe-NTA after 2 h, but was not effective 4 h after injection. After a Fe-NTA injection, a loss of Cd-binding properties of preinduced MT was observed only in kidneys of Zn-pretreated mice but not in liver. Treatment with BSO, glutathione (GSH) depletor, intensified a loss of its Cd-binding properties after a Fe-NTA injection. These results indicate that induction of MT synthesis may result from reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by Fe-NTA, and MT may act in vivo as a complementary antioxidant.

• Glucocorticoids suppress the inflammation-mediated tolerance to acute toxicity of cadmium in mice.

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Heisuk Kim, Miho Fujii, Noriko Tetsuchikawahara, Satomi Onosaka

  Toxicology and applied pharmacology. 02/2002; 178(1):1-7.

  Several compounds have been shown to cause acute toxicity to cadmium (Cd). The mechanism of tolerance to Cd toxicity induced by glucocorticoids or by inflammation involves induction ofSeveral compounds have been shown to cause acute toxicity to cadmium (Cd). The mechanism of tolerance to Cd toxicity induced by glucocorticoids or by inflammation involves induction of metallothionein (MT) synthesis via glucocorticoid response elements or by inflammatory cytokines. We have demonstrated previously that the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone suppresses inflammation-mediated induction of hepatic MT synthesis. Here we investigated the effect of glucocorticoid on tolerance to Cd induced by inflammation in mice. The LD50 of Cd for mice with induced inflammation by injection with turpentine oil (Tur-mice) was higher than the LD50 in control mice. Pretreatment of Tur-mice with dexamethasone to the Tur-mice (Dex+Tur-mice) resulted in a decrease in LD50 after Cd treatment. A significant increase in plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in the Dex+Tur-mice was observed at lower doses of Cd than in the Tur-mice and at higher doses of Cd than in control mice. Dexamethasone did not suppress tolerance to cadmium toxicity in the testes of the Tur-mice. Pretreatment of Tur-mice with dexamethasone resulted in suppression of both plasma interleukin (IL)-6 elevation and in suppression of hepatic MT levels when induced by inflammation but not when induced by Cd. These data suggest that suppression of tolerance to Cd toxicity induced by glucocorticoid may involve hepatic MT synthesis mediated by inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6. We suggest that the inflammatory response can modulate Cd toxicity by induction of MT by inflammatory cytokines.

• Tissue distribution of cadmium and nephropathy after administration of cadmium in several chemical forms

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Kahori Kobayashi, Satomi Onosaka, Noriya Ohta, Yoshio Okada, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

  Cadmium (Cd) was administered as CdCl2, Cd-Cys, Cd-partial structural peptide of metallothionein (MT) II, Cd-MT I, and Cd-MT II to rats, and the distribution of and nephropathy caused by theCadmium (Cd) was administered as CdCl2, Cd-Cys, Cd-partial structural peptide of metallothionein (MT) II, Cd-MT I, and Cd-MT II to rats, and the distribution of and nephropathy caused by the corresponding Cd compounds were examined. Each Cd complex showed dissociation of Cd in vivo and in vitro in the plasma. With Cd-Cys approximately 80% dissociation was observed while Cd-MT showed only 15% dissociation. When the dissociation of the Cd complex in the plasma was less, the distribution of Cd to the liver was decreased but distribution was increased to the kidney and urine. Each Cd complex showed the presence of Cd in the kidney shortly after the administration in the high molecular weight fraction (HM-fr) and also in MT-fr. This was then followed by a decrease in the Cd level in the HM-fr but by an increase in the MT-fr. All Cd compounds except CdCl2 caused some transient renal damage. Renal damage shown by significant increases of urinary protein, glucose, and amino acids were observed at the doses of 1.3-1.7 mg Cd/kg in the Cd-Cys group, at 0.51–0.64 mg Cd/kg in the Cd-peptide group, and at 0.16–0.23 mg/kg in the Cd-MT I and II groups. The Cd level in the kidney of rats with renal damage from these complexes was approximately the same in all the groups, that is, 10 μg/g kidney. It is concluded that Cd causes renal damage when its concentration in the kidney is 10 μg/g or higher regardless of the type of Cd complex that is administered.

• Induction of hepatic metallothionein by nonmetallic compounds associated with acute-phase response in inflammation

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Yuka Terano, Satomi Onosaka, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

  Induction of hepatic metallothionein (MT) synthesis by several nonmetallic compounds and its relationship to an acute-phase response in inflammation were studied in mice. Subcutaneous injections ofInduction of hepatic metallothionein (MT) synthesis by several nonmetallic compounds and its relationship to an acute-phase response in inflammation were studied in mice. Subcutaneous injections of menadione, paraquat, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and several organic solvents caused an increase of hepatic MT concentration. This MT contained only zinc. Menadione and n-hexane caused the greatest accumulation of hepatic MT among these nonmetallic compounds (about 13-fold). The concentration of Zn was significantly decreased in plasma in contrast to liver after an injection of these nonmetallic compounds. When 65ZnCl2 was injected iv after these injections, uptake of 65Zn to the liver was increased. This effect was not observed after treatment with cycloheximide. The association with inflammation of this induction of MT accumulation was examined by determination of acutephase proteins. The concentration of fibrinogen in the plasma was significantly increased following injection of those nonmetallic compounds which caused marked hepatic MT accumulation. An injection of 1n NaOH, 1n HCl, turpentine oil, or endotoxin caused a significant increase in the plasma concentration of fibrinogen and in the hepatic MT concentration. Injections of n-hexane as well as turpentine oil significantly increased hepatic MT concentration and plasma concentration of fibrinogen and ceruloplasmin with time. The concentration of fibrinogen was significantly correlated (r = 0.789) with the concentration of hepatic MT. Neither adrenalectomy nor pretreatment with dexamethasone prevented hepatic MT accumulation caused by these compounds. These results indicate that induction of hepatic MT synthesis by these nonmetallic compounds is associated with an acute-phase response in inflammation and is independent of glucocorticoids.

• Glucocorticoid inhibition of inflammation-induced metallothionein synthesis in mouse liver

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Sachiko Mukai, Mitsue Ohta, Satomi Onosaka, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

  The effects of glucocorticoid treatment on the induction of hepatic metallothionein (MT) during inflammation initiated by turpentine oil (TUR) or endotoxin (LPS) were studied in mice. TheThe effects of glucocorticoid treatment on the induction of hepatic metallothionein (MT) during inflammation initiated by turpentine oil (TUR) or endotoxin (LPS) were studied in mice. The administration of TUR increased concentrations of hepatic MT as well as that of plasma fibrinogen. Although hepatic MT was modestly induced by dexamethasone (DEX) alone, pretreatment with DEX (12.5 to 100 mg/kg, sc) inhibited the increases both in hepatic MT and in plasma fibrinogen from a subsequent dose of TUR 6 hr after DEX administration. The concentration of hepatic MT in the DEX-pretreated (25 mg/kg) group was higher than that in the nonpretreated group 4 hr after administration of TUR, but after 24 hr, the MT concentration in the DEX-pretreated group was inhibited to 20% of that in the nonpretreated group. These inhibitory effects were also observed by prednisolone (PRE) but not by salicylic acid. The inhibitory effect of DEX on the induction of MT synthesis during inflammation was observed after administration of the exudate obtained from inflamed tissue. When inflammation was initiated by an injection of LPS as well as TUR, pretreatment of either DEX or PRE inhibited the increase of hepatic MT. Pretreatment of DEX did not affect the induction of hepatic MT synthesis by cadmium. In contrast to inflammation initiated by TUR or LPS, pretreatment of DEX caused an additive increase of hepatic MT concentration after administration of zinc. These results suggest that glucocorticoids, despite being direct inducers of MT, inhibit the induction of MT synthesis during inflammation by the suppression of cytokine production.

• Protective role of renal metallothionein against Cd nephropathy in rats

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Akiko Hatta, Satomi Onosaka, Noriya Ohta, Yoshio Okada, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

  Rats were treated with four types of Cd compound: CdCl2, Cd bound to Cys (Cd-Cys), Cd bound to a peptide corresponding to a partial sequence of metallothionein (Cd-peptide), and Cd bound toRats were treated with four types of Cd compound: CdCl2, Cd bound to Cys (Cd-Cys), Cd bound to a peptide corresponding to a partial sequence of metallothionein (Cd-peptide), and Cd bound to metallothionein (Cd-MT). This treatment caused no nephropathy. Subsequently, toxic doses of Cd compounds were administered to these pretreated rats and their effects on renal function were examined. When 1.4 mg Cd/kg as Cd-Cys was administered, marked increases in urinary protein, glucose, and amino acid were observed. However, when the animals were pretreated with 1 mg Cd/kg/day as CdCl2 for 3 days, and 1.4 mg Cd/kg as Cd-Cys was administered 24 hr later, no renal damage was observed. Such a protective effect against the nephrotoxic action of Cd-Cys was also shown by pretreatment with Cd-Cys, Cd-peptide, or Cd-MT. Furthermore such a phenomenon was also observed when the nephropathy was caused by Cd-peptide or Cd-MT. The efficacy of pretreatment depended on the time before subsequent administration of Cd and the dose used for pretreatment. Incorporation of Cd into the liver and the kidney was not altered by the pretreatment. No matter in which form the nephrotoxic dose of Cd was administered, the incorporated Cd was distributed between particulates and cytosol; 3 hr after administration, cytosolic Cd was present in almost equal amounts in the high-molecular-weight and the MT fractions in the nonpretreated rats. However, after pretreatment, more of the Cd subsequently administered was found in the MT fraction. These results suggest that MT participates in the detoxication mechanism against Cd in the kidney, as it does in the liver.

• Degradation of cadmium metallothionein in vitro by lysosomal proteases

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Toshiyuki Nakatsubo, Yuki Fujita, Satomi Onosaka, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

  The effects of various protease inhibitors on the degradation of cadmium metallothionein (Cd-MT) by lysosomal proteases were studied in vitro. Degradation of Cd-MT was observed after incubation withThe effects of various protease inhibitors on the degradation of cadmium metallothionein (Cd-MT) by lysosomal proteases were studied in vitro. Degradation of Cd-MT was observed after incubation with the lysosomal extracts, but not after incubation with the cytosol or heat-treated lysosomal extracts. After incubation of [35S]-Cd-MT or 109Cd-MT with lysosomal extracts, 35S and 109Cd radioactivity in the MT fraction decreased, while the low molecular weight (LM) fraction increased with time (half life; 3 hr). When EDTA was added to this incubation mixture, most of the MT was degraded within 30 min. Cd in the LM fraction, produced after the incubation of Cd-MT with the lysosomal extracts, was moved to the high molecular weight fraction by the addition of cytosol. Both leupeptin and E-64, which reduced cathepsin B (cysteine protease) activity, inhibited the degradation of Cd-MT by the lysosomal extracts. But pepstatin A, a specific inhibitor of cathepsin D, did not inhibit this degradation. E-64 inhibited degradation, as well as inhibiting cathepsin B activity, in accordance with its concentration in the incubation mixture. The incubation of Cd-MT with purified cathepsin B resulted in its degradation which was inhibited by E-64. These results suggest that Cd-MT may be broken down by the cysteine protease in lysosomes and that the released Cd bound low molecular weight fragment(s) was subsequently transferred to the high molecular weight protein in cytosol.

• Induction of metallothionein synthesis by menadione or carbon tetrachloride is independent of free radical production

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Yuka Terano, Satomi Onosaka, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

  The relationship between induction of hepatic metallothionein (MT) synthesis and lipid peroxidation by free radical production following an injection of menadione or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) inThe relationship between induction of hepatic metallothionein (MT) synthesis and lipid peroxidation by free radical production following an injection of menadione or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice was studied. The hepatic concentration of MT was increased by menadione significantly at 25 mg/kg or higher. A significant increase in thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, indicative of lipid peroxidation, was observed in the liver at menadione doses of 62.5 mg/kg or higher. Both the MT and the TBA value in the liver were significantly increased at the low dose of CCl4. The concentration of MT was increased significantly 4–8 hr after administrations of these compounds. The increase of TBA value over time was similar to that of MT concentration after administration of CCl4, but not after administration of menadione. The MT concentration in the menadione group was higher than that in the CCl4 group, and the TBA level in the menadione group was lower than that in the CCl4 group. Pretreatment with vitamin E caused a significant reduction in the TBA value, but did not affect the MT level in the liver. The concentration of MT did not significantly correlate with the TBA value in either the menadione or the CCl4 group. Pretreatment with phenobarbital, which promotes free radical production, did not influence induction of MT synthesis following an injection of menadione or CCl4. Neither l-buthionine sulfoximine nor 2-cyclohexen-1-one, which decreases hepatic glutathione, influenced the induction of MT by menadione. These data suggest that induction of MT synthesis by menadione or CCl4 is independent of free radical production in the liver.

• Release of hepatic cadmium by carbon tetrachloride treatment

  Authors: Keiichi Tanaka, Hiroko Nomura, Satomi Onosaka, Kyong-son Min

  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

  To evaluate the possibility of metallothionein transfer from liver to kidney, an experimental hepatic disorder produced by carbon tetrachloride was examined to study the release of metallothioneinTo evaluate the possibility of metallothionein transfer from liver to kidney, an experimental hepatic disorder produced by carbon tetrachloride was examined to study the release of metallothionein from liver. 109Cd-exposed rats were treated with carbon tetrachloride and the kinetics of cadmium in the body was studied. Hepatic cadmium was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, cadmium in plasma, kidney, and urine was increased in proportion to the decrease in hepatic cadmium. No conspicuous changes in cadmium of other tissues and feces were observed. Cadmium in hepatic supernatant of carbon tetrachloride-treated rat was bound mostly to the metallothionein fraction in Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, and in kidney, plasma, or urine, Cd was also in the form of metallothionein. These results suggest that hepatic metallothionein can be released into blood and be transported to kidney and urine in some types of hepatic disorders.

• Effects of mucosal metallothionein in small intestine on tissue distribution of cadmium after oral administration of cadmium compounds

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Toshiyuki Nakatsubo, Shigeyuki Kawamura, Yuki Fujita, Satomi Onosaka, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

  The effect of mucosal metallothionein (MT) preinduced by zinc (Zn) on tissue distribution of cadmium (Cd) after administration of Cd with several chelating agents was studied in rats. AfterThe effect of mucosal metallothionein (MT) preinduced by zinc (Zn) on tissue distribution of cadmium (Cd) after administration of Cd with several chelating agents was studied in rats. After Cd-cysteine (Cd-Cys) was incubated with intestinal Zn-MT in vitro, all the Cd dissociated from Cys and exchanged the Zn bound to MT. However, dissociation of Cd bound to EDTA (Cd-EDTA) was not observed in the incubation mixture containing intestinal Zn-MT. The concentration of Cd in intestinal mucosa reached a maximum 16 hr after oral administration of Cd-Cys. The Cd level in the intestine was higher than that in the liver and kidney and was similar to that occurring after oral administration of CdCl2. The amount of Cd distributed to the liver and kidney after Cd-EDTA administration was about 30% of the level after CdCl2 administration. Even at 15 mg Cd/kg Cd-EDTA, the Cd level in the intestinal mucosa reached a plateau after 2–4 hr, as it did in the liver and kidney. When Cd-Cys was administered po to control or to Zn-pretreated rats, it was found that Zn pretreatment increased the concentration of Cd in the kidney, as was the case after oral administration of CdCl2. This effect of Zn pretreatment was not observed after oral administration of Cd-EDTA. When Cd-MT was injected into the duodenum, the intestinal absorption of Cd was 60% of that after CdCl2 administration. After the duodenal administration of Cd-MT, at all doses, the concentration of Cd in the kidney was higher than that in the liver. These results suggest that mucosal MT in the small intestine might trap Cd absorbed from the intestinal lumen and transport it to the kidney.

• Concentrations of metallothionein and metals in malignant and non-malignant tissues in human liver

  Authors: Satomi Onosaka, Kyong-Son Min, Chikako Fukuhara, Keiichi Tanaka, Shin-Ichi Tashiro, Ichiryo Shimizu, Mutsuhiro Furuta, Tohru Yasutomi, Kyoichi Kobashi, Kei-Ichi Yamamoto

  Toxicology.

  Concentration of metallothionein in the malignant and non-malignant tissues of the human liver was determined by the Cd-hem method. The concentration of metallothionein was high in the non-malignantConcentration of metallothionein in the malignant and non-malignant tissues of the human liver was determined by the Cd-hem method. The concentration of metallothionein was high in the non-malignant tissue (471 ± 306 μg/g). Metallothionein in the non-malignant tissue was mainly Zn-thionein and metallothionein-bound Zn was a major chemical form of Zn in the non-malignant tissue. The concentration of metallothionein in the malignant tissue was 75.6 ± 79.6 μg/g, and significantly lower than that in the non-malignant tissue. A strong, positive relationship was observed between the Zn and metallothionein concentrations, and the regression equation was MT (μg/g) = −94.7 + 11.9 Zn (μg/g).

• Role of intestinal metallothionein in absorption and distribution of orally administered cadmium

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Yuki Fujita, Satomi Onosaka, Keiichi Tanaka

  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

  The effects of mucosal metallothionein (MT) preinduced by Zn on the intestinal absorption and tissue distribution of Cd were studied. 109CdCl2 was administered to control and Zn-pretreated rats. TheThe effects of mucosal metallothionein (MT) preinduced by Zn on the intestinal absorption and tissue distribution of Cd were studied. 109CdCl2 was administered to control and Zn-pretreated rats. The total amount of Cd distributed to the liver and the kidney in the group pretreated with 100 mg/kg of Zn was about 70% that of the control group. In the control group, the Cd concentration in the intestinal mucosa reached a maximum 16–24 hr after its administration and then gradually decreased with time, unlike that in the liver and the kidney. The concentration of intestinal Cd in the pretreated group reached a maximum earlier than it did in the control group and most of the Cd was in the MT fraction. Pretreatment with Zn (100 mg/kg or higher, po) caused a reduction in the Cd concentration in the liver and an increase in the kidney. Pretreatment with Zn (5 × 10 mg/kg, sc) or Cd (5 mg/kg, po) also increased renal Cd concentration. This was effective at 24 hr but not at 0.5 hr after pretreatment. These effects of pretreatment with Zn (100 mg/kg, po) on tissue distribution of Cd were also observed after an intraintestinal injection of Cd but not after an iv injection. The results indicate that MT in intestinal mucosa plays a significant role not only in the absorption of Cd but also in its transport to the kidney.

• Metallothionein-enriched hepatocytes are resistant to ferric nitriloacetate toxicity during conditions of glutathione depletion

  Authors: Kyong-Son Min, Naoko Tanaka, Taeko Horie, Hiroko Kawano, Noriko Tetsuchikawahara, Satomi Onosaka

  Toxicology Letters.

  Metallothionein (MT) is involved not only in heavy metal homeostasis/detoxification but also in radical scavenging, yet the relevance to other antioxidant systems and physiological significance underMetallothionein (MT) is involved not only in heavy metal homeostasis/detoxification but also in radical scavenging, yet the relevance to other antioxidant systems and physiological significance under oxidative stress has not been clarified. We studied that ability of MT, induced by zinc and cadmium, to protect against oxidative damage induced by ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) in glutathione depleted primary cell cultures. Treatment with Fe-NTA resulted in significant decreases in cell survival and increases in medium LDH activity in control cells following depletion of glutathione. The toxic effects of Fe-NTA were modulated in Zn-MT-enriched cells. In glutathione-depleted cells, but not in non-treated cells, Cd-binding properties of cellular Zn-MT decreased with increasing concentration of Fe-NTA. Both Zn-MT and Cd-MT-enriched cells were resistant to higher doses of Fe-NTA. These results indicate that MT may act a cellular radical scavenger in the absence of GSH. Thus, MT may function as a secondary antioxidant in a cellular protection system.