Bioaccumulation and toxicodynamics of cadmium to freshwater planarian and the protective effect of N-Acetylcysteine
Journal
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Journal Volume
63
Journal Issue
2
Pages
220
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
Although toxic responses of freshwater planarians after exposure to environmental toxicants can be observed through external toxicological end points, physiological responses inside the bodies of treated planarians have rarely been investigated. The present study was designed, using cadmium (Cd) as a reference toxicant, to determine its bioaccumulation and toxicodynamics in the freshwater planarian, Dugesia japonica, after acute toxicity was obtained. Accumulated Cd concentrations, metallothionein levels, and the oxidative status in planarians were determined after exposure to Cd. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the acute death of Cd-Treated planarians was associated with increased oxidative stress. After Cd-Treated planarians were coexposed to antioxidant, N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), we found that NAC protected planarians from Cd lethality by maintaining the oxidative status and decreasing the bioaccumulation of Cd. The results of the present study support planarians being used as a practical model for toxicological studies of environmental contaminants in the future. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.
Publisher
SPRINGER
Type
journal article