Estrogenic Response in Male Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Hepatocytes After Single or Combined Exposure to Cadmium (Cd) and 17beta-Estradiol (E2)

• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-010-0119-5
• Publication Date: 2010-10-18T05:18:38Z
• Authors: Keun Woo Lee; Ziwei Chang; Beom-Seok Oh; Ming Lu; Jang-Su Park
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; Rana catesbeiana; Estradiol; Cell Survival; Endocrine Disruptors; 3. Good health; Vitellogenins; 03 medical and health sciences; Hepatocytes; Animals; Reactive Oxygen Species; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Cadmium

Contamination by heavy metals and sex hormones in a water environment is an important health issue. In this study, we investigated the estrogenic effects of cadmium (Cd) administration alone and in combination with 17beta-estradiol (E2) on the hepatocytes of male Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). Their vitellogenin (VTG) expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed upon exposure to Cd alone or to both Cd and E2. Our results suggest that the VTG levels induced by the co-treatment of 100 nM E2 and 100 nM CdCl(2) were significantly higher than those induced by 100 nM E2 alone (p < 0.05), and were comparable to vitellogenin induction observed with 1 μM E2. A similar result was observed by western blot analysis in the culture medium of hepatocytes. Meanwhile, Cd (but not E2) increased the ROS levels. These results suggest that Cd has a cooperative effect with E2 in the induction of VTG, thus acting as an estrogenic disruptor. Cd also causes oxidative stress that occurs with the enhanced vitellogenesis.