engleski

Metallothionein (MT) expression and trace elements (TE) concentration in rat liver and kidney tissues ; sex differences and effect of gonadectomy

MT can bind essential (Zn, Fe, Cu, Co) and toxic (Cd, Hg) TE with different affinities. Sex-related expression of MT in specific organs and correlation with tissue concentration of TE have not been investigated. Here we studied in the liver (LV) and kidney (KD) tissues from adult sham-operated and gonadectomized male (M) and female (F) rats the expression of MT mRNA by RT-PCR and MT protein by immunochemical methods, and concentrations of the above-indicated TE. In both organs, MT mRNA and protein expression was strongly sex-related (F>M), weakly upregulated by castration, and strongly downregulated by ovariectomy. In control rats, similar pattern of sex-related TE concentrations (F>M) was found in LV for Cu, Fe, Cd, and in KD for Zn, Cu, Co, Fe, Hg, Cd, while Zn in LV was F<M. In gonadectomized rats, however, the pattern of TE concentrations in both organs was variable and poorly related to MT expression. Supported by HRZZ grant IP-11-2013-1481.

Metallothionein ; Trace elements ; Rat liver ; Rat kidney ; Gonadectomy

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