In vivo and in vitro effects of chromium VI on anterior pituitary hormone release and cell viability

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2007 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2006.10.017· OSTI ID:20976841

Quinteros, Fernanda A ^[1]; Poliandri, Ariel H.B. ^[1]; Machiavelli, Leticia I ^[1]; Cabilla, Jimena P ^[1]; Duvilanski, Beatriz H ^[1]

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1. Departamento de Quimica Biologica, IQUIFIB, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junin 956 Buenos Aires (C1113AAD) (Argentina)

Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) is a highly toxic metal and an environmental pollutant. Different studies indicate that Cr VI exposure adversely affects reproductive functions. This metal has been shown to affect several tissues and organs but Cr VI effects on pituitary gland have not been reported. Anterior pituitary hormones are central for the body homeostasis and have a fundamental role in reproductive physiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cr VI at the pituitary level both in vivo and in vitro. We showed that Cr VI accumulates in the pituitary and hypothalamus, and decreases serum prolactin levels in vivo but observed no effects on LH levels. In anterior pituitary cells in culture, the effect of Cr VI on hormone secretion followed the same differential pattern. Besides, lactotrophs were more sensitive to the toxicity of the metal. As a result of oxidative stress generation, Cr VI induced apoptosis evidenced by nuclear fragmentation and caspase 3 activation. Our results indicate that the anterior pituitary gland can be a target of Cr VI toxicity in vivo and in vitro, thus producing a negative impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and affecting the normal endocrine function.

• OSTI ID: 20976841
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 218; ISSN TXAPA9; ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
APOPTOSIS
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
CHROMIUM
HOMEOSTASIS
HYPOTHALAMUS
IN VITRO
IN VIVO
LTH
NUCLEAR FRAGMENTATION
OXIDATION
PHYSIOLOGY
PITUITARY GLAND
POLLUTANTS
SECRETION
TOXICITY