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Cadmium Neurotoxicity to a Freshwater Planarian

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Abstract

Although freshwater planarians are evolutionarily primitive, they are some of the simplest bilateral animals possessing integrated neural networks similar to those in vertebrates. We attempted to develop planarian Dugesia japonica as a model for investigating the neurotoxicity of environmental pollutants such as cadmium (Cd). This study was therefore designed to study the effects of Cd on the locomotor activity, neurobehavior, and neurological enzymes of D. japonica. After planarians were exposed to Cd at high concentrations, altered neurobehavior was observed that exhibited concentration-dependent patterns. Morphological alterations in Cd-treated planarians included irregular shape, body elongation, screw-like hyperkinesia, and bridge-like position. To study the direct effects of Cd on neurological enzymes, tissue homogenates of planarians were incubated in vitro with Cd before their activity was measured. Results showed that acetylcholinesterase (AChE), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), and monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activities were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. MAO-B activity was significantly induced by Cd at low concentrations and inhibited at high concentrations. Changes in the in vivo activity of AChE and ATPase were also found after planarians were treated with Cd at a sublethal concentration (5.56 μM). These observations indicate that neurotransmission systems in planarians are disturbed after Cd exposure.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for funding support under Grants No. NSC101-2811-B-002-055 and NSC101-2321-B-002-069 from the National Science Council, Taiwan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Geography, National Taiwan University, 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 106, Taiwan

    Jui-Pin Wu & Mei-Hui Li

  2. Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, 510, Zhongzheng Road, New Taipei City, 24205, Taiwan

    Hui-Ling Lee

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  1. Jui-Pin Wu
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Correspondence to Mei-Hui Li.

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Wu, JP., Lee, HL. & Li, MH. Cadmium Neurotoxicity to a Freshwater Planarian. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 67, 639–650 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0056-0

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