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The Mechanism of Liver Injury in Mice Caused by Lanthanoids

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Abstract

It has been proven that higher dose of lanthanoid (Ln) can induce liver toxicities, but the mechanisms and the molecular pathogenesis are still unclear. In this study, LaCl3, CeCl3, and NdCl3 at a higher dose of 20 mg/kg body weight was injected into the abdominal cavity of ICR mice for 14 consecutive days, and the inflammatory responses of liver of mice were investigated by histopathological test, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. The results showed the significant accumulation of Ln in the liver results in liver histopathological changes and, therefore, liver malfunctions. The real-time quantitative RT–PCR and ELISA analyses showed that Ln could significantly alter the mRNA and protein expressions of several inflammatory cytokines, including nucleic factor-κB, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, cross-reaction protein, interleukin-4, and interleukin-10. Our results also implied that the inflammatory responses and liver injury likely are caused by 4f shell and alterable valence properties of Ln-induced liver toxicity.

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Acknowledgments

Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 30901218) and by the Medical Development Foundation of Soochow University of China (grant no. EE120701) and the Soochow University Start-up Fund (grant no. Q4134918).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, People’s Republic of China

    Min Fei, Na Li, Yuguan Ze, Jie Liu, Sisi Wang, Xiuaolan Gong, Yanmei Duan, Xiaoyang Zhao, Han Wang & Fashui Hong

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  1. Min Fei
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  2. Na Li
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  3. Yuguan Ze
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  4. Jie Liu
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  5. Sisi Wang
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  7. Yanmei Duan
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  8. Xiaoyang Zhao
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  9. Han Wang
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  10. Fashui Hong
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Correspondence to Fashui Hong.

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The authors Min Fei, Na Li, Yuguan Ze, Jie Liu, and Sisi Wang contributed equally to this work.

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Fei, M., Li, N., Ze, Y. et al. The Mechanism of Liver Injury in Mice Caused by Lanthanoids. Biol Trace Elem Res 140, 317–329 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8698-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8698-x

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