The effects of lead and nickel ions on total proteins and metallothioneins synthesis in mice liver

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of lead and nickel ions on total proteins and metallothioneins synthesis in mice liver. Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal used in a wide variety of consumer products and occupational settings. Nickel (Ni) is a ubiquitous metal element found in a wide variety of compounds. The protein synthesis is the process by which biological cells generate new proteins. Metallothioneins (MTs) are a group of small proteins found in the cytosol of cells, particularly of liver, kidney, and intestine. Experiments were done on 4–6 weeks old white laboratory outbreed mice weighing 20–25 g. Concentration of protein was determined by Lowry method. MTs were assayed in mice liver according to Peixoto method. There are no statistically significant changes in lead group after 14 days experiment. After 14 days of injections of NiCl₂ solution, marked amino acid actuation to new synthesized protein has increased by 57%, in mice liver treated with Pb(CH₃COO)₂ MTs content was increased by 57% compared with control. In mice liver treated with NiCl₂ MTs content was increased by 55% compared with control. There is no statistically significant effect of lead on protein synthesis in mice liver. According to the data, injections of NiCl2 solution marked amino acid actuation to new synthesized proteins has increased. The obtained data showed that in mice liver treated with NiCl₂ and Pb(CH₃COO)₂ solutions MTs content was increased.