Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cadmium induced changes in cell organelles: an ultrastructural study using cadmium sensitive and resistant muntjac fibroblast cell lines

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Archives of Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A detailed electron microscopy study of cadmium sensitive and resistant muntjac fibroblast cell lines has identified a wide range of intracellular damage following exposure to cadmium. Damaged organelles included cell membrane, mitochondria, Golgi cisternae and tubular network, chromatin, nucleoli, microfilaments and ribosomes. Although cell membrane damage was generally the earliest indication of adverse cadmium action, particularly with continuous cadmium exposures, cells could tolerate extensive membrane loss. Mitochondrial distortion and some damage to Golgi was also tolerated. The turning point at which cadmium became lethal was generally marked by a cascade of events which included damage to both nuclear and cytoplasmic components. These results for fibroblasts are discussed and compared with damage reported in other types of cells.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bernard A, Lauwerys R (1986) Effects of cadmium exposure in humans. In: Foulkes EC (ed) Cadmium. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, 80. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo: pp 135–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremner I (1979) Mammalian absorption, transport and excretion of cadmium. In Webb M (ed) The chemistry, biochemistry and biology of cadmium. Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam: pp 175–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Castano P (1971) Chronic intoxication by cadmium experimentally induced in rabbits. Pathol Microbiol 37: 280–301

    Google Scholar 

  • Cervera J, Alamar M, Martinez A, Renau-Piqueras J (1983) Nuclear alterations induced by cadmium chloride and L-canavanine in HeLa S3 cells. Accumulation of perichromatin granules. J Ultrastruct Res 82: 241–263

    Google Scholar 

  • DeGraeve N (1981) Carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic effects of cadmium. Mutat Res 86: 115–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudley RE, Svoboda DJ, Klaassi CD (1984) Time course of cadmium-induced ultrastructural changes in rat liver. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 76: 150–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichhorn GL (1975) Active sites of biological macromolecules and their interaction with heavy metals. In McIntyre AD, Mills CF (eds) Ecological toxicology research. Effects of heavy metal and organohalogen compounds. Plenum Press, New York, pp 123–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Enger MD, Campbell EW, Ratliff RL, Tobey RA, Hildebrand CE, Kissane RJ (1979) Cadmium-induced alterations in RNA metabolism in cultures of Chinese hamster cells sensitive to and resistant to the cytotoxic effects of cadmium. J Toxicol Environ Health 5: 711–728

    Google Scholar 

  • Faeder EJ, Chaney SQ, King LC, Hinners TA, Bruce R, Fowler BA (1977) Biochemical and ultrastructural changes in livers of cadmium-treated rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 39: 473–487

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowler BA, Jones HS, Brown HW, Haseman JK (1975) The morphologic effects of chronic cadmium administration on the renal vasculature of rats given low and normal calcium diets. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 34: 233–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Frazier JM, Kingsley BS (1976) Kinetics of cadmium transportation in the isolated perfused rat liver. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 38: 583–593

    Google Scholar 

  • Friberg L, Piscator M, Nordberg G (1971) Cadmium in the environment. CRC Press, Cleveland, Ohio

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallenbeck WH (1984) Human health effects of exposure to cadmium. Experientia 40: 136–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman DJ, Niyogi SK (1977) Metal mutagens and carcinogens affect RNA synthesis rates in a distinct manner. Science 198: 513–514

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann EO, Cook JA, DiLuzio NR, Coover JA (1975) The effects of acute cadmium administration in the liver and kidney of the rat. Lab Invest 32: 655–664

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs EE, Jacobs M, Sanadi DR, Bradley LB (1956) Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by cadmium ion. J Biol Chem 223: 147–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamall IS, Sprowls JJ (1987) Effects of cadmium and dietary selenium on cytoplasmic and mitochondrial antioxidant defence systems in the heart of rats fed high dietary copper. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 87: 102–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson A, Camner P, Jarstrand C, Wiernik A (1983) Rabbit alveolar macrophages after inhalation of soluble cadmium, cobalt, and copper: A comparison with the effects of soluble nickel. Environ Res 31: 340–354

    Google Scholar 

  • Kopp J (1986) Cadmium and the Cardiovascular System. In Foulkes EC (ed) Cadmium. Handbook of experimental pharmacology, 80. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo: pp 195–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuliszewski MJ, Nicholls DM (1981) The effect of cadmium on kidney ribosomes. ChemBiol Interact 33: 307–318

    Google Scholar 

  • Meiss R, Robenek H, Rassat J, Themann H, Reichert B (1982) Ultrastructural alterations in the hepatic parenchyma of the rat following acute cadmium intoxication. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 11: 283–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Morselt AFW, Peereboom-Stegeman JHJC, Puvion E, Maarschalkerweerd VJ (1983) Investigation for the mechanism of cadmium toxicity at cellular level. Arch Toxicol 52: 99–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishizumi M (1972) Electron microscopic study of cadmium nephrotoxicity in the rat. Arch Environ Health 24: 215–225

    Google Scholar 

  • Nomiyama M (1986) The chronic toxicity of cadmium. In: Foulkes EC (ed) Cadmium. Handbook of experimental pharmacology, 80. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo: pp 101–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Ord MJ (1979) The effects of chemicals and radiations within the cell: An ultrastructural and micrurgical study using Amoeba proteus as a single-cell model. Int Rev Cytol 61: 229–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Ord MJ, Al-Atia GR (1979) The intracellular effects of cadmium: An experiment study using Amoeba proteus as a single cell model. In Webb M (ed) The chemistry, biochemistry and biology of cadmium. Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, pp 141–173

  • Ord MJ, Smith RA (1982) Correlation of mitochondrial form and function in vivo: microinjection of substrate and nucleotides. Cell Tissue Res 227: 129–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Page AL, El-Amamy MM, Chang AC (1986) Cadmium in the environment and its entry into terrestrial food chain crops. In: Foulkes EC (ed) Cadmium. Handbook of experimental pharmacology, 80. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo: pp 33–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson PJ, Alloway BJ (1979) Cadmium in soils and vegetation. In: Webb M (ed) The chemistry, biochemistry and biology of cadmium. Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, pp 45–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Puvion E, Lange M (1980) Functional significance of perichromatin granule accumulation induced by cadmium chloride in isolated rat liver cells. Exp Cell Res 128: 47–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson ME, SpiveyFox MR (1975) Dietary cadmium and enteropathy in the Japanese quail. Histochemical and ultrastructural studies. Lab Invest 31: 722–731

    Google Scholar 

  • Sina JF, Chin B (1978) Cadmium modification of nucleolar ultrastructure and RNA synthesis in Physarum polycephalum. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 43: 449–459

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith RA, Ord MJ (1983) Mitochondrial form and function relationships in vivo: their potential in toxicology and pathology. Int Rev Cytol 83: 63–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Spurr AR (1969) A low-viscosity epoxy resin embedding medium for electron microscopy. J Ultrastruct Res 26: 31–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Stowe HD, Wilson M, Goyer RA (1972) Clinical and morphologic effects of oral cadmium toxicity in rabbits. Arch Pathol 94: 389–405

    Google Scholar 

  • Toury R, Stelly N, Boissonneau E, Dupuis Y (1985) Degenerative processes in skeletal muscle of Cd2+-treated rats and Cd2+-inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+-transport. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 77: 19–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Vallee BL, Ulmer DD (1972) Biochemical effects of mercury, cadmium and lead. Ann Rev Biochem 41: 91–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb M (1979a) The metallothioneins. In: Webb M (ed) The chemistry, biochemistry and biology of cadmium, Elsevier/ North-Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, pp 195–283

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb M (1979b) Interactions of cadmium with cellular components. In: Webb M (ed) The chemistry, biochemistry and biology of cadmium. Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, pp 285–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb M, Heath JC, Hopkins T (1972) Intranuclear distribution of the inducing metal in primary rhabdomyosarcomata induced in the rat by nickel, cobalt and cadmium. Br J Cancer 26: 274–278

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, Southampton University, Bassett Crescent East, S09 3TU, Southampton, UK

    Muriel J. Ord & Rakesh Chibber

  2. CRC Mammalian Cell DNA Repair Research Group, Zoology Department, Cambridge University, Downing Street, CB2 3EJ, Cambridge, UK

    Simon D. Bouffler

Authors
  1. Muriel J. Ord
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Simon D. Bouffler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rakesh Chibber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Members of MRC Toxicology Research Unit, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 4EF, United Kingdom

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ord, M.J., Bouffler, S.D. & Chibber, R. Cadmium induced changes in cell organelles: an ultrastructural study using cadmium sensitive and resistant muntjac fibroblast cell lines. Arch Toxicol 62, 133–145 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00570131

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00570131

Key words

Search

Navigation