Up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 in rat spleen after aniline exposure

Jianling Wang, Huaxian Ma, Paul J. Boor, V. M.Sadagopa Ramanujam, G. A.S. Ansari, M. Firoze Khan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The splenic toxicity of aniline is characterized by vascular congestion, hyperplasia, fibrosis, and the development of a variety of sarcomas in rats. However, the underlying mechanisms by which aniline elicits splenotoxic response are not well understood. Previously we have shown that aniline exposure causes oxidative damage to the spleen. To further explore the oxidative mechanism of aniline toxicity, we evaluated the potential contribution of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which catalyzes heme degradation and releases free iron. Male SD rats were given 1 mmol/kg/day aniline in water by gavage for 1, 4, or 7 days, and respective controls received water only. Aniline exposure led to significant increases in HO-1 mRNA expression in the spleen (2-and 2.4-fold at days 4 and 7, respectively) with corresponding increases in protein expression, as confirmed by ELISA and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, immunohistochemical assessment of spleen showed stronger immunostaining for HO-1 in the spleens of rats treated for 7 days, confined mainly to the red pulp areas. No changes were observed in mRNA and protein levels of HO-1 after 1 day exposure. The increase in HO-1 expression was associated with increases in total iron (2.4-and 2.7-fold), free iron (1.9-and 3.5-fold), and ferritin levels (1.9-and 2.1-fold) at 4 and 7 days of aniline exposure. Our data suggest that HO-1 up-regulation in aniline-induced splenic toxicity could be a contributing pro-oxidant mechanism, mediated through iron release, and leading to oxidative damage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)513-518
Number of pages6
JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine
Volume48
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2010

Keywords

  • Aniline
  • Ferritin
  • Free radicals
  • Heme oxygenase-1
  • Iron
  • Oxidative stress
  • Spleen

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology (medical)

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