HomeDiseaseThe effect of curcumin on the cadmium-induced mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by metallothionein 2A regulation

The effect of curcumin on the cadmium-induced mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by metallothionein 2A regulation

October 22, 2022

Life Sci. 2022 Oct 12:121076. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121076. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic heavy metals used in various industries, including metal plating, batteries and plastics and environmental pollutant. Cd in the environment is a detrimental factor that cannot be biodegraded and accumulates in human organs. The skin is the first target organ after Cd topical exposure. Curcumin is a natural dietary polyphenolic compound with many beneficial effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. However, the effect of curcumin against Cd-induced toxicity in human keratinocytes has not been reported. In this study, we investigated the effects of curcumin against Cd-induced apoptosis in keratinocytes and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cd resulted in apoptosis as shown by Annexin V/7-AAD double staining. Cd promoted the cleavage of poly (ADP ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and caspase 3 and suppressed Bcl-2. In addition, Cd induced the release of cytochrome c and Smac from the mitochondria into the cytosol, which is an intrinsic apoptosis-specific process. Curcumin inhibited the early and late apoptosis caused by Cd. The changes in apoptotic markers induced by Cd were significantly reversed by curcumin. Next, we evaluated the effect of curcumin on metallothionein (MT), a cysteine-rich protein that plays a key role in metal detoxification. Curcumin increased the level of MT2A mRNA and the expression of MT2. Interestingly, the antiapoptotic effects of curcumin were reversed under the knockdown of MT2A, suggesting that MT2A is a critical target of curcumin. These findings indicate the potential of curcumin as a novel compound for protection against Cd-mediated skin damage by MT2A modulation.

PMID:36243116 | DOI:10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121076

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About The Author

Patrick Blanchard MD

Meet Dr. Blanchard Dr. Blanchard’s medical practice is an embodiment of Integrative health which brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Conveniently located in sunny Florida and over the internet with ValiseMD’s secure HIPPA compliant telXmed servers. Since 1994, patients with a wide range of challenging medical problems have achieved optimum health using the best of natural medicine, judiciously combined with high-tech innovations. Breakthroughs are often achieved even after patients have consulted mainstream specialists and holistic practitioners. Dr. Blanchard is founder and CEO of ValiseMD, Inc. He is board certified in Family Medicine since 1994 and awarded Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2001. He received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award from the University of Kansas School of Medicine at completion of his residency in Family Medicine. He completed a fellowship at Wake Forest University in the field of vascular neurosonology. He holds a medical patent in the field of Gastroenterology. He holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery in Florida. He started his medical career as a Emergency Medical Technician, then as a Paramedic and later a Medical Doctor.