Electrochemical Analysis of Metallothionein in Chicken Exposed to Cadmium Ions

Abstract

Metallothionein as a protective protein has been studied in relationship to cancer diseases, toxicity of anticancer drugs and environmental pollution. Its electrochemical detection is based on Brdicka´s reaction suitable for the protein detection. The original reaction was invented by Rudolf Brdicka in 1930s and adapted protocol of the reaction was utilized in this study. We focused on the effect of cadmium ions contained in CdTe quantum dots in comparison to cadmium ions in a standard solution applied to chicken embryos. One day after application, chicken embryos were euthanized and liver, kidney, brain and muscle tissue were analyzed. The highest metallothionein levels were detected in the liver and kidney, which corresponded with cadmium accumulation determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (68 g/g liver tissue and 125 g/g kidney tissue after application of quantum dots). The shape of electrochemical voltammograms was mathematically processed. In conclusion, metallothionein seems to be significantly involved in Cd detoxification mechanism.

Metallothionein as a protective protein has been studied in relationship to cancer diseases, toxicity of anticancer drugs and environmental pollution. Its electrochemical detection is based on Brdicka´s reaction suitable for the protein detection. The original reaction was invented by Rudolf Brdicka in 1930s and adapted protocol of the reaction was utilized in this study. We focused on the effect of cadmium ions contained in CdTe quantum dots in comparison to cadmium ions in a standard solution applied to chicken embryos. One day after application, chicken embryos were euthanized and liver, kidney, brain and muscle tissue were analyzed. The highest metallothionein levels were detected in the liver and kidney, which corresponded with cadmium accumulation determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (68 g/g liver tissue and 125 g/g kidney tissue after application of quantum dots). The shape of electrochemical voltammograms was mathematically processed. In conclusion, metallothionein seems to be significantly involved in Cd detoxification mechanism.