Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known hepatotoxic environmental pollutant. We used rat hepatocytes as a model to study oxidative damage induced by Cd, effects on the antioxidant systems, and the role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in protecting cells against Cd toxicity. Hepatocytes were incubated for 12 and 24 h with Cd (2.5, 5, 10 microM). Results showed that Cd can induce cytotoxicity: 10 microM resulted in 36.2% mortality after 12 h and 47.8% after 24 h. Lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities increased. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation increased in Cd-treated hepatocytes along with malondialdehyde levels. Glutathione concentrations significantly decreased after treatment with Cd for 12 h but increased after 24 h of Cd exposure. In contrast, glutathione peroxidase activity significantly increased after treatment with Cd for 12 h but decreased after 24 h. superoxide dismutase and catalase activities increased at 12 h and 24 h. glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase activities decreased, but not significantly. Rat hepatocytes incubated with NAC and Cd simultaneously had significantly increased viability and decreased Cd-induced ROS generation. Our results suggested that Cd induces ROS generation that leads to oxidative stress. Moreover, NAC protects rat hepatocytes from cytotoxicity associated with Cd.
Acetylcysteine/*metabolism ; Animals ; Antioxidants/*metabolism ; Cadmium/*toxicity ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Environmental Pollutants/*toxicity ; Hepatocytes/drug effects/metabolism ; *Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species/*metabolism

Rigid contact lenses with eccentricity through manufacture can more or less influence visual correction or induce the corneal warpage. Therefore the fine detection of rigid contact lens eccentricity is needed and important. This study was aimed to design a system for lens eccentricity measurement by the principle of optical reflection. By using a standard concave mirror in the center of lens jig, the geometrical center of a lens could be detected accurately. It has solved the problem of lens distortion and breakableness attributed to the conventional method based on rotating reflection. The system is proved to be of practical method with good repeatability.
Contact Lenses ; adverse effects ; Cornea ; pathology ; Refraction, Ocular ; physiology ; Refractive Errors ; pathology