Page 34 - N. Metabolism and metabolic diseases

[N. Metabolism and metabolic diseases-19]

Impact of heavy metal ion toxicity on cartilage degeneration

Dinesh Suminda Godagama Gamaarachchige¹, Yunhui Min¹, Dahye Kim², Xiangyu Zhao¹, Mangeun Kim²,
Young-Ok Son¹˙²˙*

¹Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University,

Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea, ²Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences,
Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the whole-joint disease and the most common form of arthritis. The imbalance of anabolic

and catabolic factors was identified as the main cause of OA. Metal ion pollution is a serious environmental
problem worldwide, Therefore, Heavy metal can expose to the human body through drinking water, food, and

inhalation caused many serious diseases. However, no reports addressing the role of the heavy metal ion in OA
progression. Here, we investigated the main heavy metals ions (Cd, Cr, As, Ni) effect on OA pathogenesis. First,

we evaluated the cytotoxic effects of Cd (0 - 1 µM), Cr (0 - 1 µM), As (0 - 10 µM), and Ni (0- 1 mM) by the MTT
and Tryptophan blue assay. RT-PCR results revealed that Cd, Cr, As, and Ni ion (0.1µM-0.5µM) increase the

metalloproteinases (MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, MMP10, MMP12, and MMP13), ZIP8, and Epas1 expression significantly
in articular chondrocytes. Further, the cartilage degeneration was shown in mice joints by intra-articular injection

of heavy metals. The low-dose, long-term administration of heavy metal by drinking experiments are ongoing.

In conclusion, our findings suggest that metal ion can influence cartilage degeneration in the articular cartilage,

which could affect OA development.