Association between copper deficiency and DNA damage in cattle

Abstract

Cattle hypocuprosis is the second most widespread mineral deficiency affecting grazing cattle. The consequences of hypocuprosis include a failure of copper metalloenzymes, many of which form part of the antioxidant defence system. This work focuses on the association between copper (Cu) plasma concentration and DNA damage in Aberdeen Angus cattle. Two-hundred and ninety-nine heparinized blood samples from 2-year-old Aberdeen Angus cows were obtained from different farms located in the Salado River basin, Argentina. Plasma copper level analysis was carried out in whole samples, while cytogenetic analysis and single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) were carried out in 82 and 217 samples, respectively. Cytogenetic analysis showed a significant increase in the frequency of abnormal metaphases in moderate/severe hypocupremic groups (groups B and C) in relation to the normocupremic group (group A) (4.5 and 1.5 abnormal metaphases/100 cells, respectively, P < 0.01). The Spearman correlation test showed a negative association between cupremic values and the yield of chromosomal aberrations (r = -0.708, P < 0.0001). In the comet assay greater migration was observed in cells from the hypocupremic group, from a median of 54 in the severe hypocupremic group to 31 in the normocupremic group (P < 0.01). Accordingly, the Spearman correlation test showed a significant positive relationship between copper levels and cells without DNA migration and a significant negative relationship between copper levels and cells with a tiny tail (P < 0.0001 in both cases). The results obtained show that hypocupremia in cattle is associated with an increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations as well as in DNA migration as assessed by the comet assay. Whereas the comet assay could differentiate copper plasma level groups, chromosomal aberrations only detected differences between normal and hypocupremic animals. The increase of DNA damage found in hypocupremic animals could be explained by higher oxidative stress suffered by these animals.

Effects of parenteral supplementation of Cu in female cattle with different levels of cupremia

“…For the activity of SOD to decrease significantly, there must be a severe hypocupremia (below 5 µmol/L) for a period no less than 1 month, while a decrease in the activity of ceruloplasmin (CP) is proportional to a decrease in cupremia (Picco et al 2004). Taking cognizance of all these factors, it is a logical conclusion that CP plays an important role in oxidative stress.…”

Cytogenetic tests reveal no toxicity in lymphocytes of rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus, 2n=44) feed in presence of verbascoside and/or lycopene

“…Mutagenic tests have been applied to study the chromosome fragility (or stability) on cells exposed both in vivo and in vitro to mutagens or chemicals, suspected to have mutagenic activity (Mrdjanovic et al, 2014;Lovreglio et al, 2014). In particular, the cytogenetic tests we used in the present study have been applied in both human and animal lymphocytes, often revealing a higher chromosome fragility, compared to control groups (in vivo exposure) or control unexposed cells (in vitro exposure) (Rubes et al, 1997;Lioi et al, 1998;Picco et al, 2004;Iannuzzi et al, 2004;Perucatti et al, 2006;Santoro et al, 2008;Bonassi et al, 2008;Di Meo et al, 2011;Genualdo et al, 2012;Siviková and Dianovsky, 2006;Sivikova et al, 2013;Georgieva et al, 2013;Genualdo et al, 2015;Perucatti et al, 2015;Iannuzzi et al, 2016).…”

Determination of trace elements Fe, cu and Zn in the Algerian cancerous plasma using X‐ray fluorescence (XRF)

“…The copper is essential in the antioxidant defense, but the high concentrations of copper are related to the disorders of cancer, through the induction of cell proliferation due to the damages in DNA caused by the free hydroxide radical; whereas the deficiency of copper can lead to an increase in the oxidative damage. Consequently, normal copper levels are essential to maintain the structural integrity of the DNA during the oxidative stress . On the other hand, the zinc plays an important role in stabilizing the structure of DNA, RNA and ribosome.…”