Cadmium induces apoptosis in anterior pituitary cells that can be reversed by treatment with antioxidants

Cadmium (Cd2+) is an ubiquitous toxic metal that is involved in a variety of pathological conditions. Several reports indicate that Cd alters normal pituitary hormone secretion; however, little is known about the mechanisms that induce this misregulation. This paper reports the effect of Cd2+ on anterior pituitary cell viability and its relation to prolactin secretion. Cd(2+)concentrations above 10 muM were found to be cytotoxic for pituitary cells. Morphological studies as well as DNA ladder fragmentation and caspase activation showed that Cd2+-treated cells undergo apoptosis. Even though several hours were needed to detect Cd2+-induced cytotoxicity, the effect of the metal became irreversible very quickly, requiring only 3 h of treatment. Prolactin release (measured at 48 h) was inhibited when the cells were exposed to Cd2+ for 1 h, before any change in cell viability was observed. The antioxidants N-acetyl-cysteine and Trolox (a hydrosoluble derivative of vitamin E), but not ascorbic acid, reversed both Cd2+-mediated cytotoxicity and the inhibition of prolactin release, supporting the involvement of oxidative stress in the mechanism of Cd2+ action. In summary, the present work demonstrates that Cd2+ is cytotoxic for anterior pituitary cells, that this effect is due to an induction of apoptosis, and that it can be reversed by antioxidants. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.