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ucin1313756131.pdf (407.3 KB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
Zinc Toxicity in Odora Cells
Author Info
Hsieh, Heidi
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1313756131
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2011, MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Toxicology (Environmental Health).
Abstract
Zinc has been touted as a panacea for the common cold. However, there has been some controversy over whether Zicam, an intranasal zinc gluconate gel purported to fight colds, causes anosmia, or the loss of the sense of smell. Historical evidence has shown that zinc sulfate solutions can cause anosmia in humans along with significant damage to the olfactory epithelium in rodents. However, more recent work has claimed to show that zinc gluconate is less toxic than zinc sulfate. Using an in vitro system to compare the toxicity of zinc sulfate and zinc gluconate on immature and mature rat olfactory sensory neurons, it was found that the toxicity of both zinc salts was similar with zinc sulfate being slightly more toxic than zinc gluconate and occurred at significantly lower concentrations than that found in Zicam nasal gel, which strengthens the epidemiological link between intranasal zinc exposure and anosmia. Mechanistic studies disproved the hypothesis that zinc toxicity was caused by inhibition of the HVCN1 proton channel which would have led to acidosis and apoptotic cell death. It was found that these immature rat olfactory sensory neurons are able to maintain their intracellular pH through a Na+/H+ exchanger, specifically NHE1, and a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. Zinc sulfate, at non-toxic levels, had no impact on intracellular pH via proton transport either after acute exposure or after 24 hours incubation with the cells. In conclusion, zinc toxicity is not mediated through an acidification of intracellular pH.
Committee
Mary Beth Genter, PhD (Committee Chair)
Hassane Amlal, PhD (Committee Member)
Pages
45 p.
Subject Headings
Toxicology
Keywords
zinc
;
olfactory neuron
;
odora
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Citations
Hsieh, H. (2011).
Zinc Toxicity in Odora Cells
[Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1313756131
APA Style (7th edition)
Hsieh, Heidi.
Zinc Toxicity in Odora Cells.
2011. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1313756131.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Hsieh, Heidi. "Zinc Toxicity in Odora Cells." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1313756131
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
ucin1313756131
Download Count:
545
Copyright Info
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.