The Effects of Zinc on Proprioceptive Sensory Function and Nerve Conduction
Elizabeth R Elliott1, Kaitlyn E Brock1, Alaina C Taul1
1Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0225, USA; erel222@uky.edu (E.R.E.); kaitlynbrock@uky.edu (K.E.B.); alaina.taul@uky.edu (A.C.T.); artin.asadipooya@uky.edu (A.A.); devin.bocook@uky.edu (D.B.); tessa.burnette@uky.edu (T.B.); isha.chauhan@uky.edu (I.V.C.); bilal.chhadh@uky.edu (B.C.); ryan.crane@uky.edu (R.C.); ashley.glover@uky.edu (A.G.); joshua.griffith@uky.edu (J.G.); jayla.hudson@uky.edu (J.A.H.); hassan.kashif@uky.edu (H.K.); samuel.nwadialo@uky.edu (S.O.N.); devan.neely@uky.edu (D.M.N.); anuukc233@uky.edu (A.N.); deep.patel1@uky.edu (D.R.P.); gretchenruschman@uky.edu (G.L.R.); johnathan.sales@uky.edu (J.C.S.); tmone.yarbrough@uky.edu (T.Y.).
High zinc levels impair sensory nerve function and nerve conduction in crabs. Acute zinc exposure rapidly slows nerve signals and affects stretch-activated channels, with partial recovery possible.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Environmental Toxicology
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Zinc (Zn2+) is essential for cellular functions but toxic in excess.
- Zinc toxicity can cause physiological effects from chronic low-level or acute high-level exposure.
- Understanding zinc's impact on nerve function is crucial for environmental and health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of acute, high-concentration zinc exposure on sensory nerve function.
- To examine zinc's impact on stretch-activated channels (SACs) and nerve conduction in a marine model.
- To assess the reversibility of zinc-induced nerve alterations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a marine crab (Callinectes sapidus) limb proprioceptive nerve as a model system.
- Measured the effects of zinc exposure on evoked nerve conduction and SACs.
- Observed changes in compound action potential and nerve activity during joint movement.
Main Results:
- Acute zinc exposure rapidly slowed nerve conduction speed.
- Stretch-activated channels in sensory endings were affected after a delay.
- Evoked compound action potentials showed decreased speed and altered amplitude; nerve activity frequency decreased.
- Partial reversal of effects was observed after flushing with fresh saline.
Conclusions:
- Acute high-concentration zinc exposure significantly impairs sensory nerve function and conduction.
- Zinc affects both nerve conduction velocity and the function of stretch-activated channels.
- The findings suggest potential long-term alterations in proprioception and nerve conduction due to zinc exposure.
