Cadmium (Cd) and 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) co-exposure induces acute kidney injury through oxidative stress and RIPK3-dependent necroptosis

Accumulation of persistent organic pollutants in the kidneys of pet cats (Felis silvestris catus) and the potential implications for their health

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated diphenyls (PCBs) and brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are ubiquitous in the pet cat's living environment and are ingested through dietary intake and environmental exposure such as house dust. Cats are known to be susceptible to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and exposure to POPs may be associated with CKD. However, no studies have been conducted on the renal accumulation and health effects of POPs in cats. The objective of this study was to elucidate the accumulation of PCBs, PBDEs, and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the kidneys of domestic cats and discuss their potential impact on feline health. We report here that cats specifically accumulate POPs in their kidneys. Tissue samples were collected from the kidneys, livers, and muscles of cats and the concentrations of POPs in these tissues were analyzed in this study. The results showed that these compounds accumulated significantly higher in the kidney compared to other tissues. In addition, the ability to accumulate in the kidney was higher in cats than in other animals, suggesting that cats have a unique pattern of POPs accumulation in their kidneys, which is thought to occur because cats store a significant number of lipid droplets in the proximal tubules of the kidneys. This unique feature suggests that lipophilic POPs may accumulate in these lipid droplets during the excretory process. Accumulation of certain POPs in the kidneys causes necrosis and sloughing of renal tubular epithelial cells, which may be associated with CKD, a common disease in cats. This study provides valuable insight into understanding the renal accumulation and risk of POPs in cats and provides essential knowledge for developing strategies to protect the health and welfare of domestic cats.

A Tripeptide (Ser-Arg-Pro, SRP) from Sipunculus nudus L. Improves Cadmium-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Targeting the MAPK, Inflammatory, and Apoptosis Pathways in Mice

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that causes nephrosis, including acute kidney injury. To prevent and treat acute kidney injury (AKI) following Cd exposure, a tripeptide, Ser-Arg-Pro (SRP), from Sipunculus nudus L. was employed, and its potential efficacy in AKI was assessed. Oral administration of SRP significantly alleviated Cd-induced kidney damage, leading to improved renal function and the attenuation of structural abnormalities. A network pharmacology analysis revealed the potential of SRP in renal protection by targeting various pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, inflammatory response, and apoptosis pathways. Mechanistic studies indicated that SRP achieves renal protection by inhibiting the activation of MAPK pathways (phosphorylation of p38, p56, ERK, and JNK) in the oxidative stress cascade, suppressing inflammatory responses (iNOS, Arg1, Cox2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and restoring altered apoptosis factors (caspase-9, caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2). Hence, SRP has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of Cd-induced nephrotoxicity.

20 years of polybrominated diphenyl ethers on toxicity assessments

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) serve as brominated flame retardants which continue to receive considerable attention because of their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. Although PBDEs have been restricted and phased out, large amounts of commercial products containing PBDEs are still in use and discarded annually. Consequently, PBDEs added to products can be released into our surrounding environments, particularly in aquatic systems, thus posing great risks to human health. Many studies and reviews have described the possible toxic effects of PBDEs, while few studies have comprehensively summarized and analyzed the global trends of their toxicity assessment. Therefore, this study utilizes bibliometrics to evaluate the worldwide scientific output of PBDE toxicity and analyze the hotspots and future trends of this field. Firstly, the basic information including the most contributing countries/institutions, journals, co-citations, influential authors, and keywords involved in PBDE toxicity assessment will be visualized. Subsequently, the potential toxicity of PBDE exposure to diverse systems, such as endocrine, reproductive, neural, and gastrointestinal tract systems, and related toxic mechanisms will be discussed. Finally, we conclude this review by outlining the current challenges and future perspectives in environmentally relevant PBDE exposure, potential carriers for PBDE transport, the fate of PBDEs in the environment and human bodies, advanced stem cell-derived organoid models for toxicity assessment, and promising omics technologies for obtaining toxic mechanisms. This review is expected to offer systematical insights into PBDE toxicity assessments and facilitate the development of PBDE-based research.