Species-specific debromination of polybromodiphenyl ethers determined by deiodinase activity in fish

A review of occurrence, bioaccumulation, and fate of novel brominated flame retardants in aquatic environments: A comparison with legacy brominated flame retardants

Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) have been developed as replacements for legacy brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs). The prevalence of NBFRs in aquatic environments has initiated intense concerns that they resemble to BFRs. To comprehensively elucidate the fate of NBFRs in aquatic environments, this review summarizes the physico-chemical properties, distribution, bioaccumulation, and fates in aquatic environments. 1,2-bis(2,3,4,5,6-pentabromophenyl) ethane (DBDPE) as the major substitute for PBDEs is the primary NBFR. The release from industrial point sources such as e-waste recycling stations is the dominant way for NBFRs to enter the environment, which results in significant differences in the regional distribution of NBFRs. Sediment is the major sink of NBFRs attributed to the high hydrophobicity. Significantly, there is no decreasing trend of NBFRs concentrations, while PBDEs achieved the peak value in 1970-2000 and decreased gradually. The bioaccumulation of NBFRs is reported in both field studies and laboratory studies, which is regulated by the active area, lipid contents, trophic level of aquatic organisms, and the log KOW of NBFRs. The biotransformation of NBFRs showed similar metabolism patterns to that of BFRs, including debromination, hydroxylation, methoxylation, hydrolysis, and glycosylation. In addition, NBFRs show great potential in trophic magnification along the aquatic food chain, which could pose a higher risk to high trophic-level species. The passive uptake by roots dominates the plant uptake of NBFRs, followed by acropetal and basipetal bidirectional transportation between roots and leaves in plants. This review will provide the support to understand the current pollution characteristics of NBFRs and highlight perspectives for future research.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in liver from wild and farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from Lake Kariba, Zambia: Levels and geographic trends and considerations in relation to environmental quality standards (EQSs)

The current study was carried out to investigate a wide variety of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in wild and farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Lake Kariba, Zambia, and assess levels of POPs in relation to Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs). Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyls (PBDEs), and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were determined in liver samples of tilapia. PFASs compounds PFOS, PFDA and PFNA were only detected in wild fish, with the highest median PFOS levels in site 1 (0.66 ng/g ww). Concentrations of POPs were in general highest in wild tilapia. The highest median ∑DDTs (93 and 81 ng/g lw) were found in wild tilapia from sites 1 and 2, respectively 165 km and 100 km west of the fish farms. Lower DDE/DDT ratios in sites 1 and 3 may indicate relatively recent exposure to DDT. The highest median of ∑₁₇PCBs (3.2 ng/g lw) and ∑₁₀PBDEs (8.1 ng/g lw) were found in wild tilapia from sites 1 and 2, respectively. The dominating PCB congeners were PCB-118, -138, -153 and -180 and for PBDEs, BDE-47, -154, and -209. In 78% of wild fish and 8% of farmed fish ∑₆PBDE concentrations were above EQS_biota limits set by the EU. This warrants further studies.

Bioaccumulation and metabolism of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in coenobitid hermit crabs from marine litter-polluted beaches in remote islands

Plastic litter containing additives is potentially a major source of chemical contamination in remote areas. We investigated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and microplastics in crustaceans and sand from beaches with high and low litter volumes on remote islands that were relatively free of other anthropogenic contaminants. Significant numbers of microplastics in the digestive tracts, and sporadically higher concentrations of rare congeners of PBDEs in the hepatopancreases were observed in coenobitid hermit crabs from the polluted beaches than in those from the control beaches. PBDEs and microplastics were detected in high amounts in one contaminated beach sand sample, but not in other beaches. Using BDE209 exposure experiments, similar debrominated products of BDE209 in field samples were detected in the hermit crabs. The results showed that when hermit crabs ingest microplastics containing BDE209, BDE209 leaches out and migrates to other tissues where it is metabolized.

Tissue-specific and stereoselective accumulation of Dechlorane Plus isomers in two predator fish in a laboratory feeding study

The tissue-specific bioaccumulation of Dechlorane Plus (DP) isomers was investigated in two predator fish species (redtail catfish, RF; and oscar fish, OF) that were feeding on tiger barb (TB), which was exposed to syn-DP and anti-DP isomers. The biotransformation potential of DP isomers was examined by in vitro metabolism using fish liver microsomes. No difference in accumulation behaviors of DP isomers was observed between RF and OF, and the accumulation of both syn- and anti-DP isomers exhibiting a linear increase trend with the exposure time in all fish tissues. The assimilation efficiencies and depuration rates for syn-DP and anti-DP were determined to be the highest in the liver. Biomagnification factors (BMFs) for both syn-DP and anti-DP were higher than one in the serum and gastrointestinal tract of fish, whereas were less than one in the other tissues. The wet-weight concentrations of DP isomers in tissues were significantly correlated with the lipid contents in both fish species, indicating that the tissue distribution of DP isomers occurred through passive diffusion to the lipid compartments in vivo. Tissue-specific compositions of DP isomers were observed, with anti-DP selectively accumulating in the liver, gonad, serum, and gills, whilst syn-DP in the carcass and GI tract. However, after being normalized of all tissues, the fish showed no selective accumulation of DP isomers during the exposure period, and selective accumulation of syn-DP was observed during the depuration period. No potential DP metabolites were detected in the fish tissues and in vitro metabolism systems. The main cause of this stereoselective DP isomer accumulation could have been the selective excretion of anti-DP isomer through the fish feces.

Metabolic transformation of environmentally-relevant brominated flame retardants in Fauna: A review

Over the past few decades, production trends of the flame retardant (FR) industry, and specifically for brominated FRs (BFRs), is for the replacement of banned and regulated compounds with more highly brominated, higher molecular weight compounds including oligomeric and polymeric compounds. Chemical, biological, and environmental stability of BFRs has received some attention over the years but knowledge is currently lacking in the transformation potential and metabolism of replacement emerging or novel BFRs (E/NBFRs). For articles published since 2015, a systematic search strategy reviewed the existing literature on the direct (e.g., in vitro or in vivo) non-human BFR metabolism in fauna (animals). Of the 51 papers reviewed, and of the 75 known environmental BFRs, PBDEs were by far the most widely studied, followed by HBCDDs and TBBPA. Experimental protocols between studies showed large disparities in exposure or incubation times, age, sex, depuration periods, and of the absence of active controls used in in vitro experiments. Species selection emphasized non-standard test animals and/or field-collected animals making comparisons difficult. For in vitro studies, confounding variables were generally not taken into consideration (e.g., season and time of day of collection, pollution point-sources or human settlements). As of 2021 there remains essentially no information on the fate and metabolic pathways or kinetics for 30 of the 75 environmentally relevant E/BFRs. Regardless, there are clear species-specific and BFR-specific differences in metabolism and metabolite formation (e.g. BDE congeners and HBCDD isomers). Future in vitro and in vivo metabolism/biotransformation research on E/NBFRs is required to better understand their bioaccumulation and fate in exposed organisms. Also, studies should be conducted on well characterized lab (e.g., laboratory rodents, zebrafish) and commonly collected wildlife species used as captive models (crucian carp, Japanese quail, zebra finches and polar bears).

Species-specific debromination of BDE99 in teleost fish: The relationship between debromination ability and bioaccumulation patterns of PBDEs

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are known to be broken down by debromination reactions in the natural environment, such as by photolysis, microbial and metabolic processes. Although species-specific debromination of PBDEs by fish has also been reported, it has only rarely been studied from the phylogenetic perspective. The objective of this study is to reveal the factors affecting species-specific debromination through validation between the bioaccumulation of PBDEs in muscle tissue and the ability to debrominate BDE99. As environmental observations, PBDE concentrations in muscle tissues were analyzed in 25 wild fish (Cyprinidae, Gobiidae and others). As in vitro experiments, debromination experiments were conducted using the hepatic microsomes of 21 fish species. Significant amounts of BDE99 were detected in almost none of the Cyprinidae. A relatively higher debromination ability was confirmed in the Cyprinidae in in vitro experiments. The Cyprinidae thus appears to be a family with high debromination ability. BDE99 has been detected in some goby species but not others. This pattern was also seen in in vitro experiments, suggesting that debromination ability is not consistent within the Gobiidae. In further quantitative comparisons, kinetic parameters such as K_m and v_max were determined for selected fish species. The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and the Japanese crucian carp (Carassius cuvieri), both Cyprinidae, showed higher v_max values, whereas v_max values among three Gobiidae diverged widely. A comparison of field observations and in vitro experiments, revealed the bioaccumulation ratio of BDE99 to be affected by the BDE99 debromination ability of each fish species. This is the first report on classification of BDE99 accumulation ratio by debromination ability and a phylogenetic species comparison based on kinetic parameters for debromination reactions of PBDEs by fish.

Reproductive health and endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Lake Erie drainage, Pennsylvania, USA

Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu were sampled from three sites within the Lake Erie drainage (Elk Creek, Twentymile Creek, and Misery Bay, an embayment in Presque Isle Bay). Plasma, tissues for histopathological analyses, and liver and testes preserved in RNALater® were sampled from 30 smallmouth bass (of both sexes) at each site. Liver and testes samples were analyzed for transcript abundance with Nanostring nCounter® technology. Evidence of estrogenic endocrine disruption was assessed by the presence and severity of intersex (testicular oocytes; TO) and concentrations of plasma vitellogenin in male fish. Abundance of 17 liver transcripts associated with reproductive function, endocrine activity, and contaminant detoxification pathways and 40 testes transcripts associated with male and female reproductive function, germ cell development, and steroid biosynthesis were also measured. Males with a high rate of TO (87-100%) and plasma vitellogenin were noted at all sites; however, TO severity was greatest at the site with the highest agricultural land cover. Numerous transcripts were differentially regulated among the sites and patterns of transcript abundance were used to better understand potential risk factors for estrogenic endocrine disruption. The results of this study suggest endocrine disruption is prevalent in this region and further research would benefit to identify the types of contaminants that may be associated with the observed biological effects.

An inadvertent issue of human retina exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals: A safety assessment

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a group of chemical compounds that present a considerable public health problem due to their pervasiveness and associations with chronic diseases. EDCs can interrupt the endocrine system and interfere with hormone homeostasis, leading to abnormalities in human physiology. Much attention has been focused on the adverse effects EDCs have on the reproductive system, neurogenesis, neuroendocrine system, and thyroid dysfunction. The eye is usually directly exposed to the surrounding environment; however, the influences of EDCs on the eye have received comparatively little attention. Ocular diseases, such as ocular surface diseases and retinal diseases, have been implicated in hormone deficiency or excess. Epidemiologic studies have shown that EDC exposure not only causes ocular surface disorders, such as dry eye, but also associates with visual deficits and retinopathy. EDCs can pass through the human blood-retinal barrier and enter the neural retina, and can then accumulate in the retina. The retina is an embryologic extension of the central nervous system, and is extremely sensitive and vulnerable to EDCs that could be passed across the placenta during critical periods of retinal development. Subtle alterations in the retinal development process usually result in profound immediate, long-term, and delayed effects late in life. This review, based on extensive literature survey, briefly summarizes the current knowledge about the impact of representative manufactured EDCs on retinal toxicity, including retinal structure alterations and dysfunction. We also highlight the potential mechanism of action of EDCs on the retina, and the predictive retinal models of EDC exposure.

Environmental factors in debromination activity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers by hepatic microsomes of freshwater fish

Although the debromination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in fish species has been studied, environmental factors, such as chemical contamination and habitat temperature, have not been well understood. This study compared debromination of BDE209 by hepatic microsomes of wild and cultured fish. PBDE concentrations in muscle tissue were lower in cultured fish than in wild fish. Debromination activity was high in wild common carp, followed by cultured common carp, moderate in cultured ayu sweetfish, and low in two cultured fish (rainbow trout and cherry salmon) and wild Japanese sea bass. Although common carps have been known as the species which have higher debromination ability, there were differences between wild and cultured common carps. First, wild common carp debrominated much more BDE209 than cultured common carp. Second was debromination of BDE209 lasted 96 h in wild carp but only 24 h in cultured carp. Wild carp were collected from warm wastewater effluent with consistently high concentrations of micropollutants. Cultured carp were collected from colder clean waters. Therefore, environmental factors in debromination include contamination or ambient temperature. To investigate the effects of habitat environment on debromination of PBDEs, we collected wild carp in summer and winter at two different locations with similar PBDE contamination levels. Carp collected from the natural river in winter had the highest BDE99 debromination activity. Although the results indicated seasonal difference of debromination of BDE209, we could not confirm whether habitat temperature or physiological cycle of carp affected to debromination ability. Thus, further investigation such as in vivo experiment is required.

Halogen Bonding Interactions of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and the Potential for Thyroid Disruption

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) flame retardants are persistent pollutants and inhibit neurodevelopment, particularly in the early stages of life. Halogen bonding (XB) to the iodothyronine deiodinases (Dio) that modulate thyroid hormones (THs) is a potential mechanism for endocrine disruption. Cl⋅⋅⋅Se XB interactions of PCBs with SeMe- , a small model of the Dio active site selenocysteine, are compared with previous results on polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and THs using density functional theory. PCBs generally display weaker XB interactions compared to PBDEs and THs, consistent with the dependence of XB strength on the size of the halogen (I>Br>Cl). PCBs also do not meet a proposed energy threshold for substrates to undergo dehalogenation, suggesting they may behave as competitive inhibitors of Dio in addition to other mechanisms of endocrine disruption. XB interactions in PCBs are position-dependent, with ortho interactions slightly more favorable than meta and para interactions, suggesting that PCBs may have a greater effect on certain classes of Dio. Flexibility of PCBs around the biphenyl C-C bond is limited by ortho substitutions relative to the biphenyl linkage, which may contribute to the ability to inhibit Dio and other TH-related proteins.