1
|
Das SK, Ali M, Shetake NG, Pandey BN, Kumar A. Thorium Alters Lung Surfactant Protein Expression in Alveolar Epithelial Cells: In Vitro and In Vivo Investigation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38772857 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Thorium-232 (Th), the most abundant naturally occurring nuclear fuel, has been identified as a sustainable source of energy. In view of its large-scale utilization and human evidence of lung disorders and carcinogenicity, it is imperative to understand the effect of Th exposure on lung cells. The present study investigated the effect of Th-dioxide (1-100 μg/mL, 24-48 h) on expression of surfactant proteins (SPs) (SP-A, SP-B, SP-C, and SP-D, which are essential to maintain lung's surface tension and host-defense) in human lung cells (WI26 and A549), representative of alveolar cell type-I and type-II, respectively. Results demonstrated the inhibitory effect of Th on transcriptional expression of SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C. However, Th promoted the mRNA expression of SP-D in A549 and reduced its expression in WI26. To a significant extent, the effect of Th on SPs was found to be in accordance with their protein levels. Moreover, Th exposure altered the extracellular release of SP-D/A from A549, which remained unaltered in WI26. Our results suggested the differential role of oxidative stress and ATM and HSP90 signaling in Th-induced alterations of SPs. These effects of Th were found to be consistent in lung tissues of mice exposed to Th aerosols, suggesting a potential role of SPs in Th-associated lung disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Kumar Das
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India
| | - Manjoor Ali
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - Neena Girish Shetake
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India
| | - Badri Narain Pandey
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Smoot J, Padilla S, Kim YH, Hunter D, Tennant A, Hill B, Lowery M, Knapp BR, Oshiro W, Hazari MS, Hays MD, Preston WT, Jaspers I, Gilmour MI, Farraj AK. Burn pit-related smoke causes developmental and behavioral toxicity in zebrafish: Influence of material type and emissions chemistry. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29675. [PMID: 38681659 PMCID: PMC11053193 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Combustion of mixed materials during open air burning of refuse or structural fires in the wildland urban interface produces emissions that worsen air quality, contaminate rivers and streams, and cause poor health outcomes including developmental effects. The zebrafish, a freshwater fish, is a useful model for quickly screening the toxicological and developmental effects of agents in such species and elicits biological responses that are often analogous and predictive of responses in mammals. The purpose of this study was to compare the developmental toxicity of smoke derived from the burning of 5 different burn pit-related material types (plywood, cardboard, plastic, a mixture of the three, and the mixture plus diesel fuel as an accelerant) in zebrafish larvae. Larvae were exposed to organic extracts of increasing concentrations of each smoke 6-to-8-hr post fertilization and assessed for morphological and behavioral toxicity at 5 days post fertilization. To examine chemical and biological determinants of toxicity, responses were related to emissions concentrations of polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAH). Emissions from plastic and the mixture containing plastic caused the most pronounced developmental effects, including mortality, impaired swim bladder inflation, pericardial edema, spinal curvature, tail kinks, and/or craniofacial deformities, although all extracts caused concentration-dependent effects. Plywood, by contrast, altered locomotor responsiveness to light changes to the greatest extent. Some morphological and behavioral responses correlated strongly with smoke extract levels of PAHs including 9-fluorenone. Overall, the findings suggest that material type and emissions chemistry impact the severity of zebrafish developmental toxicity responses to burn pit-related smoke.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Smoot
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | | | - Yong Ho Kim
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Deborah Hunter
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Alan Tennant
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Bridgett Hill
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Morgan Lowery
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Bridget R. Knapp
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Wendy Oshiro
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Mehdi S. Hazari
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Michael D. Hays
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | | | - M. Ian Gilmour
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Aimen K. Farraj
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sharma S, Ali M, Kumar A, Rawat N. Combined Thermodynamic, Theoretical, and Biological Study for Investigating N-(2-Acetamido)iminodiacetic Acid as a Potential Thorium Decorporation Agent. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:18887-18900. [PMID: 37922372 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c02296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
The most effective approach to mitigate the toxic effects of internal exposure of radiometals to humans is metal-ligand (ML) chelation therapy. Thorium (Th)-induced carcinogenesis as well as other health hazards to humans as a result of chronic internal exposure necessitates the development of efficient Th-decorporating agents. In this regard, chemical and biological studies were carried out to evaluate N-(2-Acetamido)iminodiacetic acid (ADA), a comparatively cost-effective, readily available, and biologically safe complexing agent for Th decorporation. In the present work, detailed thermodynamic studies for complexation of ADA with Th(IV) have been carried out to understand Th-ADA interaction, using potentiometry, calorimetry, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and theoretical studies, followed by its biological assessment for Th decorporation. Thermodynamic studies revealed the formation of strong Th-ADA complexes, which are enthalpically as well as entropically favored. Interestingly, density functional theory calculations, to obtain a thermodynamically favored mode of coordination, showed the uncommon trend of lower denticity of ADA in ML than in ML2, which has been explained on the basis of stabilization of ML by hydrogen bonding. The same was also reflected in the unusual trend of enthalpy for Th-ADA complexes. Biological experiments using human erythrocytes, whole human blood, and lung cells showed good cytocompatibility and ability of ADA to significantly prevent Th-induced hemolysis. Th removal of ADA from erythrocytes, human blood, and normal lung cells was found to be comparable with that of diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA), an FDA approved decorporating agent. The present study contributed significant data about Th complexation chemistry of ADA and its Th decorporation efficacy from human erythrocytes, blood, and lung cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Sharma
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Manjoor Ali
- Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Neetika Rawat
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Taghavi K, Isaacs D, McLeod L, Gillett G, Brasher C. The ethics of war-time data in paediatric trauma: attitudes, angles and impacts. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 7:e013071. [PMID: 37879644 PMCID: PMC10693686 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kiarash Taghavi
- Department of Paediatric Urology, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Isaacs
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Liz McLeod
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Global Health, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Grant Gillett
- Department of Bioethics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Christopher Brasher
- Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Centre of Critical Care, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Anaesthesia and Pain Management Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Berntsson E, Vosough F, Noormägi A, Padari K, Asplund F, Gielnik M, Paul S, Jarvet J, Tõugu V, Roos PM, Kozak M, Gräslund A, Barth A, Pooga M, Palumaa P, Wärmländer SKTS. Characterization of Uranyl (UO 22+) Ion Binding to Amyloid Beta (Aβ) Peptides: Effects on Aβ Structure and Aggregation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:2618-2633. [PMID: 37487115 PMCID: PMC10401651 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Uranium (U) is naturally present in ambient air, water, and soil, and depleted uranium (DU) is released into the environment via industrial and military activities. While the radiological damage from U is rather well understood, less is known about the chemical damage mechanisms, which dominate in DU. Heavy metal exposure is associated with numerous health conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent age-related cause of dementia. The pathological hallmark of AD is the deposition of amyloid plaques, consisting mainly of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides aggregated into amyloid fibrils in the brain. However, the toxic species in AD are likely oligomeric Aβ aggregates. Exposure to heavy metals such as Cd, Hg, Mn, and Pb is known to increase Aβ production, and these metals bind to Aβ peptides and modulate their aggregation. The possible effects of U in AD pathology have been sparsely studied. Here, we use biophysical techniques to study in vitro interactions between Aβ peptides and uranyl ions, UO22+, of DU. We show for the first time that uranyl ions bind to Aβ peptides with affinities in the micromolar range, induce structural changes in Aβ monomers and oligomers, and inhibit Aβ fibrillization. This suggests a possible link between AD and U exposure, which could be further explored by cell, animal, and epidemiological studies. General toxic mechanisms of uranyl ions could be modulation of protein folding, misfolding, and aggregation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elina Berntsson
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Faraz Vosough
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andra Noormägi
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kärt Padari
- Institute
of Molecular and Cell Biology, University
of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Fanny Asplund
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maciej Gielnik
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus
University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Suman Paul
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jüri Jarvet
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vello Tõugu
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Per M. Roos
- Institute
of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- University
Healthcare Unit of Capio St. Göran Hospital, 112 81 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maciej Kozak
- Department
of Biomedical Physics, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland
- SOLARIS
National Synchrotron Radiation Centre, Jagiellonian
University, 31-007 Kraków, Poland
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Barth
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margus Pooga
- Institute
of Technology, University of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Peep Palumaa
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Sebastian K. T. S. Wärmländer
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang B, Hou H, Huang Z, Zhao L. Estimation of heavy metal soil contamination distribution, hazard probability, and population at risk by machine learning prediction modeling in Guangxi, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 330:121607. [PMID: 37031848 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Due to superposition of diverse pollution sources, soil heavy metal concentrations have been detected to exceed the recommended maximum permissible levels in many areas of Guangxi province, China. However, the heavy metal contamination distribution, hazard probability, and population at risk of heavy metals in the entire Guangxi province remain largely unclear. In this study, machine learning prediction models with different standard risk values determined according to land use types were used to identify high-risk areas and estimate populations at risk of Cr and Ni based on 658 topsoil samples from Guangxi province, China. Our results showed that soil Cr and Ni contamination derived from carbonate rocks was relatively serious in Guangxi province, and that their co-enrichment during soil formation was associated with Fe and Mn oxides and alkaline soil environment. Our established model exhibited excellent performance in predicting contamination distribution (R2 > 0.85) and hazard probability (AUC>0.85). Pollution of Cr and Ni exhibited a pattern of decreasing gradually from the central-west areas to the surrounding areas with the polluted area (Igeo>0) of Cr and Ni accounting for approximately 24.46% and 29.24% of total area in Guangxi province, respectively, but only 10.4% and 8.51% of total area was classified as Cr and Ni high-risk regions. We estimated approximately 1.44 and 1.47 million people were potentially exposed to the risk of Cr and Ni contamination, which were mainly concentrated in the Nanning, Laibin, and Guigang. These regions are main heavily-populated agricultural regions in Guangxi, and thus heavy metal contamination localization and risk control in these regions are urgent and essential from the perspective of food safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bolun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hong Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Zhanbin Huang
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Long Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lin Y, Feng C, Le S, Qiu X, Xu Q, Jin S, Fang Y, Jin Y, Wen Y, Wang G, Lu D. Infant Exposure to PCBs and PBDEs Revealed by Hair and Human Milk Analysis: Evaluation of Hair as an Alternative Biomatrix. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15912-15919. [PMID: 36301106 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human hair, as an emerging biological monitoring matrix, has begun to be used in various human exposure studies, but little research has been done on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), especially for the body burden of POPs in infants. In this study, 36 breast-fed infants in Shanghai were recruited for a study to determine their exposure to POPs, including 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), 6 indicator PCBs, and 8 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the inner layer (internal) and outer layer (external) of infant hair and human milk. The similarity or difference of the POP distribution pattern or concentration among these matrices was investigated, and only weak correlations (r < 0.4) were observed between the POP concentration in human milk and infant hair (internal or external). POPs in human milk have a different profile than those in infant hair, while they have stable concentration ratios (0.58-2.72), similar distribution patterns, fine Spearman's rank correlations, and tangled principal component analysis (PCA) plots in each POP family between external and internal hair samples. The result suggested that POPs in internal hair can be easily affected by those in external hair, but POPs in human milk seem to have little contribution to the POP profile in internal hair. Although infant hair cannot reflect the POPs from diet or from body burden, it can be an ideal biomatrix that estimates infant exposure to POPs from exogenous sources like house dust when considering the similar pattern of POPs and their proper accumulation period in hair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjie Lin
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Chao Feng
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Sunyang Le
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Xinlei Qiu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Shuping Jin
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Yamin Fang
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Yu'e Jin
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Yimin Wen
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Guoquan Wang
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Dasheng Lu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yu L, Lin Z, Cheng X, Chu J, Li X, Chen C, Zhu T, Li W, Lin W, Tang W. Thorium inhibits human respiratory chain complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127546. [PMID: 34879532 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Thorium is a radioactive heavy metal and an emerging environmental pollutant. Ecological and human health risks from thorium exposure are growing with the excavation of rare earth metals and implementation of thorium-based nuclear reactors. Thorium poisoning is associated with carcinogenesis, liver impairments, and congenital anomalies. To date, the biomolecular targets that underlie thorium-induced toxicity remain unknown. Here, we used in vitro enzymatic activity assays to comprehensively evaluate the effects of thorium on the mitochondrial respiration process. Thorium was found to inhibit respiratory chain complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) at sub-micromolar concentrations (IC50 ~ 0.4 μM, 90 μg/L). This is lower than the thorium level limit (246 μg/L) in drinking water specified by the World Health Organization. The inhibitory effects were further verified in mitochondria from human bone and liver cells (thorium mainly deposits in these organs). The inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase can readily rationalize well-documented cellular toxicities of thorium, such as alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential and production of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, cytochrome c oxidase is potentially a key molecular target underlying thorium-induced toxicological effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Libing Yu
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621907, China.
| | - Zhaozhu Lin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuedan Cheng
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621907, China; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Jian Chu
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621907, China
| | - Xijian Li
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621907, China
| | - Chun Chen
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621907, China
| | - Tinghua Zhu
- Guizhou Shengyada Biotech Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550000, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621907, China; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Wei Tang
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621907, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Thorne MC, Smallwood PD. A misinterpretation of observed thorium concentrations in samples of hair and tooth enamel obtained from infants and children in Iraq. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 293:118573. [PMID: 34861328 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M C Thorne
- Mike Thorne and Associates Limited, Quarry Cottage, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL13 3NJ, UK.
| | - P D Smallwood
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, 23173, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang B, Pang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Ye R, Yan L, Li Z, Ren A. Thorium and fetal neural tube defects: an epidemiological evidence from large case-control study. Genes Environ 2021; 43:51. [PMID: 34823609 PMCID: PMC8614024 DOI: 10.1186/s41021-021-00227-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thorium is ubiquitous in the environment and its relationship with birth defects is still under discussion. This study aimed to investigate the associations of maternal exposure to thorium with risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) by using a case–control study, as well as the relationship between thorium exposure and the indoor air pollution from coal combustion. Methods This study was conducted in 11 local healthcare hospitals during 2003–2007 in Shanxi and Hebei provinces, China. A total of 774 mothers were included as participants who delivering 263 fetuses with NTDs including 123 with anencephaly, 115 with spina bifida, 18 with encephalocele, and 7 other NTD subtypes (cases), and 511 health fetuses without NTDs (controls). Their hair samples were collected as close as to the occipital posterior scalp, of which those grew from 3 months before to 3 months after conception was cut to measure the thorium concentration by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results We found a higher hair thorium concentration in the total NTD cases with 0.901 (0.588–1.382) ng/g hair [median (inter-quartile range)] than that in the controls with a value of 0.621 (0.334–1.058) ng/g hair. Similar results were found for the three concerned NTD subtypes. Maternal hair thorium concentration above its median of the controls was associated with an increased risk of the total NTDs with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.80 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23–2.63)] by adjusting for all confounders. There was obvious dose-response relationship between maternal hair thorium concentration and the risk of total NTDs, as well as their two subtypes (i.e. anencephaly and spina bifida). Maternal hair thorium concentration was positive associated with their exposure level to indoor air pollution from coal combustion during cooking. Conclusions Overall, our findings revealed that maternal periconceptional thorium exposure was associated with the risk of NTDs in North China. Reducing the coal usage in the household cooking activities may decrease maternal thorium exposure level. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41021-021-00227-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Yiming Pang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Yali Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Le Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Rongwei Ye
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Lailai Yan
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China. .,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.
| | - Aiguo Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Surdyk S, Itani M, Al-Lobaidy M, Kahale LA, Farha A, Dewachi O, Akl EA, Habib RR. Weaponised uranium and adverse health outcomes in Iraq: a systematic review. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2020-004166. [PMID: 33619039 PMCID: PMC7903104 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The US military first deployed depleted uranium (DU) weapons in Iraq during the Gulf War in 1990 and in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Research into the health impacts of DU has been mired in debate and controversy. Research funded by the US government has denied the health risks posed by DU to the Iraqi population, while opponents have claimed that DU is responsible for increased rates of birth defects and cancers in Iraq. Others assert that the public health impacts of DU weapons remain uncertain. This systematic review identified, appraised and synthesised all human observational studies assessing adverse health outcomes associated with DU exposure among the Iraqi population. To our knowledge, no systematic review has been conducted on the topic previously. Methods We searched 11 electronic databases for human observational studies published between 1990 and 2020 that measured association between exposure to weaponised uranium and health outcomes (including cancer, birth defects, immune system function and mortality) among the Iraqi population. We assessed risk of bias using the Navigation Guide’s risk of bias tool and rated certainty of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach (PROSPERO: CRD42018108225). Results Our searches identified 2601 records, of which 28 met our inclusion criteria. We identified five additional eligible reports from other sources. Two articles reported the results of multiple relevant studies; our final set included 33 articles reporting on 36 eligible studies. Most studies (n=30, 83%) reported a positive association between uranium exposure and adverse health outcomes. However, we found that the reviewed body of evidence suffers from a high risk of bias. Conclusion The available evidence suggests possible associations between exposure to depleted uranium and adverse health outcomes among the Iraqi population. More primary research and the release of missing data are needed to design meaningful health and policy interventions in Iraq.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shelby Surdyk
- Department of Environmental Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Moustapha Itani
- Nature Conservation Centre, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mais Al-Lobaidy
- Department of Environmental Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lara A Kahale
- Clinical Research Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aida Farha
- Saab Medical Library, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Omar Dewachi
- Department of Anthropology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Elie A Akl
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rima R Habib
- Department of Environmental Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dumpala RMR, Das SK, Ali M, Boda A, Kumar P, Rawat N, Kumar A, Ali SM. Characterization of Thorium-Pyrazinoic acid complexation and its decorporation efficacy in human cells and blood. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 271:129547. [PMID: 33445029 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Thorium (Th) exposure to the human beings is a radiochemical hazard and the chelation therapy by suitable drugs is the major prevention approach to deal with. The present studies aimed at usage of pyrazinoic acid (PCA), which is a prodrug to treat tuberculosis, for its usage as decorporating agent for thorium from human body. The present studies provide a comprehensive knowledge on the chemical interaction and biological efficacy of pyrazinoic acid (PCA) for decorporation of Thorium from the human body. The thermodynamic parameters for Th-PCA speciation are determined by both experiment and theory. The potentiometric data analysis and Electro-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) studies revealed the formation of MLi (i = 1-4) species with the decrease in stepwise stability constants. All the species formations are endothermic reactions and are predominantly entropy-driven. Biological experiments using human erythrocytes, whole blood and normal human lung cells showed cytocompatibility and decorporation ability of PCA for Thorium. Density functional calculations have been carried out to get insights on interaction process at molecular level. The experimental results and theoretical predictions found to be in line with each other. Present findings on complexation of Th by PCA and its evaluation in human cells and blood would further motivate determination of its safety levels and decorporation efficacy in animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sourav Kumar Das
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Manjoor Ali
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Anil Boda
- Chemical Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Pranaw Kumar
- Fuel Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Neetika Rawat
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400094, India.
| | - Sk Musharaf Ali
- Chemical Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400094, India
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Soil Contamination in Areas Impacted by Military Activities: A Critical Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12219002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Military activities drastically affect soil properties mainly via physical/chemical disturbances during military training and warfare. The present paper aims to review (1) physical/chemical disturbances in soils following military activities, (2) approaches to characterization of contaminated military-impacted sites, and (3) advances in human health risk assessment for evaluating potential adverse impacts. A literature search mainly covering the period 2010–2020 but also including relevant selected papers published before 2010 was conducted. Selected studies (more than 160) were grouped as follows and then reviewed: ~40 on the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), ~20 on energetic compounds (ECs) and chemical warfare agents (CWAs), ~40 on human health risk assessment, and generic limits/legislation, and ~60 supporting studies. Soil physical disturbances (e.g., compaction by military traffic) may drastically affect soil properties (e.g., hydraulic conductivity) causing environmental issues (e.g., increased erosion). Chemical disturbances are caused by the introduction of numerous PTEs, ECs, and CWAs and are of a wide nature. Available generic limits/legislation for these substances is limited, and their contents do not always overlap. Among numerous PTEs in military-impacted zones, Pb seems particularly problematic due to its high toxicity, abundance, and persistence. For ECs and CWAs, their highly variable physiochemical properties and biodegradability govern their specific distribution, environmental fate, and transport. Most site characterization includes proper spatial/vertical profiling, albeit without adequate consideration of contaminant speciation/fractionation. Human health risk assessment studies generally follow an agreed upon framework; however, the depth/adequacy of their use varies. Generic limits/legislation limited to a few countries do not always include all contaminants of concern, their content doesn’t overlap, and scientific basis is not always clear. Thus, a comprehensive scientific framework covering a range of contaminants is needed. Overall, contaminant speciation, fractionation, and mobility have not been fully considered in numerous studies. Chemical speciation and bioaccessibility, which directly affect the results for risk characterization, should be properly integrated into risk assessment processes for accurate results.
Collapse
|
14
|
Korsakov AV, Geger EV, Lagerev DG, Pugach LI, Mousseau TA. De novo congenital malformation frequencies in children from the Bryansk region following the Chernobyl disaster (2000-2017). Heliyon 2020; 6:e04616. [PMID: 32885067 PMCID: PMC7452506 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ionizing radiation and chemical pollution can disrupt normal embryonic development and lead to congenital malformations and fetal death. We used official government statistical data for 2000-2017 to test the hypothesis that radioactive and chemical pollutants influenced the frequency of de novo congenital malformations in newborns of the Bryansk region of southwest Russia. METHODS A variety of statistical approaches were used to assess congenital malformation frequencies including the Shapiro-Wilk test, White's homoscedasticity test, Wilcoxon T-test, Spearman's rank correlation test, and the inversely proportional regression. RESULTS We found that the frequency of polydactyly, multiple congenital malformations, and the frequency of de novo congenital malformations in newborns were significantly higher (p = 0.001-0.054) in regions with elevated radioactive, chemical and combined contamination. Polydactyly, multiple congenital malformations, and the sum of all congenital malformations were 4.7-7.4 times, 2.5-6.8 times, and 3.5-4.6 times higher in contaminated regions in comparison with the control group. The combination of both radioactive and chemical pollutants led to significantly higher frequencies of multiple congenital malformations when compared to regions with only one pollutant (radiation alone: 2.2 times, p = 0.034; chemical pollutants alone: 1.9 times, p = 0.008) implying that the effects of these stressors were at minimum additive. Although there was a trend for decreasing frequencies of multiple congenital malformations during the 2000-2017 period in areas of combined pollution, the opposite was true for regions with radioactive or chemical pollutants alone. However, overall, our models suggest that the frequency of multiple congenital malformations in areas of combined pollution will significantly (p = 0.027) exceed the frequencies observed for regions containing radioactive or chemical pollutants alone by 39.6% and 45.7% respectively, by 2018-2023. CONCLUSION These findings suggest additive and potentially synergistic effects of radioactive and chemical pollutants on the frequencies of multiple congenital malformations in the Bryansk region of southwestern Russia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anton V. Korsakov
- Bryansk State Technical University, Laboratory “Human Ecology and Data Analysis in the Technosphere”, Russian Federation
| | - Emilia V. Geger
- Bryansk State Technical University, Laboratory “Human Ecology and Data Analysis in the Technosphere”, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitry G. Lagerev
- Bryansk State Technical University, Laboratory “Human Ecology and Data Analysis in the Technosphere”, Russian Federation
| | - Leonid I. Pugach
- Bryansk State Technical University, Laboratory “Human Ecology and Data Analysis in the Technosphere”, Russian Federation
| | - Timothy A. Mousseau
- University of South Carolina Columbia, Department of Biological Sciences, USA
| |
Collapse
|