Neurobehavioral assessment of rats exposed to low doses of PCB126 and methyl mercury during development

Gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by polychlorinated biphenyl 126 contributes to increased brain proinflammatory cytokines: Landscapes from the gut-brain axis and fecal microbiota transplantation

The pathogenesis of brain inflammation induced by polychlorinated biphenyl 126 (PCB126) has not yet been fully illustrated. Growing evidence highlights the relevance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. Therefore, we aimed to study the role of the gut microbiota in PCB126-induced proinflammatory cytokine increases in the mouse brain. The results showed that PCB126 exposure significantly disordered gut bacterial communities, resulting in the enrichment of gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria), further leading to elevated levels of the gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Subsequently, colonic toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) was activated by bacterial LPS, which promoted proinflammatory cytokine generation and inhibited tight junction (TJ) protein expression. Then, bacterial LPS translocated from the gut lumen into the blood circulation and reached the brain, triggering LPS/TLR-4-mediated increases in brain proinflammatory cytokines. Further analysis after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) suggested that the gut microbiota disturbance caused by PCB126 could induce elevated bacterial LPS and trigger TLR-4-mediated increases in proinflammatory cytokines in the brain. This study highlights the possibility that PCB126-induced gut microbiota disorder contributes to increased brain proinflammatory cytokines. These results provide a new perspective for identifying the toxicity mechanisms of PCB126 and open up the possibility of modulating the gut microbiota as a therapeutic target for CNS disease caused by environmental pollution.

Repeated episodes of transient reduction of oxygen exposure simulating aircraft cabin conditions enhance resilience to stress in mice

Pilots and crew of domestic flights are exposed to transient periods of mild reductions of partial pressure of inspired oxygen each day, and this might have functional consequence on their performance in the long range. Here, we exposed mice to mild reductions of oxygen exposure (ROE) four times per day for 21 days by lowering oxygen partial pressure to levels corresponding to an altitude of about 2300 m, which is the quote of pressurization of the air cabin. Four groups of mice were studied: unstressed or stressed mice exposed to ROE or normoxic conditions. Mice were exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) for 28 days, and ROE was delivered in the last 21 days of CUS. In normoxic mice, CUS caused anhedonia in the sucrose preference test, anxiety-like behaviour in the open field test, learning impairment in the Morris water maze, reduced hippocampal neurogenesis, increased serum corticosterone levels and increased expression of depression-related genes (Pclo, Mthfr and Grm5) in the hippocampus. All these changes were reversed by ROE, which had little or no effect in unstressed mice. These findings suggest that ROE simulating air cabin conditions of domestic flights may enhance resilience to stress improving mood, anxiety and learning ability.

Developmental exposure to methylmercury and resultant muscle mercury accumulation and adult motor deficits in mice

Developmental methylmercury (MeHg) exposure can have lasting consequences on neural development and motor function across the lifespan. Recent evidence for MeHg targeting of myogenic pathways has drawn attention to the possibility that developing skeletal muscle plays a role in the motor deficits stemming from early life MeHg exposure. In this study we examined a potential role for muscle in influencing MeHg developmental toxicity in offspring of female mice exposed to MeHg via drinking water. Dams had access to 0, 0.5 or 5.0 ppm MeHg chloride in drinking water from two weeks prior to mating through weaning. Blood, brain and muscle tissue was harvested from dams at weaning and pups at postnatal days (PND) 6, 21 and 60 for analysis of total Hg. Muscle tissue sections were examined with histological stains. Behavioral testing of offspring was conducted at PND 60 and included locomotor activity, inverted screen, grip strength and rotarod tests to assess motor function. Total Hg (tHg) levels in dam muscles at weaning were 1.7-3-fold higher than Hg levels in blood or brain. In PND6 male and female pups, muscle and brain tHg levels were 2 to 4-fold higher than blood tHg. Brain tHg levels decreased more rapidly than muscle tHg levels between PND 6 and 21. Premised on modeling of growth dilution, brain tissue demonstrated an elimination of tHg while muscle tissue exhibited a net uptake of tHg between PND 6 and 21. Despite overall elevated Hg levels in developing muscle, no gross morphological or cytological phenotypes were observed in muscle at PND 60. At the higher MeHg dose, grip strength was reduced in both females and males at PND 60, whereas only male specific deficits were observed in locomotor activity and inverted screen tests with marginally significant deficits on rotarod. These findings highlight a potential role for developing skeletal muscle in mediating the neuromuscular insult of early life MeHg exposure.

Neurodevelopmental and Metabolomic Responses from Prenatal Coexposure to Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and Methylmercury (MeHg) in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Methylmercury (MeHg) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) are major contaminants of human blood that are both common in dietary fish, thereby raising questions about their combined impact on human development. Here, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats ingested a daily dose, from gestational day 1 through to weaning, of either 1 mg/kg bw PFOS (PFOS-only), 1 mg/kg MeHg (MeHg-only), a mixture of 0.1 mg/kg PFOS and 1 mg/kg MeHg (Low-Mix), or of 1 mg/kg of PFOS and 1 mg/kg MeHg (High-Mix). Newborns were monitored for physical milestones and reflexive developmental responses, and in juveniles the spontaneous activity, anxiety, memory, and cognition were assessed. Targeted metabolomics of 199 analytes was applied to sectioned brain regions of juvenile offspring. Newborns in the High-Mix group had decreased weight gain as well as delayed reflexes and innate behavioral responses compared to controls and individual chemical groups indicating a toxicological interaction on early development. In juveniles, cumulative mixture effects increased in a dose-dependent manner in tests of anxiety-like behavior. However, other developmental test results suggested antagonism, as PFOS-only and MeHg-only juveniles had increased hyperactivity and thigmotaxic behavior, respectively, but fewer effects in Low-Mix and High-Mix groups. Consistent with these behavioral observations, a pattern of antagonism was also observed in neurochemicals measured in rat cortex, as PFOS-only and MeHg-only juveniles had altered concentrations of metabolites (e.g., lipids, amino acids, and biogenic amines), while no changes were evident in the combined exposures. The cortical metabolites altered in PFOS-only and MeHg-only exposed groups are involved in inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. These proof-of-principle findings at relatively high doses indicate the potential for toxicological interaction between PFOS and MeHg, with developmental-stage specific effects. Future mixture studies at lower doses are warranted, and prospective human birth cohorts should consider possible confounding effects from PFOS and mercury exposure on neurodevelopment.

Effects of methylmercury and retinol palmitate co-administration in rats during pregnancy and breastfeeding: Metabolic and redox parameters in dams and their offspring

Ubiquitous low-dose methylmercury (MeHg) exposure through an increased fish consumption represents a global public health problem, especially among pregnant women. A plethora of micronutrients presented in fish affects MeHg uptake/distribution, but limited data is available. Vitamin A (VitA), another fish micronutrient is used in nutritional supplementation, especially during pregnancy. However, there is no information about the health effects arising from their combined exposure. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effects of both MeHg and retinyl palmitate administered on pregnant and lactating rats in metabolic and redox parameters from dams and their offspring. Thirty Wistar female rats were orally supplemented with MeHg (0,5 mg/kg/day) and retinyl palmitate (7500 µg RAE/kg/day) via gavage, either individually or in combination from the gestational day 0 to weaning. For dams (150 days old) and their offspring (31 days old), glycogen accumulation (hepatic and cardiac) and retinoid contents (plasma and liver) were analyzed. Hg deposition in liver tissue was quantified. Redox parameters (liver, kidney, and heart) were evaluated for both animals. Cytogenetic damage was analyzed with micronucleus test. Our results showed no general toxic or metabolic alterations in dams and their offspring by MeHg-VitA co-administration during pregnancy and lactation. However, increased lipoperoxidation in maternal liver and a disrupted pro-oxidant response in the heart of male pups was encountered, with apparently no particular effects in the antioxidant response in female offspring. GST activity in dam kidney was altered leading to possible redox disruption of this tissue with no alterations in offspring. Finally, the genomic damage was exacerbated in both male and female pups. In conclusion, low-dose MeHg exposure and retinyl palmitate supplementation during gestation and lactation produced a potentiated pro-oxidant effect, which was tissue-specific. Although this is a pre-clinical approach, we recommend precaution for pregnant women regarding food consumption, and we encourage more epidemiological studies to assess possible modulations effects of MeHg-VitA co-administration at safe or inadvertently used doses in humans, which may be related to specific pathologies in mothers and their children.

Developmental neurotoxicity of the hippocampus following in utero exposure to methylmercury: impairment in cell signaling

In this study, we assessed some hippocampal signaling cascades and behavioral impairments in 30-day-old rat pups prenatally exposed to methylmercury (MeHg). Pregnant rats were exposed to 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg MeHg by gavage in alternated days from gestational day 5 until parturition. We found increased anxiety-like and decreased exploration behavior evaluated by open field test and deficit of both short- and long-term memories by novel object recognition task, respectively, in MeHg-treated pups. Downregulated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and activated/hypophosphorylated (Ser9) GSK3β in MeHg-treated pups could be upstream of hyperphosphorylated Tau (Ser396) destabilizing microtubules and contributing to neural dysfunction in the hippocampus of these rats. Hyperphosphorylated/activated p38MAPK and downregulated phosphoErk1/2 support a role for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade on MeHg neurotoxicity. Decreased receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) immunocontent supports the assumption that downregulated RAGE/Erk1/2 pathway could be involved in hypophosphorylated lysine/serine/proline (KSP) repeats on neurofilament subunits and disturbed axonal transport. Downregulated myelin basic protein (MBP), the major myelin protein, is compatible with dysmyelination and neurofilament hypophosphorylation. Increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels suggest reactive astrocytes, and active apoptotic pathways BAD/BCL-2, BAX/BCL-XL, and caspase 3 suggest cell death. Taken together, our findings get light on important signaling mechanisms that could underlie the behavioral deficits in 30-day-old pups prenatally exposed to MeHg.

Parental Whole Life Cycle Exposure to Dietary Methylmercury in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Affects the Behavior of Offspring

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an established neurotoxicant of concern to fish-eating organisms. While most studies have focused on the fish consumers, much less is known about the effects of MeHg on the fish themselves, especially following exposures to chronic and environmentally relevant scenarios. Here we evaluated the behavioral effects of developmental MeHg insult by exposing parental generations of zebrafish to an environmentally realistic MeHg dietary concentration (1 ppm) and two higher concentrations (3 and 10 ppm) throughout their whole life span. Upon reaching adulthood, their offspring were analyzed through a series of behavioral tests, including the visual-motor response (VMR) assay, analysis of spontaneous swimming and evaluation of foraging efficiency. The VMR assay identified decreased locomotor output in the 6 day postfertilization (dpf) offspring of fish exposed to 3 and 10 ppm MeHg. However, in a second test 7 dpf fish revealed an increase in locomotor activity in all MeHg exposures tested. Increases in locomotion continued to be observed until 16 dpf, which coincided with increased foraging efficiency. These results suggest an association between MeHg and hyperactivity, and imply that fish chronically exposed to MeHg in the wild may be vulnerable to predation.

Assessing pre/post-weaning neurobehavioral development for perinatal exposure to low doses of methylmercury

Fetuses and neonates are known to be high-risk groups for Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. MeHg can be transferred to the fetus through the placenta and to newborn offspring through breast milk. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neurotoxic effects of low doses of MeHg (1 and 5μg/mL in drinking water) administration, from gestational day 1 to postnatal day (PND) 21, on the neurobehavioral development of rats. The results showed that the no-observed-effect level of MeHg is somewhere in the range of 1-4μg/mL. Neurobehavioral development analysis revealed a delayed appearance of cliff drop and negative geotaxis reflexes in the 5μg/mL MeHg exposure group. Developmental exposure to MeHg affected locomotor activity functions for the females, but not for the males, implying that the female pups were more vulnerable than the male pups. All pups exposed to 5μg/mL of MeHg showed a significant deficit in motor coordination in the rotarod test compared with controls, and the highest accumulated concentrations of Hg were found in the cerebellum, followed by the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, indicating that the cerebellum is a possible target for MeHg toxicity. We demonstrated adverse effects of developmental exposure to MeHg associated with tissue concentrations very close to the current human body burden of this persistent and bioaccumulative compound.

Behavioral effects of developmental methylmercury drinking water exposure in rodents

Early methylmercury (MeHg) exposure can have long-lasting consequences likely arising from impaired developmental processes, the outcome of which has been exposed in several longitudinal studies of affected populations. Given the large number of newborns at an increased risk of learning disabilities associated with in utero MeHg exposure, it is important to study neurobehavioral alterations using ecologically valid and physiologically relevant models. This review highlights the benefits of using the MeHg drinking water exposure paradigm and outlines behavioral outcomes arising from this procedure in rodents. Combination treatments that exacerbate or ameliorate MeHg-induced effects, and possible molecular mechanisms underlying behavioral impairment are also discussed.

Synergistic interactions between PBDEs and PCBs in human neuroblastoma cells

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. Exposure to these chemicals has been associated with developmental neurotoxicity, endocrine dysfunction, and reproductive disorders. Humans and wildlife are generally exposed to a mixture of these environmental pollutants, highlighting the need to evaluate the potential effects of combined exposures. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of the combined exposure to two PBDEs and two PCBs in a human neuronal cell line. 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether, 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether, PCB-126 (3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl; a dioxin-like PCB), and PCB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl; a non-dioxin-like PCB) were chosen, because their concentrations are among the highest in human tissues and the environment. The results suggest that the nature of interactions is related to the PCB structure. Mixtures of PCB-153 and both PBDEs had a prevalently synergistic effect. In contrast, mixtures of each PBDE congener with PCB-126 showed additive effects at threshold concentrations, and synergistic effects at higher concentrations. These results emphasize the concept that the toxicity of xenobiotics may be affected by possible interactions, which may be of significance given the common coexposures to multiple contaminants.

Increase in accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls in offspring mouse brain via maternal coexposure to methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls

Methylmercury (MeHg) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmentally persistent neurodevelopmental toxicants. In Japan, the most common source of human exposure is the consumption of contaminated fish and seafood. We investigated the accumulation of MeHg and PCBs in the brains of dams and offspring mice maternally exposed to MeHg and/or PCBs. Pregnant mice (C57BL/6Cr) were assigned to one of four exposure groups: control, MeHg alone (MeHg in diet at 5 mg/kg as Hg), PCB alone (Aroclor1254 by gavage at the dose of 18 mg/kg body weight/3 days) and MeHg+PCB. Levels of MeHg and PCBs were measured in the whole brains of dams and offspring mice on postnatal day 21 (PND21) and at 9 weeks of age. Total mercury, MeHg and PCB congener concentrations were determined by CVAAS, GC-ECD and HRGC/HRMS, respectively. For the mercury concentrations, there were no significant differences between MeHg alone and MeHg+PCB except for pups at 9 weeks. The maternal PCB levels were not significantly different between MeHg+PCB and PCB alone. In pup brain on PND21, MeHg+PCB resulted in a significantly higher PCB level than PCB alone. Although the levels of lightly chlorinated (= 4CBs) homologues were lower for MeHg+PCB than for PCB alone, those of highly chlorinated (>= 5CBs) homologues were significantly higher on PND21 for MeHg+PCB. The PCB composition in dams and pups shifted to higher chlorinated homologues compared with the composition of administered Aroclor1254. For these reasons, further detailed studies are necessary to clarify the interactional effects of PCB metabolism after coexposure to MeHg and PCBs.

Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls interfere with neuronal differentiation of embryonic neural stem cells

Developmental exposure to food contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), has been considered as a possible cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. We have investigated the effects of noncytotoxic concentrations of PCBs 153 and 180 on spontaneous differentiation of rat embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs). Upon removal of basic fibroblast growth factor to induce spontaneous differentiation, cells were exposed to 100 nM of the selected PCBs for 48 h and analyzed after 5 days. Both PCBs 153 and 180 induced a significant increase in the number of neurite-bearing Tuj1-positive cells with a concomitant decrease in proliferating cells, as detected by FUCCI transfection and EdU staining. Measurements of spontaneous Ca²⁺ oscillations showed a decreased number of cells with Ca²⁺ activity after PCB exposure, further confirming the increase in neuronal cells. Conversely, exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), which we evaluated in parallel, led to an increased number of cells with Ca²⁺ activity, in agreement with the previously observed inhibition of neuronal differentiation. Analysis with quantitative PCR of the Notch pathway revealed that PCBs have a repressive action on Notch signaling, whereas MeHg activates it. Altogether, the data indicate that nanomolar concentrations of the selected non-dioxin-like PCBs and MeHg interfere in opposite directions with neuronal spontaneous differentiation of NSCs through Notch signaling. Combined exposures to PCBs and MeHg resulted in an induction of apoptosis and an antagonistic interaction on spontaneous neuronal differentiation. NSCs are further proven to be a valuable in vitro model to identify potential developmental neurotoxicants.

Embryonic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of PCB126 affect prey capture ability of Fundulus heteroclitus larvae

Early life stages from a marine fish species, Fundulus heteroclitus, were exposed to sublethal doses of 3,3',4,4',5 pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) to evaluate its effects on ecologically relevant responses: growth and behavior. A few hours after fertilisation, eggs were treated topically with PCB126 (2.5-50 pg egg⁻¹). Four days post-hatching (dph), morphological changes (body length and malformations), spontaneous locomotor activity (active swimming speed, rate of travel, % inactivity), prey capture ability (Artemia franciscana nauplii) and whole body EROD activity were evaluated in larvae. Untreated larvae collected at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 dph were also examined. PCB126 did not increase the mortality or malformation rates. Body length and spontaneous locomotor activity were altered only in larvae treated with the highest dose. Treatment with PCB126 caused a dose-responsive reduction in prey capture ability (rate of decline in the number of Artemia) and induction of EROD activity. The lowest observed effective dose for both of these responses was 5.0 pg PCB126 egg⁻¹ or 5.0 TCDD-toxic equivalents pg g⁻¹ egg, using a TCDD-toxic equivalent factor of 0.005 and an egg mass of 5 mg. Prey capture efficiency (number of Artemia captured per feeding strike) was reduced at ≥ 10.0 pg egg⁻¹. In untreated developing larvae, prey capture ability and efficiency increased as post-hatching development progressed and EROD activity remained low. The pattern of behavioral responses observed in PCB126-exposed Fundulus larvae differed from that observed in less-developed larvae indicating that other mechanisms than retarded development were involved. Behavioral dysfunction was a more sensitive response to PCB126 than morphological alterations and it occurred at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Lactational and postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls induces sex-specific anxiolytic behavior and cognitive deficit in mice offspring

The central nervous system is affected by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Previous studies have indicated that developmental exposure to PCBs impairs behavioral performance and alters cognitive abilities. This study assessed the effects of lactational and postnatal exposure to a commercial PCBs mixture, Aroclor 1254 (A1254), on mice performing several neurobehavioral tasks including the open field test, novel object test, elevated plus maze test, Y-maze test, and tail suspension test. In the open field test, PCBs treatment (6 and 18 mg/kg/day) was associated with increased movement, time duration, and frequency in the central zone in female but not male mice. PCBs-treated female mice (6 and 18 mg/kg/day) also showed decreased novel object recognition, indicating impairment in recognition memory. Finally, we performed autoradiographic receptor binding assays for dopamine (DA) D₁ and D₂ receptors, dopamine transporter (DAT), and the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor after behavioral tests to examine whether alterations occurred in the dopaminergic and NMDAergic systems of the brain. Our results showed that PCBs treatment did not change D₁ and D₂ receptors or DAT binding in the dorsal striatum of female mice. However, PCBs treatment significantly decreased NMDA receptor binding in the dorsal striatum, frontal cortex, cingulate cortex, and motor cortex, and CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus in female mice. Collectively, our results suggest that long-term PCBs exposure can induce anxiolytic behavior, cognitive deficits, and changes of NMDA receptors.

Is decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) a developmental neurotoxicant?

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants have become ubiquitous environmental pollutants. The relatively higher body burden in toddlers and children has raised concern for their potential developmental neurotoxicity, which has been suggested by animal studies, in vitro experiments, and recent human epidemiological evidence. While lower brominated PBDEs have been banned in several countries, the fully brominated decaBDE (BDE-209) is still utilized, though manufacturers will discontinue production in the U.S.A. in 2013. The recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to base the reference dose (RfD) for BDE-209 on a developmental neurotoxicity study has generated some controversy. Because of its bulky configuration, BDE-209 is poorly absorbed and does not easily penetrate the cell wall. Its acute and chronic toxicities are relatively low, with the liver and the thyroid as the primary targets, though there is some evidence of carcinogenicity. A few animal studies have indicated that BDE-209 may cause developmental neurotoxicity, affecting motor and cognitive domains, as seen for other PBDEs. Limited in vivo and in vitro studies have also evidenced effects of BDE-209 on thyroid hormone homeostasis and direct effects on nervous cells, again similar to what found with other lower brominated PBDEs. In contrast, a recent developmental neurotoxicity study, carried out according to international guidelines, has provided no evidence of adverse effects on neurodevelopment, and this should be considered in a future re-evaluation of BDE-209. While estimated exposure to BDE-209 in children is believed to be several orders of magnitude below the most conservative RfD proposed by the USEPA, questions remain on the extent and relevance of BDE-209 metabolism to lower brominated PBDEs in the environment and in humans.

Chelidonium majus is not hepatotoxic in Wistar rats, in a 4 weeks feeding experiment

AIM OF THE STUDY

Aerial parts of Chelidonium majus L. (Papaveraceae family) are traditionally used in the treatment of gallstones and dyspepsia, however several cases of hepatotoxicity are reported. In this work we evaluated the effects on liver function of a C. majus extract, obtained from the herbal material responsible for one case of hepatotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experiments were performed in Wistar rats, after oral administration of doses corresponding to 1.5 and 3g/(kg day) of herbal drug, for 2 or 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected to perform biochemical analysis, whereas liver samples were used for histomorphological and immunohistochemical examination along with the determination of oxidative stress parameters.

RESULTS

No significant modification in animal body weight, food consumption, enzyme activities, hepatic histomorphology and MDA formation, at either time or dosage level. Conversely, C. majus induced a slight but significant decrease of GSH levels and SOD activity, especially at the high dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that C. majus, at doses about 50 and 100 times higher than those generally used in humans, does not alter hepatic function. However, the reduction in GSH levels and SOD activity suggests particular attention in use of C. majus or its preparations in situations (pharmacological treatments, physio-pathological conditions, etc.) that can compromise liver function.