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Marciano LPA, Kleinstreuer N, Chang X, Costa LF, Silvério ACP, Martins I. A novel approach to triazole fungicides risk characterization: Bridging human biomonitoring and computational toxicology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 953:176003. [PMID: 39236816 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Brazil stands as the world's leading coffee producer, where the extensive use of pesticides is economically critical yet poses health and environmental risks due to their non-selective mechanisms of action. Specifically, triazole fungicides are widely used in agriculture to manage fungal diseases and are known to disrupt mammalian CYP450 and liver microsomal enzymes. This research establishes a framework for risk characterization of human exposure to triazole fungicides by internal-dose biomonitoring, biochemical marker measurements, and integration of high-throughput screening (HTS) data via computational toxicology workflows from the Integrated Chemical Environment (ICE). Volunteers from the southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were divided into two groups: farmworkers and spouses occupationally and environmentally exposed to pesticides from rural areas (n = 140) and individuals from the urban area to serve as a comparison group (n = 50). Three triazole fungicides, cyproconazole, epoxiconazole, and triadimenol, were detected in the urine samples of both men and women in the rural group. Androstenedione and testosterone hormones were significantly reduced in the farmworker group (Mann-Whitney test, p < 0.0001). The data show a significant inverse association of testosterone with cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, and glucose and a direct association with HDL (Spearman's correlation, p < 0.05). In the ICE workflow, active in vitro HTS assays were identified for the three measured triazoles and three other active ingredients from the pesticide formulations. The curated HTS data confirm bioactivities predominantly related to steroid hormone metabolism, cellular stress processes, and CYP450 enzymes impacted by fungicide exposure at occupationally and environmentally relevant concentrations based on the in vitro to in vivo extrapolation models. These results characterize the potentially significant human health risk, particularly from the high frequency and intensity of exposure to epoxiconazole. This study showcases the critical role of biomonitoring and utility of computational tools in evaluating pesticide exposure and minimizing the risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz P A Marciano
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Department of clinical and toxicological analysis, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nicole Kleinstreuer
- National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Luiz F Costa
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Department of clinical and toxicological analysis, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Isarita Martins
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Department of clinical and toxicological analysis, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Nunes RFN, Marciano LPA, Oliveira GS, Cardoso NS, Paula FBDA, Sarpa M, Martins I. Glyphosate contamination of drinking water and the occurrence of oxidative stress: Exposure assessment to rural Brazilian populations. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 108:104476. [PMID: 38796121 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Studies reported that continuous application of glyphosate can cause disturbance in aquatic/terrestrial environments. As such, the objective of this study is to discuss the risk of exposure to the herbicide in drinking water and to assess the oxidative stress in the consumers rural populations of Casimiro de Abreu/ RJ and Paraguaçu/ MG, Brazil. For this, water samples (n=69) were analysed from the home of volunteers, by FMOC derivatizing- LC-FLD method. The oxidative stress was analysed determining lipid peroxidation (MAD) and defense enzymes (SOD and CAT) in serum samples from rural population (n=42) compared to urban residents (n= 42). Results of the analysis from drinking water, despite the low and moderate risk, by the hazard quotient (HQ), revealed that the population is environmentally exposed to the glyphosate. The relevant findings showed that is important to implement monitoring/ biomonitoring programs to prevent pollution and toxic effects in the rural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaella Ferreira Nascimento Nunes
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Alfenas, MG 37130-000, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Paulo Aguiar Marciano
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Alfenas, MG 37130-000, Brazil
| | - Geovana Sousa Oliveira
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Alfenas, MG 37130-000, Brazil
| | - Naiane Silva Cardoso
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Biochemistry Research, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Alfenas, MG 37130-000, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Borges de Araújo Paula
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Biochemistry Research, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Alfenas, MG 37130-000, Brazil
| | - Marcia Sarpa
- Laboratory of Environmental Occupational Toxicology and Cancer Surveillance, National Cancer Institute - INCA-RJ, Marquês de Pombal St. 125, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20230-240, Brazil
| | - Isarita Martins
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Alfenas, MG 37130-000, Brazil.
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Marciano LPA, Costa LF, Cardoso NS, Freire J, Feltrim F, Oliveira GS, Paula FBA, Silvério ACP, Martins I. Biomonitoring and risk assessment of human exposure to triazole fungicides. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 147:105565. [PMID: 38185363 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2024.105565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Risk assessment and biomarkers were evaluated in volunteers exposed to triazole fungicides in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Volunteers were divided into two groups: occupationally and environmentally exposed to pesticides (n = 140) and those unexposed (n = 50) from urban areas. Urine samples were analyzed by GC-MS for triazoles, and samples from men and women in the exposed group were quantified. Groups were further stratified by sex to evaluate the biomarkers results. Oxidative stress was indicated by biomarker analysis for occupationally exposed men with elevated malondialdehyde levels and reduced superoxide dismutase and catalase activity (p < 0.0001). Bile acid levels were also elevated in the exposed group (p < 0.0001). Biomarkers in this study suggest recent, reversible changes due to pesticide exposure. Liver enzyme levels showed no significant differences. The highest Estimated Daily Intake for epoxiconazole ranged from 0.534 to 6.31 μg/kg-bw/day for men and 0.657-8.77 μg/kg-bw/day for women in the exposed group. Considering the highest detected urinary triazole value, the calculated Hazard Quotient for epoxiconazole was 0.789 for men and 1.1 for women. Results indicate a health risk associated with environmental triazole exposure, highlighting the importance of biomonitoring in risk assessment to prevent intoxication and assist in mitigating adverse health effects from chronic pesticide exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz P A Marciano
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
| | - Luiz F Costa
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
| | - Naiane S Cardoso
- Clinical and Experimental Analysis Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
| | - Josiane Freire
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
| | - Fernando Feltrim
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
| | - Geovana S Oliveira
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda B A Paula
- Clinical and Experimental Analysis Laboratory, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
| | | | - Isarita Martins
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva St. 700, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
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Lini RS, Scanferla DTP, de Oliveira NG, Aguera RG, Santos TDS, Teixeira JJV, Kaneshima AMDS, Mossini SAG. Fungicides as a risk factor for the development of neurological diseases and disorders in humans: a systematic review. Crit Rev Toxicol 2024; 54:35-54. [PMID: 38288970 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2024.2303481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Although studies show that pesticides, especially insecticides, may be toxic to humans, publications on the neurological effects of fungicides are scarce. As fungicides are used widely in Brazil, it is necessary to gather evidence to support actions aimed at safely using of these chemicals. We investigated through a systematic review of publications on the use of fungicides and consequences of exposure related to nervous system diseases or neurological disorders in humans. The protocol review was registered on PROSPERO and followed the guidelines of the PRISMA-Statement. As far as it is known, there is no apparent systematic review in the literature on this topic. The search was comprised of the following databases: PubMed; Web of Science; Scopus and EMBASE, using groups of Mesh terms and strategies specific to each database. Thirteen articles were selected for this review. Regarding the substances analyzed in the studies, some reported the use of fungicides in general, without separating them by type, while others summarized the categories of all pesticides by their function (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.) or chemical class (dithiocarbamate, dicarboximide, inorganic, etc.). However, most of the articles referred to fungicides that contain the metal manganese (Mn) in their composition. As for neurological disorders, articles addressed Parkinson's disease (PD), neurodevelopmental outcomes, extrapyramidal syndrome resembling PD, cognitive disorders, depression, neural tube defects, motor neurone disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Most investigations pointed to exposure to fungicides, mainly maneb and mancozeb, leading to the development of at least one neurological disease, which suggests the need for further multicentric clinical trials and prospective studies for greater clarity of the research problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Sano Lini
- Department of Health Basic Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Biosciences and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringa, Brazil
| | - Deborah Thais Palma Scanferla
- Department of Health Basic Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Biosciences and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringa, Brazil
| | - Nadya Garcia de Oliveira
- Department of Health Basic Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Biosciences and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringa, Brazil
| | - Raul Gomes Aguera
- Department of Health Basic Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Biosciences and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringa, Brazil
| | - Thais da Silva Santos
- Postgraduate Program in Biosciences and Physiopathology, State University of Maringa, Maringa, Brazil
| | - Jorge Juarez Vieira Teixeira
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Biosciences and Physiopathology, State University of Maringa, Maringa, Brazil
| | | | - Simone Aparecida Galerani Mossini
- Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, Postgraduate Program in Biosciences and Physiopathology, State University of Maringa, Maringa, Brazil
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Marghany F, Ayobahan SU, Salinas G, Schäfers C, Hollert H, Eilebrecht S. Transcriptomic and proteomic fingerprints induced by the fungicides difenoconazole and metalaxyl in zebrafish embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 105:104348. [PMID: 38135202 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we applied OMICs analysis to identify substance-specific biomarker candidates, which may act as early indicators for specific ecotoxic modes of actions (MoA). Zebrafish embryos were exposed to two sublethal concentrations of difenoconazole and metalaxyl according to a modified protocol of the OECD test guideline No. 236. At the end of exposure, total RNA and protein were extracted, followed by transcriptomics and proteomics analysis. The analysis of significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) revealed a positive exposure-response correlation in all test concentrations for both fungicides. Similarly, also a positive correlation between the obtained transcriptome and proteome data was observed, highlighting the robustness of our approach. From the detected DEGs, candidate biomarkers specific for difenoconazole (apoa1b, gatm, mylpfb and acta1b) and metalaxyl (lgals2b, abat, fabp1b.1 and myh9a) were selected, and their biological functions were discussed to assess the predictive potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Marghany
- Department Ecotoxicogenomics, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany; Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Faculty Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Steve U Ayobahan
- Department Ecotoxicogenomics, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas
- NGS-Services for Integrative Genomics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Schäfers
- Department Ecotoxicology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Faculty Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany; Department Environmental Media Related Ecotoxicology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Eilebrecht
- Department Ecotoxicogenomics, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany.
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Costa LF, Marciano LPA, Feltrim F, Freire JO, Silva GB, Silvério ACP, Martins I. Assessment of cellular damage with cytome assay among environmental/occupational triazole. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 383:110689. [PMID: 37648053 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The use of triazole fungicides is common in Minas Gerais, Brazil. However, the risk arising from excessive and often unprotected exposure can be harmful to farmers. Therefore, we evaluated volunteers, exposed to triazole fungicides for cellular damage caused by this pesticide. In the buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCyt), cells were analyzed. Urinary triazoles were analyzed by the Liquid-Liquid Extraction coupled with Gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry (LLE-GC/MS). Statistical differences were found for all cell types evaluated in residents of rural areas (n = 145). Analysis of variance showed statistical difference in kariolytic and pyknotic cells, between the groups of men and women living in rural areas, with higher incidence in the male group. Likewise, higher concentrations triazoles in urine samples in the male group were observed. Greater cellular damage suggests increases in DNA damage, chromossomal instability and cell deaths. The results showed the urgency of the public management with the implementation of measures to minimize the pesticides exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz F Costa
- Laboratory of Toxicants and Drugs Analysis- LATF, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Brazil
| | - Luiz P A Marciano
- Laboratory of Toxicants and Drugs Analysis- LATF, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Brazil
| | - Fernando Feltrim
- Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Graduation in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brazil
| | - Josiane O Freire
- Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Graduation in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brazil
| | - Gislaine B Silva
- Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Graduation in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brazil
| | | | - Isarita Martins
- Laboratory of Toxicants and Drugs Analysis- LATF, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas - Unifal-MG, Brazil.
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