1
|
Hall AJ, Kershaw JL, Fraser S, Davidson K, Rowland-Pilgrim S, Turner AD, McConnell B. Estimating the risks of exposure to harmful algal toxins among Scottish harbour seals. HARMFUL ALGAE 2024; 136:102653. [PMID: 38876527 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2024.102653] [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: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins consumed by marine predators through fish prey can be lethal but studies on the resulting population consequences are lacking. Over the past approximately 20 years there have been large regional declines in some harbour seal populations around Scotland. Analyses of excreta (faeces and urine from live and dead seals and faecal samples from seal haulout sites) suggest widespread exposure to toxins through the ingestion of contaminated prey. A risk assessment model, incorporating concentrations of the two major HAB toxins found in seal prey around Scotland (domoic acid (DA), and saxitoxins (STX)), the seasonal persistence of the toxins in the fish and the foraging patterns of harbour seals were used to estimate the proportion of adults and juveniles likely to have ingested doses above various estimated toxicity thresholds. The results were highly dependent on toxin type, persistence, and foraging regime as well as age class, all of which affected the proportion of exposed animals exceeding toxicity thresholds. In this preliminary model STX exposure was unlikely to result in mortalities. Modelled DA exposure resulted in doses above an estimated lethal threshold of 1900 µg/kg body mass affecting up to 3.8 % of exposed juveniles and 5.3 % of exposed adults. Given the uncertainty in the model parameters and the limitations of the data these conclusions should be treated with caution, but they indicate that DA remains a potential factor involved in the regional declines of harbour seals. Similar risks may be experienced by other top predators, including small cetaceans and seabirds that feed on similar prey in Scottish waters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK, KY16 8LB.
| | - Joanna L Kershaw
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK, KY16 8LB
| | - Shaun Fraser
- UHI Shetland, University of the Highlands and Islands, Port Arthur, Scalloway, Shetland, UK, ZE1 0UN
| | - Keith Davidson
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, UK, PA37 1QA
| | - Stephanie Rowland-Pilgrim
- Food Safety Group, Centre for Environment and Fisheries Science (Cefas), Weymouth, Dorset, UK, DT4 8UB
| | - Andrew D Turner
- Food Safety Group, Centre for Environment and Fisheries Science (Cefas), Weymouth, Dorset, UK, DT4 8UB
| | - Bernie McConnell
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK, KY16 8LB
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Petroff RL, Williams C, Li JL, MacDonald JW, Bammler TK, Richards T, English CN, Baldessari A, Shum S, Jing J, Isoherranen N, Crouthamel B, McKain N, Grant KS, Burbacher TM, Harry GJ. Prolonged, Low-Level Exposure to the Marine Toxin, Domoic Acid, and Measures of Neurotoxicity in Nonhuman Primates. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:97003. [PMID: 36102641 PMCID: PMC9472675 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The excitotoxic molecule, domoic acid (DA), is a marine algal toxin known to induce overt hippocampal neurotoxicity. Recent experimental and epidemiological studies suggest adverse neurological effects at exposure levels near the current regulatory limit (20 ppm, ∼0.075-0.1mg/kg). At these levels, cognitive effects occur in the absence of acute symptoms or evidence of neuronal death. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to identify adverse effects on the nervous system from prolonged, dietary DA exposure in adult, female Macaca fascicularis monkeys. METHODS Monkeys were orally exposed to 0, 0.075, and 0.15mg/kg per day for an average of 14 months. Clinical blood counts, chemistry, and cytokine levels were analyzed in the blood. In-life magnetic resonance (MR) imaging assessed volumetric and tractography differences in and between the hippocampus and thalamus. Histology of neurons and glia in the fornix, fimbria, internal capsule, thalamus, and hippocampus was evaluated. Hippocampal RNA sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed genes. Enrichment of gene networks for neuronal health, excitotoxicity, inflammation/glia, and myelin were assessed with Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. RESULTS Clinical blood counts, chemistry, and cytokine levels were not altered with DA exposure in nonhuman primates. Transcriptome analysis of the hippocampus yielded 748 differentially expressed genes (fold change≥1.5; p≤0.05), reflecting differences in a broad molecular profile of intermediate early genes (e.g., FOS, EGR) and genes related to myelin networks in DA animals. Between exposed and control animals, MR imaging showed comparable connectivity of the hippocampus and thalamus and histology showed no evidence of hypomyelination. Histological examination of the thalamus showed a larger microglia soma size and an extension of cell processes, but suggestions of a GFAP+astrocyte response showed no indication of astrocyte hypertrophy. DISCUSSION In the absence of overt hippocampal excitotoxicity, chronic exposure of Macaca fascicularis monkeys to environmentally relevant levels of DA suggested a subtle shift in the molecular profile of the hippocampus and the microglia phenotype in the thalamus that was possibly reflective of an adaptive response due to prolonged DA exposure. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10923.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah L. Petroff
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christopher Williams
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jian-Liang Li
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, NIEHS, NIH, DHHS, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - James W. MacDonald
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Theo K. Bammler
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Todd Richards
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Audrey Baldessari
- Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sara Shum
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jing Jing
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nina Isoherranen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Brenda Crouthamel
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Noelle McKain
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kimberly S. Grant
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas M. Burbacher
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - G. Jean Harry
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Association between SLC17A7 gene polymorphisms and venlafaxine for major depressive disorder in a Chinese Han population: a prospective pharmacogenetic case-control study. JOURNAL OF BIO-X RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1097/jbr.0000000000000096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
|
4
|
Petroff R, Hendrix A, Shum S, Grant KS, Lefebvre KA, Burbacher TM. Public health risks associated with chronic, low-level domoic acid exposure: A review of the evidence. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 227:107865. [PMID: 33930455 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Domoic acid (DA), the causative agent for the human syndrome Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), is a potent, naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by common marine algae. DA accumulates in seafood, and humans and wildlife alike can subsequently be exposed when consuming DA-contaminated shellfish or finfish. While strong regulatory limits protect people from the acute effects associated with ASP, DA is an increasingly significant public health concern, particularly for coastal dwelling populations, and there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that there are significant health consequences following repeated exposures to levels of the toxin below current safety guidelines. However, gaps in scientific knowledge make it difficult to precisely determine the risks of contemporary low-level exposure scenarios. The present review characterizes the toxicokinetics and neurotoxicology of DA, discussing results from clinical and preclinical studies after both adult and developmental DA exposure. The review also highlights crucial areas for future DA research and makes the case that DA safety limits need to be reassessed to best protect public health from deleterious effects of this widespread marine toxin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Petroff
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alicia Hendrix
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sara Shum
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kimberly S Grant
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kathi A Lefebvre
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thomas M Burbacher
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Infant Primate Research Laboratory, Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle,WA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yeung JHY, Calvo-Flores Guzmán B, Palpagama TH, Ethiraj J, Zhai Y, Tate WP, Peppercorn K, Waldvogel HJ, Faull RLM, Kwakowsky A. Amyloid-beta 1-42 induced glutamatergic receptor and transporter expression changes in the mouse hippocampus. J Neurochem 2020; 155:62-80. [PMID: 32491248 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading type of dementia worldwide. With an increasing burden of an aging population coupled with the lack of any foreseeable cure, AD warrants the current intense research effort on the toxic effects of an increased concentration of beta-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. Glutamate is the main excitatory brain neurotransmitter and it plays an essential role in the function and health of neurons and neuronal excitability. While previous studies have shown alterations in expression of glutamatergic signaling components in AD, the underlying mechanisms of these changes are not well understood. This is the first comprehensive anatomical study to characterize the subregion- and cell layer-specific long-term effect of Aβ1-42 on the expression of specific glutamate receptors and transporters in the mouse hippocampus, using immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy. Outcomes are examined 30 days after Aβ1-42 stereotactic injection in aged male C57BL/6 mice. We report significant decreases in density of the glutamate receptor subunit GluA1 and the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGluT) 1 in the conus ammonis 1 region of the hippocampus in the Aβ1-42 injected mice compared with artificial cerebrospinal fluid injected and naïve controls, notably in the stratum oriens and stratum radiatum. GluA1 subunit density also decreased within the dentate gyrus dorsal stratum moleculare in Aβ1-42 injected mice compared with artificial cerebrospinal fluid injected controls. These changes are consistent with findings previously reported in the human AD hippocampus. By contrast, glutamate receptor subunits GluA2, GluN1, GluN2A, and VGluT2 showed no changes in expression. These findings indicate that Aβ1-42 induces brain region and layer specific expression changes of the glutamatergic receptors and transporters, suggesting complex and spatial vulnerability of this pathway during development of AD neuropathology. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 7. Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.14763.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason H Y Yeung
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Beatriz Calvo-Flores Guzmán
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thulani H Palpagama
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jayarjun Ethiraj
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ying Zhai
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Warren P Tate
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Katie Peppercorn
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Henry J Waldvogel
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard L M Faull
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Kwakowsky
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shum S, Jing J, Petroff R, Crouthamel B, Grant KS, Burbacher TM, Isoherranen N. Maternal-fetal disposition of domoic acid following repeated oral dosing during pregnancy in nonhuman primate. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 398:115027. [PMID: 32360744 PMCID: PMC7445014 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Domoic acid (DA) is a marine algal toxin that causes acute and chronic neurotoxicity in animals and humans. Prenatal exposure to DA has been associated with neuronal damage and cognitive and behavioral deficits in juvenile California sea lions, cynomolgus monkeys and rodents. Yet, the toxicokinetics (TK) of DA during pregnancy and the maternal-fetal disposition of DA have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the TK before, during, and after pregnancy and the maternal-fetal disposition of DA in 22 cynomolgus monkeys following daily oral doses of 0.075 or 0.15 mg/kg/day of DA. The AUC0-τ of DA was not changed while the renal clearance of DA was increased by 30-90% during and after pregnancy when compared to the pre-pregnancy values. DA was detected in the infant plasma and in the amniotic fluid at delivery. The infant plasma concentrations correlated positively with both the maternal plasma and the amniotic fluid concentrations. The paired infant-to-maternal plasma DA concentration ratios ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 and increased as a function of time which suggests placental efflux and longer apparent fetal half-life than the maternal half-life. The paired amniotic fluid-to-infant plasma DA concentration ratios ranged from 4.5 to 7.5 which indicates significant accumulation of DA in the amniotic fluid. A maternal-fetal TK model was developed to explore the processes that give the observed maternal-fetal disposition of DA. The final model suggests that placental transport and recirculation of DA between the fetus and amniotic fluid are major determining factors of the maternal-fetal TK of DA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Shum
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jing Jing
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rebekah Petroff
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Brenda Crouthamel
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kimberly S Grant
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Infant Primate Research Laboratory, Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas M Burbacher
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Infant Primate Research Laboratory, Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nina Isoherranen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lefebvre KA, Yakes BJ, Frame E, Kendrick P, Shum S, Isoherranen N, Ferriss BE, Robertson A, Hendrix A, Marcinek DJ, Grattan L. Discovery of a Potential Human Serum Biomarker for Chronic Seafood Toxin Exposure Using an SPR Biosensor. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11050293. [PMID: 31126088 PMCID: PMC6563296 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11050293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Domoic acid (DA)-producing harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been present at unprecedented geographic extent and duration in recent years causing an increase in contamination of seafood by this common environmental neurotoxin. The toxin is responsible for the neurotoxic illness, amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), that is characterized by gastro-intestinal distress, seizures, memory loss, and death. Established seafood safety regulatory limits of 20 μg DA/g shellfish have been relatively successful at protecting human seafood consumers from short-term high-level exposures and episodes of acute ASP. Significant concerns, however, remain regarding the potential impact of repetitive low-level or chronic DA exposure for which there are no protections. Here, we report the novel discovery of a DA-specific antibody in the serum of chronically-exposed tribal shellfish harvesters from a region where DA is commonly detected at low levels in razor clams year-round. The toxin was also detected in tribal shellfish consumers’ urine samples confirming systemic DA exposure via consumption of legally-harvested razor clams. The presence of a DA-specific antibody in the serum of human shellfish consumers confirms long-term chronic DA exposure and may be useful as a diagnostic biomarker in a clinical setting. Adverse effects of chronic low-level DA exposure have been previously documented in laboratory animal studies and tribal razor clam consumers, underscoring the potential clinical impact of such a diagnostic biomarker for protecting human health. The discovery of this type of antibody response to chronic DA exposure has broader implications for other environmental neurotoxins of concern.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathi A Lefebvre
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112, USA.
| | - Betsy Jean Yakes
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD 20740, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Frame
- Aquatic Toxicology Unit, King County Environmental Laboratory, Seattle, WA 98119, USA.
| | - Preston Kendrick
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112, USA.
| | - Sara Shum
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Nina Isoherranen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Bridget E Ferriss
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112, USA.
| | - Alison Robertson
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, USA.
| | - Alicia Hendrix
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105-6099, USA.
| | - David J Marcinek
- Departments of Radiology and Bioengineering and Pathology, University of Washington Medical School, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
| | - Lynn Grattan
- Neurology Department, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|