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Chou L, Zhang S, Luo W, Zhu W, Guo J, Tu K, Tan H, Wang C, Wei S, Yu H, Zhang X, Shi W. Identification of Key Toxic Substances Considering Metabolic Activation: A Combination of Transcriptome and Nontarget Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:14831-14842. [PMID: 39120612 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03683] [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: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
There have been numerous studies using effect-directed analysis (EDA) to identify key toxic substances present in source and drinking water, but none of these studies have considered the effects of metabolic activation. This study developed a comprehensive method including a pretreatment process based on an in vitro metabolic activation system, a comprehensive biological effect evaluation based on concentration-dependent transcriptome (CDT), and a chemical feature identification based on nontarget chemical analysis (NTA), to evaluate the changes in the toxic effects and differences in the chemical composition after metabolism. Models for matching metabolites and precursors as well as data-driven identification methods were further constructed to identify toxic metabolites and key toxic precursor substances in drinking water samples from the Yangtze River. After metabolism, the metabolic samples showed a general trend of reduced toxicity in terms of overall biological potency (mean: 3.2-fold). However, metabolic activation led to an increase in some types of toxic effects, including pathways such as excision repair, mismatch repair, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, nucleotide excision repair, and DNA replication. Meanwhile, metabolic samples showed a decrease (17.8%) in the number of peaks and average peak area after metabolism, while overall polarity, hydrophilicity, and average molecular weight increased slightly (10.3%). Based on the models for matching of metabolites and precursors and the data-driven identification methods, 32 chemicals were efficiently identified as key toxic substances as main contributors to explain the different transcriptome biological effects such as cellular component, development, and DNA damage related, including 15 industrial compounds, 7 PPCPs, 6 pesticides, and 4 natural products. This study avoids the process of structure elucidation of toxic metabolites and can trace them directly to the precursors based on MS spectra, providing a new idea for the identification of key toxic pollutants of metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liben Chou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shaoqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenrui Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenxuan Zhu
- Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105, United States
| | - Jing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Keng Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haoyue Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chang Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Si Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing 210023, China
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Sah R, Talukdar G, Khanduri M, Chaudhary P, Badola R, Hussain SA. Do dietary exposures to multi-class endocrine disrupting chemicals translate into health risks for Gangetic dolphins? An assessment and way forward. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35130. [PMID: 39170170 PMCID: PMC11336425 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35130] [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: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Dietary exposure risks of 39 multi-class Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) to the threatened Gangetic dolphins (Platanista gangetica) were investigated in a conservation-priority segment of the Ganga River. Elevated EDCs bioaccumulation was observed across prey fish species, with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) significantly contributing to the EDC burden. The concentrations of persistent organochlorines in prey revealed a shift from dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to non-dioxin-like PCBs. The prevalence of regulated p,p' DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and γ-HCH (Lindane) residues suggests regional non-compliance with regulatory standards. The concentration of some EDCs is dependent on the habitat, foraging behavior, trophic level and fish growth. The potential drivers of EDCs contamination in catchment includes agriculture, vehicular emissions, poor solid waste management, textile industry, and high tourist influx. Risk quotients (RQs) based on toxicity reference value were generally below 1, while the RQ derived from the reference dose highlighted a high risk to Gangetic dolphins from DEHP, DDT, DnBP, arsenic, PCBs, mercury, and cadmium, emphasizing the need for their prioritization within monitoring programs. The study also proposes a monitoring framework to provide guidance on monitoring and assessment of chemical contamination in Gangetic dolphin and habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchika Sah
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Gautam Talukdar
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Megha Khanduri
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Pooja Chaudhary
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Ruchi Badola
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, India
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Barrett H, Sun J, Chen Y, Yang D, Verreault J, Houde M, Wania F, Peng H. Emerging investigator series: nontargeted screening of aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists in endangered beluga whales from the St. Lawrence Estuary: beyond legacy contaminants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2024. [PMID: 38904418 DOI: 10.1039/d4em00243a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The elevated concentrations of organohalogen contaminants in the endangered St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) belugas have prompted the hypothesis that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity may be a contributor towards their potential adverse effects. While indirect associations between AhR and contaminant levels have been reported in SLE beluga tissues, AhR activity was never directly measured. Using bioassays and nontargeted analysis, this study contrasted AhR activity and agonist profiles between pooled tissue extracts of endangered SLE and non-threatened Arctic belugas. Tissue extracts of SLE belugas exhibited significantly higher overall AhR activity than that of Arctic belugas, with a 2000s SLE beluga liver extract exerting significantly higher activity than blubber extracts of SLE and Arctic belugas from the same time period. Contrary to our expectations, well-known AhR agonists detected by nontargeted analysis, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were only minor contributors to the observed AhR activity. Instead, Tox21 suspect screening identified more polar chemicals, such as dyes and natural indoles, as potential contributors. Notably, the natural product bromoindole was selectively detected in SLE beluga liver at high abundance and was further confirmed as an AhR agonist. These findings highlighted the significance of the AhR-mediated toxicity pathway in belugas and underscored the importance of novel AhR agonists, particularly polar compounds, in its induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada.
| | - Jianxian Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada.
| | - Yuhao Chen
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Diwen Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada.
| | - Jonathan Verreault
- Centre de Recherche en Toxicologie de L'environnement (TOXEN), Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Succursale Centre-ville, P.O. Box 8888, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 105 McGill Street, Montreal, QC H2Y 2E7, Canada
| | - Frank Wania
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada.
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Jolicoeur V, Houde M, Loseto L, Michaud R, Verreault J. Variations in thyroid hormone levels in endangered St. Lawrence Estuary belugas: Potential linkage with stress and organohalogen contaminant exposure. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 186:108647. [PMID: 38615542 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108647] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population is highly exposed to an array of contaminants that were identified as one of the causes to the non-recovery of this endangered and declining population. In the last decade, an increasing number of parturition-associated complications and calf mortality has been reported in this population. It was suggested that elevated exposure to organohalogens (e.g., the halogenated flame retardants polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs]) and stress could play a role in this phenomenon by perturbing thyroid hormones. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of concentrations of organohalogen contaminants and stress (cortisol levels) on thyroid hormone variations in adult male and female SLE belugas. Because plasma could not be collected in SLE belugas for ethical reasons, skin biopsy (n = 40) was used as a less-invasive alternative matrix to determine organohalogens (PBDEs and other halogenated flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides), cortisol, and thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine [T3] and thyroxine [T4]), and their metabolites reverse T3 and 3,5-diiodothyronine [3,5-T2]). Cortisol and thyroid hormones were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-multiple reactions monitoring mass spectrometry (UPLC-MRM/MS). This method was compared using skin and plasma samples obtained from Arctic belugas. Comparisons of linear models showed that cortisol was a weak predictor for T4, rT3 and 3,5-T2. Specifically, there was a weak significant negative association between T4 and cortisol levels. Moreover, in male SLE belugas, a weak significant positive association was found between T3 and Σ34PBDE concentrations in skin. Our findings suggest that stress (i.e., elevated skin cortisol levels) along with organohalogen exposure (mainly PBDEs) may be associated with thyroid hormone level perturbations in skin of cetaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Jolicoeur
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 105 McGill Street, Montreal, QC H2Y 2E7, Canada
| | - Lisa Loseto
- Freshwater Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada
| | - Robert Michaud
- Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals, Tadoussac, QC G0T 2A0, Canada
| | - Jonathan Verreault
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada.
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Zhang S, Chou L, Zhu W, Luo W, Zhang C, Qiu J, Li M, Tan H, Guo J, Wang C, Tu K, Xu K, Yu H, Zhang X, Shi W, Zhou Q. Identify organic contaminants of high-concern based on non-targeted toxicity testing and non-targeted LC-HRMS analysis in tap water and source water along the Yangtze River. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121303. [PMID: 38382288 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121303] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Many organic pollutants were detected in tap water (TW) and source water (SW) along the Yangtze River. However, the potential toxic effects and the high-concern organics (HCOs) which drive the effect are still unknown. Here, a non-targeted toxicity testing method based on the concentration-dependent transcriptome and non-targeted LC-HRMS analysis combining tiered filtering were used to reveal the overall biological effects and chemical information. Subsequently, we developed a qualitative pathway-structure relationship (QPSR) model to effectively match the biological and chemical information and successfully identified HCOs in TW and SW along the Yangtze River by potential substructures of HCOs. Non-targeted toxicity testing found that the biological potency of both TW and SW was stronger in the downstream of the Yangtze River, and disruption of the endocrine system and cancer were the main drivers of the effect. In addition, non-targeted LC-HRMS analysis combined with retention time prediction results identified 3220 and 631 high-confidence compound structures in positive and negative ion modes, respectively. Then, QPSR model was further implied and identified a total of 103 HCOs, containing 35 industrial chemicals, 30 PPCPs, 26 pesticides, and 12 hormones in TW and SW, respectively. Among them, the neuroactive and hormonal compounds oxoamide, 8-iso-16-cyclohexyl-tetranor prostaglandin E2, E Keppra, and Tocris-0788 showed the highest frequency of detection, which were identified in more than 1/3 of the samples. The strategy of combining non-targeted toxicity testing and non-targeted LC-HRMS analysis will support comprehensive biological effect assessment, identification of HCOs, and risk control of mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Liben Chou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenxuan Zhu
- Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN 55105, USA
| | - Wenrui Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jingfan Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Meishuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haoyue Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chang Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Keng Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Kefan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Qing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Romero MB, Polizzi PS, Chiodi L, Dolagaratz A, Gerpe M. Legacy and emerging contaminants in marine mammals from Argentina. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167561. [PMID: 37802361 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167561] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammals are recognized sentinels of ecosystem health. They are susceptible to the accumulation and biomagnification of pollutants, which constitute one of the greatest threats to their survival. Legacy, such as organochlorine pesticides, and emerging contaminants, like microplastics and pharmaceuticals, may have effects on marine mammals' health at individual and population levels. Therefore, the evaluation of the risks associated with pollutants in this group is of great importance. The aim of this review is to provide information on the occurrence of legacy and emerging contaminants in marine mammals that inhabit Argentine waters. Also, to identify knowledge gaps and suggest best practices for future research. Reports of legacy contaminants referring to organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were found in five species of cetaceans and two of pinnipeds. With respect to emerging pollutants, the presence of plastics was only evaluated in three species. Reported data was from at least a decade ago. Therefore, it is necessary to update existing information and conduct continuous monitoring to assess temporary trends in pollutants. All the studies were carried out in the province of Buenos Aires and Northern Patagonia indicating a knowledge gap in the southern zone of the Argentine Sea. In addition, pollutants of global environmental concern that have not been studied in Argentina are discussed. Future studies should fill these gaps and a greater effort to understand the relationships between pollutants and their effects on marine mammals is suggested. This issue will make it possible to determine thresholds for all the substances and species evaluated in order to carry out more detailed risk assessments and make decisions for the conservation of marine mammals in Argentine waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Romero
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, CC7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
| | - P S Polizzi
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, CC7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - L Chiodi
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, CC7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - A Dolagaratz
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, CC7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - M Gerpe
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, CC7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
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Andvik C, Haug T, Lyche JL, Borgå K. Emerging and legacy contaminants in common minke whale from the Barents sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 319:121001. [PMID: 36610650 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121001] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including brominated flame retardants (BFRs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and metals, can accumulate in marine mammals and be transferred to offspring. In this study, we analyzed 64 lipophilic POPs, including four emerging BFRs, in the blubber, liver and muscle of 17 adult common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from the Barents Sea to investigate occurrence and tissue partitioning. In addition, the placental transfer concentration ratios of 14 PFAS and 17 metals were quantified in the muscle of nine female-fetus pairs to investigate placental transfer. Legacy lipophilic POPs were the dominating compound group in every tissue, and we observed generally lower levels compared to previous studies from 1992 to 2001. We detected the emerging BFRs hexabromobenzene (HBB) and pentabromotoluene (PBT), but in low levels compared to the legacy POPs. We detected nine PFAS, and levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were higher than detected from the same population in 2011, whilst levels of Hg were comparable to 2011. Levels of lipophilic contaminants were higher in blubber compared to muscle and liver on both a wet weight and lipid adjusted basis, but tissue partitioning of the emerging BFRs could not be determined due to the high number of samples below the limit of detection. The highest muscle ΣPFAS levels were quantified in fetuses (23 ± 8.7 ng/g ww), followed by adult males (7.2 ± 2.0 ng/gg ww) and adult females (4.5 ± 1.1 ng/g ww), showing substantial placental transfer from mother to fetus. In contrast, Hg levels in the fetus were lower than the mother. Levels were under thresholds for risk of health effects in the whales. This study is the first to report occurrence and placental transfer of emerging contaminants in common minke whales from the Barents Sea, contributing valuable new data on pollutant levels in Arctic wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Andvik
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tore Haug
- Institute of Marine Research, Fram Centre, PO Box 6606, Stakkevollan, NO-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jan L Lyche
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Katrine Borgå
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway.
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Lippold A, Harju M, Aars J, Blévin P, Bytingsvik J, Gabrielsen GW, Kovacs KM, Lyche JL, Lydersen C, Rikardsen AH, Routti H. Occurrence of emerging brominated flame retardants and organophosphate esters in marine wildlife from the Norwegian Arctic. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120395. [PMID: 36228858 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120395] [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: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
To understand the exposure and potential sources of emerging brominated flame retardants (EBFR) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) in marine wildlife from the Norwegian Arctic, we investigated concentrations of EBFRs in 157 tissue samples from nine species of marine vertebrates and OPEs in 34 samples from three whale species. The samples, collected from a wide range of species with contrasting areal use and diets, included blubber of blue whales, fin whales, humpback whales, white whales, killer whales, walruses and ringed seals and adipose tissue and plasma from polar bears, as well as adipose tissue from glaucous gulls. Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) and tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) ranged from <0.61 to 164 and < 0.8-41 ng/g lipid weight, respectively, in blue whales and fin whales. All other EBRFs and OPEs were below the detection limit or detected only at low concentration. In addition to the baseline information on the occurrence of EBFRs and OPEs in marine wildlife from the Arctic, we provide an in-depth discussion regarding potential sources of the detected compounds. This information is important for future monitoring and management of EBFRs and OPEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lippold
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | - Mikael Harju
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | - Jon Aars
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Kit M Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø 9296, Norway.
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Bartalini A, Muñoz-Arnanz J, García-Álvarez N, Fernández A, Jiménez B. Global PBDE contamination in cetaceans. A critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119670. [PMID: 35752394 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes the most relevant information on PBDEs' occurrence and their impacts in cetaceans at global scale, with special attention on the species with the highest reported levels and therefore the most potentially impacted by the current and continuous release of these substances. This review also emphasizes the anthropogenic and environmental factors that could increase concentrations and associated risks for these species in the next future. High PBDE concentrations above the toxicity threshold and stationary trends have been related to continuous import of PBDE-containing products in cetaceans of Brazil and Australia, where PBDEs have never been produced. Non-decreasing levels documented in cetaceans from the Northwest Pacific Ocean might be linked to the increased e-waste import and ongoing production and use of deca-BDE that is still allowed in China. Moreover, high levels of PBDEs in some endangered species such as beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in St. Lawrence Estuary and Southern Resident killer whales (Orcinus Orca) are influenced by the discharge of contaminated waters deriving from wastewater treatment plants. Climate change related processes such as enhanced long-range transport, re-emissions from secondary sources and shifts in migration habits could lead to greater exposure and accumulation of PBDEs in cetaceans, above all in those species living in the Arctic. In addition, increased rainfall could carry greater amount of contaminants to the marine environment, thereby, enhancing the exposure and accumulation especially for coastal species. Synergic effects of all these factors and ongoing emissions of PBDEs, expected to continue at least until 2050, could increase the degree of exposure and menace for cetacean populations. In this regard, it is necessary to improve current regulations on PBDEs and broader the knowledge about their toxicological effects, in order to assess health risks and support regulatory protection for cetacean species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bartalini
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain; Unit of Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas, 35413 Arucas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Juan Muñoz-Arnanz
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Natalia García-Álvarez
- Unit of Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas, 35413 Arucas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Unit of Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas, 35413 Arucas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Begoña Jiménez
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
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10
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A Multi-Matrix Metabolomic Approach in Ringed Seals and Beluga Whales to Evaluate Contaminant and Climate-Related Stressors. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12090813. [PMID: 36144217 PMCID: PMC9502077 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12090813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As a high trophic-level species, ringed seals (Pusa hispida) and beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are particularly vulnerable to elevated concentrations of biomagnifying contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and mercury (Hg). These species also face climate-change-related impacts which are leading to alterations in their diet and associated contaminant exposure. The metabolomic profile of marine mammal tissues and how it changes to environmental stressors is poorly understood. This study characterizes the profiles of 235 metabolites across plasma, liver, and inner and outer blubber in adult ringed seals and beluga whales and assesses how these profiles change as a consequence of contaminants and dietary changes. In both species, inner and outer blubber were characterized by a greater proportion of lipid classes, whereas the dominant metabolites in liver and plasma were amino acids, carbohydrates, biogenic amines and lysophosphatidylcholines. Several metabolite profiles in ringed seal plasma correlated with δ13C, while metabolite profiles in blubber were affected by hexabromobenzene in ringed seals and PBDEs and Hg in belugas. This study provides insight into inter-matrix similarities and differences across tissues and suggests that plasma and liver are more suitable for studying changes in diet, whereas liver and blubber are more suitable for studying the impacts of contaminants.
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11
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Marlatt VL, Bayen S, Castaneda-Cortès D, Delbès G, Grigorova P, Langlois VS, Martyniuk CJ, Metcalfe CD, Parent L, Rwigemera A, Thomson P, Van Der Kraak G. Impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals on reproduction in wildlife and humans. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 208:112584. [PMID: 34951986 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous in aquatic and terrestrial environments. The main objective of this review was to summarize the current knowledge of the impacts of EDCs on reproductive success in wildlife and humans. The examples selected often include a retrospective assessment of the knowledge of reproductive impacts over time to discern how the effects of EDCs have changed over the last several decades. Collectively, the evidence summarized here within reinforce the concept that reproduction in wildlife and humans is negatively impacted by anthropogenic chemicals, with several altering endocrine system function. These observations of chemicals interfering with different aspects of the reproductive endocrine axis are particularly pronounced for aquatic species and are often corroborated by laboratory-based experiments (i.e. fish, amphibians, birds). Noteworthy, many of these same indicators are also observed in epidemiological studies in mammalian wildlife and humans. Given the vast array of reproductive strategies used by animals, it is perhaps not surprising that no single disrupted target is predictive of reproductive effects. Nevertheless, there are some general features of the endocrine control of reproduction, and in particular, the critical role that steroid hormones play in these processes that confer a high degree of susceptibility to environmental chemicals. New research is needed on the implications of chemical exposures during development and the potential for long-term reproductive effects. Future emphasis on field-based observations that can form the basis of more deliberate, extensive, and long-term population level studies to monitor contaminant effects, including adverse effects on the endocrine system, are key to addressing these knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- V L Marlatt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - S Bayen
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - D Castaneda-Cortès
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, QC, Canada
| | - G Delbès
- Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, QC, Canada
| | - P Grigorova
- Département Science et Technologie, Université TELUQ, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - V S Langlois
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, QC, Canada
| | - C J Martyniuk
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - C D Metcalfe
- School of Environment, Trent University, Trent, Canada
| | - L Parent
- Département Science et Technologie, Université TELUQ, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - A Rwigemera
- Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, QC, Canada
| | - P Thomson
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, QC, Canada
| | - G Van Der Kraak
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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12
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Williams R, Lacy RC, Ashe E, Hall A, Plourde S, McQuinn IH, Lesage V. Climate change complicates efforts to ensure survival and recovery of St. Lawrence Estuary beluga. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113096. [PMID: 34744013 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113096] [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: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Decades after a ban on hunting, and despite focused management interventions, the endangered St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population has failed to recover. We applied a population viability analysis to simulate the responses of the SLE beluga population across a wide range of variability and uncertainty under current and projected changes in environmental and climate-mediated conditions. Three proximate threats to recovery were explored: ocean noise; contaminants; and prey limitation. Even the most optimistic scenarios failed to achieve the reliable positive population growth needed to meet current recovery targets. Here we show that predicted effects of climate change may be a more significant driver of SLE beluga population dynamics than the proximate threats we considered. Aggressive mitigation of all three proximate threats will be needed to build the population's resilience and allow the population to persist long enough for global actions to mitigate climate change to take effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Williams
- Oceans Initiative, Pearse Island, Box 193, Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0, Canada and 117 E. Louisa Street #135 Seattle, WA 98102 USA.
| | - Robert C Lacy
- Species Conservation Toolkit Initiative, Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA
| | - Erin Ashe
- Oceans Initiative, Pearse Island, Box 193, Alert Bay, BC, V0N 1A0, Canada and 117 E. Louisa Street #135 Seattle, WA 98102 USA
| | - Ailsa Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Stéphane Plourde
- Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Box 1000, 850 Route de la Mer, Mont-Joli, Quebec G5H 3Z4, Canada
| | - Ian H McQuinn
- Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Box 1000, 850 Route de la Mer, Mont-Joli, Quebec G5H 3Z4, Canada
| | - Véronique Lesage
- Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Box 1000, 850 Route de la Mer, Mont-Joli, Quebec G5H 3Z4, Canada
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13
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Andvik C, Jourdain E, Lyche JL, Karoliussen R, Borgå K. High Levels of Legacy and Emerging Contaminants in Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) from Norway, 2015 to 2017. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:1850-1860. [PMID: 34008231 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Little is known of the movement or presence of unregulated, emerging contaminants in top predators. The aim of the present study was to conduct the first screening of legacy and emerging contaminants in multiple tissues of killer whales (Orcinus orca) from Norway and investigate tissue partitioning and maternal transfer. Blubber was collected from 8 killer whales in 2015 to 2017, in addition to muscle from 5 of the individuals, and kidney, liver, heart, and spleen from a neonate. We screened for 4 unregulated brominated flame retardants and found pentabromotoluene (PBT) and hexabromobenzene (HBB) at low levels in the blubber of all individuals (median PBT 0.091 ng/g lipid wt, median HBB 1.4 ng/g lipid wt). Levels of PBT and HBB (wet wt) were twice as high in the blubber than the muscle for each individual, confirming preferential accumulation in lipid-rich tissues. Perfluoroalkyl substances and total mercury levels were lower in the neonate than adults, suggesting less efficient maternal transfer of these substances. Polychlorinated biphenyl levels in blubber exceeded the threshold for onset of physiological effects (9 µg/g lipid wt) in 7 of the 8 whales, including the neonate. The presence of PBT and HBB in the neonate is the first evidence of maternal transfer of these unregulated contaminants in marine mammals. Our results are relevant for the continued environmental monitoring of contaminants in the Arctic. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1850-1860. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Andvik
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Jan L Lyche
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | | | - Katrine Borgå
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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14
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Rajput IR, Yaqoob S, Yajing S, Sanganyado E, Wenhua L. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers exert genotoxic effects in pantropic spotted dolphin fibroblast cell lines. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 271:116131. [PMID: 33412449 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cetaceans accumulate persistent and toxic substances such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers in their tissue. PBDEs are ubiquitous in marine environments, and their exposure to mammals is linked to numerous health effects such as endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and fetal toxicity. However, the toxicological effects and mechanism of toxicity in cetaceans remains poorly understood. The effects of BDE-47 (0.1-0.5 μg mL-1), BDE-100 (0.1-0.5 μg mL-1), and BDE-209 (0.25-1.0 μg mL-1) exposure on cell viability, oxidative stress, mitochondrial structure, and apoptosis were evaluated using a recently established pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) skin fibroblast cell line (PSD-LWHT) as an in vitro model. However, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased following exposure to 1.0 μg mL-1 PBDE while superoxide anion, hydroxyl radicals, and inducible nitric oxide increased in a dose-dependent manner. At 0.5-1.0 μg mL-1, PBDEs significantly reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, exposure to BDE-47 and -209 significantly affected mitochondrial structure as well as cell signaling and transduction compared to BDE-100. Although PBDE exposure did not affect cell viability, a significant increase in cell apoptosis markers (Bcl2 and caspase-9) was observed. This study demonstrated that BDE-47, -100, and -209 congeners might cause cytotoxic and genotoxic effects as they play a crucial role in the dysregulation of oxidative stress and alteration of mitochondrial and cell membrane structure and activity in the fibroblast cells. Hence, these results suggest that PBDEs might have adverse health effects on cetaceans inhabiting contaminated marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Rashid Rajput
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan
| | - Summra Yaqoob
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China
| | - Sun Yajing
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China
| | - Edmond Sanganyado
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Liu Wenhua
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 511458, China.
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15
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Dong L, Wang S, Qu J, You H, Liu D. New understanding of novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs): Neuro(endocrine) toxicity. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111570. [PMID: 33396099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Traditional brominated flame retardants (BFRs) negatively affect the environment and human health, especially in the sensitive (developing) nervous system. Considering the physicochemical similarities between novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and BFRs, more and more evidence reveals the neurotoxic effects of NBFRs. We reviewed the neuro(endocrine) toxic effects of NBFRs in vivo and in vitro and discussed their action mechanisms based on the available information. The neurotoxic potential of NBFRs has been demonstrated through direct neurotoxicity and disruption of the neuroendocrine system, with adverse effects on neurobehavioral and reproductive development. Mechanistic studies have shown that the impact of NBFRs is related to the complex interaction of neural and endocrine signals. From disrupting the gender differentiation of the brain, altering serum thyroid/sex hormone levels, gene/protein expression, and so on, to interfere with the feedback effect between different levels of the HPG/HPT axis. In this paper, the mechanism of neurotoxic effects of NBFRs is explored from a new perspective-neuro and endocrine interactions. Gaps in the toxicity data of NBFRs in the neuroendocrine system are supplemented and provide a broader dataset for a complete risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liying Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Shutao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Jinze Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Hong You
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai, Weihai 264209, China.
| | - Dongmei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
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16
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Zhao X, Chen T, Yang B, Wang D, Sun W, Wang Y, Yang X, Wen S, Li J, Shi Z. Serum levels of novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in residents of a major BFR-producing region: Occurrence, impact factors and the relationship to thyroid and liver function. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111467. [PMID: 33080422 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Five currently used novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) were determined in 172 serum samples collected from nonoccupational residents of a major BFR-producing region. All the 5 NBFRs presented high detection frequencies (DFs, >90%), and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), a substitute of decabrominated diphenyl ethers (deca-BDE), was the most abundant NBFR. The levels of DBDPE were from <LOD to 1590 ng/g lw, with a median level of 32.5 ng/g lw. The median levels of other NBFRs were from 0.134 to 2.87 ng/g lw, which were at least 10 times lower than that of DBDPE. Moreover, a comparison to other studies showed that our results were significantly higher than studies conducted in background population. The levels of some NBFRs adjusted by serum lipid showed negative and significant correlation with BMI, whereas the difference disappeared when NBFRs levels were calculated based on serum volume. Certain NBFRs in female showed significantly higher concentrations than those in male. No significant effect of age, smoking habit, education level and children birth (in female) on serum NBFR levels was observed. The relationship between the serum levels of NBFRs and a series of thyroid/liver injury biomarkers was further analyzed to evaluate the health effects of these NBFRs to human being. Results showed that a 10-fold increment in the serum DBDPE level was associated with decreased total triiodothyronine (TT3) level (-0.037 nmol/L) [95% CI: -0.070, -0.003], whereas serum pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) level was associated with increased total triiodothyronine (TT3) level (0.031 nmol/L) [95% CI: 0.001, 0.060]. For liver indicators, a 10-fold increment in the serum level of PBT was associated with decreased Ln aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) level (-0.068) [95% CI: -0.129, -0.007]. A 10-fold increment in the serum level of BTBPE was associated with increased TBIL level (0.869 μmol/L) [95% CI: 0.175, 1.564], direct bilirubin (DBIL) level (0.231 μmol/L) [95% CI: 0.075, 0.388] and IDBIL level (0.638 μmol/L) [95% CI: 0.091, 1.185]. Our findings indicate that BFR production is posing heavy BFR contamination to surrounding environment and human being, and which might relate to thyroid disruption and liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuezhen Zhao
- School of Public Health and Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tian Chen
- School of Public Health and Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Dejun Wang
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wen Sun
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuwei Wang
- School of Public Health and Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodi Yang
- School of Public Health and Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Wen
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingguang Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, Chinese Academy of Medical Science Research Unit (No. 2019RU014), China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhixiong Shi
- School of Public Health and Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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17
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Bernier-Graveline A, Lesage V, Cabrol J, Lair S, Michaud R, Rosabal M, Verreault J. Lipid metabolites as indicators of body condition in highly contaminant-exposed belugas from the endangered St. Lawrence Estuary population (Canada). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 192:110272. [PMID: 33038366 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The endangered St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) beluga population is declining and has shown no sign of recovery over the past decades despite several protective measures. Changes in the availability of food resources and exposure to organohalogen contaminants have been suggested as potential factors limiting the recovery of this population. Studies on SLE belugas have suggested that contaminant exposure may perturb energy metabolism, however, whether this translates into changes in energy reserves (lipid composition) and body condition is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between body condition and concentrations of organohalogens (polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and flame retardants) and a range of lipid metabolites (fatty acids, acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylcholines, and sphingomyelins) in blubber samples collected from 51 SLE beluga carcasses recovered between 1998 and 2016 for which the cause of mortality was documented. Blubber Σ9fatty acid concentrations in SLE belugas significantly decreased between 1998 and 2016, suggesting a decline in energy reserves over the past two decades. Concentrations of several phosphatidylcholine analogues were greater in blubber of beluga males and/or females that were in poor body condition compared to those in good body condition. Moreover, concentrations of phosphatidylcholine acyl-alkyl C32:2 were greater in females that died from primary starvation (poor body condition). Greater concentrations of Σ12emerging flame retardants were also found in blubber of SLE beluga females that were in poorer body condition. This study suggests that the use of membrane lipids including phosphatidylcholine concentrations may be a good indicator of body condition and energy reserve status in blubber of marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Bernier-Graveline
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Véronique Lesage
- Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 1000, 850 route de la Mer, Mont-Joli, QC, G5H 3Z4, Canada
| | - Jory Cabrol
- Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 1000, 850 route de la Mer, Mont-Joli, QC, G5H 3Z4, Canada
| | - Stéphane Lair
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St. Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Robert Michaud
- Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals, Tadoussac, QC, G0T 2A0, Canada
| | - Maikel Rosabal
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Jonathan Verreault
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
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18
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Simond AE, Houde M, Lesage V, Michaud R, Verreault J. Metabolomic profiles of the endangered St. Lawrence Estuary beluga population and associations with organohalogen contaminants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 717:137204. [PMID: 32065898 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The endangered beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population residing in the St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE; Eastern Canada) is declining. The elevated tissue concentrations of a wide range of organohalogen contaminants might play a role in the non-recovery of this whale population. Organohalogens have been reported to impair the regulation of several metabolic products from cellular reactions in mammals such as amino acids and fatty acids. The objective of this study was to investigate a suite of organohalogens including polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and selected emerging flame retardants in blubber (biopsy) collected from 40 SLE male belugas, and their relationships to skin concentrations of targeted metabolites (i.e., 21 amino acids, 22 biogenic amines, 18 fatty acids, and 17 energy metabolites). A cluster analysis based on metabolomic profiles distinguished two main subgroups of belugas in the upper and lower sector of their summer habitat in the SLE. These results indicate that ecological factors such as local prey availability and diet composition played a role in shaping the metabolite profiles of belugas. Moreover, SCCP concentrations in SLE male belugas correlated negatively with those of four unsaturated fatty acids (C16:1ω7, C22:5ω3c1, C22:5ω3c2, and C22:6ω3), and positively with those of acetylornithine (biogenic amine). These findings suggest that biological functions such as lipid metabolism represent potential targets for organohalogens in this population, and further our understanding on potential health risks associated with elevated organohalogen exposure in cetaceans. Our results also underscore the necessity of considering ecological factors (e.g., diet and habitat use) in metabolomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine E Simond
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 105 McGill Street, Montreal, QC H2Y 2E7, Canada
| | - Véronique Lesage
- Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, P.O. Box 1000, 850 route de la Mer, Mont-Joli, QC G5H 3Z4, Canada
| | - Robert Michaud
- Groupe de Recherche et d'Éducation sur les Mammifères Marins (GREMM), 870 avenue Salaberry, Bureau R24, Québec, QC G1R 2T9, Canada
| | - Jonathan Verreault
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada.
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19
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Magnadóttir B, Uysal-Onganer P, Kraev I, Svansson V, Hayes P, Lange S. Deiminated proteins and extracellular vesicles - Novel serum biomarkers in whales and orca. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2020; 34:100676. [PMID: 32114311 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2020.100676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) are a family of phylogenetically conserved calcium-dependent enzymes which cause post-translational protein deimination. This can result in neoepitope generation, affect gene regulation and allow for protein moonlighting via functional and structural changes in target proteins. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry cargo proteins and genetic material and are released from cells as part of cellular communication. EVs are found in most body fluids where they can be useful biomarkers for assessment of health status. Here, serum-derived EVs were profiled, and post-translationally deiminated proteins and EV-related microRNAs are described in 5 ceataceans: minke whale, fin whale, humpback whale, Cuvier's beaked whale and orca. EV-serum profiles were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. EV profiles varied between the 5 species and were identified to contain deiminated proteins and selected key inflammatory and metabolic microRNAs. A range of proteins, critical for immune responses and metabolism were identified to be deiminated in cetacean sera, with some shared KEGG pathways of deiminated proteins relating to immunity and physiology, while some KEGG pathways were species-specific. This is the first study to characterise and profile EVs and to report deiminated proteins and putative effects of protein-protein interaction networks via such post-translationald deimination in cetaceans, revealing key immune and metabolic factors to undergo this post-translational modification. Deiminated proteins and EVs profiles may possibly be developed as new biomarkers for assessing health status of sea mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bergljót Magnadóttir
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur v. Vesturlandsveg, 112 Reykjavik, Iceland.
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK.
| | - Igor Kraev
- Electron Microscopy Suite, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK.
| | - Vilhjálmur Svansson
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur v. Vesturlandsveg, 112 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Polly Hayes
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK.
| | - Sigrun Lange
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK.
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