Endocrine disruptors and reproductive health: the case of bisphenol-A

Nanoplasmonic biosensors for environmental sustainability and human health

Monitoring the health conditions of the environment and humans is essential for ensuring human well-being, promoting global health, and achieving sustainability. Innovative biosensors are crucial in accurately monitoring health conditions, uncovering the hidden connections between the environment and human well-being, and understanding how environmental factors trigger autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and infectious diseases. This review evaluates the use of nanoplasmonic biosensors that can monitor environmental health and human diseases according to target analytes of different sizes and scales, providing valuable insights for preventive medicine. We begin by explaining the fundamental principles and mechanisms of nanoplasmonic biosensors. We investigate the potential of nanoplasmonic techniques for detecting various biological molecules, extracellular vesicles (EVs), pathogens, and cells. We also explore the possibility of wearable nanoplasmonic biosensors to monitor the physiological network and healthy connectivity of humans, animals, plants, and organisms. This review will guide the design of next-generation nanoplasmonic biosensors to advance sustainable global healthcare for humans, the environment, and the planet.

Cytotoxic impacts of seven alternative bisphenols on human in vitro cellular models

Bisphenols (BPs), common in plastics, coatings, and resins, are under scrutiny for potential endocrine disruption. Despite banning bisphenol A (BPA), its perceived safer alternatives may still pose health risks, urging thorough studies on their toxicity mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the cellular toxicity of the top seven most commonly used BPs, bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol P (BPP), bisphenol AP (BPAP), bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol E (BPE) in eight different relevant human in vitro cell models: liver (HepaRG), intestinal (Caco-2), breast (T47D), brain (HMC-3), lungs (MRC-5), kidney (HEK293), endothelial (HMEC-1), and skin (HEK-001) cell lines. BPE manifested the highest cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells, presenting an EC50 value of roughly 0.2 μM (95% confidence interval). In contrast, HEK293 and HepaRG cells demonstrated significant resilience to BPS (EC50 > 1000 μM). BPAF, BPP, and BPAP had consistently low EC50 values across cell lines (6-27.9 μM, 0.6-134.7 μM, and 3.6-178.8 μM), indicating elevated toxicity. After 24 h, all bisphenols adhered to nominal concentrations except BPAF, BPP, and BPS. BPP's concentration notably decreased (30.82 ± 5.53% of nominal value). The results revealed diverse effects of bisphenol analogs on different cell types. These findings emphasized the considerable cytotoxic potential of specific bisphenol analogs across various human cell models, underlining the necessity for a re-evaluation of their safety and regulatory standards.

The Role of 11-Oxygenated Androgens and Endocrine Disruptors in Androgen Excess Disorders in Women

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and idiopathic hirsutism (IH) are androgen excess disorders requiring the determination of classic androgen levels for diagnosis. 11-oxygenated androgens have high androgenic potential, yet their clinical value in those disorders is not clear. Additionally, the role of endocrine disruptors (EDs), particularly in IH, remains understudied. We analyzed 25 steroids and 18 EDs in plasma samples from women with IH, PCOS, and controls using LC-MS/MS. Cytokine levels and metabolic parameters were assessed. Comparisons included non-obese women with PCOS (n = 10), women with IH (n = 12) and controls (n = 20), and non-obese versus obese women with PCOS (n = 9). Higher levels of 11-oxygenated androgens were observed in women with PCOS compared to those with IH, but not controls. Conversely, 11-oxygenated androgen levels were lower in women with IH compared to controls. Cytokine levels did not differ between women with IH and controls. Bisphenol A (BPA) levels were higher in obese women with PCOS compared to non-obese women with PCOS. Bisphenol S occurrence was higher in women with PCOS (90%) compared to controls (65%) and IH (50%). Significant correlations were found between androgens (11-ketotestosterone, androstenedione, testosterone) and insulin and HOMA-IR, as well as between immunomodulatory 7-oxygenated metabolites of DHEA and nine interleukins. Our data confirms that PCOS is a multiendocrine gland disorder. Higher BPA levels in obese women might exacerbate metabolic abnormalities. IH was not confirmed as an inflammatory state, and no differences in BPA levels suggest BPA does not play a role in IH pathogenesis.

Toxicological Impact of Bisphenol A on Females' Reproductive System: Review Based on Experimental and Epidemiological Studies

The study encompassing research papers documented in the last two decades pertaining to the possible influence of bisphenol A (BPA) on the fertility of females are appraised with emphasis on the influence of BPA in reproductive organs (uterus and ovaries) and pregnancy outcomes including discussion on the reproductive process (implantation, estrous cycle, hormone secretion); outcomes reveal a connection amongst BPA and female infertility. Ovary, uterus, and its shape as well as function can alter a person's ability to become pregnant by influencing the hypothalamus-pituitary axis in the ovarian model. Additionally, implantation and the estrous cycle may be affected by BPA. However, more research is warranted to comprehend the underlying action mechanisms and to promptly identify any imminent reproductive harm.

Bisphenol A affects microbial interactions and metabolic responses in sludge anaerobic digestion

The widespread use of bisphenol A (BPA) has resulted in the emergence of new pollutants in various environments, particularly concentrated in sewage sludge. This study investigated the effects of BPA on sludge anaerobic digestion, focusing specifically on the interaction of microbial communities and their metabolic responses. While the influence of BPA on methane accumulation is not significant, BPA still enhanced the conversion of soluble COD, protein, and polysaccharides. BPA also positively influenced the hydrolysis-acidogenesis process, leading to 17% higher concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Lower BPA levels (0.2-0.5 mg/kg dw) led to decreased hydrolysis and acidogenesis gene abundance, indicating metabolic inhibition; conversely, higher concentrations (1-5 mg/kg dw) increased gene abundance, signifying metabolic enhancement. Diverse methane metabolism was observed and exhibited alterations under BPA exposure. The presence of BPA impacted both the diversity and composition of microbial populations. Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi dominated in BPA-treated groups and varied in abundance among different treatments. Changes of specific genera Sedimentibacter, Fervikobacterium, Blvii28, and Coprothermobacter in response to BPA, affecting hydrolysis and acetogenesis. Archaeal diversity declined while the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanospirillum thrived under BPA exposure. BPA exposure enabled microorganisms to form structured community interaction networks and boost their metabolic activities during anaerobic digestion. The study also observed the enrichment of BPA biodegradation pathways at high BPA concentrations, which could interact and overlap to ensure efficient BPA degradation. The study provides insights into the digestion performance and interactions of microbial communities to BPA stress and sheds light on the potential effect of BPA during anaerobic digestion.

Bisphenol A: Unveiling Its Role in Glioma Progression and Tumor Growth

Gliomas represent the most common and lethal category of primary brain tumors. Bisphenol A (BPA), a widely recognized endocrine disruptor, has been implicated in the progression of cancer. Despite its established links to various cancers, the association between BPA and glioma progression remains to be clearly defined. This study aimed to shed light on the impact of BPA on glioma cell proliferation and overall tumor progression. Our results demonstrate that BPA significantly accelerates glioma cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, BPA has been found to enhance the invasive and migratory capabilities of glioma cells, potentially promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics within these tumors. Employing bioinformatics approaches, we devised a risk assessment model to gauge the potential glioma hazards associated with BPA exposure. Our comprehensive analysis revealed that BPA not only facilitates glioma invasion and migration but also inhibits apoptotic processes. In summary, our study offers valuable insights into the mechanisms by which BPA may promote tumorigenesis in gliomas, contributing to the understanding of its broader implications in oncology.

Association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and sex hormone levels in males based on human studies

BACKGROUND

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous chemicals in the environment and our daily lives. Several epidemiological studies have revealed that PFAS exposure is linked to male sex hormone levels; however, the conclusions are inconsistent across studies. Consequently, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the association between PFAS exposure and male sex hormones.

METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) standards were followed during the meta-analysis. PubMed, Wed of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Ovid databases were used to identify suitable articles before June 2023. The 95% CI and β values were calculated to assess the association between male sex hormone levels and PFAS exposure. Heterogeneity among the included studies was tested using inconsistency statistics (I2).

RESULTS

The literature search identified 12 published articles that met our search criteria, involving 7506 participants. Our results revealed that perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposures were negatively correlated with testosterone (β = -0.05; 95% CI: -0.09, -0.02, P = 0.003) and (β = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.08, 0.00, P = 0.049), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to PFNA and PFOA is negatively correlated with changes in male testosterone levels. This correlation suggests that we need to pay attention in the future to whether they are potential risk factors for male reproductive health.

Deep eutectic solvents for the determination of endocrine disrupting chemicals

The harmful effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to humans and other organisms in the environment have been well established over the years, and more studies are ongoing to classify other chemicals that have the potential to alter or disrupt the regular function of the endocrine system. In addition to toxicological studies, analytical detection systems are progressively being improved to facilitate accurate determination of EDCs in biological, environmental and food samples. Recent microextraction methods have focused on the use of green chemicals that are safe for analytical applications, and present very low or no toxicity upon disposal. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as one of the viable alternatives to the conventional hazardous solvents, and their unique properties make them very useful in different applications. Notably, the use of renewable sources to prepare DESs leads to highly biodegradable products that mitigate negative ecological impacts. This review presents an overview of both organic and inorganic EDCs and their ramifications on human health. It also presents the fundamental principles of liquid phase and solid phase microextraction methods, and gives a comprehensive account of the use of DESs for the determination of EDCs in various samples.

Bisphenol A exposure decreases sperm production and male fertility through inhibition PCBP2 expression

Growing evidence suggests that the exposure of bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor that commonly present in the environment, can impair reproduction. However, conflicting results have been reported, and the underlying mechanism has not been fully understood. In this study, 3-week-old male mice were oral exposed to 50 mg/kg/d BPA or equivalent corn oil for 28 days. Their testis and epididymis were then collected for morphology examination by HE stains. The number of sperm was counted, and the morphology was analyzed by PNA (peptide nucleic acid) and pap staining. Fertilization capacity and successful rate were analyzed after mating with wide-type females. Spermatid DNA damage and apoptosis were evaluated by DFI, γH2AX stain, and TUNEL assay. RNA sequencing analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes in testicular tissue of mice exposed to BPA. RNA interference was used to verify the regulatory mechanism of BPA exposure on gene expression in GC-2 cells. Our data showed that the total number of sperm was decreased and the morphology was impaired in BPA-exposed mice. In addition, the serum testosterone level and fertilization efficiency were also reduced. Mechanism studies showed that BPA could suppress the expression of PCBP2, a key regulatory gene in spermatid development, by activating the EZH2/H3K27me3. In conclusion, we found that BPA exposure can impair spermatid development via affecting key gene expression that is at least partially due to epigenetic modification.

Bisphenol A and its analogue bisphenol S exposure reduce estradiol synthesis via the ROS-mediated PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway

As a kind of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, BPA may affect the human placenta. Due to consumer unease about BPA, many manufacturers are using alternatives to BPA, such as BPS. However, some reports suggest that BPS may produce similar results to BPA. To understand how BPA/BPS leads to reduced synthesis of placental estradiol (E2), we conducted studies using a human choriocarcinoma cell (JEG-3) model for research. In this study. Elisa assay revealed that both BPA/BPS exposures decreased E2 synthesis in JEG-3 cells. The results of RT-PCR showed that both BPA and BPS could reduce the mRNA expression of CYP19A1, a key enzyme for E2 synthesis in JEG-3 cells. In addition, Western blot assay showed that BPA/BPS-induced ER-stress PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 signaling protein expression was increased. The expression of ROS in cells after exposure to BPA/BPS was detected using the 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) method. The results of this experiment showed that BPA/BPS significantly induced an inhibition of ROS in JEG-3 cells. The present study concluded that, firstly, BPS exposure induced almost the same effect as BPA in reducing E2 synthesis in JEG-3 cells. Second, BPA/BPS exposure may reduce E2 synthesis in JEG-3 cells by increasing ROS levels and thus activating endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Methodological approaches for the assessment of bisphenol A exposure

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor used in food contact materials, by the application of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. The main objective of this study is to compare the estimate of daily BPA exposure at 13 years of age and in the adult Portuguese population, using different methodological approaches, and assess the associations between this exposure and sociodemographic characteristics.

METHODOLOGY

Cross-sectional data of 13-years follow-up from a population-based birth cohort Generation XXI (GXXI) (n = 2804) and from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015-2016) (n = 3845, ≥18 years old) was used. Dietary information was collected through three food diaries for adolescents and two non-consecutive 24-hour-recalls for adults. To estimate the daily exposure to BPA, three methodological approaches were used. "Food groups attribution" merged the food consumption data with the concentration of BPA in food groups. "Regression tree model" and "random forest" combined food consumption information with urinary BPA, measured in a subsample of 24-hour urine (in adolescents n = 216, and in adults n = 82), both used to predict BPA exposure in the remaining sample. The fit-index of the methodologies was assessed through the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ). Associations between BPA exposure and sociodemographic variables were tested by linear regression models, adjusted for sex, age groups (in adults) and educational level. Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 0.2 ng/kg body weight (bw), recently proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), was used for the risk characterization of BPA exposure.

RESULTS

The "random forest" was found as the best methodology to estimate the daily BPA exposure (adolescents: RMSE = 0.989, MAE = 0.727, ρ = 0.168; adults: RMSE = 0.193, MAE = 0.147, ρ = 0.250). The median dietary BPA exposure, calculated by "food groups attribution", was 79.1 and 46.1 ng/kg bw/day for adolescents and adults, respectively, while "random forest" estimated a BPA exposure of 26.7 and 38.0 ng/kg bw/day. 99.9% of the Portuguese population presented a daily exposure above TDI. Male adolescents, females and higher educated adults, were those more exposed to BPA.

CONCLUSIONS

The estimated daily BPA exposure strongly depends on the methodological approach. Food groups attribution may overestimate the exposure while the random forest appears to be a better methodological approach to estimate BPA exposure. Nevertheless, for all methods, the Portuguese population presented an unsafe BPA exposure by largely exceeding the safe levels proposed by EFSA.

The G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER): A Critical Therapeutic Target for Cancer

Estrogens have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancers, with increasing concern regarding the overall rising incidence of disease and exposure to environmental estrogens. Estrogens, both endogenous and environmental, manifest their actions through intracellular and plasma membrane receptors, named ERα, ERβ, and GPER. Collectively, they act to promote a broad transcriptional response that is mediated through multiple regulatory enhancers, including estrogen response elements (EREs), serum response elements (SREs), and cyclic AMP response elements (CREs). Yet, the design and rational assignment of antiestrogen therapy for breast cancer has strictly relied upon an endogenous estrogen-ER binary rubric that does not account for environmental estrogens or GPER. New endocrine therapies have focused on the development of drugs that degrade ER via ER complex destabilization or direct enzymatic ubiquitination. However, these new approaches do not broadly treat all cancer-involved receptors, including GPER. The latter is concerning since GPER is directly associated with tumor size, distant metastases, cancer stem cell activity, and endocrine resistance, indicating the importance of targeting this receptor to achieve a more complete therapeutic response. This review focuses on the critical importance and value of GPER-targeted therapeutics as part of a more holistic approach to the treatment of estrogen-driven malignancies.

Bisphenol A exposure triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway leading to ocular axial elongation in mice

Background

Ocular axial elongation is one of the features of myopia progression. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated scleral remodeling plays an important role in ocular axial elongation. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most common environmental pollutants and is known to affect various human organs through ER stress. However, whether BPA exerts an effect on scleral remodeling remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of BPA on the development of myopia and scleral ER stress.

Methods

BPA was administered by intraperitoneal injection. 4-PBA was administered as an endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor by eye drops. Refraction and axial length were measured by refractometer and SD-OCT system. Western blot was performed to detect the expression level of ER stress-related proteins.

Results

BPA-administered mice exhibit axial elongation and myopic refractive shift with endoplasmic reticulum stress in the sclera. BPA administration activated scleral PERK and ATF6 pathways, and 4-PBA eye drops attenuated ER stress response and suppressed myopia progression.

Conclusion

BPA controlled axial elongation during myopia development in a mouse model by inducing scleral ER stress and activation of the PERK/ATF6 pathway. 4-PBA eye drops as ER stress inhibitor suppressed BPA-induced myopia development.

Neonatal exposure to bisphenol analogues disrupts genital development in male mice

The public concern and governmental regulations on bisphenol A (BPA) have stimulated the development and production of alternative analogues to replace BPA in a myriad of applications. Given the endocrine disrupting activities of BPA and potentially other analogues, the present study investigated and compared the effects of neonatal exposure to BPA, BPB, BPE, BPF, and BPS on the genital development in male mice. Pups were injected subcutaneously on the right shoulder in the mornings of postnatal days P0.5, P2, P4, and P6, resulting in a low dose of 0.05 μg/g body weight (bw)/day and a high dose of 10 μg/g bw/day. Mice were sacrificed at predetermined time and evaluated for gene expression levels (3 days after birth or P3), steroid hormone levels (P5), and morphological changes (P21). The results demonstrated that BPA, BPB, BPE, or BPF significantly shortened glans penis length and anogenital distance, while BPS didn't. Testis weight and anogenital distance were also significantly affected by BPA, BPE or BPF. The results also revealed that bisphenol analogues exposure significantly reduced testosterone levels, and altered the expression levels of developmental genes networks in developing penis of mice. Our data demonstrate that selected bisphenol analogues may possess similar endocrine disrupting effects compared to BPA, and exposure to these analogues could affect reproductive development of male mice. This raises the concern on the environmental and health safety of bisphenol analogues applied as industrial BPA replacements.

Oxidative stress increases in liver of lactating rats after BPF-low-dose exposure: perinatal effects in the offspring

Bisphenol F (BPF) is replacing Bisphenol A (BPA) in the manufacture of products due to endocrine-disrupting effects. BPF monomers can also be released into the environment and enter the food chain, resulting in human exposure to low doses. Since bisphenols are primarily metabolized by the liver, this organ is more vulnerable to lower doses of bisphenols than others. Exposure during prenatal development may increase the risk of diseases in adulthood. The aim was to evaluate whether BPF administration could generate oxidative stress in liver of lactating rats, and whether these effects may be also observed in female and male postnatal day 6 (PND6) offspring. Long Evans rats received oral treatment: Control, BPF-low-dose (LBPF) 0.0365 mg/kg b.w./day, and BPF-high-dose (HBPF) 3.65 mg/kg b.w./day. The levels of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GR, GPx and GST), glutathione system (GSH, GSSG) and lipid damage markers (MDA, LPO) were measured using colorimetric methods in liver of both lactating dams and in PND6 offspring. Mean values were analyzed using Prism-7. LBPF affected liver defense mechanisms (antioxidant enzymes and glutathione system), increasing ROS levels and producing lipid peroxidation in lactating dams. Similar effects were found in female and male PND6 offspring as a consequence of perinatal exposure.

Bisphenol A exposure inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell responses: Involvement of proliferation, migration, and invasion

Previous studies have associated bisphenol A (BPA) with malignant tumor formation, infertility, and atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo. However, the precise mechanisms through which BPA affects the cardiovascular system under normal conditions remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the biological mechanisms through which BPA affects the responses of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). BPA treatment inhibited the proliferative activity of VSMCs and induced G₂/M-phase cell cycle arrest via stimulation of the ATM-CHK2-Cdc25C-p21^WAF1-Cdc2 cascade in VSMCs. Furthermore, BPA treatment upregulated the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways such as ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK in VSMCs. However, the phosphorylation level of AKT was down-regulated by BPA treatment. Additionally, the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK was suppressed when the cells were treated with their respective inhibitors (U0126, SP600125, and SB203580). BPA suppressed MMP-9 activity by reducing the binding activity of AP-1, Sp-1, and NF-κB, thus inhibiting the invasive and migratory ability of VSMCs. These data demonstrate that BPA interferes with the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities of VSMCs. Therefore, our findings suggest that overexposure to BPA can lead to cardiovascular damage due to dysregulated VSMC responses.

Release of leachable products from resinous compounds in the saliva of children with anterior open bite treated with spur

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the release of bisphenol-A glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), bisphenol A (BPA), and phthalates of the composite resin used in the bonding of spurs applied in the treatment of children with anterior open bite and its effects on human keratinocytes.

METHODOLOGY

Saliva samples of 22 children were collected before spur attachment (baseline) and 30 minutes (min) and 24 hours (h) after spur bonding. Analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Standardized resin increments were added to three different dilutions of the cell culture medium. Keratinocytes (HaCaT) were cultivated in the conditioned media and evaluated for cell viability (MTT) and cell scratch assay.

RESULTS

The levels of BisGMA (1.74±0.27 μg/mL), TEGDMA (2.29±0.36 μg/mL), and BPA (3.264±0.88 μg/L) in the saliva after 30 min, in comparison to baseline (0±0 μg/mL, 0±0 μg/mL, and 1.15±0.21 μg/L, respectively), presented higher numbers. After 24 h, the levels of the monomers were similar to the baseline. Phthalates showed no significant difference among groups. HaCat cells showed increased viability and reduced cell migration over time after exposure to methacrylate-based resin composites.

CONCLUSION

Resin composites, used to attach spurs in children with anterior open bite during orthodontic treatment, release monomers after polymerization and can influence the behavior of human keratinocytes, even at very low concentrations. Orthodontists should be aware of the risks of the resinous compounds release and preventive procedures should be held to reduce patient exposure.

Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals and Children's Health

We are all exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) starting from embryonic life. The fetus and child set up crucial developmental processes allowing adaptation to the environment throughout life: they are extremely sensitive to very low doses of hormones and EDCs because they are developing organisms. Considering the developmental origin of well-being and diseases, every adult organism expresses consequences of the environment in which it developed. The molecular mechanisms through which the main EDCs manifest their effects and their potential association with endocrine disorders, such as diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease and alteration of adrenal hormones, will be reviewed here. Despite 40 years having passed since the first study on EDCs, little is yet known about them; therefore, our purpose is to take stock of the situation to establish a starting point for further studies. Since there is plenty of evidence showing that exposure to EDCs may adversely impact the health of adults and children through altered endocrine function-suggesting their link to endocrinopathies-it is essential in this context to bear in mind what is already known about endocrine disruptors and to deepen our knowledge to establish rules of conduct aimed at limiting exposure to EDCs' negative effects. Considering that during the COVID-19 pandemic an increase in endocrine disruptor effects has been reported, it will also be useful to address this new phenomenon for better understanding its basis and limiting its consequences.

Resveratrol ameliorates bisphenol A-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats: a stereological and functional study

BACKGROUND

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely used synthetic chemicals worldwide. BPA as an endocrine disruptor affects the reproductive systems through estrogenic and antiandrogenic proprieties. Resveratrol (RES) as a natural polyphenol and potent antioxidant exhibits protective effects against reproductive toxicity by inhibiting of oxidative stress. 48 male rats were divided into eight groups (n=6), including CONTROL, OLIVE OIL (0.5 ml/ day), Carboxy methylcellulose (CMC) (1 ml of 10 g/l), RES (100mg/kg/day), low dose of BPA (25 mg/kg/day), high dose of BPA (50 mg/kg/day), low dose of BPA + RES, and high dose of BPA + RES. All treatments were done orally per day for 56 days. At the end of the 8th week, blood samples were collected for hormone assays. Then, the sperm parameters were analyzed, and the left testis was removed for stereological study.

RESULTS

We showed a significant decrease in sperm parameters in the low and high doses of BPA groups compared to control groups (P<0.05). The volume of testicular components as well as the diameter and length of seminiferous tubules significantly reduced (11-64 %), and the total number of the testicular cell types decreased (34-67 %) on average in the low and high doses of BPA groups. Moreover, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone hormones concentration showed a significant reduction in both doses of BPA groups (P<0.01). Nonetheless, treatment with RES could ameliorate all the above-mentioned changes in the low and high doses of BPA groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

RES could prevent BPA-induced testicular structural changes and sperm quality via improving gonadotropin hormones and testosterone levels.

Highly Electrochemiluminescent Cs4PbBr6@CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanoacanthospheres and Their Application for Sensing Bisphenol A

Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) as recently emerging electrochemiluminescence (ECL) luminophores have been paid much attention due to their good ECL activity, narrow ECL spectra, and easy preparation. However, the PQDs used for ECL sensing were mainly inherited from those PQDs prepared as strong fluorescence (FL) luminophores, which would limit the finding of highly ECL PQDs for sensing due to the very different mechanisms in generating excited-state luminophores between ECL and FL. In order to obtain highly electrochemiluminescent PQDs, for the first time we proposed to synthesize PQDs for ECL sensing rather than for FL-based analysis by optimizing the synthesis conditions. It was revealed that the volume of the precursor solution, the concentrations of CsBr and PbBr₂, the amount of capping reagents, and the synthesis reaction temperature all significantly affect the ECL activity of PQDs. On the basis of the optimization of the synthesis conditions, we obtained a new type of PQDs with high ECL activity. The new PQDs were characterized by several technologies, such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum, to be the hybrids of 3D PQDs (CsPbBr₃) and 0D PQDs (Cs₄PbBr₆) with unique morphologies, i.e., Cs₄PbBr₆@CsPbBr₃ PQD nanoacanthospheres (PNAs), in which Cs₄PbBr₆ was as the core and CsPbBr₃ served as the shell. The obtained Cs₄PbBr₆@CsPbBr₃ PNAs had much higher (>4 times) ECL activity than the prevailing 3D (CsPbBr₃) PQDs. Finally, the novel Cs₄PbBr₆@CsPbBr₃ PNAs have been applied for the ECL sensing of bisphenol A (BPA), showing a promising application of the highly electrochemiluminescent PQDs in analytical chemistry.

New insights into the effect of bisphenol AF exposure on maternal mammary glands at various stages of gestation in mice

Bisphenol AF (BPAF) is the most estrogenic compound among BPA analogs. Mammary glands (MDs) are special organs that undergo repeated cycles of structural development, metabolism, and functional differentiation. Gestation is a sensitive window for MDs. In the present study, plug-positive CD-1 mice were exposed to vehicle (Veh) or 300 μg/kg BPAF through oral gavage every second day during gestation, and maternal MDs were collected from different developmental windows at 9.5, 13.5, and 18.5 d of gestation (gestation day [GD]9.5, GD13.5 and GD18.5). The results showed that gestational BPAF exposure induced a significantly elevated MD density at GD18.5. Non-target metabolomics analysis was used to screen for tyrosine, valine, ornithine, proline, threonine, phenylalanine and asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) amino acids, which changed significantly at all time points. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of genes related to these amino acids also changed significantly. Additionally, amino acid levels in BPAF-treated MGs at GD18.5 were related to the serum ammonia concentration of the corresponding offspring. These results provide a comprehensive view of the adverse effects of BPAF exposure during gestation on the maternal MG structure and function, which may affect milk components during lactation. Moreover, higher amino acids content may lead to amino acid imbalance or hyperammonemia in newborns.

Reactions of bisphenol F and bisphenol S with ozone and hydroxyl radical: Kinetics and mechanisms

Bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) are the most employed substitutes of bisphenol A (BPA), after being restricted by legislation in different countries because of its endocrine disrupting behaviour. In the present work, a deep study was performed about the reactivity of BPF and BPS with ozone and hydroxyl radical. Firstly, the second order rate constants of ozone with the di-protonated, mono-protonated and deprotonated species of both bisphenols were determined to be 2.38 × 10⁴, 1.31 × 10⁹ and 1.43 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1 for BPF and 5.01, 2.82 × 10⁷ and 1.09 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1 for BPS. Then, the second order rate constants for the reaction of hydroxyl radical with BPF and BPS were established through UV/H₂O₂ and UV experiments at pH 7, resulting in the values of 8.60 × 10⁹ and 6.60 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1, respectively. Finally, a study regarding the transformation products (TPs) from the reaction of both bisphenols with molecular ozone and hydroxyl radical was also performed. Hydroxylation in the ortho position of the phenol rings was observed as main degradation pathway. Additionally, most of the TPs were accumulated over the reactions at relatively high oxidant doses.

An insight into bisphenol A, food exposure and its adverse effects on health: A review

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical widely employed to synthesize epoxy resins, polymer materials, and polycarbonate plastics. BPA is abundant in the environment, i.e., in food containers, water bottles, thermal papers, toys, medical devices, etc., and is incorporated into soil/water through leaching. Being a potent endocrine disrupter, and has the potential to alter several body mechanisms. Studies confirmed its anti-androgen action and estrogen-like effects, which impart many negative health impacts, especially on the immune system, neuroendocrine process, and reproductive mechanism. Moreover, it can also induce mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, as per recent scientific research. This review focuses on BPA's presence and concentrations in different environments, food sources and the basic mechanisms of BPA-induced toxicity and health disruptions. It is a unique review of its type because it focuses on the association of cancer, hormonal disruption, immunosuppression, and infertility with BPA. These issues are widespread today, and BPA significantly contributes to their incidence because of its wide usage in daily life utensils and other accessories. The review also discusses researched-based measures to cope with the toxic chemical.

Hydrothermal deconstruction of single-use personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic

To minimise the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, there has been a substantial increase in the production and usage of synthetic personal protective equipment (PPE) globally. Consequently, single-use PPE have been widely adopted without appropriate regulations for their disposal, leading to extensive environmental contamination worldwide. This study investigates the non-catalytic hydrothermal deconstruction of different PPE items, including isolation gowns, gloves, goggles, face shields, surgical masks, and filtering-facepiece respirators. The selected PPE items were subjected to hydrothermal deconstruction for 90 min in the presence of 30-bar initial oxygen pressure, at temperatures ranging between 250 °C and 350 °C. The solid content in form of total suspended solids (TSS) was reduced up to 97.6%. The total chemical oxygen demand (tCOD) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) decreased with increasing deconstruction temperature, and at 350 °C the lowest tCOD and sCOD content of 546.6 mg/L and 470 mg/L, respectively, was achieved. Short-chained volatile fatty acids were produced after 90 min of deconstruction, predominantly acetic acid at concentrations up to 8974 mg/L. Ammonia nitrogen content (NH₃-N) of up to 542.6 mg/L was also detected. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and unreacted oxygen (O₂) were the main gaseous by-products at up to 15.6% (w/w) and 88.7% (w/w), respectively. The findings suggest that non-catalytic hydrothermal deconstruction is a viable option to process and manage PPE waste.

Bioremediation of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals- Advancements and Challenges

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), major group of recalcitrant compounds, poses a serious threat to the health and future of millions of human beings, and other flora and fauna for years to come. A close analysis of various xenobiotics undermines the fact that EDC is structurally diverse chemical compounds generated as a part of anthropogenic advancements as well as part of their degradation. Regardless of such structural diversity, EDC is common in their ultimate drastic effect of impeding the proper functioning of the endocrinal system, basic physiologic systems, resulting in deregulated growth, malformations, and cancerous outcomes in animals as well as humans. The current review outlines an overview of various EDCs, their toxic effects on the ecosystem and its inhabitants. Conventional remediation methods such as physico-chemical methods and enzymatic approaches have been put into action as some form of mitigation measures. However, the last decade has seen the hunt for newer technologies and methodologies at an accelerated pace. Genetically engineered microbial degradation, gene editing strategies, metabolic and protein engineering, and in-silico predictive approaches - modern day's additions to our armamentarium in combating the EDCs are addressed. These additions have greater acceptance socially with lesser dissonance owing to reduced toxic by-products, lower health trepidations, better degradation, and ultimately the prevention of bioaccumulation. The positive impact of such new approaches on controlling the menace of EDCs has been outlaid. This review will shed light on sources of EDCs, their impact, significance, and the different remediation and bioremediation approaches, with a special emphasis on the recent trends and perspectives in using sustainable approaches for bioremediation of EDCs. Strict regulations to prevent the release of estrogenic chemicals to the ecosystem, adoption of combinatorial methods to remove EDC and prevalent use of bioremediation techniques should be followed in all future endeavors to combat EDC pollution. Moreover, the proper development, growth and functioning of future living forms relies on their non-exposure to EDCs, thus remediation of such chemicals present even in nano-concentrations should be addressed gravely.

Comparison of PSA to Moringa Oleifera Seed Protein as Sorbent in QuEChERS: A Response Surface Methodology Optimization for Extraction of Some Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Food

This work aimed at optimizing the QuEChERS method with PSA and then comparing it with Moringa Oleifera seed protein as a clean-up sorbent for the extraction of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The response surface methodology approach was used in the optimization. A design of experiment (DoE) was used to investigate the effect of the sample mass (0.5–3 g), centrifuge speed (3400–4000 rpm) and time (5–20 min), the mass of $NaCl$ and ${\text{MgSO}}_4\left(1-3\hspace{0.17em}\text{g}\right)$ , and solvent extraction volume (5–10 mL). The analysis was done using GC-ECD and GC × GC TOFMS. The PSA method which was later replaced with Moringa Oleifera seed protein presented optimal values of 3 g of sample, 150 mg PSA, 4000 rpm for 6 min centrifuge conditions, including 2 g NaCl and 2 g ${\text{MgSO}}_4\hspace{0.17em}$ extracted in 10 mL methanol, respectively. Moringa Oleifera seed protein gave better selectivity, and the detection limits ranged between 0.16 and 1.77 $\mu {\text{g\hspace{0.17em}kg}}^{-1}$ with RSD values $\le 13.32\%,$ respectively. Moreover, recoveries were between 76.2  $\pm$  0.85% and 105.2  $\pm$  2.24%. Application of the developed method in food samples detected some EDCs. This study has shown that Moringa Oleifera seed protein is a promising alternative to PSA in the clean-up of food-related samples using the QuEChERS approach.

Unravelling the molecular mechanism of mutagenic factors impacting human health

Environmental mutagens are chemical and physical substances in the environment that has a potential to induce a wide range of mutations and generate multiple physiological, biochemical, and genetic modifications in humans. Most mutagens are having genotoxic effects on the following generation through germ cells. The influence of germinal mutations on health will be determined by their frequency, nature, and the mechanisms that keep a specific mutation in the population. Early prenatal lethal mutations have less public health consequences than genetic illnesses linked with long-term medical and social difficulties. Physical and chemical mutagens are common mutagens found in the environment. These two environmental mutagens have been associated with multiple neurological disorders and carcinogenesis in humans. Thus in this study, we aim to unravel the molecular mechanism of physical mutagens (UV rays, X-rays, gamma rays), chemical mutagens (dimethyl sulfate (DMS), bisphenol A (BPA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 5-chlorocytosine (5ClC)), and several heavy metals (Ar, Pb, Al, Hg, Cd, Cr) implicated in DNA damage, carcinogenesis, chromosomal abnormalities, and oxidative stress which leads to multiple disorders and impacting human health. Biological tests for mutagen detection are crucial; therefore, we also discuss several approaches (Ames test and Mutatox test) to estimate mutagenic factors in the environment. The potential risks of environmental mutagens impacting humans require a deeper basic knowledge of human genetics as well as ongoing research on humans, animals, and their tissues and fluids.

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol S and bisphenol A differentially affects male reproductive system in the adult offspring

Early exposure to bisphenol may result in adverse reproductive health in later life. The use of bisphenol S (BPS) has increased considerably after bisphenol A (BPA) is regulated worldwide. However, little is known about the fetal exposure to BPS compared with BPA and its effects on the reproductive system in the adult male offspring. Here, we investigated the effects of orally administered BPS and BPA (0.4, 4.0, 40.0 μg/kg bw/d) during gestation (gD4-21) on testicular development by evaluating the sperm DNA damage & methylation and testicular functions in the 90 d Wistar rats. Male offspring prenatally exposed to BPS (0.4 μg/kg) had higher plasma testosterone than BPA and control. The testis histology reveals thickened membrane by producing a wide interstitial gap between seminiferous tubules, increased testicular inflammation, oxidative stress, TIMP-1 expression, and decreased VCAM-1 expression. BPS promotes apoptosis by up-regulating IL-6, cleaved caspases, and a spike in sperm DNA fragmentation. Prenatal BPS exposure reduces sperm motility mediated via impaired PI3K-AKT signaling and increases testicular TEX11 expression in the offspring. Exposure of the fetus to BPS interferes developmental programming of the male reproductive system in the offspring. BPS could be an equally potent endocrine disruptor affecting male reproductive functions.

Bisphenols impact hormone levels in animals: A meta-analysis

Bisphenols are used in the manufacture of plastics and are endocrine disrupting compounds detectable in free living organisms and environments globally. The original bisphenol, bisphenol A (BPA), is best known as a xenoestrogen, but it also disrupts other steroid hormones and other classes of hormones including thyroid and pituitary hormones. When its toxicity became better known, BPA was replaced by presumably less toxic alternatives, including bisphenols S, F, and AF. However, recent data suggest that all bisphenols can have endocrine disrupting effects, although their impacts remain unresolved particularly in non-human animals. Our aim was to establish the current state-of-knowledge of the effects of different bisphenols on circulating hormone levels in non-human animals. Our meta-analysis showed that a diverse range of hormones (including thyroid hormones, corticosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol) are strongly impacted by exposure to any bisphenol type, and that in laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) the effect was modified by life-stage. Although there were qualitative differences, BPA alternatives had as great or greater effects on hormone levels as BPA. However, data coverage across hormones was uneven, and most studies measured the effects of BPA on vertebrate reproductive hormones. Similarly, taxonomic coverage was poor. Over 80% of data originated from laboratory rats and zebrafish (Danio rerio) and there are no data for whole classes of invertebrates and vertebrates (e.g., amphibians). Our results show that all bisphenols alter circulating levels of a broad range of hormones. However, the current state-of-knowledge is incomplete so that the ecological impacts of bisphenols are difficult to gauge, although based on the available data bisphenols are likely to be detrimental to a broad range of taxa and ecosystems.

Obesity, the other pandemic: linking diet and carcinogenesis by epigenetic mechanisms

Both obesity and cancer are complex medical conditions that are considered public health problems. The influence of obesity on the predisposition to develop various types of cancer has been observed in a wide variety of studies. Due to their importance as public health problems, and the close relationship between both conditions, it is important to be able to understand and associate them mechanistically. In this review article, we intend to go a little further, by finding relationships between lifestyle, which can lead a person to develop obesity, and how it influences at the cellular and molecular level, affecting gene expression to favor signaling pathways or transcriptional programs involved in cancer. We describe how products of metabolism and intermediate metabolism can affect chromatin structure, participating in the regulation (or dysregulation) of gene expression, and we show an analysis of genes that are responsive to diets high in sugar and fat, and how their epigenetic landscape is altered.

Resveratrol improves estrus disorder induced by bisphenol A through attenuating oxidative stress, autophagy, and apoptosis

Bisphenol A (BPA), as a widely used plasticizer, is easily absorbed by animals and humans. It has certain toxic effects on various tissues, including liver, heart, kidney, testis, and ovary. The toxic effects of BPA on animal reproduction have aroused widespread concern, but its regulatory mechanism and antidote in female animals estrus cycle remain unclear. In this study, the results displayed that BPA destroyed the normal estrus cycle of mice through decreasing the levels of progesterone and estradiol. Furthermore, BPA significantly increased the levels of oxidative stress, autophagy, and apoptosis in ovaries and granulosa cells. Interestingly, we found that the natural antioxidant resveratrol rescued estrus disorder and impaired estradiol secretion, reduced the abnormal reactive oxygen species accumulation, autophagy, and apoptosis in BPA exposed ovarian tissues. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy showed that resveratrol reduced BPA-induced autophagic vesicles formation and flow cytometry showed that resveratrol inhibited the increase of apoptotic cells induced by BPA on granulosa cells. Therefore, the supplement of resveratrol could restore BPA-induced estrus disorder by protecting ovarian granulosa cells. Overall, resveratrol is a potential drug to alleviate BPA-induced estrous cycle disorders and ovarian damage.

Insight on the microscopic binding mechanism of bisphenol compounds (BPs) with transthyretin (TTR) based on multi-spectroscopic methods and computational simulations

Thyroid hormones are involved in numerous physiological processes as regulators of metabolism, regulating organ growth, and mental state. Bisphenol compounds (BPs) are recognized as chemicals that interfere with endocrine balance. Because BPs have a similar structure to thyroxine, they can compete for binding to thyroid protein and disrupt the normal physiological activity of the thyroid system. In this study, three typical bisphenol compounds were selected to explore the interaction between BPs and TTR by computer simulations and multi-spectroscopic methods. The results revealed that BPs quenched the endogenous fluorescence of TTR via the combination of static quenching and non-radiative energy transfer, and the van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding played a synergistic role in the binding process of BPs and TTR. Furthermore, the three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, which were employed to determine the conformation of protein, revealed that binding of BPs with TTR could induce conformational changes in TTR. In addition, the binding sites and the residues surrounding the BPs within the TTR were determined through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Therefore, this work provides new insights into the interaction between BPs and TTR to evaluate the potential toxicity of BPs.

Bisphenol A-sulfate conjugate disrupts AURKA transcription and cell cycle in BeWo cytotrophoblasts

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been shown to exhibit various toxic effects, including the induction of reproductive disorders. Generally, BPA is converted to conjugated metabolites, leading to bio-inactivation. On the other hand, the toxicity of conjugated metabolites is not fully understood. Notably, the placenta develops the sulfate-sulfatase pathway, which transports and reactivates sulfated steroids. Therefore, we investigated the potential adverse effects of the BPA-sulfate conjugate (BPA-S) on human placenta-derived BeWo cytotrophoblasts. In the present study, high-concentration BPA-S (100 μM) induced significant inhibition of BeWo growth, with effects similar to those seen with unconjugated BPA (100 μM and 100 nM). This growth inhibition was restored by treatment of the cells with an inhibitor of the organic anion-transporting peptides (OATPs) (bromosulphophthalein) or with a sulfatase (STS) inhibitor (STX64). BeWo exhibits expression of the genes encoding OATP1A2 and OATP4A1 as known sulfated steroid transporters and STS, suggesting that BPA-S suppresses cell growth activity via the sulfate-sulfatase pathway. In addition, cell cycle analysis revealed that BPA-S (100 μM) increased the fraction of cytotrophoblasts in the G2/M phases and significantly decreased the accumulation of the transcript encoding Aurora kinase A (AURKA), which is a critical regulator of cellular division. These results suggested that BPA-S triggers cell cycle arrest and inhibits proliferation of BeWo cytotrophoblasts by decreased AURKA, an effect that is mediated by the sulfate-sulfatase pathway. Overall, these findings provide insights into the reactivation of sulfated endocrine-disrupting chemicals and subsequent adverse effects.

Pharmacokinetics and toxicity evaluation following oral exposure to bisphenol F

Bisphenol F is a substitute material for bisphenol A and is widely used in household products as a raw material for polycarbonate resin, epoxy resin, and plastic reinforcement. It is known to be mainly used in food containers, thermal paper for receipts, and coatings for water pipes. In some countries, bisphenol F has been detected in drinking water and human urine samples. However, due to the lack of safety evaluation data on bisphenol F, it is difficult to establish appropriate guidelines for the proper use of the substance, and social anxiety is increasing accordingly. This study investigated the use, exposure route, and distribution flow of bisphenol F, a household chemical. To determine the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and target organ of bisphenol F after exposure, a single-dose oral toxicity, dose-range finding (28 day oral), repeated dose toxicity (90 day oral), and genotoxicity (reverse mutation, chromosomal abnormality, in vivo micronucleus test) tests were performed. The pharmacokinetic profile was also obtained. The test results are as follows: in the pharmacokinetic study, it was confirmed that single oral exposure to BPF resulted in systemic exposure; in single oral dose toxicity test, the approximate lethal dose was found to be 4000 mg/kg and confusion and convulsion was shown in the test animals; NOAEL was determined to be 2 mg/kg/day for male and 5 mg/kg/day for female, and the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) was determined to be 2 mg/kg/day for males and 1 mg/kg/day for females, and the target organ was the small intestine; genotoxicity tests confirmed that BPF does not induce genotoxicity.

Double-Interpenetrating-Network Lignin-based Epoxy Resin Adhesives for Resistance to Extreme Environment

The gradually depleting fossil resources and the biosafety of bisphenol A have always restricted the green development of the traditional epoxy resin field. In this Article, biomass macromolecule lignin sulfonates are selected as the raw material instead of traditional bisphenol A to prepare lignin-based epoxy resin adhesives. Lignin sulfonates are chemically modified and combined with a cross-linking agent to form lignin-based epoxy resin adhesives with double-interpenetrating-network structures. The resulting lignin-based epoxy adhesive exhibits a maximum tensile shear strength of 11.29 MPa, which is 213% higher than the strength before chemical modification. The tensile shear strength of the adhesive is still 10.13 MPa after 12 h of immersion in water (20 °C), and its tensile shear strength is 9.30 MPa after 12 h of immersion in boiling water (100 °C). The high-temperature and high-humidity environment has no significant effect on the properties of the resulting lignin-based epoxy adhesive.

First report on occurrence of bisphenol A isomers in human serum and whole blood

Studies have demonstrated the worldwide presence of bisphenol A (BPA) and its toxic effects on human health. BPA may exist as several structural isomers, which are byproducts in industrial BPA production. However, nearly nothing is known about the occurrence of BPA isomers in human blood and the partitioning of BPA metabolites between human serum and whole blood. In this study, BPA, BPA-sulfate (BPA-S), and BPA-glucuronide (BPA-G) were quantified in 144 pairs of serum and whole blood samples from Chinese participants. BPA was detected in 115 serum and 121 whole blood samples, with mean concentrations of 0.53 and 0.88 ng/mL, respectively. A structural isomer of BPA, tentatively termed B₁-BPA, was identified for the first time, and measurable in 53% and 57% of serum (<LOD-1.9 ng/mL) and whole blood (<LOD-1.4 ng/mL) samples, respectively. BPA-S was the predominant BPA metabolite (mean 2.3 and 1.4 ng/mL, respectively), significantly higher (p < 0.01) than BPA-G (1.3 and 0.64 ng/mL) in both serum and whole blood. The calculated partitioning coefficients between serum and whole blood were the highest for B₁-BPA (mean ± SD, 1.8 ± 0.25), followed by BPA-S (1.6 ± 0.36), BPA-G (1.4 ± 0.37), and BPA (1.3 ± 0.39), indicating their preferential enrichment in the serum fraction. Overall, this study first identifies a BPA isomer, which has not been previously reported in any environmental or human samples. Measuring BPA isomers in human serum and whole blood is critical for accurate human BPA exposure risk assessment.

Marine Debris and Human Health: An Exposure Pathway of Persistent Organic Pollutants?

Although there are not any direct studies linking persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulated on marine debris to human health, there are numerous studies showing human health impacts from repeated and high-level POP exposure, as well as studies showing that POPs accumulate on plastic debris in the marine environment. With this knowledge, there is a need for greater awareness of the risks of POP exposure for those who handle marine debris regularly, especially in contexts of higher exposure such as those working in marine debris-concentrated areas. Among the scientific community, understanding of the exposure risk might be high, but others who handle marine debris, for instance, citizen groups in the Global South, are not necessarily aware of this exposure pathway. Moreover, global consumers who are marketed "ocean plastics" upcycled products are also not aware of potential POP exposure. Before marine plastics are accepted into the upcycled economy, these risks warrant further examination. This is a perspectives piece that aims to draw awareness to these emergent POP exposure pathways and considerations regarding marine plastic pollution. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:263-265. © 2021 SETAC.

Mediterranean Diet as a Shield against Male Infertility and Cancer Risk Induced by Environmental Pollutants: A Focus on Flavonoids

The role of environmental factors in influencing health status is well documented. Heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, pesticides, ultrafine particles, produced by human activities put a strain on the body’s entire defense system. Therefore, together with public health measures, evidence-based individual resilience measures are necessary to mitigate cancer risk under environmental stress and to prevent reproductive dysfunction and non-communicable diseases; this is especially relevant for workers occupationally exposed to pollutants and/or populations residing in highly polluted areas. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high intake of fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoids, that can promote the elimination of pollutants in tissues and fluids and/or mitigate their effects through different mechanisms. In this review, we collected evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies showing that the impairment of male fertility and gonadal development, as well as cancers of reproductive system, due to the exposure of organic and inorganic pollutants, may be counteracted by flavonoids.

Genome Characteristics Reveal the Biocontrol Potential of Actinobacteria Isolated From Sugarcane Rhizosphere

To understand the beneficial interaction of sugarcane rhizosphere actinobacteria in promoting plant growth and managing plant diseases, this study investigated the potential role of sugarcane rhizospheric actinobacteria in promoting plant growth and antagonizing plant pathogens. We isolated 58 actinobacteria from the sugarcane rhizosphere, conducted plant growth-promoting (PGP) characteristics research, and tested the pathogenic fungi in vitro. Results showed that BTU6 (Streptomyces griseorubiginosus), the most representative strain, regulates plant defense enzyme activity and significantly enhances sugarcane smut resistance by regulating stress resistance-related enzyme (substances (POD, PAL, PPO, TP) in sugarcane) activity in sugarcane. The genomic evaluation indicated that BTU6 has the ability to biosynthesize chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, and various secondary metabolites and plays an essential role in the growth of sugarcane plants under biotic stress. Potential mechanisms of the strain in improving the disease resistance of sugarcane plants and its potential in biodegrading exogenous chemicals were also revealed. This study showed the importance of sugarcane rhizosphere actinobacteria in microbial ecology and plant growth promotion.

Nanomaterials for electrochemical detection of pollutants in water: A review

The survival of living beings, including humanity, depends on a continuous supply of clean water. However, due to the development of industry, agriculture, and population growth, an increasing number of wastewaters is discarded, and the negative effects of such actions are clear. The first step in solving this situation is the collection and monitoring of pollutants in water bodies to subsequently facilitate their treatment. Nonetheless, traditional sensing techniques are typically laboratory-based, leading to potential diminishment in analysis quality. In this paper, the most recent developments in micro- and nano-electrochemical devices for pollutant detection in wastewater are reviewed. The devices reviewed are based on a variety of electrodes and the sensing of three different categories of pollutants: nutrients and phenolic compounds, heavy metals, and organic matter. From these electrodes, Cu, Co, and Bi showed promise as versatile materials to detect a grand variety of contaminants. Also, the most commonly used material is glassy carbon, present in the detection of all reviewed analytes.

Release of Bisphenol A from Pit and Fissure Sealants According to Different pH Conditions

Changes in intraoral pH can cause changes in the chemical decomposition and surface properties of treated resin-based pits and fissure sealants (sealant). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the release of bisphenol A (BPA) from sealants under three different pH conditions over time. The test specimen was applied with 6 sealants 5 mg each on a glass plate (10 × 10 mm) and photopolymerized. The samples were immersed for 10 min, 1 h, and 24 h in solutions of pH 3.0, 6.5, and 10.0 at 37 °C. BPA release was measured using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. A statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA and one-way ANOVA to verify the effect of pH conditions and time on BPA release. The BPA concentration in the pH 3.0 group was higher at all points than with pH 6.5 and pH 10.0 (p < 0.05), and gradually increased over time (p < 0.05). As a result, it was confirmed that low pH negatively influences BPA release. Therefore, frequent exposure to low pH due to the consumption of various beverages after sealant treatment can negatively affect the sealant’s chemical stability in the oral cavity.

Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics-A personalized approach to nutrition

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases has been on an upward trajectory for some time and this puts an enormous burden on the healthcare expenditure. Lifestyle modifications including dietary interventions hold an immense promise to manage and prevent these diseases. Recent advances in genomic research provide evidence that focussing these efforts on individual variations in abilities to metabolize nutrients (nutrigenetics) and exploring the role of dietary compounds on gene expression (nutrigenomics and nutri-epigenomics) can lead to more meaningful personalized dietary strategies to promote optimal health. This chapter aims to provide examples on these gene-diet interactions at multiple levels to support the need of embedding targeted dietary interventions as a way forward to prevent, avoid and manage diseases.

Protective effect of the association of curcumin with piperine on prostatic lesions: New perspectives on BPA-induced carcinogenesis

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical agent which can exert detrimental effects on the male reproductive system, especially the prostate gland. In this study we described the efficacy of the dietary agent curcumin, alone or combined with piperine, to suppress the impact of BPA on the prostate. Adult gerbils were divided into nine experimental groups (n = 7 each group), regarding control (water and oil), exposed to BPA (50 μg/kg/day in water) or curcumin (100 mg/kg) and/or piperine (20 mg/kg). To evaluate the effects of the phytotherapic agents, the other groups received oral doses every two days, BPA plus curcumin (BCm), piperine (BP), and curcumin + piperine (BCmP). BPA promoted prostatic inflammation and morphological lesions in ventral and dorsolateral prostate lobes, associated with an increase in androgen receptor-positive cells and nuclear atypia, mainly in the ventral lobe. Curcumin and piperine helped to minimize these effects. BPA plus piperine or curcumin showed a reduction in nuclear atypical phenotype, indicating a beneficial effect of phytochemicals. Thus, these phytochemicals minimize the deleterious action of BPA in prostatic lobes, especially when administered in association. The protective action of curcumin and piperine consumption is associated with weight loss, anti-inflammatory potential, and control of prostate epithelial cell homeostasis.