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Cromberg JL, Schettgen T, Willmes K, Lang J, Kraus T, Fimm B. Occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls: Development of neuropsychological functions over time. Neurotoxicology 2024; 101:6-15. [PMID: 38215798 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) continues to affect the health of exposed individuals until today. This study aims to expand previous findings by examining the development of neuropsychological functions of occupationally exposed participants over time. Especially verbal fluency and sensorimotor processing, found to be impaired in a previous study, were thus of particular interest. A total of 116 participants, who were part of the HELPcB cohort, underwent a neuropsychological test battery covering a multitude of cognitive functions. Plasma PCB levels were determined for each participant and classified as elevated or normal based on comparative values drawn from the German general population. Two structural equation models were then used to examine the effects of elevated PCB levels on neuropsychological functions. Results suggest that participants who displayed increased PCB plasma levels continued to show impairments in verbal fluency but not in sensorimotor processing after a second examination one year after the first measurement. Specifically, low chlorinated PCBs are associated with impaired verbal fluency, as compared to high-chlorinated and dioxin-like congeners. Alteration of dopamine concentration in response to PCB exposure might be a potential explanation of this result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia L Cromberg
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Neurology, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Klaus Willmes
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Neurology, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jessica Lang
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Bruno Fimm
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Neurology, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
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2
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Rengelshausen J, Randerath I, Schettgen T, Esser A, Kaifie A, Lang J, Kraus T, Ziegler P. Ten years after: findings from the medical surveillance program on Health Effects in High-Level Exposure to PCB (HELPcB). Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2609-2623. [PMID: 37594590 PMCID: PMC10474999 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03578-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
After the detection of high environmental and occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a German recycling company for transformers and capacitors in 2010, the multidisciplinary medical surveillance program "HELPcB" (Health Effects in High-Level Exposure to PCB) was established for former PCB-exposed workers of the company, their family members, employees of surrounding companies, and area residents to investigate potential adverse health effects by PCB exposure in a longitudinal study approach with up to seven examination time points between 2010 and 2019. More than 300 individuals were enrolled into the program. Assessments particularly included plasma and urine concentrations of PCB congeners and their metabolites, clinical laboratory parameters, Comet assay, analysis of telomere length, neuropsychological examinations, psychological screening, abdominal and thyroid ultrasound examination. This review summarizes the main results of the studies conducted in the HELPcB program yielding relevant new data on potential adverse effects of PCB exposure in humans and potential mechanisms that underlie these effects. Even larger studies in PCB-exposed individuals are warranted to confirm the results of this program and to further establish causality between PCB exposure and clinical effects in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Rengelshausen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Isabella Randerath
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andre Esser
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jessica Lang
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Patrick Ziegler
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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Ngoubeyou PSK, Wolkersdorfer C, Ndibewu PP, Augustyn W. Toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls in aquatic environments - A review. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 251:106284. [PMID: 36087490 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106284] [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: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their congeners resulting from the pollution of all environmental media is inherently related to its persistence and ubiquitous nature. In principle, determination of this class of contaminants are limited to the determination of their concentrations in the various environmental matrices. For solving many problems in this context, knowledge of the emission sources of PCBs, transport pathways, and sites of contamination and biomagnification is of great benefit to scientists and researchers, as well as many regulatory organizations. By far the largest amounts of PCBs, regardless of their discharged points, end up in the soil, sediment and finally in different aquatic environments. By reviewing relevant published materials, the source of origin of PCBs in the environment particularly from different pollution point sources, it is possible to obtain useful information on the nature of different materials that are sources of PCBs, or their concentrations and their toxicity or health effects and how they can be removed from contaminated media. This review focuses on the sources of PCBs in aquatic environments and critically reviews the toxicity of PCBs in aquatic animals and plants. The review also assesses the toxicity equivalency factors (TEFs) of PCBs providing valuable knowledge to other scientists and researchers that enables regulatory laws to be formulated based on selective determination of concentrations regarding their maximum permissible limits (MPLs) allowed. This review also supplies a pool of valuable information useful for designing decontamination technologies for PCBs in media like soil, sediment, and wastewaters.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Wolkersdorfer
- Tshwane University of Technology, SARChI Chair for Mine Water Treatment, Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Peter Papoh Ndibewu
- Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Chemistry, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
| | - Wilma Augustyn
- Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Chemistry, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
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Pan C, Zhao H, Du Q, Xu Y, Tian D, Xiao S, Wang H, Wei X, Wu C, Ruan Y, Zhao C, Tao G, Zheng W. Path Analysis Reveals the Direct Effect of PCB28 Exposure on Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Chinese Females. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19126958. [PMID: 35742207 PMCID: PMC9222330 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19126958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Research indicates that exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can cause neurobehavioral impairments in neonates and adults, but the way specific PCBs’ congeners impact cognition functions at a low exposure level in a real-life co-exposure system remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association of PCBs burden with cognition function among elderly adults. Methods: Based on the Weitang Geriatric Diseases study (2014−2015), the current study measured the plasma concentrations of six indicator-PCBs by GC-MS/MS and assessed the cognitive dysfunction (CoD) via an Abbreviated Mental Test in 266 participants (ages 61−90). Sequential logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of PCBs on cognition functions. Female participants aged less than or equal to 80 years were selected, and path analysis was used to determine the direct or indirect impacts of co-exposure PCBs on CoD by structural equation modeling. Results: After sequential adjustments to potential confounding factors and correction by the Bonferroni, no statistically significant correlation between PCBs exposure and CoD was found in participants (p > 0.05). However, in the co-exposure system, after controlling for co-exposures and confounders, exposure to PCB28 had a direct effect on CoD in females aged between 61 and 80, with a factor load of 0.670. Conclusions: After adjusting for the co-exposures and confounders, exposure to PCB28 can directly increase the risk of cognitive impairment in older Chinese females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenwei Pan
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (C.P.); (Y.X.)
| | - Huijuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No. 130 Dongan Road, Shanghai 200032, China;
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiaoling Du
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China;
| | - Yong Xu
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (C.P.); (Y.X.)
| | - Dajun Tian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA;
| | - Shuo Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institutes, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
| | - Haiyin Wang
- Department of Health Technology Assessment, Shanghai Health Development Research Center, Shanghai 200032, China;
| | - Xiao Wei
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China;
| | - Chunfeng Wu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control & Prevention, No. 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China;
| | - Yuanyuan Ruan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugates Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chunhua Zhao
- Education and Training Department, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215001, China
- Technology Department, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, 26 Daoqian Street, Suzhou 215001, China
- Correspondence: (C.Z.); (G.T.); (W.Z.); Tel./Fax: +86-021-54237229 (G.T.)
| | - Gonghua Tao
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control & Prevention, No. 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200336, China;
- Correspondence: (C.Z.); (G.T.); (W.Z.); Tel./Fax: +86-021-54237229 (G.T.)
| | - Weiwei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No. 130 Dongan Road, Shanghai 200032, China;
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: (C.Z.); (G.T.); (W.Z.); Tel./Fax: +86-021-54237229 (G.T.)
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Esser A, Ziegler P, Kaifie A, Kraus T, Schettgen T. Modelling past human internal exposure to lower chlorinated indicator PCBs using proxies - A calculation based on multiple longitudinal PCB analyses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 784:147250. [PMID: 34088037 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants with former applications in electric transformers, capacitors, hydraulic fluids or joint sealants. While current internal exposure to PCBs can be readily assessed by human biomonitoring, the evaluation of longgone past exposures, in particular the estimation of past exposure to lower chlorinated non-dioxin-like PCB 28, 52 or 101 is limited due to the relatively short biological half-life of these PCB-congeners. This study was aimed to find a proxy that would allow an estimation of the former plasma level for these congeners even several years after exposure cessation. We used biomonitoring data of the German HELPcB cohort with six consecutive follow-up investigations and identified the congeners PCB 66, 74 and 99 as suitable proxies for the congeners of interest. The biological half-lives of the proxies as well as their individual correlation with the plasma levels of PCB 28, 52 and 101 was considered in the calculation models. The correlation coefficients and the inter correlation coefficient 3 (ICC3) between measured and calculated initial values were applied for validation. For external validation purposes we used longitudinal biomonitoring data from two different cohorts with indoor exposure to lower chlorinated PCBs. The backward estimation from current PCB 74 levels to former PCB 28 levels led to an ICC3 of 0.682 and a correlation of rho = 0.724 within the HELPcB cohort. The external validation revealed an ICC3 of 0.723 and a correlation of rho = 0.654. The external validation for PCB 101 was feasible, but measures were not comparably good (ICC3 = 0.460; Rho = 0.516). External validation for PCB 52 was not successful, maybe due to the lower level of burden. Our model shows that a rough estimation of former plasma levels of lower chlorinated PCBs is possible even years after exposure cessation using current measurements of PCB74.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Esser
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Patrick Ziegler
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
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Adverse health effects of PCBs on fine motor performance - Analysis of a neurophysiological pathway in the HELPcB surveillance program. Neurotoxicology 2021; 84:146-154. [PMID: 33774065 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Since research literature indicates neurotoxic health effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), it is necessary to identify by which mechanism PCBs might affect the human central nervous system and human behavior. In the present study, a neurophysiological pathway is assumed to explain the negative association of PCB exposure and performance in fine motor tasks mediated by the level of the dopamine (DA) metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA). A total of 113 occupationally PCB exposed workers and their relatives from an occupational health monitoring program were examined (89.4 % men). PCBs were analyzed in plasma via human biomonitoring and HVA was assessed in urine. The motor performance series was used to measure two dimensions of fine motor skills with 5 subgroups (accuracy: steadiness, line tracking accuracy; speed: line tracking speed, aiming, tapping). The direct effects of PCBs on fine motor performance and the indirect effects of PCBs on fine motor performance via DA metabolite HVA were tested with multiple regressions. We found significant effects for the accuracy dimension, namely a negative direct effect of PCBs on line tracking accuracy mediated by HVA. Further, an indirect effect could be found for PCBs with steadiness accuracy through HVA. There were no significant effects related to fine motor performances in the speed dimension. These results provide first indications for an underlying neurochemical pathomechanism involving the dopamine system of PCB-related deterioration of fine motor performance regarding accuracy.
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Idda T, Bonas C, Hoffmann J, Bertram J, Quinete N, Schettgen T, Fietkau K, Esser A, Stope MB, Leijs MM, Baron JM, Kraus T, Voigt A, Ziegler P. Metabolic activation and toxicological evaluation of polychlorinated biphenyls in Drosophila melanogaster. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21587. [PMID: 33299007 PMCID: PMC7726022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78405-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is initiated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and includes PCB oxidation to OH-metabolites, which often display a higher toxicity than their parental compounds. In search of an animal model reflecting PCB metabolism and toxicity, we tested Drosophila melanogaster, a well-known model system for genetics and human disease. Feeding Drosophila with lower chlorinated (LC) PCB congeners 28, 52 or 101 resulted in the detection of a human-like pattern of respective OH-metabolites in fly lysates. Feeding flies high PCB 28 concentrations caused lethality. Thus we silenced selected CYPs via RNA interference and analyzed the effect on PCB 28-derived metabolite formation by assaying 3-OH-2',4,4'-trichlorobiphenyl (3-OHCB 28) and 3'-OH-4',4,6'-trichlorobiphenyl (3'-OHCB 28) in fly lysates. We identified several drosophila CYPs (dCYPs) whose knockdown reduced PCB 28-derived OH-metabolites and suppressed PCB 28 induced lethality including dCYP1A2. Following in vitro analysis using a liver-like CYP-cocktail, containing human orthologues of dCYP1A2, we confirm human CYP1A2 as a PCB 28 metabolizing enzyme. PCB 28-induced mortality in flies was accompanied by locomotor impairment, a common phenotype of neurodegenerative disorders. Along this line, we show PCB 28-initiated caspase activation in differentiated fly neurons. This suggested the loss of neurons through apoptosis. Our findings in flies are congruent with observation in human exposed to high PCB levels. In plasma samples of PCB exposed humans, levels of the neurofilament light chain increase after LC-PCB exposure, indicating neuronal damage. In summary our findings demonstrate parallels between Drosophila and the human systems with respect to CYP mediated metabolism and PCB mediated neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Idda
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - C Bonas
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - J Hoffmann
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - J Bertram
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - N Quinete
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University Florida, Florida, USA
| | - T Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - K Fietkau
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - A Esser
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - M B Stope
- Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - M M Leijs
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - J M Baron
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - T Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - A Voigt
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - P Ziegler
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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Tanner EM, Bloom MS, Kannan K, Lynch J, Wang W, Yucel R, Fitzgerald EF. A longitudinal study of polychlorinated biphenyls and neuropsychological function among older adults from New York State. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 223:1-9. [PMID: 31706927 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cross-sectional studies have linked greater polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure to adverse neuropsychological effects in older adults, including learning, memory, and depressive symptoms. However, no studies among older adults have evaluated the association over time. OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of serum PCB levels on neuropsychological function over a 14-year period in a cohort of older men and women from a PCB-contaminated area of New York State. METHODS In 2000-2002, we assessed serum PCB levels and neuropsychological function (including the California Verbal Learning Test Trial 1 (CVLTT1) for verbal memory and learning, and the Beck Depression Index (BDI) for depressive symptoms) in 253 men and women, ages 55-74 years. A total of 116 (46%) persons repeated the PCB and neuropsychological assessment 14 years later. To assess the association over time, we used generalized estimating equations with clustering variables time, total PCB (∑PCB), and ∑PCB × time, and adjusted for baseline age, sex, smoking, and total serum-lipids. For statistically significant ∑PCB × time interactions, we evaluated the association between PCBs and either verbal memory and learning or depressive symptoms while holding ∑PCB constant at the 10th and 90th percentiles to clarify the direction of the interaction. RESULTS Over the study period, serum ∑PCB levels (wet-weight) declined by 22%, and were associated with different patterns of change over time for memory (∑PCB × Time β = 0.08 p = 0.009) and depressive symptoms (∑PCB × Time β = -0.16 p = 0.013). Specifically, verbal memory and learning decreased (β = -0.08 p = 0.008) and depressive symptoms increased (β = 0.17 p = 0.008) among persons with low exposure (∑PCB levels at the 10th percentile), while persons with high exposure (90th percentile) showed non-significant improvements. DISCUSSION In this cohort, declining ∑PCB levels were likely due at least in part to low rates of local fish consumption in recent decades, given the ban since 1976. The decreased verbal memory and learning and increased depressive symptoms over time among persons with low serum ∑PCB levels is consistent with studies of normative aging. However, the small improvements in those outcomes among those with high serum ∑PCB levels was unexpected. Healthy survivor selection bias or uncontrolled confounding may explain this result. It may also indicate that the neurotoxic impacts of PCBs in older adults are not permanent, but future studies are needed to confirm this possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Tanner
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Michael S Bloom
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States; Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Julie Lynch
- Albany Neuropsychological Associates, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Wei Wang
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Recai Yucel
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Edward F Fitzgerald
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States.
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9
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Pessah IN, Lein PJ, Seegal RF, Sagiv SK. Neurotoxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls and related organohalogens. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 138:363-387. [PMID: 30976975 PMCID: PMC6708608 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-01978-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Halogenated organic compounds are pervasive in natural and built environments. Despite restrictions on the production of many of these compounds in most parts of the world through the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), many "legacy" compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are routinely detected in human tissues where they continue to pose significant health risks to highly exposed and susceptible populations. A major concern is developmental neurotoxicity, although impacts on neurodegenerative outcomes have also been noted. Here, we review human studies of prenatal and adult exposures to PCBs and describe the state of knowledge regarding outcomes across domains related to cognition (e.g., IQ, language, memory, learning), attention, behavioral regulation and executive function, and social behavior, including traits related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We also review current understanding of molecular mechanisms underpinning these associations, with a focus on dopaminergic neurotransmission, thyroid hormone disruption, calcium dyshomeostasis, and oxidative stress. Finally, we briefly consider contemporary sources of organohalogens that may pose human health risks via mechanisms of neurotoxicity common to those ascribed to PCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac N Pessah
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 VM3B, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 VM3B, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Richard F Seegal
- Professor Emeritus, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Sharon K Sagiv
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Perez-Fernandez C, Flores P, Sánchez-Santed F. A Systematic Review on the Influences of Neurotoxicological Xenobiotic Compounds on Inhibitory Control. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:139. [PMID: 31333425 PMCID: PMC6620897 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Impulsive and compulsive traits represent a variety of maladaptive behaviors defined by the difficulties to stop an improper response and the control of a repeated behavioral pattern without sensitivity to changing contingencies, respectively. Otherwise, human beings are continuously exposed to plenty neurotoxicological agents which have been systematically linked to attentional, learning, and memory dysfunctions, both preclinical and clinical studies. Interestingly, the link between both impulsive and compulsive behaviors and the exposure to the most important xenobiotic compounds have been extensively developed; although the information has been rarely summarized. For this, the present systematic review schedule and analyze in depth the most important works relating different subtypes of the above-mentioned behaviors with 4 of the most important xenobiotic compounds: Lead (Pb), Methylmercury (MeHg), Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and Organophosphates (OP) in both preclinical and clinical models. Methods: Systematic search strategy on PubMed databases was developed, and the most important information was structured both in text and in separate tables based on rigorous methodological quality assessment. Results: For Lead, Methylmercury, Polychlorinated biphenyls and organophosphates, a total of 44 (31 preclinical), 34 (21), 38 (23), and 30 (17) studies were accepted for systematic synthesis, respectively. All the compounds showed an important empirical support on their role in the modulation of impulsive and, in lesser degree, compulsive traits, stronger and more solid in animal models with inconclusive results in humans in some cases (i.e., MeHg). However, preclinical and clinical studies have systematically focused on different subtypes of the above-mentioned behaviors, as well as impulsive choice or habit conformations have been rarely studied. Discussion: The strong empirical support in preclinical studies contrasts with the lack of connection between preclinical and clinical models, as well as the different methodologies used. Further research should be focused on dissipate these differences as well as deeply study impulsive choice, decision making, risk taking, and cognitive flexibility, both in experimental animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pilar Flores
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
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Rahami M, Mahdavian L. Computational Investigation of the Interaction of Poly-chloride Biphenyl (PCB-169) with Carbon Nanoparticles. Polycycl Aromat Compd 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/10406638.2018.1540999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Rahami
- Department of Chemistry, Doroud Branch Islamic Azad University, Doroud, Iran
| | - Leila Mahdavian
- Department of Chemistry, Doroud Branch Islamic Azad University, Doroud, Iran
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12
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Tang M, Yin S, Zhang J, Chen K, Jin M, Liu W. Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl and umbilical cord hormones and birth outcomes in an island population. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018. [PMID: 29525625 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is suspected to interfere with fetal development including reproductive and thyroid function and birth outcomes, but published evidence are still sparse. We designed a cross-sectional study to analyze the associations between PCB levels in umbilical cord sera and hormones and birth outcomes of mothers and newborns who are residents from an island. Seven indicator-PCB (PCB-28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180), and five reproductive hormones including luteotropic hormones (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) and anti-Mullerian hormones (AMH), and three thyroid hormones including tri-iodothyronine (T3), tetra-iodothyronine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) were measured in 106 cord sera specimens. Birth outcomes include birth weight, length, head circumference, and gestational age. Multiple linear regression and quartile regression were used to analyze the associations between PCB and each of the hormones and birth outcomes, adjusting for selected potential confounders. The median value of total PCB in umbilical cord sera was 2.02 μg L-1 (IQR, 1.13-4.64). Several negative associations between PCB exposure and reproductive hormones were found. Among them, the β value of PCB-101 for FSH reached -0.38 (95%CI, -0.69, -0.07; p = 0.02). Moreover, we also found some sex-specific associations i.e. PCB-28 was negatively correlated with LH and T and PCB-118 was negatively correlated with T in male newborns but not in female newborns. The associations between PCB and birth outcomes seem to differ by molecular weight of the PCB congeners i.e. the low-chlorinated PCB congeners were negatively associated with gestational age and head circumference while high-chlorinated PCB congeners were positively associated birth weight and gestational age. In this study, we found that PCB congeners with different molecular weight has different associations with hormones and birth outcomes, and future studies are recommended to investigate underlying mechanisms of these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengling Tang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Yin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation & Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Research Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation & Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Research Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingjuan Jin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation & Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Research Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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