Exposure to environmental pollutants and a marker of early kidney injury in the general population: Results of a nationally representative cross-sectional study based on the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2012-2014

Adverse effects of triclosan exposure on health and potential molecular mechanisms

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of disinfectants has grown significantly around the world. Triclosan (TCS), namely 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol or 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether, is a broad-spectrum, lipophilic, antibacterial agent that is extensively used in multifarious consumer products. Due to the widespread use and bioaccumulation, TCS is frequently detected in the environment and human biological samples. Accumulating evidence suggests that TCS is considered as a novel endocrine disruptor and may have potential unfavorable effects on human health, but studies on the toxic effect mediated by TCS exposure as well as its underlying mechanisms of action are relatively sparse. Therefore, in this review, we attempted to summarize the potential detrimental effects of TCS exposure on human reproductive health, liver function, intestinal homeostasis, kidney function, thyroid endocrine, and other tissue health, and further explore its mechanisms of action, thereby contributing to the better understanding of TCS characteristics and safety. Moreover, our work suggested the need to further investigate the biological effects of TCS exposure at the metabolic level in vivo.

Xenoestrogen exposure and kidney function in the general population: Results of a community-based study by laboratory tests and questionnaire-based interviewing

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing concern worldwide. Exposure to xenoestrogens (XEs), such as phthalates, parabens, and phenols, lead to CKD. However, kidney function and its complex relationship with XEs, lifestyle, and dietary habits are not well understood.

METHODS

In the present cross-sectional community-based cohort study, we enrolled 887 subjects for a questionnaire-based interview and laboratory tests. XE exposure concerning lifestyle/dietary habits were evaluated using questionnaires. Urinary levels of 17XE metabolites were measured in 60 subjects with high exposure risk scores and 60 subjects with low exposure risk scores.

RESULTS

Univariate and multivariate linear regression showed that a high exposure score (β ± SE: 4.226 ± 1.830, P = 0.021) was independently negatively associated with eGFR in 887 subjects. Univariate and multivariate linear regression to urinary XEs and urine albumin creatinine excretion ratio (UACR) in 120 subjects indicated that ethylparaben (EP) (β: 1.934, 95% CI: 0.135-3.733, P = 0.035) was significantly associated with increased UACR. Multivariate regression analyses of the CKD subgroup (n = 38), after adjusting for age, showed that higher levels of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), EP, nonylphenol (NP), and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) were significantly associated with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Higher urinary levels of MEHP (OR: 3.037, 95% CI: 1.274-7.241) were more likely associated with high exposure scores (>5 points), after adjusting for diabetes, gender, eGFR, age, Na, Ca, albumin, vitamin D, systolic blood pressure (SBP), white blood cell count, total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, and heart rate. MEHP (β ± SE: 0.033 ± 0.009, P < 0.001) was also significantly positively associated with total exposure scores after applying multivariate linear regression analyses.

CONCLUSION

XE exposure scores obtained from the questionnaires were negatively associated with kidney function. Urinary metabolites of XEs, including EP, NP, BP-3, and MEHP, are potential risk factors for microalbuminuria and decline in kidney function. MEHP seemed to have the strongest correlation with high exposure scores and decline in kidney function.

Bisphenol A Modulates Autophagy and Exacerbates Chronic Kidney Damage in Mice

BACKGROUND

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental toxin that accumulates in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aim was to explore the effect of chronic exposition of BPA in healthy and injured kidney investigating potential mechanisms involved.

METHODS

In C57Bl/6 mice, administration of BPA (120 mg/kg/day, i.p for 5 days/week) was done for 2 and 5 weeks. To study BPA effect on CKD, a model of subtotal nephrectomy (SNX) combined with BPA administration for 5 weeks was employed. In vitro studies were done in human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 line).

RESULTS

Chronic BPA administration to healthy mice induces inflammatory infiltration in the kidney, tubular injury and renal fibrosis (assessed by increased collagen deposition). Moreover, in SNX mice BPA exposure exacerbates renal lesions, including overexpression of the tubular damage biomarker Hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1 (Havcr-1/KIM-1). BPA upregulated several proinflammatory genes and increased the antioxidant response [Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Heme Oxygenase-1 (Ho-1) and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (Nqo-1)] both in healthy and SNX mice. The autophagy process was modulated by BPA, through elevated autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5), autophagy-related gene 7 (Atg7), Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (Map1lc3b/Lc3b) and Beclin-1 gene levels and blockaded the autophagosome maturation and flux (p62 levels). This autophagy deregulation was confirmed in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

BPA deregulates autophagy flux and redox protective mechanisms, suggesting a potential mechanism of BPA deleterious effects in the kidney.

Exposure to Chemical and Biological Agents at Work and Cardiovascular Disease in Brazil: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE

Investigating the relationship between exposure to chemical and biological agents at work and the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in a Brazilian national health survey.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using the database of 36.442 participants from the Brazilian National Health Survey. Logistic Regression analysis was performed for multivariable models.

RESULTS

After adjustments for key confounders, we observed that those individuals exposed to chemical agents and biological materials at work had 62% (95% CI: 1.20; 2.20) and 66% (95% CI: 1.03; 2.65), respectively, higher odds of having cardiovascular disease compared to employed individuals who did not report exposure to biological materials/chemical agents at work.

CONCLUSION

This study draws attention to the role of chemical and biological risks in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. In this sense, it is necessary developing systematic and intersectoral actions for Workers' Health Surveillance to promote health and prevent chronic non-communicable diseases.

Urinary cadmium concentrations and risk of primary ovarian insufficiency in women: a case-control study

Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal that occurs in the environment in large quantities through human activities, has been shown to have adverse effects on female reproductive health. However, the association between cadmium exposure and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), one of the most prevalent ovarian diseases in women, has not been examined yet. This case-control study involving 169 POI cases and 209 healthy controls was conducted in Zhejiang Province, China. The urinary concentrations of cadmium were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In addition, serum levels of reproductive hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol, were measured. The median concentration of urinary cadmium in POI cases (0.43 μg/L, 0.58 μg/g for creatinine adjustment) was significantly higher than that of controls (0.29 μg/L, 0.43 μg/g for creatinine adjustment). The results of binary logistic regression models showed that the concentrations of urinary cadmium were positively significantly correlated with the odds ratio (ORs) of POI before the adjustment of confounders. After the adjustment, a significantly positive association was still present between the increased concentrations of cadmium and the ORs of POI (2.50, 95% CIs: 1.34-4.65 for the third tertile, p for trend = 0.001). The serum levels of FSH and LH were positively associated with urinary cadmium, while AMH and estradiol levels were inversely correlated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported positive association of cadmium exposure with the risk of POI in women.

Environmental Distribution of Personal Care Products and Their Effects on Human Health

Personal care products (PCPs) are generally used for personal hygiene, cleaning, grooming, and beautification. These include hair and skin care products, baby care products, UV blocking creams, facial cleansers, insect repellents, perfumes, fragrances, soap, detergents, shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, etc., thus exposing humans easily. Personal preferences related to PCPs usage frequency are highly variable and depend on socioeconomic status and lifestyle factors. The increasing availability and diversity of PCPs from the retailer outlets consequently result in higher loading of PCPs into wastewater systems and, therefore, the environment. These compounds persistently and continuously release biologically active and inactive ingredients in the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and demonstrating adverse effects on human, wild, and marine life. Advanced techniques such as granular activated carbon filtration and algae-based system may help biotransformation and remove PCP contaminants from water with improved efficiency. Additionally, harmony among PCPs related regulations of different countries may encourage standard checks to control their manufacturing, sale, and distribution across the borders to ensure consumers' safety. Furthermore, all intended ingredients, their concentrations, and instructions for frequency of use as per age groups may be clearly labeled on packages of PCPs. In conclusion, the emerging environmental contaminants of PCPs and their association with the growing risks of negative effects on human health and globally on the environment emphasize the chemical-free simple lifestyle.

Bisphenol A analogs in patients with chronic kidney disease and dialysis therapy

Bisphenol A (BPA) accumulates in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and hemodialysis filters may contribute to bisphenol burden in patients on hemodialysis (HD). The serum levels of BPA and three BPA analogs, namely, bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol F (BPF), in 58 patients with CKD, 66 patients on dialysis therapy and 30 healthy control were investigated. The content of four bisphenols (BPs) was also examined in three types of dialysis filters, followed by an in vitro elution experiment to test the release of BPs from the dialysis filters. The serum levels of BPA (r = -0.746, p < 0.05) and BPS (r = -0.433, p < 0.05) in 58 CKD patients and 30 healthy control were correlated with the decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate. The serum levels of BPs in the HD patients were higher than those in the peritoneal dialysis patients (p < 0.05). In the in vitro study on the BP contents in dialysis filters, BPA was the main form of the BPs in the polysulfone membrane (20.86 ± 1.18 ng/mg) and in the polyamide membrane (18.70 ± 2.88 ng/mg), and a modicum of BPS (0.01 ± 0.01 ng/mg) was detected in the polyethersulfone membrane. The results of the elution experiment were in accordance with the results of BPs content in the dialysis filters. Insufficient renal function may lead to BPs accumulation in patients with CKD, and BPs in dialysis products may cause BPs burden in patients on HD.