Metabolomics analysis of the 3D L-02 cell cultures revealing the key role of metabolism of amino acids in ameliorating hepatotoxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid

Southeast Asia's environmental challenges: emergence of new contaminants and advancements in testing methods

Emerging contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, microplastics, and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, pose a major threat to both ecosystems and human health in Southeast Asia. As this region undergoes rapid industrialization and urbanization, the increasing presence of unconventional pollutants in water bodies, soil, and various organisms has become an alarming concern. This review comprehensively examines the environmental challenges posed by emerging contaminants in Southeast Asia and recent progress in toxicity testing methods. We discuss the diverse range of emerging contaminants found in Southeast Asia, shedding light on their causes and effects on ecosystems, and emphasize the need for robust toxicological testing methods. This review is a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and environmental practitioners working to mitigate the impacts of emerging contaminants and secure a sustainable future for Southeast Asia.

Arecoline-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats: Screening of Abnormal Metabolic Markers and Potential Mechanisms

Arecoline is a pyridine alkaloid derived from areca nut in the Arecaceae family. It has extensive medicinal activity, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic. However, the toxicity of Arecoline limits its application. Most current studies on its toxicity mainly focus on immunotoxicity, carcinogenesis, and cancer promotion. However, there are few systematic studies on its hepatotoxicity and mechanisms. Therefore, this research explored the mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by Arecoline in rats and analyzed endogenous metabolite changes in rat plasma by combining network toxicology with metabolomics. The differential metabolites after Arecoline exposure, such as D-Lysine, N4-Acetylaminobutanal, and L-Arginine, were obtained by metabolomics study, and these differential metabolites were involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and vitamin metabolism. Based on the strategy of network toxicology, Arecoline can affect the HIF-1 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and other concerning pathways by regulating critical targets, such as ALB, CASP3, EGFR, and MMP9. Integration of metabolomics and network toxicology results were further analyzed, and it was concluded that Arecoline may induce hepatotoxicity by mediating oxidative stress, inflammatory response, energy and lipid metabolism, and cell apoptosis.

The assessment of the potential hepatotoxicity of new drugs by in vitro metabolomics

Drug hepatotoxicity assessment is a relevant issue both in the course of drug development as well as in the post marketing phase. The use of human relevant in vitro models in combination with powerful analytical methods (metabolomic analysis) is a promising approach to anticipate, as well as to understand and investigate the effects and mechanisms of drug hepatotoxicity in man. The metabolic profile analysis of biological liver models treated with hepatotoxins, as compared to that of those treated with non-hepatotoxic compounds, provides useful information for identifying disturbed cellular metabolic reactions, pathways, and networks. This can later be used to anticipate, as well to assess, the potential hepatotoxicity of new compounds. However, the applicability of the metabolomic analysis to assess the hepatotoxicity of drugs is complex and requires careful and systematic work, precise controls, wise data preprocessing and appropriate biological interpretation to make meaningful interpretations and/or predictions of drug hepatotoxicity. This review provides an updated look at recent in vitro studies which used principally mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of drugs. It also analyzes the principal drawbacks that still limit its general applicability in safety assessment screenings. We discuss the analytical workflow, essential factors that need to be considered and suggestions to overcome these drawbacks, as well as recent advancements made in this rapidly growing field of research.