When environmental chemicals act like uncontrolled medicine

An Overview of Essential Microelements and Common Metallic Nanoparticles and Their Effects on Male Fertility

Numerous factors affect reproduction, including stress, diet, obesity, the use of stimulants, or exposure to toxins, along with heavy elements (lead, silver, cadmium, uranium, vanadium, mercury, arsenic). Metals, like other xenotoxins, can cause infertility through, e.g., impairment of endocrine function and gametogenesis or excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The advancement of nanotechnology has created another hazard to human safety through exposure to metals in the form of nanomaterials (NMs). Nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit a specific ability to penetrate cell membranes and biological barriers in the human body. These ultra-fine particles (<100 nm) can enter the human body through the respiratory tract, food, skin, injection, or implantation. Once absorbed, NPs are transported to various organs through the blood or lymph. Absorbed NPs, thanks to ultrahigh reactivity compared to bulk materials in microscale size, disrupt the homeostasis of the body as a result of interaction with biological molecules such as DNA, lipids, and proteins; interfering with the functioning of cells, organs, and physiological systems; and leading to severe pathological dysfunctions. Over the past decades, much research has been performed on the reproductive effects of essential trace elements. The research hypothesis that disturbances in the metabolism of trace elements are one of the many causes of infertility has been unquestionably confirmed. This review examines the complex reproductive risks for men regarding the exposure to potentially harmless xenobiotics based on a series of 298 articles over the past 30 years. The research was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases searching for papers devoted to in vivo and in vitro studies related to the influence of essential elements (iron, selenium, manganese, cobalt, zinc, copper, and molybdenum) and widely used metallic NPs on male reproduction potential.

Gamma Radiation: An Eco-Friendly Control Method for the Rice Weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), is the most destructive insect pest of stored cereals worldwide. The current study was conducted to determine the lethal, reproductive, and histological effects of gamma irradiation on S. oryzae adults. In addition, the impact on germination, chlorophyll, and proline content in wheat seedlings from treated grains was determined. Wheat grains were infested with rice weevil adults and then irradiated by gamma rays. Gamma radiation was applied at a dosage of 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 kGy. Mortality percentage and LD50 were recorded after 48, 72, 96, and 120 h of treatment. The dosage of 1.00 kGy caused 100% mortality after 96 h of irradiation. The required dosage of gamma radiation to kill 50% (LD50) of adults after 48 h was 1.51 kGy. All tested doses caused complete sterility to 24 h old adults. A histological alteration was noticed at a dosage of 1.00 kGy, which showed cytoplasmic vacuolization, tissues exhibiting signs of putrefaction, and necrosis of cells; furthermore, gamma irradiation affected chlorophyll a and b. The highest amounts were detected in wheat seedlings from grains irradiated at 0.10 kGy. There was a significant increase in plant proline content at the higher doses (0.50 and 1.00 kGy) compared with seedlings from nonirradiated grains. It could be concluded that gamma radiation can be used as an eco-friendly trend to control stored-product pests without any residual effects.

Plant-Derived Pesticides as an Alternative to Pest Management and Sustainable Agricultural Production: Prospects, Applications and Challenges

Pests and diseases are responsible for most of the losses related to agricultural crops, either in the field or in storage. Moreover, due to indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides over the years, several issues have come along, such as pest resistance and contamination of important planet sources, such as water, air and soil. Therefore, in order to improve efficiency of crop production and reduce food crisis in a sustainable manner, while preserving consumer's health, plant-derived pesticides may be a green alternative to synthetic ones. They are cheap, biodegradable, ecofriendly and act by several mechanisms of action in a more specific way, suggesting that they are less of a hazard to humans and the environment. Natural plant products with bioactivity toward insects include several classes of molecules, for example: terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, cyanogenic glucosides, quinones, amides, aldehydes, thiophenes, amino acids, saccharides and polyketides (which is not an exhaustive list of insecticidal substances). In general, those compounds have important ecological activities in nature, such as: antifeedant, attractant, nematicide, fungicide, repellent, insecticide, insect growth regulator and allelopathic agents, acting as a promising source for novel pest control agents or biopesticides. However, several factors appear to limit their commercialization. In this critical review, a compilation of plant-derived metabolites, along with their corresponding toxicology and mechanisms of action, will be approached, as well as the different strategies developed in order to meet the required commercial standards through more efficient methods.

Environmental impact on reproductive health and risk mitigating strategies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to increase awareness among reproductive health professionals and trainees about the impact of environmental toxicants and climate change on women's health and mitigation strategies at the individual, professional and governmental levels.

RECENT FINDINGS

Global health indicators reveal a meteoric rise of noncommunicable diseases over the past 50 years, which threaten reproductive health directly and indirectly. Evolutionary genetic mutations as contributors are unlikely in this timeframe, and environmental causes have been invoked. Notably, the past 75 years have witnessed marked increases in industrial chemical production, and global warming has rendered a 'climate crisis' with extreme temperatures and compromised food, water, and air quality. There is now strong experimental and epidemiologic evidence for endocrine disrupting chemicals and particulate matter and chemical components of air pollution in the pathophysiology of human reproductive disorders during development and across the lifespan, especially among vulnerable populations.

SUMMARY

Environmental impacts on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, childhood neurodevelopment, and reproductive tract development are significant, not widely appreciated, and may be preventable. In light of the evidence, education and advocating economical mitigations of toxic environmental chemicals and alternative energy strategies are imperatives to assure quality reproductive health for this and future generations.

Endocrine Disruptors in Food: Impact on Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Diseases

Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) have been associated with the increased incidence of metabolic disorders. In this work, we conducted a systematic review of the literature in order to identify the current knowledge of the interactions between EDCs in food, the gut microbiota, and metabolic disorders in order to shed light on this complex triad. Exposure to EDCs induces a series of changes including microbial dysbiosis and the induction of xenobiotic pathways and associated genes, enzymes, and metabolites involved in EDC metabolism. The products and by-products released following the microbial metabolism of EDCs can be taken up by the host; therefore, changes in the composition of the microbiota and in the production of microbial metabolites could have a major impact on host metabolism and the development of diseases. The remediation of EDC-induced changes in the gut microbiota might represent an alternative course for the treatment and prevention of metabolic diseases.

Environmental toxins and the impact of other endocrine disrupting chemicals in women's reproductive health

This review aimed to look into agents and mechanisms characterized as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These agents are known to cause several harmful effects to the reproductive system of women and wildlife. There is a wide range of chemicals, developed for commercial use mainly in agriculture, which may cause endocrine disruption. Numerous studies show evidence of environmental contamination. However, no one is being held liable for the damages. The most important potentially harmful agents are identified and described, along with the different effects they have on the female genital area. Brazil is a large consumer of pesticides and others chemicals that may interfere with a normal women's life. We analyzed and described the mode of action and the impacts of different EDCs (bisphenols, phthalates, atrazine, polychlorinated and polybrominated biphenyls, DDT-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; DDE-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDD-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; and DES-diethylstilbestrol) on the genital area, ovarian steroidogenesis, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, the structure of the uterus and the vagina, and on the formation of leiomyomas.

A screening-level approach to quantifying risk from glacial release of organochlorine pollutants in the Alaskan Arctic

Widespread distribution of atmospherically mobilized organochlorine pollutants (OCPs) has been documented throughout the Arctic. A fraction of these OCPs have become entrained in glacial ice, and during melting, they can be released into downstream reservoirs. Though this remobilization is known, an assessment of risk from glacial meltwater to collocated human communities in the Arctic, including Alaska, had not been accomplished. Here, we use a screening-level risk assessment model for glacial watersheds, based on US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methodology, which we apply to the glaciated Jarvis Creek watershed of interior Alaska. Model results indicate that even with low levels of OCPs in glacial meltwater, high fish consumption by subsistence communities in the area increases the risk of cancer and hazard impacts above acceptable limits. Though this model is specific to one watershed, our results imply that further investigation of an increasing OCP signal in glacial meltwater and fish throughout the North American Arctic is warranted.

Nano-based smart pesticide formulations: Emerging opportunities for agriculture

The incorporation of nanotechnology as a means for nanopesticides is in the early stage of development. The main idea behind this incorporation is to lower the indiscriminate use of conventional pesticides to be in line with safe environmental applications. Nanoencapsulated pesticides can provide controlled release kinetics, while efficiently enhancing permeability, stability, and solubility. Nanoencapsulation can enhance the pest-control efficiency over extended durations by preventing the premature degradation of active ingredients (AIs) under harsh environmental conditions. This review is thus organized to critically assess the significant role of nanotechnology for encapsulation of AIs for pesticides. The smart delivery of pesticides is essential to reduce the dosage of AIs with enhanced efficacy and to overcome pesticide loss (e.g., due to leaching and evaporation). The future trends of pesticide nanoformulations including nanomaterials as AIs and nanoemulsions of biopesticides are also explored. This review should thus offer a valuable guide for establishing regulatory frameworks related to field applications of these nano-based pesticides in the near future.

The Role of Environmental Disruptor Chemicals in the Development of Non Communicable Disease

The increasing prevalence of non communicable diseases (NCDs) poses main challenges to global public health. Various environmental exposures to different chemicals and pollutants might interact with genetic and epigenetic mechanisms resulting in the development of NCDs. Among these environmental exposures, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) consist of a group of compounds with potential adverse health effects and the interference with the endocrine system. They are mostly used in food constituents, packaging industries and pesticides. Growing number of in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological studies documented the link of EDC exposure with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, which are the underlying factors for development of NCDs. Prevention of exposure to EDCs and reduction of their production should be underscored in strategies for primordial prevention of NCDs.

Quantitative screening level assessment of human risk from PCBs released in glacial meltwater: Silvretta Glacier, Swiss Alps

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are entrained within glaciers globally, reemerging in many alpine ecosystems. Despite available data on POP flux from glaciers, a study of human health risk caused by POPs released in glacial meltwater has never been attempted. Glaciers in the European Alps house the largest known quantity of POPs in the Northern Hemisphere, presenting an opportunity for identification of potential risk in an endmember scenario case study. With methodology developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we provide a regional screening level human risk analysis of one class of POPs, polychlorinated-biphenyls (PCB) that have been measured in melt waters from the Silvretta Glacier in the Swiss Alps. Our model suggests the potential for both cancer and non-cancer impacts in residents with lifetime exposure to current levels of PCB in glacial meltwater and average consumption of local fish. For residents with an abbreviated 30-year exposure timeframe, the risk for cancer and non-cancer impacts is low. Populations that consume higher quantities of local fish are predicted to be at a greater risk, with risk to lifetime consumers higher by an order of magnitude. Based on the results of our screening study, we suggest that local government move to the next step within the risk assessment framework: local monitoring and management. Within the Alps, other glacial watersheds of a similar size and latitude may see comparable risk and our model framework can be adapted for further implementation therein.

Legacy organochlorine pollutants in glacial watersheds: a review

Northern Hemisphere alpine glaciers have been identified as a point of concentration and reemergence of legacy organochlorine pollutants (OCPs). In this review, we compile a selection of published literature combining long-range, global atmospheric transport and distribution-based compartmental environmental flux models, as well as data from glacial meltwater, ice core, crevasse and proglacial lake sediment studies. Regional studies of ice and meltwater in alpine glaciers of the northern latitudes show similarities in sample deposition profiles and concentration due to chemical atmospheric residence time, precipitation type and glacier flow rates. In glaciated locations near areas of extensive OCPs use, such as the Swiss and Italian Alps, glacier sample concentrations are higher, while in areas more distant from use, including Arctic nations, OCPs concentrations in glaciers are significantly lower. Our review identifies alpine glaciers co-located with regions characterized by OCPs use as a significant organochlorine pollutant distribution source, secondary in timing and location to direct deposition, with subsequent bioaccumulation and potential human risk impacts.

Development of Novel Cell Lines for High-Throughput Screening to Detect Estrogen-Related Receptor Alpha Modulators

Estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα), the first orphan nuclear receptor discovered, is crucial for the control of cellular energy metabolism. ERRα and its coactivator, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), are required for rapid energy production in response to environmental challenges. They have been implicated in the etiology of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. ERRα also plays a role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Identification of compounds that modulate ERRα signaling may elucidate environmental factors associated with these diseases. Therefore, we developed stable cell lines containing an intact ERRα signaling pathway, with and without the coactivator PGC-1α, to use as high-throughput screening tools to detect ERRα modulators. The lentiviral PGC-1α expression constructs and ERRα multiple hormone response element (MHRE) reporters were introduced into HEK293T cells that express endogenous ERRα. A cell line expressing the reporter alone was designated "ERR." A second cell line expressing both reporter and PGC-1α was named "PGC/ERR." Initial screenings of the Library of Pharmacologically Active Compounds (LOPAC) identified 33 ERR and 22 PGC/ERR agonists, and 54 ERR and 15 PGC/ERR antagonists. Several potent ERRα agonists were dietary plant compounds (e.g., genistein). In conclusion, these cell lines are suitable for high-throughput screens to identify environmental chemicals affecting metabolic pathways and breast cancer progression.

BMI and BMD: The Potential Interplay between Obesity and Bone Fragility

Recent evidence demonstrating an increased fracture risk among obese individuals suggests that adipose tissue may negatively impact bone health, challenging the traditional paradigm of fat mass playing a protective role towards bone health. White adipose tissue, far from being a mere energy depot, is a dynamic tissue actively implicated in metabolic reactions, and in fact secretes several hormones called adipokines and inflammatory factors that may in turn promote bone resorption. More specifically, Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) may potentially prove detrimental. It is widely acknowledged that obesity is positively associated to many chronic disorders such as metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes, conditions that could themselves affect bone health. Although aging is largely known to decrease bone strength, little is yet known on the mechanisms via which obesity and its comorbidities may contribute to such damage. Given the exponentially growing obesity rate in recent years and the increased life expectancy of western countries it appears of utmost importance to timely focus on this topic.

CombiSimilarity, an innovative method to compare environmental and health data sets with different attribute sizes example: eighteen Organochlorine Pesticides in soil and human breast milk samples

Human health and the health of the environment have entwined. In this paper we underpin this position by presenting a modeling approach named CombiSimilarity, which has been developed by the first author in the software tool PyHasse comprising a wide variety of partial ordering tools. A case study of 18 Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) detected in soil as well as in human breast milk samples in the Taurus Mountains in Turkey is carried out. Seven soil samples and 44 breast milk samples were measured. We seek to answer the question whether the contamination pattern in breast milk is associated with the contamination pattern in soil by studying the mutual quantitative relationships of the chemicals involved. We could demonstrate that there is a similarity with respect to the concentration profiles between the soil and breast milk pollution. Therefore the hypothesis may be formulated that the concentrations of chemicals in the milk samples are strongly related to the soil contamination. This supports the concept that soil could be a surrogate for human exposure at background locations.

Actions of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on stem/progenitor cells during development and disease

Development and fate of the stem cell are regulated by extrinsic signals from the environment. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals which perturb hormonal signaling in utero and during early childhood may cause deregulation of multiple developmental processes, ranging from breakdown of stem cell niche architecture, developmental reprograming and altered stem cell fate to impaired organ and gonad development and sexual differentiation. Therefore, study of the environmental effects on stem cell integrity and normal development is a new and emerging focus for developmental biologists and cell toxicologists. When combined with new human and mouse stem cell-based models, stem cell differentiation dynamics can be studied in more biologically relevant ways. In this study, we review the current status of our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which endocrine disruptors alter embryonic stem cell and adult stem/progenitor cell fate, organ development, cancer stem cell activity, and tumorigenesis.

Development of a stable cell line with an intact PGC-1α/ERRα axis for screening environmental chemicals

The estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) play critical roles in the control of several physiological functions, including the regulation of genes involved in energy homeostasis. However, little is known about the ability of environmental chemicals to disrupt or modulate this important bioenergetics pathway in humans. The goal of this study was to develop a cell-based assay system with an intact PGC-1α/ERRα axis that could be used as a screening assay for detecting such chemicals. To this end, we successfully generated several stable cell lines expressing PGC-1α and showed that the reporter driven by the native ERRα hormone response unit (AAB-Luc) is active in these cell lines and that the activation is PGC-1α-dependent. Furthermore, we show that this activation can be blocked by the ERRα selective inverse agonist, XCT790. In addition, we find that genistein and bisphenol A further stimulate the reporter activity, while kaempferol has minimal effect. These cell lines will be useful for identifying environmental chemicals that modulate this important pathway.

Sucralose, a synthetic organochlorine sweetener: overview of biological issues

Sucralose is a synthetic organochlorine sweetener (OC) that is a common ingredient in the world's food supply. Sucralose interacts with chemosensors in the alimentary tract that play a role in sweet taste sensation and hormone secretion. In rats, sucralose ingestion was shown to increase the expression of the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and two cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isozymes in the intestine. P-gp and CYP are key components of the presystemic detoxification system involved in first-pass drug metabolism. The effect of sucralose on first-pass drug metabolism in humans, however, has not yet been determined. In rats, sucralose alters the microbial composition in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), with relatively greater reduction in beneficial bacteria. Although early studies asserted that sucralose passes through the GIT unchanged, subsequent analysis suggested that some of the ingested sweetener is metabolized in the GIT, as indicated by multiple peaks found in thin-layer radiochromatographic profiles of methanolic fecal extracts after oral sucralose administration. The identity and safety profile of these putative sucralose metabolites are not known at this time. Sucralose and one of its hydrolysis products were found to be mutagenic at elevated concentrations in several testing methods. Cooking with sucralose at high temperatures was reported to generate chloropropanols, a potentially toxic class of compounds. Both human and rodent studies demonstrated that sucralose may alter glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) levels. Taken together, these findings indicate that sucralose is not a biologically inert compound.