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He S, Yan C, Wu M, Peng H, Li R, Wan J, Ye X, Zhang H, Ding S. Dibutyl phthalate adsorbed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes can aggravate liver injury in mice via the Jak2/STAT3 pathway. Toxicol Ind Health 2024; 40:167-175. [PMID: 38285958 DOI: 10.1177/07482337241230701] [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] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are common environmental pollutants and may degrade differently with different resulting biotoxicity, when present together. This study investigated the toxicological effects of singular or combined exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in KM mice. Results indicated that combined exposure led to slower weight gain and an increased leukocyte count in the blood, as well as liver tissue lesions and downregulation of organ coefficients. Additionally, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were elevated in the liver, and glucose, pyruvate, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (T-CHO) were significantly reduced, suggesting compromised liver function. Furthermore, mRNA levels of genes related to hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism were significantly altered. These findings suggest that combined exposure to DBP and MWCNTs can have severe impacts on liver function in mice, highlighting the importance of considering interactions between multiple contaminants in environmental risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suli He
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao Yan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haiyan Peng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ren Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian Wan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Ye
- Liquor Marking Biological Technology and Application of Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Bioengineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Yibin, China
| | - Hongmao Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shumao Ding
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
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He S, Peng H, Wu M, Yan C, Wan J, Ye X, Zhang H, Ding S. Combined exposure to multiwalled carbon nanotubes and dibutyl phthalates aggravated airway inflammation in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 182:114188. [PMID: 37967788 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114188] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Previous work has shown that mice exposed to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) adsorbed onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), via tail vein injection, displayed black lesions in their lungs. To investigate the mechanism causing this toxicity in the lung tissue, we performed an experiment with rats, exposing them to DBP adsorbed onto MWCNTs via a tail vein injection for 14 days. The results revealed pulmonary edema and greyish-black lung tissue in the MWCNTs and the MWCNTs + DBP combined exposure groups. In the combined exposure group there was evident alveolar fragmentation and adhesion, and lung tissue sections showed significant levels of black particles. Sections of the non-cartilaginous region of the trachea had significant folding of the pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and marked thickening of the submucosa. In broncho alveolar lavage fluid, the number of leukocytes (WBC), lymphocytes (Lym), neutrophils (Neu), and eosinophils (Eos), as well as levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were all significantly higher. TNF-α, IL-6, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) mRNA expression were all elevated in the lung tissue. The combined exposure group, which had considerable airway remodeling, had a greater degree of tracheal constriction and luminal narrowing, according to the results of the α-SMA immunofluorescence assay. According to these experimental findings, the exposure to both MWCNTs and DBP seemed to have a synergistic effect and exacerbated rats' impaired respiratory function that resulted from exposure to MWCNTs alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suli He
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Haiyan Peng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Min Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Chao Yan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Jian Wan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Ye
- Liquor Marking Biological Technology and Application of Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Bioengineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Yibin, 644000, China
| | - Hongmao Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Shumao Ding
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China.
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Chen H, Zhao Y, Zhao T, Li Y, Ren B, Liang H, Liang H. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes enhance the toxicity effects of dibutyl phthalate on early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio): Research in physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 899:165684. [PMID: 37482360 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165684] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used as plasticizers. PAEs are ubiquitous in natural water bodies, with dibutyl phthalate (DBP) being one of the most common PAEs. DBP is prone to leaching or migration into the environment, posing serious health and environmental risks. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely used in various fields with the rapid development of nanotechnology. CNTs could alter the environmental behavior and toxicity of co-existing pollutants. CNTs have been shown to rapidly adsorb PEAs. However, current knowledge about the effects of CNTs on DBP toxicity is limited. Here we show that the toxic effects of single and combined exposure to DBP (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mg/L) and different CNTs (MWCNTs/MWCNTs-COOH, 0.5 mg/L) on the early growth stage of zebrafish. The results suggested that a significant increase in heart rate and heart malformation rate was observed after co-exposure of DBP and MWCNTs/MWCNTs-COOH (p < 0.05). Furthermore, combined exposure increased antioxidant enzyme activity during early developmental stages in zebrafish (p < 0.05). The qRT-PCR results revealed that DBP and MWCNTs/MWCNTs-COOH co-exposure significantly interfered with the expression of genes related to oxidative stress, energy metabolism, development of cardiac function, and apoptosis (p < 0.05). In addition, for oxidative stress and cardiotoxicity, MWCNTs/MWCNTs-COOH aggravated the toxic effects of 0.5 mg/L DBP on embryos/larvae. The metabolomics results showed that co-exposure mitigated the disturbance of amino acid metabolism mediated by single DBP exposure. In general, MWCNTs/MWCNTs-COOH increased the impact of DBP in the early developmental stages of zebrafish. This study provides new insights into the toxicology of early developmental stages of aquatic organisms exposed to co-exist pollutants of DBP and CNTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyue Chen
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control & Waste Resource Reuse, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Yuexing Zhao
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control & Waste Resource Reuse, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Tingting Zhao
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control & Waste Resource Reuse, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Yanhong Li
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control & Waste Resource Reuse, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Bo Ren
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control & Waste Resource Reuse, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Hanlin Liang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control & Waste Resource Reuse, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Hongwu Liang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control & Waste Resource Reuse, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China.
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You M, Song Y, Chen J, Liu Y, Chen W, Cen Y, Zhao X, Tao Z, Yang G. Combined exposure to benzo(a)pyrene and dibutyl phthalate aggravates pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization in spleen via pyroptosis involving cathepsin B. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 881:163460. [PMID: 37061049 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Humans are often simultaneously exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) through consumption of food and water. Yet, direct evidence of the link between BaP and DBP co-exposure and the risk of splenic injury is lacking. In the present study, we established the rats and primary splenic macrophages models to evaluate the effects of BaP or/and DBP exposure on spleen and underlying mechanisms. Compared to the single exposure or control groups, the co-exposure group showed more severe spleen damage and higher production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Co-exposure to BaP and DBP resulted in a 1.79-fold, 2.11-fold and 1.9-fold increase in the M1 macrophage markers iNOS, NLRP3 (pyroptosis marker protein) and cathepsin B (CTSB), respectively, and a 0.8-fold decrease in the M2 macrophage marker Arg1 in vivo. The more prominent effects in perturbation of imbalance in M1/M2 polarization (iNOS, 2.25-fold; Arg1, 0.55-fold), pyroptosis (NLRP3, 1.43-fold), and excess CTSB (1.07-fold) in macrophages caused by BaP and DBP co-exposure in vitro were also found. Notably, MCC950 (the NLRP3-specific inhibitor) treatment attenuated the pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization and following pro-inflammatory cytokine production triggered by BaP and DBP co-exposure. Furthermore, CA-074Me (the CTSB-specific inhibitor) suppressed the macrophages pyroptosis, pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization, and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine induced by BaP and DBP co-exposure. In conclusion, this study indicates co-exposure to BaP and DBP poses a higher risk of spleen injury. Pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization regulated by pyroptosis involving CTSB underlies the spleen injury caused by BaP and DBP co-exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingdan You
- School of Public Health, the key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yawen Song
- School of Public Health, the key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Public Health, the key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yining Liu
- School of Public Health, the key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Wenyan Chen
- School of Public Health, the key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yanli Cen
- School of Public Health, the key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xiaodeng Zhao
- Guizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China
| | - Zhongfa Tao
- Guizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China
| | - Ganghong Yang
- Guizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China; School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China.
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Qin Y, He S, Peng H, Ye X, Zhang H, Ding S. Dibutyl Phthalate Adsorbed on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Causes Fetal Developmental Toxicity in Balb/C Mice. TOXICS 2023; 11:565. [PMID: 37505531 PMCID: PMC10385951 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11070565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated whether using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a carrier for dibutyl phthalate (DBP) could delay the degradation rate of DBP in mice and increase its estrogen-like interference effect. Pregnant Balb/C mice were divided into four groups and exposed to different treatments via tail-vein injection every 3 days until gestational day 20. The female and male mice were then sacrificed for toxicological study. The results showed that the combination of MWCNTs and DBP resulted in a higher fetal mortality rate than if the mice were exposed to MWCNTs or DBP alone. H&E staining showed that the estrous period of the exposed mice was delayed, the development of oocytes was blocked in the combination group, the number of spermatogenic cells decreased, and the quality of sperm decreased. Our experiment showed that the expression levels of the genes involved in sex hormone synthesis in the testis and ovaries were significantly increased after combined treatment compared with the MWCNT group (p < 0.01). The study suggests that DBP degradation is delayed when absorbed on MWCNTs, which increases its estrogen-like interference and interferes with fetal development, ultimately leading to increased fetal mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Qin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Suli He
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Haiyan Peng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Xin Ye
- Liquor Marking Biological Technology and Application of Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Bioengineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Yibin 644000, China
| | - Hongmao Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Shumao Ding
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
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6
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Grant CW, Juran BD, Ali AH, Schlicht EM, Bianchi JK, Hu X, Liang Y, Jarrell Z, Liu KH, Go YM, Jones DP, Walker DI, Miller GW, Folseraas T, Karlsen TH, LaRusso NF, Gores GJ, Athreya AP, Lazaridis KN. Environmental chemicals and endogenous metabolites in bile of USA and Norway patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. EXPOSOME 2023; 3:osac011. [PMID: 36687160 PMCID: PMC9853141 DOI: 10.1093/exposome/osac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a complex bile duct disorder. Its etiology is incompletely understood, but environmental chemicals likely contribute to risk. Patients with PSC have an altered bile metabolome, which may be influenced by environmental chemicals. This novel study utilized state-of-the-art high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with bile samples to provide the first characterization of environmental chemicals and metabolomics (collectively, the exposome) in PSC patients located in the United States of America (USA) (n = 24) and Norway (n = 30). First, environmental chemical- and metabolome-wide association studies were conducted to assess geographic-based similarities and differences in the bile of PSC patients. Nine environmental chemicals (false discovery rate, FDR < 0.20) and 3143 metabolic features (FDR < 0.05) differed by site. Next, pathway analysis was performed to identify metabolomic pathways that were similarly and differentially enriched by the site. Fifteen pathways were differentially enriched (P < .05) in the categories of amino acid, glycan, carbohydrate, energy, and vitamin/cofactor metabolism. Finally, chemicals and pathways were integrated to derive exposure-effect correlation networks by site. These networks demonstrate the shared and differential chemical-metabolome associations by site and highlight important pathways that are likely relevant to PSC. The USA patients demonstrated higher environmental chemical bile content and increased associations between chemicals and metabolic pathways than those in Norway. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-118 and PCB-101 were identified as chemicals of interest for additional investigation in PSC given broad associations with metabolomic pathways in both the USA and Norway patients. Associated pathways include glycan degradation pathways, which play a key role in microbiome regulation and thus may be implicated in PSC pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline W Grant
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Brian D Juran
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ahmad H Ali
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Erik M Schlicht
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jackie K Bianchi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Xin Hu
- Clinical Biomarkers Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, GA, USA, Atlanta
| | - Yongliang Liang
- Clinical Biomarkers Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, GA, USA, Atlanta
| | - Zachery Jarrell
- Clinical Biomarkers Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, GA, USA, Atlanta
| | - Ken H Liu
- Clinical Biomarkers Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, GA, USA, Atlanta
| | - Young-Mi Go
- Clinical Biomarkers Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, GA, USA, Atlanta
| | - Dean P Jones
- Clinical Biomarkers Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, GA, USA, Atlanta
| | - Douglas I Walker
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gary W Miller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Trine Folseraas
- Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Diseases and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Norwegian PSC Research Center, Department of Transplantation Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom H Karlsen
- Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Diseases and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Norwegian PSC Research Center, Department of Transplantation Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Medicine and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nicholas F LaRusso
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Gregory J Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Arjun P Athreya
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Zhou T, He S, Ye X, Wei Z, Wan J, Zhang H, Ding S. Exposure to dibutyl phthalate adsorbed to multi-walled carbon nanotubes causes neurotoxicity in mice by inducing the release of BDNF. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 852:158319. [PMID: 36041608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) exist extensively in the environment, and they are easy to form compound pollution through π-π interactions in the environment. We investigate whether DBP, an environmental hormone disruptor, mediated by CNTs can more easily cross the blood-brain barrier, and whether DBP entering the brain has neurotoxic effects on the cells in the brain. Experimental subjects were 40 male Kunming (KM) mice randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group; the MWCNTs group; the DBP group; and the MWCNTs+DBP group. The mice were exposed via tail intravenous injection once every 3 days for 21 days, following which toxicology studies were carried out. The results of behavioral experiments showed that the mice in the combined exposure group (MWCNTs+DBP) exhibited spatial learning and memory impairment, and anxiety-like behavior. Staining of hippocampal sections of mouse brain tissue showed that, in the CA1, CA2, and DG areas, the number of neurons decreased, the nucleus was pyknotic, the cell body was atrophied, and levels of the microglia marker Iba-1 increased. By proteomic KEGG analysis, we found that the DEPs were mainly those related to neurodegenerative diseases. Immunohistochemistry in the hippocampus indicated that the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the DG region was significantly increased. RT-PCR results revealed that the expression levels of P53, caspase3, and Bax genes related to apoptosis were up-regulated. The experimental results demonstrated that the mechanism of the combined-exposure injury to neurons in the hippocampus of mice may be that MWCNTs with adsorbed DBP can induce the release of BDNF, accelerate the apoptosis of neurons, and reduce the number of nerve cells, which activates microglia, causing neuroinflammation and nervous system toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China.
| | - Suli He
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Ye
- Liquor Marking Biological Technology and Application of Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Bioengineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Yibin, China.
| | - Zhaolan Wei
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China
| | - Jian Wan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China.
| | - Hongmao Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China.
| | - Shumao Ding
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China.
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8
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Quercetin alleviated multi-walled carbon nanotubes-induced neurotoxicity in mice through inhibition of oxidation, inflammation, and pyroptosis. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113160. [PMID: 35605300 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we reported that quercetin (Que) could alleviate immunotoxicity induced by pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in mice. In the present study, we explored whether Que could also relieve MWCNTs-induced neurotoxicity. MWCNTs injection induced a dose-dependent neurotoxic effect in mice as evidenced by increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and pyroptosis in the brain. However, treatment with Que ameliorated MWCNTs-induced neurotoxicity as revealed by 1) elevated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, 2) reduced lipid peroxidation biomarker malondialdehyde (MDA), 3) improved antioxidant status as indicated by increased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), as well as upregulated expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) genes, 4) decreased levels and expression of inflammatory biomarkers [nitric oxide (NO), interleukin 1 beta (IL1ß), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)], 5) downregulated expression of pyroptosis-related genes [nod-like receptor protein inflammasome 3 (Nlrp3) and caspase 1 (Casp1)] but with no effect on the apoptotic Casp3 gene, 6) minimized axonal degeneration and number of microglia in the cerebral medulla, and 7) diminished the number of degenerated neurons in hippocampus and cerebellum. Taken together, Que could ameliorate MWCNT-induced neurotoxicity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pyroptotic mechanisms.
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9
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Ye X, Zhou T, Qin Y, He S, Zhang H, Ding S. Reproductive toxicity of dibutyl phthalate adsorbed on carbon nanotubes in male Balb/C mice. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 110:180-187. [PMID: 35487397 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is an environmental hormone disrupter. This study was designed to investigate whether DBP adsorbed in multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can easily cross the blood-testis barrier and slow down the degradation of DBP in male mice, thereby prolonging the interference effect of DBP. The results showed that: in male Balb/C mice, the sperm density of the MWCNTs group and the DBP plus MWCNTs group decreased significantly (p < 0.05); and the sperm deformity rate increased significantly (p < 0.05). Testicular tissue sections from the combined exposure group showed that most of the seminiferous tubules were atrophied, there were more large gaps between the cells in the tubules, and the number of mature-sperm decreased. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels increased significantly in the combined exposure group (p < 0.01). Proteomics results showed that there were 231 differentially expressed proteins in the combined exposure group compared with the MWCNTs only group, and 69 differentially expressed proteins compared with the DBP group. GO enrichment analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins mainly include: 60s acid ribosomal protein P1; nuclear autoantigen sperm protein; centromere protein V; and other proteins related to cell division. These results indicate that MWCNTs with adsorbed DBP can increase oxidative damage in the testis of male mice, interfere with DNA replication and cell division in testicular tissue cells, induce cell apoptosis, and destroy the normal spermatogenic function of the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ye
- Liquor Marking Biological Technology and Application of Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Bioengineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Yibin, China
| | - Tingting Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China
| | - Yujie Qin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China
| | - Suli He
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China
| | - Hongmao Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China.
| | - Shumao Ding
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Hubei, China.
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Sallam AA, Ahmed MM, El-Magd MA, Magdy A, Ghamry HI, Alshahrani MY, Abou El-Fotoh MF. Quercetin-Ameliorated, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Induced Immunotoxic, Inflammatory, and Oxidative Effects in Mice. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27072117. [PMID: 35408516 PMCID: PMC9000348 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The expanding uses of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in industry and medicine have raised concerns about their toxicity on human and animal health. CNTs, including multi-walled nanotubes (MWCNTs), have been reported to induce immunotoxic, inflammatory, and oxidative effects. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid present in many vegetables and fruits and has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Herein, we investigated the protective effects of quercetin on pristine MWCNTs-induced immunotoxicity in mice. In comparison with two doses of MWCNTs, high doses [0.5 mg/kg body weight (BW), once intraperitoneally (IP)] caused higher immunotoxic, inflammatory, and oxidative effects than low doses (0.25 mg/kg BW, once IP). Administration of quercetin (30 mg/kg BW, IP for 2 weeks) relieved these deleterious effects as evidenced by (1) reduced spleen weight, (2) increased number of total leukocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, (3) elevated serum levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA, (4) decreased lipid peroxide malondialdehyde levels and increased levels of antioxidant markers reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the spleen, (5) decreased concentrations and mRNA levels of inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin 1 beta (IL1ß), and IL6 in the spleen, (6) downregulated expression of immunomodulatory genes transforming growth factor-beta (TGFß), cyclooxygenase2 (COX2), and IL10, and (7) regenerative histological changes as indicated by decreased mononuclear cell infiltration, minimized degenerative changes and restored lymphocytes depletion in the spleen. These results infer that quercetin can ameliorate MWCNTs-induced immunotoxic, inflammatory, and oxidative effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira A. Sallam
- Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; (A.A.S.); (M.M.A.); (M.F.A.E.-F.)
| | - Mona M. Ahmed
- Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; (A.A.S.); (M.M.A.); (M.F.A.E.-F.)
| | - Mohammed A. El-Magd
- Anatomy Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
- Correspondence:
| | - Ahmed Magdy
- Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt;
| | - Heba I. Ghamry
- Department of Home Economics, College of Home Economics, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohammad Y. Alshahrani
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9088, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magdy F. Abou El-Fotoh
- Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; (A.A.S.); (M.M.A.); (M.F.A.E.-F.)
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