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Hombrecher K, Quass U, Sievering S, Schöppe A, Rauchfuss K. Contamination of food crops by unintentionally released PCB 47, PCB 51 and PCB 68 in the vicinity of silicone production sites and their relevance for human health assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136392. [PMID: 36096305 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Since it was shown that silicone rubber production can unintentionally release PCBs, these production sites have become a focus of investigation. The use of the cross-linking agent bis(2,4)-dichlorobenzoylperoxide (2,4-DCBP) can lead to emissions of the PCB congeners PCB 47, PCB 51 and PCB 68 into the environment and cause their accumulation e. g. in food crops. To determine the presence and extent of this uptake, we used the newly developed method dandelion screening. Samples were taken from wild dandelion plants near nine production sites in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and analysed for PCBs. In some cases, the regional orientation values for the maximum background level (OMB) were exceeded by up to nine times. Overall, background levels were exceeded at seven of the nine sites investigated and mitigation measures were initiated at the production sites. In order to validate the dandelion screening results, kale was exposed, which allowed for a health assessment. A wide-ranging consumption recommendation was then issued in four out of nine study areas. At this point in the investigations, risk reduction measures had already been implemented at all production sites investigated, so it can be assumed that the exposures at sites not yet in focus are significantly greater. This is a globally relevant problem, as 2,4-DCBP is used in many countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Hombrecher
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV NRW), Wallneyer Str. 6, Essen, 45133, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Quass
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV NRW), Wallneyer Str. 6, Essen, 45133, Germany
| | - Silvia Sievering
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV NRW), Wallneyer Str. 6, Essen, 45133, Germany
| | - Angelika Schöppe
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV NRW), Wallneyer Str. 6, Essen, 45133, Germany
| | - Knut Rauchfuss
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV NRW), Wallneyer Str. 6, Essen, 45133, Germany
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Myhre O, Zimmer KE, Hudecova AM, Hansen KEA, Khezri A, Berntsen HF, Berg V, Lyche JL, Mandal S, Duale N, Ropstad E. Maternal exposure to a human based mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) affect gene expression related to brain function in mice offspring hippocampus. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 276:130123. [PMID: 33714876 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Male and female mice pups were exposed to a low and high dose of a human relevant mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) during pregnancy and lactation. Most compounds detected in the dams were found in offspring brains. The mice offspring exhibited changed expression of hippocampal genes involved in cognitive function (Adora2a, Auts2, Crlf1, Chrnb2, Gdnf, Gnal, Kcnh3), neuroinflammation (Cd47, Il1a), circadian rhythm (Per1, Clock), redox signalling (Hmox2) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation (Cyp1b1). A few genes were differentially expressed in males versus females. Mostly, similar patterns of gene expression changes were observed between the low and high dose groups. Effects on learning and memory function measured in the Barnes maze (not moving, escape latency) were found in the high dose group when combined with moderate stress exposure (air flow from a fan). Mediation analysis indicated adaptation to the effects of exposure since gene expression compensated for learning disabilities (escape latency, walking distance and time spent not moving in the maze). Additionally, random forest analysis indicated that Kcnh3, Gnal, and Crlf1 were the most important genes for escape latency, while Hip1, Gnal and the low exposure level were the most important explanatory factors for passive behaviour (not moving). Altogether, this study showed transfer of POPs to the offspring brains after maternal exposure, modulating the expression level of genes involved in brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oddvar Myhre
- Section of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P. O. Box 222 Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Karin E Zimmer
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P. O. Box 5003, 1433 Ås, Norway.
| | - Alexandra M Hudecova
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P. O. Box 5003, 1433 Ås, Norway.
| | - Kristine E A Hansen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P. O. Box 5003, 1433 Ås, Norway.
| | - Abdolrahman Khezri
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P. O. Box 5003, 1433 Ås, Norway.
| | - Hanne F Berntsen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P. O. Box 5003, 1433 Ås, Norway; National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 8149 Dep, N-0033, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Vidar Berg
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P. O. Box 5003, 1433 Ås, Norway.
| | - Jan L Lyche
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P. O. Box 5003, 1433 Ås, Norway.
| | | | - Nur Duale
- Section of Molecular Toxicology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P. O. Box 222 Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Erik Ropstad
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P. O. Box 5003, 1433 Ås, Norway.
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Alarcón S, Esteban J, Roos R, Heikkinen P, Sánchez-Pérez I, Adamsson A, Toppari J, Koskela A, Finnilä MAJ, Tuukkanen J, Herlin M, Hamscher G, Leslie HA, Korkalainen M, Halldin K, Schrenk D, Håkansson H, Viluksela M. Endocrine, metabolic and apical effects of in utero and lactational exposure to non-dioxin-like 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl (PCB 180): A postnatal follow-up study in rats. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 102:109-127. [PMID: 33992733 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PCB 180 is a persistent and abundant non-dioxin-like PCB (NDL-PCB). We determined the developmental toxicity profile of ultrapure PCB 180 in developing offspring following in utero and lactational exposure with the focus on endocrine, metabolic and retinoid system alterations. Pregnant rats were given total doses of 0, 10, 30, 100, 300 or 1000 mg PCB 180/kg bw on gestational days 7-10 by oral gavage, and the offspring were sampled on postnatal days (PND) 7, 35 and 84. Decreased serum testosterone and triiodothyronine concentrations on PND 84, altered liver retinoid levels, increased liver weights and induced 7-pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (PROD) activity were the sensitive effects used for margin of exposure (MoE) calculations. Liver weights were increased together with induction of the metabolizing enzymes cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B1, CYP3A1, and CYP1A1. Less sensitive effects included decreased serum estradiol and increased luteinizing hormone levels in females, decreased prostate and seminal vesicle weight and increased pituitary weight in males, increased cortical bone area and thickness of tibial diaphysis in females and decreased cortical bone mineral density in males. Developmental toxicity profiles were partly different in male and female offspring, males being more sensitive to increased liver weight, PROD induction and decreased thyroxine concentrations. MoE assessment indicated that the 95th percentile of current maternal PCB 180 concentrations do not exceed the estimated tolerable human lipid-based PCB 180 concentration. Although PCB 180 is much less potent than dioxin-like compounds, it shares several toxicological targets suggesting a potential for interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Alarcón
- Instituto de Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche (Alicante), Spain; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Javier Esteban
- Instituto de Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche (Alicante), Spain.
| | - Robert Roos
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Päivi Heikkinen
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), P.O. Box 95, Kuopio, FI-70701, Finland
| | - Ismael Sánchez-Pérez
- Instituto de Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche (Alicante), Spain
| | - Annika Adamsson
- Research Center for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, FI-20520, Finland
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Research Center for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, FI-20520, Finland
| | - Antti Koskela
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Institute of Cancer Research and Translational Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mikko A J Finnilä
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juha Tuukkanen
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Institute of Cancer Research and Translational Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Maria Herlin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerd Hamscher
- Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, D-35392, Germany
| | - Heather A Leslie
- Department of Environment and Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, Amsterdam, NL-1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Merja Korkalainen
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), P.O. Box 95, Kuopio, FI-70701, Finland
| | - Krister Halldin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dieter Schrenk
- Food Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, D-67663, Germany
| | - Helen Håkansson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matti Viluksela
- School of Pharmacy (Toxicology), Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Application of generalized concentration addition to predict mixture effects of glucocorticoid receptor ligands. Toxicol In Vitro 2020; 69:104975. [PMID: 32858110 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2020.104975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Environmental exposures often occur in complex mixtures and at low concentrations. Generalized concentration addition (GCA) is a method used to estimate the joint effect of receptor ligands that vary in efficacy. GCA models have been successfully applied to mixtures of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) ligands, each of which can be modeled as a receptor with a single binding site. Here, we evaluated whether GCA could be applied to homodimer nuclear receptors, which have two binding sites, to predict the combined effect of full glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists with partial agonists. We measured transcriptional activation of GR using a cell-based bioassay. Individual concentration-response curves for dexamethasone (full agonist), prednisolone (full agonist), and medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate (partial agonist) were generated and applied in three additivity models, GCA, effect summation (ES), and relative potency factor (RPF), to generate response surfaces. GCA and RPF yielded adequate predictions of the experimental data for two full agonists. However, GCA fit experimental data significantly better than ES and RPF for all other binary mixtures. This work extends the application of GCA to homodimer nuclear receptors and improves prediction accuracy of mixture effects of GR agonists.
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Frederiksen M, Andersen HV, Haug LS, Thomsen C, Broadwell SL, Egsmose EL, Kolarik B, Gunnarsen L, Knudsen LE. PCB in serum and hand wipes from exposed residents living in contaminated high-rise apartment buildings and a reference group. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 224:113430. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.113430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Saktrakulkla P, Dhakal RC, Lehmler HJ, Hornbuckle KC. A semi-target analytical method for quantification of OH-PCBs in environmental samples. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020. [PMID: 31359319 DOI: 10.25820/036e-b439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) are oxidative metabolites of PCBs and residuals found in original Aroclors. OH-PCBs are known to play a role as genotoxicants, carcinogens, and hormone disruptors, and therefore it is important to quantify their presence in human tissues, organisms, and environmental matrices. Of 837 possible mono-OH-PCBs congeners, there are only ~ 70 methoxylated PCB (MeO-PCB) standards commercially available. Hence, a semi-target analytical method is needed for unknown OH-PCBs. The mass concentrations of these unknowns are sometimes determined by assuming the peak responses of other available compounds. This can bias the results due to the choices and availabilities of standards. To overcome this issue, we investigated the peak responses of all commercially available MeO-PCB standards with gas chromatography (GC) coupling with triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass spectrometry (MS) system, with positive electron impact (EI) ionization at 20-70 eV in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. We found correlations between the relative peak responses (RRFs) and the number of chlorine (#Cl) in the molecules of MeO-PCBs. Among the studied models, the quadratic regression of #Cl is the most suitable model in the RRF prediction (RRF = β1 × #Cl^2 + β0) when the peak responses are captured at 30 eV. We evaluated the performance of the model by analyzing 12 synthesized MeO-PCB standards and a PCB-contaminated sediment collected from a wastewater lagoon. We further demonstrate the utility of the model using a different chromatography column and GC-EI-MS system. We found the method and associated model to be sufficiently simple, accurate, and versatile for use in quantifying OH-PCBs in complex environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panithi Saktrakulkla
- Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Ram C Dhakal
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Hans-Joachim Lehmler
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Keri C Hornbuckle
- Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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Saktrakulkla P, Dhakal RC, Lehmler HJ, Hornbuckle KC. A semi-target analytical method for quantification of OH-PCBs in environmental samples. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:8859-8871. [PMID: 31359319 PMCID: PMC6986979 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05775-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) are oxidative metabolites of PCBs and residuals found in original Aroclors. OH-PCBs are known to play a role as genotoxicants, carcinogens, and hormone disruptors, and therefore it is important to quantify their presence in human tissues, organisms, and environmental matrices. Of 837 possible mono-OH-PCBs congeners, there are only ~ 70 methoxylated PCB (MeO-PCB) standards commercially available. Hence, a semi-target analytical method is needed for unknown OH-PCBs. The mass concentrations of these unknowns are sometimes determined by assuming the peak responses of other available compounds. This can bias the results due to the choices and availabilities of standards. To overcome this issue, we investigated the peak responses of all commercially available MeO-PCB standards with gas chromatography (GC) coupling with triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass spectrometry (MS) system, with positive electron impact (EI) ionization at 20-70 eV in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. We found correlations between the relative peak responses (RRFs) and the number of chlorine (#Cl) in the molecules of MeO-PCBs. Among the studied models, the quadratic regression of #Cl is the most suitable model in the RRF prediction (RRF = β1 × #Cl^2 + β0) when the peak responses are captured at 30 eV. We evaluated the performance of the model by analyzing 12 synthesized MeO-PCB standards and a PCB-contaminated sediment collected from a wastewater lagoon. We further demonstrate the utility of the model using a different chromatography column and GC-EI-MS system. We found the method and associated model to be sufficiently simple, accurate, and versatile for use in quantifying OH-PCBs in complex environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panithi Saktrakulkla
- Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Ram C Dhakal
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Hans-Joachim Lehmler
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Keri C Hornbuckle
- Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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Jansen A, Berg JP, Klungsøyr O, Müller MHB, Lyche JL, Aaseth JO. The Influence of Persistent Organic Pollutants on Thyroidal, Reproductive and Adrenal Hormones After Bariatric Surgery. Obes Surg 2019; 30:1368-1378. [DOI: 10.1007/s11695-019-04273-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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10
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Rasinger J, Carroll T, Maranghi F, Tassinari R, Moracci G, Altieri I, Mantovani A, Lundebye AK, Hogstrand C. Low dose exposure to HBCD, CB-153 or TCDD induces histopathological and hormonal effects and changes in brain protein and gene expression in juvenile female BALB/c mice. Reprod Toxicol 2018; 80:105-116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Dhakal K, Gadupudi GS, Lehmler HJ, Ludewig G, Duffel MW, Robertson LW. Sources and toxicities of phenolic polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:16277-16290. [PMID: 28744683 PMCID: PMC5785587 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9694-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a group of 209 congeners that differ in the number and position of chlorines on the biphenyl ring, are anthropogenic chemicals that belong to the persistent organic pollutants (POPs). For many years, PCBs have been a topic of interest because of their biomagnification in the food chain and their environmental persistence. PCBs with fewer chlorine atoms, however, are less persistent and more susceptible to metabolic attack, giving rise to chemicals characterized by the addition of one or more hydroxyl groups to the chlorinated biphenyl skeleton, collectively known as hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs). In animals and plants, this biotransformation of PCBs to OH-PCBs is primarily carried out by cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases. One of the reasons for infrequent detection of lower chlorinated PCBs in serum and other biological matrices is their shorter half-lives, and their metabolic transformation, resulting in OH-PCBs or their conjugates, such as sulfates and glucuronides, or macromolecule adducts. Recent biomonitoring studies have reported the presence of OH-PCBs in human serum. The occurrence of OH-PCBs, the size of this group (there are 837 mono-hydroxyl PCBs alone), and their wide spectra of physical characteristics (pKa's and log P's ranging over 5 to 6 orders of magnitude) give rise to a multiplicity of biological effects. Among those are bioactivation to electrophilic metabolites that can form covalent adducts with DNA and other macromolecules, interference with hormonal signaling, inhibition of enzymes that regulate cellular concentrations of active hormones, and interference with the transport of hormones. This new information creates an urgent need for a new perspective on these often overlooked metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Dhakal
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Graduate College, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, 100 Oakdale Campus #219 IREH, Iowa City, IA, 52242-5000, USA
| | - Gopi S Gadupudi
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Graduate College, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, 100 Oakdale Campus #219 IREH, Iowa City, IA, 52242-5000, USA
| | - Hans-Joachim Lehmler
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Graduate College, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, 100 Oakdale Campus #219 IREH, Iowa City, IA, 52242-5000, USA
| | - Gabriele Ludewig
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Graduate College, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, 100 Oakdale Campus #219 IREH, Iowa City, IA, 52242-5000, USA
| | - Michael W Duffel
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Graduate College, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Larry W Robertson
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Graduate College, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, 100 Oakdale Campus #219 IREH, Iowa City, IA, 52242-5000, USA.
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Fernández I, Gavaia PJ, Laizé V, Cancela ML. Fish as a model to assess chemical toxicity in bone. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 194:208-226. [PMID: 29202272 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental toxicology has been expanding as growing concerns on the impact of produced and released chemical compounds over the environment and human health are being demonstrated. Among the toxic effects observed in organisms exposed to pollutants, those affecting skeletal tissues (osteotoxicity) have been somehow overlooked in comparison to hepato-, immune-, neuro- and/or reproductive toxicities. Nevertheless, sub-lethal effects of toxicants on skeletal development and/or bone maintenance may result in impaired growth, reduced survival rate, increased disease susceptibility and diminished welfare. Osteotoxicity may occur by acute or chronic exposure to different environmental insults. Because of biologically and technically advantagous features - easy to breed and inexpensive to maintain, external and rapid rate of development, translucent larvae and the availability of molecular and genetic tools - the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged in the last decade as a vertebrate model system of choice to evaluate osteotoxicity. Different experimental approaches in fish species and analytical tools have been applied, from in vitro to in vivo systems, from specific to high throughput methodologies. Current knowledge on osteotoxicity and underlying mechanisms gained using fish, with a special emphasis on zebrafish systems, is reviewed here. Osteotoxicants have been classified into four categories according to the pathway involved in the transduction of the osteotoxic effects: activation/inhibition of membrane and/or nuclear receptors, alteration of redox condition, mimicking of bone constituents and unknown pathways. Knowledge on these pathways is also reported here as it may provide critical insights into the development, production and release of future chemical compounds with none or low osteotoxicity, thus promoting the green/environmental friendly chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Fernández
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal.
| | - Paulo J Gavaia
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Vincent Laizé
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - M Leonor Cancela
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
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13
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Bloom MS, Fujimoto VY, Storm R, Zhang L, Butts CD, Sollohub D, Jansing RL. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in human follicular fluid and in vitro fertilization outcomes, a pilot study. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 67:165-173. [PMID: 28089717 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are ubiquitously distributed among the U.S. population and adversely impact human reproduction. These compounds have been detected in human ovarian follicular fluid (FF), where they directly contact a developing oocyte. As a pilot investigation, we measured 43 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and its persistent metabolite p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) in residual FF collected from 32 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). We identified significant inverse associations between higher levels of PCB congeners and indicators of ovarian reserve (e.g., antral follicle count), follicular response to administered gonadotropins (e.g., peak estradiol, number of oocytes retrieved, endometrial thickness), intermediate IVF endpoints (e.g., oocyte fertilization and embryo quality), and clinical IVF outcomes (e.g., embryo implantation and live birth), after adjusting for body mass index, cigarette smoking, race, and age. Our results suggest that ongoing exposure to POPs impacts IVF and merit confirmation in a larger and more definitive future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Bloom
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
| | - Victor Y Fujimoto
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robin Storm
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Celeste D Butts
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Diana Sollohub
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Robert L Jansing
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA; Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
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14
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Routti H, Andersen MS, Fuglei E, Polder A, Yoccoz NG. Concentrations and patterns of hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) from Svalbard. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 216:264-272. [PMID: 27267742 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.05.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations and patterns of hydroxylated (OH) polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in liver from arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) sampled from Svalbard 1997-2011 (n = 100). The most important OH-PBDE in the arctic foxes was 6-OH-BDE47 detected in 24% of the samples. Relationships between 6-OH-BDE47, δ(13)C and BDE47 suggest that 6-OH-BDE47 residues in arctic foxes are related to marine dietary input, while the relative importance of the metabolic/natural origin of this compound remains unclear. 4-OH-CB187 and 4-OH-CB146 were the main OH-PCBs among the analyzed compounds. The OH-PCB pattern in the present arctic foxes indicates that arctic foxes have a capacity to biotransform a wide range of PCBs of different structures. Formation and retention of OH-PCBs was tightly related to PCB exposure. Furthermore, ΣOH-PCB concentrations were four times higher in the leanest compared to the fattest foxes. Concentrations of 4-OH-CB187 and 4-OH-CB146 among the highest contaminated arctic foxes were similar to the previously reported concentrations for polar bears. Given the high endocrine disruptive potential of OH-PCBs, we suggest that endocrine system may be affected by the relatively high OH-PCB residues in the Svalbard arctic fox population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Martin S Andersen
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Eva Fuglei
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Anuschka Polder
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Nigel G Yoccoz
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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15
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Ruiz P, Ingale K, Wheeler JS, Mumtaz M. 3D QSAR studies of hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls as potential xenoestrogens. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 144:2238-2246. [PMID: 26598992 PMCID: PMC8211363 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Mono-hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) are found in human biological samples and lack of data on their potential estrogenic activity has been a source of concern. We have extended our previous in silico 2D QSAR study through the application of advance techniques such as docking and 3D QSAR to gain insights into their estrogen receptor (ERα) binding. The results support our earlier findings that the hydroxyl group is the most important feature on the compounds; its position, orientation and surroundings in the structure are influential for the binding of OH-PCBs to ERα. This study has also revealed the following additional interactions that influence estrogenicity of these chemicals (a) the aromatic interactions of the biphenyl moieties with the receptor, (b) hydrogen bonding interactions of the p-hydroxyl group with key amino acids ARG394 and GLU353, (c) low or no electronegative substitution at para-positions of the p-hydroxyl group, (d) enhanced electrostatic interactions at the meta position on the B ring, and (e) co-planarity of the hydroxyl group on the A ring. In combination the 2D and 3D QSAR approaches have led us to the support conclusion that the hydroxyl group is the most important feature on the OH-PCB influencing the binding to estrogen receptors, and have enhanced our understanding of the mechanistic details of estrogenicity of this class of chemicals. Such in silico computational methods could serve as useful tools in risk assessment of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Ruiz
- Computational Toxicology and Methods Development Laboratory, Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-F57, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA.
| | - Kundan Ingale
- VLife Sciences Tech. Pvt. Ltd., Plot No-05, Survey No 131/1b/2/11, Ram Indu Park, Baner Road, Pune, 411045, India
| | - John S Wheeler
- Computational Toxicology and Methods Development Laboratory, Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-F57, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Moiz Mumtaz
- Computational Toxicology and Methods Development Laboratory, Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-F57, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
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16
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Gustavson L, Ciesielski TM, Bytingsvik J, Styrishave B, Hansen M, Lie E, Aars J, Jenssen BM. Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls decrease circulating steroids in female polar bears (Ursus maritimus). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 138:191-201. [PMID: 25725300 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
As a top predator in the Arctic food chain, polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are exposed to high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Because several of these compounds have been reported to alter endocrine pathways, such as the steroidogenesis, potential disruption of the sex steroid synthesis by POPs may cause implications for reproduction by interfering with ovulation, implantation and fertility. Blood samples were collected from 15 female polar bears in Svalbard (Norway) in April 2008. The concentrations of nine circulating steroid hormones; dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (AN), testosterone (TS), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (αE2), 17β-estradiol (βE2), pregnenolone (PRE) and progesterone (PRO) were determined. The aim of the study was to investigate associations among circulating levels of specific POP compounds and POP-metabolites (hydroxylated PCBs [OH-PCBs] and hydroxylated PBDEs [OH-PBDEs]), steroid hormones, biological and capture variables in female polar bears. Inverse correlations were found between circulating levels of PRE and AN, and circulating levels of OH-PCBs. There were no significant relationships between the steroid concentrations and other analyzed POPs or the variables capture date and capture location (latitude and longitude), lipid content, condition and body mass. Although statistical associations do not necessarily represent direct cause-effect relationships, the present study indicate that OH-PCBs may affect the circulating levels of AN and PRE in female polar bears and that OH-PCBs thus may interfere with the steroid homeostasis. Increase in PRO and a decrease in AN concentrations suggest that the enzyme CYP17 may be a potential target for OH-PCBs. In combination with natural stressors, ongoing climate change and contaminant exposure, it is possible that OH-PCBs may disturb the reproductive potential of polar bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Gustavson
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tomasz M Ciesielski
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Jenny Bytingsvik
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Bjarne Styrishave
- University of Copenhagen, Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Hansen
- University of Copenhagen, Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elisabeth Lie
- The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (NVH), Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, P.O. Box 5003, Campus Adamstuen, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Jon Aars
- Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Bjørn M Jenssen
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
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17
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Influence of 4-hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls on the secretory function of bovine ovarian cells: Role of the steroidogenic factor-1 receptor. Anim Reprod Sci 2015; 155:89-98. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Revised: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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18
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LC-MS/MS determination of potential endocrine disruptors of cortico signalling in rivers and wastewaters. Anal Bioanal Chem 2014; 406:7653-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-014-8206-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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19
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First year growth in relation to prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors - a Dutch prospective cohort study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:7001-21. [PMID: 25014249 PMCID: PMC4113857 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110707001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Revised: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Growth in the first year of life may already be predictive of obesity later in childhood. The objective was to assess the association between prenatal exposure to various endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and child growth during the first year. Dichloro-diphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl)phthalate (MECPP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate (MEHHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate (MEOHP), polychlorinated biphenyl-153, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, and perfluoro-octanoic acid were measured in cord plasma or breast milk. Data on weight, length, and head circumference (HC) until 11 months after birth was obtained from 89 mother-child pairs. Mixed models were composed for each health outcome and exposure in quartiles. For MEOHP, boys in quartile 1 had a higher BMI than higher exposed boys (p = 0.029). High DDE exposure was associated with low BMI over time in boys (0.8 kg/m2 difference at 11 m). Boys with high MECPP exposure had a greater HC (1.0 cm difference at 11 m) than other boys (p = 0.047), as did girls in the second quartile of MEHHP (p = 0.018) and DDE (p < 0.001) exposure. In conclusion, exposure to phthalates and DDE was associated with BMI as well as with HC during the first year after birth. These results should be interpreted with caution though, due to the limited sample size.
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20
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Roelofs MJ, Piersma AH, van den Berg M, van Duursen MB. The relevance of chemical interactions with CYP17 enzyme activity: Assessment using a novel in vitro assay. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2013; 268:309-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Revised: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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21
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Ruiz P, Myshkin E, Quigley P, Faroon O, Wheeler JS, Mumtaz MM, Brennan RJ. Assessment of hydroxylated metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls as potential xenoestrogens: a QSAR comparative analysis∗. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2013; 24:393-416. [PMID: 23557136 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2013.781537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Alternative methods, including quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR), are being used increasingly when appropriate data for toxicity evaluation of chemicals are not available. Approximately 40 mono-hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) have been identified in humans. They represent a health and environmental concern because some of them have been shown to have agonist or antagonist interactions with human hormone receptors. This could lead to modulation of steroid hormone receptor pathways and endocrine system disruption. We performed QSAR analyses using available estrogenic activity (human estrogen receptor ER alpha) data for 71 OH-PCBs. The modelling was performed using multiple molecular descriptors including electronic, molecular, constitutional, topological, and geometrical endpoints. Multiple linear regressions and recursive partitioning were used to best fit descriptors. The results show that the position of the hydroxyl substitution, polarizability, and meta adjacent un-substituted carbon pairs at the phenolic ring contribute towards greater estrogenic activity for these chemicals. These comparative QSAR models may be used for predictive toxicity, and identification of health consequences of PCB metabolites that lack empirical data. Such information will help prioritize such molecules for additional testing, guide future basic laboratory research studies, and help the health/risk assessment community understand the complex nature of chemical mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ruiz
- Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, USA.
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22
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Evaluation of an alternative in vitro test battery for detecting reproductive toxicants. Reprod Toxicol 2013; 38:53-64. [PMID: 23511061 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2013.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2012] [Revised: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The application of alternative methods in developmental and reproductive toxicology is challenging in view of the complexity of mechanisms involved. A battery of complementary test systems may provide a better prediction of developmental and reproductive toxicity than single assays. We tested twelve compounds with varying mechanisms of toxic action in an assay battery including 24 CALUX transcriptional activation assays, mouse cardiac embryonic stem cell test, ReProGlo assay, zebrafish embryotoxicity assay, and two CYP17 and two CYP19 activity assays. The battery correctly detected 11/12 compounds tested, with one false negative occurring, which could be explained by the absence of the specific mechanism of action of this compound in the battery. Toxicokinetic modeling revealed that toxic concentrations were in the range expected from in vivo reproductive toxicity data. This study illustrates added value of combining assays that contain complementary biological processes and mechanisms, increasing predictive value of the battery over individual assays.
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23
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Schettgen T, Gube M, Esser A, Alt A, Kraus T. Plasma polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) levels of workers in a transformer recycling company, their family members, and employees of surrounding companies. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2012; 75:414-422. [PMID: 22686300 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2012.674905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In spring 2010, high internal exposures (up to 236 μg/L plasma) for the sum of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were discovered in workers in a transformer recycling company in Germany, where PCB-contaminated material was not handled according to proper occupational hygiene. The release of PCB from this company raised growing concerns regarding possible adverse human health effects correlated with this exposure. This provided a basis for a large biological monitoring study in order to examine the internal exposure to PCB in individuals working in that recycling company, their family members, and relatives, as well as subjects working or living in the surroundings of this company. Blood samples from 116 individuals (formerly) employed in the transformer recycling company and 45 direct relatives of these persons were obtained. Further, blood samples of 190 subjects working in close vicinity of the recycling plant, 277 persons working in the larger area, and 41 residents of the area were investigated. Plasma samples were analyzed for the 6 indicator PCB (PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) and 12 dioxin-like PCB using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS; limit of detection [LOD] at 0.01 μg/L). Median concentrations (maximum) for the sum of the 6 indicator PCB in blood of the employees, their relatives, individuals working in close vicinity, persons working in the larger area, and the residents were 3.68 (236.3), 1.86 (22.8), 1.34 (22.9), 1.19 (6.42), and 0.85 (7.22) μg/L plasma, respectively. The (former) employees of the transformer recycling plant partly showed the highest plasma PCB levels determined thus far in Germany. Even family members displayed highly elevated levels of PCB in blood due to contaminations of their homes by laundering of contaminated clothes. Vicinity to the recycling plant including reported contact with possibly contaminated scrap was the main contributor to the PCB levels of the workers of the surrounding companies. Residents of the area did not show significantly elevated blood PCB levels compared to the general population. Our biomonitoring results served as a basis for individual risk communication and successful risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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