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Microcystin Contamination and Toxicity: Implications for Agriculture and Public Health. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050350. [PMID: 35622596 PMCID: PMC9145844 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Microcystins are natural hepatotoxic metabolites secreted by cyanobacteria in aquatic ecosystems. When present at elevated concentrations, microcystins can affect water quality aesthetics; contaminate drinking water reservoirs and recreational waters; disrupt normal ecosystem functioning; and cause health hazards to animals, plants, and humans. Animal and human exposures to microcystins generally result from ingesting contaminated drinking water or physically contacting tainted water. Much research has identified a multitude of liver problems from oral exposure to microcystins, varying from hepatocellular damage to primary liver cancer. Provisional guidelines for microcystins in drinking and recreational water have been established to prevent toxic exposures and protect public health. With increasing occurrences of eutrophication in freshwater systems, microcystin contamination in groundwater and surface waters is growing, posing threats to aquatic and terrestrial plants and agricultural soils used for crop production. These microcystins are often transferred to crops via irrigation with local sources of water, such as bloom-forming lakes and ponds. Microcystins can survive in high quantities in various parts of plants (roots, stems, and leaves) due to their high chemical stability and low molecular weight, increasing health risks for consumers of agricultural products. Studies have indicated potential health risks associated with contaminated fruits and vegetables sourced from irrigated water containing microcystins. This review considers the exposure risk to humans, plants, and the environment due to the presence of microcystins in local water reservoirs used for drinking and irrigation. Additional studies are needed to understand the specific health impacts associated with the consumption of microcystin-contaminated agricultural plants.
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Liu Y, Li B, Zhang H, Liu Y, Xie P. Participation of fluorescence technology in the cross-disciplinary detection of microcystins. Coord Chem Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Pan C, Yan M, Jin H, Guo H, Han X. Chronic exposure to MC-LR increases the risks of microcytic anemia: Evidence from human and mice. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 288:117966. [PMID: 34435561 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microcystins (MCs) produced by cyanobacteria are potent toxins to humans that cannot be ignored. However, the toxicity of MCs to humans remains largely unknown. The study explored the role of MCs in the development of hematological parameters through human observations and a chronic mouse model to explore related mechanisms. The adjusted odds ratio of MC-LR to the risk of anemia was 4.954 (95 % CI, 2.423-10.131) in a case-control study in Nanjing. An inverse correlation between serum MC-LR and hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and red blood cell count (RBC) was observed. MC-LR in the serum of the population was an independent risk factor for microcytic anemia. Animal experiments demonstrated that MC-LR resulted in microcytic anemia, which is associated with inflammation, dysregulation of iron homeostasis, and erythropoiesis. We first identified the possible signaling pathway of MC-LR-induced anemia that MC-LR significantly upregulated the levels of hepcidin via EPO/EPOR signaling pathway and the decreased levels of Twsg1 and Gdf15, thereby resulting in the decreased levels of Hbb and Fpn, and the increased expression of Fth1, and Tf in a chronic mouse model. Our study first identified that prolonged environmental exposure to MCs probably contribute to the occurrence of microcytic anemia in humans, which provides new insights into the toxicity of MCs for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Pan
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Minghao Yan
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Haibo Jin
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Hongqian Guo
- Department of Urology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Institute of Urology, Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaodong Han
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
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Wang X, Li Y, Xiao H, Zhang M, Bao T, Luo X, Chen S. Genotoxicity of microcystin-LR in mammalian cells: Implication from peroxynitrite produced by mitochondria. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 195:110408. [PMID: 32179236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a widely known hepatotoxin which could induce the occurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. In recent years, with the frequent outbreak of cyanobacteria, the harm of MC-LR has gradually attracted more attention. Hence, this study focused on the effect of MC-LR on DNA damage in HepG2 cells, identifying the types and sources of free radicals that make an important function on this issue. Our data suggested that MC-LR induced concentration- and time-dependent increasement of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). After exposure to 1 μM MC-LR for 3 days, the protein expression and immunofluorescence staining of γ-H2AX was significantly increased. Using a scavenger of mitochondrial O2.- (4-hydroxy-tempo), a inhibitor of mitochondrial NOS (7-nitroindazole), and a scavenger of ONOO- (uric acid), it was revealed that ONOO- originated from mitochondria made a significant contribution to the genotoxicity of MC-LR. Moreover, a significant decreasement of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was observed. These findings suggested that peroxynitrite targeting mitochondria plays a vital role in the MC-LR-induced genotoxic response in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Wang
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, 230601, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China.
| | - Yintao Li
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Hourong Xiao
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Min Zhang
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Teng Bao
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Xun Luo
- School of Biological Engineering, Huainan Normal University, Huainan, 232001, China
| | - Shaopeng Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China.
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Díez-Quijada L, Medrano-Padial C, Llana-Ruiz-Cabello M, Cătunescu GM, Moyano R, Risalde MA, Cameán AM, Jos Á. Cylindrospermopsin-Microcystin-LR Combinations May Induce Genotoxic and Histopathological Damage in Rats. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E348. [PMID: 32466519 PMCID: PMC7354441 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12060348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) and microcystins (MC) are cyanotoxins that can occur simultaneously in contaminated water and food. CYN/MC-LR mixtures previously investigated in vitro showed an induction of micronucleus (MN) formation only in the presence of the metabolic fraction S9. When this is the case, the European Food Safety Authority recommends a follow up to in vivo testing. Thus, rats were orally exposed to 7.5 + 75, 23.7 + 237, and 75 + 750 μg CYN/MC-LR/kg body weight (b.w.). The MN test in bone marrow was performed, and the standard and modified comet assays were carried out to measure DNA strand breaks or oxidative DNA damage in stomach, liver, and blood cells. The results revealed an increase in MN formation in bone marrow, at all the assayed doses. However, no DNA strand breaks nor oxidative DNA damage were induced, as shown in the comet assays. The histopathological study indicated alterations only in the highest dose group. Liver was the target organ showing fatty degeneration and necrotic hepatocytes in centrilobular areas, as well as a light mononuclear inflammatory periportal infiltrate. Additionally, the stomach had flaking epithelium and mild necrosis of epithelial cells. Therefore, the combined exposure to cyanotoxins may induce genotoxic and histopathological damage in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Díez-Quijada
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Profesor García González n2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain; (L.D.-Q.); (C.M.-P.); (M.L.-R.-C.); (Á.J.)
| | - Concepción Medrano-Padial
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Profesor García González n2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain; (L.D.-Q.); (C.M.-P.); (M.L.-R.-C.); (Á.J.)
| | - María Llana-Ruiz-Cabello
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Profesor García González n2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain; (L.D.-Q.); (C.M.-P.); (M.L.-R.-C.); (Á.J.)
| | - Giorgiana M. Cătunescu
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Rosario Moyano
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014 Córdoba, Spain;
| | - Maria A. Risalde
- Animal Pathology Department. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales s/n, 14014 Cordoba, Spain;
- Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC)-Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba-Universidad de Córdoba, Avenida Menendez Pidal s/n, 14006 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Ana M. Cameán
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Profesor García González n2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain; (L.D.-Q.); (C.M.-P.); (M.L.-R.-C.); (Á.J.)
| | - Ángeles Jos
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Profesor García González n2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain; (L.D.-Q.); (C.M.-P.); (M.L.-R.-C.); (Á.J.)
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Greer B, Meneely JP, Elliott CT. Uptake and accumulation of Microcystin-LR based on exposure through drinking water: An animal model assessing the human health risk. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4913. [PMID: 29559706 PMCID: PMC5861052 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23312-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in freshwater systems and intensified aquaculture have increased the risk to human health through exposure to cyanotoxins such as microcystin-LR (MC-LR). To understand the uptake and processing of MC-LR in humans, the pig was chosen as an animal model. This was assessed by repeated exposure for 13 weeks of eight animals dosed daily with MC-LR at 0.04 µg/kg bw, repeated with six animals over five weeks at a dose 50 times higher at 2 µg/kg bw. An analytical method was developed for MC-LR in porcine serum and also to analyse levels of free MC-LR in harvested porcine tissues, with Lemieux Oxidation employed to determine bound MC-LR in these tissues. MC-LR was not detected in the serum of treated animals from either experiment but free MC-LR was observed in the large intestine and kidney from two animals from the higher dosed group at levels of 1.4 and 1.9 µg/kg dry weight (dw) respectively. The results indicated 50% of higher dosed animals accumulated bound MC-LR in liver tissue, averaging 26.4 µg, approximately 1.1% of the dose administered. These results point to the potential uptake and accumulation of MC-LR in human liver tissue exposed chronically to sub-acute doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Greer
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK.
| | - Julie P Meneely
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK
| | - Christopher T Elliott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK
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Buratti FM, Manganelli M, Vichi S, Stefanelli M, Scardala S, Testai E, Funari E. Cyanotoxins: producing organisms, occurrence, toxicity, mechanism of action and human health toxicological risk evaluation. Arch Toxicol 2017; 91:1049-1130. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1913-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Microcystin-LR Induced Immunotoxicity in Mammals. J Toxicol 2016; 2016:8048125. [PMID: 26925102 PMCID: PMC4746376 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8048125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microcystins are toxic molecules produced by cyanobacterial blooms due to water eutrophication. Exposure to microcystins is a global health problem because of its association with various other pathological effects and people all over the world are exposed to microcystins on a regular basis. Evidence shows that microcystin-LR (MC-LR) may adversely affect the immune system, but its specific effects on immune functions are lacking. In the present review, immunotoxicological effects associated with MC-LR in animals, humans, and in vitro models have been reported. Overall, the data shows that chronic exposure to MC-LR has the potential to impair vital immune responses which could lead to increased risk of various diseases including cancers. Studies in animal and in vitro models have provided some pivotal understanding into the potential mechanisms of MC-LR related immunotoxicity suggesting that further investigation, particularly in humans, is required to better understand the relationship between development of disease and the MC-LR exposure.
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Han S, Zhou Q, Xu Y, Vanogtrop F, Guo Q, Liu G, Yan S. Valuable ingredients and feed toxicity evaluation of Microcystis aeruginosa acidolysis product in mice. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2015; 240:1333-9. [PMID: 25649189 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214563894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This research studied the extraction from Microcystis aeruginosa using hydrochloric acid method as a potentially valuable protein resource from eutrophic lakes. Amino acid composition, residual algal toxins, and heavy metals of the acidolysis product were studied. After 18 h of hydrochloric acid treatment, the product of M. aeruginosa contained 17 amino acids, 51.34% of total amino acid requirements, and 30.25% of the livestock and poultry essential amino acid (Eaa). The residual microcystin-LR (MC-LR) was 0.94 µg kg(-1), which was less than WHO drinking water limit of microcystins. The removal ratio of microcystins was higher than 99.99% during the process of hydrolysis. The concentration of heavy metals of the product was in compliance with feed standards. Furthermore, using Horn's method, Mouse Micronucleus Test and Sperm Shape Abnormality Test were conducted to study the forage safety of the product. Half lethal dose (LD50) of acidolysis product in mice was >9.09 g kg(-1) body weight, actually belonging to non-toxic grade. Every dose treatment did not significantly increase activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT). The results of both micronucleus test and sperm shape abnormality test were negative, which suggested the product with no mutagenicity and sperm malformation effects. This study indicated that the acidolysis product of M. aeruginosa was safe to be used as a feed ingredient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqun Han
- Institution of Agricultural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Institution of Agricultural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Yudi Xu
- Institution of Agricultural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Floris Vanogtrop
- Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Qijin Guo
- Institution of Agricultural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Guofeng Liu
- Institution of Agricultural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Shaohua Yan
- Institution of Agricultural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
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