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Rosen EM, Ritchey ME, Girman CJ. Can Weight of Evidence, Quantitative Bias, and Bounding Methods Evaluate Robustness of Real-world Evidence for Regulator and Health Technology Assessment Decisions on Medical Interventions? Clin Ther 2023; 45:1266-1276. [PMID: 37798219 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.09.010] [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: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE High-quality evidence is crucial for health care intervention decision-making. These decisions frequently use nonrandomized data, which can be more vulnerable to biases than randomized trials. Accordingly, methods to quantify biases and weigh available evidence could elucidate the robustness of findings, giving regulators more confidence in making approval and reimbursement decisions. METHODS We conducted an integrative literature review to identify methods for determining probability of causation, evaluating weight of evidence, and conducting quantitative bias analysis as related to health care interventions. Eligible studies were published from 2012 to 2021, applicable to pharmacoepidemiology, and presented a method that met our objective. FINDINGS Twenty-two eligible studies were classified into 4 categories: (1) quantitative bias analysis; (2) weight of evidence methods; (3) Bayesian networks; and (4) miscellaneous. All of the methods have strengths, limitations, and situations in which they are more well suited than others. Some methods seem to lend themselves more to applications of health care evidence on medical interventions than others. IMPLICATIONS To provide robust evidence for and improve confidence in regulatory or reimbursement decisions, we recommend applying multiple methods to triangulate associations of medical interventions, accounting for biases in different ways. This approach could lead to well-defined robustness assessments of study findings and appropriate science-driven decisions by regulators and payers for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Rosen
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; CERobs Consulting, LLC, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mary E Ritchey
- CERobs Consulting, LLC, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, USA; Med Tech Epi, LLC; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Center for Pharmacoepidemiology & Treatment Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Cynthia J Girman
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; CERobs Consulting, LLC, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, USA.
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2
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James A, Kroll A, Minier C. Towards a better consideration of endocrine disruption within the technical guidance for deriving environmental quality standards. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 143:105457. [PMID: 37451331 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105457] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a reason for growing concern because of their substantial and long-lasting deleterious effects on human health and wildlife populations. These include direct effects on aquatic organisms and may be a concern to species feeding on the aquatic food chains and water, including humans. In the European Community, the dedicated legislative tools to protect the aquatic environment and human health from contaminants released to surface waters is the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The achievement of protection goals is assessed through the comparison of concentrations measured in the media and thresholds of no effect called Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs). As EDCs are explicitly mentioned in the WFD, an analysis of the state of the art was undertaken on how far and how consistently ED properties were considered in the derivation of EQS values. Our results reveal substantial heterogeneity according to substance and that among substances with ED evidences, EQSs have been derived without considering ED properties for 70% of them. A methodology to better consider endocrine disrupting properties is proposed and includes a logical and systematic approach to derive EQSs with a proposal to specify additional assessment factors based on the specific hazard and potential uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- A James
- INERIS, Parc ALATA, BP2, 60550, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France.
| | - A Kroll
- Oekotoxzentrum, c/o Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - C Minier
- UMR-I 02 INERIS-URCA-ULHN SEBIO, Normandie University, FR CNRS 3730 Scale, 76063, Le Havre Cedex, France
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3
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Staveley JP, Freeman EL, McArdle ME, Ortego LS, Coady KK, Bone A, Lagadic L, Weltje L, Weyers A, Wheeler JR. Current testing programs for pesticides adequately capture endocrine activity and adversity for protection of vertebrate wildlife. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2023. [PMID: 36597818 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity and ecotoxicity of pesticide active ingredients are evaluated by a number of standardized test methods using vertebrate animals. These standard test methods are required under various regulatory programs for the registration of pesticides. Over the past two decades, additional test methods have been developed with endpoints that are responsive to endocrine activity and subsequent adverse effects. This article examines the available test methods and their endpoints that are relevant to an assessment of endocrine-disrupting properties of pesticides. Furthermore, the article highlights how weight-of-evidence approaches should be applied to determine whether an adverse response in (eco)toxicity tests is caused by an endocrine mechanism of action. The large number of endpoints in the current testing paradigms for pesticides make it unlikely that endocrine activity and adversity is being overlooked. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;00:1-21. © 2023 Bayer CropScience and The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lisa S Ortego
- Bayer Crop Science, Environmental Safety, Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
| | - Katherine K Coady
- Bayer Crop Science, Environmental Safety, Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
| | - Audrey Bone
- Bayer Crop Science, Environmental Safety, Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
| | - Laurent Lagadic
- Bayer AG, Crop Science, Environmental Safety, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Lennart Weltje
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions-Ecotoxicology, Limburgerhof, Germany
| | - Arnd Weyers
- Bayer AG, Crop Science, Environmental Safety, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
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4
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Herlin M, Sánchez-Pérez I, Esteban J, Korkalainen M, Barber X, Finnilä MAJ, Hamscher G, Joseph B, Viluksela M, Håkansson H. Bone toxicity induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and the retinoid system: A causality analysis anchored in osteoblast gene expression and mouse data. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 105:25-43. [PMID: 34363983 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Dioxin exposures impact on bone quality and osteoblast differentiation, as well as retinoic acid metabolism and signaling. In this study we analyzed associations between increased circulating retinol concentrations and altered bone mineral density in a mouse model following oral exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Additionally, effects of TCDD on differentiation marker genes and genes involved with retinoic acid metabolism were analysed in an osteoblast cell model followed by benchmark dose-response analyses of the gene expression data. Study results show that the increased trabecular and decreased cortical bone mineral density in the mouse model following TCDD exposure are associated with increased circulating retinol concentrations. Also, TCDD disrupted the expression of genes involved in osteoblast differentiation and retinoic acid synthesis, degradation, and nuclear translocation in directions compatible with increasing cellular retinoic acid levels. Further evaluation of the obtained results in relation to previously published data by the use of mode-of-action and weight-of-evidence inspired analytical approaches strengthened the evidence that TCDD-induced bone and retinoid system changes are causally related and compatible with an endocrine disruption mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Herlin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Ismael Sánchez-Pérez
- Instituto de Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Javier Esteban
- Instituto de Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Merja Korkalainen
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Xavier Barber
- Centro de Investigación Operativa, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Mikko A J Finnilä
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics, and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Gerd Hamscher
- Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 10 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Bertrand Joseph
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Matti Viluksela
- Environmental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland; School of Pharmacy (Toxicology) and Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Helen Håkansson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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5
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Lorenzetti S, Plösch T, Teller IC. Antioxidative Molecules in Human Milk and Environmental Contaminants. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:550. [PMID: 33916168 PMCID: PMC8065843 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10040550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Breastfeeding provides overall beneficial health to the mother-child dyad and is universally recognized as the preferred feeding mode for infants up to 6-months and beyond. Human milk provides immuno-protection and supplies nutrients and bioactive compounds whose concentrations vary with lactation stage. Environmental and dietary factors potentially lead to excessive chemical exposure in critical windows of development such as neonatal life, including lactation. This review discusses current knowledge on these environmental and dietary contaminants and summarizes the known effects of these chemicals in human milk, taking into account the protective presence of antioxidative molecules. Particular attention is given to short- and long-term effects of these contaminants, considering their role as endocrine disruptors and potential epigenetic modulators. Finally, we identify knowledge gaps and indicate potential future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Lorenzetti
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Torsten Plösch
- Perinatal Neurobiology, Department of Human Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
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6
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Wheeler JR, Gao Z, Lagadic L, Salinas ER, Weltje L, Burden N. Hormone data collection in support of endocrine disruption (ED) assessment for aquatic vertebrates: Pragmatic and animal welfare considerations. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106287. [PMID: 33276311 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James R Wheeler
- Shell International B.V., Shell Health, Carel van Bylandtlaan 16, 2596 HR The Hague, the Netherlands.
| | - Zhenglei Gao
- Bayer AG Research and Development, Crop Science, Environmental Safety, Environmental Effects, Alfred-Nobel-Straße 50, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany.
| | - Laurent Lagadic
- Bayer AG Research and Development, Crop Science, Environmental Safety, Environmental Effects, Alfred-Nobel-Straße 50, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany.
| | - Edward R Salinas
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Ecotoxicology, Speyerer Strasse 2, 67117 Limburgerhof, Germany.
| | - Lennart Weltje
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Ecotoxicology, Speyerer Strasse 2, 67117 Limburgerhof, Germany.
| | - Natalie Burden
- NC3Rs, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK.
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7
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Exner M, Bhattacharya S, Gebel J, Goroncy-Bermes P, Hartemann P, Heeg P, Ilschner C, Kramer A, Ling ML, Merkens W, Oltmanns P, Pitten F, Rotter M, Schmithausen RM, Sonntag HG, Steinhauer K, Trautmann M. Chemical disinfection in healthcare settings: critical aspects for the development of global strategies. GMS HYGIENE AND INFECTION CONTROL 2020; 15:Doc36. [PMID: 33520601 PMCID: PMC7818848 DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Chemical disinfection is an indispensable means of preventing infection. This holds true for healthcare settings, but also for all other settings where transmission of pathogens poses a potential health risk to humans and/or animals. Research on how to ensure effectiveness of disinfectants and the process of disinfection, as well as on when, how and where to implement disinfection precautions is an ongoing challenge requiring an interdisciplinary team effort. The valuable resources of active substances used for disinfection must be used wisely and their interaction with the target organisms and the environment should be evaluated and monitored closely, if we are to reliable reap the benefits of disinfection in future generations. In view of the global threat of communicable diseases and emerging and re-emerging pathogens and multidrug-resistant pathogens, the relevance of chemical disinfection is continually increasing. Although this consensus paper pinpoints crucial aspects for strategies of chemical disinfection in terms of the properties of disinfectant agents and disinfection practices in a particularly vulnerable group and setting, i.e., patients in healthcare settings, it takes a comprehensive, holistic approach to do justice to the complexity of the topic of disinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Exner
- Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Bonn University, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Jürgen Gebel
- Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Bonn University, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Philippe Hartemann
- Departement Environnement et Santé Publique S.E.R.E.S., Faculté de Médecine, Nancy, France
| | - Peter Heeg
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Carola Ilschner
- Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Bonn University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Axel Kramer
- Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany
| | - Moi Lin Ling
- Infection Prevention & Control, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | | | - Frank Pitten
- IKI – Institut für Krankenhaushygiene & Infektionskontrolle GmbH, Gießen, Germany
| | | | | | - Hans-Günther Sonntag
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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8
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More S, Bambidis V, Benford D, Bragard C, Hernandez‐Jerez A, Bennekou SH, Koutsoumanis K, Machera K, Naegeli H, Nielsen SS, Schlatter JR, Schrenk D, Silano V, Turck D, Younes M, Fletcher T, Greiner M, Ntzani E, Pearce N, Vinceti M, Ciccolallo L, Georgiadis M, Gervelmeyer A, Halldorsson TI. Draft for internal testing Scientific Committee guidance on appraising and integrating evidence from epidemiological studies for use in EFSA's scientific assessments. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06221. [PMID: 32831946 PMCID: PMC7433401 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
EFSA requested its Scientific Committee to prepare a guidance document on appraising and integrating evidence from epidemiological studies for use in EFSA's scientific assessments. The guidance document provides an introduction to epidemiological studies and illustrates the typical biases of the different epidemiological study designs. It describes key epidemiological concepts relevant for evidence appraisal. Regarding study reliability, measures of association, exposure assessment, statistical inferences, systematic error and effect modification are explained. Regarding study relevance, the guidance describes the concept of external validity. The principles of appraising epidemiological studies are illustrated, and an overview of Risk of Bias (RoB) tools is given. A decision tree is developed to assist in the selection of the appropriate Risk of Bias tool, depending on study question, population and design. The customisation of the study appraisal process is explained, detailing the use of RoB tools and assessing the risk of bias in the body of evidence. Several examples of appraising experimental and observational studies using a Risk of Bias tool are annexed to the document to illustrate the application of the approach. This document constitutes a draft that will be applied in EFSA's assessments during a 1-year pilot phase and be revised and complemented as necessary. Before finalisation of the document, a public consultation will be launched.
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9
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Couderq S, Leemans M, Fini JB. Testing for thyroid hormone disruptors, a review of non-mammalian in vivo models. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 508:110779. [PMID: 32147522 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) play critical roles in profound changes in many vertebrates, notably in mammalian neurodevelopment, although the precise molecular mechanisms of these fundamental biological processes are still being unravelled. Environmental and health concerns prompted the development of chemical safety testing and, in the context of endocrine disruption, identification of thyroid hormone axis disrupting chemicals (THADCs) remains particularly challenging. As various molecules are known to interfere with different levels of TH signalling, screening tests for THADCs may not rely solely on in vitro ligand/receptor binding to TH receptors. Therefore, alternatives to mammalian in vivo assays featuring TH-related endpoints that are more sensitive than circulatory THs and more rapid than thyroid histopathology are needed to fulfil the ambition of higher throughput screening of the myriad of environmental chemicals. After a detailed introduction of the context, we have listed current assays and parameters to assess thyroid disruption following a literature search of recent publications referring to non-mammalian models. Potential THADCs were mostly investigated in zebrafish and the frog Xenopus laevis, an amphibian model extensively used to study TH signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Couderq
- Unité PhyMA laboratory, Adaptation du Vivant, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, 7 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Michelle Leemans
- Unité PhyMA laboratory, Adaptation du Vivant, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, 7 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Fini
- Unité PhyMA laboratory, Adaptation du Vivant, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, 7 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France.
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10
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Wheeler JR, Segner H, Weltje L, Hutchinson TH. Interpretation of sexual secondary characteristics (SSCs) in regulatory testing for endocrine activity in fish. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 240:124943. [PMID: 31574443 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124943] [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: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Secondary sexual characteristics (SSCs) are important features that have evolved in many fish species because of inter-individual competition for mates. SSCs are crucial not only for sexual selection, but also for other components of the reproductive process and parental care. Externally, they are especially clear in males (for instance, tubercles, fatpad, anal finnage, colouration) but are also externally present in the females (for instance, ovipositor). These characters are under hormonal control and as such there has been much interest in incorporating them as measures in fish test methods to assess the potential endocrine activity of chemicals. Here we describe the external SSCs in typical laboratory test species for endocrine testing - fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.). We also provide some examples and discuss the utility of SSC responses to the endocrine activity of chemicals in the field and the laboratory. This paper is not aimed to provide a comprehensive review of SSCs in fish but presents a view on the assessment of SSCs in regulatory testing. Due to the current regulatory importance of establishing an endocrine mode-of-action for chemicals, we also consider other, non-endocrine factors that may lead to SSC responses in fish. We conclude with recommendations for how the assessment of SSCs in fish could be usefully incorporated into the endocrine hazard and risk assessment of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Wheeler
- Shell Health, Shell International B.V., Carel van Bylandtlaan 16, 2596, HR, The Hague, the Netherlands.
| | - Helmut Segner
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Laenggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lennart Weltje
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Ecotoxicology, Speyerer Strasse 2, 67117, Limburgerhof, Germany.
| | - Thomas H Hutchinson
- Plymouth University, School of Life Sciences, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
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11
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Hanson ML, Solomon KR, Van Der Kraak GJ, Brian RA. Effects of atrazine on fish, amphibians, and reptiles: update of the analysis based on quantitative weight of evidence. Crit Rev Toxicol 2020; 49:670-709. [DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2019.1701985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark L. Hanson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Keith R. Solomon
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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12
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Kejlová K, Dvořáková M, Vavrouš A, Ševčík V, Kanďárová H, Letašiová S, Sosnovcová J, Jírová D. Toxicity of food contact paper evaluated by combined biological and chemical methods. Toxicol In Vitro 2019; 59:26-34. [PMID: 30951805 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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13
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Ayobahan SU, Eilebrecht E, Kotthoff M, Baumann L, Eilebrecht S, Teigeler M, Hollert H, Kalkhof S, Schäfers C. A combined FSTRA-shotgun proteomics approach to identify molecular changes in zebrafish upon chemical exposure. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6599. [PMID: 31036921 PMCID: PMC6488664 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43089-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The fish short-term reproduction assay (FSTRA) is a common in vivo screening assay for assessing endocrine effects of chemicals on reproduction in fish. However, the current reliance on measures such as egg number, plasma vitellogenin concentration and morphological changes to determine endocrine effects can lead to false labelling of chemicals with non-endocrine modes- of-action. Here, we integrated quantitative liver and gonad shotgun proteomics into the FSTRA in order to investigate the causal link between an endocrine mode-of-action and adverse effects assigned to the endocrine axis. Therefore, we analyzed the molecular effects of fadrozole-induced aromatase inhibition in zebrafish (Danio rerio). We observed a concentration-dependent decrease in fecundity, a reduction in plasma vitellogenin concentrations and a mild oocyte atresia with oocyte membrane folding in females. Consistent with these apical measures, proteomics revealed a significant dysregulation of proteins involved in steroid hormone secretion and estrogen stimulus in the female liver. In the ovary, the deregulation of estrogen synthesis and binding of sperm to zona pellucida were among the most significantly perturbed pathways. A significant deregulation of proteins targeting the transcriptional activity of estrogen receptor (esr1) was observed in male liver and testis. Our results support that organ- and sex-specific quantitative proteomics represent a promising tool for identifying early gene expression changes preceding chemical-induced adverse outcomes. These data can help to establish consistency in chemical classification and labelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve U Ayobahan
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany. .,Institute of Environmental Research (Biology V), RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Elke Eilebrecht
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany.
| | - Matthias Kotthoff
- Department 2, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, Hamm, Germany
| | - Lisa Baumann
- Aquatic Ecology & Toxicology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Eilebrecht
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Teigeler
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Institute of Environmental Research (Biology V), RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Kalkhof
- Institute for Bioanalysis, University of Applied Sciences Coburg, Coburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Schäfers
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
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14
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Endocrine Disruption: Current approaches for regulatory testing and assessment of plant protection products are fit for purpose. Toxicol Lett 2018; 296:10-22. [PMID: 30006252 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing debate concerning the regulation of endocrine disruptors, has increasingly led to questions concerning the current testing of chemicals and whether this is adequate for the assessment of potential endocrine disrupting effects. This paper describes the current testing approaches for plant protection product (PPP) active substances in the European Union and the United States and how they relate to the assessment of endocrine disrupting properties for human and environmental health. This includes a discussion of whether the current testing approaches cover modalities other than the estrogen, androgen, thyroid and steroidogenesis (EATS) pathways, sensitive windows of exposure, adequate assessment of human endocrine disorders and wildlife species, and the determination of thresholds for endocrine disruption. It is concluded, that the scope and nature of the core and triggered data requirements for PPP active substances are scientifically robust to address adverse effects mediated through endocrine mode(s) of action and to characterise these effects in terms of dose response.
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Beronius A, Molander L, Zilliacus J, Rudén C, Hanberg A. Testing and refining the Science in Risk Assessment and Policy (SciRAP) web-based platform for evaluating the reliability and relevance of in vivo toxicity studies. J Appl Toxicol 2018; 38:1460-1470. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.3648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Beronius
- Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | | | - Johanna Zilliacus
- Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Christina Rudén
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry; Stockholm University; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Annika Hanberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
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Wolf JC, Wheeler JR. A critical review of histopathological findings associated with endocrine and non-endocrine hepatic toxicity in fish models. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 197:60-78. [PMID: 29448125 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Although frequently examined as a target organ for non-endocrine toxicity, histopathological evaluation of the liver is becoming a routine component of endocrine disruption studies that utilize various fish species as test subjects. However, the interpretation of microscopic liver findings can be challenging, especially when attempting to distinguish adverse changes associated with endocrine disrupting substances from those caused by systemic or direct hepatic toxicity. The purpose of this project was to conduct a critical assessment of the available peer-reviewed and grey literature concerning the histopathologic effects of reproductive endocrine active substances (EAS) and non-endocrine acting substances in the livers of fish models, and to determine if liver histopathology can be used to reliably distinguish endocrine from non-endocrine etiologies. The results of this review suggest that few compound-specific histopathologic liver effects have been identified, among which are estrogen agonist-induced increases in hepatocyte basophilia and proteinaceous intravascular fluid in adult male teleosts, and potentially, decreased hepatocyte basophilia in female fish exposed to substances that possess androgenic, anti-estrogenic, or aromatase inhibitory activity. This review also used published standardized methodology to assess the credibility of the histopathology data in each of the 117 articles that reported liver effects of treatment, and consequently it was determined that in only 37% of those papers were the data considered either highly credible or credible. The outcome of this work highlights the value of histopathologic liver evaluation as an investigative tool for EAS studies, and provides information that may have implications for EAS hazard assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Wolf
- Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., 45600 Terminal Drive, Sterling, VA, 20166, USA.
| | - James R Wheeler
- Dow AgroSciences, 3 B Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OK14 4RN, UK.
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