Novel and distinct metabolites identified following a single oral dose of α- or γ-hexabromocyclododecane in mice

Identification and yield of metabolites of chlorinated paraffins incubated with chicken liver microsomes: Assessment of their potential to convert into metabolites

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are emerging environmental pollutants. Although metabolism has been shown to affect the differential accumulation of short-chain (SCCPs), medium-chain (MCCPs) and long-chain (LCCPs) CPs in birds, CP metabolites have rarely been reported and the extent to which they are formed is still unclear. In this study, single and mixed CP standards were incubated with chicken liver microsomes in vitro to study the generation of CP metabolites. Putative aldehyde/ketone and carboxylic acid metabolites identified by mass spectroscopy data were shown to be false positive results. Phase I metabolism of CPs first formed monohydroxylated ([M-Cl+OH]) and then dihydroxylated ([M-2Cl+2OH]) products. The yields of monohydroxylated metabolites of CPs decreased with increasing carbon chain length and chlorine content at the initial stage of reaction. Notably, the yield of monohydroxylated metabolites of SCCPs with 51.5% Cl content reached 21%, and that of 1,2,5,6,9,10-hexachlorodecane (C₁₀H₁₆Cl₆) was as high as 71%. Thus, monohydroxy metabolites of CPs in birds should not be ignored, especially those of SCCPs. This study provides important data that could support improvements to the ecological/health risk assessment of CPs.

A metagenomics study of hexabromocyclododecane degradation with a soil microbial community

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are globally prevalent and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) listed by the Stockholm Convention in 2013. They have been detected in many environmental media from waterbodies to Plantae and even in the human body. Due to their highly bioaccumulative characterization, they pose an urgent public health issue. Here, we demonstrate that the indigenous microbial community in the agricultural soil in Taiwan could decompose HBCDs with no additional carbon source incentive. The degradation kinetics reached 0.173 day^-1 after the first treatment and 0.104 day^-1 after second exposure. With additional C-sources, the rate constants decreased to 0.054-0.097 day^-1. The hydroxylic debromination metabolites and ring cleavage long-chain alkane metabolites were identified to support the potential metabolic pathways utilized by the soil microbial communities. The metagenome established by Nanopore sequencing showed significant compositional alteration in the soil microbial community after the HBCD treatment. After ranking, comparing relative abundances, and performing network analyses, several novel bacterial taxa were identified to contribute to HBCD biotransformation, including Herbaspirillum, Sphingomonas, Brevundimonas, Azospirillum, Caulobacter, and Microvirga, through halogenated / aromatic compound degradation, glutathione-S-transferase, and hydrolase activity. We present a compelling and applicable approach combining metagenomics research, degradation kinetics, and metabolomics strategies, which allowed us to decipher the natural attenuation and remediation mechanisms of HBCDs.

Metabolic transformation of environmentally-relevant brominated flame retardants in Fauna: A review

Over the past few decades, production trends of the flame retardant (FR) industry, and specifically for brominated FRs (BFRs), is for the replacement of banned and regulated compounds with more highly brominated, higher molecular weight compounds including oligomeric and polymeric compounds. Chemical, biological, and environmental stability of BFRs has received some attention over the years but knowledge is currently lacking in the transformation potential and metabolism of replacement emerging or novel BFRs (E/NBFRs). For articles published since 2015, a systematic search strategy reviewed the existing literature on the direct (e.g., in vitro or in vivo) non-human BFR metabolism in fauna (animals). Of the 51 papers reviewed, and of the 75 known environmental BFRs, PBDEs were by far the most widely studied, followed by HBCDDs and TBBPA. Experimental protocols between studies showed large disparities in exposure or incubation times, age, sex, depuration periods, and of the absence of active controls used in in vitro experiments. Species selection emphasized non-standard test animals and/or field-collected animals making comparisons difficult. For in vitro studies, confounding variables were generally not taken into consideration (e.g., season and time of day of collection, pollution point-sources or human settlements). As of 2021 there remains essentially no information on the fate and metabolic pathways or kinetics for 30 of the 75 environmentally relevant E/BFRs. Regardless, there are clear species-specific and BFR-specific differences in metabolism and metabolite formation (e.g. BDE congeners and HBCDD isomers). Future in vitro and in vivo metabolism/biotransformation research on E/NBFRs is required to better understand their bioaccumulation and fate in exposed organisms. Also, studies should be conducted on well characterized lab (e.g., laboratory rodents, zebrafish) and commonly collected wildlife species used as captive models (crucian carp, Japanese quail, zebra finches and polar bears).

The enantiomer-selective metabolism of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) by human HepG2 cells

Although hepatic metabolism of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) played critical roles in the selective bioaccumulation of HBCDs in humans, the hepatic metabolism patterns of its enantiomers remained ambiguous. Aiming to elucidate the mechanism on hepatic metabolism of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) enantiomers, the enantiomers ((+)-α-HBCD, (-)-α-HBCD, (+)-γ-HBCD, and (-)-γ-HBCD), the diastereoisomers (α-, β-, and γ-HBCDs) and the mixed of α- and γ-HBCDs were incubated with human HepG2 cell under different exposure levels in the present study. The clearance percentages ranked as γ-HBCD enantiomers >β-HBCD enantiomers >α-HBCD enantiomers at the same exposure levels. The clearance percentages of (+)- and (-)-α-HBCDs increased when cells were exposed to racemic α-HBCD and the mixture of racemic α- and γ-HBCDs (p < 0.05). (-)-γ-HBCD was more resistant to human hepatic metabolism than (+)-γ-HBCD, leading to the enantiomer fractions (EFs) of γ-HBCD lower than 0.50. (-)-α-HBCD was slightly more metabolized when independently exposed to α-HBCD, while (+)-α-HBCD was more preferentially metabolized after exposure to α- and γ-HBCD mixtures. Hydroxylation and debromination HBCD metabolites were identified. In addition, the different EFs of HBCDs in cells and mediums suggested the selective transfer of chiral HBCDs and HBCD metabolites through the cell membrane. This study provided new insight into the enantiomer-selective metabolism of HBCDs.

Update of the risk assessment of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in food

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in food. HBCDDs, predominantly mixtures of the stereoisomers α-, β- and γ-HBCDD, were widely used additive flame retardants. Concern has been raised because of the occurrence of HBCDDs in the environment, food and in humans. Main targets for toxicity are neurodevelopment, the liver, thyroid hormone homeostasis and the reproductive and immune systems. The CONTAM Panel concluded that the neurodevelopmental effects on behaviour in mice can be considered the critical effects. Based on effects on spontaneous behaviour in mice, the Panel identified a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 0.9 mg/kg body weight (bw) as the Reference Point, corresponding to a body burden of 0.75 mg/kg bw. The chronic intake that would lead to the same body burden in humans was calculated to be 2.35 μg/kg bw per day. The derivation of a health-based guidance value (HBGV) was not considered appropriate. Instead, the margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied to assess possible health concerns. Over 6,000 analytical results for HBCDDs in food were used to estimate the exposure across dietary surveys and age groups of the European population. The most important contributors to the chronic dietary LB exposure to HBCDDs were fish meat, eggs, livestock meat and poultry. The CONTAM Panel concluded that the resulting MOE values support the conclusion that current dietary exposure to HBCDDs across European countries does not raise a health concern. An exception is breastfed infants with high milk consumption, for which the lowest MOE values may raise a health concern.

Bioaccumulation of Selected Halogenated Organic Flame Retardants in Lake Ontario

The trophic magnification of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and selected nonlegacy halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) was determined in the food web of Lake Ontario (ON, Canada). In all, 28 Br₃ -Br₈ -PBDEs and 24 HOCs (10 of which had not been targeted previously) were analyzed. Average concentrations of Σ₂₈ PBDEs in fish ranged between 79.7 ± 54.2 ng/g lipid weight in alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and 815 ± 695 ng/g lipid weight in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). For invertebrates, concentrations were between 13.4 ng/g lipid weight (net plankton; >110 μm) and 41.9 ng/g lipid weight in Diaporeia (Diaporeia hoyi). Detection frequency (DF) for HOCs was highest for anti-Dechlorane Plus (anti-DDC-CO), 1,3-diiodobenzene (1,3-DiiB), tribromo-methoxy-methylbenzene (ME-TBP), allyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (TBP-AE), pentabromocyclododecene (PBCYD), α+β-tetrabromocylcooctane (TBCO), 2-bromoallyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (BATE), and pentabromotoluene (PBT; DF for all = 100% in lake trout). Tetrabromoxylene (TBX), dibromopropyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (TBP-DBPE), and syn-DDC-CO were also frequently detected in trout (DF = 70-78%), whereas 2,3,4,5,6-pentabromoethyl benzene (PBEB) was detected only in plankton. Several HOCs were reported in aquatic biota in the Great Lakes (USA/Canada) for the first time in the present study, including PBCYD, 1,3DiiB, BATE, TBP-DBPE, PBT, α + β-TBCO, and ME-TBP. The Br_4-6 -BDEs (-47, -85, -99, -100, -153, and -154) all had prey-weighted biomagnification factors (BMF_PW ) values >6, whereas BMF_PW values for Br_7-8 -BDEs were <1. The highest BMF_PW values of non-PBDEs were for TBP-DBPE (10.6 ± 1.34) and ME-TBP (4.88 ± 0.60), whereas TBP-AE had a BMF_PW value of <1. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) trophic magnification factors (TMFs), both positive and negative, were found for Br_4-8- BDEs (BDE 196 = 0.4; BDE 154 = 9.5) and for bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE; 0.53), PBCYD (1.8), 1,3-DiiB (0.33), and pentabromobenzene (PBB; 0.25). Food chain length was found to have a significant influence on the TMF values. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1198-1210. © 2019 SETAC.

Roles of maize cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in stereo-selective metabolism of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) as evidenced by in vitro degradation, biological response and in silico studies

In vitro biotransformation of HBCDs by maize cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, responses of CYPs to HBCDs at protein and transcription levels, and in silico simulation of interactions between CYPs and HBCDs were investigated in order to elucidate the roles of CYPs in the metabolism of HBCDs in maize. The results showed that degradation reactions of HBCDs by maize microsomal CYPs followed the first-order kinetics and were stereo-selective, with the metabolic rates following the order (-)γ- > (+)γ- > (+)α- > (-)α-HBCD. The hydroxylated metabolites OH-HBCDs, OH-PBCDs and OH-TBCDs were detected. (+)/(-)-α-HBCDs significantly decreased maize CYP protein content and inhibited CYP enzyme activity, whereas (+)/(-)-γ-HBCDs had obvious effects on the induction of CYPs. HBCDs selectively mediated the gene expression of maize CYPs, including the isoforms of CYP71C3v2, CYP71C1, CYP81A1, CYP92A1 and CYP97A16. Molecular docking results suggested that HBCDs could bind with these five CYPs, with binding affinity following the order CYP71C3v2 < CYP81A1 < CYP97A16 < CYP92A1 < CYP71C1. The shortest distances between the Br-unsubstituted C atom of HBCD isomers and the iron atom of heme in CYPs were 4.18-11.7 Å, with only the distances for CYP71C3v2 being shorter than 6 Å (4.61-5.38 Å). These results suggested that CYP71C3v2 was an efficient catalyst for degradation of HBCDs. For (+)α- and (-)γ-HBCDs, their binding affinities to CYPs were lower and the distances to the iron atom of heme in CYPs were shorter than their corresponding antipodes, consistent with the in vitro experimental results showing that they had shorter half-lives and were more easily hydroxylated. This study provides solid evidence for the roles of maize CYPs in the metabolism of HBCDs, and gives insight into the molecular mechanisms of the enantio-selective metabolism of HBCDs by plant CYPs.

Diastereoisomer-Specific Biotransformation of Hexabromocyclododecanes by a Mixed Culture Containing Dehalococcoides mccartyi Strain 195

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) stereoisomers may exhibit substantial differences in physicochemical, biological, and toxicological properties. However, there remains a lack of knowledge about stereoisomer-specific toxicity, metabolism, and environmental fate of HBCD. In this study, the biotransformation of (±)α-, (±)β-, and (±)γ-HBCD contained in technical HBCD by a mixed culture containing the organohalide-respiring bacterium Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain 195 was investigated. Results showed that the mixed culture was able to efficiently biotransform the technical HBCD mixture, with 75% of the initial HBCD (∼12 μM) in the growth medium being removed within 42 days. Based on the metabolites analysis, HBCD might be sequentially debrominated via dibromo elimination reaction to form tetrabromocyclododecene, dibromocyclododecadiene, and 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene. The biotransformation of the technical HBCD was likely diastereoisomer-specific. The transformation rates of α-, β-, and γ-HBCD were in the following order: α-HBCD > β-HBCD > γ-HBCD. The enantiomer fractions of (±)α-, (±)β-, and (±)γ-HBCD were maintained at about 0.5 during the 28 days of incubation, indicating a lack of enantioselective biotransformation of these diastereoisomers. Additionally, the amendment of another halogenated substrate tetrachloroethene (PCE), which supports the growth of strain 195, had a negligible impact on the transformation patterns of HBCD diastereoisomers and enantiomers. This study provided new insights into the stereoisomer-specific transformation patterns of HBCD by anaerobic microbes and has important implications for microbial remediation of anoxic environments contaminated by HBCD using the mixed culture containing Dehalococcoides.

Enantiomer-specific accumulation and depuration of α-hexabromocyclododecane (α-HBCDD) in chicken (Gallus gallus) as a tool to identify contamination sources

A LC-ESI(-)-HRMS method dedicated to the analysis of 6 HBCDD enantiomers at trace levels in animal matrices was developed, using a cellulose based stationary phase with a particle size of 2.5 μm. This method was applied to a sample set derived from a kinetic study of α-HBCDD previously conducted in fast- and slow-growing chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus, n = 49, plus controls), in order to study the enantiomer specific accumulation and depuration of α-HBCDD in various tissues. Regarding abdominal adipose tissue, muscle and liver, the average enantiomeric fractions of α-HBCDD (EF_α) for continuously exposed groups ranged between 0.434 and 0.467, with standard deviations below 0.014, showing a significant enrichment in (-)α enantiomer even accentuated for slow growing individuals during depuration with EF_α reduced by about 0.020. Similar trends were observed for pooled plasma. Then, EF_α of circulating plasma α-HBCDD appeared to closely reflect EF_α in storage tissues and liver, suggesting some equilibrium. The racemic elimination of α enantiomer in excreta during the contamination phase indicated that no preferential gastrointestinal absorption took place. By contrast, preferential excretion of (-)α-HBCDD from the circulating compartment to the intestinal lumen occurred during the depuration. Finally, the method was applied to samples collected in three chicken farms, selected for total HBCDD levels in muscle in the ng/g range, as a tool to determine whether the contamination occurred ante- or post-mortem, according to the chiral signature. Ante-mortem contamination was hypothesised for 2 farms, with feed being excluded as contamination source.

Accumulation of α-hexabromocyclododecane (α-HBCDD) in tissues of fast- and slow-growing broilers (Gallus domesticus)

The aim of the current study was to describe the fate of ingested α-hexabromocyclododecane (α-HBCDD) in fast-growing (FG) and slow-growing (SG) broilers, through an exposure to a dietary concentration of 50 ng α-HBCDD g^-1 feed during 42 and 84 days, respectively. Depuration parameters were assessed in SG broilers successively exposed during 42 days and depurated during 42 days. At market age, SG broilers had ingested 42% more feed than FG broilers, while their body weight gain per g of feed ingested was 34% lower. No isomerization of α- to β- or γ-HBCDD forms occurred, while OH-HBCDD was identified as a product of α-HBCDD metabolism. Irrespective of the strain, abdominal fat displayed the highest α-HBCDD concentration on a lipid weight basis, followed leg muscles and then breast muscle, liver and plasma. The accumulation ratios of α-HBCDD were slightly higher in SG (6.7, 2.1, 2.6 and 9.9 in leg muscles, breast muscle, liver and abdominal fat, respectively) than in FG broilers (5.2, 2.2, 1.1 and 8.4, respectively). The elimination half-lives in SG broilers were 20, 12 and 19 d in leg muscles, breast muscle and abdominal fat, respectively, to which dilution through growth contributed for around 50%. The overall assimilation efficiency of α-HBCDD was estimated at 58 and 50% in FG and SG broilers, respectively, while 22 and 17% of α-HBCDD ingested were estimated to be eliminated in excreta as metabolites.

Serum Metabolomic Profiles in Neonatal Mice following Oral Brominated Flame Retardant Exposures to Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) Alpha, Gamma, and Commercial Mixture

BACKGROUND

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a high production volume brominated flame retardant added to building insulation foams, electronics, and textiles. HBCD is a commercial mixture (CM-HBCD) composed of three main stereoisomers: α-HBCD (10%), β-HBCD (10%), and γ-HBCD (80%). A shift from the dominant stereoisomer γ-HBCD to α-HBCD is detected in humans and wildlife.

OBJECTIVES

Considering CM-HBCD has been implicated in neurodevelopment and endocrine disruption, with expected metabolism perturbations, we performed metabolomics on mice serum obtained during a window-of-developmental neurotoxicity to draw correlations between early-life exposures and developmental outcomes and to predict health risks.

METHODS

Six female C57BL/6 mice at postnatal day (PND) 10 were administered a single gavage dose of α-, γ-, or CM-HBCD at 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg. Nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics was used to analyze 60 μL serum aliquots of blood collected 4 days post-oral exposure.

RESULTS

Infantile mice exposed to α-, γ-, or CM-HBCD demonstrated differences in endogenous metabolites by treatment and dose groups, including metabolites involved in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, lipid metabolism, citric acid cycle, and neurodevelopment. Ketone bodies, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate, were nonstatistically elevated, when compared with mean control levels, in all treatment and dose groups, while glucose, pyruvate, and alanine varied. Acetoacetate was significantly increased in the 10 mg/kg α-HBCD and was nonsignificantly decreased with CM-HBCD. A third ketone body, acetone, was significantly lower in the 30 mg/kg α-HBCD group with significant increases in pyruvate at the same treatment and dose group. Metabolites significant in differentiating treatment and dose groups were also identified, including decreases in amino acids glutamate (excitatory neurotransmitter in learning and memory) and phenylalanine (neurotransmitter precursor) after α-HBCD and γ-HBCD exposure, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that 4 days following a single neonatal oral exposure to α-, γ-, and CM-HBCD resulted in different serum metabolomic profiles, indicating stereoisomer- and mixture-specific effects and possible mechanisms of action.

Transformation of hexabromocyclododecane in contaminated soil in association with microbial diversity

This study evaluated the transformation of 1,2,5,6,9,10-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in soil under various conditions. Under anaerobic conditions for 21days, 34% of the total HBCD was reduced from rhizosphere soil containing humic acid, and 35% of the total HBCD was reduced from the non-rhizosphere soil; under aerobic conditions, 29% and 57-60% of the total HBCD were reduced from the same soil types after 40days. Three HBCD isomers (α-, β-, and γ-HBCD) were separately analyzed for their isomeric effects on transformation. In the soils with added glucose as a carbon and energy source, the fraction of γ-HBCD was reduced due to the blooming microbial activity. The population of Gram-positive bacteria decreased during the aerobic treatments of HBCD, whereas the population of several Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Brassia rhizosphere, Sphingomonas sp.) increased. Humic acid and glucose increased the HBCD removal efficiency and microbial diversity in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils.

Experimental and Theoretical Evidence for Diastereomer- and Enantiomer-Specific Accumulation and Biotransformation of HBCD in Maize Roots

Diastereomer- and enantiomer-specific accumulation and biotransformation of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in maize (Zea mays L.) were investigated. Molecular interactions of HBCD with plant enzymes were further characterized by homology modeling combined with molecular docking. The (-)α-, (-)β-, and (+)γ-HBCD enantiomers accumulated to levels in maize significantly higher than those of their corresponding enantiomers. Bioisomerization from (+)/(-)-β- and γ-HBCDs to (-)α-HBCD was frequently observed, and (-)γ-HBCD was most easily converted, with bioisomerization efficiency of 90.5 ± 8.2%. Mono- and dihydroxyl HBCDs, debrominated metabolites including pentabromocyclododecene (PBCDe) and tetrabromocyclododecene (TBCDe), and HBCD-GSH adducts were detected in maize roots. Patterns of hydroxylated and debrominated metabolites were significantly different among HBCD diastereomers and enantiomers. Three pairs of HBCD enantiomers were selectively bound into the active sites and interacted with specific residues of maize enzymes CYP71C3v2 and GST31. (+)α-, (-)β-, and (-)γ-HBCDs preferentially bound to CYP71C3v2, whereas (-)α-, (-)β-, and (+)γ-HBCDs had strong affinities to GST31, consistent with experimental observations that (+)α-, (-)β-, and (-)γ-HBCDs were more easily hydroxylated, and (-)α-, (-)β-, and (+)γ-HBCDs were more easily isomerized and debrominated in maize compared to their corresponding enantiomers. This study for the first time provided both experimental and theoretical evidence for stereospecific behaviors of HBCD in plants.

Impacts of loach bioturbation on the selective bioaccumulation of HBCDD diastereoisomers and enantiomers by mirror carp in a microcosm

To assess the impacts of bioturbation at the water-sediment interface on the bioaccumulation of hexabromocyclododecane diastereoisomers (HBCDDs) by pelagic organisms and the bioisomerization and enantioselectivity therein, we built microcosms containing water, mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio), and sediment. The microcosms were sorted into two groups, with or without loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) living at the water-sediment interface. A 50-d accumulation test was conducted by spiking the microcosms with the three main HBCDD diastereoisomers (α-, β-, and γ-HBCDDs) separately. The HBCDDs were mainly associated with the sediment. The dissolved organic matter and suspended particulate matter content increased due to loach bioturbation, which promoted the release of sediment-associated HBCDDs and led to enhanced HBCDD bioaccumulation in the carp. Isomerization from β- and γ-HBCDD to α-HBCDD occurred in the carp, and the amounts of isomerization did not increase proportionally with increasing bioaccumulation. Moreover, the enantioselectivity of the HBCDD diastereoisomers showed species-specific differences between mirror carp and loach, and no significant change in the enantioselectivity in the carp was observed in the presence of loach.

Disposition of the emerging brominated flame retardant, bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate, in female Sprague Dawley rats: effects of dose, route and repeated administration

1. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)-tetrabromophthalate (BEH-TEBP; CAS No. 26040-51-7; PubChem CID: 117291; MW 706.15 g/mol, elsewhere: TeBrDEPH, TBPH, or BEHTBP) is used as an additive brominated flame retardant in consumer products. 2. Female Sprague Dawley rats eliminated 92-98% of [¹⁴C]-BEH-TEBP unchanged in feces after oral administration (0.1 or 10 μmol/kg). A minor amount of each dose (0.8-1%) was found in urine after 72 h. Disposition of orally administered BEH-TEBP in male B6C3F1/Tac mice was similar to female rats. 3. Bioaccumulation of [¹⁴C]-radioactivity was observed in liver and adrenals following 10 daily oral administrations (0.1 μmol/kg/day). These tissues contained 5- and 10-fold higher concentrations of [¹⁴C]-radioactivity, respectively, versus a single dose. 4. IV-administered [¹⁴C]-BEH-TEBP (0.1 μmol/kg) was slowly eliminated in feces, with >15% retained in tissues after 72 h. Bile and fecal extracts from these rats contained the metabolite mono-ethylhexyl tetrabromophthalate (TBMEHP). 5. BEH-TEBP was poorly absorbed, minimally metabolized and eliminated mostly by the fecal route after oral administration. Repeated exposure to BEH-TEBP led to accumulation in some tissues. The toxicological significance of this effect remains to be determined. This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (Project ZIA BC 011476).

Tissue Distribution and Transfer to Eggs of Ingested α-Hexabromocyclododecane (α-HBCDD) in Laying Hens (Gallus domesticus)

The aim of the current study was to describe the fate of ingested α-hexabromocyclododecane (α-HBCDD) in laying hens. Individuals were exposed to two dietary concentrations of α-HBCDD (50 and 5 ng g(-1) feed) for 18 or 11 weeks followed by a 7-week decontamination period. The results show that no isomerization of α- to β- or γ-HBCDD forms occurred, whereas OH-HBCDD was identified as a product of α-HBCDD metabolism. Irrespective of the level of feed contamination, estimates of steady-state accumulation ratios were 5.2, 3.6, and 9.2 and half-lives were estimated at 17.4, 22.8, and 35.3 days in egg yolk, liver tissue, and abdominal fat, respectively. The steady-state carry-over rate to eggs was 22.9%. Thus, α-HBCDD ingested by laying hens is readily transferred to eggs and significantly accumulates in adipose tissue.

Comparative Metabolism Studies of Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) Diastereomers in Male Rats Following a Single Oral Dose

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed orally with 3 mg/kg of one of three hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) diastereomers. Each diastereomer was well absorbed (73-83%), and distributed preferentially to lipophilic tissues. Feces were the major route of excretion; cumulatively accounting for 42% of dose for α-HBCD, 59% for ß-HBCD, and 53% for γ-HBCD. Urine was also an important route of HBCD excretion, accounting for 13% of dose for α-HBCD, 30% for ß-HBCD, and 21% for γ-HBCD. Total metabolism of HBCD diastereomers followed the rank order ß > γ > α, and was >65% of that administered. The metabolites formed were distinct in male rats: α-HBCD did not debrominate or stereoisomerize, but formed two hydroxylated metabolites; ß- and γ-HBCD were both extensively metabolized via pathways of stereoisomerization, oxidation, dehydrogenation, reductive debromination, and ring opening. ß-HBCD was biotransformed to two mercapturic acid pathway metabolites. The metabolites of ß- and γ-HBCD were largely distinct, and could possibly be used as markers of exposure. These isomer-specific data suggest that α-HBCD would be the most dominant HBCD diastereomer in biological tissues because it was metabolized to the lowest degree and also accumulated from the stereoisomerization of the β- and γ- diastereomers.

In vitro metabolism of BDE-47, BDE-99, and α-, β-, γ-HBCD isomers by chicken liver microsomes

The in vitro oxidative metabolism of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99), and the individual α-, β- and γ-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) isomers catalyzed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes was studied using chicken liver microsomes (CLMs). Metabolites were identified using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method and authentic standards for the oxidative metabolites of BDE-47 and BDE-99. Six hydroxylated tetra-BDEs, namely 4-hydroxy-2,2',3,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (4-OH-BDE-42), 3-hydroxy-2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (3-OH-BDE-47), 5-hydroxy-2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (5-OH-BDE-47), 6-hydroxy-2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (6-OH-BDE-47), 4'-hydroxy-2,2',4,5'- tetrabromodiphenyl ether (4'-OH-BDE-49), and 2'-hydroxy-2,3',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (2'-OH-BDE-66), were identified and quantified after incubation of BDE-47 with CLMs. 4'-OH-BDE-49 was the major metabolite formed. Three hydroxylated penta-BDEs (5'-hydroxy-2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (5'-OH-BDE-99), 6'-hydroxy-2,2',4,4',5- pentabromodiphenyl ether (6'-OH-BDE-99), and 4'-hydroxy-2,2',4,5,5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether, 4'-OH-BDE-101, were formed incubating BDE-99 with CLMs. Concentrations of BDE-99 metabolites were lower than those of BDE-47. More than four mono-hydroxylated HBCD (OH-HBCD), more than four di-hydroxylated HBCD (di-OH-HBCD), more than five mono-hydroxylated pentabromocyclododecenes (OH-PBCD), and more than five di-hydroxylated pentabromocyclododecenes (di-OH-PBCD) were detected when α-, β-, or γ-HBCD were individually incubated with CLMs. Response values (the ratio between the peak areas of the target compound and its internal standard) for OH-HBCD were 1-3 orders of magnitude higher than those for OH-PBCD, di-OH-HBCD, and di-OH-PBCD, suggesting that OH-HBCD might be the major metabolites of α-, β- and γ-HBCD produced by CLMs. No diastereoisomeric or enantiomeric bioisomerisation was observed incubating α-, β- or γ-HBCD with CLMs. Collectively, our data suggest that (i) BDE-47 is metabolized at a faster rate than BDE-99 by CLMs, (ii) OH-HBCD are the major hydroxylated metabolites of α-, β- and γ-HBCD produced by CLMs and (iii) the diastereoisomeric or enantiomeric bioisomerisation of α-, β- and γ-HBCD is not mediated by chicken CYP enzymes.

My Winding Road: From Microbiology to Toxicology and Environmental Health

I would certainly never have predicted that I would become the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) when I was a Jewish girl growing up in Teaneck, New Jersey. My family stressed the importance of education. Yet for a girl there were many not-so-subtle suggestions that the appropriate careers were in teaching or nursing, and the most important thing was to be a wife and mother. Well, I can't disagree with the latter, although I would have to add grandmother to that list of achievements. My parents were both college graduates, but my mom only taught high school English for one year before leaving the field to start our family. My dad returned from World War II and joined his brother in accounting. After my first sister was born, my father joined my mother's family jewelry business and helped to open a second retail store. My mother helped my dad out during the busy times—Christmas and wedding season—but otherwise focused on our growing family of three girls and one boy. This became increasingly challenging when it became clear that my little brother was severely retarded and would require extra care.

Review of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) with a focus on legislation and recent publications concerning toxicokinetics and -dynamics

In this paper, we review recent publications regarding the toxicokinetics and -dynamics of the flame retardant Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). HBCD has recently been listed as a persistent organic pollutant, which therefore influenced the legislation concerning its manufacturing and formulation. However, under specific circumstances it may still be used until 2024. Early toxicity studies have only focussed on HBCD itself, which is a mixture of different isomers with different physical and toxicological characteristics. Here we take a more differentiated look at the three diastereomers α-, β- and γ-HBCD. We also address the different enantiomers to give an overview of the toxicity of HBCD to identify present gaps in our knowledge about this chemical, especially with respect to its possible formulation until 2024.

Stereochemistry of enzymatic transformations of (+)β- and (-)β-HBCD with LinA2--a HCH-degrading bacterial enzyme of Sphingobium indicum B90A

LinA2, a bacterial enzyme expressed in various Sphingomonadaceae, catalyzes the elimination of HCl from hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and, as discussed here, the release of HBr from certain hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs). Both classes of compounds are persistent organic pollutants now regulated under the Stockholm Convention. LinA2 selectively catalyzes the transformation of β-HBCDs; other stereoisomers like α-, γ-, and δ-HBCDs are not converted. The transformation of (-)β-HBCD is considerably faster than that of its enantiomer. Here, we present the XRD crystal structure of 1E,5S,6S,9R,10S-pentabromocyclododecene (PBCDE) and demonstrate that its enantiomer with the 1E,5R,6R,9S,10R-configuration is the only metabolite formed during LinA2-catalyzed dehydrobromination of (-)β-HBCD. Formation of this product can be rationalized by HBr elimination at C5 and C6. A reasonable enzyme-substrate complex with the catalytic dyad His-73 and Asp-25 approaching the hydrogen at C6 and a cationic pocket of Lys-20, Try-42 and Arg-129 binding the leaving bromine at C5 was found from in silico docking experiments. A second PBCDE of yet unknown configuration was obtained from (+)β-HBCD. We predicted its stereochemistry to be 1E,5S,6S,9S,10R-PBCDE from docking experiments. The enzyme-substrate complex obtained from LinA2 and an activated conformation of (+)β-HBCD allows the HBr elimination at C9 and C10 leading to the predicted product. Both modeled enzyme-substrate complexes are in line with 1,2-diaxial HBr eliminations. In conclusion, LinA2, a bacterial enzyme of the HCH-degrading strain Sphingobium indicum B90A was able to stereoselectively convert β-HBCDs. Configurations of both PBCDE metabolites were predicted by molecular docking experiments and confirmed in one case by XRD data.

Current levels and composition profiles of emerging halogenated flame retardants and dehalogenated products in sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants in China

Occurrence of new toxic chemicals in sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is of concern for the environment and human health. Alternative halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) are a group of potentially harmful organic contaminants in the environment. In this study, a nationwide survey was carried out to identify the occurrence of HFRs and their potential dehalogenated products in sewage sludge from 62 WWTPs in China. Of all 20 target chemicals analyzed, decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and 1, 2-bis (2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-ethane (BTBPE) were detected in all sludge samples, and the concentrations were in the range of 0.82-215, 0.09-65.8, and 0.10-2.26 ng g(-1) d.w., respectively. Dechlorane Plus (DP) was found in 60 of 62 samples, and the concentration ranged from nd-298 ng g(-1) with a mean of 18.9 ng g(-1) d.w. The anti-DP fractional abundance fanti (0.79) in the samples was much higher than the commercial DP composition (fanti=0.59), indicating a stereoselective degradation. Comparison with global sludge concentrations of HFRs indicate that China is at the medium pollution level in the world. Principal components analysis revealed that strong correlations existed between ln-transformed concentrations (natural logarithm) of the dominant BFRs and total organic carbon (TOC) as well as industrial wastewater proportion, influent volume and serving population. Significant linear relationships (R=0.360-0.893, p<0.01) were found among emerging brominated flame retardants (BFRs), suggesting their common commercial applications and release sources to the environment. Two kinds of dehalogenated products, pentabromocyclododecane (PBCD) and undecachloropentacyclooctadecadiene (Cl11-DP), derived from HBCD and DP, were also identified in sewage sludge for the first time.

Occurrence of additive brominated flame retardants in aquatic organisms from Tai Lake and Yangtze River in Eastern China, 2009-2012

Since the phase-out of PBDEs, reports regarding occurrences of these compounds in the environment have become less frequent. To characterize potential influences of the phase-out of PBDEs' on concentrations in the environment, trends in concentrations as a function of time were investigated for two additive brominated flame retardants, PBDEs and HBCDs. Three aquatic species, including shrimp, common carp, and yellow catfish, were collected from Meiliang Bay of Tai Lake, 2009-2012. The analysis of PBDEs in three aquatic organisms has shown a downward-trend in the first three years but a significant upward-trend in the final year. Concentrations of HBCDs have not shown temporal increases in the investigated environments. Concentrations of both PBDEs and HBCDs in the three studied organisms increased as a function of trophic level, which suggested that these additive flame retardants can be biomagnified through the food web of Tai Lake. In accordance with previous publications, PBDE-47 contributed the greatest proportion of ∑PBDEs and had a detection frequency of 100%. α-HBCD was the predominate isomer that contributed to ∑HBCDs. Both β-HBCD and γ-HBCD were likely detected at lesser concentrations than the α-isomer due to differences in bioavailability. Concentrations of ∑PBDEs in the three aquatic organisms from Tai Lake ranged from 1.13 to 97.59 ng g(-1) lipid. These concentrations were generally less than those in biota from other countries, but equal to those found at other locations in China. Specimens from the Yangtze River had greater concentrations of ∑HBCDs (169.6-316.5 ng g(-1) lipid) than those collected at Tai Lake, which were comparatively greater than many reported concentrations in freshwater organisms from other countries.

Levels and distribution of hexabromocyclododecane and its lower brominated derivative in Japanese riverine environment

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and its lower brominated derivatives were measured in both surface water and sediment samples from three Japanese rivers; Tsurumi River, Yodo River, and Kuzuryu River. The concentration level of ∑HBCD (sum of α-, β-, and γ-HBCD) was in the order of Kuzuryu>Yodo>Tsurumi Rivers, reflective of the different emission sources for each basin. The highest ∑HBCD concentration (7800 ng g(-1)dw) was detected in the sediment sample from the Kuzuryu River that receives effluents from textile industries, which use HBCD in flame retardant finishes. A different diastereomeric pattern of α-, β-, and γ-HBCD of each river was investigated, indicating the level of HBCD in these rivers is directly influenced by emission source. Enantiomer fractions of HBCDs in water and sediment samples were also determined. Racemic mixtures were observed in the water samples, whereas enantiomeric enrichment of (-) γ-HBCD and (+) α-HBCD was observed in the sediment samples. Some lower brominated HBCD derivatives such as pentabromocyclododecenes were detected in both the water and sediment samples, and their concentration ranged from below the detection limit to 15 ng L(-1) and 20 ng g(-1)dw, respectively.

LinA2, a HCH-converting bacterial enzyme that dehydrohalogenates HBCDs

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) are lipophilic, polyhalogenated hydrocarbons with comparable stereochemistry. Bacterial evolution in HCH-contaminated soils resulted in the development of several Spingomonadaceae which express a series of HCH-converting enzymes. We showed that LinB, a haloalkane dehalogenase from Sphingobium indicum B90A, also transforms various HBCDs besides HCHs. Here we present evidence that LinA2, another dehalogenase from S. indicum also converts certain HBCDs to pentabromocyclododecenes (PBCDEs). Racemic mixtures of α-, β-, γ-HBCDs, a mixture of them, and δ-HBCD, a meso form, were exposed to LinA2. Substantial conversion of (-)β-HBCD was observed, but all other stereoisomers were not transformed significantly. The enantiomeric excess (EE) of β-HBCDs increased up to 60% in 32 h, whereas EE values of α- and γ-HBCDs were not affected. Substrate conversion and product formation were described with second-order kinetic models. One major (P1β) and possibly two minor (P2β, P3β) metabolites were detected. Respective mass spectra showed the characteristic isotope pattern of PBCDEs, the HBr elimination products of HBCDs. Michaelis-Menten parameters KM=0.47 ± 0.07 μM and vmax=0.17 ± 0.01 μmoll(-1)h(-1) were deduced from exposure data with varying enzyme/substrate ratios. LinA2 is more substrate specific than LinB, the latter converted all tested HBCDs, LinA2 only one. The widespread HCH pollution favored the selection and evolution of bacteria converting these compounds. We found that LinA2 and LinB, two of these HCH-converting enzymes expressed in S. indicum B90A, also dehalogenate HBCDs to lower brominated compounds, indicating that structural similarities of both classes of compounds are recognized at the level of substrate-protein interactions.

Prenatal exposure to the brominated flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) impairs measures of sustained attention and increases age-related morbidity in the Long-Evans rat

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a brominated flame retardant that is widely-used in foam building materials and to a lesser extent, furniture and electronic equipment. After decades of use, HBCD and its metabolites have become globally-distributed environmental contaminants that can be measured in the atmosphere, water bodies, wildlife, food staples and human breastmilk. Emerging evidence suggests that HBCD can affect early brain development and produce behavioral consequences for exposed organisms. The current study examined some of the developmental and lifelong neurobehavioral effects of prenatal HBCD exposure in a rat model. Pregnant rats were gavaged with 0, 3, 10, or 30mg/kg HBCD from gestation day 1 to parturition. A functional observation battery was used to assess sensorimotor behaviors in neonates. Locomotor and operant responding under random ratio and Go/no-go schedules of food reinforcement were examined in cohorts of young adult and aged rats. HBCD exposure was associated with increased reactivity to a tailpinch in neonates, decreased forelimb grip strength in juveniles, and impaired sustained attention indicated by Go/no-go responding in aged rats. In addition, HBCD exposure was associated with a significant increase in morbidity in the aged cohort. One health complication, a progressive loss of hindleg function, was observed only in the aged, 3mg/kg HBCD animals. These effects suggest that HBCD is a developmental neurotoxicant that can produce long-term behavioral impairments that emerge at different points in the lifespan following prenatal exposure.

Potential estrogenic effects of phosphorus-containing flame retardants

As the substitute of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), further assessments about the potential ecological safety and health risks of phosphorus-containing flame retardants (PFRs) are required because the worldwide demand for PFRs has been increasing every year. In this study, we examined the agonistic/antagonistic activity of a group of PFRs by three in vitro models (luciferase reporter gene assay, yeast two-hybrid assay, and E-screen assay). Molecule docking was used to further explain the interactions between ERα and PFRs. Data from luciferase reporter gene analysis showed three members of the nine tested PFRs significantly induced estrogenic effects, with the order of TPP > TCP > TDCPP, while TCEP and TEHP have remarkable antiestrogenic properties with calculated REC20 and RIC20 values of 10(-6) M or lower. Results from the luciferase reporter gene method are generally consistent with results obtained from the yeast two-hybrid assay and E-screen, except for the positive estrogenic activity of TBP in E-screen testing. Docking results showed that binding between ligands and ERα was stabilized by hydrophobic interactions. As a proposed alternative for brominated flame retardant, PFRs may have anti/estrogenic activity via ERα at the low dose typical of residue in environmental matrix or animals. PFRs with a short chain, halogen, and benzene ring in the substituent group tend to be estrogenic. Our research suggests that comprehensive evaluations, including health and ecological assessments, are required in determining whether PFRs are preferable as an emerging industrial substitute.

Accumulation of hexabromocyclododecane diastereomers and enantiomers in two microalgae, Spirulina subsalsa and Scenedesmus obliquus

Selective accumulation and bioisomerization of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) diastereomers and their enantiomers have been reported in several aquatic organisms; however, these processes have not been evaluated in algae. In the present study, the accumulation of three HBCD diastereomers (α-, β- and γ-HBCD) was studied using two microalgae, Spirulina subsalsa and Scenedesmus obliquus, in the plateau phase for seven days. The accumulation ability of S. obliquus was greater than that of S. subsalsa, with steady state BCF values in the range of 390-469 and 174-350, respectively. For the three diastereomers, the accumulation trend of α-HBCD>β-HBCD>γ-HBCD was observed in S. subsalsa, whereas the accumulation trend of β-HBCD>α-HBCD>γ-HBCD was observed in S. obliquus. Contrary to the process typically occurring in fish, the bioisomerization from β- or γ-HBCD to α-HBCD was not observed in algae. α-HBCD exhibited selective enrichment of (+)enantiomer in S. subsalsa and (-)enantiomer in S. obliquus. No significant enantioselectivity was observed for β- and γ-HBCD. New metabolites, tetrabromocyclododecadiene (TBCDi) and tribromocyclododecatriene (TriBCDie), were observed in S. subsalsa for the first time, but these were not observed in S. obliquus.

Enantioselective biotransformation of hexabromocyclododecane by in vitro rat and trout hepatic sub-cellular fractions

α-, β-, and γ-Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) were subjected to in vitro biotransformation experiments with rat and trout liver S9 fractions for different incubation times (10, 30, and 60 min) at 2 concentration levels (1 and 10 μM). The metabolic degradation of target HBCDs followed first order kinetics. Whereas β-HBCD undergoes rapid biotransformation (t0.5 = 6.4 and 38.1 min in rat and trout, respectively), α-HBCD appears the most resistant to metabolic degradation (t0.5 = 17.1 and 134.9 min). The biotransformation rate in trout was slower than in rat. Investigation of HBCD degradation profiles revealed the presence of at least 3 pentabromocyclododecene (PBCD) and 2 tetrabromocyclododecadiene (TBCD) isomers indicating reductive debromination as a metabolic pathway for HBCDs. Both mono- and di- hydroxyl metabolites were identified for parent HBCDs, while only mono hydroxyl metabolites were detected for PBCDs and TBCDs. Interestingly, δ-HBCD was detected only in trout S9 fraction assays indicating metabolic interconversion of test HBCD diastereomers during biotransformation in trout. Finally, enantioselective analysis showed significant enrichment of the (-)-α-HBCD enantiomer (EF = 0.321 and 0.419 after 60 min incubation in rat and trout, respectively). The greater enrichment of (-)-α-HBCD in rat than in trout underlines the species-specific differences in HBCD metabolism and the need for caution when extending similar results from animal studies to humans.

Enantiomer-specific accumulation, depuration, metabolization and isomerization of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) diastereomers in mirror carp from water

Until now, the bioaccumulation of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in aquatic organisms has been studied only via dietary exposure. To better understand the environmental fate of HBCDs, we conducted a bioaccumulation test by exposing mirror carp to three HBCD diastereomers in water during 30d of accumulation and 30d of depuration according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Test Guidelines 305 (Bioaccumulation in Fish: Aqueous and Dietary Exposure). We found that the BCFKL values (bioconcentration factor calculated from kinetic data and adjusted to lipid content) of α-HBCD in different tissues of the carp were in the range of (3.07-4.52)×10(4), much higher than those of β-HBCDs (1.03-1.90×10(3)) and γ-HBCD (0.95-1.73×10(3)), as was true of t1/2. The order of BCFK for α-, β- and γ-HBCD in different tissues was viscera>gill>skin>muscle. β-HBCD and γ-HBCD were transformed to α-HBCD, with 50.0-92.9% and 96.2-98.6% bioisomerization efficiencies by the end of the experiment, respectively. No isomerization product from α-HBCD was found. Selective enrichment of the (+) α- and γ-HBCD was found, whereas β-HBCD did not show significant enantioselectivity. New metabolites such as tetrabromocyclododecene (TBCDe), tribromocyclododecadiene (TriBCDi) and tribromocyclododecatriene (TriBCDie) were found in mirror carp for the first time under multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode.

The sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) is the likely molecular target for the acute toxicity of the brominated flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a widely utilised brominated flame retardant (BFR). It has been shown to bio-accumulate within organisms, including man, and possibly cause neurological disorders. The acute neurotoxicity of HBCD, and six other unrelated BFRs, were assessed in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells by 24h viability assays and HBCD proved to be the most lethal (LC50, 3μM). In addition, the effects of these BFRs were also assessed for their potency at inhibiting the sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA) derived from the SH-SY5Y cells and again HBCD was the most potent (IC50, 2.7μM). The data for the other BFRs tested showed a direct correlation (coefficient 0.94) between the potencies of inducing cell death and inhibiting the Ca(2+) ATPase, indicating that SERCA is likely to be the molecular target for acute toxicity. Mechanistic studies of HBCD on the Ca(2+) ATPase suggest that it affects ATP binding, phosphorylation as well as the E2 to E1 transition step.

Hexabromocyclododecanes in limnic and marine organisms and terrestrial plants from Tianjin, China: diastereomer- and enantiomer-specific profiles, biomagnification, and human exposure

To interpret the distribution of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in various organisms, we measured the concentrations and diastereomer and enantiomer profiles of HBCDs in 21 different species of limnic and marine cohorts from Tianjin, China. The concentration ranges of HBCDs in limnic and marine organisms were 64.3-1111 ng g(-1) lw and 85.5-989 ng g(-1) lw, respectively. Living habitat and feeding habits had important impacts on HBCD diastereomer distribution. Most of the species appeared to preferentially select (+)-α-, (-)-β- and (-)-γ-HBCD. There is a tendency that the total and α-HBCDs were magnified as trophic level increased with trophic magnification factors (TMFs) around 2. The concentrations of HBCDs in the limnic and marine fishes were highest in the liver, followed by the gill, skin, and muscle. In terrestrial plants, the highest concentrations of HBCDs were observed in the leaf, followed by the root and the rhizosphere soil. Plants showed enantioselectivity for HBCD enantiomers, which varied with plant species and organs (leaf vs. root) of the same plant. Higher estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of HBCDs were observed from fish than from wheat.

Trophic dynamics of hexabromocyclododecane diastereomers and enantiomers in fish in a laboratory feeding study

The laboratory trophic transfer of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) was studied using predatory (oscar) fish and a prey species (tiger barb) exposed to a technical HBCD. Gut absorption, dynamic changes of diastereomer pattern and enantiomer fractions, and potential metabolism of HBCDs were examined. Compared with β- or γ-HBCD, α-HBCD showed lower absorption efficiency in the gut of oscar fish. A predominance of γ-HBCD was observed in the tiger barb after 5 d HBCD-exposed and oscar feeding on the tiger barb for 16 d. After 20 d of depuration, 41.1% γ-HBCD and 42.7% β-HBCD disappeared, and α-HBCD exceeded the initial amount. The transformation from γ-HBCD predominance in the food to α-HBCD predominance in the oscar was attributed mainly to the isomerization of γ-HBCD (at least 3% and up to 22.7%) to α-HBCD. Selective enrichment of the (+) α- and (-) β-enantiomers and no enantioselective enrichment of γ-HBCD were observed in the tiger barbs. No enantioselective uptake of the 3 diasteromers was found in the oscar gut. The enantiomer fractions of α- and γ-diastereomers were significantly higher, but that of β-diastereomer were significantly lower in the oscars than in the tiger barbs, indicating enantioselective metabolism of the 3 diastereomers. Two HBCD monohydroxylated metabolites were detected in the 2 fish species, but their composition patterns differed, indicating a species-specific metabolism of HBCD in the studied fish species.

The fate of β-hexabromocyclododecane in female C57BL/6 mice

1,2,5,6,9,10-Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a high production volume cycloaliphatic used as an additive flame retardant primarily in polystyrene foam building materials. HBCD mixtures contain three major stereoisomers, alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ), at a typical ratio of 1.2:0.6:8.2. The toxicokinetic properties of the α and γ isomers differ. For instance, α-HBCD has greater bioavailability and potential for accumulation in mice than γ-HBCD. The present study reports comparative kinetics data for β-HBCD needed to support toxicological evaluations of HBCD mixtures. Results indicated that a single oral dose of 3mg/kg of [(14)C]-labeled β-HBCD was absorbed rapidly (≥ 85% total dose) in the female C57BL/6 mouse. The C max for β-HBCD-derived radioactivity in tissues, except adipose, was observed 3h following gavage. Approximately 90% of the administered dose was excreted in urine and feces within 24h, primarily as β-HBCD-derived metabolites. A portion of the dose (circa 9%) was excreted in feces as γ-HBCD. Oral administration of 30 or 100mg/kg of β-HBCD resulted initially in slower rates of [(14)C] elimination; however, cumulative excretion data were similar across the dosing range 4 days postdosing. Residual concentrations of [(14)C] in tissues were highest in adipose and liver. β-HBCD-derived radioactivity accumulated in most tissues following four consecutive daily oral doses of 3mg/kg. The extent of metabolism and excretion of β-HBCD in female C57BL/6 mice was similar to that for γ-HBCD. The potential for accumulation of β-HBCD-derived material in most tissues appeared to be less than for α-HBCD.