Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) study with 2,2′,4,4′,5,6′-hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-154) in male Sprague–Dawley rats

Update of the risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food, focusing on 10 congeners: BDE-28, -47, -49, -99, -100, -138, -153, -154, -183 and ‑209. The CONTAM Panel concluded that the neurodevelopmental effects on behaviour and reproductive/developmental effects are the critical effects in rodent studies. For four congeners (BDE-47, -99, -153, -209) the Panel derived Reference Points, i.e. benchmark doses and corresponding lower 95% confidence limits (BMDLs), for endpoint-specific benchmark responses. Since repeated exposure to PBDEs results in accumulation of these chemicals in the body, the Panel estimated the body burden at the BMDL in rodents, and the chronic intake that would lead to the same body burden in humans. For the remaining six congeners no studies were available to identify Reference Points. The Panel concluded that there is scientific basis for inclusion of all 10 congeners in a common assessment group and performed a combined risk assessment. The Panel concluded that the combined margin of exposure (MOET) approach was the most appropriate risk metric and applied a tiered approach to the risk characterisation. Over 84,000 analytical results for the 10 congeners 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 Lower Bound exposure to PBDEs were meat and meat products and fish and seafood. Taking into account the uncertainties affecting the assessment, the Panel concluded that it is likely that current dietary exposure to PBDEs in the European population raises a health concern.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in serum from residents living in a brominated flame retardant production area: Occurrence, influencing factors, and relationships with thyroid and liver function

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used as flame retardants (FRs) in China for decades, even after they were identified as persistent organic pollutants. In this study, serum samples were collected from 172 adults without occupational exposure who were residents of a well-known FR production region (Laizhou Bay, north China), and PBDE congeners were measured to assess their occurrence, congener profile and influencing factors in serum. Moreover, the relationships between serum concentrations of PBDEs and thyroid/liver function indicators were analyzed to evaluate whether human exposure to PBDEs would lead to thyroid/liver injury. All 8 PBDE congeners were detected at higher frequencies and serum concentrations than those found in general populations. The median levels of ∑PBDEs, BDE-209 and ∑_3-7PBDEs (sum of tri-to hepta-BDEs) were 64.5, 56.9 and 7.2 ng/g lw (lipid weight), respectively, which indicated that deca-BDE was the primarily produced PBDE in Laizhou Bay and that the lower brominated BDEs were still ubiquitous in the environment. Gender was a primary influencing factor for some BDE congeners in serum; their levels in female serum samples were significantly lower than those in male serum samples. Serum PBDE levels showed a downward trend with increased body mass index (BMI), which might reflect the increasing serum lipid contents. Serum levels of some BDE congeners were significantly positively correlated with certain thyroid hormones and antibodies, including free triiodothyronine (fT3), total triiodothyronine (tT3), total thyroxine (tT4) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab). Levels of some congeners were significantly negatively correlated with some types of serum lipid, including cholesterol (CHOL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total triglyceride (TG). Other than serum lipids, only two liver function indicators, total protein (TP) and direct bilirubin (DBIL), were significantly correlated with certain BDE congeners (BDE-100 and BDE-154). Our results provide new evidence on the thyroid-disrupting and hepatotoxic effects of PBDEs.

Environmental chemical burden in metabolic tissues and systemic biological pathways in adolescent bariatric surgery patients: A pilot untargeted metabolomic approach

BACKGROUND

Advances in untargeted metabolomic technologies have great potential for insight into adverse metabolic effects underlying exposure to environmental chemicals. However, important challenges need to be addressed, including how biological response corresponds to the environmental chemical burden in different target tissues.

AIM

We performed a pilot study using state-of-the-art ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHRMS) to characterize the burden of lipophilic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in metabolic tissues and associated alterations in the plasma metabolome.

METHODS

We studied 11 adolescents with severe obesity at the time of bariatric surgery. We measured 18 POPs that can act as endocrine and metabolic disruptors (i.e. 2 dioxins, 11 organochlorine compounds [OCs] and 5 polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs]) in visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (vAT and sAT), and liver samples using gas chromatography with UHRMS. Biological pathways were evaluated by measuring the plasma metabolome using high-resolution metabolomics. Network and pathway enrichment analysis assessed correlations between the tissue-specific burden of three frequently detected POPs (i.e. p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene [DDE], hexachlorobenzene [HCB] and PBDE-47) and plasma metabolic pathways.

RESULTS

Concentrations of 4 OCs and 3 PBDEs were quantifiable in at least one metabolic tissue for > 80% of participants. All POPs had the highest median concentrations in adipose tissue, especially sAT, except for PBDE-154, which had comparable average concentrations across all tissues. Pathway analysis showed high correlations between tissue-specific POPs and metabolic alterations in pathways of amino acid metabolism, lipid and fatty acid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the measured POPs appear to accumulate preferentially in adipose tissue compared to liver. Findings of plasma metabolic pathways potentially associated with tissue-specific POPs concentrations merit further investigation in larger populations.

Distribution behaviour in body compartments and in ovo transfer of flame retardants in North American Great Lakes herring gulls

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and other halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) continue to be an environmental concern. In the Laurentian Great Lakes, herring gulls (Larus argentatus) are an important wildlife sentinel species, although very little information is available regarding the body distribution (limited to e.g. liver and blood) of these contaminants and in relation to depuration via in ovo transfer. Maternal transfer rates and distribution were presently determined in six body compartments from eight female, Great Lakes herring gulls and separate egg compartments from their entire clutch. Among the 25 PBDEs and 23 non-PBDE HFRs assessed, only six PBDE congeners (BDE-47/99/100/153/154/209), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), and Dechlorane Plus (syn- and anti-DDC-CO) were frequently detectable and quantifiable. Σ₆BDE concentrations were an order of magnitude greater than non-PBDE HFR concentrations, and were greatest in the adipose (9641 ± 2436 ng/g ww), followed by egg yolk (699 ± 139 ng/g ww) > muscle (332 ± 545 ng/g ww) > liver (221 ± 65 ng/g ww) > plasma (85.4 ± 20.4 ng/g ww) > brain (54.6 ± 10.6 ng/g ww) > red blood cells (RBCs; 23.5 ± 5.6 ng/g ww) > albumen (7.3 ± 1.3 ng/g ww). Σ₂DDC-CO and HBCDD were frequently below the method limit of quantification in the brain, RBCs, plasma, and albumen. Additionally, novel methoxylated-polybrominated diphenoxybenzene contaminants were detected and quantified in herring gull tissues and eggs. The primary difference in PBDE congener profiles was the resistance of both BDE-153 and -154 towards accumulation in the brain, and a corresponding increase in BDE-209 accumulation, which may suggest congener-specific differences in crossing the blood-brain barrier in herring gulls. Maternal transfer rates of PBDEs and non-PBDE HFRs were low (∼4.7 and ∼2.9 % respectively), suggesting that in ovo transfer is not a significant mode of depuration for these compounds.

Hepatic Transcriptomic Patterns in the Neonatal Rat After Pentabromodiphenyl Ether Exposure

Human exposure to pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE) mixture (DE-71) and its PBDE-47 congener can occur both in utero and during lactation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that PBDE-induced neonatal hepatic transcriptomic alterations in Wistar Han rat pups can inform on potential toxicity and carcinogenicity after longer term PBDE exposures. Wistar Han rat dams were exposed to either DE-71 or PBDE-47 daily from gestation day (GD 6) through postnatal day 4 (PND 4). Total plasma thyroxine (T4) was decreased in PND 4 pups. In liver, transcripts for CYPs and conjugation enzymes, Nrf2, and ABC transporters were upregulated. In general, the hepatic transcriptomic alterations after exposure to DE-71 or PBDE-47 were similar and provided early indicators of oxidative stress and metabolic alterations, key characteristics of toxicity processes. The transcriptional benchmark dose lower confidence limits of the most sensitive biological processes were lower for PBDE-47 than for the PBDE mixture. Neonatal rat liver transcriptomic data provide early indicators on molecular pathway alterations that may lead to toxicity and/or carcinogenicity if the exposures continue for longer durations. These early toxicogenomic indicators may be used to help prioritize chemicals for a more complete toxicity and cancer risk evaluation.

Different factors determined the toxicokinetics of organic chemicals and nanomaterials exposure to zebrafish (Danio Rerio)

Little is known about how the chemical properties (molecular structure, such as the hydrophobic and hydrophilic end group for organic chemical, and particle size for nanomaterials (NMs)) quantitatively affect the toxicokinetics (TK) in organisms especially in short-term, single-species studies. A novel method based on a first-order one compartment TK model which described the monophasic uptake pattern and two-compartment TK model which adequately described the biphasic metabolism pattern was used to determine the bioconcentration and TK rate constants of organic compounds (n = 17) and nanomaterials (NMs, n = 7) in zebrafish. For both one and two compartment model, the uptake (k_in) and elimination (k_out) rate constants were fitted using a one- and two-compartment first-order kinetic model, and bioconcentration factors (BCF) and 95% depuration times (t₉₅) for all tested chemicals were calculated, respectively. The results showed that there was significant difference in TK parameters k_in, k_out, and BCF between organic chemicals and nano metal oxides. For organic compounds, significant correlations were found between the k_in and BCF and the octanol-water partition coefficient (K_ow) and molecular mass. For nano metal oxides, there was a significant negative correlation between the k_in or BCF and particle size, but a positive correlation between k_in and Zeta potential of nanoparticles and also a significant positive correlation between k_out and particle size or specific surface area. Those findings indicated that NMs particle size does matter in biological influx and efflux processes. Our results suggest that the TK process for organic compound and NMs are correlated by different chemical properties and highlight that the K_ow, the absorption k_in, metabolism k₁₂ and k₂₁, elimination rate k_out, and all the parameters that enable the prediction and partitioning of chemicals need to be precisely determined in order to allow an effective TK modeling. It would therefore appear that the TK process of untested chemicals by a fish may be extrapolated from known chemical properties.

Acute exposure to PBDEs at an environmentally realistic concentration causes abrupt changes in the gut microbiota and host health of zebrafish

Contamination from lower brominated PBDEs is ubiquitous in the environments. However, their effects on gut microbiota and intestinal health have not yet been investigated. This study exposed adult zebrafish to an environmentally realistic concentration of pentaBDE mixture (DE-71) at 5.0 ng/L for 7 days, after which metagenomic sequencing of the intestinal microbiome was conducted and host physiological activities in the intestine and liver were also examined. The results showed that acute exposure to DE-71 significantly shifted the gut microbial community in a sex-specific manner. Certain genera (e.g., Mycoplasma, Ruminiclostridium, unclassified Firmicutes sensu stricto, and Fusobacterium) disappeared from the DE-71-exposed intestines, resulting in decreased bacterial diversity. Bacterial metabolic functions in guts were also affected by DE-71, namely those covering energy metabolism, virulence, respiration, cell division, cell signaling, and stress response. In addition, measurement of diverse sensitive biomarkers showed that the health of male intestines was remarkably compromised by the DE-71 exposure, as indicated by the disruption to its neural signaling (serotonin), epithelial barrier integrity (tight junction protein 2), inflammatory response (interleukin 1β), oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity, as well as detoxifying potential (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity). However, female intestines maintained intact physiological activities. Compared to the direct impact on intestines, a latent effect of DE-71 was observed in livers. Co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that the gut bacteria vigorously interacted to establish the fittest community under DE-71 stress by promoting the reproduction of favorable genera, while diminishing the survival of unfavorable ones. Significant correlations between the zebrafish gut microbiota and physiological activities (e.g., oxidative stress, detoxification, neurotransmission, and epithelial integrity) were also observed. Overall, this study has demonstrated, for the first time, the high susceptibility of gut microbiota and intestinal health of zebrafish to DE-71, thus warranting more work to reveal its mode of toxicity.

Oxidation reactivity of 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) by Compound I model of cytochrome P450s

Alternative brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have become prevalent as a consequence of restrictions on the use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). For risk assessment of these alternatives, knowledge of their metabolism via cytochrome P450 enzymes is needed. We have previously proved that density functional theory (DFT) is able to predict the metabolism of PBDEs by revealing the molecular mechanisms. In the current study, the reactivity of 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane and structurally similar chemicals with the Compound I model representing the active site of P450 enzymes was investigated. The DFT calculations delineated reaction pathways which lead to reasonable explanations for products that were detected by wet experiments, meanwhile intermediates which cannot be determined were also proposed. Results showed that alkyl hydrogen abstraction will lead to bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethanol, which may undergo hydrolysis yielding 2,4,6-tribromophenol, a neurotoxic compound. In addition, a general pattern of oxidation reactivity regarding the 2,4,6-tribromophenyl moiety was observed among several model compounds. Our study has provided insights for convenient evaluation of the metabolism of other structurally similar BFRs.

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).

Persistent Organic Pollutant Determination in Killer Whale Scat Samples: Optimization of a Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Method and Application to Field Samples

Biologic sample collection in wild cetacean populations is challenging. Most information on toxicant levels is obtained from blubber biopsy samples; however, sample collection is invasive and strictly regulated under permit, thus limiting sample numbers. Methods are needed to monitor toxicant levels that increase temporal and repeat sampling of individuals for population health and recovery models. The objective of this study was to optimize measuring trace levels (parts per billion) of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), namely polychlorinated-biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated-diphenyl-ethers (PBDEs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), and hexachlorocyclobenzene, in killer whale scat (fecal) samples. Archival scat samples, initially collected, lyophilized, and extracted with 70 % ethanol for hormone analyses, were used to analyze POP concentrations. The residual pellet was extracted and analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Method detection limits ranged from 11 to 125 ng/g dry weight. The described method is suitable for p,p'-DDE, PCBs-138, 153, 180, and 187, and PBDEs-47 and 100; other POPs were below the limit of detection. We applied this method to 126 scat samples collected from Southern Resident killer whales. Scat samples from 22 adult whales also had known POP concentrations in blubber and demonstrated significant correlations (p < 0.01) between matrices across target analytes. Overall, the scat toxicant measures matched previously reported patterns from blubber samples of decreased levels in reproductive-age females and a decreased p,p'-DDE/∑PCB ratio in J-pod. Measuring toxicants in scat samples provides an unprecedented opportunity to noninvasively evaluate contaminant levels in wild cetacean populations; these data have the prospect to provide meaningful information for vital management decisions.

A (14)C-leucine absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) study in adult Sprague-Dawley rat reveals β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate as a metabolite

Leucine is an essential branched-chain amino acid that acts as a substrate for protein synthesis and as a signaling molecule. Leucine not incorporated into muscle protein is ultimately oxidized through intermediates such as β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) which itself is reported to enhance muscle mass and function in rats and humans. HMB has been reported in the plasma following oral leucine administration in sheep and pigs but not in Sprague–Dawley rats, the standard preclinical model. Therefore, we conducted radiolabeled absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) studies in rats using a low (3 mg/kg) or high dose (1,000 mg/kg) of ¹⁴C-leucine. Blood, tissue, and urine samples were analyzed for ¹⁴C-leucine and its metabolites by HPLC–MS. Our results show for the first time that ¹⁴C-HMB appears in plasma and urine of rats following an oral dose of ¹⁴C-leucine. ¹⁴C-leucine appears in plasma as ¹⁴C-α-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) with a slower time course than ¹⁴C-HMB, a putative product of KIC. Further, two novel metabolites of leucine were detected in urine, N-acetyl leucine and glycyl leucine. Mass balance studies demonstrate that excretory routes accounted for no more than 0.9 % of the radiolabel and approximately 61 % of the dose was recovered in the carcass. Approximately 65 % of the dose was recovered in total, suggesting that approximately one-third of the leucine dose is oxidized to CO₂. In conclusion, this study demonstrates endogenous production of HMB from leucine in adult rats, a standard preclinical model used to guide design of clinical trials in nutrition.

Major sources of MeO/OH-BDEs in the East China Sea elucidated from their records and phytoplankton biomarkers

Hydroxylated (OH-) and methoxylated (MeO-) polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have caused much concern because of their potential toxicity and worldwide distribution. These compounds are recently suggested to originate from the natural process in the ocean. However, their source remains highly controversial. In this study, we analyzed the contents of nine MeO-BDEs, ten OH-BDEs, and phytoplankton biomarkers (PBs) in two sediment cores collected from the East China Sea (ECS). The detection of 6-MeO-BDE-47, 2'-MeO-BDE-68, and 6-OH-BDE-47 have been reported since the 1920s, prior to the production of PBDEs. Significant relations were found between MeO/OH-BDEs and indicators of marine organic matters. The similar down-core variations and significant correlations between MeO/OH-BDEs and PBs suggest the possibility that phytoplankton produced these natural compounds. Laboratory incubation further demonstrates that phytoplankton can produce MeO-BDEs. Comparisons between the content ratios of 6-MeO-BDE-47/2'-MeO-BDE-68 and brassicasterol/dinosterol indicate that the signature of MeO-BDEs is controlled by the phytoplankton community structure.

BDE-154 induces mitochondrial permeability transition and impairs mitochondrial bioenergetics

Brominated flame retardants are used in various consumer goods to make these materials difficult to burn. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), which are representative of this class of retardants, consist of two benzene rings linked by an oxygen atom, and contain between 1 and 10 bromine atoms in their chemical structure, with the possibility of up to 209 different congeners. Among these congeners, BDE-154 (hexa-BDE) is persistent in the environment and easy to detect in the biota, but no apparent information regarding the mechanism underlying action and toxicity is available. Mitochondria, as the main energy-producing organelles, play an important role in the maintenance of various cellular functions. Therefore, mitochondria were used in the present study as an experimental model to determine the effects of BDE-154 congener at concentrations ranging from 0.1 μM to 50 μM. Our results demonstrated that BDE-154 interacts with the mitochondrial membrane, preferably by inserting into the hydrophobic core of the mitochondrial membrane, which partially inhibits respiration, dissipates Δψ, and permeabilizes the inner mitochondrial membrane to deplete ATP. These effects are more pronounced at concentrations equal to or higher than 10 μM. Results also showed that BDE-154 did not induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation within the mitochondria, indicating the absence of oxidative stress. Therefore, BDE-154 impairs mitochondrial bioenergetics and permeabilizes the mitochondrial membrane, potentially leading to cell death but not via mechanisms involving oxidative stress.

In vivo metabolism of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) in young whole pumpkin plant

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely distributed persistent organic pollutants. In vitro and in vivo research using various animal models have shown that PBDEs might be transformed to hydroxylated PBDEs, but there are few studies on in vivo metabolism of PBDEs by intact whole plants. In this research, pumpkin plants (Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata) were hydroponically exposed to 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47). A debromination product (BDE-28) and four hydroxylated metabolites (5-OH-BDE-47, 6-OH-BDE-47, 4'-OH-BDE-49, and 4-OH-BDE-42) were detected in different parts of the whole plant. In addition, 4-methoxylated-2,2',3,4'-tetraBDE (4-MeO-BDE-42) was observed as a methoxylation product. Root exudates in solution were found to play an important role in metabolizing BDE-47 to a specific OH-PBDE: 4'-OH-BDE-49. BDE-28 was found to translocate more easily and accumulate in shoots than BDE-47 due to the lower hydrophobicity and molecular weight. The concentration ratio between metabolites and parent compound BDE-47 was lower for OH-PBDEs than that for both BDE-28 and 4-MeO-BDE-42. The metabolism pathway of BDE-47 in young whole plants was proposed in this study.

Uptake and metabolism of individual polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners by embryonic zebrafish

Embryonic zebrafish were used to compare the uptake and metabolism of six polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners (BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, and 183) and identified metabolites from static exposures at 24 and 120 h postfertilization (hpf). An inverse relationship was observed between uptake of PBDEs and their octanol-water partitioning coefficients (uptake of BDEs 28 and 47>99 and 100>153 and 183). Debromination metabolites were identified in all congeners (excluding BDE 28) tested in the 120-hpf tissue samples. Interestingly, BDE 153 underwent meta-debromination, forming BDEs 47 and 99. Gene transcription analysis was conducted at 120 hpf to identify potential metabolic pathways for the PBDEs examined in the present study (gstpi, deiodinases 1 and 2, cyp1a1, cyp1b1, and ugt5g). The greatest induction was of ugt5g for all congeners and deiodinase transcription was also upregulated by BDEs 28, 47, and 183. The cyp1a1 and cyp1b1 were upregulated by BDEs 28, 47, 99, and 183. The least alterations in gene transcription were in the BDE 153-exposed embryos. A clear primary pathway of debromination metabolism was not identified; however, upregulation of these different genes indicated that fish were responding to exposure of PBDEs. Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that the most bioavailable congeners are also those with the highest reported toxicity.

Synthesis and tentative identification of novel polybrominated diphenyl ether metabolites in human blood

Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PDBEs) are exogenous, bioactive compounds that originate, to a large extent, from anthropogenic activities, although they are also naturally produced in the environment. In the present study nine new authentic OH-PBDE reference standards and their corresponding methyl ether derivatives (MeO-PBDEs) were synthesised and characterised by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Seven of the authentic reference standards prepared were thereafter tentatively identified in a pooled human blood sample. The tentatively identified OH-PBDEs were 3-hydroxy-2,2',4,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether, 3'-hydroxy-2,2',4,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether, 3-hydroxy-2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether, 3-hydroxy-2,2',4,4',5,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether, 3'-hydroxy-2,2',4,4',5,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether, 3-hydroxy-2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether and 4-hydroxy-2,2',3,4',5,5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether. An additional seven OH-PBDEs were tentatively identified in the pooled human blood sample, of which one OH-PBDE, 4'-hydroxy-2,2',4,5,5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether, has not been identified in human blood before. The identification was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) recording the bromine ions m/z 79, 81. The tentative identification was supported by the peaks relative retention times (RRTs) compared to authentic references on two GC columns of different polarities for the hexa-, and heptabrominated OH-PBDEs, and three different GC columns for the pentabrominated OH-PBDEs. The OH-PBDE congeners most likely originate from human metabolism of a flame retardant, i.e. polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), due to the relatively high concentrations of PBDEs in the same human blood sample and the fact that these PBDEs could form the tentatively identified OH-PBDEs via metabolic direct hydroxylation or via 1,2-shift.

Comparative hepatic microsomal biotransformation of selected PBDEs, including decabromodiphenyl ether, and decabromodiphenyl ethane flame retardants in Arctic marine-feeding mammals

The present study assessed and compared the oxidative and reductive biotransformation of brominated flame retardants, including established polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and emerging decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) using an in vitro system based on liver microsomes from various arctic marine-feeding mammals: polar bear (Ursus maritimus), beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), and ringed seal (Pusa hispida), and in laboratory rat as a mammalian model species. Greater depletion of fully brominated BDE209 (14-25% of 30 pmol) and DBDPE (44-74% of 90 pmol) occurred in individuals from all species relative to depletion of lower brominated PBDEs (BDEs 99, 100, and 154; 0-3% of 30 pmol). No evidence of simply debrominated metabolites was observed. Investigation of phenolic metabolites in rat and polar bear revealed formation of two phenolic, likely multiply debrominated, DBDPE metabolites in polar bear and one phenolic BDE154 metabolite in polar bear and rat microsomes. For BDE209 and DBDPE, observed metabolite concentrations were low to nondetectable, despite substantial parent depletion. These findings suggested possible underestimation of the ecosystem burden of total-BDE209, as well as its transformation products, and a need for research to identify and characterize the persistence and toxicity of major BDE209 metabolites. Similar cause for concern may exist regarding DBDPE, given similarities of physicochemical and environmental behavior to BDE209, current evidence of biotransformation, and increasing use of DBDPE as a replacement for BDE209.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their hydroxylated/methoxylated analogs: environmental sources, metabolic relationships, and relative toxicities

Brominated compounds are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment. The polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants are anthropogenic compounds of concern. Studies suggest that PBDEs can be biotransformed to hydroxylated brominated diphenyl ethers (OH-BDE). However, the rate of OH-BDE formation observed has been extremely small. OH-BDEs have also been identified as natural compounds produced by some marine invertebrates. Another class of compounds, the methoxylated BDEs (MeO-BDEs), has also been identified as natural compounds in the marine environment. Both the OH-BDEs and MeO-BDEs bioaccumulate in higher marine organisms. Recent studies have demonstrated that MeO-BDEs can be biotransformed to OH-BDEs and this generates greater amounts of OH-BDEs than could be generated from PBDEs. Consequently, MeO-BDEs likely represent the primary source of metabolically derived OH-BDEs. Given that for some endpoints OH-BDEs often exhibit greater toxicity compared to PBDEs, it is prudent to consider OH-BDEs as chemicals of concern, despite their seemingly "natural" origins.

Bromination pattern of hydroxylated metabolites of BDE-47 affects their potency to release calcium from intracellular stores in PC12 cells

BACKGROUND

Brominated flame retardants, including the widely used polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), have been detected in humans, raising concern about possible neurotoxicity. Recent research demonstrated that the hydroxylated metabolite 6-OH-BDE-47 increases neurotransmitter release by releasing calcium ions (Ca2+) from intracellular stores at much lower concentrations than its environmentally relevant parent congener BDE-47. Recently, several other hydroxylated BDE-47 metabolites, besides 6-OH-BDE-47, have been detected in human serum and cord blood.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS

To investigate the neurotoxic potential of other environmentally relevant PBDEs and their metabolites, we examined and compared the acute effects of BDE-47, BDE-49, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, and several metabolites of BDE-47-6-OH-BDE-47 (and its methoxylated analog 6-MeO-BDE-47), 6 -OH-BDE-49, 5-OH-BDE-47, 3-OH-BDE-47, and 4 -OH-BDE-49--on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), measured using the Ca2+-responsive dye Fura-2 in neuroendocrine pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.

RESULTS

In contrast to the parent PBDEs and 6-MeO-BDE-47, all hydroxylated metabolites induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, although with different lowest observed effect concentrations (LOECs). The major intracellular Ca2+ sources were either endoplasmic reticulum (ER; 5-OH-BDE-47 and 6 -OH-BDE-49) or both ER and mitochondria (6-OH-BDE-47, 3-OH-BDE-47, and 4 -OH-BDE-49). When investigating fluctuations in [Ca2+]i, which is a more subtle end point, we observed lower LOECs for 6-OH-BDE-47 and 4 -OH-BDE-49, as well as for BDE-47.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings demonstrate that hydroxylated metabolites of BDE-47 cause disturbance of the [Ca2+]i. Importantly, shielding of the OH group on both sides with bromine atoms and/or the ether bond to the other phenyl ring lowers the potency of hydroxylated PBDE metabolites.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclodecane (HBCD) in composite U.S. food samples

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to update previous U.S. market basket surveys of levels and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) dietary intake calculations. This study also quantifies hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) levels in U.S.-purchased foods for the first time and estimates U.S. dietary intake of HBCD. This is part of a larger market basket study reported in two companion articles, of current levels of certain persistent organic pollutants (POPs) PBDEs, HBCD, perfluorinated compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, and pesticides in composite food samples collected in 2008-2009.

METHODS

In this study, we measured concentrations of 24 PBDE congeners and total HBCD in composite samples of 31 food types (310 samples). U.S. dietary intake of PBDEs and HBCD was estimated referencing the most current U.S. Department of Agriculture loss-adjusted food availability report.

RESULTS

Total PBDE concentrations in food varied by food type, ranging from 12 pg/g wet weight (ww) in whole milk to 1,545 pg/g ww in canned sardines and 6,211 pg/g ww in butter. Total HBCD concentrations also varied substantially within and among food groups, ranging from 23 pg/g in canned beef chili to 593 pg/g in canned sardines. HBCD was not detected in any dairy samples. Dietary intake of all PBDE congeners measured was estimated to be 50 ng/day, mostly from dairy consumption but also from meat and fish. HBCD intake was estimated at 16 ng/day, primarily from meat consumption.

CONCLUSION

PBDEs and HBCDs currently contaminate some food purchased in the United States, although PBDE intake estimated in this study is lower than reported in our previous market basket surveys. HBCD is in food at higher levels than expected based on previously reported levels in milk and blood compared with PBDE levels and is comparable to European levels.