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Braga Tibaes JR, Barreto Silva MI, Wollin B, Vine D, Tsai S, Richard C. Sex differences in systemic inflammation and immune function in diet-induced obesity rodent models: A systematic review. Obes Rev 2024; 25:e13665. [PMID: 38072656 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Understanding sex differences in immunological responses in the context of obesity is important to improve health outcomes. This systematic review aimed to investigate sex differences in systemic inflammation, immune cell phenotype, and function in diet-induced obesity (DIO) animal models. A systematic search in Medline, Embase, and CINAHL from inception to April 2023 was conducted, using a combination of the following concepts: sex, obesity, cytokines, and immune cell phenotypes/function. Forty-one publications reporting on systemic inflammation (61%), cell phenotype (44%), and/or function (7%) were included. Females had lower systemic inflammation compared with males in response to DIO intervention and a higher proportion of macrophage (M)2-like cells compared with males that had a higher proportion of M1-like in adipose tissue. Although there were no clear sex differences in immune function, high-fat DIO intervention remains an important factor in the development of immune dysfunction in both males and females, including disturbances in cytokine production, proliferation, and migration of immune cells. Yet, the mechanistic links between diet and obesity on such immune dysfunction remain unclear. Future studies should investigate the role of diet and obesity in the functionality of immune cells and employ adequate methods for a high-quality investigation of sex differences in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Ines Barreto Silva
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Applied Nutrition, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bethany Wollin
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Donna Vine
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sue Tsai
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Caroline Richard
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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2
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Wahlang B. RISING STARS: Sex differences in toxicant-associated fatty liver disease. J Endocrinol 2023; 258:e220247. [PMID: 37074385 PMCID: PMC10330380 DOI: 10.1530/joe-22-0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Based on biological sex, the consequential health outcomes from exposures to environmental chemicals or toxicants can differ in disease pathophysiology, progression, and severity. Due to basal differences in cellular and molecular processes resulting from sexual dimorphism of organs including the liver and additional factors influencing 'gene-environment' interactions, males and females can exhibit different responses to toxicant exposures. Associations between environmental/occupational chemical exposures and fatty liver disease (FLD) have been well-acknowledged in human epidemiologic studies and their causal relationships demonstrated in experimental models. However, studies related to sex differences in liver toxicology are still limited to draw any inferences on sex-dependent chemical toxicity. The purpose of this review is to highlight the present state of knowledge on the existence of sex differences in toxicant-associated FLD (TAFLD), discuss potential underlying mechanisms driving these differences, implications of said differences on disease susceptibility, and emerging concepts. Chemicals of interest include various categories of pollutants that have been investigated in TAFLD, namely persistent organic pollutants, volatile organic compounds, and metals. Insight into research areas requiring further development is also discussed, with the objective of narrowing the knowledge gap on sex differences in environmental liver diseases. Major conclusions from this review exercise are that biological sex influences TAFLD risks, in part due to (i) toxicant disruption of growth hormone and estrogen receptor signaling, (ii) basal sex differences in energy mobilization and storage, and (iii) differences in chemical metabolism and subsequent body burden. Finally, further sex-dependent toxicological assessments are warranted for the development of sex-specific intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banrida Wahlang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
- UofL Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
- The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
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3
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Liu S, He L, Bannister OB, Li J, Schnegelberger RD, Vanderpuye CM, Althouse AD, Schopfer FJ, Wahlang B, Cave MC, Monga SP, Zhang X, Arteel GE, Beier JI. Western diet unmasks transient low-level vinyl chloride-induced tumorigenesis; potential role of the (epi-)transcriptome. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 468:116514. [PMID: 37061008 PMCID: PMC10164119 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Vinyl chloride (VC) monomer is a volatile organic compound commonly used in industry. At high exposure levels, VC causes liver cancer and toxicant-associated steatohepatitis. However, lower exposure levels (i.e., sub-regulatory exposure limits) that do not directly damage the liver, enhance injury caused by Western diet (WD). It is still unknown if the long-term impact of transient low-concentration VC enhances the risk of liver cancer development. This is especially a concern given that fatty liver disease is in and of itself a risk factor for the development of liver cancer. METHODS C57Bl/6 J mice were fed WD or control diet (CD) for 1 year. During the first 12 weeks of feeding only, mice were also exposed to VC via inhalation at sub-regulatory limit concentrations (<1 ppm) or air for 6 h/day, 5 days/week. RESULTS Feeding WD for 1 year caused significant hepatic injury, which was exacerbated by VC. Additionally, VC increased the number of tumors which ranged from moderately to poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated VC-induced changes in metabolic but also ribosomal processes. Epitranscriptomic analysis showed a VC-induced shift of the modification pattern that has been associated with metabolic disease, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cancer. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that VC sensitizes the liver to other stressors (e.g., WD), resulting in enhanced tumorigenesis. These data raise concerns about potential interactions between VC exposure and WD. It also emphasizes that current safety restrictions may be insufficient to account for other factors that can influence hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America.
| | - Liqing He
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40208, United States of America.
| | - Olivia B Bannister
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Pittsburgh, United States of America.
| | - Jiang Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Pittsburgh, United States of America.
| | - Regina D Schnegelberger
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America.
| | - Charis-Marie Vanderpuye
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Pittsburgh, United States of America.
| | - Andrew D Althouse
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America.
| | - Francisco J Schopfer
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America.
| | - Banrida Wahlang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America.
| | - Matthew C Cave
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Liver Transplant Program at UofL Health-Jewish Hospital Trager Transplant Center, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; The Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, KY 40206, United States of America.
| | - Satdarshan P Monga
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America; Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Pittsburgh, United States of America.
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40208, United States of America; Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America.
| | - Gavin E Arteel
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America.
| | - Juliane I Beier
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America; Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Pittsburgh, United States of America; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America.
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4
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Wahlang B, Gao H, Rai SN, Keith RJ, McClain CJ, Srivastava S, Cave MC, Bhatnagar A. Associations between residential volatile organic compound exposures and liver injury markers: The role of biological sex and race. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 221:115228. [PMID: 36610539 PMCID: PMC9957966 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
While occupational exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been linked to steatohepatitis and liver cancer in industrial workers, recent findings have also positively correlated low-dose, residential VOC exposures with liver injury markers. VOC sources are numerous; factors including biological make up (sex), socio-cultural constructs (gender, race) and lifestyle (smoking) can influence both VOC exposure levels and disease outcomes. Therefore, the current study's objective is to investigate how sex and race influence associations between residential VOC exposures and liver injury markers particularly in smokers vs. nonsmokers. Subjects (n = 663) were recruited from residential neighborhoods; informed consent was obtained. Exposure biomarkers included 16 urinary VOC metabolites. Serological disease biomarkers included liver enzymes, direct bilirubin, and hepatocyte death markers (cytokeratin K18). Pearson correlations and generalized linear models were conducted. Models were adjusted for common liver-related confounders and interaction terms. The study population constituted approximately 60% females (n = 401) and 40% males (n = 262), and a higher percent of males were smokers and/or frequent drinkers. Both sexes had a higher percent of White (75% females, 82% males) vs. Black individuals. Positive associations were identified for metabolites of acrolein, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, butadiene, crotonaldehyde, and styrene with alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a biomarker for cholestatic injury; and for the benzene metabolite with bilirubin; only in females. These associations were retained in female smokers. Similar associations were also observed between these metabolites and ALP only in White individuals (n = 514). In Black individuals (n = 114), the styrene metabolite was positively associated with aspartate transaminase. Interaction models indicated that positive associations for acrylamide/crotonaldehyde metabolites with ALP in females were dose-dependent. Most VOC associations with K18 markers were negative in this residential population. Overall, the findings demonstrated that biological sex, race, and smoking status influence VOC effects on liver injury and underscored the role of biological-social-lifestyle factor(s) interactions when addressing air pollution-related health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banrida Wahlang
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
| | - Hong Gao
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Shesh N Rai
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA; Cancer Data Science Center, Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Rachel J Keith
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Craig J McClain
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Sanjay Srivastava
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Mathew C Cave
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Aruni Bhatnagar
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
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5
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Wahlang B, Gripshover TC, Gao H, Krivokhizhina T, Keith RJ, Sithu ID, Rai SN, Bhatnagar A, McClain CJ, Srivastava S, Cave MC. Associations Between Residential Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds and Liver Injury Markers. Toxicol Sci 2021; 185:50-63. [PMID: 34668566 PMCID: PMC8714366 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Occupational exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been associated with numerous health complications including steatohepatitis and liver cancer. However, the potential impact of environmental/residential VOC exposures on liver health and function is largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, the objective of this cross-sectional study is to investigate associations between VOCs and liver injury biomarkers in community residents. Subjects were recruited from six Louisville neighborhoods, and informed consent was obtained. Exposure biomarkers included 16 creatinine-adjusted urinary metabolites corresponding to 12 parent VOCs. Serological disease biomarkers measured included cytokertain-18 (K18 M65 and M30), liver enzymes, and direct bilirubin. Associations between exposure and disease biomarkers were assessed using generalized linear models. Smoking status was confirmed through urinary cotinine levels. The population comprised of approximately 60% females and 40% males; White persons accounted 78% of the population; with more nonsmokers (n = 413) than smokers (n = 250). When compared with nonsmokers, males (45%) and Black persons (26%) were more likely to be smokers. In the overall population, metabolites of acrolein, acrylonitrile, acrylamide, 1,3-butadiene, crotonaldehyde, styrene, and xylene were positively associated with alkaline phosphatase. These associations persisted in smokers, with the exception of crotonaldehyde, and addition of N,N-dimethylformamide and propylene oxide metabolites. Although no positive associations were observed for K18 M30, the benzene metabolite was positively associated with bilirubin, irrespective of smoking status. Taken together, the results demonstrated that selected VOCs were positively associated with liver injury biomarkers. These findings will enable better risk assessment and identification of populations vulnerable to liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banrida Wahlang
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Tyler C Gripshover
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Hong Gao
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Tatiana Krivokhizhina
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Rachel J Keith
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Israel D Sithu
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Shesh N Rai
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, the School of Public Health and Information Sciences, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Aruni Bhatnagar
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Craig J McClain
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- The Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Sanjay Srivastava
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Mathew C Cave
- Superfund Research Center, the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- The Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
- Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
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6
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Schnegelberger RD, Lang AL, Arteel GE, Beier JI. Environmental toxicant-induced maladaptive mitochondrial changes: A potential unifying mechanism in fatty liver disease? Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:3756-3767. [PMID: 35024304 PMCID: PMC8727895 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Occupational and environmental exposures to industrial chemicals are well known to cause hepatotoxicity and liver injury. However, despite extensive evidence showing that exposure can lead to disease, current research approaches and regulatory policies fail to address the possibility that subtle changes caused by low level exposure to chemicals may also enhance preexisting conditions. In recent years, the conceptual understanding of the contribution of environmental chemicals to liver disease has progressed significantly. Mitochondria are often target of toxicity of environmental toxicants resulting in multisystem disorders involving different cells, tissues, and organs. Here, we review persistent maladaptive changes to mitochondria in response to environmental toxicant exposure as a mechanism of hepatotoxicity. With better understanding of the mechanism(s) and risk factors that mediate the initiation and progression of toxicant-induced liver disease, rational targeted therapy can be developed to better predict risk, as well as to treat or prevent this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina D. Schnegelberger
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Anna L. Lang
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Gavin E. Arteel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Juliane I. Beier
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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7
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Kaelin BR, McKenzie CM, Hempel KW, Lang AL, Arteel GE, Beier JI. Adipose tissue-liver crosstalk during pathologic changes caused by vinyl chloride metabolites in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 399:115068. [PMID: 32445754 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as vinyl chloride (VC), can be directly toxic at high concentrations. However, we have shown that 'nontoxic' exposures to VC and its metabolite chloroethanol (CE) enhances experimental non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), suggesting an unpredicted interaction. Importantly, VOC exposure has been identified as a potential risk factor for the development of obesity and its sequelae in humans. As there is a known axis between adipose and hepatic tissue in NAFLD, the impact of CE on white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammation and lipolysis was investigated. Mice were administered CE (or vehicle) once, after 10 weeks of being fed high-fat or low-fat diet (LFD). CE significantly enhanced hepatic steatosis and inflammation caused by HFD. HFD significantly increased the size of epididymal fat pads, which was enhanced by CE. The relative size of adipocyte lipid droplets increased by HFD + CE, which was also correlated with increased expression of lipid-associated proteins (e.g., PLINs). CE also enhanced HFD-induced indices of WAT inflammation, and ER stress. Hepatic-derived circulating FGF21, a major modulator of WAT lipolysis, which is hypothesized to thereby regulate hepatic steatosis, was significantly increased by CE in animals fed HFD. Taken together these data support the hypothesis that environmental toxicant exposure can exacerbate the severity of NAFLD/NASH, involving the liver-adipose axis in this process. Specifically, CE enhances local inflammation and alters lipid metabolism and WAT-mediated hepatic steatosis due to changes in WAT lipolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenna R Kaelin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States of America; Hepatobiology and Toxicology Program, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States of America.
| | - Collin M McKenzie
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States of America; Hepatobiology and Toxicology Program, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States of America.
| | - Karl W Hempel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States of America; Hepatobiology and Toxicology Program, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States of America.
| | - Anna L Lang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States of America; Hepatobiology and Toxicology Program, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States of America.
| | - Gavin E Arteel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America.
| | - Juliane I Beier
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America.
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8
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Werder EJ, Beier JI, Sandler DP, Falkner KC, Gripshover T, Wahlang B, Engel LS, Cave MC. Blood BTEXS and heavy metal levels are associated with liver injury and systemic inflammation in Gulf states residents. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 139:111242. [PMID: 32205228 PMCID: PMC7368391 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exposures to volatile organic compounds and metals have previously been associated with liver diseases including steatohepatitis, although more data are needed. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, styrene (BTEXS) and metals were measured in blood samples collected between May 2012-July 2013 from volunteers participating in home visits for the Gulf Long-term Follow-up (GuLF) Study. This cross-sectional analysis evaluates associations of exposure biomarkers with serum liver injury and adipocytokine biomarkers in a sample of 214 men. METHODS Adult nonsmoking men without a history of liver disease or heavy alcohol consumption were included. The serologic disease biomarkers evaluated were the hepatocellular injury biomarker, cytokeratin 18 [whole (CK18 M65) and caspase-cleaved fragment (CK18 M30)]; and adipocytokines. Confounder-adjusted beta coefficients were determined using linear regression models for the overall sample (primary endpoints) and for obesity-classified sub-groups (secondary endpoints). A product interaction term between the exposure of interest and a dichotomized indicator of obesity was included to determine the disease modifying effects of obesity on the biomarker associations. RESULTS The study sample was 57% white and 51% obese. In the overall sample, lead was positively associated with CK18 M30 (β = 21.7 ± 6.0 (SE), p = 0.0004); IL-1β (β = 32.8 ± 5.2, p < 0.0001); IL-6 (β = 72.8 ± 18.3, p = 0.0001); and IL-8 (β = 140.8 ± 42.2, p = 0.001). Cadmium exposures were associated with increased IL-1β (β = 77.8 ± 26.3, p = 0.003) and IL-8 (β = 419.5 ± 201.2, p = 0.04). There were multiple significant interactions between obesity and exposure to lead, cadmium, benzene and toluene in relation to outcome biomarkers. Among obese participants (n = 108), benzene, lead, and cadmium were each positively associated with CK18 M30, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. In obese subjects, lead was also inversely associated with leptin, and toluene was positively associated with IL-1β. CONCLUSION For the overall sample, heavy metal exposures were associated with liver injury (lead only) and/or systemic inflammation (lead and cadmium). Obesity modified the associations between BTEXS and heavy metal exposures on several of the outcome variables. In the obesity subgroup, liver injury was positively associated with lead, cadmium and benzene exposures; systemic inflammation was increased with lead, cadmium, benzene, and toluene exposures; and leptin was inversely associated with lead exposures. The cross-sectional design of this study makes it difficult to determine causality, and all results should be interpreted cautiously. Nonetheless, the potential impact of exposures to lead, cadmium, benzene and toluene in steatohepatitis, an obesity-associated inflammatory liver disease, warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Werder
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Juliane I Beier
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Keith C Falkner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Tyler Gripshover
- Department Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine and the UofL Superfund Research Center, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Banrida Wahlang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, University of Louisville School of Medicine and the UofL Superfund Research Center, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Lawrence S Engel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Matthew C Cave
- Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, The UofL Superfund Research Center, The UofL Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, The UofL Alcohol Research Center and the Jewish Hospital Liver Transplant Program, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, KY, 40206, USA.
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