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Kaneko N, Nishijo M, Vu HT, Pham-The T, Pham TN, Tran NN, Takiguchi T, Nishino Y. Altered Sex Ratio at Birth with Maternal Exposure to Dioxins in Vietnamese Infants. TOXICS 2024; 12:276. [PMID: 38668499 PMCID: PMC11053781 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12040276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Excess female births (lower sex ratio at birth) associated with paternal exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) have been reported in Italy. However, no significant effects of maternal TCDD exposure on the sex ratio were reported. We investigated the effects of maternal TCDD exposure and the toxic equivalent quantity of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (TEQ-PCDD/Fs) on the sex ratio at birth in 576 Vietnamese infants from three birth cohorts. TCDD and TEQ-PCDD/Fs in breast milk were stratified (low, mild, moderate, and high) as maternal exposure markers. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations between female birth and dioxin exposure groups after adjusting for confounders. In sprayed and unsprayed areas, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of female birth (reference: low-TCDD group) were 2.11 in the moderate-TCDD group and 2.77 in the high-TCDD group, which were significantly associated with increased TCDD exposure. In sprayed areas, a significantly increased OR in the high-TCDD group was observed. No significant associations, however, were found between having a girl and TEQ-PCDD/F levels. These results suggest that maternal TCDD exposure may alter the sex ratio at birth among Vietnamese residents of areas with high dioxin contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Kaneko
- Department of Nursing, Ishikawa Prefectural Nursing University, Kahoku 929-1210, Japan;
- Department of Public Health, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan; (T.T.); (Y.N.)
| | - Muneko Nishijo
- Department of Public Health, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan; (T.T.); (Y.N.)
| | - Hoa Thi Vu
- Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi 12108, Vietnam; (H.T.V.); (T.P.-T.)
| | - Tai Pham-The
- Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi 12108, Vietnam; (H.T.V.); (T.P.-T.)
| | - Thao Ngoc Pham
- 103 Military Hospital, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi 12108, Vietnam;
| | - Nghi Ngoc Tran
- Ministry of Health, Vietnam Government, Hanoi 10060, Vietnam;
| | - Tomoya Takiguchi
- Department of Public Health, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan; (T.T.); (Y.N.)
| | - Yoshikazu Nishino
- Department of Public Health, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan; (T.T.); (Y.N.)
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Furue M, Ishii Y, Tsukimori K, Tsuji G. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Dioxin-Related Health Hazards-Lessons from Yusho. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020708. [PMID: 33445793 PMCID: PMC7828254 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Poisoning by high concentrations of dioxin and its related compounds manifests variable toxic symptoms such as general malaise, chloracne, hyperpigmentation, sputum and cough, paresthesia or numbness of the extremities, hypertriglyceridemia, perinatal abnormalities, and elevated risks of cancer-related mortality. Such health hazards are observed in patients with Yusho (oil disease in Japanese) who had consumed rice bran oil highly contaminated with 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polychlorinated quaterphenyls in 1968. The blood concentrations of these congeners in patients with Yusho remain extremely elevated 50 years after onset. Dioxins exert their toxicity via aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this review article, we discuss the pathogenic implication of AHR in dioxin-induced health hazards. We also mention the potential therapeutic use of herbal drugs targeting AHR and ROS in patients with Yusho.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masutaka Furue
- Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-92-642-5581; Fax: +81-92-642-5600
| | - Yuji Ishii
- Division of Pharmaceutical Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
| | - Kiyomi Tsukimori
- Department of Obstetrics, Perinatal Center, Fukuoka Children’s Hospital, Fukuoka 813-0017, Japan;
| | - Gaku Tsuji
- Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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Mitoma C, Uchi H, Tsukimori K, Todaka T, Kajiwara J, Shimose T, Akahane M, Imamura T, Furue M. Current state of yusho and prospects for therapeutic strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:16472-16480. [PMID: 29197056 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0833-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The mass food poisoning incident yusho occurred in Japan in 1968. It was caused by the ingestion of rice bran oil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls and various dioxins and dioxin-like compounds including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Notably, PCDFs were found to contribute to approximately 65% of the total toxicity equivalent in the blood of yusho patients. Lipophilic dioxins are retained in the body for a longer period than previously estimated. Victims suffered from characteristic skin manifestations associated with non-specific systemic symptoms, neurological symptoms, and respiratory symptoms. The severe symptoms seen in the initial phase subsequently faded, but recently, improvements have scarcely been observed. The Yusho Group has been researching treatments for this condition. Several clinical trials with chelating agents or dietary fibers aimed at accelerating the excretion of compounds. While some treatments increased dioxin excretion, none provided satisfactory symptom relief. Concurrently, various phytochemicals and herbal extracts have been found to possess biological activities that suppress dioxin-induced toxicity via aryl hydrocarbon receptor or activate the antioxidant nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (NRF2) signal pathway, making them promising therapeutic candidates. Here, we summarize the current status of yusho and findings of clinical trials for yusho patients and discuss the treatment prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikage Mitoma
- Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Uchi
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kiyomi Tsukimori
- Department of Obstetrics, Fukuoka Children's Hospital, Fukuoka, 813-0017, Japan
| | - Takashi Todaka
- Kitakyushu Life Science Center, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Fukuoka, 804-0003, Japan
| | - Jumboku Kajiwara
- Fukuoka Institute of Health and Environmental Sciences, Fukuoka, 818-0135, Japan
| | - Takayuki Shimose
- Clinical Research Support Center Kyushu, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Manabu Akahane
- Department of Public Health, Health Management and Policy, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Imamura
- Department of Public Health, Health Management and Policy, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Masutaka Furue
- Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
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Mitoma C, Uchi H, Tsukimori K, Yamada H, Akahane M, Imamura T, Utani A, Furue M. Yusho and its latest findings-A review in studies conducted by the Yusho Group. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 82:41-8. [PMID: 26010306 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The Yusho incident is an unprecedented mass food poisoning that occurred in Japan in 1968. It was caused by the ingestion of rice bran oil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and various dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). The victims of Yusho have suffered from characteristic skin manifestations associated with systemic, ophthalmological, and mucosal symptoms for a long period of time. The Study Group of Yusho (the Yusho Group) has been conducting annual medical check-ups on Yusho victims for more than 45years. Since 2002, when concentrations of dioxins in the blood of Yusho patients started to be measured, the pharmacokinetics of dioxins, relationship between blood levels of dioxins and symptoms/signs in patients directly exposed to dioxins, and the adverse effects on the next generation have become dramatically clear. Herein we review recent findings of studies conducted by the Yusho Group to evaluate chronic dioxin-induced toxicity to the next generation as well as Yusho patients in comparison with a similar food mass poisoning, the Yucheng incident. Additionally, we summarized basic studies carried out by the Yusho Group to re-evaluate the mechanisms of dioxin toxicities in experimental models and various functions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), known as the dioxin receptor, pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikage Mitoma
- Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Uchi
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kiyomi Tsukimori
- Department of Obstetrics, Fukuoka Children's Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yamada
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Manabu Akahane
- Health Management and Policy, Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Imamura
- Health Management and Policy, Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Atsushi Utani
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masutaka Furue
- Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan; Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Taura J, Takeda T, Fujii M, Hattori Y, Ishii Y, Kuroki H, Tsukimori K, Uchi H, Furue M, Yamada H. 2,3,4,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran is far less potent than 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in disrupting the pituitary-gonad axis of the rat fetus. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2014; 281:48-57. [PMID: 25220434 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2014] [Revised: 07/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The effect of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PnCDF) on the fetal pituitary-gonad axis was compared with that produced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in Wistar rats. Maternal treatment at gestational day (GD) 15 with PnCDF and TCDD reduced the fetal expression at GD20 of pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) and the testicular proteins necessary for steroidogenesis. The relative potencies of PnCDF ranged from 1/42nd to 1/63rd of the TCDD effect. While PnCDF, at a dose sufficient to cause a reduction in fetal LH, provoked defects in sexual behavior at adulthood, a dose less than the ED50 failed to produce any abnormality. There was a loss of fetal body weight following in utero exposure to PnCDF, and the effect of PnCDF was also much less than that of TCDD. The disturbance in fetal growth was suggested to be due to a reduction in the level of fetal growth hormone (GH) by dioxins. The disorder caused by PnCDF/TCDD in the fetal pituitary-gonad axis occurred at doses less than those needed to cause wasting syndrome in pubertal rats. The harmful effect of PnCDF relative to TCDD was more pronounced in fetal rats than in pubertal rats. These lines of evidence suggest that: 1) PnCDF as well as TCDD imprints defects in sexual behavior by disrupting the fetal pituitary-gonad axis; 2) these dioxins hinder fetal growth by reducing the expression of fetal GH; and 3) the fetal effects of PnCDF/TCDD are more sensitive than sub-acute toxicity during puberty, and the relative effect of PnCDF varies markedly depending on the indices used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junki Taura
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoki Takeda
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Misaki Fujii
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yukiko Hattori
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuji Ishii
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Kiyomi Tsukimori
- Department of Obstetrics, Fukuoka Children's Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Uchi
- Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masutaka Furue
- Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan; Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yamada
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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Yorifuji T, Kashima S, Tokinobu A, Kato T, Tsuda T. Regional impact of exposure to a polychlorinated biphenyl and polychlorinated dibenzofuran mixture from contaminated rice oil on stillbirth rate and secondary sex ratio. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2013; 59:12-15. [PMID: 23735842 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Yusho disease, a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) mixed poisoning caused by contaminated rice oil, occurred in Japan in 1968. The evidence on reproductive outcome is limited. We therefore evaluated the regional impact of the exposure to the PCB and PCDF mixture on stillbirth rate and secondary sex ratio among the residents in two severely affected areas. We selected the regionally-affected towns of Tamanoura (n=4390 in 1970) and Naru (n=6569) in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, for study. We obtained data on stillbirths (spontaneous/artificial) and live-born births (total/male/female) from 1958 to 1994. For a decade and a half after the exposure, an increase in the rate of spontaneous stillbirths coincided with a decrease in the male sex ratio. Compared with the years 1958-1967, the ratios for spontaneous stillbirth rates were 2.16 (95% confidence interval: 1.58 to 2.97) for 1968-1977 and 1.80 (95% confidence interval: 1.25 to 2.60) for 1978-1987. The sex ratio (male proportion) was 0.483 (95% confidence interval: 0.457 to 0.508) in the first 10years after exposure. Exposure to a mixture of PCBs and PCDFs affected stillbirth and sex ratio for a decade and a half after the exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Yorifuji
- Department of Human Ecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, 3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
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