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Reis J, Spencer PS. An introduction to environmental neurotoxicology: Lessons from a clinical perspective. J Neurol Sci 2024; 463:123108. [PMID: 38991324 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
In 1992, the Committee on Neurotoxicology and Models for Assessing Risk of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington DC focused with a scientific perspective on the identification of substances with neurotoxic potential, studies of exposed populations, risk assessment, and biologic markers of disease. This Committee recommended: "all physicians should be trained to take a thorough occupational-exposure history and to be aware of other possible sources of toxic exposure". Although convened after several outbreaks of neurotoxic syndromes, clinical neurological considerations were lacking. After defining keys words, namely Environment, Neurotoxicology and Neurotoxicants, we present some demonstrative cases; e.g., the Epidemic Neuropathy in Cuba, Minamata disease, ALS/PDC on Guam, and the ALS hot spot in the French Alps. Always with a clinical and practical approach, we will then review the milieux that contain and convey potential neurotoxicants, the different exposure routes and the clinical presentations. Drawing lessons from clinical cases, we offer some thoughts concerning the future of Environmental Neurotoxicology (ENT). Pointing notably to the diffuse chemical contamination of ecosystems and living beings, including Homo sapiens, we question the real impact of agents with neurotoxic potential on the human brain, considering the effects, for example, of air pollution, endocrine disruptors and nanoparticles. Concern is expressed over the lack of knowledge of the non-monotonic kinetics of many of these chemicals, the major concern being related to mixtures and low-dose exposures, as well as the delayed appearance in clinical expression of prevalent neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Reis
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; Association RISE, 67205 Oberhausbergen, France.
| | - P S Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, and Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Druzhinina ES, Kozyreva AA, Bembeeva RT, Kozlovsky AS, Sokolova VE, Isaev IV, Narbutov AG, Zavadenko NN, Tikhonova OA. [Neuropathy in n-hexane poisoning]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2024; 124:120-124. [PMID: 38529872 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2024124031120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
N-Hexane is a solvent widely used in manufacturing as a cleaner, degreaser and component of rubber cement. Chronic exposure to n-hexane either through contact with unprotected skin or inhalation can lead to the development of clinical symptoms and electrophysiological changes similar to those of inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy which requires careful differential diagnosis. This article presents three cases of severe predominantly motor polyneuropathy with demyelinating features in 15- and 16-year-old adolescents. The results of laboratory tests were within normal limits; electroneuromyography revealed symmetrical involvement of sensory and motor fibers of the nerves of the legs and arms with a decrease in the speed of propagation of excitation and conduction blocks. Sural nerve biopsy revealed intraneural and perineural swelling without any signs of inflammation or fibrosis confirming the genesis of the neuropathy. Despite a relatively favorable prognosis there is no specific therapy for hexane poisoning and the recovery period can last up to several years.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Druzhinina
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A A Kozyreva
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - R T Bembeeva
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A S Kozlovsky
- Russian Children's Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
| | - V E Sokolova
- Russian Children's Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
| | - I V Isaev
- Russian Children's Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
| | - A G Narbutov
- Russian Children's Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
| | - N N Zavadenko
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - O A Tikhonova
- Imannuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia
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Cravotto C, Fabiano-Tixier AS, Claux O, Abert-Vian M, Tabasso S, Cravotto G, Chemat F. Towards Substitution of Hexane as Extraction Solvent of Food Products and Ingredients with No Regrets. Foods 2022; 11:3412. [PMID: 36360023 PMCID: PMC9655691 DOI: 10.3390/foods11213412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hexane is a solvent used extensively in the food industry for the extraction of various products such as vegetable oils, fats, flavours, fragrances, colour additives or other bioactive ingredients. As it is classified as a "processing aid", it does not have to be declared on the label under current legislation. Therefore, although traces of hexane may be found in final products, especially in processed products, its presence is not known to consumers. However, hexane, and in particular the n-hexane isomer, has been shown to be neurotoxic to humans and has even been listed as a cause of occupational diseases in several European countries since the 1970s. In order to support the European strategy for a toxic-free environment (and toxic-free food), it seemed important to collect scientific information on this substance by reviewing the available literature. This review contains valuable information on the nature and origin of the solvent hexane, its applications in the food industry, its toxicological evaluation and possible alternatives for the extraction of natural products. Numerous publications have investigated the toxicity of hexane, and several studies have demonstrated the presence of its toxic metabolite 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) in the urine of the general, non-occupationally exposed population. Surprisingly, a tolerable daily intake (TDI) has apparently never been established by any food safety authority. Since hexane residues are undoubtedly found in various foods, it seems more than necessary to clearly assess the risks associated with this hidden exposure. A clear indication on food packaging and better information on the toxicity of hexane could encourage the industry to switch towards one of the numerous other alternative extraction methods already developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Cravotto
- GREEN Extraction Team, INRAE, UMR 408, Avignon University, F-84000 Avignon, France
| | | | - Ombéline Claux
- GREEN Extraction Team, INRAE, UMR 408, Avignon University, F-84000 Avignon, France
| | - Maryline Abert-Vian
- GREEN Extraction Team, INRAE, UMR 408, Avignon University, F-84000 Avignon, France
| | - Silvia Tabasso
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Cravotto
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Farid Chemat
- GREEN Extraction Team, INRAE, UMR 408, Avignon University, F-84000 Avignon, France
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Chen X, Jiang Z, Zhang L, Liu W, Ren X, Nie L, Wu D, Guo Z, Liu W, Yang X, Wu Y, Liang Z, Spencer P, Liu J. Protein pyrrole adducts are associated with elevated glucose indices and clinical features of diabetic diffuse neuropathies. J Diabetes 2022; 14:646-657. [PMID: 36195541 PMCID: PMC9574754 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diabetic neuropathy is the most prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus. Although the precise etiology of this neurological disorder has yet to be defined, elevated blood glucose promotes anerobic glycolysis; this produces excess advanced glycation end-products, many of which have a pyrrole structure. Here, we test the hypothesis that protein pyrrole adducts are associated with elevated glucose indices and some clinical features of diabetic diffuse neuropathies. METHOD We investigated the levels of plasma pyrrole adducts and adjusted urinary pyrrole adducts in a group of elderly persons (n = 516, age 60-79) residing in the District of Luohu, Shenzhen, China between 2017 and 2018. Symptoms of distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) and resting heart rate, a measure of autonomic nervous system function, were collected from participants (n = 258) with elevated glucose indices. RESULT Protein pyrrole adducts showed a strong correlation with glucose indices before and after adjustment for age and estimated glomerular filtration rates. Stratified analysis showed that the medians and interquartile values of pyrrole adducts grew as glucose indices of the subgroups increased. Participants with symptoms of DSPN and sinus tachycardia presented elevated levels of plasma pyrrole adducts. CONCLUSION This study provides a novel link between glucose indices and the etiology of diabetic diffuse neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Zhuyi Jiang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical CollegeJinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology)ShenzhenChina
| | - Lianjing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
- School of Public HealthGuangdong Medical UniversityDongguanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Xiaohu Ren
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Luling Nie
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Desheng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Zhiwei Guo
- Shenzhen Luohu Hospital for Traditional Chinese MedicineShenzhen Luohu Hospital GroupShenzhenChina
| | - Weimin Liu
- Shenzhen Luohu Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Xifei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical CollegeJinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology)ShenzhenChina
| | - Zhen Liang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical CollegeJinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology)ShenzhenChina
| | - Peter Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, and Oregon Institute for Occupational Health SciencesOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandOregonUSA
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
- School of Public HealthGuangdong Medical UniversityDongguanPeople's Republic of China
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Spencer PS, Chen X. The Role of Protein Adduction in Toxic Neuropathies of Exogenous and Endogenous Origin. TOXICS 2021; 9:toxics9050098. [PMID: 33946924 PMCID: PMC8146965 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9050098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The peripheral (axonal) neuropathy associated with repeated exposure to aliphatic and aromatic solvents that form protein-reactive γ-diketones shares some clinical and neuropathological features with certain metabolic neuropathies, including type-II diabetic neuropathy and uremic neuropathy, and with the largely sub-clinical nerve damage associated with old age. These conditions may be linked by metabolites that adduct and cross-link neuroproteins required for the maintenance of axonal transport and nerve fiber integrity in the peripheral and central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, and Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Xiao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Subject of Health Toxicology (2020–2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China;
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