1
|
Wielsøe M, Molina-Molina JM, Rodríguez-Carrillo A, Mustieles V, Olea N, Fernandez MF, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Xeno-estrogenic activity of real-life mixtures of perfluoroalkylated substances in human placenta homogenates. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 120:108444. [PMID: 37473930 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108444] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Humans are simultaneously exposed to complex chemical mixtures, and its combined effect can affect human health. As part of the HBM4EU project, the actual mixture of perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) in 25 human placenta samples was extracted by chromatographic methods and assessed for xeno-estrogenic activity using two in-vitro bioassays: the estrogen receptor transactivity and the E-Screen assay. Most of the PFAS extracts displayed xeno-estrogenic activity, in one or both assays. The xeno-estrogenic activities in the two bioassays were not correlated, but both assays showed an overall negative correlation with placenta concentrations of single PFAS. Xeno-estrogenic activities were significantly related to maternal characteristics; being higher in young, smokers and primiparous women, but not with fetal growth (birth weight, birth length, head circumference, gestational age, placenta weight). The presented extraction method can be used to study the combined effect of real-life mixtures of PFAS in relation to health outcomes in large-scale human biomonitoring studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jose-Manuel Molina-Molina
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Andrea Rodríguez-Carrillo
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), E-28029, Spain
| | - Nicolas Olea
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), E-28029, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), E-28029, Spain
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, GRL-3905 Nuussuaq, Greenland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vinggaard AM, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Jensen TK, Fernandez MF, Rosenmai AK, Taxvig C, Rodriguez-Carrillo A, Wielsøe M, Long M, Olea N, Antignac JP, Hamers T, Lamoree M. Receptor-based in vitro activities to assess human exposure to chemical mixtures and related health impacts. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106191. [PMID: 33068852 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to a large number of chemicals from sources such as the environment, food, and consumer products. There is growing concern that human exposure to chemical mixtures, especially during critical periods of development, increases the risk of adverse health effects in newborns or later in life. Historically, the one-chemical-at-a-time approach has been applied both for exposure assessment and hazard characterisation, leading to insufficient knowledge about human health effects caused by exposure to mixtures of chemicals that have the same target. To circumvent this challenge researchers can apply in vitro assays to analyse both exposure to and human health effects of chemical mixtures in biological samples. The advantages of using in vitro assays are: (i) that an integrated effect is measured, taking combined mixture effects into account and (ii) that in vitro assays can reduce complexity in identification of Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CECs) in human tissues. We have reviewed the state-of-the-art on the use of receptor-based in vitro assays to assess human exposure to chemical mixtures and related health impacts. A total of 43 studies were identified, in which endpoints for the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR), the estrogen receptor (ER), and the androgen receptor (AR) were used. The majority of studies reported biological activities that could be associated with breast cancer incidence, male reproductive health effects, developmental toxicities, human demographic characteristics or lifestyle factors such as dietary patterns. A few studies used the bioactivities to check the coverage of the chemical analyses of the human samples, whereas in vitro assays have so far not regularly been used for identifying CECs in human samples, but rather in environmental matrices or food packaging materials. A huge field of novel applications using receptor-based in vitro assays for mixture toxicity assessment on human samples and effect-directed analysis (EDA) using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for identification of toxic compounds waits for exploration. In the future this could lead to a paradigm shift in the way we unravel adverse human health effects caused by chemical mixtures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marie Vinggaard
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark; Greenland's Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Dep of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- School of Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Anna Kjerstine Rosenmai
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Camilla Taxvig
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Nicolas Olea
- School of Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | | | - Timo Hamers
- Vrije Universiteit, Department Environment & Health, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marja Lamoree
- Vrije Universiteit, Department Environment & Health, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gea M, Toso A, Schilirò T. Estrogenic activity of biological samples as a biomarker. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:140050. [PMID: 32927569 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biological assays can evaluate the cumulative effect of a mixture, considering synergistic/antagonistic interactions and effects of unknown/unconsidered compounds. Therefore, their application could increase in the next years also to analyse biological samples. The aim of this review is to discuss the methodological approach and the application of estrogenic activity assays in human biological samples. 75 research articles were analysed and divided according to whether they used these assays: i) to quantify the level of estrogens and/or as a biomarker of estrogenic status ii) as a biomarker of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). For the first purpose, some authors extracted biological samples while others tested them directly without any treatment. The study of these methodologies outlined that the methodology applied influenced the specificity of analysis. The estrogenic activity biomarker was used to analyse physiological variations of estrogens, pediatric diseases, hormone-dependent diseases and estrogen suppression/enhancement after pharmaceutical treatments. For the second purpose, some authors extracted samples while others tested them directly, some authors divided endogenous estrogens from xenoestrogens while others tested samples without separation. The analysis of these methodologies outlined some limitations related to the efficiency of extraction and the incorrect separation of some compounds. The studies which applied this EDC biomarker showed that it was correlated with some EDCs, it varied according to the exposure of the population and it allowed the identification of some relationships between EDC exposure and breast cancer, type 1 diabetes and adverse health effects on children. In conclusion, the estrogenic activity of biological samples can be a useful tool: to quantify low levels of 17β-estradiol, to assess the combined effect of endogenous estrogens and xenoestrogens, to estimate the estrogenic status providing considerable insight into physiological or pathological conditions, to evaluate EDC presence implementing the existing knowledge about EDC exposure and adverse health effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gea
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy.
| | - Anna Toso
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Tiziana Schilirò
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Singh K, Bjerregaard P, Chan HM. Association between environmental contaminants and health outcomes in indigenous populations of the Circumpolar North. Int J Circumpolar Health 2014; 73:25808. [PMID: 25491153 PMCID: PMC4261238 DOI: 10.3402/ijch.v73.25808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since the 1990s, research has been carried out to monitor environmental contaminants and their effects on human health in the Arctic. Although evidence shows that Arctic indigenous peoples are exposed to higher levels of contaminants and do worse on several dimensions of health compared with other populations, the contribution of such exposures on adverse outcomes is unclear. Objective The purpose of this review is to provide a synopsis of the published epidemiological literature that has examined association between environmental contaminants and health outcomes in Arctic indigenous populations. Design A literature search was conducted in OVID Medline (1946-January 2014) using search terms that combined concepts of contaminant and indigenous populations in the Arctic. No language or date restrictions were applied. The reference lists of review articles were hand-searched. Results Of 559 citations, 60 studies were relevant. The studies fell under the following categories: paediatric (n=18), reproductive health (n=18), obstetrics and gynaecology (n=9), cardiology (n=7), bone health (n=2), oncology (n=2), endocrinology (n=2) and other (n=2). All studies, except one from Arctic Finland, were either from Nunavik or Greenland. Most studies assessed polychlorinated biphenyls (n=43) and organochlorine pesticides (n=29). Fewer studies examined heavy metals, perfluorinated compounds, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Details of study results for each health category are provided. Conclusions It is difficult to make conclusive statements about the effects of environmental contaminants on health due to mixed results, small number of studies and studies being restricted to a small number of regions. Meta-analytical synthesis of the evidence should be considered for priority contaminants and health outcomes. The following research gaps should be addressed in future studies: association of contaminants and health in other Arctic regions (i.e. Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, Alaska, European North and Russian North); assessment of contaminants on chronic diseases; inclusion of clinical endpoints in assessments; and assessment of the emerging contaminants of perfluorinated compounds and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Singh
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Bjerregaard
- Department of Health, Centre for Health Research in Greenland, Greenland Government and University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Canada Research Chair in Toxicology and Environmental Health, Center for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Acute effects of TCDD administration: special emphasis on testicular and sperm mitochondrial function. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s2305-0500(13)60091-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
|
6
|
Long M, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Dioxin-like activity in environmental and human samples from Greenland and Denmark. CHEMOSPHERE 2012; 89:919-28. [PMID: 22858370 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.06.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Revised: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/30/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Dioxins and dioxin-like (DL) compounds are some of the most toxic chemicals being highly persistent in the environment. The toxicological effects of dioxins are mediated via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Compounds of diverse structure and lipophility can bind and activate AhR. The AhR transactivation bioassay is utilized in an array of projects to study the AhR-mediated activities of individual chemicals and mixtures and for epidemiological purposes. This review summarizes a series of studies regarding the DL-activity of single compounds and complex compound mixtures in the environment and humans. We found that some pesticides, plasticizers and phytoestrogens can activate the AhR, and the combined effect of compounds with no or weak AhR potency cannot be ignored. The significant DL-activity in the wastewater effluent indicates the treatment is not sufficient to prevent contamination of surface waters with dioxins. Our results from human studies suggest that the serum DL-activity reflect the complex mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Greenlandic Inuit had lower serum DL-activity level compared to Europeans, probably due to long distance from the dioxin sources and UV degradation of the high potent dioxin and/or the inhibitory effect of the high level of non-DL POPs. Selective bioaccumulation of PCBs in the food chain may contribute to the negative correlation between serum POPs and DL-activity observed in Greenlandic Inuit. Hence the AhR transactivation bioassay provides a cost-effective and integrated screening tool for measurement of the DL-activity in human, environmental and commercial samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manhai Long
- Cellular & Molecular Toxicology, Centre of Arctic Health, Department of public Health, Arhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Relationship between apoptotic markers in semen from fertile men and demographic, hormonal and seminal characteristics. Asian J Androl 2012; 14:890-6. [PMID: 23064689 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2012.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis in the testis has two putative roles during normal spermatogenesis; limitation of the germ cell population to numbers that can be supported by the Sertoli cells, and, possibly, selective depletion of meiotic and postmeiotic abnormal germ cells. We investigated the demographic and biological correlates of the pro-apoptotic marker Fas and the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-xL in sperm cells of fertile men. Six hundred and four men from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine were consecutively enrolled during their pregnant wife's antenatal visits. Semen analysis was performed as recommended by the World Health Organization. Immunofluorescence coupled to flow cytometry was utilized for detection of apoptotic markers in the sperm cell. DNA damage was assessed by flow cytometry using both the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay. The percentage of Fas-positive sperm cells was higher in men with high total sperm count (P<0.01), more motile sperms (P=0.04) and fewer sperm head defects (P=0.05). These associations were consistent within and across study regions. Furthermore, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sexual hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were significantly negatively correlated with Fas within and across regions as well. The data indicated no association between the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL marker and semen or personal characteristics. The finding of Fas-positive sperm cells associated with better semen quality in a cohort of spouses of pregnant women seems different from previous data obtained in infertile men and warrants further investigation to clarify the biological significance of sperm apoptotic markers.
Collapse
|
8
|
Bjerregaard-Olesen C, Hjelmborg PS, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Isolation of Lipophilic Persistent Organic Pollutants From Human Breast Milk. ANAL LETT 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2012.675488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
9
|
Kusk KO, Krüger T, Long M, Taxvig C, Lykkesfeldt AE, Frederiksen H, Andersson AM, Andersen HR, Hansen KMS, Nellemann C, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Endocrine potency of wastewater: contents of endocrine disrupting chemicals and effects measured by in vivo and in vitro assays. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2011; 30:413-26. [PMID: 21038429 DOI: 10.1002/etc.385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Industrial and municipal effluents are important sources of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) discharged into the aquatic environment. This study investigated the endocrine potency of wastewater and the cleaning efficiency of two typical urban Danish sewage treatment plants (STPs), using chemical analysis and a battery of bioassays. Influent samples, collected at the first STP grate, and effluent samples, collected after the sewage treatment, were extracted using solid phase extraction. Extracts were analyzed for the content of a range of industrial chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties: phthalate metabolites, parabens, industrial phenols, ultraviolet screens, and natural and synthetic steroid estrogens. The endocrine disrupting bioactivity and toxicity of the extracts were analyzed in cell culture assay for the potency to affect the function of the estrogen, androgen, aryl hydrocarbon, and thyroid receptors as well as the steroid hormone synthesis. The early-life stage (ELS) development was tested in a marine copepod. The concentrations of all analyzed chemicals were reduced in effluents compared with influents, and for some to below the detection limit. Influent as well as effluent samples from both STPs were found to interact with all four receptors and to interfere with the steroid hormone synthesis showing the presence of measured EDCs. Both influent samples and one of the effluent samples inhibited the development of the copepod Acartia tonsa. In conclusion, the presence of EDCs was reduced in the STPs but not eliminated, as verified by the applied bioassays that all responded to the extracts of effluent samples. Our data suggest that the wastewater treatment processes are not efficient enough to prevent contamination of environmental surface waters.
Collapse
|
10
|
Muratori M, Tamburrino L, Marchiani S, Guido C, Forti G, Baldi E. Critical Aspects of Detection of Sperm DNA Fragmentation by Tunel/Flow Cytometry. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2010; 56:277-85. [DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2010.489660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
|
11
|
Barratt CLR, Aitken RJ, Björndahl L, Carrell DT, de Boer P, Kvist U, Lewis SEM, Perreault SD, Perry MJ, Ramos L, Robaire B, Ward S, Zini A. Sperm DNA: organization, protection and vulnerability: from basic science to clinical applications--a position report. Hum Reprod 2010; 25:824-38. [PMID: 20139429 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dep465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
This article reports the results of the most recent in a series of EHSRE workshops designed to synthesize the current state of the field in Andrology and provide recommendations for future work (for details see Appendix). Its focus is on methods for detecting sperm DNA damage and potential application of new knowledge about sperm chromatin organization, vulnerability and repair to improve the diagnosis and treatment of clinical infertility associated with that damage. Equally important is the use and reliability of these tests to identify the extent to which environmental contaminants or pharmaceutical agents may contribute to the incidence of sperm DNA damage and male fertility problems. A working group (for workshop details, see Appendix) under the auspices of ESHRE met in May 2009 to assess the current knowledgebase and suggest future basic and clinical research directions. This document presents a synthesis of the working group's understanding of the recent literature and collective discussions on the current state of knowledge of sperm chromatin structure and function during fertilization. It highlights the biological, assay and clinical uncertainties that require further research and ends with a series of 5 key recommendations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L R Barratt
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Maternal and Child Health Science Laboratories, Centre for Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sousa APM, Tavares RS, Velez de la Calle JF, Figueiredo H, Almeida V, Almeida-Santos T, Ramalho-Santos J. Dual use of Diff-Quik-like stains for the simultaneous evaluation of human sperm morphology and chromatin status. Hum Reprod 2008; 24:28-36. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/den365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
13
|
Mantovani A, Maranghi F, La Rocca C, Tiboni GM, Clementi M. The role of toxicology to characterize biomarkers for agrochemicals with potential endocrine activities. Reprod Toxicol 2008; 26:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2008.05.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2008] [Revised: 05/07/2008] [Accepted: 05/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
14
|
Krüger T, Ghisari M, Hjelmborg PS, Deutch B, Bonefeld-Jorgensen EC. Xenohormone transactivities are inversely associated to serum POPs in Inuit. Environ Health 2008; 7:38. [PMID: 18627625 PMCID: PMC2503956 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-7-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2008] [Accepted: 07/15/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are highly lipophilic and resistant to biodegradation and found in e.g. seafood and marine mammals. Greenlandic Inuit have high intake of marine food and thus high POP burden that varies according to local conditions and dietary preference. We do for the very first time report the serum POP related non-steroidal xenohormone activity of Inuit across Greenland. The aims were 1) to determine the integrated xenohormone bioactivities as an exposure biomarker of the actual lipophilic serum POP mixture measuring the effect on estrogen (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) transactivity in citizens from different Greenlandic districts and 2) to evaluate associations to serum POP markers (14 PCBs and 10 pesticides) and lifestyle characteristics. METHODS Serum samples from 121 men and 119 women from Nuuk, Sisimiut and Qaanaaq were extracted using SPE-HPLC fractionation to obtain the serum POP fraction free of endogenous hormones. The serum POP fraction was used for determination of xenohormone transactivity using ER and AR reporter gene assays. RESULTS In overall, the xenohormone transactivities differed between districts as well as between the genders. Associations between the transactivities and age, n-3/n-6 and smoker years were observed. The xenoestrogenic and xenoandrogenic transactivities correlated negatively to the POPs for the combined female and male data, respectively. CONCLUSION The non-steroidal xenohormone transactivities can be used as an integrated biomarker of POP exposure and lifestyle characteristics. The actual serum POP mixtures antagonized the age adjusted sex hormone receptor functions. Comparison of different study populations requires in addition to age inclusion of diet and lifestyle factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Krüger
- Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Centre for Arctic Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Vennelyst Boulevard 6, Build 1260, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Mandana Ghisari
- Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Centre for Arctic Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Vennelyst Boulevard 6, Build 1260, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Philip S Hjelmborg
- Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Centre for Arctic Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Vennelyst Boulevard 6, Build 1260, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Bente Deutch
- Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Centre for Arctic Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Vennelyst Boulevard 6, Build 1260, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Eva C Bonefeld-Jorgensen
- Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Centre for Arctic Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Vennelyst Boulevard 6, Build 1260, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bonde JP, Toft G, Rylander L, Rignell-Hydbom A, Giwercman A, Spano M, Manicardi GC, Bizzaro D, Ludwicki JK, Zvyezday V, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Pedersen HS, Jönsson BAG, Thulstrup AM. Fertility and markers of male reproductive function in Inuit and European populations spanning large contrasts in blood levels of persistent organochlorines. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2008; 116:269-77. [PMID: 18335090 PMCID: PMC2265036 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.10700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2007] [Accepted: 11/23/2007] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We synthesized the main findings from an international epidemiologic study on the impact of biopersistent organic pollutants (POPs) on human reproductive function. DATA SOURCES AND EXTRACTION We used a database with interview and biological data from 2,269 women and their spouses, and 18 published core papers. DATA SYNTHESIS The study did not provide direct evidence of hormone-like activity of the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener CB-153 and the main dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) metabolite, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE), as serum concentrations of these compounds were not consistently related to either endogenous or exogenous hormone activity in serum. Nevertheless several links bewteen POP exposure and biomarkers of male reproductive function were identified. First, an association between high CB-153 serum levels and low sperm counts was detected within a subgroup of men with short androgen receptor CAG repeat length. Second, a relationship between increased CB-153 serum concentrations and decreased sperm motility was seen in all four studied regions, and indications of reduced neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in seminal plasma point to a post-testicular effect. Third, damage of sperm chromatin integrity was considerably less frequent in Greenlandic Inuits compared with that in European groups, and only in the latter was impairment of sperm chromatin integrity related to POPs. Despite these effects, fertility in terms of time taken to conceive was not related to POPs except in Inuits. A likely explanation of the latter was not identified. CONCLUSIONS POPs may interfere with male reproductive function without major impact on fertility. The data do not provide direct evidence for endocrine disruption, hence other mechanisms should also be considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Peter Bonde
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Arhus, Denmark.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Krüger T, Spanò M, Long M, Eleuteri P, Rescia M, Hjelmborg PS, Manicardi GC, Bizzaro D, Giwercman A, Toft G, Bonde JP, Bonefeld-Jorgensen EC. Xenobiotic activity in serum and sperm chromatin integrity in European and inuit populations. Mol Reprod Dev 2008; 75:669-80. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|