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Amstutz VH, Sijm DTHM, Vrolijk MF. Perfluoroalkyl substances and immunotoxicity: An in vitro structure-activity relationship study in THP-1-derived monocytes and macrophages. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143075. [PMID: 39151576 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Recently, PFASs toxicity for the human immune system has become a growing concern. However, there is currently limited information on PFASs immunotoxicity beyond PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA. Therefore, it is urgent to close the present knowledge gap by testing a wider range of compounds. In the present study, twelve compounds were tested for a relationship between the chain-length and headgroup of a PFAS and its cytotoxic for THP-1. As such, THP-1, either as monocytes or differentiated macrophages, were exposed to PFASs in a concentration range of 0-800 μM for either 3 or 24 h. After that, cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were assessed using MTT and DCFH assay, respectively. PFASs' cytotoxicity is dependent on both their chain-length and headgroups. Cell viability decreased with increasing chain-length, and FTOHs displayed markedly higher toxicity than PFCAs and PFSAs. PFASs were ranked based on their calculated Relative Potency Factor. The ranking for the cytotoxicity data on monocytes appears to be 6:2 FTOH ≫ PFNA > PFDA > PFOS > PFOA >4: 2 FTOH > PFHxS = PFHxA > PFBA. For macrophages, this ranking was as follows: 6:2 FTOH >4:2 FTOH > PFOS > PFDA > PFNA > PFOA > PFHxS. The results observed for the ROS generating potential differed as FTOHs generated no ROS. Here, the ranking in monocytes was PFOA > PFNA > PFOS > PFHxS > PFDA > PFHxA = PFBS = PFBA. The ranking for macrophages was PFNA > PFDA ≥ PFOA > PFOS > PFHxA > PFHxS > PFBA = PFBS. In conclusion, the carbon chain-length and functional headgroup of a PFAS are major determinants for their toxicity to THP-1 cells. Furthermore, our study demonstrates the most potent cytotoxic effect for FTOHs in vitro, which has not been observed before to the authors' knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- V H Amstutz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Maastricht University, 6229, ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - D T H M Sijm
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Maastricht University, 6229, ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Office for Risk Assessment and Research, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), 3540, AA, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - M F Vrolijk
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Maastricht University, 6229, ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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2
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Chang CJ, Ish JL, Chang VC, Daniel M, Jones RR, White AJ. Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and breast cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies. Am J Epidemiol 2024; 193:1182-1196. [PMID: 38400646 PMCID: PMC11299034 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
We synthesized the epidemiologic evidence on the associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and breast cancer risk. Our systematic review and meta-analysis included 18 and 11 articles, respectively, covering studies up to February 2023. The summary relative risks (RRs) estimated by random-effects meta-analyses did not support an association between PFAS and overall breast cancer risk (eg, a natural log (ln)-unit increase in serum/plasma concentrations [ng/mL] for perfluorooctanoate [PFOA] RR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.77-1.18; perfluorooctane sulfonate [PFOS] RR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.87-1.11). However, when limiting to studies that assessed exposures prior to a breast cancer diagnosis, we observed a positive association with PFOA (a ln-unit increase, RR = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.96-1.40). We also observed some possible heterogeneous associations by tumor estrogen and progesterone receptor status among postmenopausal breast cancer cases. No meaningful changes were observed after excluding the studies with high risk of bias (Tier 3). Based on the evaluation tool developed by the National Toxicology Program, given the heterogeneity across studies and the variability in timing of exposure measurements, the epidemiologic evidence needed to determine the association between PFAS exposure and breast cancer remains inadequate. Our findings support the need for future studies with improved study designs to determine this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che-Jung Chang
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Jennifer L Ish
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Vicky C Chang
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | - Meklit Daniel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Rena R Jones
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | - Alexandra J White
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
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3
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Donley N, Cox C, Bennett K, Temkin AM, Andrews DQ, Naidenko OV. Forever Pesticides: A Growing Source of PFAS Contamination in the Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:75003. [PMID: 39046250 PMCID: PMC11268133 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental contamination by fluorinated chemicals, in particular chemicals from the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) class, has raised concerns around the globe because of documented adverse impacts on human health, wildlife, and ecosystem quality. Recent studies have indicated that pesticide products may contain a variety of chemicals that meet the PFAS definition, including the active pesticide ingredients themselves. Given that pesticides are some of the most widely distributed pollutants across the world, the legacy impacts of PFAS addition into pesticide products could be widespread and have wide-ranging implications on agriculture and food and water contamination, as well as the presence of PFAS in rural environments. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this commentary is to explore different ways that PFAS can be introduced into pesticide products, the extent of PFAS contamination of pesticide products, and the implications this could have for human and environmental health. METHODS We submitted multiple public records requests to state and federal agencies in the United States and Canada and extracted relevant data from those records. We also compiled data from publicly accessible databases for our analyses. DISCUSSION We found that the biggest contributor to PFAS in pesticide products was active ingredients and their degradates. Nearly a quarter of all US conventional pesticide active ingredients were organofluorines and 14% were PFAS, and for active ingredients approved in the last 10 y, this had increased to 61% organofluorines and 30% PFAS. Another major contributing source was through PFAS leaching from fluorinated containers into pesticide products. Fluorination of adjuvant products and "inert" ingredients appeared to be limited, although this represents a major knowledge gap. We explored aspects of immunotoxicity, persistence, water contamination, and total fluorine load in the environment and conclude that the recent trend of using fluorinated active ingredients in pesticides may be having effects on chemical toxicity and persistence that are not given adequate oversight in the United States. We recommend a more stringent risk assessment approach for fluorinated pesticides, transparent disclosure of "inert" ingredients on pesticide labels, a complete phase-out of post-mold fluorination of plastic containers, and greater monitoring in the United States. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13954.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Donley
- Center for Biological Diversity, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Caroline Cox
- Center for Environmental Health (retired), Oakland, California, USA
| | - Kyla Bennett
- Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexis M. Temkin
- Environmental Working Group, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - David Q. Andrews
- Environmental Working Group, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Olga V. Naidenko
- Environmental Working Group, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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4
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Yatera K, Nishida C. Contemporary Concise Review 2023: Environmental and occupational lung diseases. Respirology 2024; 29:574-587. [PMID: 38826078 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14761] [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: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Air pollutants have various effects on human health in environmental and occupational settings. Air pollutants can be a risk factor for incidence, exacerbation/aggravation and death due to various lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypersensitivity pneumonitis or pneumonia (HP), pulmonary fibrosis such as pneumoconiosis and malignant respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma. Environmental and occupational respiratory diseases are crucial clinical and social issues worldwide, although the burden of respiratory disease due to environmental and occupational causes varies depending on country/region, demographic variables, geographical location, industrial structure and socioeconomic situation. The correct recognition of environmental and occupational lung diseases and taking appropriate measures are essential to their effective prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Yatera
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Chinatsu Nishida
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
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Zhu C, Lv W, Hong S, Han M, Song W, Liu C, Yao C, Jiang Q. Gradual effects of gradient concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate on the antioxidant ability and gut microbiota of red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 931:172962. [PMID: 38705306 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a typical persistent organic pollutant that is characterized by environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. In this study, we investigated the gut microbial response of the red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus after 28 days of exposure to 0 ng/L, 1 ng/L, 10 μg/L, or 10 mg/L of PFOS as a stressor. We measured oxidative stress-related enzyme activities and expression of molecules related to detoxification mechanisms to evaluate the toxic effects of PFOS. We found that PFOS disturbed microbial homeostasis in the gut of C. quadricarinatus, resulting in increased abundance of the pathogen Shewanella and decreased abundance of the beneficial bacterium Lactobacillus. The latter especially disturbed amino acid transport and carbohydrate transport. We also found that the activities of glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase were positively correlated with the expression levels of cytochrome P450 genes (GST1-1, GSTP, GSTK1, HPGDS, UGT5), which are products of PFOS-induced oxidative stress and play an antioxidant role in the body. The results of this study provided valuable ecotoxicological data to better understand the biological fate and effects of PFOS in C. quadricarinatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Zhu
- Geography, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Weiwei Lv
- Eco-environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Shuang Hong
- Institute for Agri-food Standards and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean university, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Mingming Han
- Geography, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Weiguo Song
- Institute for Agri-food Standards and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Chengbin Liu
- Institute for Agri-food Standards and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Chunxia Yao
- Institute for Agri-food Standards and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China.
| | - Qichen Jiang
- Geography, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia; Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, 79 Chating East Street, Nanjing 210017, China.
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6
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Coperchini F, Greco A, Croce L, Teliti M, Calì B, Chytiris S, Magri F, Rotondi M. Do PFCAs drive the establishment of thyroid cancer microenvironment? Effects of C6O4, PFOA and PFHxA exposure in two models of human thyroid cells in primary culture. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 187:108717. [PMID: 38728818 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to environmental pollutants is suspected to be one of the potential causes accounting for the increase in thyroid cancer (TC) incidence worldwide. Among the ubiquitous pollutants, per-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), were demonstrated to exert thyroid disrupting effects. Perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) represent a subgroup of PFAS and include perfluoro carboxylic acids (PFOA and PFHxA) and perfluoropolyether carboxylic acid (C6O4). The potential relationship between exposure to PFCAs and TC was not yet fully elucidated. This in vitro study investigated whether certain PFCAs (C6O4, PFOA, and PFHxA) can influence the composition of TC microenvironment. METHODS Two models of normal thyroid cells in primary cultures: Adherent (A-NHT) and Spheroids (S-NHT) were employed. A-NHT and S-NHT were exposed to C6O4, PFOA or PFHxA (0; 0.01; 0.1, 1; 10; 100; 1000 ng/mL) to assess viability (WST-1 and AV/PI assay), evaluate spherification index (SI) and volume specifically in S-NHT. CXCL8 and CCL2 (mRNA and protein), and EMT-related genes were assessed in both models after exposure to PFCAs. RESULTS PFHxA reduced the viability of both A-NHT and S-NHT. None of the PFCAs interfered with the volume or spherification process in S-NHT. CXCL8 and CCL2 mRNA and protein levels were differently up-regulated by each PFCAs, being PFOA and PFHxA the stronger inducers. Moreover, among the tested PFCAs, PFHxA induced a more consistent increase in the mRNA levels of EMT-related genes. CONCLUSIONS This is the first evaluation of the effects of exposure to PFCAs on factors potentially involved in establishing the TC microenvironment. PFHxA modulated the TC microenvironment at three levels: cell viability, pro-tumorigenic chemokines, and EMT-genes. The results provide further evidence of the pro-tumorigenic effect of PFOA. On the other hand, a marginal effect was observed for C6O4 on pro-tumorigenic chemokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Coperchini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Alessia Greco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Laura Croce
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Marsida Teliti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Benedetto Calì
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Department of General and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Pavia, (PV) 27100, Italy
| | - Spyridon Chytiris
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Magri
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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7
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Castel R, Tassistro V, Lebarillier S, Dupuy N, Noack Y, Orsière T, Malleret L. Chemical and genotoxic characterization of bioaccessible fractions as a comprehensive in vitro tool in assessing the health risk due to dust-bound contaminant ingestion. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-33248-3. [PMID: 38691285 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33248-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
In the last two decades, awareness grew on the matter of the impact of environment on human health. Contaminants sorbed onto soil and settled dust can be ingested and thus represent a hazard, particularly to young children, who play on the ground and bring their hands and objects to their mouth. Metal(loid)s and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of concern as they are both carcinogenic to humans and ubiquitous in outdoor environments. The present study aims to assess the total and bioaccessible fractions of PAHs and metal(loid)s present in settled dust of four preschools located in industrial, urban, and suburban areas. On the one hand, children's incremental life cancer risks (ILCR) were calculated according to ingestion pathway. On the other hand, the genotoxicities of the bioaccessible dust-bonded contaminants were determined on gastric cells. PAH concentrations ranged from 50.9 to 2267.3 ng/g, and the bioaccessible fraction represented 10.7% of the total in average. Metal(loid) concentration ranged from 12,430 to 38,941 µg/g, and the mean bioaccessibility was of 40.1%. Cancer risk ranged from 2.8.105 to 8.6.105, indicating that there is a potential cancer risk for children linked to the ingestion of settled dust. The inorganic bioaccessible fraction induced little DNA (< 20%TailDNA) and chromosomal damages (30% increase in micronuclei), whereas the organic bioaccessible fraction induced higher DNA (17-63%TailDNA) and chromosomal damages (88% increase in micronuclei). Such experimental approach needs to be deepen, as a tool complementary to cancer risk calculation, since the latter only lays on a set of targeted contaminants with known toxicity values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Castel
- Laboratoire Chimie Environnement, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, Marseille, France
- IMBE, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, AU, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Nathalie Dupuy
- IMBE, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, AU, Marseille, France
| | - Yves Noack
- CEREGE, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Thierry Orsière
- IMBE, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, AU, Marseille, France
| | - Laure Malleret
- Laboratoire Chimie Environnement, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, Marseille, France.
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Céline C, Catherine B, Romane C, Laurence C. Per- and polyfluoroalkyls used as cosmetic ingredients - Qualitative study of 765 cosmetic products. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 187:114625. [PMID: 38582342 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114625] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) form a vast family comprising more than 4700 synthetic compounds. Their molecules contain a terminal functional group and a hydrophobic carbon tail (alkyl group) at which the hydrogen atoms are totally (in the case of perfluorinated compounds) or partially (in the case of polyfluorinated compounds) replaced by fluorine atoms. Due to the very specific properties of their structure, they have been used in a vast range of applications over the last 70 years. These substances are considered to be of concern for the environment. Their effects on human health are still poorly understood because studies are still too rare, but the cutaneous route could be a significant pathway of penetration. In this context, we made a qualitative study to assess the presence of PFAS in various cosmetics such as hygiene products, skin care products, make-up and perfumes. Among the 765 products studied, we found 11 different PFAS. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorodecalin, present in 25.9% and 22.2% of products containing it, respectively, were the most frequent. Although the presence of this type of ingredient seems to be limited in Europe, make-up appears to be the type of product most likely to contain PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Couteau Céline
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Nantes Université, 9 Rue Bias, 44000, Nantes, France; Université de Brest, LIEN, EA 4685, Brest, France
| | - Brunet Catherine
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Nantes Université, 9 Rue Bias, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Clarke Romane
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Nantes Université, 9 Rue Bias, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - Coiffard Laurence
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Nantes Université, 9 Rue Bias, 44000, Nantes, France; Université de Brest, LIEN, EA 4685, Brest, France.
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Boyd RI, Shokry D, Fazal Z, Rennels BC, Freemantle SJ, La Frano MR, Prins GS, Madak Erdogan Z, Irudayaraj J, Singh R, Spinella MJ. Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid Alters Pro-Cancer Phenotypes and Metabolic and Transcriptional Signatures in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. TOXICS 2024; 12:232. [PMID: 38668455 PMCID: PMC11054796 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12040232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
The potential effects of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a recently emergent human and environmental health concern. There is a consistent link between PFAS exposure and cancer, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Although epidemiological evidence supporting PFAS exposure and cancer in general is conflicting, there is relatively strong evidence linking PFAS and testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). However, no mechanistic studies have been performed to date concerning PFAS and TGCTs. In this report, the effects of the legacy PFAS perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and the newer "clean energy" PFAS lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSi, called HQ-115), on the tumorigenicity of TGCTs in mice, TGCT cell survival, and metabolite production, as well as gene regulation were investigated. In vitro, the proliferation and survival of both chemo-sensitive and -resistant TGCT cells were minimally affected by a wide range of PFOS and HQ-115 concentrations. However, both chemicals promoted the growth of TGCT cells in mouse xenografts at doses consistent with human exposure but induced minimal acute toxicity, as assessed by total body, kidney, and testis weight. PFOS, but not HQ-115, increased liver weight. Transcriptomic alterations of PFOS-exposed normal mouse testes were dominated by cancer-related pathways and gene expression alterations associated with the H3K27me3 polycomb pathway and DNA methylation, epigenetic pathways that were previously showed to be critical for the survival of TGCT cells after cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Similar patterns of PFOS-mediated gene expression occurred in PFOS-exposed cells in vitro. Metabolomic studies revealed that PFOS also altered metabolites associated with steroid biosynthesis and fatty acid metabolism in TGCT cells, consistent with the proposed ability of PFAS to mimic fatty acid-based ligands controlling lipid metabolism and the proposed role of PFAS as endocrine disrupters. Our data, is the first cell and animal based study on PFAS in TGCTs, support a pro-tumorigenic effect of PFAS on TGCT biology and suggests epigenetic, metabolic, and endocrine disruption as potential mechanisms of action that are consistent with the non-mutagenic nature of the PFAS class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raya I. Boyd
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (R.I.B.); (D.S.); (Z.F.); (B.C.R.); (S.J.F.)
| | - Doha Shokry
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (R.I.B.); (D.S.); (Z.F.); (B.C.R.); (S.J.F.)
| | - Zeeshan Fazal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (R.I.B.); (D.S.); (Z.F.); (B.C.R.); (S.J.F.)
| | - Brayden C. Rennels
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (R.I.B.); (D.S.); (Z.F.); (B.C.R.); (S.J.F.)
| | - Sarah J. Freemantle
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (R.I.B.); (D.S.); (Z.F.); (B.C.R.); (S.J.F.)
| | - Michael R. La Frano
- Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
| | - Gail S. Prins
- Departments of Urology, Pathology and Physiology, College of Medicine and Chicago Center for Health and Environment, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Zeynep Madak Erdogan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Cancer Center of Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Cancer Center of Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ratnakar Singh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (R.I.B.); (D.S.); (Z.F.); (B.C.R.); (S.J.F.)
| | - Michael J. Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (R.I.B.); (D.S.); (Z.F.); (B.C.R.); (S.J.F.)
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Cancer Center of Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Ayodele A, Obeng-Gyasi E. Exploring the Potential Link between PFAS Exposure and Endometrial Cancer: A Review of Environmental and Sociodemographic Factors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:983. [PMID: 38473344 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
This exploratory narrative review paper delves into the intricate interplay between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure, sociodemographic factors, and the influence of stressors in the context of endometrial cancer. PFAS, ubiquitous environmental contaminants notorious for their persistence in the ecosystem, have garnered attention for their potential to disrupt endocrine systems and provoke immune responses. We comprehensively examine the various sources of PFAS exposure, encompassing household items, water, air, and soil, thus shedding light on the multifaceted routes through which individuals encounter these compounds. Furthermore, we explore the influence of sociodemographic factors, such as income, education, occupation, ethnicity/race, and geographical location and their relationship to endometrial cancer risk. We also investigated the role of stress on PFAS exposure and endometrial cancer risk. The results revealed a significant impact of sociodemographic factors on both PFAS levels and endometrial cancer risk. Stress emerged as a notable contributing factor influencing PFAS exposure and the development of endometrial cancer, further emphasizing the importance of stress management practices for overall well-being. By synthesizing evidence from diverse fields, this review underscores the need for interdisciplinary research and targeted interventions to comprehensively address the complex relationship between PFAS, sociodemographic factors, stressors, and endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aderonke Ayodele
- Department of Built Environment, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
| | - Emmanuel Obeng-Gyasi
- Department of Built Environment, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
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11
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Nannaware M, Mayilswamy N, Kandasubramanian B. PFAS: exploration of neurotoxicity and environmental impact. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:12815-12831. [PMID: 38277101 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32082-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread contaminants stemming from various industrial and consumer products, posing a grave threat to both human health and ecosystems. PFAS contamination arises from multiple sources, including industrial effluents, packaging, and product manufacturing, accumulating in plants and impacting the food chain. Elevated PFAS levels in water bodies pose significant risks to human consumption. This review focuses on PFAS-induced neurological effects, highlighting disrupted dopamine signalling and structural neuron changes in humans. Animal studies reveal apoptosis and hippocampus dysfunction, resulting in memory loss and spatial learning issues. The review introduces the BKMR model, a machine learning technique, to decipher intricate PFAS-neurotoxicity relationships. Epidemiological data underscores the vulnerability of young brains to PFAS exposure, necessitating further research. Stricter regulations, industry monitoring, and responsible waste management are crucial steps to reduce PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrunal Nannaware
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai, Marathwada Campus Jalna, Jalna, 431203, India
| | - Neelaambhigai Mayilswamy
- Department of Metallurgical and Material Engineering, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DU), Girinagar, Pune, 411025, Maharashtra, India
| | - Balasubramanian Kandasubramanian
- Department of Metallurgical and Material Engineering, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DU), Girinagar, Pune, 411025, Maharashtra, India.
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12
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Murphy CC, Zaki TA. Changing epidemiology of colorectal cancer - birth cohort effects and emerging risk factors. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:25-34. [PMID: 37723270 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00841-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) are increasing worldwide, suggesting broad changes in the epidemiology of CRC. In this Review, we discuss the changes that are becoming evident, including trends in CRC incidence and mortality by age and birth cohort, and consider the contributions of early-life exposures and emerging risk factors to these changes. Importantly, incidence of CRC has increased among people born since the early 1950s in nearly all regions of the world. These so-called birth cohort effects imply the involvement of factors that influence the earliest stages of carcinogenesis and have effects across the life course. Accumulating evidence supports the idea that early-life exposures are important risk factors for CRC, including exposures during fetal development, childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Environmental chemicals could also have a role because the introduction of many in the 1950s and 1960s coincides with increasing incidence of CRC among people born during those years. To reverse the expected increases in the global burden of CRC, participation in average-risk screening programmes needs to be increased by scaling up and implementing evidence-based screening strategies, and emerging risk factors responsible for these increases need to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin C Murphy
- Department of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Timothy A Zaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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13
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Leung SCE, Wanninayake D, Chen D, Nguyen NT, Li Q. Physicochemical properties and interactions of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - Challenges and opportunities in sensing and remediation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166764. [PMID: 37660805 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a class of persistent organic pollutants that presents health and environmental risks. PFAS are ubiquitously present in the environment, but current remediation technologies are ineffective in degrading them into innocuous chemicals, especially high energy degradation processes often generate toxic short chain intermediates. Therefore, the best remediation strategy is to first detect the source of pollution, followed by capturing and mineralising or recycling of the compounds. The main objective of this article is to summarise the unique physicochemical properties and to critically review the intermolecular and intramolecular physicochemical interactions of PFAS, and how these interactions can become obstacles; and at the same time, how they can be applied to the PFAS sensing, capturing, and recycling process. The physicochemical interactions of PFAS chemicals are being reviewed in this paper includes, (1) fluorophilic interactions, (2) hydrophobic interactions, (3) electrostatic interactions and cation bridging, (4) ionic exchange and (5) hydrogen bond. Moreover, all the different influential factors to these interactions have also been reported. Finally, properties of these interactions are compared against one another, and the recommendations for future designs of affinity materials for PFAS have been given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shui Cheung Edgar Leung
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Dushanthi Wanninayake
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Dechao Chen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Qin Li
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia.
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14
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San Román A, Abilleira E, Irizar A, Santa-Marina L, Gonzalez-Gaya B, Etxebarria N. Optimization for the analysis of 42 per- and polyfluorinated substances in human plasma: A high-throughput method for epidemiological studies. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1712:464481. [PMID: 37948771 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464481] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing awareness about the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in many environmental and biological compartments, including human biofluids and tissues. However, the increase of PFAS replacements, including alternatives with shorter chain or less bioaccumulative potential, has broaden the exposure and the need for wider identification procedures. Moreover, the low volumes available for human blood or plasma, and the high number of samples needed to assess adequately epidemiologic studies, require particularly fast, reproducible and, if possible, miniaturized protocols. Therefore, accurate and robust analytical methods are still needed to quantify the PFAS's burden in humans and to understand potential health risks. In this study, we have developed and validated the analysis of 42 PFAS in human plasma by means of a Captiva 96-well micro extraction plate and a LC-q-Orbitrap. For the optimization of the analytical workflow, three extraction/clean-up methods were tested, and the selected one was validated using spiked artificial and bovine plasma at four concentration levels. The final method showed high absolute recoveries for the 42 PFAS, ranging from 52% to 130%, instrumental detection limits between 0.001-0.6 ng mL-1, overall good precision (CV < 20% for most of the PFAS) and a low uncertainty (< 30% of relative expanded deviation, k = 2). The method was further validated both with the NIST plasma Standard Reference Material 1950, showing that the accuracy of the provided results was between 63%-101%, and by the proficiency test arranged by the Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program (AMAP, 2022) obtaining satisfactory results within 95% confidence interval of the assigned value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne San Román
- Institute of Health Research Biodonostia, Paseo Dr. Begiristain, s/n, 20014 Donostia Gipuzkoa, Basque Country; Plentzia Marine Station (PiE), University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Areatza Hiribidea, 47, 48620 Plentzia, Bizkaia, Basque Country; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940, Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Department of Public Health from the Basque Government, Avenida Navarra, 4, 20013 Donostia Gipuzkoa, Basque Country.
| | - Eunate Abilleira
- Institute of Health Research Biodonostia, Paseo Dr. Begiristain, s/n, 20014 Donostia Gipuzkoa, Basque Country; Department of Public Health from the Basque Government, Avenida Navarra, 4, 20013 Donostia Gipuzkoa, Basque Country
| | - Amaia Irizar
- Institute of Health Research Biodonostia, Paseo Dr. Begiristain, s/n, 20014 Donostia Gipuzkoa, Basque Country
| | - Loreto Santa-Marina
- Institute of Health Research Biodonostia, Paseo Dr. Begiristain, s/n, 20014 Donostia Gipuzkoa, Basque Country; Department of Public Health from the Basque Government, Avenida Navarra, 4, 20013 Donostia Gipuzkoa, Basque Country
| | - Belen Gonzalez-Gaya
- Plentzia Marine Station (PiE), University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Areatza Hiribidea, 47, 48620 Plentzia, Bizkaia, Basque Country; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940, Leioa, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Nestor Etxebarria
- Plentzia Marine Station (PiE), University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Areatza Hiribidea, 47, 48620 Plentzia, Bizkaia, Basque Country; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940, Leioa, Basque Country, Spain
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15
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Gibi C, Liu CH, Anandan S, Wu JJ. Recent Advances on Electrochemical Sensors for Detection of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs). Molecules 2023; 28:7916. [PMID: 38067644 PMCID: PMC10707923 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), a new category of contaminants currently in the limelight, are a major issue of global concern. The pervasive nature of CECs and their harmful effects, such as cancer, reproductive disorders, neurotoxicity, etc., make the situation alarming. The perilous nature of CECs lies in the fact that even very small concentrations of CECs can cause great impacts on living beings. They also have a nature of bioaccumulation. Thus, there is a great need to have efficient sensors for the detection of CECs to ensure a safe living environment. Electrochemical sensors are an efficient platform for CEC detection as they are highly selective, sensitive, stable, reproducible, and prompt, and can detect very low concentrations of the analyte. Major classes of CECs are pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, personal care products, endocrine disruptors, newly registered pesticides, and disinfection by-products. This review focusses on CECs, including their sources and pathways, health effects caused by them, and electrochemical sensors as reported in the literature under each category for the detection of major CECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinchu Gibi
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung 407, Taiwan; (C.G.); (C.-H.L.)
| | - Cheng-Hua Liu
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung 407, Taiwan; (C.G.); (C.-H.L.)
| | - Sambandam Anandan
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Trichy 620015, India;
| | - Jerry J. Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung 407, Taiwan; (C.G.); (C.-H.L.)
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16
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Comito R, Porru E, Violante FS. Analytical methods employed in the identification and quantification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in human matrices - A scoping review. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 345:140433. [PMID: 37832886 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) represent a possible hazard for the ecosystems, with adverse outcomes on wildlife and humans. POPs have always received interest from the scientific community, and they have also been subject to legal restrictions worldwide on their application and commercialization. Among the broad spectrum of POPs, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are considered emerging contaminants due to their potential effect on the ecosystem and human health. These contaminants are widely employed in countless applications, from surfactants and building materials to food packaging. On the other hand, their chemical structure gives them the ability to interact with the environment, causing possible toxic effects for humans and environment. Human biomonitoring is a necessary instrument to indagate the impact of PFASs on human health: in recent years several studies have found detectable levels of PFASs in several biological matrices in humans (blood, hair, nails, and urine). Here, we review the most recent scientific literature concerning analytical methods employed in the identification and quantification of PFASs focusing on biological matrices. It has been noted that liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is the main analytical instrumentation employed, while blood and/or serum samples are the main employed human matrices whereas the use of non-invasive matrices is still at the beginning. Various issues directly related to human metabolism of PFASs and the effective amount of PFAS absorbed from the environment still need to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Comito
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Emanuele Porru
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Violante
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy; Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy.
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17
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Andrews DQ, Stoiber T, Temkin AM, Naidenko OV. Discussion. Has the human population become a sentinel for the adverse effects of PFAS contamination on wildlife health and endangered species? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:165939. [PMID: 37769722 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Global contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) poses a threat to both human health and the environment, with significant implications for ecological conservation policies. A growing list of peer-reviewed publications indicates that PFAS can harm wildlife health and that the adverse effects associated with PFAS exposure in wildlife are in concordance with human epidemiological studies. The correlation of cross-species data supports a unique perspective that humans can be regarded as a sentinel for PFAS effects in other species. The health harms due to PFAS are potentially most concerning for populations of endangered and threatened species that are simultaneously exposed to PFAS and other toxic pollutants, and also face threats to their survival due to habitat loss, degradation of ecosystems, and over-harvesting. Human epidemiological studies on the PFAS doses associated with health harm present a rich source of information about potential impacts on wildlife health due to PFAS. Our analysis suggests that national and international efforts to restrict the discharges of PFAS into the environment and to clean up PFAS-contaminated sites present an opportunity to protect wildlife from chemical pollution and to advance species conservation worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Q Andrews
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW Suite 1000, Washington DC 20005, United States of America.
| | - Tasha Stoiber
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW Suite 1000, Washington DC 20005, United States of America
| | - Alexis M Temkin
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW Suite 1000, Washington DC 20005, United States of America
| | - Olga V Naidenko
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW Suite 1000, Washington DC 20005, United States of America
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18
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Borgert CJ. Issue analysis: key characteristics approach for identifying endocrine disruptors. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2819-2822. [PMID: 37572129 PMCID: PMC10474976 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03568-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
For more than a decade, weight of evidence (WoE) evaluations have been the standard method for determining whether a chemical meets the definition of an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). WoE methods consider all data pertinent to satisfying the EDC definition and evaluating those data with respect to relevance, reliability, strength, and coherence with established endocrine physiology and pharmacology. A new approach for identifying EDC hazards has been proposed that organizes and evaluates data according to ten so-called "Key Characteristics (KCs) of EDCs". The approach claims to address the lack of a widely accepted, systematic approach for identifying EDC hazards, but completely ignores the WoE literature for EDCs. In contrast to WoE methods, the KC approach fails to apply the consensus definition of EDC and is not amenable to empirical testing or validation, is fungible and ensures inconsistent and unreliable results, ignores principles of hormone action and characteristics of dose-response in endocrine pharmacology and toxicology, lacks a means of distinguishing endocrine-mediated from non-endocrine mediated mechanisms, lacks a means to reach a negative conclusion about a chemical's EDC properties or to distinguish EDCs from non-EDCs, and provides no means for developing a valid consensus among experts nor provides a means of resolving conflicting interpretations of data. Instead of shortcuts like the KC approach, which are prone to bias, error, and arbitrary conclusions, identifying EDCs should rely on WoE evaluations that supply the critical components and scientific rigor lacking in the proposed KCs for EDCs.
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19
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Rhee J, Chang VC, Cheng I, Calafat AM, Botelho JC, Shearer JJ, Sampson JN, Setiawan VW, Wilkens LR, Silverman DT, Purdue MP, Hofmann JN. Serum concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and risk of renal cell carcinoma in the Multiethnic Cohort Study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 180:108197. [PMID: 37741007 PMCID: PMC11093414 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent organic pollutants detectable in the serum of most U.S. adults. We previously reported a positive association between serum perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) concentrations and risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, comprising predominantly White individuals enrolled in 1993-2001. To extend our investigations to a larger and more racially and ethnically diverse population, we conducted a nested case-control study of serum PFAS concentrations and RCC within the Multiethnic Cohort Study. We measured pre-diagnostic serum concentrations of nine PFAS among 428 RCC cases and 428 individually matched controls. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for risk of RCC in relation to each PFAS using conditional logistic regression, adjusting for RCC risk factors and other PFAS. PFOA was not associated with RCC risk overall [doubling in serum concentration, ORcontinuous = 0.89 (95 %CI = 0.67, 1.18)]. However, we observed suggestive positive associations among White participants [2.12 (0.87, 5.18)] and among participants who had blood drawn before 2002 [1.49 (0.77, 2.87)]. Furthermore, higher perfluorononanoate (PFNA) concentration was associated with increased risk of RCC overall [fourth vs. first quartile, OR = 1.84 (0.97, 3.50), Ptrend = 0.04; ORcontinuous = 1.29 (0.97, 1.71)], with the strongest association observed among African American participants [ORcontinuous = 3.69 (1.33, 10.25)], followed by Native Hawaiian [2.24 (0.70, 7.19)] and White [1.98 (0.92, 4.25)] participants. Most other PFAS were not associated with RCC. While PFOA was not associated with RCC risk overall in this racially and ethnically diverse population, the positive associations observed among White participants and those with sera collected before 2002 are consistent with previous PLCO findings. Our study also provided new evidence of a positive association between PFNA and RCC risk that was strongest in African American participants. These findings highlight the need for additional epidemiologic research investigating PFAS exposures and RCC in large racially and ethnically diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongeun Rhee
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Vicky C Chang
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Iona Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Julianne Cook Botelho
- Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joseph J Shearer
- Heart Disease Phenomics Laboratory, Epidemiology and Community Health Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joshua N Sampson
- Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Veronica Wendy Setiawan
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, CA, USA
| | - Lynne R Wilkens
- Population Sciences in the Pacific Program (Cancer Epidemiology), University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Debra T Silverman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Mark P Purdue
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
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20
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Bates CA, Haber LT, Moore MM, Schoeny R, Maier A. Development of a framework for risk assessment of dietary carcinogens. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 180:114022. [PMID: 37716495 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114022] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Although there are a number of guidance documents and frameworks for evaluation of carcinogenicity, none of the current methods fully reflects the state of the science. Common limitations include the absence of dose-response assessment and not considering the impact of differing exposure patterns (e.g., intermittent, high peaks vs. lower, continuous exposures). To address these issues, we have developed a framework for risk assessment of dietary carcinogens. This framework includes an enhanced approach for weight of evidence (WOE) evaluation for genetic toxicology data, with a focus on evaluating studies based on the most recent testing guidance to determine whether a chemical is a mutagen. Included alongside our framework is a discussion of resources for evaluating tissue dose and the temporal pattern of internal dose, taking into account the chemical's toxicokinetics. The framework then integrates the mode of action (MOA) and associated dose metric category with the exposure data to identify the appropriate approach(es) to low-dose extrapolation and level of concern associated with the exposure scenario. This framework provides risk managers with additional flexibility in risk management and risk communication options, beyond the binary choice of linear low-dose extrapolation vs. application of uncertainty factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lynne T Haber
- Risk Science Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, USA
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21
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Muncke J, Andersson AM, Backhaus T, Belcher SM, Boucher JM, Carney Almroth B, Collins TJ, Geueke B, Groh KJ, Heindel JJ, von Hippel FA, Legler J, Maffini MV, Martin OV, Peterson Myers J, Nadal A, Nerin C, Soto AM, Trasande L, Vandenberg LN, Wagner M, Zimmermann L, Thomas Zoeller R, Scheringer M. A vision for safer food contact materials: Public health concerns as drivers for improved testing. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 180:108161. [PMID: 37758599 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Food contact materials (FCMs) and food contact articles are ubiquitous in today's globalized food system. Chemicals migrate from FCMs into foodstuffs, so called food contact chemicals (FCCs), but current regulatory requirements do not sufficiently protect public health from hazardous FCCs because only individual substances used to make FCMs are tested and mostly only for genotoxicity while endocrine disruption and other hazard properties are disregarded. Indeed, FCMs are a known source of a wide range of hazardous chemicals, and they likely contribute to highly prevalent non-communicable diseases. FCMs can also include non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), which often are unknown and therefore not subject to risk assessment. To address these important shortcomings, we outline how the safety of FCMs may be improved by (1) testing the overall migrate, including (unknown) NIAS, of finished food contact articles, and (2) expanding toxicological testing beyond genotoxicity to multiple endpoints associated with non-communicable diseases relevant to human health. To identify mechanistic endpoints for testing, we group chronic health outcomes associated with chemical exposure into Six Clusters of Disease (SCOD) and we propose that finished food contact articles should be tested for their impacts on these SCOD. Research should focus on developing robust, relevant, and sensitive in-vitro assays based on mechanistic information linked to the SCOD, e.g., through Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) or Key Characteristics of Toxicants. Implementing this vision will improve prevention of chronic diseases that are associated with hazardous chemical exposures, including from FCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet and Centre for Research and Research Training in Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Dept of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Scott M Belcher
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Birgit Geueke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ksenia J Groh
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jerrold J Heindel
- Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Frank A von Hippel
- Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Juliette Legler
- Dept. of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Olwenn V Martin
- Plastic Waste Innovation Hub, Department of Arts and Science, University College London, UK
| | - John Peterson Myers
- Dept. of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Environmental Health Sciences, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Angel Nadal
- IDiBE and CIBERDEM, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Cristina Nerin
- Dept. of Analytical Chemistry, I3A, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana M Soto
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Centre Cavaillès, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- College of Global Public Health and Grossman School of Medicine and Wagner School of Public Service, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Wagner
- Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - R Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Scheringer
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
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22
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Alsen M, Leung AM, van Gerwen M. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Community Water Systems (CWS) and the Risk of Thyroid Cancer: An Ecological Study. TOXICS 2023; 11:786. [PMID: 37755796 PMCID: PMC10537801 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11090786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer incidence has been steadily increasing over the past decade in the United States (US). A discussion exists regarding the potential contribution of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, encompassing certain per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). This ecological study evaluated the potential correlation between PFAS levels in drinking water and thyroid cancer incidence in the US. Data on age-adjusted thyroid cancer incidence rate (per 100,000 persons) by county were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for US counties with available data in 2015-2019. Data on PFAS concentrations in the drinking water of selected community water systems (CWSs) were obtained from the CDC National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network in 2013-2015. The correlation between PFASs in CWSs and thyroid cancer incidence was calculated using Spearman correlation. A statistically significant correlation was found between perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (r = 0.031; p = 0.043), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (r = 0.058; p ≤ 0.001), and thyroid cancer incidence. The results suggest a potential link between certain PFAS exposures and thyroid cancer risk. However, due to the nature of an ecological study, no conclusions can be drawn at the individual level or causality. More research is needed, particularly on an individual level to allow for more detailed exposure assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilda Alsen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Angela M. Leung
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Maaike van Gerwen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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23
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Torres FG, De-la-Torre GE. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in consumable species and food products. JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2023; 60:2319-2336. [PMID: 37424586 PMCID: PMC10326201 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-022-05545-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of thousands of manmade chemicals widely used in consumer products and industrial processes. Toxicological studies have suggested that exposure to PFASs may lead to several adverse effects, including infertility and cancer development. In light of their widespread use, the contamination of food products has created health concerns in sites directly influenced by industrial and anthropogenic activity. In the present contribution, the current knowledge of PFAS contamination was systematically reviewed in order to provide with the knowledge gaps and main sources of contamination, as well as critically evaluate estimated dietary intake and relative risk values of the consulted studies. Legacy PFASs remain the most abundant despite their production restrictions. Edible species from freshwater bodies exhibit higher PFAS concentrations than marine species, probably due to low hydrodynamics and dilution in lentic ecosystems. Studies in food products from multiple sources, including aquatic, livestock, and agricultural, agree that the proximity to factories and fluorochemical industries rendered significantly higher and potentially hazardous PFAS contamination. Short-chain PFAS are suggested as chemicals of emerging concern to food security. However, the environmental and toxicological implications of short-chain congeners are not fully understood and, thus, much research is needed in this sense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando G. Torres
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, 15088 Lima, Perú
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24
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Chang VC, Rhee J, Berndt SI, Moore SC, Freedman ND, Jones RR, Silverman DT, Gierach GL, Hofmann JN, Purdue MP. Serum perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer according to hormone receptor status: An analysis in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Int J Cancer 2023; 153:775-782. [PMID: 36843273 PMCID: PMC10405832 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals that may contribute to breast cancer development; however, epidemiologic evidence is limited. We investigated associations between prediagnostic serum levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and postmenopausal breast cancer risk, overall and by hormone receptor status, in a nested case-control study of 621 cases and 621 matched controls in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. PFOS and PFOA levels were determined based on serum metabolomic profiling performed using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We used multivariable conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between each PFAS and breast cancer risk, overall, by estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) status, and by joint ER/PR status. We found little evidence of association between PFOS or PFOA and breast cancer risk overall. However, in subtype-specific analyses, we observed statistically significant increased risks of ER+, PR+, and ER+/PR+ tumors for the third vs lowest quartile of serum PFOS (ORs [95% CIs] = 1.59 [1.01-2.50], 2.34 [1.29-4.23], and 2.19 [1.21-3.98], respectively) and elevated but nonstatistically significant ORs for the fourth quartile. Conversely, for PFOA, modest positive associations with ER-, PR-, ER+/PR-, and ER-/PR- tumors were generally seen in the upper quartiles. Our findings contribute evidence supporting positive associations between serum PFOS and hormone receptor-positive tumors, and possibly between PFOA and receptor-negative tumors. Future prospective studies incorporating tumor hormone receptor status are needed to better understand the role of PFAS in breast cancer etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicky C. Chang
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jongeun Rhee
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sonja I. Berndt
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven C. Moore
- Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Neal D. Freedman
- Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rena R. Jones
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Debra T. Silverman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gretchen L. Gierach
- Integrative Tumor Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan N. Hofmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark P. Purdue
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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25
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Durham J, Tessmann JW, Deng P, Hennig B, Zaytseva YY. The role of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure in inflammation of intestinal tissues and intestinal carcinogenesis. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 5:1244457. [PMID: 37662676 PMCID: PMC10469509 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1244457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are organofluorine substances that are used commercially in products like non-stick cookware, food packaging, personal care products, fire-fighting foam, etc. These chemicals have several different subtypes made of varying numbers of carbon and fluorine atoms. PFAS substances that have longer carbon chains, such as PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid), can potentially pose a significant public health risk due to their ability to bioaccumulate and persist for long periods of time in the body and the environment. The National Academies Report suggests there is some evidence of PFOS exposure and gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation contributing to ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis are precursors to colorectal cancer. However, evidence about the association between PFOS and colorectal cancer is limited and has shown contradictory findings. This review provides an overview of population and preclinical studies on PFOS exposure and GI inflammation, metabolism, immune responses, and carcinogenesis. It also highlights some mitigation approaches to reduce the harmful effects of PFOS on GI tract and discusses the dietary strategies, such as an increase in soluble fiber intake, to reduce PFOS-induced alterations in cellular lipid metabolism. More importantly, this review demonstrates the urgent need to better understand the relationship between PFOS and GI pathology and carcinogenesis, which will enable development of better approaches for interventions in populations exposed to high levels of PFAS, and in particular to PFOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerika Durham
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Josiane Weber Tessmann
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Pan Deng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Bernhard Hennig
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Yekaterina Y. Zaytseva
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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26
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Lee BS, Kim Y, Park H, Im WJ, Han HY, Kim YB, Lim S, Yoo MH. Long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates induce cytoskeletal abnormalities and activate epithelial-mesenchymal transition in both renal cell carcinoma 3D cultures and Caki-1 xenografted mouse model. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108093. [PMID: 37459689 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to perfluorooctanoate (PFOA; a type of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates [PFACs]) may be correlated with the incidence of kidney cancer in individuals exposed to high levels of PFOA. However, mechanistic studies on the influence of PFACs on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) development are lacking. We explored the effects of five types of PFACs on RCC using in vitro and in vivo models to fill this knowledge gap and provide information for environmental/usage regulations. Using 2D/3D cultures of Caki-1 cells, a human clear cell RCC line, we examined the effects of short-chain (SC) PFACs and long-chain (LC) PFACs on RCC physio/pathological markers, including the cytoskeleton, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins, and Na+/K+-ATPase. We also administered three different PFACs orally to mice harboring Caki-1 xenografts to assess the impact of these compounds on engrafted RCC in vivo. Compared with the effects of SCPFACs, mice with Caki-1 xenografts treated with LCPFACs showed increased EMT-related protein expression and exhibited liver toxicity. Therefore, LCPFACs induced EMT, influencing cancer metastasis activity, and displayed higher toxicity in vivo compared with SCPFACs. These findings improve our understanding of the effects of PFACs on RCC development and their corresponding in vivo toxicity, which is crucial for regulating these substances to protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byoung-Seok Lee
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Younhee Kim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Heejin Park
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Wan-Jung Im
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyoung-Yun Han
- Department of Predictive Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yong-Bum Kim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - SunHwa Lim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min Heui Yoo
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
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27
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Li H, Dong Q, Zhang M, Gong T, Zan R, Wang W. Transport behavior difference and transport model of long- and short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in underground environmental media: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 327:121579. [PMID: 37028785 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs), which are the most commonly regulated and most widely concerned per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have received increasing attention on a global scale due to their amphiphilicity, stability, and long-range transport. Thus, understanding the typical PFAS transport behavior and using models to predict the evolution of PFAS contamination plumes is important for evaluating the potential risks. In this study, the effects of organic matter (OM), minerals, water saturation, and solution chemistry on the transport and retention of PFAS were investigated, and the interaction mechanism between long-chain/short-chain PFAS and the surrounding environment was analyzed. The results revealed that high content of OM/minerals, low saturation, low pH, and divalent cation had a great retardation effect on long-chain PFAS transport. The retention caused by hydrophobic interaction was the prominent mechanism for long-chain PFAS, whereas, the retention caused by electrostatic interaction was more relevant for short-chain PFAS. Additional adsorption at the air-water and nonaqueous-phase liquids (NAPL)-water interface was another potential interaction for retarding PFAS transport in the unsaturated media, which preferred to retard long-chain PFAS. Furthermore, the developing models for describing PFAS transport were investigated and summarized in detail, including the convection-dispersion equation, two-site model (TSM), continuous-distribution multi-rate model, modified-TSM, multi-process mass-transfer (MPMT) model, MPMT-1D model, MPMT-3D model, tempered one-sided stable density transport model, and a comprehensive compartment model. The research revealed PFAS transport mechanisms and provided the model tools, which supported the theoretical basis for the practical prediction of the evolution of PFAS contamination plumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Qianling Dong
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Tiantian Gong
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Rixia Zan
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Wenbing Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
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28
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Dunder L, Salihovic S, Lind PM, Elmståhl S, Lind L. Plasma levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with altered levels of proteins previously linked to inflammation, metabolism and cardiovascular disease. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 177:107979. [PMID: 37285711 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked to immunotoxic and cardiometabolic effects in both experimental and epidemiological studies, but with conflicting results. AIM The aim of the present study was to investigate potential associations between plasma PFAS levels and plasma levels of preselected proteomic biomarkers previously linked to inflammation, metabolism and cardiovascular disease. METHODS Three PFAS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)) were measured by non-targeted metabolomics and 249 proteomic biomarkers were measured by the proximity extension assay (PEA) in plasma from 2,342 individuals within the Epidemiology for Health (EpiHealth) study from Sweden (45-75 years old, 50.6 % men). RESULTS After adjustment for age and sex, 92% of the significant associations between PFOS concentrations and proteins were inverse (p < 0.0002, Bonferroni-adjusted). The results were not as clear for PFOA and PFHxS, but still with 80% and 64 % of the significant associations with proteins being inverse. After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, education, exercise habits and alcohol consumption, levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and paraoxonase type 3 (PON3) remained positively associated with all three PFAS, while resistin (RETN) and urokinase plasminogen activator surface receptor (uPAR) showed inverse associations with all three PFAS. CONCLUSIONS Our findings imply that PFAS exposure is cross-sectionally linked to altered levels of proteins previously linked to inflammation, metabolism and cardiovascular disease in middle-aged humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Dunder
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | | | - P Monica Lind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sölve Elmståhl
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Lars Lind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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29
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Coperchini F, De Marco G, Croce L, Denegri M, Greco A, Magri F, Tonacchera M, Imbriani M, Rotondi M, Chiovato L. PFOA, PFHxA and C6O4 differently modulate the expression of CXCL8 in normal thyroid cells and in thyroid cancer cell lines. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:63522-63534. [PMID: 37052835 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26797-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Industrial chemical PFAS are persistent pollutants. Long chain PFAS were taken out of production due to their risk for human health, however, new congeners PFAS have been introduced. The in vitro effects of the long-chain PFOA, the short-chain PFHxA and the new-generation C6O4 were evaluated in normal and in thyroid cancer cell lines in terms of cell viability and proliferation, and secretion of a pro-tumorigenic chemokine (CXCL8), both at the mRNA and at the protein level. The Nthy-ory 3-1 normal-thyroid cell line, the TPC-1 and the 8505C (RET/PTC rearranged and BRAFV600e mutated, respectively) thyroid-cancer cell lines were exposed to increasing concentrations of each PFAS in a time-course. We evaluated viability using WST-1 (confirmed by AnnexinV/PI) and proliferation using the cristal-violet test. To evaluate CXCL8 mRNA we used RT-PCR and measured CXCL8 in the supernatants by ELISA. The exposure to none PFAS did not affect thyroid cells viability (except for a reduction of 8505C cells viability after 144 h) or proliferation. Individual PFAS differently modulated CXCL8 mRNA and protein level. PFOA increased CXCL8 both at mRNA and protein level in the three cell lines; PFHxA increased CXCL8 mRNA in the three cell lines, but increased the protein only in TPC-1 cells; C6O4 increased the CXCL8 mRNA only in thyroid cancer cell lines, but never increased the CXCL8 protein. The results of the present study indicate that the in vitro exposure to different PFAS may modulate both at the mRNA and secreted protein levels of CXCL8 in normal and cancer thyroid cells. Strikingly different effects emerged according to the specific cell type and to the targeted analyte (CXCL8 mRNA or protein).
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Coperchini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia (PV), 27100, Italy
| | - Giuseppina De Marco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, University of Pisa (PI), via Paradisa 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Croce
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia (PV), 27100, Italy
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Pavia (PV), 27100, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo (PA), 90133, Italy
| | - Marco Denegri
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Molecular Cardiology, 27100, Pavia (PV), Italy
| | - Alessia Greco
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Pavia (PV), 27100, Italy
| | - Flavia Magri
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia (PV), 27100, Italy
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Pavia (PV), 27100, Italy
| | - Massimo Tonacchera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, University of Pisa (PI), via Paradisa 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marcello Imbriani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia (PV), Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia (PV), 27100, Italy
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Pavia (PV), 27100, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo (PA), 90133, Italy
| | - Luca Chiovato
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Pavia (PV), 27100, Italy.
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30
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Kyriacou A, Tziaferi V, Toumba M. Stress, Thyroid Dysregulation, and Thyroid Cancer in Children and Adolescents: Proposed Impending Mechanisms. Horm Res Paediatr 2023; 96:44-53. [PMID: 35385843 DOI: 10.1159/000524477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is a potential catalyst for thyroid dysregulation through cross-communication of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axes. Stress and stressors exposure motivates molecular mechanisms affecting compound feedback loops of the HPT axis. While there is evidence of connection between stress and thyroid dysregulation, the question whether this connection is implicated in the development of thyroid cancer (TC) remains unanswered. In view of the rising incidence of TC in both adults and children alongside the increasing stress in our modern society, there is a need to understand possible interrelations between stress, thyroid dysregulation, and TC. Prolonged glucocorticoid secretion due to stress interferes with immune system response by altering the cytokines, inducing low-grade chronic inflammation, and suppressing function of immune-protective cells. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor linked to TC. The role of autoimmunity has been a matter of controversy. However, there is epidemiological connection between autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and TC; patients with AITD show increased incidence in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and those with TC show a high prevalence of intrathyroidal lymphocyte infiltration and thyroid autoantibodies. Timing and duration-dependent exposure to specific endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has an impact on thyroid development, function, and proliferation, leading to thyroid disease and potentially cancer. Thyroid hormone imbalance, chronic inflammation, and EDCs are potential risk factors for oxidative stress. Oxygen free radicals are capable of causing DNA damage via stimulation of the mitogen-activating protein kinase or phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and/or nuclear factor kB pathways, resulting in TC-associated gene mutations such as RET/PTC, AKAP9-BRAF, NTRK1, RAASF, PIK3CA, and PTEN. Stressful events during the critical periods of prenatal and early life can influence neuroendocrine regulation and induce epigenetic changes. Aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes such as P16INK4A, RASSF, and PTEN is associated with PTC; histone H3 acetylation is shown to be higher in TC, and thyroid-specific noncoding RNAs are downregulated in PTC. This review focuses on the above proposed mechanisms that potentially lead to thyroid tumorigenesis with the aim to help in the development of novel prognostic and therapeutic strategies for TC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelos Kyriacou
- CEDM, Centre of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Limassol, Cyprus.,Division of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Salford NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.,Medical School, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Meropi Toumba
- Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Aretaeio Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
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31
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Zhang L, Louie A, Rigutto G, Guo H, Zhao Y, Ahn S, Dahlberg S, Sholinbeck M, Smith MT. A systematic evidence map of chronic inflammation and immunosuppression related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:115188. [PMID: 36592815 PMCID: PMC10044447 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to induce chronic inflammation and immunosuppression are two key characteristics of carcinogens and important forms of immunotoxicity. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) evaluated the immunotoxicity of two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), in 2016. However, the potential pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of other PFASs remain largely uncharacterized. METHODS We developed an expanded set of search terms pertaining to the chronic inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of PFASs based on those of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and NTP. To confirm searching effectiveness and scope, we compared our search term results with those of IARC and NTP for both PFASs and two other known carcinogens, chromium (VI) and benzene. Systematic evidence maps (SEMs) were also produced using Tableau to visualize the distribution of study numbers and types reporting immunotoxic effects and specific biomarkers elicited by PFAS exposures. RESULTS In total, 1155 PFAS studies were retrieved, of which 321 qualified for inclusion in our dataset. Using our search terms, we identified a greater number of relevant studies than those obtained using IARC and NTP's search terms. From the SEM findings, increased cytokine production strengthened an association between PFAS exposure and chronic inflammation, and decreased B-cell activation and altered levels of T-cell subtypes and immunoglobulins confirmed PFAS-induced immunosuppression. CONCLUSION Our SEM findings confirm that several PFASs commonly found in both in the environment, including those that are lesser-known, may induce immunosuppression and chronic inflammation, two key characteristics of carcinogens. This approach, including development of search terms, study screening process, data coding, and evidence mapping visualizations, can be applied to other key characteristics of chemical carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoping Zhang
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Allen Louie
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Molecular Toxicology Interdepartmental Program, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Gabrielle Rigutto
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Helen Guo
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yun Zhao
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Stacy Ahn
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Sarah Dahlberg
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Michael Sholinbeck
- Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Martyn T Smith
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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Barbo N, Stoiber T, Naidenko OV, Andrews DQ. Locally caught freshwater fish across the United States are likely a significant source of exposure to PFOS and other perfluorinated compounds. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:115165. [PMID: 36584847 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, gained significant public and regulatory attention due to widespread contamination and health harms associated with exposure. Ingestion of PFAS from contaminated food and water results in the accumulation of PFAS in the body and is considered a key route of human exposure. Here we calculate the potential contribution of PFOS from consumption of locally caught freshwater fish to serum levels. We analyzed data for over 500 composite samples of fish fillets collected across the United States from 2013 to 2015 under the U.S. EPA's monitoring programs, the National Rivers and Streams Assessment and the Great Lakes Human Health Fish Fillet Tissue Study. The two datasets indicate that an individual's consumption of freshwater fish is potentially a significant source of exposure to perfluorinated compounds. The median level of total targeted PFAS in fish fillets from rivers and streams across the United States was 9,500 ng/kg, with a median level of 11,800 ng/kg in the Great Lakes. PFOS was the largest contributor to total PFAS levels, averaging 74% of the total. The median levels of total detected PFAS in freshwater fish across the United States were 278 times higher than levels in commercially relevant fish tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019-2022. Exposure assessment suggests that a single serving of freshwater fish per year with the median level of PFAS as detected by the U.S. EPA monitoring programs translates into a significant increase of PFOS levels in blood serum. The exposure to chemical pollutants in freshwater fish across the United States is a case of environmental injustice that especially affects communities that depend on fishing for sustenance and for traditional cultural practices. Identifying and reducing sources of PFAS exposure is an urgent public health priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Barbo
- Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment, Grainger Hall, Circuit Drive, Box 90328, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Tasha Stoiber
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20005, USA
| | - Olga V Naidenko
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20005, USA
| | - David Q Andrews
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20005, USA.
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Effect of pretreatment with a synbiotic on Perfluorooctanoic acid-induced liver damage after sub-acute oral exposure in C57BL/6J mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 459:116360. [PMID: 36572227 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA(is used in several industrial applications, and serves as a surfactant. It is persistent in the environment and is resistant to typical environmental degradation processes. Exposure to this contaminant has been shown to reduce the normal gastrointestinal flora, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Since exposure to this contaminant still occurs and it has been suggested that gut microbiota imbalance might accelerate the progression of liver disorders, we aimed to study the effect of synbiotics pretreatment on PFOA-induced hepatotoxicity. METHOD AND MATERIALS Herein, C57BL/6 J mice were administered 1, 5, 10, and 20 mg PFOA per kg body weight orally by gavage once daily up to 28 days. Another group was pretreated with synbiotic 4 h before receiving 10 mg PFOA/kg. Also, a control group received 2% Tween 80 orally as a vehicle of PFOA during the study. Plasma ALT, AST, TNF-α, HGF, IL-6, and IFN-γ were measured every week. In addition, a liver histopathological assessment was performed at the end of exposure studies. RESULTS It was observed that exposure to PFOA can trigger inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, HGF, IL-6, and IFN-γ as well as hepatic enzymes AST and ALT in comparison with the control group. Synbiotic pretreatment prevented or statistically significant reduced the release of the inflammatory markers and the liver enzymes compared to PFOA only treated group. CONCLUSION It could be inferred that having intact gut flora or even using synbiotic complements containing Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus plus fructooligosaccharides as prebiotic is an appropriate strategy to reduce the negative effects of PFOA exposure.
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Ojo AF, Peng C, Ng JC. Genotoxicity assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances mixtures in human liver cells (HepG2). Toxicology 2022; 482:153359. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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35
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Gundacker C, Audouze K, Widhalm R, Granitzer S, Forsthuber M, Jornod F, Wielsøe M, Long M, Halldórsson TI, Uhl M, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Reduced Birth Weight and Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: A Review of Possible Underlying Mechanisms Using the AOP-HelpFinder. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10110684. [PMID: 36422892 PMCID: PMC9699222 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) may impair fetal growth. Our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms is incomplete. We used the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP)-helpFinder tool to search PubMed for studies published until March 2021 that examined PFAS exposure in relation to birth weight, oxidative stress, hormones/hormone receptors, or growth signaling pathways. Of these 1880 articles, 106 experimental studies remained after abstract screening. One clear finding is that PFAS are associated with oxidative stress in in vivo animal studies and in vitro studies. It appears that PFAS-induced reactive-oxygen species (ROS) generation triggers increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ expression and activation of growth signaling pathways, leading to hyperdifferentiation of pre-adipocytes. Fewer proliferating pre-adipocytes result in lower adipose tissue weight and in this way may reduce birth weight. PFAS may also impair fetal growth through endocrine effects. Estrogenic effects have been noted in in vivo and in vitro studies. Overall, data suggest thyroid-damaging effects of PFAS affecting thyroid hormones, thyroid hormone gene expression, and histology that are associated in animal studies with decreased body and organ weight. The effects of PFAS on the complex relationships between oxidative stress, endocrine system function, adipogenesis, and fetal growth should be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Gundacker
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-40160-56503
| | - Karine Audouze
- Unit T3S, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1124, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Raimund Widhalm
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Granitzer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Forsthuber
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Florence Jornod
- Unit T3S, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1124, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thórhallur Ingi Halldórsson
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Greenland University, Nuuk 3905, Greenland
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Zimmermann L, Scheringer M, Geueke B, Boucher JM, Parkinson LV, Groh KJ, Muncke J. Implementing the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: The case of food contact chemicals of concern. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 437:129167. [PMID: 35897167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) aims at removing the most harmful chemicals from consumer products, including from food contact materials (FCMs). If implemented as intended, the CSS has the potential to significantly improve the protection of public health by banning the use of chemicals of concern that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMRs), or persistent and bioaccumulative, or endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in FCMs. However, until now an overview of such food contact chemicals of concern (FCCoCs) has not been available, because the CSS is fairly recent. Therefore, we here systematically analyze the food contact chemicals listed for intentional use in FCMs and identify known FCCoCs. We present a list of 388 FCCoCs that should be phased-out from use. Of these, 352 are CMRs, four are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and 127 have empirical evidence for presence in FCMs. Importantly, 30 FCCoCs with evidence for presence are monomers of which 22 have evidence for migration into foodstuff showing that monomers in FCMs indeed become relevant for human exposure. Our findings justify moving away from a risk- towards a hazard-based approach to regulation of chemicals in FCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Birgit Geueke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, 8045 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Ksenia J Groh
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, 8045 Zürich, Switzerland
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Kidd J, Fabricatore E, Jackson D. Current and future federal and state sampling guidance for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in environmental matrices. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 836:155523. [PMID: 35504374 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of emerging contaminants composed of an estimated 5000 to 10,000 human-made, fluorinated, organic chemicals. Due to the complexity of PFAS, the need for multiple environmental matrix considerations and the absence of a promulgated federal standard for environmental sampling and analysis, U.S. states have begun developing health-based regulatory and/or guidance values for a limited number of PFAS in environmental matrices. As there is a growing body of science to inform PFAS sampling guidance standard development, it is important to understand which U.S. states are implementing sampling guidelines and how they plan to handle emerging PFAS. This critical review discusses the current and impending federal and state sampling guidelines for PFAS in environmental matrices, the data gaps surrounding PFAS sampling guidance in U.S. states, and the future impacts of impending guidance documents and regulations. Ten federal guidance documents are available for PFAS sampling guidance and analysis. The maximum number of PFAS covered in these guidance documents is 25 analytes spanning across 8 unique media. While the EPA has developed several different sampling and analytical guidelines for PFAS, there is no formal regulation of PFAS or requirements of states to enforce these guidelines. As a result, only 31 states have informally adopted sampling guidelines, while the other 19 states have no guidance documentation in place for PFAS. The introduction of new PFAS sampling guidelines by the EPA, as well as updated analytical guidelines that target more PFAS or total organofluoride, is expected to continuously shift the landscape of federal and state guidance for PFAS sampling moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Kidd
- Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), Aiken, SC 29808, United States.
| | - Emily Fabricatore
- Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), Aiken, SC 29808, United States.
| | - Dennis Jackson
- Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), Aiken, SC 29808, United States.
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38
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Liu S, Yan L, Zhang Y, Junaid M, Wang J. Toxicological effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and perfluorooctanoic acid to Gambusia affinis. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 127:1100-1112. [PMID: 35835386 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.06.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has attracted huge attention from public and scientific community in recent years. In the environment, nanoplastics (NPs, <100 nm) can interact with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and may exacerbate associated toxic impacts. The present study aims to explore the single and combined ecotoxicological effects of PFOA and polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, 80 nm) on the PI3K/AKT3 signaling pathway using a freshwater fish model Gambusia affinis. Fish were exposed individually to PS-NPs (200 μg/L) and PFOA (50, 500, 5000 μg/L) and their chemical mixtures for 96 h. Our results showed that the co-exposure significantly altered the mRNA relative expression of PI3K, AKT3, IKKβ and IL-1β, compared to corresponding single exposure and control groups, indicating that the PFOA-NP co-exposure can activate the PI3K/AKT3 signaling pathway. The bioinformatic analyses showed that AKT3 had more probes and exhibited a significantly sensitive correlation with DNA methylation, compared to other genes (PIK3CA, IKBKB, and IL1B). Further, the mRNA expressions of PIK3CA, AKT3, and IKBKB had a significant correlation with copy number variation (CNV) in human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). And PIK3CA had the highest mutation rate among other genes of interest for LIHC. Moreover, AKT3 showed a relatively lower expression in TAM and CAF cells, compared to PIK3CA, IKBKB, and IL1B. Besides, hsa-mir-155-5p was closely correlated with AKT3, PIK3CA, IKBKB, and IL1B. In summary, these results provide evidence that NPs could enhance the carcinogenic effects of POPs on aquatic organisms and highlight possible targets of LIHC induced by PFOA-NP co-exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulin Liu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Lei Yan
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yanling Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Institute of Eco-Environmental Research, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, 530007, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, 528478, China.
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Üner NB, Baldaguez Medina P, Dinari JL, Su X, Sankaran RM. Rate, Efficiency, and Mechanisms of Electrochemical Perfluorooctanoic Acid Degradation with Boron-Doped Diamond and Plasma Electrodes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:8975-8986. [PMID: 35838411 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The removal of per- or polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) has received increasing attention because of their extreme stability, our increasing awareness of their toxicity at even low levels, and scientific challenges for traditional treatment methods such as separation by activated carbon or destruction by advanced oxidation processes. Here, we performed a direct and systematic comparison of two electrified approaches that have recently shown promise for effective degradation of PFAS: plasma and conventional electrochemical degradation. We tailored a reactor configuration where one of the electrodes could be a plasma or a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode and operated both electrodes galvanostatically by continuous direct current. We show that while both methods achieved near-complete degradation of PFAS, the plasma was only effective as the cathode, whereas the BDD was only effective as the anode. Compared to the BDD, plasma required more than an order of magnitude higher voltage but lower current to achieve similar degradation efficiency with more rapid degradation kinetics. All these factors considered, it was noted that plasma or BDD degradation resulted in similar energy efficiencies. The BDD electrode exhibited zero-order kinetics, and thus, PFAS degradation using the conventional electrochemical method was kinetically controlled. On the contrary, analysis using a film model indicated that the plasma degradation kinetics of PFAS using plasma were mass-transfer-controlled because of the fast reaction kinetics. With the help of a simple quantitative model that incorporates mass transport, interfacial reaction, and surface accumulation, we propose that the degradation reaction kinetically follows an Eley-Rideal-type mechanism for the plasma electrode, and an intrinsic rate constant of 2.89 × 108 m4 mol-1 s-1 was obtained accordingly. The investigation shows that to realize the true kinetic potential of plasma degradation for water treatment, mass transfer to the interface must be enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Necip B Üner
- Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, University Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana 61801, Illinois, United States
- Chemical Engineering Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Paola Baldaguez Medina
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana 61801, Illinois, United States
| | - Jasmine L Dinari
- Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, University Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana 61801, Illinois, United States
| | - Xiao Su
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana 61801, Illinois, United States
| | - R Mohan Sankaran
- Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, University Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana 61801, Illinois, United States
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Boyd RI, Ahmad S, Singh R, Fazal Z, Prins GS, Madak Erdogan Z, Irudayaraj J, Spinella MJ. Toward a Mechanistic Understanding of Poly- and Perfluoroalkylated Substances and Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122919. [PMID: 35740585 PMCID: PMC9220899 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are industrial chemicals found in many household products that persist in the environment. While several excellent review articles exist on the potential harmful effects of PFAS, there are few focused on cancer. This concise and streamlined mini-review focuses on summarizing molecular mechanisms related to the potential cancer-promoting properties of PFAS. This review organizes and interprets the vast primary PFAS cancer biology literature and provides a coherent, unified, and digestible model of the molecular mechanisms that potentially explains PFAS cancer promotion. Abstract Poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are chemicals that persist and bioaccumulate in the environment and are found in nearly all human populations through several routes of exposure. Human occupational and community exposure to PFAS has been associated with several cancers, including cancers of the kidney, testis, prostate, and liver. While evidence suggests that PFAS are not directly mutagenic, many diverse mechanisms of carcinogenicity have been proposed. In this mini-review, we organize these mechanisms into three major proposed pathways of PFAS action—metabolism, endocrine disruption, and epigenetic perturbation—and discuss how these distinct but interdependent pathways may explain many of the proposed pro-carcinogenic effects of the PFAS class of environmental contaminants. Notably, each of the pathways is predicted to be highly sensitive to the dose and window of exposure which may, in part, explain the variable epidemiologic and experimental evidence linking PFAS and cancer. We highlight testicular and prostate cancer as models to validate this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raya I. Boyd
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Saeed Ahmad
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (S.A.); (J.I.)
| | - Ratnakar Singh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Zeeshan Fazal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Gail S. Prins
- Departments of Urology, Pathology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Chicago Center for Health and Environment, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Zeynep Madak Erdogan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (S.A.); (J.I.)
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Michael J. Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Correspondence:
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Kamendulis LM, Hocevar JM, Stephens M, Sandusky GE, Hocevar BA. Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid leads to promotion of pancreatic cancer. Carcinogenesis 2022; 43:469-478. [PMID: 35022659 PMCID: PMC9167031 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgac005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a persistent environmental pollutant, has been shown to induce pancreatic acinar cell tumors in rats. Human epidemiologic studies have linked PFOA exposure to adverse chronic health effects including several types of cancer. Previously, we demonstrated that PFOA induces oxidative stress and focal ductal hyperplasia in the mouse pancreas. Here, we evaluated whether PFOA promotes pancreatic cancer using the LSL-KRasG12D;Pdx-1 Cre (KC) mouse model of pancreatic cancer. KC mice were exposed to 5 ppm PFOA in drinking water starting at 8 weeks of age and analyzed at 6 and 9 months of age. At the 6-month time point, PFOA exposure increased pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) area by 58%, accompanied by a 2-fold increase in lesion number. Although PanIN area increased at 9 months, relative to 6 months, no treatment effect was observed. Collagen deposition was enhanced by PFOA at both the 6- and 9-month time points. PFOA also induced oxidative stress in the pancreas evidenced by elevated antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (Sod), catalase and thioredoxin reductase, and a ~3-fold increase in Sod1 mRNA and protein levels at 6 months. Although antioxidant activity was not enhanced by PFOA exposure at the 9-month time point, increased pancreatic oxidative damage was observed. Collectively, these results show that PFOA elicited temporal increases in PanIN lesion area and desmoplasia concomitant with the induction of oxidative stress, demonstrating that it functions to promote pancreatic cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Kamendulis
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Jessica M Hocevar
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Mikayla Stephens
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - George E Sandusky
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Barbara A Hocevar
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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Maddela NR, Ramakrishnan B, Kakarla D, Venkateswarlu K, Megharaj M. Major contaminants of emerging concern in soils: a perspective on potential health risks. RSC Adv 2022; 12:12396-12415. [PMID: 35480371 PMCID: PMC9036571 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra09072k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil pollution by the contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) or emerging contaminants deserves attention worldwide because of their toxic health effects and the need for developing regulatory guidelines. Though the global soil burden by certain CECs is in several metric tons, the source-tracking of these contaminants in soil environments is difficult due to heterogeneity of the medium and complexities associated with the interactive mechanisms. Most CECs have higher affinities towards solid matrices for adsorption. The CECs alter not only soil functionalities but also those of plants and animals. Their toxicities are at nmol to μmol levels in cell cultures and test animals. These contaminants have a higher propensity in accumulating mostly in root-based food crops, threatening human health. Poor understanding on the fate of certain CECs in anaerobic environments and their transfer pathways in the food web limits the development of effective bioremediation strategies and restoration of the contaminated soils and endorsement of global regulatory efforts. Despite their proven toxicities to the biotic components, there are no environmental laws or guidelines for certain CECs. Moreover, the information available on the impact of soil pollution with CECs on human health is fragmentary. Therefore, we provide here a comprehensive account on five significantly important CECs, viz., (i) PFAS, (ii) micro/nanoplastics, (iii) additives (biphenyls, phthalates), (iv) novel flame retardants, and (v) nanoparticles. The emphasis is on (a) degree of soil burden of CECs and the consequences, (b) endocrine disruption and immunotoxicity, (c) genotoxicity and carcinogenicity, and (d) soil health guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naga Raju Maddela
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica de Manabí Portoviejo 130105 Ecuador
- Instituto de Investigación, Universidad Técnica de Manabí Portoviejo 130105 Ecuador
| | | | - Dhatri Kakarla
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
| | - Kadiyala Venkateswarlu
- Formerly Department of Microbiology, Sri Krishnadevaraya University Anantapuramu 515003 India
| | - Mallavarapu Megharaj
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
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Gasiorowski R, Forbes MK, Silver G, Krastev Y, Hamdorf B, Lewis B, Tisbury M, Cole-Sinclair M, Lanphear BP, Klein RA, Holmes N, Taylor MP. Effect of Plasma and Blood Donations on Levels of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Firefighters in Australia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e226257. [PMID: 35394514 PMCID: PMC8994130 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.6257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Elevated levels of blood perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been associated with a range of adverse health outcomes. Firefighters have been exposed to PFASs in firefighting foams and have previously been shown to have higher PFAS levels in blood samples than the general population. No interventions have been shown to reduce PFAS levels. Objective To examine the effect of blood or plasma donations on PFAS levels in firefighters in Australia. Design, Setting, and Participants This 52-week, open-label, randomized clinical trial enrolled participants from May 23 to August 23, 2019. Participants were 285 Fire Rescue Victoria staff or contractors with serum levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) of 5 ng/mL or more who were eligible to donate blood, had not donated blood in the 3 months prior to randomization, and were able to provide written informed consent. Analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis from May to July 2021. Interventions Firefighters with baseline PFOS levels of 5 ng/mL or more were randomly assigned to donate plasma every 6 weeks for 12 months, donate blood every 12 weeks for 12 months, or be observed only. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end points were changes in the serum PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) levels after 12 months of plasma or blood donations or after observation only. Secondary end points included changes in serum PFAS levels from week 52 to week 64, changes in other PFASs, and changes in complete blood count, biochemistry, thyroid function, and lipid profile from screening to week 52. Results A total of 285 firefighters (279 men [97.9%]; mean [SD] age, 53.0 [8.4] years) were enrolled; 95 were randomly assigned to donate plasma, 95 were randomly assigned to donate blood, and 95 were randomly assigned to be observed. The mean level of PFOS at 12 months was significantly reduced by plasma donation (-2.9 ng/mL; 95% CI, -3.6 to -2.3 ng/mL; P < .001) and blood donation (-1.1 ng/mL; 95% CI, -1.5 to -0.7 ng/mL; P < .001) but was unchanged in the observation group. The mean level of PFHxS was significantly reduced by plasma donation (-1.1 ng/mL; 95% CI, -1.6 to -0.7 ng/mL; P < .001), but no significant change was observed in the blood donation or observation groups. Analysis between groups indicated that plasma donation had a larger treatment effect than blood donation, but both were significantly more efficacious than observation in reducing PFAS levels. Conclusions and Relevance Plasma and blood donations caused greater reductions in serum PFAS levels than observation alone over a 12-month period. Further research is needed to evaluate the clinical implications of these findings. Trial Registration anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12619000204145.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Gasiorowski
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Haematology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Miriam K. Forbes
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Emotional Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gabriel Silver
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yordanka Krastev
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brenton Hamdorf
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
- Now with Research, Innovation & Enterprise, Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Barry Lewis
- High Consequence Chemical Response Capability Project, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Merrole Cole-Sinclair
- Laboratory Haematology Department, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bruce P. Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Roger A. Klein
- Retired, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Christian Regenhard Center for Emergency Response Studies, City University of New York, New York
| | - Nigel Holmes
- Incident Response Unit, Environmental Services and Regulation, Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark Patrick Taylor
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, EPA Science, Centre for Applied Sciences, Macleod, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
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Frenoy P, Perduca V, Cano-Sancho G, Antignac JP, Severi G, Mancini FR. Application of two statistical approaches (Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression and Principal Component Regression) to assess breast cancer risk in association to exposure to mixtures of brominated flame retardants and per- and polyfluorinated alkylated substances in the E3N cohort. Environ Health 2022; 21:27. [PMID: 35216589 PMCID: PMC8881807 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00840-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brominated flame retardants (BFR) and per- and polyfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS) are two groups of substances suspected to act as endocrine disruptors. Such substances could therefore be implicated in the occurrence of breast cancer, nevertheless, previous studies have led to inconstant results. Due to the large correlation between these substances, and the possibly non-linear effects they exert, evaluating their joint impact as mixtures on health remains challenging. This exploratory study aimed to generate hypotheses on the relationship between circulating levels of 7 BFR (6 polybrominated diphenyl ethers and 1 polybrominated biphenyls) and 11 PFAS and the risk of breast cancer in a case-control study nested in the E3N French prospective cohort by performing two methods: Principal Component Regression (PCR) models, and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models. METHODS 194 post-menopausal breast cancer cases and 194 controls were included in the present study. Circulating levels of BFR and PFAS were measured by gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The first statistical approach was based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) followed by logistic regression models that included the identified principal components as main exposure variables. The second approach used BKMR models with hierarchical variable selection, this latter being suitable for highly correlated exposures. Both approaches were also run separately for Estrogen Receptor positive (ER +) and Estrogen Receptor negative (ER-) breast cancer cases. RESULTS PCA identified four principal components accounting for 67% of the total variance. Component 3 showed a marginal association with ER + breast cancer risk. No clear association between BFR and PFAS mixtures and breast cancer was identified using BKMR models, and the credible intervals obtained were very wide. Finally, the BKMR models suggested a negative cumulative effect of BFR and PFAS on ER- breast cancer risk, and a positive cumulative effect on ER + breast cancer risk. CONCLUSION Although globally no clear association was identified, both approaches suggested a differential effect of BFR and PFAS mixtures on ER + and ER- breast cancer risk. However, the results for ER- breast cancer should be interpreted carefully due to the small number of ER- cases included in the study. Further studies evaluating mixtures of substances on larger study populations are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Frenoy
- Paris-Saclay University, UVSQ, Inserm, Gustave Roussy, "Exposome and Heredity" Team, CESP UMR1018, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Vittorio Perduca
- Paris-Saclay University, UVSQ, Inserm, Gustave Roussy, "Exposome and Heredity" Team, CESP UMR1018, 94805, Villejuif, France
- Laboratoire MAP5 (UMR CNRS 8145), Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Gianluca Severi
- Paris-Saclay University, UVSQ, Inserm, Gustave Roussy, "Exposome and Heredity" Team, CESP UMR1018, 94805, Villejuif, France
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications "G. Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Mancini
- Paris-Saclay University, UVSQ, Inserm, Gustave Roussy, "Exposome and Heredity" Team, CESP UMR1018, 94805, Villejuif, France.
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Savvaides T, Koelmel JP, Zhou Y, Lin EZ, Stelben P, Aristizabal-Henao JJ, Bowden JA, Godri Pollitt KJ. Prevalence and Implications of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Settled Dust. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 8:323-335. [PMID: 34985714 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-021-00326-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of more than 7,000 fluorinated compounds. The carbon-fluorine bond of PFAS provides desirable hydrophobic and oleophobic properties and stability that has led to widespread usage in consumer products and industrial applications. The strength of the carbon-fluorine bond also prevents appreciable degradation once released into the environment. Consequently, various household products can release volatile and nonvolatile PFAS into the indoor environment that often concentrate in dust. We discuss the diversity of PFAS in settled dust, emission sources of these chemicals, changes in PFAS profiles in dust over the past century, and the implications for human health. RECENT FINDINGS Sources of PFAS found in dust include building materials and furnishings and consumer products used in typical indoor spaces. Daycares and workplaces are emphasized as locations with widespread exposure due to the presence of treated carpeting and industrial-strength cleaners. Comparison and interpretation of findings across studies are complicated by the different ways in which PFAS are screened across studies. We further discuss recent developments in non-targeted software for the comprehensive annotation of PFAS in indoor dust and emphasize the need for comprehensive and harmonized analytical workflows. We highlight the detection and diversity of PFAS in settled dust collected from various indoor spaces, including locations with vulnerable subpopulations. There are opportunities for future research to leverage settled dust as a sentinel environmental matrix to evaluate the link between inhalation and ingestion routes of PFAS exposure to adverse health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Savvaides
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 510, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jeremy P Koelmel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 510, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Yakun Zhou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 510, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Elizabeth Z Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 510, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Paul Stelben
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 510, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Juan J Aristizabal-Henao
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John A Bowden
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 510, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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Peng L, Xu W, Zeng Q, Sun F, Guo Y, Zhong S, Wang F, Chen D. Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances in waste recycling workers: Distributions in paired human serum and urine. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106963. [PMID: 34717172 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is an emerging public health concern, because of their potential adverse health effects. In this study, concentrations of 21 legacy and alternative PFASs in paired serum and urine samples collected from 163 workers (from five waste recycling plants) were analyzed. The results showed that the average concentration of 21 PFASs in urine samples (66.6 ng mL-1) were higher than in serum (31.3 ng mL-1). Concentrations of perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs) in urine were also considerably higher than perfluorosulfonates (PFSAs), especially for short-chain PFCAs. Demographic factors (such as sex, age, working age, and job assignment) on PFAS exposure were also assessed based on the obtained results. PFAS concentrations in serum samples from males were significantly higher than in females, and working age was positively (p < 0.05) associated with most PFAS serum levels. Higher levels of PFAS were found in sorters than in workers with other job assignments, such as managers, suggesting that sorters may be directly exposed to PFASs. Interestingly, perfluorophosphonates (PFPAs) were first to be detected in human urine with >80% detection frequency. The average level of three PFPAs in the serum (7.58 ng mL-1) and urine (1.45 ng mL-1) samples appeared to be higher in comparison with most PFCAs and PFSAs. Thus, the toxicity of PFPAs in human beings needs to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Peng
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wang Xu
- Shenzhen Environmental Monitoring Center, Shenzhen 518049, Guangdong, China
| | - Qinghuai Zeng
- Shenzhen Environmental Monitoring Center, Shenzhen 518049, Guangdong, China
| | - Feiyun Sun
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Water Resource Application and Environmental Pollution Control, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ying Guo
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Shan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Fei Wang
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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47
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Dennis NM, Hossain F, Subbiah S, Karnjanapiboonwong A, Dennis ML, McCarthy C, Jackson WA, Crago JP, Salice CJ, Anderson TA. Species- and Tissue-Specific Chronic Toxicity Values for Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) Exposed to Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid and a Binary Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:219-229. [PMID: 34807997 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are globally distributed and present in nearly every environmental compartment. Characterizing the chronic toxicity of individual PFAS compounds and mixtures is necessary because many have been reported to cause adverse health effects. To derive toxicity reference values (TRVs) and conduct ecotoxicological risk assessments (ERAs) of PFAS-contaminated ecosystems for wildlife, species-specific PFAS chronic toxicity values (CTVs) are needed. The present study quantified PFAS residues from liver and eggs of birds chronically exposed to perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) or a mixture of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and PFHxA that produced a no-observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and/or a lowest-observable-adverse-effectlevel (LOAEL). The CTVs we present are lower than those previously reported for birds and should be considered in future regulatory evaluations. From the estimated species- and tissue-specific PFAS CTVs, we found that PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) were more bioaccumulative than PFHxA in avian tissues, but PFHxA was more toxic to reproducing birds than either PFOS or a PFOS:PFHxS mixture. We further determined that avian toxicity was not necessarily additive with respect to PFAS mixtures, which could have implications for PFAS ERAs. The PFAS LOAEL CTVs can be used to predict reproductive and possible population-level adverse health effects in wild avian receptors. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:219-229. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Dennis
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Farzana Hossain
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Seenivasan Subbiah
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Michael L Dennis
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - W Andrew Jackson
- Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Jordan P Crago
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Todd A Anderson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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Hassan MH, Khan R, Andreescu S. Advances in electrochemical detection methods for measuring contaminants of emerging concerns. ELECTROCHEMICAL SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/elsa.202100184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H. Hassan
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science Clarkson University Potsdam New York USA
| | - Reem Khan
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science Clarkson University Potsdam New York USA
| | - Silvana Andreescu
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science Clarkson University Potsdam New York USA
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Imir OB, Kaminsky AZ, Zuo QY, Liu YJ, Singh R, Spinella MJ, Irudayaraj J, Hu WY, Prins GS, Madak Erdogan Z. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure Combined with High-Fat Diet Supports Prostate Cancer Progression. Nutrients 2021; 13:3902. [PMID: 34836157 PMCID: PMC8623692 DOI: 10.3390/nu13113902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals utilized in various industrial settings and include products such as flame retardants, artificial film-forming foams, cosmetics, and non-stick cookware, among others. Epidemiological studies suggest a link between increased blood PFAS levels and prostate cancer incidence, but the mechanism through which PFAS impact cancer development is unclear. To investigate the link between PFAS and prostate cancer, we evaluated the impact of metabolic alterations resulting from a high-fat diet combined with PFAS exposure on prostate tumor progression. We evaluated in vivo prostate cancer xenograft models exposed to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a type of PFAS compound, and different diets to study the effects of PFAS on prostate cancer progression and metabolic activity. Metabolomics and transcriptomics were used to understand the metabolic landscape shifts upon PFAS exposure. We evaluated metabolic changes in benign or tumor cells that lead to epigenomic reprogramming and altered signaling, which ultimately increase tumorigenic risk and tumor aggressiveness. Our studies are the first in the field to provide new and clinically relevant insights regarding novel metabolic and epigenetic states as well as to support the future development of effective preventative and therapeutic strategies for PFAS-induced prostate cancers. Our findings enhance understanding of how PFAS synergize with high-fat diets to contribute to prostate cancer development and establish an important basis to mitigate PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozan Berk Imir
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
| | - Alanna Zoe Kaminsky
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (A.Z.K.); (Q.-Y.Z.); (Y.-J.L.)
| | - Qian-Ying Zuo
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (A.Z.K.); (Q.-Y.Z.); (Y.-J.L.)
| | - Yu-Jeh Liu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (A.Z.K.); (Q.-Y.Z.); (Y.-J.L.)
| | - Ratnakar Singh
- Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (R.S.); (M.J.S.)
| | - Michael J. Spinella
- Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (R.S.); (M.J.S.)
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Departments of Urology, Pathology and Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (W.-Y.H.); (G.S.P.)
| | - Wen-Yang Hu
- Departments of Urology, Pathology and Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (W.-Y.H.); (G.S.P.)
- Chicago Center for Health and Environment, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Gail S. Prins
- Departments of Urology, Pathology and Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (W.-Y.H.); (G.S.P.)
- Chicago Center for Health and Environment, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Zeynep Madak Erdogan
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (A.Z.K.); (Q.-Y.Z.); (Y.-J.L.)
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Langenbach B, Wilson M. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Significance and Considerations within the Regulatory Framework of the USA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111142. [PMID: 34769660 PMCID: PMC8583519 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an emerging environmental crisis. Deemed forever chemicals, many congeners bioaccumulate and are incredibly persistent in the environment due to the presence of the strong carbon-fluorine covalent bonds. Notable PFAS compounds include perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and GenX. Robust toxicological knowledge exists for these substances, but regulatory decisions based on this knowledge has fallen behind. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has addressed this issue with the PFAS Action Plan and EPA Council on PFAS, but the regulatory framework is severely lacking. Currently, no federal regulations or standards exist. Many occupational and non-occupational human cohorts exist that can lend knowledge on the environmental implications of PFAS and associated health effects. Occupationally, firefighters face significant exposure risks due to use of PFAS containing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) and personal protective equipment contamination. Non-occupationally, wastewater discharge in North Carolina led to chronic and widespread residential exposure to GenX via drinking water contamination. This public health review seeks to convey the current and future significance of PFAS as an environmental contaminate, to lend considerations on regulatory frameworks within the USA, and to help guide and promote the need for future epidemiological studies in order to tackle this environmental emergency. While the PFAS Action Plan creates a scientific and regulatory foundation, it is important to take these lessons and apply them to future environmental health issues.
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