β-Hexachlorocyclohexane Drives Carcinogenesis in the Human Normal Bronchial Epithelium Cell Line BEAS-2B

The mode of action of different organochlorine pesticides families in mammalians

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) show differences in their chemical structure, mechanism of toxicity, and target organisms. However, OCPs also have some common characteristics such as high persistence in the environment, bioaccumulation, and toxicity which lead to health issues. Nowadays, the toxicity of OCPs is well known, but we still do not know all the specific molecular mechanisms leading to their toxicity in mammalians. Therefore, this review aims to collect data about the mode of action of various classes of OCPs, highlighting their differences and common behavioural reactions in the human and animal body. To discuss the OCPs molecular pathways and fate in different systems of the body, three organochlorine insecticides were selected (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, Hexachlorocyclohexane and Chlordecone), regarding to their widespread use, with consequent effects on the ecosystem and human health. Their common biological responses at the molecular scale and their different interactions in human and animal bodies were highlighted and presented.

STAT3 Pathways Contribute to β-HCH Interference with Anticancer Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are a class of environmentally persistent and bioaccumulative pollutants. Among these, β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) is a byproduct of lindane synthesis, one of the most worldwide widespread pesticides. β-HCH cellular mechanisms inducing chemical carcinogenesis correspond to many of those inducing chemoresistance, in particular, by the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways. For this purpose, four cell lines, representative of breast, lung, prostate, and hepatocellular cancers, were treated with β-HCH, specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and a STAT3 inhibitor. All cell samples were analyzed by a viability assay, immunoblotting analysis, a wound-healing assay, and a colony formation assay. The results show that β-HCH reduces the efficacy of TKIs. The STAT3 protein, in this context, plays a central role. In fact, by inhibiting its activity, the efficacy of the anticancer drug is restored. Furthermore, this manuscript aimed to draw the attention of the scientific and socio-healthcare community to the issue of prolonged exposure to contaminants and their impact on drug efficacy.

β-Hexachlorocyclohexane triggers neuroinflammatory activity, epigenetic histone post-translational modifications and cognitive dysfunction

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which encompass pesticides and industrial chemicals widely utilized across the globe, pose a covert threat to human health. β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) is an organochlorine pesticide with striking stability, still illegally dumped in many countries, and recognized as responsible for several pathogenetic mechanisms. This study represents a pioneering exploration into the neurotoxic effects induced by the exposure to β-HCH specifically targeting neuronal cells (N2a), microglia (BV-2), and C57BL/6 mice. As shown by western blot and qPCR analyses, the administration of β-HCH triggered a modulation of NF-κB, a key factor influencing both inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression. We demonstrated by proteomic and western blot techniques epigenetic modifications in H3 histone induced by β-HCH. Histone acetylation of H3K9 and H3K27 increased in N2a, and in the prefrontal cortex of C57BL/6 mice administered with β-HCH, whereas it decreased in BV-2 cells and in the hippocampus. We also observed a severe detrimental effect on recognition memory and spatial navigation by the Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT) and the Object Place Recognition Task (OPRT) behavioural tests. Cognitive impairment was linked to decreased expression of the genes BDNF and SNAP-25, which are mediators involved in synaptic function and activity. The obtained results expand our understanding of the harmful impact produced by β-HCH exposure by highlighting its implication in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases. These findings will support intervention programs to limit the risk induced by exposure to POPs. Regulatory agencies should block further illicit use, causing environmental hazards and endangering human and animal health.

Persistent β-Hexachlorocyclohexane Exposure Impacts Cellular Metabolism with a Specific Signature in Normal Human Melanocytes

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous melanoma arises from skin melanocytes and has a high risk of metastatic spread. Despite better prevention, earlier detection, and the development of innovative therapies, melanoma incidence and mortality increase annually. Major clinical risk factors for melanoma include fair skin, an increased number of nevi, the presence of dysplastic nevi, and a family history of melanoma. However, several external inducers seem to be associated with melanoma susceptibility such as environmental exposure, primarily unprotected sun experience, alcohol consumption, and heavy metals. In recent years, epidemiological studies have highlighted a potential risk of β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), the most studied organochlorine pesticide, causing cancer induction including melanoma.

METHODS

We evaluated in vitro the impact of this pollutant on epidermal and dermal cells, attempting to describe mechanisms that could render cutaneous cells more prone to oncogenic transformation.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that β-HCH impacts melanocyte biology with a highly cell-type specific signature that involves perturbation of AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and AMPK activation, resulting in lowering energy reserve, cell proliferation, and pigment production.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, long-term exposure to persistent organic pollutants damages melanocyte metabolism in its function of melanin production with a consequent reduction of melanogenesis indicating a potential augmented skin cancer risk.

The 11 sins of seafood: Assessing a decade of food fraud reports in the global supply chain

Due to complex, valuable, and often extremely opaque supply chains, seafood is a commodity that has experienced a high prevalence of food fraud throughout the entirety of its logistics network. Fraud detection and prevention require an in-depth understanding of food supply chains and their vulnerabilities and risks so that food business operators, regulators, and other stakeholders can implement practical countermeasures. An analysis of historical criminality within a sector, product, or country is an important component and has not yet been conducted for the seafood sector. This study examines reported seafood fraud incidents from the European Union's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, Decernis's Food Fraud Database, HorizonScan, and LexisNexis databases between January 01, 2010 and December 31, 2020. Illegal or unauthorized veterinary residues were found to be the most significant issue of concern, with most reports originating from farmed seafood in Vietnam, China, and India. For internationally traded goods, border inspections revealed a significant frequency of reports with fraudulent or insufficient documentation, indicating that deceptive practices are picked up at import or export but are occurring further down the supply chain. Practices such as species adulteration (excluding veterinary residues), species substitution, fishery substitution, catch method fraud, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing were less prevalent in the databases than evidenced in the scientific literature. The analysis demonstrates significant differences in outcomes depending on source and underlines a requirement for a standardized and rigorous dataset through which food fraud can be scrutinized to ensure enforcement, as well as industry and research resources are directed accurately. Practical Application: Levels of historic food fraud in a product, sector, supply chain node or geographic location provide an indication of historic criminality, the methods used and the location of reported frauds. This study provides an overview of historic levels of seafood fraud that can be used to inform seafood fraud prevention and mitigation activities by the food industry, regulators and other stakeholders.

Tomato and Olive Bioactive Compounds: A Natural Shield against the Cellular Effects Induced by β-Hexachlorocyclohexane-Activated Signaling Pathways

The β-isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) is a globally widespread pollutant that embodies all the physicochemical characteristics of organochlorine pesticides, constituting an environmental risk factor for a wide range of noncommunicable diseases. Previous in vitro studies from our group disclosed the carcinogenic potential of β-HCH, which contributes to neoplastic transformation by means of multifaceted intracellular mechanisms. Considering the positive evidence regarding the protective role of natural bioactive compounds against pollution-induced toxicity, micronutrients from olive and tomato endowed with the capability of modulating β-HCH cellular targets were tested. For this purpose, the solution obtained from a patented food supplement (No. EP2851080A1), referred to as Tomato and Olive Bioactive Compounds (TOBC), was administered to the androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells LNCaP and different biochemical and cellular assays were performed to evaluate its efficiency. TOBC shows a dose-dependent significant chemoprotection by contrasting β-HCH-induced intracellular responses such as STAT3 and AhR activation, disruption of AR signaling, antiapoptotic and proliferative activity, and increase in ROS production and DNA damage. These experimental outcomes identified TOBC as a suitable functional food to be included in a diet regimen aimed at defending cells from β-HCH negative effects, recommending the development of tailored enriched formulations for exposed individuals.