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Pérez-Pereira A, Carvalho AR, Carrola JS, Tiritan ME, Ribeiro C. Integrated Approach for Synthetic Cathinone Drug Prioritization and Risk Assessment: In Silico Approach and Sub-Chronic Studies in Daphnia magna and Tetrahymena thermophila. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28072899. [PMID: 37049662 PMCID: PMC10096003 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28072899] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones (SC) are drugs of abuse that have been reported in wastewaters and rivers raising concern about potential hazards to non-target organisms. In this work, 44 SC were selected for in silico studies, and a group of five emerging SC was prioritized for further in vivo ecotoxicity studies: buphedrone (BPD), 3,4-dimethylmethcathinone (3,4-DMMC), butylone (BTL), 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC), and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). In vivo short-term exposures were performed with the protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila (28 h growth inhibition assay) and the microcrustacean Daphnia magna by checking different indicators of toxicity across life stage (8 days sublethal assay at 10.00 µg L-1). The in silico approaches predicted a higher toxic potential of MDPV and lower toxicity of BTL to the model organisms (green algae, protozoan, daphnia, and fish), regarding the selected SC for the in vivo experiments. The in vivo assays showed protozoan growth inhibition with MDPV > BPD > 3,4-DMMC, whereas no effects were observed for BTL and stimulation of growth was observed for 3-MMC. For daphnia, the responses were dependent on the substance and life stage. Briefly, all five SC interfered with the morphophysiological parameters of juveniles and/or adults. Changes in swimming behavior were observed for BPD and 3,4-DMMC, and reproductive parameters were affected by MDPV. Oxidative stress and changes in enzymatic activities were noted except for 3-MMC. Overall, the in silico data agreed with the in vivo protozoan experiments except for 3-MMC, whereas daphnia in vivo experiments showed that at sublethal concentrations, all selected SC interfered with different endpoints. This study shows the importance to assess SC ecotoxicity as it can distress aquatic species and interfere with food web ecology and ecosystem balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariana Pérez-Pereira
- TOXRUN-Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, IUCS-CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
- Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), CITAB, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Carvalho
- TOXRUN-Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, IUCS-CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - João Soares Carrola
- Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), CITAB, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Inov4Agro-Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Maria Elizabeth Tiritan
- TOXRUN-Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, IUCS-CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Ribeiro
- TOXRUN-Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, IUCS-CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
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Ji Z, Huang Y, Feng Y, Johansen A, Xue J, Tremblay LA, Li Z. Effects of pristine microplastics and nanoplastics on soil invertebrates: A systematic review and meta-analysis of available data. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147784. [PMID: 34029821 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In laboratory studies, microplastics and/or nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) have been shown to cause a variety of ecotoxicological effects on soil invertebrates. Existing data on the effects of these plastic debris on biological functions and physiological systems, showed a great variability among studies. Thus, how soil invertebrates respond to different types, shapes, sizes and concentrations of pristine MPs/NPs remains to be further characterized. The present work is an up-to-date review on quantitative and qualitative data on the effects of pristine MPs/NPs on soil invertebrates in laboratory conditions. Research priorities are also discussed. Out of a total of 1061 biological endpoints investigated in 56 studies, 49% were significantly affected after exposed to pristine MPs/NPs. The polymers with chloro and phenyl groups had more negative impacts on soil invertebrates than other polymers. Most studies used earthworm and nematode species as model organisms. For nematodes, the impact of MPs/NPs seemed to be concentration-dependent and higher concentrations of pristine MPs/NPs appeared to have more adverse impacts on biological functions and physiological systems, but this trend was not confirmed in earthworms. Meta-analysis revealed that pristine MP/NP concentrations higher than 1 g kg-1 (in soil) may decrease growth and survival of earthworms, while a concentration higher than 1 μg L-1 (in water) may affect nematode reproductive fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory for soil Molecular Ecology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory for soil Molecular Ecology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Yao Feng
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory for soil Molecular Ecology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Anders Johansen
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Jianming Xue
- Scion, Private Bag 29237, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Louis A Tremblay
- Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, PO Box 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Zhaojun Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory for soil Molecular Ecology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
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Melnikova EI, Bogdanova EV. Parameters for proteolysis of β-lactoglobulin derived from cheese whey. FOOD BIOTECHNOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/08905436.2021.1941079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena I. Melnikova
- Department of Animal-Derived Food Technology, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies” (FSBEI HE “VSUET”), Voronezh, Russian Federation
| | - Ekaterina V. Bogdanova
- Department of Animal-Derived Food Technology, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies” (FSBEI HE “VSUET”), Voronezh, Russian Federation
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Belfield SJ, Enoch SJ, Firman JW, Madden JC, Schultz TW, Cronin MTD. Determination of "fitness-for-purpose" of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models to predict (eco-)toxicological endpoints for regulatory use. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 123:104956. [PMID: 33979632 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In silico models are used to predict toxicity and molecular properties in chemical safety assessment, gaining widespread regulatory use under a number of legislations globally. This study has rationalised previously published criteria to evaluate quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) in terms of their uncertainty, variability and potential areas of bias, into ten assessment components, or higher level groupings. The components have been mapped onto specific regulatory uses (i.e. data gap filling for risk assessment, classification and labelling, and screening and prioritisation) identifying different levels of uncertainty that may be acceptable for each. Twelve published QSARs were evaluated using the components, such that their potential use could be identified. High uncertainty was commonly observed with the presentation of data, mechanistic interpretability, incorporation of toxicokinetics and the relevance of the data for regulatory purposes. The assessment components help to guide strategies that can be implemented to improve acceptability of QSARs through the reduction of uncertainties. It is anticipated that model developers could apply the assessment components from the model design phase (e.g. through problem formulation) through to their documentation and use. The application of the components provides the possibility to assess QSARs in a meaningful manner and demonstrate their fitness-for-purpose against pre-defined criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Belfield
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Steven J Enoch
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - James W Firman
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Judith C Madden
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Terry W Schultz
- University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN, 37996-4500, USA
| | - Mark T D Cronin
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
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Maurya R, Pandey AK. Importance of protozoa Tetrahymena in toxicological studies: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 741:140058. [PMID: 32599397 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tetrahymena is a single-cell eukaryotic organism present in all aquatic environments and can easily be maintained in laboratory conditions in a cost-effective manner. This review gives a brief description of the physiology of Tetrahymena, culture handling, and maintenance of Tetrahymena species. The review article focuses on various toxicological bioassays at different biological organizational (biochemical, individual, population, and community) levels. Furthermore, some techniques such as single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and microcalorimetry assay are also available to investigate the effect of xenobiotics on the integrity of DNA and metabolic state of Tetrahymena species respectively. The article also discusses how the general physiology, behavioural activities and different organelles of Tetrahymena could be useful in toxicological studies. The strength and limitations of Tetrahymena over other model organisms are also discussed. This article also provides suggestions to overcome some problems related to toxicity assessment. Various aspects associated with variability in results, toxicity endpoints, characteristics of organisms and responses against xenobiotic substances (old and new emerging toxicants) are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renuka Maurya
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Alok Kumar Pandey
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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