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Jackson TW, Lambright CS, Evans N, Wehmas LC, MacMillan DK, Bangma J, Gray LE, Conley JM. Exploring maternal and developmental toxicity of perfluoroalkyl ether acids PFO4DA and PFO5DoA using hepatic transcriptomics and serum metabolomics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 953:175978. [PMID: 39226966 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175978] [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: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Production of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has shifted from long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids to short-chain compounds and those with ether bonds in the carbon chain. Next-generation perfluoroalkylether PFAS include HFPO-DA ("GenX chemicals"), Nafion Byproducts, and the PFOx homologous series that includes perfluoro-3,5,7,9-butaoxadecanoic acid (PFO4DA) and perfluoro-3,5,7,9,11-pentaoxadodecanoic acid (PFO5DoA). PFO4DA and PFO5DoA have been detected in serum and/or tissues from humans and wildlife proximal to contamination point sources. However, toxicity data are extremely limited, with no in vivo developmental toxicology data. To address these data gaps, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed via oral gavage to vehicle, PFO4DA, or PFO5DoA across a series of doses (0.1 to 62.5 mg/kg/day) from gestation day (GD) 18-22. Hepatic transcriptomics were assayed in dams and fetuses, and serum metabolomics in dams. These data were overlaid with serum PFO4DA and PFO5DoA concentrations to perform dose-response modeling. Both dams and fetuses exhibited dose-responsive disruption of hepatic gene expression in response to PFO4DA or PFO5DoA, with fetal expression disrupted at lower doses than dams. Several differentially expressed genes were upregulated by every dose of PFO5DoA in both maternal and fetal samples, including genes encoding enzymes that hydrolyze acyl-coA to free fatty acids. Maternal serum metabolomics revealed PFO4DA exposure did not induce significant changes at any tested dose, whereas PFO5DoA exposure resulted in dose-dependent differential metabolite abundance for 149 unique metabolites. Multi-omics pathway analyses of integrated maternal liver transcriptomics and serum metabolomics revealed significant convergent changes as low as 3 mg/kg/d PFO4DA and 0.3 mg/kg/d PFO5DoA exposure. Overall, transcriptomic and metabolomic effects of PFO4DA and PFO5DoA appear consistent with other carboxylic acid PFAS, with primary changes related to lipid metabolism, bile acids, cholesterol, and cellular stress. Importantly, PFO5DoA exposure more potently induced changes in maternal and fetal hepatic gene expression and maternal circulating metabolites, despite high structural similarity. Further, we report in vitro PPARα and PPARγ receptor activation for both compounds as putative molecular mechanisms. This work demonstrates the potential developmental toxicity of alternative moiety perfluoroethers and highlights the developing liver as particularly vulnerable to transcriptomic disruption. Synopsis: Developmental exposure to fluoroether carboxylic acids PFO4DA and PFO5DoA result in differential impacts on hepatic transcriptome in dams and offspring and circulating metabolome in dams, with PFO5DoA exhibiting higher potency than PFO4DA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Jackson
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Christy S Lambright
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Nicola Evans
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Leah C Wehmas
- Chemical Characterization and Exposure Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Denise K MacMillan
- Chemical Characterization and Exposure Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Jacqueline Bangma
- Watershed and Ecosystem Characterization Division, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - L Earl Gray
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Justin M Conley
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
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2
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Chen ZW, Hua ZL. Effect of Co-exposure to Additional Substances on the Bioconcentration of Per(poly)fluoroalkyl Substances: A Meta-Analysis Based on Hydroponic Experimental Evidence. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024:10.1007/s00244-024-01087-5. [PMID: 39367139 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-024-01087-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
A consensus has yet to emerge regarding the bioconcentration responses of per(poly)fluoroalkyl substances under co-exposure with other additional substances in aqueous environments. This study employed a meta-analysis to systematically investigate the aforementioned issues on the basis of 1,085 published datasets of indoor hydroponic simulation experiments. A hierarchical meta-analysis model with an embedded variance covariance matrix was constructed to eliminate the non-independence and shared controls of the data. Overall, the co-exposure resulted in a notable reduction in PFAS bioaccumulation (cumulative effect size, CES = - 0.4287, p < 0.05) and bioconcentration factor (R2 = 0.9507, k < 1, b < 0) in hydroponics. In particular, the inhibition of PFAS bioconcentration induced by dissolved organic matter (percentage form of the effect size, ESP = - 48.98%) was more pronounced than that induced by metal ions (ESP = - 35.54%), particulate matter (ESP = - 24.70%) and persistent organic pollutants (ESP = - 18.66%). A lower AS concentration and a lower concentration ratio of ASs to PFASs significantly promote PFAS bioaccumulation (p < 0.05). The bioaccumulation of PFASs with long chains or high fluoride contents tended to be exacerbated in the presence of ASs. Furthermore, the effect on PFAS bioaccumulation was also significantly dependent on the duration of co-exposure (p < 0.05). The findings of this study provide novel insights into the fate and bioconcentration of PFAS in aquatic environments under co-exposure conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Wei Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Zu-Lin Hua
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, People's Republic of China.
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Nanjing, 210098, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Llewellyn MJ, Griffin EK, Caspar RJ, Timshina AS, Bowden JA, Miller CJ, Baker BB, Baker TR. Identification and quantification of novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in a Great Lakes urban-dominated watershed. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 941:173325. [PMID: 38797403 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic organic fluoro-compounds that are oil-, water-, and flame-resistant, making them useful in a wide range of commercial and consumer products, as well as resistant to environmental degradation. To assess the impact of urbanization and wastewater treatment processes, surface water and sediment samples were collected at 27 sites within the Great Lakes in the Lake Huron to Lake Erie corridor (HEC), an international waterway including the highly urbanized Detroit and Rouge Rivers. Samples were analyzed for 92 PFAS via UHPLC-MS/MS. Our previous data in the HEC found the highest amount of PFAS contamination at the Rouge River mouth. In addition to evaluating the input of the Rouge River into the HEC, we evaluated the transport of PFAS into the HEC from other major tributaries. PFAS were detected in both surface water and sediment at all sites in this study, with a total of 10 congeners quantified in all surface water samples and 16 congeners quantified in all sediment samples, indicating ubiquitous contamination. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were pervasive in the HEC as these two compounds were detected in all sites and matrices, often at concentrations above the US EPA's recommended lifetime interim updated health advisories. Surface water samples contained more perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) than any other congener, with average aqueous PFHxA across all surface water samples exceeding the average concentration previously reported in the Great Lakes. Sediment samples were dominated by PFOS, but novel congeners, notably 3-Perfluoropentyl propanoic acid (FPePA), were also quantified in sediment. The Rouge River and other tributaries contribute significantly to the PFAS burden in the HEC including Lake Erie. Overall, our results indicate the need for expanding toxicological research and risk assessment focused on congeners such as PFHxA and PFAS mixtures, as well as regulation that is tighter at the onset of production and encompasses PFAS as a group at a national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory J Llewellyn
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, United States of America.
| | - Emily K Griffin
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, United States of America.
| | - Rachel J Caspar
- Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, United States of America
| | - Alina S Timshina
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, United States of America.
| | - John A Bowden
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, United States of America.
| | - Carol J Miller
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Wayne State University, United States of America.
| | - Bridget B Baker
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, United States of America.
| | - Tracie R Baker
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, United States of America; Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, United States of America.
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4
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Medina H, Farmer C. Current Challenges in Monitoring Low Contaminant Levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water Matrices in the Field. TOXICS 2024; 12:610. [PMID: 39195712 PMCID: PMC11358922 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12080610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States recently released the first-ever federal regulation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) for drinking water. While this represents an important landmark, it also brings about compliance challenges to the stakeholders in the drinking water industry as well as concerns to the general public. In this work, we address some of the most important challenges associated with measuring low concentrations of PFASs in drinking water in the field in real drinking water matrices. First, we review the "continuous monitoring for compliance" process laid out by the EPA and some of the associated hurdles. The process requires measuring, with some frequency, low concentrations (e.g., below 2 ppt or 2 ng/L) of targeted PFASs, in the presence of many other co-contaminants and in various conditions. Currently, this task can only (and it is expected to) be accomplished using specific protocols that rely on expensive, specialized, and laboratory-scale instrumentation, which adds time and increases cost. To potentially reduce the burden, portable, high-fidelity, low-cost, real-time PFAS sensors are desirable; however, the path to commercialization of some of the most promising technologies is confronted with many challenges, as well, and they are still at infant stages. Here, we provide insights related to those challenges based on results from ab initio and machine learning studies. These challenges are mainly due to the large amount and diversity of PFAS molecules and their multifunctional behaviors that depend strongly on the conditions of the media. The impetus of this work is to present relevant and timely insights to researchers and developers to accelerate the development of suitable PFAS monitoring systems. In addition, this work attempts to provide water system stakeholders, technicians, and even regulators guidelines to improve their strategies, which could ultimately translate in better services to the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Medina
- School of Engineering, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 24515, USA
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Hajji AL, Lucas KN. Anthropogenic stressors and the marine environment: From sources and impacts to solutions and mitigation. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116557. [PMID: 38875966 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116557] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Human-released contaminants are often poorly understood wholistically in marine ecosystems. This review examines the sources, pathways, impacts on marine animals, and mitigation strategies of five pollutants (plastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, bisphenol compounds, ethynylestradiol, and petroleum hydrocarbons). Both abiotic and biotic mechanisms contribute to all five contaminants' movement. These pollutants cause short- and long-term effects on many biological processes genetically, molecularly, neurologically, physiologically, reproductively, and developmentally. We explore the extension of adverse outcome pathways to ecosystem effects by considering known inter-generational and trophic relations resulting in large-scale direct and indirect impacts. In doing so, we develop an understanding of their roles as environmental stressors in marine environments for targeted mitigation and future work. Ecosystems are interconnected and so international collaboration, standards, measures preceding mass production, and citizen involvement are required to protect and conserve marine life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina L Hajji
- Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Kelsey N Lucas
- Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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6
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Coe ST, Chakraborty S, Faheem M, Kupradit K, Bhandari RK. A second hit by PFOS exposure exacerbated developmental defects in medaka embryos with a history of ancestral BPA exposure. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142796. [PMID: 38972462 PMCID: PMC11309894 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142796] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Bisphenol-A (BPA), a known endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) in plastics and resins, has been found to induce heritable health effects in fish and mammals, affecting directly exposed individuals and indirectly their progenies in subsequent generations. It is not clearly understood if subsequent generations of the BPA-exposed ancestors have increased sensitivity to the second hit by the chemicals of emerging concern. To understand this, the present study examined the effects of developmental exposure to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which has been a global contaminant recently, in embryos whose ancestors were exposed to BPA. Two lineages of medaka (Oryzias latipes) were established: 1) the BPA lineage in which the F0 generation was exposed to 10 μg/L BPA during early development and 2) the control lineage with no BPA exposure in the F0 generation. These lineages were raised up to the F4 generation without further exposure. The embryos of the F4 generation were exposed to PFOS at 0, 0.002, 0.02, 0.2, 2, and 20 mg/L concentrations. Early developmental defects resulting in mortality, delayed hatching, teratogenic phenotypes, and altered gene expression were examined in both lineages. The expression level of genes encoding DNA methyltransferases and genes responsible for oxidative stress defense were determined. Following environmentally relevant PFOS exposure, organisms with a history of BPA exposure displayed significant changes in all categories of developmental defects mentioned above, including increased expression of genes related to oxidative stress, compared to individuals without BPA exposure. The present study provides initial evidence that a history of ancestral BPA exposure can alter sensitivity to developmental disorders following the second hit by PFOS exposure. The variable of ancestral BPA exposure could be considered in mechanistic, medical, and regulatory toxicology, and can also be applied to holistic environmental equity research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seraiah T Coe
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA
| | - Sourav Chakraborty
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA; Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Mehwish Faheem
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Karabuning Kupradit
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA
| | - Ramji K Bhandari
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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7
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di Domenico K, Lacchetti I, Cafiero G, Mancini A, Carere M, Mancini L. Reviewing the use of zebrafish for the detection of neurotoxicity induced by chemical mixtures through the analysis of behaviour. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142246. [PMID: 38710414 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142246] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The knowledge and assessment of mixtures of chemical pollutants in the aquatic environment is a complex issue that is often challenging to address. In this review, we focused on the use of zebrafish (Danio rerio), a vertebrate widely used in biomedical research, as a model for detecting the effects of chemical mixtures with a focus on behaviour. Our aim was to summarize the current status of the ecotoxicological research in this sector. Specifically, we limited our research to the period between January 2012 and September 2023, including only those works aimed at detecting neurotoxicity through behavioural endpoints, utilizing zebrafish at one or more developmental stages, from egg to adult. Additionally, we gathered the findings for every group of chemicals involved and summarised data from all the works we included. At the end of the screening process 101 papers were considered eligible for inclusion. Results show a growing interest in zebrafish at all life stages for this kind of research in the last decade. Also, a wide variety of different assays, involving different senses, was used in the works we surveyed, with exposures ranging from acute to chronic. In conclusion, the results of this study show the versatility of zebrafish as a model for the detection of mixture toxicity although, for what concerns behavioural analysis, the lack of standardisation of methods and endpoints might still be limiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin di Domenico
- Ecohealth Unit, Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ines Lacchetti
- Ecohealth Unit, Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cafiero
- Environmental Risk Assessment, Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Aurora Mancini
- Ecohealth Unit, Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Carere
- Ecohealth Unit, Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Mancini
- Ecohealth Unit, Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
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8
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Schwartz AV, Sant KE, George UZ. danRerLib: a Python package for zebrafish transcriptomics. BIOINFORMATICS ADVANCES 2024; 4:vbae065. [PMID: 38770229 PMCID: PMC11105952 DOI: 10.1093/bioadv/vbae065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Summary Understanding the pathways and biological processes underlying differential gene expression is fundamental for characterizing gene expression changes in response to an experimental condition. Zebrafish, with a transcriptome closely mirroring that of humans, are frequently utilized as a model for human development and disease. However, a challenge arises due to the incomplete annotations of zebrafish pathways and biological processes, with more comprehensive annotations existing in humans. This incompleteness may result in biased functional enrichment findings and loss of knowledge. danRerLib, a versatile Python package for zebrafish transcriptomics researchers, overcomes this challenge and provides a suite of tools to be executed in Python including gene ID mapping, orthology mapping for the zebrafish and human taxonomy, and functional enrichment analysis utilizing the latest updated Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. danRerLib enables functional enrichment analysis for GO and KEGG pathways, even when they lack direct zebrafish annotations through the orthology of human-annotated functional annotations. This approach enables researchers to extend their analysis to a wider range of pathways, elucidating additional mechanisms of interest and greater insight into experimental results. Availability and implementation danRerLib, along with comprehensive documentation and tutorials, is freely available. The source code is available at https://github.com/sdsucomptox/danrerlib/ with associated documentation and tutorials at https://sdsucomptox.github.io/danrerlib/. The package has been developed with Python 3.9 and is available for installation on the package management systems PIP (https://pypi.org/project/danrerlib/) and Conda (https://anaconda.org/sdsu_comptox/danrerlib) with additional installation instructions on the documentation website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley V Schwartz
- Computational Science Research Center, College of Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, United States
| | - Karilyn E Sant
- Computational Science Research Center, College of Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, United States
- Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, United States
| | - Uduak Z George
- Computational Science Research Center, College of Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, United States
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, United States
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9
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Green MP, Shearer C, Patrick R, Kabiri S, Rivers N, Nixon B. The perils of poly- and perfluorinated chemicals on the reproductive health of humans, livestock, and wildlife. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD24034. [PMID: 38744493 DOI: 10.1071/rd24034] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a prominent class of persistent synthetic compound. The widespread use of these substances in various industrial applications has resulted in their pervasive contamination on a global scale. It is therefore concerning that PFAS have a propensity to accumulate in bodily tissues whereupon they have been linked with a range of adverse health outcomes. Despite this, the true extent of the risk posed by PFAS to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife remains unclear. Addressing these questions requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining the fields of chemistry, biology, and policy to enable meaningful investigation and develop innovative remediation strategies. This article combines the perspectives of chemists, soil scientists, reproductive biologists, and health policy researchers, to contextualise the issue of PFAS contamination and its specific impact on reproductive health. The purpose of this article is to describe the challenges associated with remediating PFAS-contaminated soils and waters and explore the consequences of PFAS contamination on health and reproduction. Furthermore, current actions to promote planetary health and protect ecosystems are presented to instigate positive social change among the scientific community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Green
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Cameron Shearer
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Rebecca Patrick
- School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia
| | - Shervin Kabiri
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Nicola Rivers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Hunter Medical Research Institute Research Program in Infertility and Reproduction, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia; and School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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10
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Gasparini C, Iori S, Pietropoli E, Bonato M, Giantin M, Barbarossa A, Bardhi A, Pilastro A, Dacasto M, Pauletto M. Sub-acute exposure of male guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to environmentally relevant concentrations of PFOA and GenX induces significant changes in the testis transcriptome and reproductive traits. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 187:108703. [PMID: 38705092 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108703] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are frequently detected in the environment and are linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes in humans. Although legacy PFAS have been phased out due to their toxicity, alternative PFAS are increasingly used despite the fact that information on their toxic effects on reproductive traits is particularly scarce. Here, we exposed male guppies (Poecilia reticulata) for a short period (21 days) to an environmentally realistic concentration (1 ppb) of PFOA, a legacy PFAS, and its replacement compound, GenX, to assess their impact on reproductive traits and gene expression. Exposure to PFAS did not impair survival but instead caused sublethal effects. Overall, PFAS exposure caused changes in male sexual behaviour and had detrimental effects on sperm motility. Sublethal variations were also seen at the transcriptional level, with the modulation of genes involved in immune regulation, spermatogenesis, and oxidative stress. We also observed bioaccumulation of PFAS, which was higher for PFOA than for GenX. Our results offer a comprehensive comparison of these two PFAS and shed light on the toxicity of a newly emerging alternative to legacy PFAS. It is therefore evident that even at low concentrations and with short exposure, PFAS can have subtle yet significant effects on behaviour, fertility, and immunity. These findings underscore the potential ramifications of pollution under natural conditions and their impact on fish populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gasparini
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, I-35131, Padova, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, I-90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - S Iori
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, I-35020 Agripolis Legnaro (Padova), Italy
| | - E Pietropoli
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, I-35020 Agripolis Legnaro (Padova), Italy
| | - M Bonato
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, I-35131, Padova, Italy
| | - M Giantin
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, I-35020 Agripolis Legnaro (Padova), Italy
| | - A Barbarossa
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, I-40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (Bologna), Italy; Health Sciences and Technologies-Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research (CIRI-SDV), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, I-40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (Bologna), Italy
| | - A Bardhi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, I-40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (Bologna), Italy
| | - A Pilastro
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, I-35131, Padova, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, I-90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - M Dacasto
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, I-35020 Agripolis Legnaro (Padova), Italy
| | - M Pauletto
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, I-35020 Agripolis Legnaro (Padova), Italy.
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11
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Lee H, Stead JD, Williams A, Cortés Ramírez SA, Atlas E, Mennigen JA, O’Brien JM, Yauk C. Empirical Characterization of False Discovery Rates of Differentially Expressed Genes and Transcriptomic Benchmark Concentrations in Zebrafish Embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6128-6137. [PMID: 38530926 PMCID: PMC11008580 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10543] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
High-throughput transcriptomics (HTTr) is increasingly applied to zebrafish embryos to survey the toxicological effects of environmental chemicals. Before the adoption of this approach in regulatory testing, it is essential to characterize background noise in order to guide experimental designs. We thus empirically quantified the HTTr false discovery rate (FDR) across different embryo pool sizes, sample sizes, and concentration groups for toxicology studies. We exposed zebrafish embryos to 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 5 days. Pools of 1, 5, 10, and 20 embryos were created (n = 24 samples for each pool size). Samples were sequenced on the TempO-Seq platform and then randomly assigned to mock treatment groups before differentially expressed gene (DEG), pathway, and benchmark concentration (BMC) analyses. Given that all samples were treated with DMSO, any significant DEGs, pathways, or BMCs are false positives. As expected, we found decreasing FDRs for DEG and pathway analyses with increasing pool and sample sizes. Similarly, FDRs for BMC analyses decreased with increasing pool size and concentration groups, with more stringent BMC premodel filtering reducing BMC FDRs. Our study provides foundational data for determining appropriate experiment designs for regulatory toxicity testing with HTTr in zebrafish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojin Lee
- Department
of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - John D.H. Stead
- Department
of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Andrew Williams
- Environmental
Health Science and Research Bureau, Health
Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9, Canada
| | | | - Ella Atlas
- Environmental
Health Science and Research Bureau, Health
Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Jan A. Mennigen
- Department
of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Jason M. O’Brien
- Ecotoxicology
and Wildlife Health Division, Environment
and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Carole Yauk
- Department
of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
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12
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Albers J, Mylroie J, Kimble A, Steward C, Chapman K, Wilbanks M, Perkins E, Garcia-Reyero N. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Impacts on Morphology, Behavior and Lipid Levels in Zebrafish Embryos. TOXICS 2024; 12:192. [PMID: 38535925 PMCID: PMC10975676 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12030192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aquatic environments is often persistent and widespread. Understanding the potential adverse effects from this group of chemicals on aquatic communities allows for better hazard characterization. This study examines impacts on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo physiology, behavior, and lipid levels from exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and heptadecafluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). Embryos were exposed to lethal and sublethal levels of each chemical and monitored for alterations in physiological malformations, mortality, lipid levels, and behavior (only PFOA and PFHxS). The predicted 50% lethal concentrations for 120 hpf embryos were 528.6 ppm PFOA, 14.28 ppm PFHxS, and 2.14 ppm PFOS. Spine curvature and the inability of the 120 hpf embryos to maintain a dorsal-up orientation was significantly increased at 10.2 ppm PFHxS and 1.9 ppm PFOS exposure. All measured 120 hpf embryo behaviors were significantly altered starting at the lowest levels tested, 188 ppm PFOA and 6.4 ppm PFHxS. Lipid levels decreased at the highest PFAS levels tested (375 PFOA ppm, 14.4 PFHxS ppm, 2.42 ppm PFOS). In general, the PFAS chemicals, at the levels examined in this study, increased morphological deformities, embryo activity, and startle response time, as well as decreased lipid levels in 120 hpf zebrafish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice Albers
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - John Mylroie
- Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA (N.G.-R.)
| | - Ashley Kimble
- Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA (N.G.-R.)
| | | | - Kacy Chapman
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - Mitchell Wilbanks
- Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA (N.G.-R.)
| | - Edward Perkins
- Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA (N.G.-R.)
| | - Natàlia Garcia-Reyero
- Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA (N.G.-R.)
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13
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Xie X, Lu Y, Wang P, Lei H, Chen N, Liang Z, Jiang X, Li J, Cao Z, Liao J, Li K. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in a subtropical river-mangrove estuary-bay system. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 464:132937. [PMID: 37976860 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Mangrove estuaries are one of the most economically valuable and biologically diverse coastal ecosystems. However, knowledge of emerging pollutants in mangrove estuaries is limited. This study provided insight into the PFAS in a river (Zhangjiang River, ZR)-mangrove estuary (Zhangjiang River Estuary, ZRE)-bay (Dongshan Bay, DSB) continuous system in Fujian Province, China. The Σ25PFAS (sum of 25 PFAS) concentrations (0.94 ∼ 62.44 ng/L) showed a declining trend from the river to bay. The Zhe-Min Coastal Current (ZMCC) can transport an abundance of PFAS, especially PFOA, from the northern sea to southern bays, which can affect the seasonal distribution of PFAS concentrations in the DSB and result in PFOA/Σ25PFAS with a decreasing trend in the DSB (28.08%), ZRE (21.15%), and ZR (14.13%), respectively. The primary PFAS sources in this area determined by the positive matrix factor model mainly contained the effluent of the wastewater treatment plant neighboring the R2 site, discharge of domestic and production wastewater, irregular emissions of aqueous film-forming foams, and fluorochemistry industry wastewater transmitted from the ZMCC. The PFAS pollution in the mangrove creek was mainly affected by the discharge of domestic and production wastewater and presented a significant point source pollution, especially during the rainy season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwei Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yonglong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; State Key Lab of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Pei Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Haojie Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Nengwang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zian Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xudong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jialong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zhiwei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jieming Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Kongming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
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14
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Gust KA, Erik Mylroie J, Kimble AN, Wilbanks MS, Steward CSC, Chapman KA, Jensen KM, Kennedy AJ, Krupa PM, Waisner SA, Pandelides Z, Garcia-Reyero N, Erickson RJ, Ankley GT, Conder J, Moore DW. Survival, Growth, and Reproduction Responses in a Three-Generation Exposure of the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:115-131. [PMID: 38018867 PMCID: PMC11131580 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
A prior multigenerational perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure investigation in zebrafish reported adverse effects at 0.734 µg/L, among the lowest aquatic effect levels for PFOS reported to date. The present three-generation PFOS exposure quantified survival, growth, reproduction, and vitellogenin (VTG; egg yolk protein) responses in zebrafish, incorporating experimental design and procedural improvements relative to the earlier study. Exposures targeting 0.1, 0.6, 3.2, 20, and 100 µg/L in parental (P) and first filial (F1) generations lasted for 180 days post fertilization (dpf) and the second filial generation (F2) through 16 dpf. Survival decreased significantly in P and F2 generation exposures, but not in F1, at the highest PFOS treatment (100 µg/L nominal, 94-205 µg/L, measured). Significant adverse effects on body weight and length were infrequent, of low magnitude, and occurred predominantly at the highest exposure treatment. Finally, PFOS had no significant effects on P or F1 egg production and survival or whole-body VTG levels in P or F1 male fish. Overall, the predominance and magnitude of adverse PFOS effects at <1 µg/L reported in prior research were largely nonrepeatable in the present study. In contrast, the present study indicated a threshold for ecologically relevant adverse effects in zebrafish at 117 µg/L (SE 8 µg/L, n = 10) for survival and 47 µg/L (SE 11 µg/L, n = 19) for all statistically significant negative effects observed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:115-131. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt A. Gust
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - J. Erik Mylroie
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Ashley N. Kimble
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Mitchell S. Wilbanks
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | | | - Kacy A. Chapman
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Jensen
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alan J. Kennedy
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Paige M. Krupa
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Scott A. Waisner
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | | | - Natalia Garcia-Reyero
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Russell J. Erickson
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gerald T. Ankley
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jason Conder
- Geosyntec Consultants, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - David W. Moore
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
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15
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Ismail T, Lee HK, Lee H, Kim Y, Kim E, Lee JY, Kim KB, Ryu HY, Cho DH, Kwon TK, Park TJ, Kwon T, Lee HS. Early life exposure to perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) impacts vital biological processes in Xenopus laevis: Integrated morphometric and transcriptomic analyses. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 269:115820. [PMID: 38103469 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115820] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant associated with increasing health concerns and environmental hazards. Toxicological analyses of PFOS exposure are hampered by large interspecies variations and limited studies on the mechanistic details of PFOS-induced toxicity. We investigated the effects of PFOS exposure on Xenopus laevis embryos based on the reported developmental effects in zebrafish. X. laevis was selected to further our understanding of interspecies variation in response to PFOS, and we built upon previous studies by including transcriptomics and an assessment of ciliogenic effects. Midblastula-stage X. laevis embryos were exposed to PFOS using the frog embryo teratogenesis assay Xenopus (FETAX). Results showed teratogenic effects of PFOS in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The morphological abnormalities of skeleton deformities, a small head, and a miscoiled gut were associated with changes in gene expression evidenced by whole-mount in situ hybridization and transcriptomics. The transcriptomic profile of PFOS-exposed embryos indicated the perturbation in the expression of genes associated with cell death, and downregulation in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) biosynthesis. Moreover, we observed the effects of PFOS exposure on cilia development as a reduction in the number of multiciliated cells and changes in the directionality and velocity of the cilia-driven flow. Collectively, these data broaden the molecular understanding of PFOS-induced developmental effects, whereby ciliary dysfunction and disrupted ATP synthesis are implicated as the probable modes of action of embryotoxicity. Furthermore, our findings present a new challenge to understand the links between PFOS-induced developmental toxicity and vital biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayaba Ismail
- KNU LAMP Research Center, KNU, Institute of Basic Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Kyung Lee
- KNU LAMP Research Center, KNU, Institute of Basic Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongchan Lee
- KNU LAMP Research Center, KNU, Institute of Basic Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Youni Kim
- KNU LAMP Research Center, KNU, Institute of Basic Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjeong Kim
- KNU LAMP Research Center, KNU, Institute of Basic Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Yeong Lee
- KNU LAMP Research Center, KNU, Institute of Basic Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Kee-Beom Kim
- KNU LAMP Research Center, KNU, Institute of Basic Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Yeoul Ryu
- KNU LAMP Research Center, KNU, Institute of Basic Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hyung Cho
- KNU LAMP Research Center, KNU, Institute of Basic Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeg Kyu Kwon
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Joo Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Information-Bio Convergence, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Taejoon Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Information-Bio Convergence, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Shik Lee
- KNU LAMP Research Center, KNU, Institute of Basic Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Ulhaq ZS, Boncan DAT, Chan TF, Tse WKF. Insights from metabolomics and transcriptomics studies on Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) exposed zebrafish embryos. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166833. [PMID: 37673246 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166833] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) is a short-chain perfluoroalkyl substance widely used to replace the banned perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in various industrial and household products. It can be found in the environment and human bodies; however, its potential toxicities are not well studied. Zebrafish have been extensively used as a model for studying toxicants, and currently, two studies have reported on the toxicity of PFHxS in zebrafish from different approaches. Ulhaq and Tse (J Hazard Mater. 2023; 457: 131722) conducted general biological experiments and applied transcriptomics to demonstrate that PFHxS at a concentration of 5 μM could affect glucose and fatty acid metabolism, leading to oxidative stress, developmental defects, and cell cycle arrest. Xu et al. (Sci Total Environ. 2023; 887: 163770) employed metabolomics and showed that concentrations of various metabolites changed after exposure to 3 and 10 μM PFHxS. As we observed a match between the metabolomics data and our biochemistry experimental findings, we integrated the two studies, which enabled us to unfold the possible mechanism of the deregulated metabolites. We identified 22 differential expressed genes (DEGs) in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, 17 DEGs in glcyolytic process, including the critical glucokinase under the carbon metabolism. Besides, genes likes aldehyde dehydrogenases, and histone-lysine N-methyltransferases that participate in lipid peroxidation and amino metabolism respectively were spotted. Lastly, we further strengthen our discoveries by undergoing the gene set enrichment analysis. This article could provide insights into the toxicity of PFHxS, as well as prospects for environmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zulvikar Syambani Ulhaq
- Laboratory of Developmental Disorders and Toxicology, Center for Promotion of International Education and Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 8190395, Japan; Research Center for Pre-clinical and Clinical Medicine, National Research and Innovation Agency, Republic of Indonesia, Cibinong 16911, Indonesia
| | - Delbert Almerick T Boncan
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ting Fung Chan
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - William Ka Fai Tse
- Laboratory of Developmental Disorders and Toxicology, Center for Promotion of International Education and Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 8190395, Japan.
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17
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Xiao J, Jain A, Bellia G, Nyhan K, Liew Z. A scoping review of multigenerational impacts of grandparental exposures on mental health in grandchildren. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:369-382. [PMID: 38008881 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00413-8] [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] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The multigenerational effects of grandparental exposures on their grandchildren's mental health and neurodevelopment are gaining research attention. We conducted a scoping review to summarize the current epidemiological studies investigating pregnancy-related and environmental factors that affected grandparental pregnancies and mental health outcomes in their grandchildren. We also identified methodological challenges that affect these multigenerational health studies and discuss opportunities for future research. RECENT FINDINGS We performed a literature search using PubMed and Embase and included 18 articles for this review. The most investigated grandparental pregnancy-related factors were the grandparental age of pregnancy (N = 6), smoking during pregnancy (N = 4), and medication intake (N = 3). The most frequently examined grandchild outcomes were autism spectrum disorder (N = 6) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (N = 4). Among these studies, grandparental smoking and the use of diethylstilbestrol were more consistently reported to be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, while the findings for grandparental age vary across the maternal or paternal line. Grandmaternal weight, adverse delivery outcomes, and other spatial-temporal markers of physical and social environmental stressors require further scrutiny. The current body of literature has suggested that mental and neurodevelopmental disorders may be outcomes of unfavorable exposures originating from the grandparental generation during their pregnancies. To advance the field, we recommend research efforts into setting up multigenerational studies with prospectively collected data that span through at least three generations, incorporating spatial, environmental, and biological markers for exposure assessment, expanding the outcome phenotypes evaluated, and developing a causal analytical framework including mediation analyses specific for multigenerational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyuan Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
| | - Anushka Jain
- Department of Social Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
| | - Giselle Bellia
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
| | - Kate Nyhan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
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18
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Dong S, Xu J, Yang D, Zhao X, Li X, Chen D, Xing J, Shi Y, Sun Y, Ding G. Different Life-Stage Exposure to Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Trimer Acid Induces Reproductive Toxicity in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:2490-2500. [PMID: 37589400 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5732] [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: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
As a novel alternative to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA) has been widely used and has caused ubiquitous water pollution. However, its adverse effects on aquatic organisms are still not well known. In the present study, zebrafish at different life stages were exposed to 0, 5, 50, and 100 μg/L of HFPO-TA for 21 days to investigate reproductive toxicity in zebrafish. The results showed that HFPO-TA exposure significantly inhibited growth and induced reproductive toxicity in zebrafish, including a decrease of the condition factor, gonadosomatic index, and the average number of eggs. Histological section observation revealed that percentages of mature oocytes and spermatozoa were reduced, while those of primary oocytes and spermatocytes increased. In addition, exposure to HFPO-TA at three stages induced a significant decrease in the hatching rate, while the heart rate and normal growth rate of F1 offspring were only significantly inhibited for the exposure from fertilization to 21 days postfertilization (dpf). Compared with the exposure from 42 to 63 dpf, the reproductive toxicity induced by HFPO-TA was more significant for the exposure from fertilization to 21 dpf and from 21 to 42 dpf. Expression of the genes for cytochrome P450 A1A, vitellogenin 1, estrogen receptor alpha, and estrogen receptor 2b was significantly up-regulated in most cases after exposure to HFPO-TA, suggesting that HFPO-TA exhibited an estrogen effect similar to PFOA. Therefore, HFPO-TA might disturb the balance of sex steroid hormones and consequently induce reproductive toxicity in zebrafish. Taken together, the results demonstrate that exposure to HFPO-TA at different life stages could induce reproductive toxicity in zebrafish. However, the underlying mechanisms deserve further investigation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2490-2500. © 2023 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Dong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Jianhui Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Dan Yang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaohui Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Dezhi Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Jing Xing
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Yawei Shi
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Ya Sun
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Guanghui Ding
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
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19
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Ivantsova E, Lopez-Scarim V, Sultan A, English C, Biju A, Souders CL, Padillo-Anthemides NE, Konig I, Martyniuk CJ. Evidence for neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in zebrafish embryos/larvae treated with HFPO-DA ammonium salt (GenX). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 104:104315. [PMID: 37984673 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104315] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
"GenX" [ammonium perfluoro (2-methyl-3-oxahexanoate] was developed as a replacement chemical for toxic perfluorinated compounds to be used in product manufacturing. Here, we assessed developmental, mitochondrial, and behavioral toxicity endpoints in zebrafish embryos/larvae exposed to GenX. GenX exerted low toxicity to zebrafish embryos/larvae up to 20 mg/L. GenX did not affect mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation nor ATP levels. ROS levels were reduced in larvae fish exposed to 10 and 100 µg/L, indicative of an antioxidant defense; however, ROS levels were elevated in fish exposed to 1000 µg/L. Increased expression of cox1 and sod2 in GenX exposed 7-day larvae was noted. GenX (0.1 or 1 µg/L) altered transcripts associated with neurotoxicity (elavl3, gfap, gap43, manf, and tubb). Locomotor activity of larvae was reduced by 100 µg/L GenX, but only in light periods. Perturbations of anxiety-related behaviors in larvae were not observed with GenX exposure. These data inform risk assessments for long-lived perfluorinated chemicals of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Ivantsova
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Victoria Lopez-Scarim
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Amany Sultan
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Egypt
| | - Cole English
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Angel Biju
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Christopher L Souders
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Natalia E Padillo-Anthemides
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA; UF Genetics Institute, Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, USA; Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Isaac Konig
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; UF Genetics Institute and the Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, University of Florida, USA.
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20
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Ma T, Pan X, Wang T, Li X, Luo Y. Toxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to Nematodes. TOXICS 2023; 11:593. [PMID: 37505559 PMCID: PMC10385831 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11070593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of compounds that persist in the environment globally. Besides being transported to the soil and sediments, which act as their sinks, PFASs can be transferred to several species of higher organisms directly or via bacteria, eliciting a wide range of adverse effects. Caenorhabditis elegans has been widely used in toxicological studies and life science research owing to its numerous advantages over traditional vertebrate models; notably, C. elegans has 65% conserved human-disease-associated genes and does not require ethical approvals for experimental use. This review covers a range of topics, from reported accumulation characteristics and lethal concentrations of PFAS in C. elegans to the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of PFAS at different levels, including reproductive, developmental, cellular, neurologic, oxidative, metabolic, immune, and endocrine toxicities. Additionally, the toxicity levels of some PFAS substitutes are summarized. Lastly, we discuss the toxicological mechanisms of these PFAS substitutes and the importance and promising potential of nematodes as in vivo models for life science research, epidemiological studies (obesity, aging, and Alzheimer's disease research), and toxicological investigations of PFASs and other emerging pollutants compared with other soil animals or model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ma
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Prevention and Control, Zhejiang Industry and Trade Vocation College, Wenzhou 325002, China
- College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xia Pan
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Prevention and Control, Zhejiang Industry and Trade Vocation College, Wenzhou 325002, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Tiantian Wang
- College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China
| | - Xiuhua Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yongming Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
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21
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Guerrero-Limón G, Nivelle R, Bich-Ngoc N, Duy-Thanh D, Muller M. A Realistic Mixture of Persistent Organic Pollutants Affects Zebrafish Development, Behavior, and Specifically Eye Formation by Inhibiting the Condensin I Complex. TOXICS 2023; 11:357. [PMID: 37112584 PMCID: PMC10146850 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11040357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are posing major environmental and health threats due to their stability, ubiquity, and bioaccumulation. Most of the numerous studies of these compounds deal with single chemicals, although real exposures always consist of mixtures. Thus, using different tests, we screened the effects on zebrafish larvae caused by exposure to an environmentally relevant POP mixture. Our mixture consisted of 29 chemicals as found in the blood of a Scandinavian human population. Larvae exposed to this POP mix at realistic concentrations, or sub-mixtures thereof, presented growth retardation, edemas, retarded swim bladder inflation, hyperactive swimming behavior, and other striking malformations such as microphthalmia. The most deleterious compounds in the mixture belong to the per- and polyfluorinated acids class, although chlorinated and brominated compounds modulated the effects. Analyzing the changes in transcriptome caused by POP exposure, we observed an increase of insulin signaling and identified genes involved in brain and eye development, leading us to propose that the impaired function of the condensin I complex caused the observed eye defect. Our findings contribute to the understanding of POP mixtures, their consequences, and potential threats to human and animal populations, indicating that more mechanistic, monitoring, and long-term studies are imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Guerrero-Limón
- Laboratory for Organogenesis and Regeneration, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (G.G.-L.); (R.N.); (D.D.-T.)
| | - Renaud Nivelle
- Laboratory for Organogenesis and Regeneration, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (G.G.-L.); (R.N.); (D.D.-T.)
| | - Nguyen Bich-Ngoc
- VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vietnam National University (VNU), Hanoi 10000, Vietnam;
| | - Dinh Duy-Thanh
- Laboratory for Organogenesis and Regeneration, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (G.G.-L.); (R.N.); (D.D.-T.)
| | - Marc Muller
- Laboratory for Organogenesis and Regeneration, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (G.G.-L.); (R.N.); (D.D.-T.)
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22
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George SE, Baker TR, Baker BB. Nonlethal detection of PFAS bioaccumulation and biomagnification within fishes in an urban- and wastewater-dominant Great Lakes watershed. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 321:121123. [PMID: 36681373 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic endocrine disruptors that are particularly stable and pervasive due to strong carbon-fluorine bonds. They are known to bioaccumulate in protein-rich tissues of fish, and most cannot be eliminated with cooking. Despite studies linking PFAS to adverse health outcomes, there is a lack of international regulations of PFAS as a hazardous material. To investigate PFAS in an aquatic food web and the potential human health implications, we analyzed the concentrations of 40 PFAS from muscle biopsy and serum samples of fish representing different trophic levels along the Lake Huron - Lake Erie Corridor. In Summer (2021), walleye (Sander vitreus; WAE), yellow perch (Perca flavescens; YEP) and round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus; ROG) were collected for analysis from the Detroit River (contaminated site) and St. Clair River (reference site). Eight PFAS congeners were detected in muscle and 15 congeners in serum, leading to the novel detection in Great Lakes fish of 7:3 FTCA in muscle and PFHpS, PFNS, MeFOSAA, and EtFOSAA in serum. PFOS was detected in 100% of muscle and serum pools across all species at concentrations lower than those associated with fish toxicity. Muscle PFOS concentration in DR WAE fell under the 8 meals per month (>13 ng-19 ng) fish consumption advisory according to the State of Michigan. Log bioaccumulation factor was significantly different (p = 0.01) among species in DR, driven by higher log BAF for WAE (3.8 ± 0.1) compared to ROG (3.2± 0.02). Biomagnification factor greater than 1 for all species in both rivers indicates that PFOS is biomagnifying in SCR and DR food webs. Successful detection and quantification of PFAS in the muscle and serum of three fish species demonstrates the potential for using this nonlethal sampling method to monitor PFAS and better understand ecological and human health impacts of PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena E George
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Dr., Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Tracie R Baker
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.
| | - Bridget B Baker
- Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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23
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Hirke A, Varghese B, Varade S, Adela R. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120828. [PMID: 36481468 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals has been linked to gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE). However, the results were conflicting and inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis for an overview of these relationships. We searched PubMed, and Google Scholar for studies investigating bisphenol A, phthalates, and per or poly-fluoroalkyl substances and GH or PE. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for risk estimate using the generic inverse variance method. A total of 14 studies were included in the present analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, OR:1.20, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.39), perfluoro octane sulfonic acid (PFOS, (OR:1.23, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.38), and perfluononanoic acid (PFNA, OR:1.20, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.40) were significantly associated with an increased risk of PE. There was no significant association observed with perfluoro hexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluoro decanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoro heptanoic acid (PFHpA), and perfluoro undecanoic acid (PFUnDA) and PE. For GH, a statistically significant positive association was found with PFOA (OR:1.18, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.39) and PFHxS (OR:1.15, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.29). Among various phthalates analysed only mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP, OR:1.37, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.70) showed an association with GH. From our analysis, bisphenol A exposure during pregnancy did not show a significant association with the risk of PE. Our findings indicated that exposure to PFASs such as PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of PE and PFOA and PFHxS with GH. We also found that MEP was associated with GH. Most of the results were unstable in sensitivity analysis. Since most of these associations have limited evidence, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amol Hirke
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati, Sila Katamur Village, Changsari, Assam, India.
| | - Bincy Varghese
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati, Sila Katamur Village, Changsari, Assam, India.
| | - Shruti Varade
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati, Sila Katamur Village, Changsari, Assam, India.
| | - Ramu Adela
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati, Sila Katamur Village, Changsari, Assam, India.
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24
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Wasel O, Thompson KM, Freeman JL. Assessment of unique behavioral, morphological, and molecular alterations in the comparative developmental toxicity profiles of PFOA, PFHxA, and PFBA using the zebrafish model system. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 170:107642. [PMID: 36410238 PMCID: PMC9744091 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals that are persistent in the environment. Due to adverse health outcomes associated with longer chain PFAS, shorter chain chemicals were used as replacements, but developmental toxicity assessments of the shorter chain chemicals are limited. Toxicity of three perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) [perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), composed of 8 carbon (C8), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA, C6), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA, C4)] was compared in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio). LC50s at 120 h post fertilization (hpf) assessed potency of each PFAA by exposing developing zebrafish (1-120 hpf) to range of concentrations. Zebrafish were then exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.4-4000 ppb, µg/L) throughout embryogenesis (1-72 hpf). Effects of the embryonic exposure on locomotor activities was completed with the visual motor response test at 120 hpf. At 72 hpf, morphological changes (total body length, head length, head width) and transcriptome profiles to compare altered molecular and disease pathways were determined. The LC50 ranking followed trend as expected based on chain length. PFOA caused hyperactivity and PFBA hypoactivity, while PFHxA did not change behavior. PFOA, PFHxA, and PFBA caused morphological and transcriptomic alterations that were unique for each chemical and were concentration-dependent indicating different toxicity mechanisms. Cancer was a top disease for PFOA and FXR/RXR activation was a top canonical pathway for PFBA. Furthermore, comparison of altered biological and molecular pathways in zebrafish exposed to PFOA matched findings reported in prior epidemiological studies and other animal models, supporting the predictive value of the transcriptome approach and for predicting adverse health outcomes associated with PFHxA or PFBA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola Wasel
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Kathryn M Thompson
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Jennifer L Freeman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States.
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