1
|
Donzelli G, Sera F, Morales MA, Vozzi F, Roos T, Schaffert A, Paparella M, Murugadoss S, Mertens B, Gehring R, Linzalone N. A systematic review and meta-analysis of human population studies on the association between exposure to toxic environmental chemicals and left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). Environ Res 2024; 249:118429. [PMID: 38354889 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to environmental chemicals has been associated with an elevated risk of heart failure (HF). However, the impact on early markers of HF, such as left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), remains limited. OBJECTIVE To establish a foundation of evidence regarding early HF markers and their association with environmental pollutants, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. METHODS The search, conducted on October 13th, 2023, encompassed PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science without filters, focusing on observational studies reporting myocardial geometrical, structural, or functional alterations in individuals without a history of heart disease. This included the general adult population, workers, young people, and the elderly. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool at both study and item levels. RESULTS The systematic review included 17 studies involving 43.358 individuals exposed to air pollution and 2038 exposed to heavy metals. Approximately 41% of the effect measures of associations reported significant abnormalities in myocardial structure or function. The metanalyses by pollutants categories indicated positive associations between LV systolic and diastolic abnormalities and exposure to PM2.5 [-0.069 (-0.104, -0.033); -0.044 (-0.062, -0.025)] and PM10 [-0.055 (-0.087, -0.022); -0.030 (-0.050, -0.010)] and NO2 [-0.042 (-0.071, -0.013); -0.021 (-0.037, -0.004)], as well as positive associations between lead exposure and LV systolic abnormalities [-0.033 (-0.051, -0.016)]. CONCLUSIONS Existing evidence shows that specific early markers of HF may be associated with exposure to chemical pollutants. It is recommended to include such endpoints in new longitudinal and case-control studies to confirm further risk associations. These studies should consider co-exposures, account for vulnerable groups, and identify cardiotoxic compounds that may require regulation. When examining the link between myocardial abnormalities and environmental exposure, it is also advisable to explore the supportive use of Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) approaches to confirm a causal relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Donzelli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR-IFC), Pisa, Italy.
| | - F Sera
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Applications "G. Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - M A Morales
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR-IFC), Pisa, Italy.
| | - F Vozzi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR-IFC), Pisa, Italy.
| | - T Roos
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - A Schaffert
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - M Paparella
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - S Murugadoss
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - B Mertens
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - R Gehring
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - N Linzalone
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR-IFC), Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Thienpont A, Cho E, Williams A, Meier MJ, Yauk CL, Rogiers V, Vanhaecke T, Mertens B. Unlocking the Power of Transcriptomic Biomarkers in Qualitative and Quantitative Genotoxicity Assessment of Chemicals. Chem Res Toxicol 2024; 37:465-475. [PMID: 38408751 PMCID: PMC10952014 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.3c00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
To modernize genotoxicity assessment and reduce reliance on experimental animals, new approach methodologies (NAMs) that provide human-relevant dose-response data are needed. Two transcriptomic biomarkers, GENOMARK and TGx-DDI, have shown a high classification accuracy for genotoxicity. As these biomarkers were extracted from different training sets, we investigated whether combining the two biomarkers in a human-derived metabolically competent cell line (i.e., HepaRG) provides complementary information for the classification of genotoxic hazard identification and potency ranking. First, the applicability of GENOMARK to TempO-Seq, a high-throughput transcriptomic technology, was evaluated. HepaRG cells were exposed for 72 h to increasing concentrations of 10 chemicals (i.e., eight known in vivo genotoxicants and two in vivo nongenotoxicants). Gene expression data were generated using the TempO-Seq technology. We found a prediction performance of 100%, confirming the applicability of GENOMARK to TempO-Seq. Classification using TGx-DDI was then compared to GENOMARK. For the chemicals identified as genotoxic, benchmark concentration modeling was conducted to perform potency ranking. The high concordance observed for both hazard classification and potency ranking by GENOMARK and TGx-DDI highlights the value of integrating these NAMs in a weight of evidence evaluation of genotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anouck Thienpont
- Department
of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Department
of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eunnara Cho
- Environmental
Health Science and Research Bureau, Health
Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Andrew Williams
- Environmental
Health Science and Research Bureau, Health
Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Matthew J. Meier
- Environmental
Health Science and Research Bureau, Health
Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Carole L. Yauk
- Department
of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Vera Rogiers
- Department
of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department
of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Department
of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Godderis L, De Ryck E, Baeyens W, Geerts L, Jacobs G, Maesen P, Mertens B, Schroyen G, Van Belleghem F, Vanoirbeek J, Van Larebeke N. Towards a more effective reach legislation in protecting human health more effective reach in protecting human health. Toxicol Sci 2024:kfae025. [PMID: 38419586 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence indicating the substantial contribution of man-made products to an increase in the risk of diseases of civilization. In this article, the Belgian Scientific Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of CHemicals (REACH) Committee gives a critical view on the working of REACH. The current regulatory framework needs to further evolve taking into account data generated using modern science and technology. There is a need for improved assessment process not only before but also after entering the market. Objectivity, transparency, and the follow-up after market access can be optimized. Additionally, no guidance documents exist for regulation of mixture effects. Further, the lengthiness before regulatory action is a big concern. Decision making often takes several years leading to uncertainties for both producers and end users. A first proposed improvement is the implementation of independent toxicity testing, to assure objectivity, transparency, and check and improve compliance. A "no data, no market" principle could prevent access of hazardous chemicals to the market. Additionally, the introduction of novel testing could improve information on endpoints such as endocrine disrupting abilities, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. An adapted regulatory framework that integrates data from different sources and comparing the outputs with estimates of exposure is required. Fast toxicology battery testing and toxicokinetic testing could improve speed of decision making. Hereby, several improvements have been proposed that could improve the current REACH legislation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lode Godderis
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department Public Health and Primary Care, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- External Service for Prevention and Protection at work, IDEWE, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Evi De Ryck
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department Public Health and Primary Care, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Willy Baeyens
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo- Chemistry, VUB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lieve Geerts
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research, VITO, Mol, Belgium
| | - Griet Jacobs
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research, VITO, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Birgit Mertens
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Guy Schroyen
- Institut Scientifique de Service Public, ISSeP, Liège, Belgium
| | - Frank Van Belleghem
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Open Universiteit, Heerlen, the Netherlands
- Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Vanoirbeek
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department Public Health and Primary Care, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Louro H, Vettorazzi A, López de Cerain A, Spyropoulou A, Solhaug A, Straumfors A, Behr AC, Mertens B, Žegura B, Fæste CK, Ndiaye D, Spilioti E, Varga E, Dubreil E, Borsos E, Crudo F, Eriksen GS, Snapkow I, Henri J, Sanders J, Machera K, Gaté L, Le Hegarat L, Novak M, Smith NM, Krapf S, Hager S, Fessard V, Kohl Y, Silva MJ, Dirven H, Dietrich J, Marko D. Hazard characterization of Alternaria toxins to identify data gaps and improve risk assessment for human health. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:425-469. [PMID: 38147116 PMCID: PMC10794282 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03636-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Fungi of the genus Alternaria are ubiquitous plant pathogens and saprophytes which are able to grow under varying temperature and moisture conditions as well as on a large range of substrates. A spectrum of structurally diverse secondary metabolites with toxic potential has been identified, but occurrence and relative proportion of the different metabolites in complex mixtures depend on strain, substrate, and growth conditions. This review compiles the available knowledge on hazard identification and characterization of Alternaria toxins. Alternariol (AOH), its monomethylether AME and the perylene quinones altertoxin I (ATX-I), ATX-II, ATX-III, alterperylenol (ALP), and stemphyltoxin III (STTX-III) showed in vitro genotoxic and mutagenic properties. Of all identified Alternaria toxins, the epoxide-bearing analogs ATX-II, ATX-III, and STTX-III show the highest cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic potential in vitro. Under hormone-sensitive conditions, AOH and AME act as moderate xenoestrogens, but in silico modeling predicts further Alternaria toxins as potential estrogenic factors. Recent studies indicate also an immunosuppressive role of AOH and ATX-II; however, no data are available for the majority of Alternaria toxins. Overall, hazard characterization of Alternaria toxins focused, so far, primarily on the commercially available dibenzo-α-pyrones AOH and AME and tenuazonic acid (TeA). Limited data sets are available for altersetin (ALS), altenuene (ALT), and tentoxin (TEN). The occurrence and toxicological relevance of perylene quinone-based Alternaria toxins still remain to be fully elucidated. We identified data gaps on hazard identification and characterization crucial to improve risk assessment of Alternaria mycotoxins for consumers and occupationally exposed workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henriqueta Louro
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) and Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ariane Vettorazzi
- MITOX Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, UNAV-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Adela López de Cerain
- MITOX Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, UNAV-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Anastasia Spyropoulou
- Laboratory of Toxicological Control of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides' Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 145 61, Attica, Greece
| | - Anita Solhaug
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, PO Box 64, 1431, Ås, Norway
| | | | - Anne-Cathrin Behr
- Department Food Safety, BfR, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrnstraße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bojana Žegura
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Dieynaba Ndiaye
- INRS, Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité pour la Prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, 54519, Vandœuvre Lès Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Eliana Spilioti
- Laboratory of Toxicological Control of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides' Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 145 61, Attica, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Varga
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Food Hygiene and Technology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Estelle Dubreil
- Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, Fougères Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, 10 B rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France
| | - Eszter Borsos
- Food Hygiene and Technology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Francesco Crudo
- Food Hygiene and Technology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Igor Snapkow
- Department of Chemical Toxicology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggate 8, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jérôme Henri
- Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, Fougères Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, 10 B rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France
| | - Julie Sanders
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kyriaki Machera
- Laboratory of Toxicological Control of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides' Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 145 61, Attica, Greece
| | - Laurent Gaté
- INRS, Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité pour la Prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, 54519, Vandœuvre Lès Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Ludovic Le Hegarat
- Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, Fougères Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, 10 B rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France
| | - Matjaž Novak
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nicola M Smith
- Department of Chemical Toxicology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggate 8, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Solveig Krapf
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, PO Box 64, 1431, Ås, Norway
| | - Sonja Hager
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Valérie Fessard
- Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, Fougères Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, 10 B rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France
| | - Yvonne Kohl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Joseph-Von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, 66280, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Maria João Silva
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) and Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hubert Dirven
- Department of Chemical Toxicology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggate 8, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jessica Dietrich
- Department Safety in the Food Chain, BfR, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Murugadoss S, Vinković Vrček I, Schaffert A, Paparella M, Pem B, Sosnowska A, Stępnik M, Martens M, Willighagen EL, Puzyn T, Roxana Cimpan M, Lemaire F, Mertens B, Dusinska M, Fessard V, Hoet PH. Linking nanomaterial-induced mitochondrial dysfunction to existing adverse outcome pathways for chemicals. ALTEX 2024; 41:76-90. [PMID: 37606097 DOI: 10.14573/altex.2305011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
The adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework plays a crucial role in the paradigm shift of toxicity testing towards the development and use of new approach methodologies. AOPs developed for chemicals are in theory applicable to nanomaterials (NMs). However, only initial efforts have been made to integrate information on NM-induced toxicity into existing AOPs. In a previous study, we identified AOPs in the AOP-Wiki associated with the molecular initiating events (MIEs) and key events (KEs) reported for NMs in scientific literature. In a next step, we analyzed these AOPs and found that mitochondrial toxicity plays a significant role in several of them at the molecular and cellular levels. In this study, we aimed to generate hypothesis-based AOPs related to NM-induced mitochondrial toxicity. This was achieved by integrating knowledge on NM-induced mitochondrial toxicity into all existing AOPs in the AOP-Wiki, which already includes mitochondrial toxicity as a MIE/KE. Several AOPs in the AOP-Wiki related to the lung, liver, cardiovascular and nervous system, with extensively defined KEs and key event relationships (KERs), could be utilized to develop AOPs that are relevant for NMs. However, the majority of the studies included in our literature review were of poor quality, particularly in reporting NM physicochemical characteristics, and NM-relevant mitochondrial MIEs were rarely reported. This study highlights the potential role of NM-induced mitochondrial toxicity in human-relevant adverse outcomes and identifies useful AOPs in the AOP-Wiki for the development of AOPs for NMs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sivakumar Murugadoss
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Unit of Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Alexandra Schaffert
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martin Paparella
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Marvin Martens
- Department of Bioinformatics (BiGCaT), NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Egon L Willighagen
- Department of Bioinformatics (BiGCaT), NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Tomasz Puzyn
- QSAR Lab Ltd, Gdansk, Poland
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Mihaela Roxana Cimpan
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Frauke Lemaire
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Unit of Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maria Dusinska
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) Department of Environmental Chemistry, Health Effects Laboratory, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Valérie Fessard
- Anses, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Fougères Laboratory, Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, Fougères, France
| | - Peter H Hoet
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Unit of Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Roos T, Leenaars C, Schaffert A, Paparella M, Murugadoss S, Mertens B, Linzalone N, Donzelli G, Ritskes-Hoitinga M, Gehring R. Pollutant exposure and myocardial injury: Protocol and progress report for a toxicological systematic mapping review. ALTEX 2023; 41:248-259. [PMID: 37983382 DOI: 10.14573/altex.2304111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
An increasing body of evidence identifies pollutant exposure as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), while CVD incidence rises steadily with the aging population. Although numerous experimental studies are now available, the mechanisms through which lifetime exposure to environmental pollutants can result in CVD are not fully understood. To comprehensively describe and understand the pathways through which pollutant exposure leads to cardiotoxicity, a systematic mapping review of the available toxicological evidence is needed. This protocol outlines a step-by-step framework for conducting this review. Using the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Health Assessment and Translation (HAT) approach for conducting toxicological systematic reviews, we selected 362 out of 8111 in vitro (17%), in vivo (67%), and combined (16%) studies for 129 potential cardiotoxic environmental pollutants, including heavy metals (29%), air pollutants (16%), pesticides (27%), and other chemicals (28%). The internal validity of included studies is being assessed with HAT and SYRCLE Risk of Bias tools. Tabular templates are being used to extract key study elements regarding study setup, methodology, techniques, and (qualitative and quantitative) outcomes. Subsequent synthesis will consist of an explorative meta-analysis of possible pollutant-related cardiotoxicity. Evidence maps and interactive knowledge graphs will illustrate evidence streams, cardiotoxic effects and associated quality of evidence, helping researchers and regulators to efficiently identify pollutants of interest. The evidence will be integrated in novel Adverse Outcome Pathways to facilitate regulatory acceptance of non-animal methods for cardiotoxicity testing. The current article describes the progress of the steps made in the systematic mapping review process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tom Roos
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cathalijn Leenaars
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Schaffert
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martin Paparella
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sivakumar Murugadoss
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nunzia Linzalone
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR-IFC), Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Donzelli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR-IFC), Pisa, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Merel Ritskes-Hoitinga
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- AUGUST, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ronette Gehring
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nguyen H, Segers S, Ledent M, Anthonissen R, Verschaeve L, Hinsenkamp M, Collard JF, Feipel V, Mertens B. Effects of long-term exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields on cell viability, genetic damage, and sensitivity to mutagen-induced damage. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14097. [PMID: 36923833 PMCID: PMC10008985 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Until today, it remains controversial whether long-term exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) below the legislative exposure limits could result in adverse human health effects. In the present study, the effects of long-term in vitro MF exposure on three different study endpoints (cell viability, genetic damage, and sensitivity to damage induced by known mutagens) were investigated in the human B lymphoblastoid (TK6) cell line. Cells were exposed to 50 Hz MF at three selected magnetic flux densities (i.e., 10, 100, and 500 μT) for different exposure periods ranging from 96h up to 6 weeks. Cell viability following MF exposure was assessed using the ATP-based cell viability assay. Effects of MF exposure on cell genetic damage and cell sensitivity to mutagen-induced damage were evaluated using the in vitro alkaline comet assay and the in vitro cytokinesis block micronucleus assay. The results showed that long-term exposure up to 96h to 50 Hz MF at all tested flux densities could significantly increase TK6 cell viability. In contrast, long-term MF exposure did not affect cell genetic damage, and long-term pre-exposure to MF did not change cell sensitivity to damage induced by known mutagens. At certain time points, statistically significant difference in genotoxicity test results were observed between the MF-exposed cells and the control cells. However, these observations could not be confirmed in the repeat experiments, indicating that they are probably not biologically significant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha Nguyen
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Seppe Segers
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Maryse Ledent
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Roel Anthonissen
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Luc Verschaeve
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Maurice Hinsenkamp
- Faculty of Medicine, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Veronique Feipel
- Faculty of Medicine, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Schaffert A, Murugadoss S, Mertens B, Paparella M. Cardiotoxicity of chemicals: Current regulatory guidelines, knowledge gaps, and needs. ALTEX 2023; 40:337–340. [PMID: 36648099 DOI: 10.14573/altex.2301121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Schaffert
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sivakumar Murugadoss
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiteit Antwerpen, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Martin Paparella
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sanders J, Thienpont A, Anthonissen R, Vanhaecke T, Mertens B. Impact of experimental design factors on the potency of genotoxicants in in vitro tests. Mutagenesis 2022; 37:248-258. [PMID: 36448879 DOI: 10.1093/mutage/geac025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that differences in experimental design factors may alter the potency of genotoxic compounds in in vitro genotoxicity tests. Most of these studies used traditional statistical methods based on the lowest observed genotoxic effect levels, whereas more appropriate methods, such as the benchmark dose (BMD) approach, are now available to compare genotoxic potencies under different test conditions. We therefore investigated the influence of two parameters, i.e. cell type and exposure duration, on the potencies of two known genotoxicants [aflatoxin B1 and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)] in the in vitro micronucleus (MN) assay and comet assay (CA). Both compounds were tested in the two assays using two cell types (i.e. CHO-K1 and TK6 cells). To evaluate the effect of exposure duration, the genotoxicity of EMS was assessed after 3 and 24 h of exposure. Results were analyzed using the BMD covariate approach, also referred to as BMD potency ranking, and the outcome was compared with that of more traditional statistical methods based on lowest observed genotoxic effect levels. When comparing the in vitro MN results obtained in both cell lines with the BMD covariate approach, a difference in potency was detected only when EMS exposures were conducted for 24 h, with TK6 cells being more sensitive. No difference was observed in the potency of both EMS and aflatoxin B1 in the in vitro CA using both cell lines. In contrast, EMS was more potent after 24 h exposure compared with a 3 h exposure under all tested conditions, i.e. in the in vitro MN assay and CA in both cell lines. Importantly, for several of the investigated factors, the BMD covariate method could not be used to confirm the differences in potencies detected with the traditional statistical methods, thus highlighting the need to evaluate the impact of experimental design factors with adequate approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Sanders
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anouck Thienpont
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Roel Anthonissen
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Streel C, Overmeire IV, Selvestrel G, Roncaglioni A, Benfenati E, Hoeck EV, Mertens B. SOC-VI-10 Development of a semi-automated workflow including (Q)SAR models to support the risk assessment of non-evaluated food contact material substances. Toxicol Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.07.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
11
|
Van Mulders M, Liodo Missigba N, Mertens B, Rogiers V. RE-Place: A Unique Project Collecting Expertise on New Approach Methodologies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:930148. [PMID: 35814243 PMCID: PMC9257167 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.930148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
By applying “New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)” based on innovative technologies such as computer modeling, high throughput testing, omics, and sophisticated cell cultures, the use of experimental animals in the life sciences can be reduced or sometimes even completely avoided. Stimulating NAMs may benefit from a bottom-up approach, i.e., local initiatives mapping the available NAMs and promoting their use. An example of such an initiative in Belgium is the RE-Place project, which collects the available NAMs in one central database, and links this knowledge with the names of experts and research centers. To this extent, a template was created to collect the information of interest in a fast and consistent manner. Based on this template, a web-based application was developed to facilitate the entry of information, which was evaluated in a pilot study by experts in the field of NAMs. After integration of their feedback, a revised version of the RE-Place online tool was launched to the public. Aspects such as user-friendliness, quality of submitted information, protection of personal data and Intellectual Property (IP) rights were all considered in the development process. Hurdles like incentives for collaboration were also taken into account. Information submitted with the online tool is directly integrated in the RE-Place open access database. By consulting the database, scientists from various disciplines can easily identify the different types of NAMs and the experts using them in Belgium. As such, the RE-Place database contributes to building trust in the use of NAMs and stimulating their use and regulatory uptake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mieke Van Mulders
- SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Mieke Van Mulders,
| | - Nancy Liodo Missigba
- SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vera Rogiers
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ciffroy P, Mertens B, Van Hoeck E, Van Overmeire I, Johansson E, Alfonso B, Baderna D, Selvestrel G, Benfenati E. Modeling the migration of chemicals from food contact materials to food: The MERLIN-expo/VERMEER toolbox. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 166:113118. [PMID: 35605713 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Evaluating the migration of chemicals from food contact materials (FCM) into food is a key step in the safety assessment of such materials. In this paper, a simple mechanistic model describing the migration of chemicals from FCM to food was combined with quantitative property-property relationships (QPPRs) for the prediction of diffusion coefficients and FCM-Food partition coefficients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of these operational models in the prediction of a chemical's concentration in food in contact with a plastic monolayer FCM. A comparison to experimental migration values reported in literature was conducted. Deterministic simulations showed a good match between predicted and experimental values. The tested models can be used to provide insights in the amount and the type of toxicological data that are needed for the safety evaluation of the FCM substance. Uncertainty in QPPRs used for describing the processes of both diffusion in FCM and partition at the FCM-Food interface was included in the analysis. Combining uncertainty in QPPR predictions, it was shown that the third quartile (75th percentile) derived from probabilistic calculations can be used as a conservative value in the prediction of chemical concentration in food, with reasonable safety factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Ciffroy
- EDF, Division Recherche et Développement, Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement, 6 quai Watier, 78401, Chatou, France.
| | - B Mertens
- Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - E Van Hoeck
- Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - I Van Overmeire
- Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - E Johansson
- AFRY, Facilia Sweden Section, Frösundaleden 2, SE16970, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - B Alfonso
- AFRY, Facilia Sweden Section, Frösundaleden 2, SE16970, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - D Baderna
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - G Selvestrel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milano, Italy
| | - E Benfenati
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Dusart A, Mertens B, Van Hoeck E, Simon M, Goscinny S, Collin S. Occurrence of (suspected) genotoxic flavoring substances in Belgian alcohol-free beers. Food Chem 2022; 369:130917. [PMID: 34464835 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The regulatory landscape of flavorings is evolving, thereby putting pressure on control laboratories to develop analytical methods for a wide range of compounds in various types of food and drinks. In order to improve the monitoring of flavoring substances, a versatile and accurate analytical method using the solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) technique coupled to GC-MS(SIM) was developed and validated. Focus was put on authorized flavoring substances requiring specific attention due to a genotoxic concern based on information from European risks assessment reports. Thirty-seven (suspected) genotoxic flavoring substances were analyzed in a selection of ten alcohol-free beers. Five suspected genotoxic compounds (i.e. 1-(2-furyl)-2-propanone, 2-acetylfuran, 2-acetyl-5-methylfuran, 2-acetyl-3,5-dimethylfuran, hex-2-eno-1,4-lactone) as well as two confirmed genotoxic flavoring substances (p-mentha-1,8-dien-7-al, 2,4-pentanedione) were identified and quantified among the selected samples. Low concentrations and natural occurrences of the identified compounds suggested that these were not added as such but rather originated from heat-treatments or from plant-based extracts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Dusart
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium.
| | - B Mertens
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - E Van Hoeck
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - M Simon
- Unité de Brasserie et des Industries Alimentaires, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), Faculté des Bioingénieurs, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2, Box L7.05.07, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - S Goscinny
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - S Collin
- Unité de Brasserie et des Industries Alimentaires, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), Faculté des Bioingénieurs, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2, Box L7.05.07, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Baderna D, Van Overmeire I, Lavado GJ, Gadaleta D, Mertens B. In Silico Methods for Chromosome Damage. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2425:185-200. [PMID: 35188633 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1960-5_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Due to the link with serious adverse health effects, genotoxicity is an important toxicological endpoint in each regulatory setting with respect to human health, including for pharmaceuticals. To this extent, a compound potential to induce gene mutations as well as chromosome damage needs to be addressed. For chromosome damage, i.e., the induction of structural or numerical chromosome aberrations, several in vitro and in vivo test methods are available. In order to rapidly collect toxicological data without the need for test material, several in silico tools for chromosome damage have been developed over the last years. In this chapter, a battery of freely available in silico chromosome damage prediction tools for chromosome damage is applied on a dataset of pharmaceuticals. Examples of the different outcomes obtained with the in silico battery are provided and briefly discussed. Furthermore, results for coumarin are presented in more detail as a case study. Overall, it can be concluded that although they are in general less developed than those for mutagenicity, in silico tools for chromosome damage can provide valuable information, especially when combined in a battery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Baderna
- Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Lombardia, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna J Lavado
- Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Domenico Gadaleta
- Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Birgit Mertens
- SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiteit Antwerpen, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Thienpont A, Verhulst S, van Grunsven L, Rogiers V, Vanhaecke T, Mertens B. A novel prediction model to evaluate genotoxicity based on a gene signature in metabolically competent human HepaRG? cells. Toxicol Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4274(21)00402-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
16
|
Hochegger A, Moret S, Geurts L, Gude T, Leitner E, Mertens B, O'Hagan S, Poças F, Simat TJ, Purcaro G. Mineral oil risk assessment: Knowledge gaps and roadmap. Outcome of a multi-stakeholders workshop. Trends Food Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2021.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
|
17
|
Mertens B, Van Heyst A, Demaegdt H, Boonen I, Van Den Houwe K, Goscinny S, Elskens M, Van Hoeck E. Assessment of hazards and risks associated with dietary exposure to mineral oil for the Belgian population. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 149:112034. [PMID: 33529678 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Recently collected dietary exposure data on mineral oil saturated (MOSH) and aromatic (MOAH) hydrocarbons were used to evaluate the risks associated with exposure to mineral oil through food for the Belgian population. For MOSH, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) value of 19 mg kg-1 bw day-1 based on the hepatic inflammation-associated granulomas found in a 90-day oral study in F-344 rats was used as point of departure (PoD). Due to existing toxicological uncertainties, the margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied. In all investigated scenarios, the MOE values were well above 100, indicating that there is no direct health concern related to MOSH exposure for the Belgian population. Nevertheless, more appropriate risk assessment approaches for MOSH based on adequate PoD are needed. For dietary exposure to MOAH, which are potentially genotoxic and carcinogenic, no MOE values could be calculated due to the lack of adequate dose-response carcinogenicity data. In two investigated worst-case scenarios, a health concern related to MOAH exposure could not be excluded, highlighting that more data are needed to perform an adequate risk assessment. The possibility to use in vitro bioassays to collect such additional toxicological information for MOAH present in food samples was also investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Mertens
- Sciensano, SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Brussels, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | | | - Heidi Demaegdt
- Sciensano, SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Imke Boonen
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Analytical and Geochemistry, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Marc Elskens
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Analytical and Geochemistry, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Els Van Hoeck
- Sciensano, SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Van Mulders M, Missigba NL, Rogiers V, Mertens B. RE-Place: A local initiative to pave the road towards international recognition and promotion of new approach methodologies. MethodsX 2020; 7:101129. [PMID: 33224739 PMCID: PMC7666376 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2020.101129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M Van Mulders
- SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - N Liodo Missigba
- SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - V Rogiers
- In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - B Mertens
- SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Barhdadi S, Mertens B, Van Bossuyt M, Van De Maele J, Anthonissen R, Canfyn M, Courselle P, Rogiers V, Deconinck E, Vanhaecke T. Identification of flavouring substances of genotoxic concern present in e-cigarette refills. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 147:111864. [PMID: 33217530 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
E-cigarettes have become very popular, a trend that has been stimulated by the wide variety of available e-liquid flavours. Considering the large number of e-liquid flavours (>7000), there is an urgent need to establish a screening strategy to prioritize the flavouring substances of highest concern for human health. In the present study, a prioritization strategy combining analytical screening, in silico tools and literature data was developed to identify potentially genotoxic e-liquid flavourings. Based on the analysis of 129 e-liquids collected on the Belgian market, 60 flavourings with positive in silico predictions for genotoxicity were identified. By using literature data, genotoxicity was excluded for 33 of them whereas for 5, i.e. estragole, safrole, 2-furylmethylketon, 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyl-3(2H)-furanone and transhexanal, there was a clear concern for in vivo genotoxicity. A selection of 4 out of the remaining 22 flavourings was tested in two in vitro genotoxicity assays. Three out of the four tested flavourings induced gene mutations and chromosome damage in vitro, whereas equivocal results were obtained for the fourth compound. Thus, although there is a legislative framework which excludes the use of CMR compounds in e-liquids, flavourings of genotoxic concern are present and might pose a health risk for e-cigarette users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Barhdadi
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium; Faculty of Medicines and Pharmacy, Department of in Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Melissa Van Bossuyt
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium; Faculty of Medicines and Pharmacy, Department of in Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jolien Van De Maele
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Roel Anthonissen
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michael Canfyn
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patricia Courselle
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vera Rogiers
- Faculty of Medicines and Pharmacy, Department of in Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eric Deconinck
- Scientific Direction of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Faculty of Medicines and Pharmacy, Department of in Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Methneni N, Anthonissen R, Van de Maele J, Trifa F, Verschaeve L, Mansour HB, Mertens B. Assessment of natural coagulants to remediate Tunisian textile wastewater by combining physicochemical, analytical, and toxicological data. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:40088-40100. [PMID: 32656751 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10000-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Due to the complexity and variability of textile wastewater composition, a constant search for new treatment strategies that are efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective is mandatory. In the present study, the efficiency of coagulation-flocculation using biocoagulants derived from cactus Opuntia ficus indica and eggplant Solanum melongena to remove toxic compounds from Tunisian textile wastewater samples was evaluated by combining assays to investigate physicochemical properties and in vitro (geno)toxicity with analytical chemistry. Both natural coagulants could significantly improve the physicochemical properties of the textile wastewater samples compared to the traditionally used chemical coagulant. The highest rate of decolorization was achieved after treatment with the cactus-derived coagulant. The analytical study revealed the presence of only crystal violet dye (CV) in only one sample. Both natural coagulants were able to remove CV, which may (partially) explain the decolorization of the treated samples. Only one untreated textile effluent induced a genotoxic response in the VITOTOX® assay. The genotoxic effect was not linked to the presence of CV and was no longer observed after treatment with each of the natural coagulants, suggesting the effectiveness of the remediation treatments to remove potentially genotoxic compound(s). However, in the other genotoxicity tests, no biologically relevant effects were observed for any of the tested samples. In conclusion, although the physicochemical data indicate that the use of natural coagulants (cactus and eggplant) could be an interesting alternative treatment process to the chemical coagulant for detoxifying textile effluents, these results were only partially supported by the toxicological and analytical data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nosra Methneni
- Research Unit of Analysis and Process Applied to the Environment-APAE (UR17ES32), Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology Mahdia, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Scientific Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Roel Anthonissen
- Scientific Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jolien Van de Maele
- Scientific Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fatma Trifa
- Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnology of Eukaryotes, Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Luc Verschaeve
- Scientific Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hedi Ben Mansour
- Research Unit of Analysis and Process Applied to the Environment-APAE (UR17ES32), Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology Mahdia, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Scientific Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kostyukevich M, Van Der Bijl P, Mertens B, Vo M, Marsan N, Delgado V, Bax J. Left ventricular volumes at baseline and outcome in heart failure patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy. Eur Heart J 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.1087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Studies evaluating the relationship between baseline left ventricular (LV) volumes and long-term prognosis in heart failure (HF) patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are lacking.
Purpose
To evaluate the association of LV end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (ESV and EDV) with long-term prognosis in patients with HF treated with CRT.
Methods
Patients from an ongoing institutional HF registry who received CRT according to contemporary guidelines were included. All patients underwent standard transthoracic echocardiography. LV volumes were measured using the biplane method during off-line analysis. Primary end-point included all-cause mortality, implantation of left ventricular assist device or heart transplantation, which were assessed according to the national death registry and case records.
Results
In total, 1165 patients with feasible LV volume assessment were included (mean age 67±10 years; 74.8% males; 55.3% with non-ischemic aetiology of HF). After a median follow-up of 75 (40; 123) months, the primary end-point occurred in 708 (60.8%) patients. Median baseline LV ESV was 151 (108; 198) ml and EDV was 202 (156; 258) ml. All patients were divided into quartiles according to the baseline EDV and ESV: those with larger volumes were significantly younger, more frequently male and had longer QRS durations (p<0.001). Heart failure aetiology, glomerular filtration rate, quality of life and 6-minute walking test distance did not differ significantly between the groups (p>0.05). To investigate the association between long-term prognosis and baseline LV volumes (EDV and ESV), a Cox proportional hazards model was constructed with variables known to influence the mortality of HF patients (age, gender, aetiology, QRS duration, and estimated glomerular filtration rate). When separately included in a multivariate analysis, baseline LV ESV and LV EDV were both independently associated with the primary end-point (p<0.001). To demonstrate hazard change across the range of LV ESV and EDV as continuous variables, an adjusted (for covariates influencing HF mortality) spline curve was drawn, showing an increased mortality risk when the baseline LV ESV and EDV are larger than 100 ml and 200 ml, respectively (Figure).
Conclusion
LV volumes before CRT implantation are independently associated with prognosis during long-term follow-up. Our findings indicate the importance of taking baseline LV remodelling into consideration to identify patients at high mortality risk after CRT implantation.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): The author acknowledges funding received from the European Society of Cardiology in form of an ESC Training Grant
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Kostyukevich
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands (The)
| | - P Van Der Bijl
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands (The)
| | - B Mertens
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands (The)
| | - M Vo
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands (The)
| | - N.A Marsan
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands (The)
| | - V Delgado
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands (The)
| | - J.J Bax
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands (The)
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Nguyen H, Ledent M, Beauvois V, Anthonissen R, Verschaeve L, Collard JF, Hinsenkamp M, Feipel V, Mertens B. In vitro 50 Hz magnetic field long-term exposure: Cytogenetic tests on human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells and validation of the test environment. MethodsX 2020; 7:101071. [PMID: 33088726 PMCID: PMC7558212 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2020.101071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Potential health effects of extremely low-frequency (electro)magnetic fields (ELF-(E)MFs) have long been investigated, but the results are still inconclusive. With respect to genotoxicity, sound data related to the effects of long-term exposure to ELF-(E)MFs on the genetic material and the impact of long-term pre-exposure to ELF-(E)MFs on the sensitivity of cells to the damage induced by known mutagens are needed. In this manuscript, an optimized protocol for a combined in vitro comet/micronucleus study to investigate these effects in a human lymphoblastoid cell line (TK6) is provided including the description of a well-validated exposure system. Furthermore, the use of a shielding system to limit background ELF-MFs inside the incubator is described as well.Optimized protocols for cytogenetic tests with ELF-MFs on TK6 cells ensure the reproducibility of test results. Validation of exposure environment and exposure system are needed prior to performing tests with ELF-MFs. A simple, but effective method to shield cells and reduce unintentional ELF-MF exposure consists of using the mu-metal cylinder. This is of particular interest when studying the effects of low exposure levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha Nguyen
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Belgium.,Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Maryse Ledent
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Belgium
| | | | - Roel Anthonissen
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Belgium
| | - Luc Verschaeve
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Birgit Mertens
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
El Mahdiui M, Smit J, van Rosendael A., Neglia D, Knuuti J, Saras A, Buechel R, Teresinska A, Pizzi M, Poddighe R, Mertens B, Caselli C, Rocchiccioli S, Parodi O, Pelosi W, Scholte A. Sex Differences In The Natural History Of Coronary Plaque Changes By Serial Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2020.06.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
24
|
Van Bossuyt M, Raitano G, Honma M, Van Hoeck E, Vanhaecke T, Rogiers V, Mertens B, Benfenati E. New QSAR models to predict chromosome damaging potential based on the in vivo micronucleus test. Toxicol Lett 2020; 329:80-84. [PMID: 32360788 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A large number of computer-based prediction methods to determine the potential of chemicals to induce mutations at the gene level has been developed over the last decades. Conversely, only few such methods are currently available to predict potential structural and numerical chromosome aberrations. Even fewer of these are based on the preferred testing method for this endpoint, i.e. the micronucleus test. For the present work, in vivo micronucleus test results of 718 structurally diverse compounds were collected and applied for the construction of new models by means of the freely available SARpy in silico model building software. Multiple QSAR models were created using parameter variation and manual verification of (non-) alerting structures. To this extent, the original set of 718 compounds was split into a training (80 %) and a test (20 %) set. SARpy was applied on the training set to automatically extract sets of rules by generating and selecting substructures based on their prediction performance whereas the test set was used to evaluate model performance. Five different splits were made randomly, each of which had a similar balance between positive and negative substances compared to the full dataset. All generated models were characterised by an overall better performance than existing free and commercial models for the same endpoint, while demonstrating high coverage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Van Bossuyt
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium; Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Giuseppa Raitano
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Masamitsu Honma
- Division of Genetics and Mutagenesis, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Els Van Hoeck
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vera Rogiers
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Van Heyst A, Goscinny S, Bel S, Vandevijvere S, Mertens B, Elskens M, Van Hoeck E. Dietary exposure of the Belgian population to mineral oil. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2019; 37:267-279. [PMID: 31697201 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2019.1684573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Recently, presence of mineral oil in numerous foods has been detected. The analysis of mineral oil in food is convoluted since it comprises MOSH (saturated hydrocarbons) and variable amounts of mainly alkylated MOAH (aromatic hydrocarbons). Both fractions have a different toxicological profile and therefore they need to be assessed separately. For Belgium, occurrence data are available comprising concentrations of 217 food samples. These data were used, in combination with the 2014/15 Belgian Food Consumption Survey data, in a lower bound scenario to evaluate the dietary exposure of the Belgian population. Exposure to mineral oil was much lower compared to the results previously reported by EFSA and RIVM. The main contributors in Belgium were similar to previous studies (i.e. cereal products and oils), but an important additional contribution of non-alcoholic drinks was identified due to the presence of mineral oil in coffee. However, the concentration of mineral oil was determined from the dry product by applying a dilution factor with transfer rate of 100%, and not in the prepared coffee.This study gives an account of the dietary exposure of the Belgian population to mineral oil for the first time and reports the associated uncertainties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah Bel
- Sciensano, SD Epidemiology and Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Birgit Mertens
- Sciensano, SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marc Elskens
- Department of Analytical and Geochemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Els Van Hoeck
- Sciensano, SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Van Bossuyt M, Van Hoeck E, Raitano G, Vanhaecke T, Benfenati E, Mertens B, Rogiers V. Performance of In Silico Models for Mutagenicity Prediction of Food Contact Materials. Toxicol Sci 2019; 163:632-638. [PMID: 29579255 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In silico methodologies, such as (quantitative) structure-activity relationships ([Q]SARs), are available to predict a wide variety of toxicological properties and biological activities for structurally diverse substances. To obtain insights in the scientific value of these predictions, the capacity of the prediction models to generate (sufficiently) reliable results for a particular type of compounds needs to be evaluated. In the current study, performance parameters to predict the endpoint "bacterial mutagenicity" were calculated for a battery of common (Q)SAR tools, namely Toxtree, Derek Nexus, VEGA Consensus, and Sarah Nexus. Printed paper and board food contact material (FCM) constituents were chosen as study substances because many of these lack experimental data, making them an interesting group for in silico screening. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictivity, negative predictivity, and Matthews correlation coefficient for the individual models and for the combination of VEGA Consensus and Sarah Nexus were determined and compared. Our results demonstrate that performance varies among the four models, but can be increased by applying a combination strategy. Furthermore, the importance of the applicability domain is illustrated. Limited performance to predict the mutagenic potential of substances that are new to the model (ie, not included in the training set) is reported. In this context, the generally poor sensitivity for these new substances is also addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Van Bossuyt
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.,Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Els Van Hoeck
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Giuseppa Raitano
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vera Rogiers
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Van Bossuyt M, Raitano G, Van Hoeck E, Rogiers V, Benfenati E, Mertens B. Development of an in silico model to evaluate in vivo chromosome damaging potential of chemicals. Toxicol Lett 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.06.601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
28
|
Mertens B, Van Bossuyt M, Vanhaecke T, Rogiers V, Van Hoeck E. Animal-free strategies to prioritize substances of concern: case studies with food contact materials. Toxicol Lett 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.06.731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
29
|
Van Heyst A, Vanlancker M, Vercammen J, Van den Houwe K, Mertens B, Elskens M, Van Hoeck E. Analysis of mineral oil in food: results of a Belgian market survey. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2018; 35:2062-2075. [DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2018.1512758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Van Heyst
- Service Organic Contaminants and additives, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Birgit Mertens
- Service Risk and health impact assessment, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marc Elskens
- Department of analytical and geochemistry Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Els Van Hoeck
- Service Organic Contaminants and additives, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ates G, Mertens B, Heymans A, Verschaeve L, Milushev D, Vanparys P, Roosens NHC, De Keersmaecker SCJ, Rogiers V, Doktorova TY. A novel genotoxin-specific qPCR array based on the metabolically competent human HepaRG™ cell line as a rapid and reliable tool for improved in vitro hazard assessment. Arch Toxicol 2018; 92:1593-1608. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2172-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
|
31
|
Mertens B, Van Bossuyt M, Fraselle S, Blaude MN, Vanhaecke T, Rogiers V, Verschaeve L, Van Hoeck E. Coatings in food contact materials: Potential source of genotoxic contaminants? Food Chem Toxicol 2017; 106:496-505. [PMID: 28583787 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.05.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Up till now, no harmonized EU regulation exists on chemicals used in coatings for food contact materials (FCM). Therefore, these substances need to comply with the general provisions of EU Regulation 1935/2004 and, if present, with national legislation. Different 'inventory lists' of compounds that might be present in coatings are available, but for hundreds of these substances, the potential human health impact of their use in FCM coatings has not (recently) been evaluated. Since detailed evaluation of all compounds is not feasible, a pragmatic approach was developed to identify substances with a potential concern for human health. First, an inventory was assembled containing all substances potentially used in coatings. Afterwards, the genotoxic potential of the non-evaluated substances was predicted in silico using two structure-activity relationship (SAR) software programs. For substances yielding structural alerts in both models, genotoxicity data were collected from previous European evaluations in a non-FCM context and from the European CHemicals Agency (ECHA) website. In total, 53 substances were identified as genotoxic in both in silico models, of which ten were considered to be of high concern. For most of the substances, additional toxicological information is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Mertens
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - M Van Bossuyt
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium; In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, Belgium
| | - S Fraselle
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium
| | - M N Blaude
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium
| | - T Vanhaecke
- In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, Belgium
| | - V Rogiers
- In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, Belgium
| | - L Verschaeve
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - E Van Hoeck
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. The vast majority of CRC cases have been linked to environmental causes rather than to heritable genetic changes. Over the last decades, epidemiological evidence linking the consumption of red and, more convincingly, of processed red meat to CRC has accumulated. In parallel, hypotheses on carcinogenic mechanisms underlying an association between CRC and the intake of red and processed red meat have been proposed and investigated in biological studies. The hypotheses that have received most attention until now include (1) the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic aromatic amines, two groups of compounds recognized as carcinogenic, (2) the enhancing effect of (nitrosyl)heme on the formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds and lipid peroxidation. However, none of these hypotheses completely explains the link between red and processed red meat intake and the CRC risk. Consequently, scientists have proposed additional mechanisms or refined their hypotheses. This review first briefly summarizes the development of CRC followed by an in-depth overview and critical discussion of the different potential carcinogenic mechanisms underlying the increased CRC risk associated with the consumption of red and processed red meat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Demeyer
- a Superior Health Council , Brussels , Belgium.,b Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality , Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University , Melle , Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- a Superior Health Council , Brussels , Belgium.,c Program Toxicology, Department of Food , Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene) , Brussels , Belgium
| | - Stefaan De Smet
- a Superior Health Council , Brussels , Belgium.,b Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality , Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University , Melle , Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Van Bossuyt M, Van Hoeck E, Vanhaecke T, Rogiers V, Mertens B. Safeguarding human health using in silico tools? Arch Toxicol 2017; 91:2705-2706. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-017-1931-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
34
|
Van Bossuyt M, Van Hoeck E, Vanhaecke T, Rogiers V, Mertens B. Printed paper and board food contact materials as a potential source of food contamination. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2016; 81:10-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
35
|
Mertens B, Van Hoeck E, Blaude MN, Simon C, Onghena M, Vandermarken T, Van Langenhove K, Demaegdt H, Vandermeiren K, Covaci A, Scippo ML, Elskens M, Van Loco J. Evaluation of the potential health risks of substances migrating from polycarbonate replacement baby bottles. Food Chem Toxicol 2016; 97:108-119. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
36
|
Simons K, De Smedt T, Stove C, De Paepe P, Bader M, Nemery B, Vleminckx C, De Cremer K, Van Overmeire I, Fierens S, Mertens B, Göen T, Schettgen T, Van Oyen H, Van Loco J, Van Nieuwenhuyse A. Short-term health effects in the general population following a major train accident with acrylonitrile in Belgium. Environ Res 2016; 148:256-263. [PMID: 27085497 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following a train derailment, several tons of acrylonitrile (ACN) exploded, inflamed and part of the ACN ended up in the sewage system of the village of Wetteren. More than 2000 residents living in the close vicinity of the accident and along the sewage system were evacuated. A human biomonitoring study of the adduct N-2-cyanoethylvaline (CEV) was carried out days 14-21 after the accident. OBJECTIVES (1) To describe the short-term health effects that were reported by the evacuated residents following the train accident, and (2) to explore the association between the CEV concentrations, extrapolated at the time of the accident, and the self-reported short-term health effects. METHODS Short-term health effects were reported in a questionnaire (n=191). An omnibus test of independence was used to investigate the association between the CEV concentrations and the symptoms. Dose-response relationships were quantified by Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). RESULTS The most frequently reported symptoms were local symptoms of irritation. In non-smokers, dose-dependency was observed between the CEV levels and the self-reporting of irritation (p=0.007) and nausea (p=0.007). Almost all non-smokers with CEV concentrations above 100pmol/g globin reported irritation symptoms. Both absence and presence of symptoms was reported by non-smokers with CEV concentrations below the reference value and up to 10 times the reference value. Residents who visited the emergency services reported more symptoms. This trend was seen for the whole range of CEV concentrations, and thus independently of the dose. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The present study is one of the first to relate exposure levels to a chemical released during a chemical incident to short-term (self-reported) health effects. A dose-response relation was observed between the CEV concentrations and the reporting of short-term health effects in the non-smokers. Overall, the value of self-reported symptoms to assess exposure showed to be limited. The results of this study confirm that a critical view should be taken when considering self-reported health complaints and that ideally biomarkers are monitored to allow an objective assessment of exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Simons
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - T De Smedt
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - C Stove
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - P De Paepe
- Ghent University Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - M Bader
- BASF SE, Occupational Medicine & Health Protection, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
| | - B Nemery
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - C Vleminckx
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - K De Cremer
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium.
| | | | - S Fierens
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - B Mertens
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - T Göen
- University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - T Schettgen
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany.
| | - H Van Oyen
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - J Van Loco
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium.
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Visser W, Mertens B, Reijnierse M, Bloem J, de Mutsert R, le Cessie S, Rosendaal F, Kloppenburg M. AB0766 Bakers' Cyst and Tibiofemoral Abnormalities Are More Distinctive MRI Features of Symptomatic Osteoarthritis than Patellofemoral Abnormalities. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.2446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
38
|
Visser AW, Mertens B, Reijnierse M, Bloem JL, de Mutsert R, le Cessie S, Rosendaal FR, Kloppenburg M. Bakers' cyst and tibiofemoral abnormalities are more distinctive MRI features of symptomatic osteoarthritis than patellofemoral abnormalities. RMD Open 2016; 2:e000234. [PMID: 27252896 PMCID: PMC4879339 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2015-000234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate which structural MR abnormalities discriminate symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA), taking co-occurrence of abnormalities in all compartments into account. METHODS The Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity (NEO) study is a population-based cohort aged 45-65 years. In 1285 participants (median age 56 years, 55% women, median body mass index (BMI) 30 kg/m(2)), MRI of the right knee were obtained. Structural abnormalities (osteophytes, cartilage loss, bone marrow lesions (BMLs), subchondral cysts, meniscal abnormalities, effusion, Baker's cyst) at 9 patellofemoral and tibiofemoral locations were scored following the knee OA scoring system. Symptomatic OA in the imaged knee was defined following the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Logistic ridge regression analyses were used to investigate which structural abnormalities discriminate best between individuals with and without symptomatic OA, crude and adjusted for age, sex and BMI. RESULTS Symptomatic knee OA was present in 177 individuals. Structural MR abnormalities were highly frequent both in individuals with OA and in those without. Baker's cysts showed the highest adjusted regression coefficient (0.293) for presence of symptomatic OA, followed by osteophytes and BMLs in the medial tibiofemoral compartment (0.185-0.279), osteophytes in the medial trochlear facet (0.262) and effusion (0.197). CONCLUSIONS Baker's cysts discriminate best between individuals with and without symptomatic knee OA. Structural MR abnormalities, especially in the medial side of the tibiofemoral joint and effusion, add further in discriminating symptomatic OA. Baker's cysts may present as a target for treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A W Visser
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - B Mertens
- Department of Medical Statistics and Bio-informatics,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M Reijnierse
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J L Bloem
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R de Mutsert
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - S le Cessie
- Department of Medical Statistics and Bio-informatics,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - F R Rosendaal
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Thrombosis and Homeostasis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M Kloppenburg
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Caldwell DJ, Mertens B, Kappler K, Senac T, Journel R, Wilson P, Meyerhoff RD, Parke NJ, Mastrocco F, Mattson B, Murray-Smith R, Dolan DG, Straub JO, Wiedemann M, Hartmann A, Finan DS. A risk-based approach to managing active pharmaceutical ingredients in manufacturing effluent. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016; 35:813-822. [PMID: 26183919 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The present study describes guidance intended to assist pharmaceutical manufacturers in assessing, mitigating, and managing the potential environmental impacts of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in wastewater from manufacturing operations, including those from external suppliers. The tools are not a substitute for compliance with local regulatory requirements but rather are intended to help manufacturers achieve the general standard of "no discharge of APIs in toxic amounts." The approaches detailed in the present study identify practices for assessing potential environmental risks from APIs in manufacturing effluent and outline measures that can be used to reduce the risk, including selective application of available treatment technologies. These measures either are commonly employed within the industry or have been implemented to a more limited extent based on local circumstances. Much of the material is based on company experience and case studies discussed at an industry workshop held on this topic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Kelly Kappler
- Johnson & Johnson Consumer Group of Companies, Skillman, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bengt Mattson
- LIF, Swedish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Ates G, Raitano G, Heymans A, Van Bossuyt M, Vanparys P, Mertens B, Chesne C, Roncaglioni A, Milushev D, Benfenati E, Rogiers V, Doktorova TY. In silico tools and transcriptomics analyses in the mutagenicity assessment of cosmetic ingredients: a proof-of-principle on how to add weight to the evidence. Mutagenesis 2016; 31:453-61. [PMID: 26980085 DOI: 10.1093/mutage/gew008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior to the downstream development of chemical substances, including pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, their influence on the genetic apparatus has to be tested. Several in vitro and in vivo assays have been developed to test for genotoxicity. In a first tier, a battery of two to three in vitro tests is recommended to cover mutagenicity, clastogenicity and aneugenicity as main endpoints. This regulatory in vitro test battery is known to have a high sensitivity, which is at the expense of the specificity. The high number of false positive in vitro results leads to excessive in vivo follow-up studies. In the case of cosmetics it may even induce the ban of the particular compound since in Europe the use of experimental animals is no longer allowed for cosmetics. In this article, an alternative approach to derisk a misleading positive Ames test is explored. Hereto we first tested the performance of five existing computational tools to predict the potential mutagenicity of a data set of 132 cosmetic compounds with a known genotoxicity profile. Furthermore, we present, as a proof-of-principle, a strategy in which a combination of computational tools and mechanistic information derived from in vitro transcriptomics analyses is used to derisk a misleading positive Ames test result. Our data shows that this strategy may represent a valuable tool in a weight-of-evidence approach to further evaluate a positive outcome in an Ames test.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppa Raitano
- IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Melissa Van Bossuyt
- Unit of Toxicology, Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Birgit Mertens
- Unit of Toxicology, Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christophe Chesne
- Biopredic International, Parc d'activité de la Bretèche Bâtiment A4, 35760 Saint Grégoire, France and
| | - Alessandra Roncaglioni
- IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Emilio Benfenati
- IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Tatyana Y Doktorova
- Unit of Toxicology, Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Mertens B, Simon C, Van Bossuyt M, Onghena M, Vandermarken T, Van Langenhove K, Demaegdt H, Van Hoeck E, Van Loco J, Vandermeiren K, Covaci A, Scippo ML, Elskens M, Verschaeve L. Investigation of the genotoxicity of substances migrating from polycarbonate replacement baby bottles to identify chemicals of high concern. Food Chem Toxicol 2016; 89:126-37. [PMID: 26802677 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Due to the worldwide concern that bisphenol A might act as an endocrine disruptor, alternative materials for polycarbonate (PC) have been introduced on the European market. However, PC-replacement products might also release substances of which the toxicological profile--including their genotoxic effects--has not yet been characterized. Because a thorough characterization of the genotoxic profile of all these substances is impossible in the short term, a strategy was developed in order to prioritize those substances for which additional data are urgently needed. The strategy consisted of a decision tree using hazard information related to genotoxicity. The relevant information was obtained from the database of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), in silico prediction tools (ToxTree and Derek Nexus(TM)) and the in vitro Vitotox(®) test for detecting DNA damage. By applying the decision tree, substances could be classified into different groups, each characterized by a different probability to induce genotoxic effects. Although none of the investigated substances could be unequivocally identified as genotoxic, the presence of genotoxic effects could neither be excluded for any of them. Consequently, all substances require more data to investigate the genotoxic potential. However, the type and the urge for these data differs among the substances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Mertens
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Coraline Simon
- Department of Food Science, University of Liège, FARAH-Veterinary Public Health, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 10, Sart Tilman B43bis, Liège, Belgium
| | - Melissa Van Bossuyt
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthias Onghena
- Toxicological Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Tara Vandermarken
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kersten Van Langenhove
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Heidi Demaegdt
- CODA-CERVA, Department of Chemical Safety of the Food Chain, Leuvensesteenweg 17, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Els Van Hoeck
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joris Van Loco
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karin Vandermeiren
- CODA-CERVA, Department of Chemical Safety of the Food Chain, Leuvensesteenweg 17, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marie-Louise Scippo
- Department of Food Science, University of Liège, FARAH-Veterinary Public Health, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 10, Sart Tilman B43bis, Liège, Belgium
| | - Marc Elskens
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Verschaeve
- Department of Food, Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Site Elsene), J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Van Bossuyt M, Van Hoeck E, Raitano G, Ost N, Ates G, Schüürman G, Vanhaecke T, Benfenati E, Rogiers V, Mertens B. Use of (Q)SAR tools as a first step in a strategy to assign priority to substances migrating from printed paper and board food contact materials based on genotoxic potential. Toxicol Lett 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
43
|
De Smedt T, De Cremer K, Vleminckx C, Fierens S, Mertens B, Van Overmeire I, Bader M, De Paepe P, Göen T, Nemery B, Schettgen T, Stove C, Van Oyen H, Van Loco J, Van Nieuwenhuyse A. Acrylonitrile exposure in the general population following a major train accident in Belgium: A human biomonitoring study. Toxicol Lett 2014; 231:344-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2014.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
44
|
Bödeker B, Wichmann O, Mertens B, Seefeld L, Pott E. Umsetzung der Influenzaimpfempfehlung in Alten- und Pflegeheimen. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2014; 57:1315-21. [DOI: 10.1007/s00103-014-2044-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
45
|
Simon C, Onghena M, Covaci A, Van Hoeck E, Van Loco J, Vandermarken T, Demaegdt H, Mertens B, Vandermeiren K, Elskens M, Scippo ML. Steroid-like activity of migration products from non polycarbonate plastic baby bottles. Toxicol Lett 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2014.06.625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
46
|
Gaczkowska A, Mertens B, Reckendrees B, Wortberg S, Pott E. [Knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning measles vaccination. Approaches for national vaccination education]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2014; 56:1270-8. [PMID: 23990089 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-013-1791-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Achievement of the goal to eliminate measles by 2015 set by the European region of the World Health Organization (WHO) necessitates an increase in the willingness of German nationals to get vaccinated. To identify influential factors on vaccination behavior as the basis for communication measures specific to target groups, the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) has conducted two representative surveys on attitude, knowledge, and practice concerning vaccination among parents of children between 0 and 13 years as well as among adolescents and adults. The parents' survey (n = 3,002) revealed that more than one-third see measles as a harmless disease. The survey of adolescents and adults (n = 4,483, 16-85 years) also shows that about one-quarter of the interviewees between 16 and 44 years regarded vaccination against measles as not very important. Moreover, 81 % of adults born after 1970 without sufficient existing vaccine protection were not aware of the new measles vaccination recommendation for this age group. Personal consultation with the physician was regarded as the major source of vaccination information in both surveys. About half of all persons interviewed intended to obtain information about vaccinations on the Internet. The results of these studies were used for the development of a nationwide multilevel BZgA campaign on vaccination protection against measles, its goal being to support medical professionals with comprehensive information and to enable adolescents and young adults via different communication measures to make well-informed vaccination decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Gaczkowska
- Referat 1-11, Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung, Ostmerheimer Str. 220, 51109, Köln, Deutschland
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Claes P, Cappoen D, Uythethofken C, Jacobs J, Mertens B, Mathys V, Verschaeve L, Huygen K, De Kimpe N. 2,4-Dialkyl-8,9,10,11-tetrahydrobenzo[g]pyrimido[4,5-c]isoquinoline-1,3,7,12(2H,4H)-tetraones as new leads against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 77:409-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2013] [Revised: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
48
|
Claes P, Cappoen D, Mbala BM, Jacobs J, Mertens B, Mathys V, Verschaeve L, Huygen K, De Kimpe N. Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of analogues of the bioactive natural products sampangine and cleistopholine. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 67:98-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Revised: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
49
|
Moerman F, Mertens B, Demey L, Huyghebaert A. Reduction of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus stearothermophilus and Streptococcus faecalis in meat batters by temperature-high hydrostatic pressure pasteurization. Meat Sci 2012; 59:115-25. [PMID: 22062669 DOI: 10.1016/s0309-1740(00)00145-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2000] [Revised: 10/31/2000] [Accepted: 11/01/2000] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
People have a growing preference for fresh, healthy, palatable and nutritious meals and drinks. However, as food deterioration is a constant threat along the entire food chain, food preservation remains as necessary now as in the past. High pressure processing is one of the emerging technologies being studied as an alternative to the classical pasteurization and sterilization treatments of food. Samples of fried minced pork meat were inoculated with strains of Streptococcus faecalis and with sporulating microorganisms like Bacillus subtilis and stearothermophilus. The samples were subjected to several combined temperature-high pressure treatments predicted by the mathematical model applied in Response Surface Methodology. Using the "Box-Behnken" concept, the number of tests for a whole area of pressure-temperature-time-combinations (pressure variation: 50-400 MPa, temperature variation 20-80°C, time variation 1-60 min) could be limited to 15. In the center point of the model, the experimental combination was performed in triple to estimate the experimental variance. All the tests were executed in a randomized order to exclude the disturbing effect of environmental factors. Microbial analysis revealed for each microorganism an important reduction in total plate count, demonstrating a superior pressure resistance of the sporulating microorganisms in comparison with the most pressure resistant vegetative species Streptococcus faecalis. The effect of the medium composition could be neglected, showing little protective effect of, e.g. the fat fraction as seen in heat preservation techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Moerman
- Department of Food Chemistry and Technology, University of Ghent, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Verschaeve L, Mertens B, Ndhlala AR, Anthonissen R, Gorissen B, Van Staden J. Investigation into the genotoxicity of water extracts from Hypoxis species and a commercially available Hypoxis preparation. Phytother Res 2012; 27:350-6. [PMID: 22592975 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.4732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2012] [Revised: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We performed an in vitro evaluation of the genotoxic potential of water extracts from four Hypoxis species (Hypoxis hemerocallidea, H. colchicifolia, H. rigidula, H. acuminata) and a commercial preparation thereof using the neutral red uptake (NRU) assay, the alkaline comet assay and the cytome assay in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. The relative cytotoxicity of these samples was established by determining their NI50 values (50% inhibition of NRU), and these results were used for dose-finding in genotoxicity tests. None of the tested extracts were identified as genotoxic in both the alkaline comet assay and cytome assay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Verschaeve
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Laboratory of Toxicology, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|