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Cancers Sep 2023Lung cancer (LC) is the second-most prevalent tumor worldwide. According to the most recent GLOBOCAN data, over 2.2 million LC cases were reported in 2020, with an... (Review)
Review
Lung cancer (LC) is the second-most prevalent tumor worldwide. According to the most recent GLOBOCAN data, over 2.2 million LC cases were reported in 2020, with an estimated new death incident of 1,796,144 lung cancer cases. Genetic, lifestyle, and environmental exposure play an important role as risk factors for LC. E-cigarette, or vaping, products (EVPs) use has been dramatically increasing world-wide. There is growing concern that EVPs consumption may increase the risk of LC because EVPs contain several proven carcinogenic compounds. However, the relationship between EVPs and LC is not well established. E-cigarette contains nicotine derivatives (e.g., nitrosnornicotine, nitrosamine ketone), heavy metals (including organometal compounds), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and flavorings (aldehydes and complex organics). Several environmental toxicants have been proven to contribute to LC. Proven and plausible environmental carcinogens could be physical (ionizing and non-ionizing radiation), chemicals (such as asbestos, formaldehyde, and dioxins), and heavy metals (such as cobalt, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and nickel). Air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM) emitted from vehicles and industrial exhausts, is linked with LC. Although extensive environmental exposure prevention policies and smoking reduction strategies have been adopted globally, the dangers remain. Combined, both EVPs and toxic environmental exposures may demonstrate significant synergistic oncogenicity. This review aims to analyze the current publications on the importance of the relationship between EVPs consumption and environmental toxicants in the pathogenesis of LC.
PubMed: 37760496
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184525 -
Toxics Jun 2023In epidemiological studies, associations of dioxin and dioxin-like (dl)-compound exposure with metabolic diseases, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome, in adults...
In epidemiological studies, associations of dioxin and dioxin-like (dl)-compound exposure with metabolic diseases, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome, in adults and with neurodevelopmental problems and earlier/later puberty in children have been suggested in the general population and in environmentally exposed populations [...].
PubMed: 37368612
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11060512 -
Molecular Biology Reports Aug 2023According to the World Health Organization, infertility is a public health problem that affects around 48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide.... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
According to the World Health Organization, infertility is a public health problem that affects around 48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide. Endocrine disruptors are one of the causes that raise more concern, given that it is a problem that has evolved with the progress of society. Many chemicals are used by food industry, entering food chain, and directly affecting human health. Endocrine disruptors have the capacity of interfering with the normal hormonal action, metabolism, and biosynthesis, which can lead to a variation of the normal hormonal homeostasis. Some of these endocrine disruptors are highly associated with diseases that are positively correlated with female infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, irregular menstrual cycle and also disturbances on processes as steroidogenesis and development of the ovarian follicles.
RESULTS
The present literature review covers various aspects of the possible relationship between endocrine disruptors and female infertility. Bisphenol A and its metabolites, phthalates, dioxins, organochlorine, and organophosphate compounds are groups of chemicals considered to have the capacity to disrupt endocrine activity and herein addressed. The results reported in in vivo studies and in clinical trials addressing endocrine disruptors and female infertility were discussed as well as their possible mechanism of action.
CONCLUSIONS
Large, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials are needed to better understand the mechanisms of action of endocrine disruptors in female infertility, as well as the doses and frequency of exposure responsible for it.
Topics: Humans; Female; Infertility, Female; Environmental Pollutants; Endocrine Disruptors; Endometriosis; Ovarian Follicle; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37402067
DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08583-2 -
Environment International Aug 2023Children and consumers are exposed to increasingly complex mixtures of known and as-yet-unknown toxic chemicals from toys and products. However traditional chemical...
BACKGROUND
Children and consumers are exposed to increasingly complex mixtures of known and as-yet-unknown toxic chemicals from toys and products. However traditional chemical analysis methods only evaluate a small number of chemicals at a time thereby restricting consumer awareness of the full range of potentially harmful chemicals in products.
METHODS
We used high-throughput effect-based non-animal methods to investigate exposures to complex chemical mixtures of several kinds of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) for their dioxin- and thyroid hormone-like activities in various kinds of consumer products and toys from 26 different countries, on four continents (Africa, America, Asia and Europe) in combination with chemical analysis of various polybrominated flame retardants (BFRs) and their impurities (such as polyhalogenated PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs).
RESULTS
We found high levels of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) in toys and now, for the first time, also in consumer products that are manufactured from black plastics containing certain brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The presence of PBDD/PBDFs as well as other BFRs in various black plastic materials from additional countries as well as additional kinds of consumer products as confirmed by effect-based in vitro reporter gene DR CALUX and TTR-TRβ CALUX assays as well as congener-specific chemical analysis. We compared total Toxicity Equivalent (TEQ) levels of PBDD/F-TEQs analysed by chemical analysis to by CALUX bioassay measured Biological equivalence (BEQ) concentrations (for further info see at ISO 23196, ISO, 2022). In the case of TBBPA, both chemical and TTR-TRβ CALUX analysis measure direct the amount of TBBPA. Finally, the daily ingestion of 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents from PBDD/Fs-contaminated plastic toys by child mouthing habits have been related to our earlier study (Budin et al., 2020).
CONCLUSIONS
Interaction of children with such contaminated plastics may significantly contribute to the daily uptake of dioxin- and thyroid hormone transport disrupting-like compounds. Effect-based bioassays for dioxin- and thyroid hormone-like activities are relevant to pick-out such complex mixtures of known and yet unknown (and therefore not regulated) substances for safer and more sustainable plastics. Low POPs Content Levels and other mechanisms set under the Basel and Stockholm Conventions are set far too high to prevent a significant flow of BFRs and PBDD/Fs into consumer products.
Topics: Child; Humans; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; Dioxins; Dibenzofurans; Flame Retardants; Complex Mixtures; Plastics; Thyroid Hormones
PubMed: 37453209
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108079 -
ACS Omega Jun 2023Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is a phenomenon where certain molecules or materials become highly luminescent when they aggregate or come together in a condensed...
Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is a phenomenon where certain molecules or materials become highly luminescent when they aggregate or come together in a condensed state, such as a solid or a solution. Moreover, new molecules which show AIE properties are designed and synthesized for various applications like imaging, sensing, and optoelectronics. 2,3,5,6-Tetraphenylpyrazine (TPP) is one of the well-established examples of AIE. Herein, 2,3,5,6-tetraphenyl-1,4-dioxin (TPD) and 2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-4-pyran-4-one (TPPO), which are old molecules with TPP similarity, were studied, and new insights in terms of structure and aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ)/AIE properties were gained by means of theoretical calculations. Those calculations performed on TPD and TPPO aimed to provide a better understanding of their molecular structures and how they affect their luminescence properties. This information could be used to design new materials with improved AIE properties or to modify existing materials to overcome ACQ.
PubMed: 37305285
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01226 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Interleukin (IL)-33 and IL-37 have been identified as novel cytokines involved in various inflammatory diseases. However, their specific roles remain largely unknown.... (Review)
Review
Interleukin (IL)-33 and IL-37 have been identified as novel cytokines involved in various inflammatory diseases. However, their specific roles remain largely unknown. Recent studies have shown that IL-33, which triggers inflammation, and IL-37, which suppresses it, cooperatively regulate the balance between inflammation and anti-inflammation. IL-33 and IL-37 are also deeply involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. Furthermore, a signaling pathway by which aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a receptor for dioxins, regulates the expression of IL-33 and IL-37 has been revealed. Here, we outline recent findings on the mechanisms regulating IL-33 and IL-37 expression in AD and psoriasis. IL-33 expression is partially dependent on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, and IL-37 has a role in suppressing MAPK in human keratinocytes. Furthermore, IL-33 downregulates skin barrier function proteins including filaggrin and loricrin, thereby downregulating the expression of IL-37, which colocalizes with these proteins. This leads to an imbalance of the IL-33-IL-37 axis, involving increased IL-33 and decreased IL-37, which may be associated with the pathogenesis of AD and psoriasis. Therefore, AHR-mediated regulation of the IL-33-IL-37 axis may lead to new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AD and psoriasis.
Topics: Humans; Dermatitis, Atopic; Inflammation; Interleukin-33; Keratinocytes; Psoriasis; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Skin; Interleukin-1
PubMed: 37834081
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914633 -
Environmental Research Jun 2023The principal source of exposure to Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans (PCDD/Fs) in humans comes from food intake. PCDD/Fs, are a...
INTRODUCTION
The principal source of exposure to Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans (PCDD/Fs) in humans comes from food intake. PCDD/Fs, are a family of potential endocrine disruptors and have been associated with different chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. However, studies assessing the relationship between dietary exposure to PCDD/Fs and adiposity or obesity status in a middle-aged population are limited.
OBJECTIVE
To assess cross-sectionally and longitudinally the associations between estimated dietary intake (DI) of PCDD/Fs and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and the prevalence/incidence of obesity and abdominal obesity in a middle-aged population.
METHODS
In 5899 participants aged 55-75 years (48% women) living with overweight/obesity from the PREDIMED-plus cohort, PCDD/Fs DI was estimated using a 143-item validated food-frequency questionnaire, and the levels of food PCDD/F expressed as Toxic Equivalents (TEQ). Consequently, cross-sectional and prospective associations between baseline PCDD/Fs DI (in pgTEQ/week) and adiposity or obesity status were assessed at baseline and after 1-year follow-up using multivariable cox, logistic or linear regression models.
RESULTS
Compared to participants in the first PCDD/F DI tertile, those in the highest tertile presented a higher BMI (β-coefficient [confidence interval]) (0.43kg/m2 [0.22; 0.64]; P-trend <0.001), a higher waist circumference (1.11 cm [0.55; 1.66]; P-trend <0.001), and a higher prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity (1.05 [1.01; 1.09] and 1.02 [1.00; 1.03]; P-trend = 0.09 and 0.027, respectively). In the prospective analysis, participants in the top PCDD/F DI baseline tertile showed an increase in waist circumference compared with those in the first tertile after 1-year of follow-up (β-coefficient 0.37 cm [0.06; 0.70]; P-trend = 0.015).
CONCLUSION
Higher DI of PCDD/Fs was positively associated with adiposity parameters and obesity status at baseline and with changes in waist circumference after 1-year of follow-up in subjects living with overweight/obesity. Further large prospective studies using a different population with longer follow-up periods are warranted in the future to strengthen our results.
Topics: Middle Aged; Humans; Female; Male; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; Dibenzofurans; Dioxins; Adiposity; Furans; Overweight; Obesity, Abdominal; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prospective Studies; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; Eating; Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PubMed: 36972775
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115697