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Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jan 2023Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides are two major groups of environmental contaminants which humans are simultaneously exposed to. However, potential...
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides are two major groups of environmental contaminants which humans are simultaneously exposed to. However, potential mixture interactions of these groups of chemicals are not well-studied. In this study, the effects of binary mixtures of the PAH benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and the commonly used pesticides chlorpyrifos, paraquat and tebuconazole on human liver HepG2 cells were investigated. The results showed that binary mixtures of B[a]P and paraquat or tebuconazole mainly caused additive effects on cell viability and cytochrome P4501a1 (CYP1A1) expression compared to single compound exposures. In contrast, the binary mixture with chlorpyrifos interacted antagonistically on cell viability and ROS production, whereas synergistic effects were observed for induction of CYP1A1 expression. B[a]P and chlorpyrifos also inhibited the activity of recombinant human CYP1A1 enzyme. To verify the synergistic in vitro results, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to binary mixtures of B[a]P and chlorpyrifos. The mixtures caused synergistic induction of CYP1A expression, as well as synergistic developmental toxicity on multiple endpoints including non-inflated swim bladder, yolk-sac and pericardial edema, and spinal deformation. The effects were reduced upon morpholino-mediated knockdown of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), indicating an AhR-dependence of the synergistic toxicity. Altogether, these data suggest that the combination of AhR activation and CYP1A1 inhibition is responsible for the underlying non-additive interaction between B[a]P and chlorpyrifos in vitro and in vivo.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Benzo(a)pyrene; Chlorpyrifos; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; Paraquat; Pesticides; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Zebrafish; Hep G2 Cells
PubMed: 36306888
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120510 -
Marine Genomics Oct 2022Arctic and sub-arctic pelagic organisms can be exposed to effluents and spills from offshore petroleum-related activities and thus it is important to understand how they...
Arctic and sub-arctic pelagic organisms can be exposed to effluents and spills from offshore petroleum-related activities and thus it is important to understand how they respond to crude oil related contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The copepod species Calanus finmarchicus, Calanus glacialis and Calanus hyperboreus represent key links in the arctic marine food web. We performed a transcriptome analysis of the three species exposed to phenanthrene (Phe) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) representing low and high molecular weight PAHs, respectively. Differential expression of several genes involved in many cellular pathways was observed after 72 h exposure to Phe (0.1 μM) and BaP (0.1 μM). In C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis, the exposure resulted in up-regulation of genes encoding enzymes in xenobiotic biotransformation, particularly the phase II cytosolic sulfonation system that include 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate synthase (PAPSS) and sulfotransferases (SULTs). The sulfonation pathway genes were more strongly induced by BaP than Phe in C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis but were not affected in C. hyperboreus. However, a larger number of genes and pathways were modulated in C. hyperboreus by the PAHs including genes encoding xenobiotic biotransformation and lipid metabolism enzymes, suggesting stronger responses in this species. The results suggest that the cytosolic sulfonation is a major phase II conjugation pathway for PAHs in C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis. Some of the biotransformation systems affected are known to be involved in metabolism of endogenous compounds such as ecdysteroids, which may suggest potential interference with physiological and developmental processes of the copepod species.
Topics: Animals; Benzo(a)pyrene; Copepoda; Phenanthrenes; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Transcriptome; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Xenobiotics
PubMed: 35969942
DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2022.100981 -
Environment International Feb 2024Environmental pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are produced through the incomplete combustion of organic material. While PAHs have been... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Environmental pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are produced through the incomplete combustion of organic material. While PAHs have been investigated as genotoxicants, they can also operate through nongenotoxic pathways in estrogen-dependent malignancies, such as breast, cervical and ovarian cancer. However, whether PAHs induce colorectal cancer (CRC) risk through estrogenic effects is still illusive. Here, we systematically investigated the abnormal expression and activation of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) regulated by PAHs in CRC as well as the underlying mechanisms of ERβ-mediated CRC risk. Based on the 300 plasma samples from CRC patients and healthy controls detected by GC-MS/MS, we found that the plasma concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were significantly higher in CRC cases than in healthy controls, with significant estrogenic effects. Moreover, histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2)-induced deacetylation of the promoter decreases ERβ expression, which is associated with poor overall survival and advanced tumor stage. The study also revealed that BaP and estradiol (E) had different carcinogenic effects, with BaP promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis, while E had the opposite effects. Additionally, this study mapped ERβ genomic binding regions by performing ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq and identified genetic variants of rs1411680 and its high linkage disequilibrium SNP rs6477937, which were significantly associated with CRC risk through meta-analysis of two independent Chinese population genome-wide association studies comprising 2,248 cases and 3,173 controls and then validation in a large-scale European population. By integrating data from functional genomics, we validated the regulatory effect of rs6477937 as an ERβ binding-disrupting SNP that mediated allele-specific expression of LINC02977 in a long-range chromosomal interaction manner, which was found to be highly expressed in CRC tissues. Overall, this study suggests that the different active effects on ERβ by PAHs and endogenous E may play a crucial role in the development and progression of CRC and highlights the potential of targeting ERβ and its downstream targets for CRC prevention and treatment.
Topics: Humans; Estrogen Receptor beta; Benzo(a)pyrene; Genome-Wide Association Study; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Estrogens; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 38277997
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108443 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jun 2023Graphene oxide (GO) has gained a great scientific and economic interest due to its unique properties. As incorporation of GO in consumer products is rising, it is...
Graphene oxide (GO) has gained a great scientific and economic interest due to its unique properties. As incorporation of GO in consumer products is rising, it is expected that GO will end up in oceans. Due to its high surface to volume ratio, GO can adsorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), and act as carrier of POPs, increasing their bioavailability to marine organisms. Thus, uptake and effects of GO in marine biota represent a major concern. This work aimed to assess the potential hazards of GO, alone or with sorbed BaP (GO+BaP), and BaP alone in marine mussels after 7 days of exposure. GO was detected through Raman spectroscopy in the lumen of the digestive tract and in feces of mussels exposed to GO and GO+BaP while BaP was bioaccumulated in mussels exposed to GO+BaP, but especially in those exposed to BaP. Overall, GO acted as a carrier of BaP to mussels but GO appeared to protect mussels towards BaP accumulation. Some effects observed in mussels exposed to GO+BaP were due to BaP carried onto GO nanoplatelets. Enhanced toxicity of GO+BaP with respect to GO and/or BaP or to controls were identified for other biological responses, demonstrating the complexity of interactions between GO and BaP.
Topics: Animals; Mytilus; Benzo(a)pyrene; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Graphite
PubMed: 37030218
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131280 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Jul 2022More than 5.8 million tonnes of oil have been spilled into the oceans. Some oil disasters marked history, causing multiple social and economic consequences in addition... (Review)
Review
More than 5.8 million tonnes of oil have been spilled into the oceans. Some oil disasters marked history, causing multiple social and economic consequences in addition to catastrophic environmental impacts. Recently, Brazil and Mauritius faced oil disasters that have severely impacted seafood sanitary credibility. One of the components of the oil composition are the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are the main contamination markers of petrogenic origin. There is enough evidence to correlate the intake of food contaminated with PAH with increased risks of developing cancer. The set PAH4, composed of benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and chrysene, and the set PAH8, composed of benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[ghi]perylene, chrysene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene are recognized as markers of food chemical contamination. After oil disasters in the oceans, the risk to the health of seafood consumers tends to be of special concern, Countries like the European Union set maximum levels for benzo[a]pyrene (5 µg kg) and PAH4 (30 µg kg) in bivalve mollusks. Levels of concern established by countries that have faced oil disasters are given special attention in this review. Laboratory analysis of PAH in food samples is very challenging because it deals with quite different kinds of matrices. Furthermore, analytical results are usually related to the closure or reopening of cultivated areas and fishing points. Therefore, the progress of the analytical methods for PAH in seafood is covered in detail. Chemical laboratory measurements provide essential data to assess the potential risks to human health due to consumption of seafood contaminated with PAH. The main human health risk assessment approaches in a seafood contamination scenario with PAH are reviewed and discussed, providing an insightful and guiding tool to each step of the risk assessment framework.
Topics: Anthracenes; Benzo(a)pyrene; Chrysenes; Disasters; Food Safety; Humans; Petroleum Pollution; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PubMed: 35761626
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111366 -
Environment International Oct 2020Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and oxygenated PAHs (oxy-PAHs), are common environmental pollutants known to...
Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and oxygenated PAHs (oxy-PAHs), are common environmental pollutants known to cause health effects in humans and wild-life. In particular, vertebrate cardiovascular development and function are sensitive to PACs. However, the interactive effects of PAHs and oxy-PAHs on cardiovascular endpoints have not been well studied. In this study, we used zebrafish embryos (ZFEs) as a model to examine developmental and cardiovascular toxicities induced by the three environmental oxy-PAHs benzo[a]fluorenone (BFLO), 4H-cyclopenta[def]phenanthren-4-one (4H-CPO) and, 6H-benzo[cd]pyren-6-one (6H-BPO), and the PAH benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) either as single exposures or binary oxy-PAH + PAH mixtures. 6H-BPO induced developmental and cardiovascular toxicity, including reduced heartbeat rate and blood flow, at lower doses compared to the other compounds. Exposure to binary mixtures generally caused enhanced toxicity and induction of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-regulated gene expression (ahr2 and cyp1a) compared to single compound exposure. This was associated with differential expression of genes involved in cardiovascular development and function including atp2a2, myh6, tbx5 and zerg. AhR-knock-down significantly reduced the cardiovascular toxicity of 6H-BPO and its binary mixture with BaP indicating a significant AhR-dependence of the effects. Measurements of internal concentrations showed that the toxicokinetics of BaP and 6H-BPO were altered in the binary mixture compared to the single compound exposure, and most likely due to CYP1 inhibition by 6H-BPO. Altogether, these data support that similar to interactions between PAHs, mixtures of PAHs and oxy-PAHs may cause increased developmental and cardiovascular toxicity in ZFEs through an AhR-dependent mechanism.
Topics: Animals; Benzo(a)pyrene; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Zebrafish
PubMed: 32615350
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105913 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Jan 2021The filaggrin protein is important for skin barrier structure and function. Loss-of-function (null) mutations in the filaggrin gene may increase dermal absorption of...
BACKGROUND
The filaggrin protein is important for skin barrier structure and function. Loss-of-function (null) mutations in the filaggrin gene may increase dermal absorption of chemicals.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to clarify if dermal absorption of chemicals differs depending on genotype.
METHOD
We performed a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based genetic screen for loss-of-function mutations ( null) in 432 volunteers from the general population in southern Sweden and identified 28 null carriers. In a dermal exposure experiment, we exposed 23 null and 31 wild-type (wt) carriers to three organic compounds common in the environment: the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pyrene, the pesticide pyrimethanil, and the ultraviolet-light absorber oxybenzone. We then used liquid-chromatography mass-spectrometry to measure the concentrations of these chemicals or their metabolites in the subjects' urine over 48 h following exposure. Furthermore, we used long-range PCR to measure repeat copy number variants (CNV), and we performed population toxicokinetic analysis.
RESULTS
Lag times for the uptake and dermal absorption rate of the chemicals differed significantly between null and wt carriers with low (20-22 repeats) and high CNV (23-24 repeats). We found a dose-dependent effect on chemical absorption with increasing lag times by increasing CNV for both pyrimethanil and pyrene, and decreasing area under the urinary excretion rate curve () with increasing CNV for pyrimethanil. null carriers excreted 18% and 110% more metabolite (estimated by ) for pyrimethanil than wt carriers with low and high CNV, respectively.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that genotype influences the dermal absorption of some common chemicals. Overall, null carriers were the most susceptible, with the shortest lag time and highest rate constants for skin absorption, and higher fractions of the applied dose excreted. Furthermore, our results indicate that low CNV resulted in increased dermal absorption of chemicals. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7310.
Topics: Benzophenones; Chromatography, Liquid; DNA Copy Number Variations; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Filaggrin Proteins; Genotype; Humans; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Male; Mass Spectrometry; Mutation; Pyrenes; Pyrimidines; Skin Absorption; Sweden
PubMed: 33439052
DOI: 10.1289/EHP7310 -
Cells Apr 2023Air pollution has been a significant problem threatening human health for years. One commonly reported air pollutant is benzo(a)pyrene, a dangerous compound with...
Air pollution has been a significant problem threatening human health for years. One commonly reported air pollutant is benzo(a)pyrene, a dangerous compound with carcinogenic properties. Values which exceed normative values for benzo(a)pyrene concentration in the air are often noted in many regions of the world. Studies on the worldwide spread of COVID-19 since 2020, as well as avian flu, measles, and SARS, have proven that viruses and bacteria are more dangerous to human health when they occur in polluted air. Regarding cyanobacteria and microalgae, little is known about their relationship with benzo(a)pyrene. The question is whether these microorganisms can pose a threat when present in poor quality air. We initially assessed whether cyanobacteria and microalgae isolated from the atmosphere are sensitive to changes in PAH concentrations and whether they can accumulate or degrade PAHs. The presence of B(a)P has significantly affected both the quantity of cyanobacteria and microalgae cells as well as their chlorophyll (chl ) content and their ability to fluorescence. For many cyanobacteria and microalgae, an increase in cell numbers was observed after the addition of B(a)P. Therefore, even slight air pollution with benzo(a)pyrene is likely to facilitate the growth of airborne cyanobacteria and microalgae. The results provided an assessment of the organisms that are most susceptible to cellular stress following exposure to benzo(a)pyrene, as well as the potential consequences for the environment. Additionally, the results indicated that green algae have the greatest potential for degrading PAHs, making their use a promising bioremediation approach. sp. demonstrated the highest average degradation of B(a)P, with the above-mentioned research indicating it can even degrade up to 80% of B(a)P. The other studied green algae exhibited a lower, yet still significant, B(a)P degradation rate exceeding 50% when compared to cyanobacteria and diatoms.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Microalgae; Benzo(a)pyrene; Carcinogens; Chlorophyll A; COVID-19; Cyanobacteria; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Chlorophyta
PubMed: 37048146
DOI: 10.3390/cells12071073 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Nov 2023Mechanochemistry and photocatalysis are emergent technologies for the remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils. In this work, mechanochemistry and...
Mechanochemistry and photocatalysis are emergent technologies for the remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils. In this work, mechanochemistry and photocatalysis are combined for pyrene degradation. The photodegradation of pyrene, when in contact with sepiolite under pressure application, is studied. The mechanical treatment leads to a pyrene crystal phase transformation. In this new phase, pyrene undergoes a fast photodegradation in the 320-420 nm range. We show that sepiolite is superior as a photocatalyst in pyrene degradation to TiO, the most exploited photocatalyst. A broad physicochemical characterization is carried out to propose a mechanism in which the photoexcitation of mechanically altered pyrene leads to an electron transfer to sepiolite matrix, which triggers the PAH degradation. Finally, we want to highlight that the pyrene/sepiolite combination is a simplified system to shed light on how PAH photodegradation may occur in soils.
Topics: Photolysis; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Pyrenes; Light; Soil
PubMed: 37856983
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115573 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Mar 2023Ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of () is suggested to act as an adjuvant for allergen-mediated sensitization and recent evidence suggests the...
BACKGROUND
Ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of () is suggested to act as an adjuvant for allergen-mediated sensitization and recent evidence suggests the importance of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in allergic diseases. However, the impact of exposure and its absorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) on Tfh cells and humoral immunity remains unknown.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to explore the impact of environmental and indeno[1,2,3-]pyrene (IP), a prominent PAH, as a model, on Tfh cells and the subsequent pulmonary allergic responses.
METHODS
- or IP-mediated remodeling of cellular composition in lung lymph nodes (LNs) was determined by mass cytometry in a house dust mite (HDM)-induced mouse allergic lung inflammation model. The differentiation and function of Tfh cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunoprecipitation, and western blot analyses.
RESULTS
Mice exposed to during the HDM sensitization period demonstrated immune cell population shifts in lung LNs as compared with those sensitized with HDM alone, with a greater number of differentiated Tfh2 cells, enhanced allergen-induced immunoglobulin E (IgE) response and pulmonary inflammation. Similarly enhanced phenotypes were also found in mice exposed to IP and sensitized with HDM. Further, IP administration was found to induce interleukin-21 () and expression and enhance Tfh2 cell differentiation , a finding which was abrogated in aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-deficient T cells. Moreover, we showed that IP exposure increased the interaction of AhR and cellular musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (c-Maf) and its occupancy on the and promoters in differentiated Tfh2 cells.
DISCUSSION
These findings suggest that the (IP)-AhR-c-Maf axis in Tfh2 cells was important in allergen sensitization and lung inflammation, thus adding a new dimension in the understanding of Tfh2 cell differentiation and function and providing a basis for establishing the environment-disease causal relationship. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11580.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Interleukin-4; Lung; Hypersensitivity; Disease Models, Animal; Pneumonia; Allergens; Lymph Nodes; Pyroglyphidae; Pyrenes
PubMed: 36975775
DOI: 10.1289/EHP11580