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Biochemical Pharmacology Jul 2024Epidemiological evidence links chemical exposure with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) risk and prevalence. Chemical exposure may therefore also limit success of weight loss or... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
A systematic review and meta-analysis of environmental contaminant exposure impacts on weight loss and glucose regulation during calorie-restricted diets in preclinical studies: Persistent organic pollutants may impede glycemic control.
Epidemiological evidence links chemical exposure with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) risk and prevalence. Chemical exposure may therefore also limit success of weight loss or restoration of glycemic control during calorie restricted diets. Few human studies examine this hypothesis. This systematic review and clustered meta-analysis examines preclinical evidence that exposure to anthropogenic environmental contaminants impedes weight loss and resumption of glycemic control during calorie restriction. Of five eligible papers from 212 unique citations, four used C57BL/6 mice and one used Sprague Dawley rats. In four the animals received high fat diets to induce obesity and impaired glycemic control. All examined persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 77 exposure did not affect final mass (standardised mean difference (SMD) = -0.35 [-1.09, 0.39]; n = 5 (experiments); n = 3 (papers)), or response to insulin in insulin tolerance tests (SMD = -1.54 [-3.25, 0.16] n = 3 (experiments); n = 2 (papers)), but impaired glucose control in glucose tolerance tests (SMD = -1.30 [-1.96, -0.63]; n = 6 (experiments); n = 3 (papers)). The impaired glycemic control following perfluoro-octane sulphonic acid (PFOS) exposure and enhanced mass loss following dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) exposure have not been replicated. Animal studies thus suggest some chemical groups, especially PCB and PFOS, could impair glucose control management during calorie restriction, similar to conclusions from limited existing clinical studies. We discuss the research that is urgently required to inform weight management services that are now the mainstay prevention initiative for T2DM.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Blood Glucose; Caloric Restriction; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Glycemic Control; Persistent Organic Pollutants; Weight Loss; Disease Models, Animal; Rats
PubMed: 38782075
DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116300 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment May 2024Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls are a group of lipophilic compounds classified under persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). Significant sources of... (Review)
Review
Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls are a group of lipophilic compounds classified under persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). Significant sources of dioxin emissions include industrial effluents, open burning practices, and biomedical and municipal waste incinerators. These emissions will enter the food chain and accumulate in animal-origin foods (AOFs). A systematic review was conducted to analyze the global levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in AOFs using PRISMA guidelines 2020. The data on the dioxin contamination in AOFs were extracted from 53 publications based on their presence in eggs, meat and meat products, milk and dairy products, marine fish and fish products, and freshwater fish and crabs. A gap analysis was conducted based on the systematic review to understand the grey areas to be focused on the future. No trend of dioxin contamination in AOFs was observed. A significant gap area was found in the need for nationwide data generation in countries without periodic monitoring of AOFs for dioxin contamination. Source apportionment studies need to be explored for the dioxin contamination of AOFs. Large-scale screening tests of AOFs using DR-CALUX based on market surveys are required for data generation. The outcomes of the study will be helpful for stakeholders and policyholders in framing new policies and guidelines for food safety in AOFs.
Topics: Dioxins; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Animals; Food Contamination; Environmental Monitoring; Meat; Environmental Pollutants; Persistent Organic Pollutants
PubMed: 38724861
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12690-3 -
Environmental Research Jul 2024Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), extensively used in various products, prompt ongoing concern despite reduced exposure since the 1970s. This systematic review explores... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), extensively used in various products, prompt ongoing concern despite reduced exposure since the 1970s. This systematic review explores prenatal PCB and hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PCBs) exposure's association with child neurodevelopment. Encompassing cognitive, motor development, behavior, attention, ADHD, and ASD risks, it also evaluates diverse methodological approaches in studies.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched through August 23, 2023, by predefined search strings. Peer-reviewed studies published in English were included. The inclusion criteria were: (i) PCBs/OH-PCBs measured directly in maternal and cord blood, placenta or breast milk collected in the perinatal period; (ii) outcomes of cognitive development, motor development, attention, behavior, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children≤18 years old. Quality assessment followed the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's tool.
RESULTS
Overall, 87 studies were included in this review. We found evidence for the association between perinatal PCB exposure and adverse cognitive development and attention issues in middle childhood. There appeared to be no or negligible link between perinatal PCB exposure and early childhood motor development or the risk of ADHD/ASD. There was an indication of a sex-specific association with worse cognition and attention scores among boys. Some individual studies suggested a possible association between prenatal exposure to OH-PCBs and neurodevelopmental outcomes. There was significant heterogeneity between the studies in exposure markers, exposure assessment timing, outcome assessment, and statistical analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
Significant methodological, clinical and statistical heterogeneity existed in the included studies. Adverse effects on cognitive development and attention were observed in middle childhood. Little or no apparent link on both motor development and risk of ADHD/ASD was observed in early childhood. Inconclusive evidence prevailed regarding other neurodevelopmental aspects due to limited studies. Future research could further explore sex-specific associations and evaluate associations at lower exposure levels post-PCB ban in the US. It should also consider OH-PCB metabolites, co-pollutants, mixtures, and their potential interactions.
Topics: Humans; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Female; Pregnancy; Environmental Pollutants; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Child; Child Development; Child, Preschool; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Maternal Exposure; Male; Cognition; Infant
PubMed: 38615789
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118912 -
Chemosphere May 2024With industrialisation and the rapidly growing agricultural demand, many organic compounds have been leaked into the environment, causing serious damage to the... (Review)
Review
With industrialisation and the rapidly growing agricultural demand, many organic compounds have been leaked into the environment, causing serious damage to the biosphere. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a type of toxic chemicals that are resistant to degradation through normal chemical, biological or photolytic approaches. With their stable chemical structures, POPs can be accumulated in the environment, and transported through wind and water, causing global environmental issues. Many researches have been conducted to remediate POPs contamination using various kinds of biological methods, and significant results have been seen. Microalgae-bacteria consortium is a newly developed concept for biological technology in contamination treatment, with the synergetic effects between microalgae and bacteria, their potential for pollutants degradation can be further released. In this review, two types of POPs (polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are selected as the targeted pollutants to give a systematic analysis of the biodegradation through microalgae and bacteria, including the species selection, the identification of dominant enzymes, as well as the real application performance of the consortia. In the end, some outlooks and suggestions are given to further guide the development of applying microalgae-bacteria consortia in remediating POPs contamination. In general, the coculturing of microalgae and bacteria is a novel and efficient way to fulfil the advanced treatment of POPs in soil or liquid phase, and both monooxygenase and dioxygenase belonging to oxygenase play a vital role in the biodegradation of PCBs and PAHs. This review provides a general guide in the future investigation of biological treatment of POPs.
Topics: Persistent Organic Pollutants; Biodegradation, Environmental; Microalgae; Environmental Monitoring; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Environmental Pollutants; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PubMed: 38556179
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141852 -
Archives of Iranian Medicine Oct 2023Many human diseases such as cancer, neurological diseases, autism and diabetes are associated with exposure to pesticides, especially organochlorine pesticides. However,...
Many human diseases such as cancer, neurological diseases, autism and diabetes are associated with exposure to pesticides, especially organochlorine pesticides. However, pesticide exposure is also associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) as the leading cause of death worldwide. In this systematic review, results on the link between organochlorine pesticide pollution and CVD were collected from databases (Medline (PubMed), Scopus and Science Direct) in May 2022 from studies published between 2010 and 2022. A total of 24 articles were selected for this systematic review. Sixteen articles were extracted by reviewers using a standardized form that included cross-sectional, cohort, and ecological studies that reported exposure to organochlorine pesticides in association with increased CVD risk. In addition, eight articles covering molecular mechanisms organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on cardiovascular effects were retrieved for detailed evaluation. Based on the findings of the study, it seems elevated circulating levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs increase the risk of coronary heart disease, especially in early life exposure to these pesticides and especially in men. Changes in the regulatory function of peroxisome proliferator-activated γ receptor (PPARγ), reduction of paroxonase activity (PON1), epigenetic changes of histone through induction of reactive oxygen species, vascular endothelial inflammation with miR-expression 126 and miR-31, increased collagen synthesis enzymes in the extracellular matrix and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and fibrosis are mechanisms by which PCBs increase the risk of CVD. According to this systematic review, organochlorine pesticide exposure is associated with increased risk of CVD and CVD mortality through the atherogenic and inflammatory molecular mechanism involving fatty acid and glucose metabolism.
Topics: Male; Humans; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Environmental Pollutants; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Pesticides; MicroRNAs; Aryldialkylphosphatase
PubMed: 38310416
DOI: 10.34172/aim.2023.86 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Mar 2024COVID-19 has aggravated the biomedical waste generation all over the world and the concern for its safe disposal is on the rise. The vast majority of healthcare systems... (Review)
Review
COVID-19 has aggravated the biomedical waste generation all over the world and the concern for its safe disposal is on the rise. The vast majority of healthcare systems employ incineration as their treatment method considering its agility to reduce the waste volume by up to 95-96% and high-temperature inactivation of infectious biological materials. However, incinerator emission is a significant contributor of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) according to various national inventories across the globe. Bio-Medical Waste Incinerators (BMWIs) are the dominant form of incinerator plants in developing nations and hence BMWI emissions were found to contribute lion's share of national dioxins inventories in most of these countries. The Stockholm Convention on POPs played a key role in imbibing significant urge on the dl-POPs monitoring studies of incinerators internationally and on controlling the average incinerator emission levels. Though many national/international agencies endorse a stringent incinerator stack emission standard of 0.1 ngTEQ/Nm, there are some differences observed in nation-to-nation regulatory scenarios. This paper reviews and reports on the dioxins emission and health risk studies associated with bio-medical waste incineration over the last three decades (1990-2020) with a comprehensive spatial and temporal emission trend analysis. An overview of important national and international regulations, national inventories and emission factors for the biomedical waste incineration sector is also reviewed in detail. The study observes that continuous regulatory monitoring and logical relaxations can enhance the performance of the existing facilities ensuring low emissions and minimal risk.
Topics: Dioxins; Air Pollutants; Environmental Monitoring; Incineration; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
PubMed: 38176262
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133384 -
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.) Feb 2024Biochar obtained from sewage sludge serves as a valuable soil amendment in agriculture, enhancing soil properties by increasing the nutrient content, cation exchange...
Biochar obtained from sewage sludge serves as a valuable soil amendment in agriculture, enhancing soil properties by increasing the nutrient content, cation exchange capacity, water retention, and oxygen transmission. However, its utilisation is hampered by the presence of micropollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Previous studies indicate that the type and amount of micropollutants can be significantly adjusted by selecting the right process parameters. This literature review provides an overview of how (1) pyrolysis temperature, (2) carrier gas flow and type, (3) heating rate, and (4) residence time affect the concentration of micropollutants in biochar produced from sewage sludge. The micropollutants targeted are those listed by the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) and by the International Biochar Institution (IBI), including PAHs, PCDD/Fs, PCBs and VOCs. In addition, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are also considered due to their presence in sewage sludge. The findings suggest that higher pyrolysis temperatures reduce micropollutant levels. Moreover, the injection of a carrier gas (N or CO) during the pyrolysis and cooling processes effectively lowers PAHs and PCDD/Fs, by reducing the contact of biochar with oxygen, which is crucial in mitigating micropollutants. Nevertheless, limited available data impedes an assessment of the impact of these parameters on PFAS in biochar. In addition, further research is essential to understand the effects of carrier gas type, heating rate, and residence time in order to determine the optimal pyrolysis process parameters for generating clean biochar.
Topics: Sewage; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Dibenzofurans; Pyrolysis; Charcoal; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Soil; Oxygen; Fluorocarbons
PubMed: 38154418
DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.12.036 -
Prevention Science : the Official... May 2024Exposure to certain chemicals prenatally and in childhood can impact development and may increase risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Leveraging a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Exposure to certain chemicals prenatally and in childhood can impact development and may increase risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Leveraging a larger set of literature searches conducted to synthesize results from longitudinal studies of potentially modifiable risk factors for childhood ADHD, we present meta-analytic results from 66 studies that examined the associations between early chemical exposures and later ADHD diagnosis or symptoms. Studies were eligible for inclusion if the chemical exposure occurred at least 6 months prior to measurement of ADHD diagnosis or symptomatology. Included papers were published between 1975 and 2019 on exposure to anesthetics (n = 5), cadmium (n = 3), hexachlorobenzene (n = 4), lead (n = 22), mercury (n = 12), organophosphates (n = 7), and polychlorinated biphenyls (n = 13). Analyses are presented for each chemical exposure by type of ADHD outcome reported (categorical vs. continuous), type of ADHD measurement (overall measures of ADHD, ADHD symptoms only, ADHD diagnosis only, inattention only, hyperactivity/impulsivity only), and timing of exposure (prenatal vs. childhood vs. cumulative), whenever at least 3 relevant effect sizes were available. Childhood lead exposure was positively associated with ADHD diagnosis and symptoms in all analyses except for the prenatal analyses (odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 1.60 to 2.62, correlation coefficients (CCs) ranging from 0.14 to 0.16). Other statistically significant associations were limited to organophosphates (CC = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03-0.19 for continuous measures of ADHD outcomes overall), polychlorinated biphenyls (CC = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02-0.14 for continuous measures of inattention as the outcome), and both prenatal and childhood mercury exposure (CC = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.00-0.04 for continuous measures of ADHD outcomes overall for either exposure window). Our findings provide further support for negative impacts of prenatal and/or childhood exposure to certain chemicals and raise the possibility that primary prevention and targeted screening could prevent or mitigate ADHD symptomatology. Furthermore, these findings support the need for regular review of regulations as our scientific understanding of the risks posed by these chemicals evolves.
Topics: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Humans; Child; Environmental Exposure; Female; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Pregnancy
PubMed: 38108946
DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01601-6 -
Environmental Research Mar 2024Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals characterized by their environmental persistence. Evidence suggests that exposure to POPs, which is ubiquitous, is... (Review)
Review
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers and dysregulation of MicroRNA expression in humans and animals-A systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals characterized by their environmental persistence. Evidence suggests that exposure to POPs, which is ubiquitous, is associated with microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation. miRNA are key regulators in many physiological processes. It is thus of public health concern to understand the relationships between POPs and miRNA as related to health outcomes.
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review evaluated the relationship between widely recognized, intentionally manufactured, POPs, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine pesticides (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane [DDT], dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [DDE], hexachlorobenzene [HCB]), with miRNA expression in both human and animal studies.
METHODS
We used PubMed and Embase to systematically search the literature up to September 29th, 2023. Search results for human and animal studies were included if they incorporated at least one POP of interest in relation to at least one miRNA. Data were synthesized to determine the direction and significance of associations between POPs and miRNA. We utilized ingenuity pathway analysis to review disease pathways for miRNA that were associated with POPs.
RESULTS
Our search identified 38 eligible studies: 9 in humans and 29 in model organisms. PFAS were associated with decreased expression of miR-19, miR-193b, and miR-92b, as well as increased expression of miR-128, miR-199a-3p, and miR-26b across species. PCBs were associated with increased expression of miR-15a, miR-1537, miR-21, miR-22-3p, miR-223, miR-30b, and miR-34a, as well as decreased expression of miR-130a and let-7b in both humans and animals. Pathway analysis for POP-associated miRNA identified pathways related to carcinogenesis.
DISCUSSION
This is the first systematic review of the association of POPs with miRNA in humans and model organisms. Large-scale prospective human studies are warranted to examine the role of miRNA as mediators between POPs and health outcomes.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Prospective Studies; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Environmental Pollutants; Pesticides; MicroRNAs; Fluorocarbons
PubMed: 38056610
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117832 -
Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks,... Apr 2024Endometriosis, characterized by endometrial-like mucosal tissue outside the uterine cavity, is a reproductive disorder afflicting about 10% of women within the... (Review)
Review
Endometriosis, characterized by endometrial-like mucosal tissue outside the uterine cavity, is a reproductive disorder afflicting about 10% of women within the reproductive age. The pathogenesis of endometriosis has been attributed to factors like genetics, environmental particles, and hormones. A comprehensive review of studies from July 2010 to July 2023 across multiple databases was done to aid in a better understanding of the same. The investigation focused on studies delineating the correlation between endocrine disruptors, microRNAs, and endometriosis. To optimize the search scope, keywords and subject headings were used as search terms. Then, two authors rigorously assessed studies using criteria, selecting 27 studies from various databases. Notably, dioxins, organochlorine pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls exhibited a solid connection for endometriosis, while bisphenol A and phthalates yielded conflicting results. The heightened presence of bisphenol A, polychlorinated biphenyls, and phthalates was linked to altered gene expression, including genes like AKR1B10, AKR1C3, and FAM49B. MicroRNAs like miRNA-31, miRNA-144, and miRNA-145 emerged as vital factors in the onset of endometriosis and progression. Furthermore, elevated expression of miR-1304-3p, miR-544, and miR-3684 and reduced expression of miR-3935 and miR-4427 exert substantial influence on signaling pathways like NF-κB, MAPK, and Wnt/β-catenin. Currently, literature shows an independent link between endocrine disruptor exposure and endometriosis and between microRNA dysregulation and endometriosis. However, research lacks the combination of all three factors. The review delves into the effects of endocrine disruptors and microRNAs on the pathogenesis of endometriosis to improve our understanding of the disorder and in finding therapies.
Topics: Humans; Female; MicroRNAs; Endometriosis; Endocrine Disruptors; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Environmental Pollutants; Benzhydryl Compounds; Phenols
PubMed: 38036864
DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01412-8