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Environment International Jun 2024With the discovery of evidence that many endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment influence human health, their toxic effects and mechanisms have become...
With the discovery of evidence that many endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment influence human health, their toxic effects and mechanisms have become a hot topic of research. However, investigations into their endocrine-disrupting toxicity under combined binary exposure, especially the molecular mechanism of combined effects, have rarely been documented. In this study, two typical EDCs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-HBP), were selected to examine their combined effects and molecular mechanism on MCF-7 cell proliferation at environmentally relevant exposure concentrations. We have successfully established a model to evaluate the binary combined toxic effects of endocrine disruptors, presenting combined effects in a simple and direct way. Results indicated that the combined effect changed from additive to synergistic from 1.25 × 10 M to 4 × 10 M. Metabolomics analyses suggested that exposure to PFOA and 4-HBP caused significant alterations in purine metabolism, arginine, and proline metabolism and had superimposed influences on metabolism. Enhanced combined effects were observed in glycine, serine, and threonine metabolic pathways compared to exposure to PFOS and 4-HBP alone. Additionally, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are primarily involved in Biological Processes, especially protein targeting the endoplasmic reticulum, and significantly impact the oxidative phosphorylation and thermogenesis-related KEGG pathway. By integrating metabolome and transcriptome analyses, PFOA and 4-HBP regulate purine metabolism, the TCA cycle, and endoplasmic reticulum protein synthesis in MCF-7 cells via mTORC1, which provides genetic material, protein, and energy for cell proliferation. Furthermore, molecular docking confirmed the ability of PFOA and 4-HBP to stably bind the estrogen receptor, indicating that they have different binding pockets. Collectively, these findings will offer new insights into understanding the mechanisms by which EDCs produce combined toxicity.
Topics: Humans; Caprylates; MCF-7 Cells; Endocrine Disruptors; Fluorocarbons; Cell Proliferation; Parabens; Metabolomics; Multiomics
PubMed: 38815467
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108778 -
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual Apr 2024Increasing the numbers of patch testing in suspected children increases the rate of diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis and the identification of clinically...
INTRODUCTION
Increasing the numbers of patch testing in suspected children increases the rate of diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis and the identification of clinically relevant allergens.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the most frequently observed allergens among Turkish children and adolescents patch-tested in 2013-2023.
METHODS
The patch test results of 160 patients (age ≤18) were analyzed retrospectively. The frequency of contact allergens and distribution of positive results in terms of sex, age group (children and adolescents), and the presence of atopic dermatitis (AD) were identified.
RESULTS
Forty-nine patients (30.6%) (34 girls and 15 boys) exhibited positive patch test reactions to a minimum of one allergen, and contact sensitivity was statistically significantly higher in girls (P=0.034). The five most frequent allergens were nickel sulfate (10.6%), MCI/MI (8.1%), cobalt chloride (5.6%), p-phenylenediamine (PPD) (5%), and MI (3.5%). No significant association was observed between patch test positivity and age groups (P>.05). Nickel sulfate sensitivity was significantly higher in girls than in boys (P=.043). A positive reaction was detected in 31.3% of patients with AD and in 33.7% of those without (P>.05), and a statistically significant relationship was observed between contact sensitivity to fragrance allergens and AD (P=.046).
CONCLUSION
Metals and preservatives represent the most frequent allergens in Turkish children and adolescents. Metal sensitivity is expected to decrease as legislation is enforced. Regulatory measures are now required to reduce MI and MCI/MI contact allergy in Turkey.
PubMed: 38810081
DOI: 10.5826/dpc.1402a151 -
Poultry Science Jul 2024Sodium dehydroacetate (DHA-Na) is a fungicidal preservative widely used in food and animal feed. DHA-Na can induce coagulation disorders in rats and poultry by...
Sodium dehydroacetate (DHA-Na) is a fungicidal preservative widely used in food and animal feed. DHA-Na can induce coagulation disorders in rats and poultry by inhibiting carboxylation of vitamin K-dependent proteins; it can also impair bone development in zebrafish. However, the effects of DHA-Na on broiler chicken bones remain unknown. Here, we assessed whether DHA-Na impairs bone development in broiler chickens. We administered Suji yellow chickens with 200 to 800 mg/kg DHA-Na, 2 mg/kg vitamin K, or both for 2 mo. Bone metabolite-related serum indicators, tissue micromorphology, and relevant protein expression were monitored during the treatment period. We also assessed primary chicken osteoblast activity, differentiation, and bone metabolite-related proteins after treatment with DHA-Na, vitamin K, or both. The results demonstrated that DHA-Na reduced bone index values and serum and bone osteoblast differentiation marker levels but blocked bone vitamin K cycle. DHA-Na also increased serum osteoclast differentiation marker levels, as well as the bone ratio of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand to osteoprotegerin ratio. Moreover, DHA-Na reduced bone trabecular number, thickness, and area and increased trabecular separation considerably. In general, compared with the control group, the DHA-Na group demonstrated impairments in osteoblast activity and differentiation, as well as in the vitamin K cycle. By contrast, vitamin K supplementation led to considerable attenuation of the DHA-Na-induced decrease in osteogenic marker levels, along with a considerable increase in serum bone absorption marker levels and restoration of DHA-Na-induced bone microstructure damage. Vitamin K also attenuated DHA-Na-induced impairment in osteoclasts. In conclusion, the results indicated that in broiler chickens, DHA-Na supplementation can damage bones by inhibiting osteoblast function and increasing osteoclast activity; this damage can be prevented through vitamin K supplementation.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Osteoblasts; Bone and Bones; Animal Feed; Dietary Supplements; Vitamin K; Diet; Fungicides, Industrial; Male; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Bone Development; Pyrones
PubMed: 38805999
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103834 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly abused substance on a global scale and has the capacity to elicit toxicity within the central nervous system. The neurotoxicity...
Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly abused substance on a global scale and has the capacity to elicit toxicity within the central nervous system. The neurotoxicity induced by METH encompasses neuronal degeneration and cellular demise within the substantia nigra-striatum and hippocampus. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a constituent of propolis, is a diminutive compound that demonstrates antioxidative and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Numerous investigations have demonstrated the safeguarding effects of CAPE in various neurodegenerative ailments. Our hypothesis posits that CAPE may exert a neuroprotective influence on METH-induced neurotoxicity via specific mechanisms. In order to validate the hypothesis, a series of experimental techniques including behavioral tests, immunofluorescence labeling, RNA sequencing, and western blotting were employed to investigate the neurotoxic effects of METH and the potential protective effects of CAPE. The results of our study demonstrate that CAPE effectively ameliorates cognitive memory deficits and anxiety symptoms induced by METH in mice. Furthermore, CAPE has been observed to attenuate the upregulation of neurotoxicity-associated proteins that are induced by METH exposure and also reduced the loss of hippocampal neurons in mice. Moreover, transcriptomics analysis was conducted to determine alterations in gene expression within the hippocampus of mice. Subsequently, bioinformatics analysis was employed to investigate the divergent outcomes and identify potential key genes. Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) was successfully identified and confirmed through RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence techniques. Our research findings unequivocally demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of CAPE against METH-induced neurotoxicity, with ISG15 may have an important role in the underlying protective mechanism. These results offer novel perspectives on the treatment of METH-induced neurotoxicity.
Topics: Animals; Caffeic Acids; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Methamphetamine; Neuroprotective Agents; Mice; Male; Neurotoxicity Syndromes; Hippocampus; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neurons
PubMed: 38805827
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116497 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2024Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as an extensively growing field. Several important fabricated products including Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of great importance and... (Review)
Review
Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as an extensively growing field. Several important fabricated products including Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of great importance and hold significance in several industrial sectors, mainly food industry. Recent developments have come up with methodologies for the prevention of health complications like lack of adequate nutrition in our diet. This review delves deeper into the details of the food supplementation techniques and how CNTs function in this regard. This review includes the challenges in using CNTs for food applications and their future prospects in the industry. Food shortage has become a global issue and limiting food resources put an additional burden on the farmers for growing crops. Apart from quantity, quality should also be taken into consideration and new ways should be developed for increasing nutritional value of food items. Food supplementation has several complications due to the biologically active compounds and reaction in the environment, CNTs can play a crucial role in countering this problem through the supplementation of food by various processes including; nanoencapsulation and nanobiofortification thus stimulating crop growth and seed germination rates. CNTs also hold a key position in biosensing and diagnostic application for either the quality control of the food supplements or the detection of contagions like toxins, chemicals, dyes, pesticides, pathogens, additives, and preservatives. Detection such pathogens can help in attaining global food security goal and better production and provision of food resources. The data used in the current review was collected up to date as of March 31, 2024 and contains the best of our knowledge. Data collection was performed from various reliable and authentic literatures comprising PubMed database, Springer Link, Scopus, Wiley Online, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Research related to commercially available CNTs has been added for the readers seeking additional information on the use of CNTs in various economic sectors.
PubMed: 38803447
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1381179 -
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics Jul 2024The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of Leucidal® Liquid (abbr. Leucidal), which is recommended as a natural cosmetic ingredient of antimicrobial...
The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of Leucidal® Liquid (abbr. Leucidal), which is recommended as a natural cosmetic ingredient of antimicrobial properties, on model membranes of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The toxicity tests on cell lines were also performed to allow for a more detailed discussion of the results. As model membrane systems the lipid Langmuir monolayers were applied. During the investigations, the surface pressure/area measurements, penetration studies and Brewster Angle Microscopy (BAM) visualization were performed for one component and mixed lipid monolayers. It was evidenced that at the membrane - corresponding conditions, the components of Leucidal do not penetrate either model keratinocyte and fibroblast membranes or one component films composed of the major lipids of skin cell membranes. Leucidal makes these systems slightly more expanded and less stable, however this is not reflected in the changes in the film morphology. Only the ceramide systems were sensitive to the presence of Leucidal, i.e. the incorporation of Leucidal components manifested well in the decrease of the films' condensation and alterations in their morphology. The tests on cells demonstrated that Leucidal is non toxic for these types of cells at the concentrations suggested by the producer. A thorough comparison of these results with those published for bacteria model membranes enabled us to discuss them in the context of the mechanism of action of Leucidal components. It was concluded that Leucidal components are of low affinity to the skin cellular model membranes of low content of Leucidal-sensitive ceramides and are not toxic for fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines. Moreover, the lipid composition of the membrane and its molecular organization can be important targets for Leucidal components, decisive from the point of view of the activity and selectivity of the studied composition.
Topics: Keratinocytes; Fibroblasts; Humans; Cell Membrane; Cosmetics; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Cell Line
PubMed: 38797227
DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.110044 -
Cell Reports May 2024The decline of motor ability is a hallmark feature of aging and is accompanied by degeneration of motor synaptic terminals. Consistent with this, Drosophila motor...
The decline of motor ability is a hallmark feature of aging and is accompanied by degeneration of motor synaptic terminals. Consistent with this, Drosophila motor synapses undergo characteristic age-dependent structural fragmentation co-incident with diminishing motor ability. Here, we show that motor synapse levels of Trio, an evolutionarily conserved guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), decline with age. We demonstrate that increasing Trio expression in adult Drosophila can abrogate age-dependent synaptic structural fragmentation, postpone the decline of motor ability, and maintain the capacity of motor synapses to sustain high-intensity neurotransmitter release. This preservative activity is conserved in transgenic human Trio, requires Trio Rac GEF function, and can also ameliorate synapse degeneration induced by depletion of miniature neurotransmission. Our results support a paradigm where the structural dissolution of motor synapses precedes and promotes motor behavioral diminishment and where intervening in this process can postpone the decline of motor function during aging.
PubMed: 38795343
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114256 -
Polymers May 2024Chitosan, a versatile biopolymer derived from chitin, has garnered significant attention in various biomedical applications due to its unique properties, such as... (Review)
Review
Chitosan, a versatile biopolymer derived from chitin, has garnered significant attention in various biomedical applications due to its unique properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mucoadhesiveness. This review provides an overview of the diverse applications of chitosan and its derivatives in the antibacterial, anticancer, wound healing, and tissue engineering fields. In antibacterial applications, chitosan exhibits potent antimicrobial properties by disrupting microbial membranes and DNA, making it a promising natural preservative and agent against bacterial infections. Its role in cancer therapy involves the development of chitosan-based nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimising side effects. Chitosan also plays a crucial role in wound healing by promoting cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and regulating inflammatory responses. Additionally, chitosan serves as a multifunctional scaffold in tissue engineering, facilitating the regeneration of diverse tissues such as cartilage, bone, and neural tissue by promoting cell adhesion and proliferation. The extensive range of applications for chitosan in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences is not only highlighted by the comprehensive scope of this review, but it also establishes it as a fundamental component for forthcoming research in biomedicine.
PubMed: 38794545
DOI: 10.3390/polym16101351 -
Microorganisms Apr 2024The search for natural food additives makes propolis an exciting alternative due to its known antimicrobial activity. This work aims to investigate propolis' behavior as...
The search for natural food additives makes propolis an exciting alternative due to its known antimicrobial activity. This work aims to investigate propolis' behavior as a nitrite substitute ingredient in cooked ham (a ready-to-eat product) when confronted with pathogenic microorganisms of food interest. The microbial evolution of , , , and inoculated at known doses was examined in different batches of cooked ham. The design of a challenge test according to their shelf life (45 days), pH values, and water activity allowed the determination of the mesophilic aerobic flora, psychotropic, and acid lactic bacteria viability. The test was completed with an organoleptic analysis of the samples, considering possible alterations in color and texture. The cooked ham formulation containing propolis instead of nitrites limited the potential growth (δ < 0.5 log) of all the inoculated microorganisms until day 45, except for , which in turn exhibited a bacteriostatic effect between day 7 and 30 of the storage time. The sensory analysis revealed the consumer's acceptance of cooked ham batches including propolis as a natural additive. These findings suggest the functionality of propolis as a promising alternative to artificial preservatives for ensuring food safety and reducing the proliferation risk of foodborne pathogens in ready-to-eat products.
PubMed: 38792741
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050914 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The olive oil industry recently introduced a novel multi-phase decanter with the "Leopard DMF" series, which gives a by-product called pâté, made up of pulp and olive...
The olive oil industry recently introduced a novel multi-phase decanter with the "Leopard DMF" series, which gives a by-product called pâté, made up of pulp and olive wastewater with a high content of phenolic substances and without pits. This study aims to create a new culture medium, the Olive Juice Broth (OJB), from DMF pâté, and apply it to select bacteria strains able to survive and degrade the bitter substances normally present in the olive fruit. Thirty-five different bacterial strains of from the CREA-IT.PE Collection of Microorganisms were tested. Seven strains characterized by ≥50% growth in OJB (B31, B137, B28, B39, B124, B130, and B51) showed a degradation of the total phenolic content of OJB ≥ 30%. From this set, B51 strain was selected as a starter for table olive production vs. spontaneous fermentation. The selected inoculant effectively reduced the debittering time compared to spontaneous fermentation. Hydroxytyrosol, derived from oleuropein and verbascoside degradation, and tyrosol, derived from ligstroside degradation, were produced faster than during spontaneous fermentation. The OJB medium is confirmed to be useful in selecting bacterial strains resistant to the complex phenolic environment of the olive fruit.
Topics: Olea; Phenols; Culture Media; Fermentation; Lactobacillales; Olive Oil; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Iridoid Glucosides; Glucosides; Lactobacillus plantarum; Polyphenols
PubMed: 38792098
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102236