Authors: Hui Zhao, Xuyang Chen, Jianping Ni...

BACKGROUND

Perchlorates, nitrates, and thiocyanates are prevalent environmental chemicals. Their potential association with arthritis remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the link between perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate exposure and arthritis, as well as the potential role of inflammation in this context.

METHODS

Utilizing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data spanning from 2005 to 2016, the study enrolled 6597 participants aged 20-59 (young and middle-aged), of which 1045 had arthritis. Employing multivariate logistic regression modeling, multiple linear regression models, restricted cubic spline analysis, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) modeling, and mediation analysis, we assessed these relationships.

RESULTS

There was a significant positive association between elevated urinary thiocyanate levels and arthritis risk [1.19 (1.11, 1.28)]. This association held true across subgroups of osteoarthritis (OA) [1.24 (1.10, 1.40)] and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [1.33 (1.15, 1.55)]. Thiocyanate levels displayed a dose-dependent relationship with arthritis risk, showing a linear trend (nonlinear P > 0.05). Conversely, perchlorate and nitrate did not exhibit associations with arthritis risk. BKMR outcomes highlighted a positive correlation between a mixture of perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate and arthritis risk, with thiocyanate being the predominant predictors. Moreover, BKMR and generalized linear model analyses unveiled no significant synergistic effect of urinary perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate on arthritis risk. Furthermore, thiocyanate exposure has been linked to elevated levels of inflammatory indicators (white blood cell, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII)).

CONCLUSION

Heightened thiocyanate exposure may be linked to elevated arthritis risk, either single or in combined effects. Additionally, thiocyanate exposure is associated with heightened inflammation levels.

Topics: Adult; Middle Aged; Humans; Nitrates; Thiocyanates; Perchlorates; Nutrition Surveys; Bayes Theorem; Inflammation; Arthritis

PubMed: 38495893
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1318737

Authors: Julia D Meredith, Michael J Gray

The pseudohypohalous acid hypothiocyanite/hypothiocyanous acid (OSCN /HOSCN) has been known to play an antimicrobial role in mammalian immunity for decades. It is a potent oxidant that kills bacteria but is non-toxic to human cells. Produced from thiocyanate (SCN ) and hydrogen peroxide (H O ) in a variety of body sites by peroxidase enzymes, HOSCN has been explored as an agent of food preservation, pathogen killing, and even improved toothpaste. However, despite the well-recognized antibacterial role HOSCN plays in host-pathogen interactions, little is known about how bacteria sense and respond to this oxidant. In this work, we will summarize what is known and unknown about HOSCN in innate immunity and recent advances in understanding the responses that both pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria mount against this antimicrobial agent, highlighting studies done with three model organisms, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Topics: Humans; Animals; Thiocyanates; Host Microbial Interactions; Peroxidases; Oxidants; Mammals

PubMed: 36718113
DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15025

Authors: Donglan Wang, Ying Zhang, Yayu He...

BACKGROUND

Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate are widely recognized as endocrine disrupting chemicals, which are closely related to thyroid function. Animal and human studies show a correlation between thyroid hormone and bone mineral density (BMD). However, it remains unknown whether perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate were associated with BMD. This study aimed to explore the association between perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate exposure with BMD.

METHOD

A cross-sectional analysis among 5607 participants from the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was conducted in the present study. Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate were detected in urine by ion chromatography. Survey-weighted generalized linear regression, restricted cubic splines, and qgcomp models were used to assess the association of BMDs with single and mixed perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate exposures. In addition, age, gender, and BMI stratified these associations.

RESULTS

Negative associations were found between perchlorate and nitrate with BMDs. Furthermore, based on the qgcomp model results, the combined association of perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate exposure was negatively associated with BMDs (β = -0.017, 95% CI: -0.041, -0.024 for total BMD; β = -0.017, 95% CI: -0.029, -0.005 for lumbar BMD). Additionally, there was a significant effect after gender, age, and BMI stratification between perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate with BMDs in the normal weight group (β = -0.015, 95% CI: -0.020, -0.011 for total BMD; β = -0.022, 95% CI: -0.028, -0.016 for lumbar BMD) and children and adolescents group (β = -0.025, 95% CI: -0.031, -0.019 for total BMD; β -0.017, 95% CI: -0.029, -0.005 for lumbar BMD).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicated a negative correlation between BMDs and urinary perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate levels, with nitrate being the main contributor to the mixture effect. People with normal weight and children and adolescents were more likely to be affected.

Topics: Humans; Thiocyanates; Perchlorates; Female; Bone Density; Male; Nitrates; Nutrition Surveys; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Middle Aged; United States; Young Adult; Adolescent; Child; Aged; Environmental Exposure

PubMed: 39203795
DOI: 10.3390/nu16162658

Authors: Jintao Yu, Jiawen Guo, Hengguo Zhang...

AIM

To examine the human exposure to perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate, and their associations with oral pain (OP) in the general population from the U.S.

METHODS

A total of 13,554 participants were enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The urinary perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate were measured using ion chromatography coupled with an electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The multivariable linear and logistic regressions were performed to explore the associations of the urinary perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate, with the prevalence of oral pain. Restricted cubic splines were used to explore the non-linearity.

RESULTS

There are 3,129 OP cases. There was a higher urinary level of perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate in OP. We found that urinary thiocyanate was positively associated with OP (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06; [1, 1.13]; = 0.049). Restricted cubic spines revealed that urinary thiocyanate was in a U-shape association with OP.

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary thiocyanate was in a U-shape association with OP, suggesting that we should keep the exposure of thiocyanate under a reasonable range.

Topics: Environmental Exposure; Humans; Mouth; Nitrates; Nutrition Surveys; Pain; Perchlorates; Thiocyanates; United States

PubMed: 35356020
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.829466

Review

Authors: Caroline Serrano-Nascimento, Maria Tereza Nunes

Thyroid disruptors are found in food, atmosphere, soil, and water. These contaminants interfere with the thyroid function through the impairment of thyroid hormone synthesis, plasma transport, peripheral metabolism, transport into the target cells, and thyroid hormone action. It is well known that iodide uptake mediated by the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) is the first limiting step involved in thyroid hormones production. Therefore, it has been described that several thyroid disruptors interfere with the thyroid function through the regulation of NIS expression and/or activity. Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate competitively inhibit the NIS-mediated iodide uptake. These contaminants are mainly found in food, water and in the smoke of cigarettes. Although the impact of the human exposure to these anions is highly controversial, some studies indicated their deleterious effects in the thyroid function, especially in individuals living in iodine deficient areas. Considering the critical role of thyroid function and the production of thyroid hormones for growth, metabolism, and development, this review summarizes the impact of the exposure to these NIS-inhibitors on thyroid function and their consequences for human health.

Topics: Humans; Perchlorates; Thiocyanates; Nitrates; Thyroid Gland; Environmental Pollutants; Iodides; Thyroid Hormones; Water

PubMed: 36339434
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.995503

Authors: Lei King, Qiang Wang, Lili Xia...

BACKGROUND

Evidence on environmental exposure to perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate, three thyroidal sodium iodine symporter (NIS) inhibitors, and thyroid function in the Chinese population remains limited.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations of environmental exposure to perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate with markers of thyroid function in Chinese adults.

METHODS

A total of 2441 non-pregnant adults (mean age 50.4 years and 39.1% male) with a median urinary iodine of 180.1 μg/L from four communities in Shenzhen were included in this cross-sectional study. Urinary perchlorate, nitrate, thiocyanate, and thyroid profiles, including serum free thyroxine (FT4), total thyroxine (TT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), total triiodothyronine (TT3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), were measured. Generalized linear model was applied to investigate the single-analyte associations. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to examine the association between the co-occurrence of three anions and thyroid profile.

RESULTS

The median levels of urinary perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate were 5.8 μg/g, 76.4 mg/g, and 274.1 μg/g, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, higher urinary perchlorate was associated with lower serum FT4, TT4, and TT3, and higher serum FT3 and TSH (all P < 0.05). Comparing extreme tertiles, subjects in the highest nitrate tertile had marginally elevated TT3 (β: 0.02, 95% CI: 0.00-0.04). Each 1-unit increase in log-transformed urinary thiocyanate was associated with a 0.04 (95% CI: 0.02-0.06) pmol/L decrease in serum FT3. The WQS indices were inversely associated with serum FT4, TT4, and FT3 (all P < 0.05). In the BKMR model, the mixture of three anions was inversely associated with serum FT4, TT4, and FT3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides evidence that individual and combined environmental exposure to perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate are associated with significant changes in thyroid function markers in the Chinese population with adequate iodine intake.

Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Bayes Theorem; Cross-Sectional Studies; East Asian People; Environmental Exposure; Iodine; Nitrates; Perchlorates; Thiocyanates; Thyroid Gland; Thyrotropin; Thyroxine; Triiodothyronine; China

PubMed: 36565572
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107713

Association between perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate exposure and kidney stones prevalence in US adults: an analysis based on the national health and nutrition examination survey 2007-2018.

Authors: Zhicheng Tang, Xiujun Wu, JiaHao Zhang...

This study investigates the association between exposure to environmental pollutants-perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate (PNT)-and the prevalence of kidney stone disease (KSD) in US adults, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018. With the increasing incidence of KSD, understanding environmental risk factors has become crucial. While PNT compounds are known to be associated with various health issues, their role in KSD remains unclear. A cross-sectional analysis of 11,350 participants measured urinary PNT levels using ion chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and health variables. The analysis found no significant association between urinary perchlorate levels and KSD. However, participants in the highest quartile of urinary nitrate exhibited a significantly higher risk of KSD (OR 1.66, 95% CI [1.27, 2.05]) compared to those in the lowest quartile. Similarly, individuals in the second and third quartiles of urinary thiocyanate also had an elevated risk of KSD (OR 1.39, 95% CI [1.05, 1.85] and OR 1.47, 95% CI [1.08, 2.00], respectively). Restricted cubic spline analysis further demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between both urinary nitrate and thiocyanate levels and KSD risk. While the study benefits from a large, representative sample, its cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causality, and single urine measurements may not fully capture long-term exposure. Future research should target diverse populations, employ prospective cohort studies, and conduct toxicological experiments to validate these findings and explore the underlying biological mechanisms. The study suggests a complex, non-linear relationship between elevated urinary nitrate and thiocyanate levels and an increased risk of KSD.

Topics: Humans; Nitrates; Male; Thiocyanates; Female; Nutrition Surveys; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; United States; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Perchlorates; Environmental Exposure; Kidney Calculi; Environmental Pollutants; Risk Factors; Aged

PubMed: 40128787
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-20929-4

Authors: Ananya Madiyal, Vidya Ajila, Subhas G Babu...

BACKGROUND

Use of tobacco is often implicated in the development of oral diseases. Questionable accuracy of the traditional questionnaires to assess cigarette exposure necessitates the use of biomarkers like thiocyanate which provide a definitive quantitative measure.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the rise in the level of thiocyanate for measurement of smoking behaviour in adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum and salivary thiocyanate levels were estimated in 20 non-smokers, 20 ex-smokers and 40 smokers. Smokers were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of oral mucosal lesions.

RESULTS

The mean serum and salivary thiocyanate levels were increased significantly in smokers when compared to non-smokers and ex-smokers. The levels were not significantly different between ex-smokers and non-smokers and between smokers with tobacco related oral mucosal lesions and those without. Statistically significant correlation was seen between the serum and salivary levels of thiocyanate.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the high level of thiocyanate in the serum and saliva of smokers when compared to non-smokers and ex-smokers. Significant increase in thiocyanate level was also seen in saliva. Hence it can be stated that saliva can be used as a reliable, non-invasive tool to assess smoking behaviour in the population and its changes over time.

Topics: Adult; Case-Control Studies; Ex-Smokers; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Saliva; Smoking; Thiocyanates; Young Adult

PubMed: 30603006
DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v18i3.31

Review

Authors: Víctor M Luque-Almagro, Purificación Cabello, Lara P Sáez...

Cyanide is one of the most toxic chemicals for living organisms described so far. Its toxicity is mainly based on the high affinity that cyanide presents toward metals, provoking inhibition of essential metalloenzymes. Cyanide and its cyano-derivatives are produced in a large scale by many industrial activities related to recovering of precious metals in mining and jewelry, coke production, steel hardening, synthesis of organic chemicals, and food processing industries. As consequence, cyanide-containing wastes are accumulated in the environment becoming a risk to human health and ecosystems. Cyanide and related compounds, like nitriles and thiocyanate, are degraded aerobically by numerous bacteria, and therefore, biodegradation has been offered as a clean and cheap strategy to deal with these industrial wastes. Anaerobic biological treatments are often preferred options for wastewater biodegradation. However, at present very little is known about anaerobic degradation of these hazardous compounds. This review is focused on microbial degradation of cyanide and related compounds under anaerobiosis, exploring their potential application in bioremediation of industrial cyanide-containing wastes.

Topics: Anaerobiosis; Bacteria; Biodegradation, Environmental; Bioreactors; Cyanides; Industrial Microbiology; Industrial Waste; Nitriles; Nitrogenase; Thiocyanates; Waste Disposal, Fluid

PubMed: 29209795
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-017-8678-6

Authors: Nancy A Mervish, Ashley Pajak, Susan L Teitelbaum...

BACKGROUND

Perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate are sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) inhibitors that block iodide uptake into the thyroid, thus affecting thyroid function. Thyroid dysfunction can adversely affect somatic growth and development in children. To our knowledge, no studies have examined effects of NIS inhibitors on body size measures.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated associations between NIS inhibitors and childhood growth in 940 girls from the Puberty Study of the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Program.

METHODS

Urine samples collected from girls 6-8 years of age at enrollment (2004-2007) from New York City, greater Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Bay Area in California were analyzed for NIS inhibitors and creatinine (C). The longitudinal association between NIS inhibitors and anthropometric measures [height, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI)] during at least three visits was examined using mixed effects linear models, adjusted for race and site.

RESULTS

Compared with girls in the low-exposure group (3.6, 626, and 500 mg/gC, median perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate, respectively) girls with the highest NIS inhibitor exposure (9.6, 2,343, and 955 mg/gC, median perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate, respectively) had slower growth in waist circumference and BMI but not height. Significant differences in the predicted mean waist circumference and BMI between the low- and high-exposure groups were observed beginning at 11 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher NIS inhibitor exposure biomarkers were associated with reductions in waist circumference and BMI. These findings underscore the need to assess exposure to NIS inhibitors with respect to their influence on childhood growth.

CITATION

Mervish NA, Pajak A, Teitelbaum SL, Pinney SM, Windham GC, Kushi LH, Biro FM, Valentin-Blasini L, Blount BC, Wolff MS, for the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Project (BCERP). 2016. Thyroid antagonists (perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate) and childhood growth in a longitudinal study of U.S. girls. Environ Health Perspect 124:542-549; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409309.

Topics: Adolescent; Antithyroid Agents; Body Height; Body Mass Index; California; Child; Child Development; Female; Humans; Iodine; Longitudinal Studies; New York City; Nitrates; Ohio; Perchlorates; Symporters; Thiocyanates; Waist Circumference

PubMed: 26151950
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1409309