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Nutrients Apr 2024Phthalates and bisphenol A are recognized as the predominant endocrine-disrupting substances (EDCs) in the environment, but their impact on sleep health remains unclear....
Phthalates and bisphenol A are recognized as the predominant endocrine-disrupting substances (EDCs) in the environment, but their impact on sleep health remains unclear. Vitamin D has often been reported to play a role in sleep health and may be affected by endocrine-disrupting compounds. The study utilized data from 5476 individuals in the NHANES project to investigate the correlation between combined exposure to environmental EDCs and sleep duration through modeling various exposures. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of vitamin D in the present scenario. Preliminary analyses suggested that vitamin D-deficient individuals generally slept shorter than individuals with normal vitamin D ( < 0.05). Exposure to Mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), triclosan (TRS), and Mono-benzyl phthalate (MZP), either alone or in combination, was associated with reduced sleep duration and a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency. Individuals with low vitamin D levels exposed to TRS experienced shorter sleep duration than those with normal vitamin D levels ( < 0.05). TRS and MZP were identified as crucial factors in patient outcomes when evaluating mixed exposures ( < 0.05). The results provide new data supporting a link between exposure to EDCs and insufficient sleep length. Additionally, they imply that a vitamin D shortage may worsen the sleep problems induced by EDCs.
Topics: Humans; Endocrine Disruptors; Vitamin D Deficiency; Female; Male; United States; Adult; Phthalic Acids; Middle Aged; Sleep; Vitamin D; Phenols; Environmental Exposure; Benzhydryl Compounds; Nutrition Surveys; Triclosan; Aged; Young Adult
PubMed: 38732537
DOI: 10.3390/nu16091291 -
The Journal of Biological Chemistry May 2024Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial toxicant found in a myriad of consumer products and has been detected in human tissues, including breastmilk. We have evaluated the...
Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial toxicant found in a myriad of consumer products and has been detected in human tissues, including breastmilk. We have evaluated the impact of lactational TCS on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression and bilirubin metabolism in humanized UGT1 (hUGT1) neonatal mice. In hUGT1 mice, expression of the hepatic UGT1A1 gene is developmentally delayed resulting in elevated total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels. We found that newborn hUGT1 mice breastfed or orally treated with TCS presented lower TSB levels along with induction of hepatic UGT1A1. Lactational and oral treatment by gavage with TCS leads to the activation of hepatic nuclear receptors CAR, PPARα, and stress sensor, ATF4. When CAR-deficient hUGT1 mice (hUGT1/Car) were treated with TCS, TSB levels were reduced with a robust induction of hepatic UGT1A1, leaving us to conclude that CAR is not tied to UGT1A1 induction. Alternatively, when PPARα-deficient hUGT1 mice (hUGT1/Pparα) were treated with TCS, hepatic UGT1A1 was not induced. Additionally, we had previously demonstrated that TCS is a potent inducer of ATF4, a transcriptional factor linked to the integrated stress response. When ATF4 was deleted in liver of hUGT1 mice (hUGT1/Atf4), and these mice treated with TCS, we observed superinduction of hepatic UGT1A1. Oxidative stress genes in livers of hUGT1/Atf4 treated with TCS were increased, suggesting that ATF4 protects liver from excessive oxidative stress. The increase oxidative stress may be associated with superinduction of UGT1A1. The expression of ATF4 in neonatal hUGT1 hepatic tissue may play a role in the developmental repression of UGT1A1.
PubMed: 38705390
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107340 -
Human Reproduction Open 2024Is exposure to environmental chemicals associated with modifications of placental morphology and function?
STUDY QUESTION
Is exposure to environmental chemicals associated with modifications of placental morphology and function?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Phthalates, a class of ubiquitous chemicals, showed an association with altered placental weight, placental vascular resistance (PVR), and placental efficiency.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Only a few epidemiological studies have assessed the effects of phenols and phthalates on placental health. Their results were affected by exposure measurement errors linked to the rapid excretion of these compounds and the reliance on a limited number of spot urine samples to assess exposure.
STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION
A prospective mother-child cohort, with improved exposure assessment for non-persistent chemicals, recruited participants between 2014 and 2017. Sample size ranged between 355 (placental parameters measured at birth: placental weight and placental-to-fetal weight ratio (PFR): a proxy for placental efficiency) and 426 (placental parameters measured during pregnancy: placental thickness and vascular resistance).
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS
Phenols (four parabens, two bisphenols, triclosan, and benzophenone-3), 13 phthalate metabolites, and two non-phthalate plasticizer metabolites were measured in within-subject pools of repeated urine samples collected during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (median = 21 samples/trimester/woman). Placental thickness and PVR were measured during pregnancy. The placenta was weighed at birth and the PFR was computed. Both adjusted linear regression and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression were used to evaluate associations between phenols and phthalates (alone or as a mixture) and placental parameters. Effect modification by child sex was also investigated.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Several phthalate metabolites were negatively associated with placental outcomes. Monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) concentrations, during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, were associated with a decrease in both placental weight at birth ( = -20.1 g [95% CI: -37.8; -2.5] and = -17.4 g [95% CI: -33.2; -1.6], for second and third trimester, respectively) and PFR ( = -0.5 [95% CI: -1, -0.1] and = -0.5 [95% CI: -0.9, -0.1], for the second and third trimester, respectively). Additionally, MBzP was negatively associated with PVR during the third trimester (= -0.9 [95% CI: -1.8; 0.1]). Mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), was negatively associated with PVR in both trimesters ( = -1.3, 95% CI: [-2.3, -0.2], and = -1.2, 95% CI: [-2.4, -0.03], for the second and third trimester, respectively). After stratification for child sex, Σ diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) (either second or third-trimester exposures, depending on the outcomes considered) was associated with decreased PVR in the third trimester, as well as decreased placental weight and PFR in males. No associations were observed for phenol biomarkers.
LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION
False positives cannot be ruled out. Therefore, chemicals that were associated with multiple outcomes (MnBP and DiNP) or reported in existing literature as associated with placental outcomes (MBzP) should be considered as the main results.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Our results are consistent with studies showing that phthalates target peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, in the family of nuclear receptors involved in key placental development processes such as trophoblast proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition to placental weight at birth, we studied placental parameters during pregnancy, which could provide a broader view of how environmental chemicals affect maternal-fetal exchanges over the course of pregnancy. Our findings contribute to the increasing evidence indicating adverse impacts of phthalate exposure on placental health.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS
This work was supported by the French Research Agency-ANR (MEMORI project ANR-21-CE34-0022). The SEPAGES cohort was supported by the European Research Council (N°311765-E-DOHaD), the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-206-N°308333-892 HELIX), the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (N° 874583 ATHLETE Project, N°825712 OBERON Project), the French Research Agency-ANR (PAPER project ANR-12-PDOC-0029-01, SHALCOH project ANR-14-CE21-0007, ANR-15-IDEX-02 and ANR-15-IDEX5, GUMME project ANR-18-CE36-005, ETAPE project ANR-18-CE36-0005-EDeN project ANR-19-CE36-0003-01), the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety-ANSES (CNAP project EST-2016-121, PENDORE project EST-2016-121, HyPAxE project EST-2019/1/039, PENDALIRE project EST-2022-169), the Plan Cancer (Canc'Air project), the French Cancer Research Foundation Association de Recherche sur le Cancer-ARC, the French Endowment Fund AGIR for chronic diseases-APMC (projects PRENAPAR, LCI-FOT, DysCard), the French Endowment Fund for Respiratory Health, the French Fund-Fondation de France (CLIMATHES-00081169, SEPAGES 5-00099903, ELEMENTUM-00124527). N.J. was supported by a doctoral fellowship from the University Grenoble Alpes. V.M. was supported by a Sara Borrell postdoctoral research contract (CD22/00176), granted by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Spain) and NextGenerationEU funds. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02852499.
PubMed: 38689737
DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoae018 -
Nature Communications Apr 2024The horizontal transfer of plasmids has been recognized as one of the key drivers for the worldwide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across bacterial pathogens....
The horizontal transfer of plasmids has been recognized as one of the key drivers for the worldwide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across bacterial pathogens. However, knowledge remain limited about the contribution made by environmental stress on the evolution of bacterial AMR by modulating horizontal acquisition of AMR plasmids and other mobile genetic elements. Here we combined experimental evolution, whole genome sequencing, reverse genetic engineering, and transcriptomics to examine if the evolution of chromosomal AMR to triclosan (TCS) disinfectant has correlated effects on modulating bacterial pathogen (Klebsiella pneumoniae) permissiveness to AMR plasmids and phage susceptibility. Herein, we show that TCS exposure increases the evolvability of K. pneumoniae to evolve TCS-resistant mutants (TRMs) by acquiring mutations and altered expression of several genes previously associated with TCS and antibiotic resistance. Notably, nsrR deletion increases conjugation permissiveness of K. pneumoniae to four AMR plasmids, and enhances susceptibility to various Klebsiella-specific phages through the downregulation of several bacterial defense systems and changes in membrane potential with altered reactive oxygen species response. Our findings suggest that unrestricted use of TCS disinfectant imposes a dual impact on bacterial antibiotic resistance by augmenting both chromosomally and horizontally acquired AMR mechanisms.
Topics: Triclosan; Plasmids; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Bacteriophages; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Mutation; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Whole Genome Sequencing; Evolution, Molecular; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38688912
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48006-9 -
Lipids in Health and Disease Apr 2024Overweight and obesity are among the leading chronic diseases worldwide. Environmental phenols have been renowned as endocrine disruptors that contribute to weight...
BACKGROUND
Overweight and obesity are among the leading chronic diseases worldwide. Environmental phenols have been renowned as endocrine disruptors that contribute to weight changes; however, the effects of exposure to mixed phenols on obesity are not well established.
METHODS
Using data from adults in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this study examined the individual and combined effects of four phenols on obesity. A combination of traditional logistic regression and two mixed models (weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian kernel-machine regression (BKMR)) were used together to assess the role of phenols in the development of obesity. The potential mediation of cholesterol on these effects was analyzed through a parallel mediation model.
RESULTS
The results demonstrated that solitary phenols except triclosan were inversely associated with obesity (P-value < 0.05). The WQS index was also negatively correlated with general obesity (β: 0.770, 95% CI: 0.644-0.919, P-value = 0.004) and abdominal obesity (β: 0.781, 95% CI: 0.658-0.928, P-value = 0.004). Consistently, the BKMR model demonstrated the significant joint negative effects of phenols on obesity. The parallel mediation analysis revealed that high-density lipoprotein mediated the effects of all four single phenols on obesity, whereas low-density lipoprotein only mediated the association between benzophenol-3 and obesity. Moreover, Cholesterol acts as a mediator of the association between mixed phenols and obesity. Exposure to single and mixed phenols significantly and negatively correlated with obesity. Cholesterol mediated the association of single and mixed environmental phenols with obesity.
CONCLUSIONS
Assessing the potential public health risks of mixed phenols helps to incorporate this information into practical health advice and guidance.
Topics: Humans; Phenols; Obesity; Male; Adult; Female; Middle Aged; Cholesterol; Benzhydryl Compounds; Triclosan; Nutrition Surveys; Bayes Theorem; Endocrine Disruptors; Chlorophenols; Isoflavones
PubMed: 38685082
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02113-0 -
MicrobiologyOpen Jun 2024Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a multidrug-resistant (MDR), Gram-negative bacterium intrinsically resistant to beta-lactams, including last-resort carbapenems. As an...
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a multidrug-resistant (MDR), Gram-negative bacterium intrinsically resistant to beta-lactams, including last-resort carbapenems. As an opportunistic pathogen, it can cause serious healthcare-related infections. This study assesses the prevalence, resistance profiles, and genetic diversity of S. maltophilia isolated from residential aged care facilities (RACFs). RACFs are known for their overuse and often inappropriate use of antibiotics, creating a strong selective environment that favors the development of bacterial resistance. The study was conducted on 73 S. maltophilia isolates recovered from wastewater and facility swab samples obtained from three RACFs and a retirement village. Phenotypic and genotypic assessments of the isolates revealed high carbapenem resistance, exemplifying their intrinsic beta-lactam resistance. Alarmingly, 49.3% (36/73) of the isolates were non-wild type for colistin, with minimum inhibitory concentration values of > 4 mg/L, and 11.0% (8/73) were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. No resistance mechanisms were detected for either antimicrobial. Genotypic assessment of known lineages revealed isolates clustering with Sm17 and Sm18, lineages not previously reported in Australia, suggesting the potential ongoing spread of MDR S. maltophilia. Lastly, although only a few isolates were biocide tolerant (2.7%, 2/73), their ability to grow in high concentrations (64 mg/L) of triclosan is concerning, as it may be selecting for their survival and continued dissemination.
Topics: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Genotype; Australia; Wastewater; Prevalence; Genetic Variation; Colistin; Carbapenems; Aged; Residential Facilities
PubMed: 38682784
DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1409 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Over 75% of clinical microbiological infections are caused by bacterial biofilms that grow on wounds or implantable medical devices. This work describes the development...
INTRODUCTION
Over 75% of clinical microbiological infections are caused by bacterial biofilms that grow on wounds or implantable medical devices. This work describes the development of a new poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC)/alginate-coated gold nanorod (GNR/Alg/PDADMAC) that effectively disintegrates the biofilms of (), a prominent pathogen responsible for hospital-acquired infections.
METHODS
GNR was synthesised via seed-mediated growth method, and the resulting nanoparticles were coated first with Alg and then PDADMAC. FTIR, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry analysis were performed to characterise the nanoparticles. The efficacy and speed of the non-coated GNR and GNR/Alg/PDADMAC in disintegrating -preformed biofilms, as well as their in vitro biocompatibility (L929 murine fibroblast) were then studied.
RESULTS
The synthesised GNR/Alg/PDADMAC (mean length: 55.71 ± 1.15 nm, mean width: 23.70 ± 1.13 nm, aspect ratio: 2.35) was biocompatible and potent in eradicating preformed biofilms of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) when compared to triclosan, an antiseptic used for disinfecting colonisation on abiotic surfaces in the hospital. The minimum biofilm eradication concentrations of GNR/Alg/PDADMAC (MBEC for MRSA biofilm = 0.029 nM; MBEC for MSSA biofilm = 0.032 nM) were significantly lower than those of triclosan (MBEC for MRSA biofilm = 10,784 nM; MBEC for MRSA biofilm 5967 nM). Moreover, GNR/Alg/PDADMAC was effective in eradicating 50% of MRSA and MSSA biofilms within 17 min when used at a low concentration (0.15 nM), similar to triclosan at a much higher concentration (50 µM). Disintegration of MRSA and MSSA biofilms was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy.
CONCLUSION
These findings support the potential application of GNR/Alg/PDADMAC as an alternative agent to conventional antiseptics and antibiotics for the eradication of medically important MRSA and MSSA biofilms.
Topics: Biofilms; Gold; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Alginates; Nanotubes; Animals; Mice; Staphylococcus aureus; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Polyethylenes; Staphylococcal Infections; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Cell Line; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Metal Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38681091
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S452085 -
Food Chemistry Apr 2024In this work, we aimed to evaluate human intake of triclosan (TCS) associated with real-life use of different brands of Microban™ microwave-safe food packaging....
In this work, we aimed to evaluate human intake of triclosan (TCS) associated with real-life use of different brands of Microban™ microwave-safe food packaging. Calculations were based on: TCS migration data (under the worst-case foreseeable conditions), MPs abundance and TCS bioaccessibility from microplastics (MPs), leached from containers under microwave heating. Bioaccessibility studies were performed with in vitro digestion of MPs, followed by liquid-liquid extraction of TCS from digestive fluids and LC-QqQ-MS analysis yielding values of 46 ± 9%. The estimated weekly intake (EWI) of TCS ranged between 11 and 42 μg/kg body weight/week, with migration being the largest contribution (0.6-2.3 mg/week), compared to leaching of MPs (75-300 μg/week). These values represent a significant source of human exposure to TCS, emphasizing the need to harmonize the ban of TCS in food contact materials worldwide and improve compliance testing of food contact articles, particularly those marketed through online sales platforms.
PubMed: 38678648
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139475 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024Advanced oxidation processes are the most efficient tool to thwart the overaccumulation of harmful organic compounds in the environment. In this direction bioinspired...
Advanced oxidation processes are the most efficient tool to thwart the overaccumulation of harmful organic compounds in the environment. In this direction bioinspired metal complexes may be a viable solution for oxidative degradations in water. However, their synthesis is often elaborated and their scalability consequently low. This study presents alternative easy-to-synthesize bioinspired metal complexes to promote degradations in water. The metals employed were iron and manganese ions, hence cheap and highly accessible ions. The complexes were tested toward Phenol, Estrone, Triclosan, Oxybenzone, Diclofenac, Carbamazepine, Erythromycin, Aspartame, Acesulfame K, Anisole and 2,4-Dinitrotoluene. The reaction favoured electron-rich compounds reaching a removal efficiency of over 90%. The central ion plays a crucial role. Specifically, Mn(II) induces a non-radical pathway while iron ions a predominant radical one (OH is predominant). The iron systems resulted more versatile toward contaminants, while the manganese ones showed a higher turn-over number, hence higher catalytic behaviour.
PubMed: 38653989
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59381-0 -
Environmental Epidemiology... Apr 2024Triclosan is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, but associations with pubertal outcomes remain unclear. We examined associations of gestational and childhood triclosan...
BACKGROUND
Triclosan is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, but associations with pubertal outcomes remain unclear. We examined associations of gestational and childhood triclosan with adolescent hormone concentrations and pubertal stage.
METHODS
We quantified urinary triclosan concentrations twice during pregnancy and seven times between birth and 12 years in participants recruited from Cincinnati, OH (2003-2006). We averaged concentrations across pregnancy and childhood and separately considered individual exposure periods in multiple informant models. At 12 years, we measured serum hormone concentrations (males [n = 72] and females [n = 84]-dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone; males-testosterone; females-estradiol). Also at age 12 years, participants self-reported physical development and menarchal timing. We estimated associations (95% confidence interval) of triclosan with hormone concentrations, more advanced physical development, and age at menarche.
RESULTS
For females, each doubling of childhood triclosan was associated with 16% lower estradiol concentrations (-29%, 0%), with stronger associations for measures closer to adolescence. We found suggestive evidence that higher triclosan at any age was associated with ~10% (for gestational triclosan: -18%, -2%) lower follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations among males and early postnatal (1-3 years) triclosan was associated with 63% (5%, 96%) lower odds of advanced pubic hair development in females. In multiple informant models, each doubling of gestational triclosan concentrations was associated with 5% (0%, 9%) earlier age at menarche, equivalent to 5.5 months.
CONCLUSION
Gestational and childhood triclosan concentrations were related to some pubertal outcomes including hormone concentrations and age at menarche. Our findings highlight the relevance of elucidating potential sex-specific and time-dependent actions of triclosan.
PubMed: 38617430
DOI: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000305