Simultaneous determination of fifteen multiclass organic pollutants in human saliva and serum by liquid chromatography–tandem ultraviolet/fluorescence detection: A validated method

Myocardial fibrosis induced by nonylphenol and its regulatory effect on the TGF-β1/LIMK1 signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

We here explored whether perinatal nonylphenol (NP) exposure causes myocardial fibrosis (MF) during adulthood in offspring rats and determined the role of the TGF-β1/LIMK1 signaling pathway in NP-induced fibrosis in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Histopathology revealed increased collagen deposition and altered fiber arrangement in the NP and isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO) groups compared with the blank group. Systolic and diastolic functions were impaired. Western blotting and qRT-PCR demonstrated that the expression of central myofibrosis-related proteins (collagens Ι and ΙΙΙ, MMP2, MMP9, TGF-β1, α-SMA, IL-1β, and TGF-β1) and genes (Collagen Ι, Collagen ΙΙΙ, TGF-β1, and α-SMA mRNA) was upregulated in the NP and ISO groups compared with the blank group. The mRNA-seq analysis indicated differential expression of TGF-β1 signaling pathway-associated genes and proteins. Fibrosis-related protein and gene expression increased in the CFs stimulated with the recombinant human TGF-β1 and NP, which was consistent with the results of animal experiments. According to the immunofluorescence analysis and western blotting, NP exposure activated the TGF-β1/LIMK1 signaling pathway whose action mechanism in NP-induced CFs was further validated using the LIMK1 inhibitor (BMS-5). The inhibitor modulated the TGF-β1/LIMK1 signaling pathway and suppressed the NP-induced increase in fibrosis-related protein expression in the CFs. Thus, the aforementioned pathway is involved in NP-induced fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

We here provide the first evidence that perinatal NP exposure causes myocardial fibrosis in growing male rat pups and reveal the molecular mechanism and functional role of the TGF-β1/LIMK1 signaling pathway in this process.

Magnetic covalent organic frameworks for rapid solid-phase extraction of phthalate esters and bisphenol A in beverage samples

Phthalate esters (PAEs) and bisphenol A (BPA) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are widely used in the production of food plastic packaging and easily migrate to food. Continuous exposure to EDCs may cause harm to human health. Herein, magnetic covalent organic framework TFP-NDA/Fe₃O₄ was synthesized by magnetizing covalent organic framework TFP-NDA through a facile coprecipitation method, and used as an adsorbent for rapid solid-phase extraction of PAEs (diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP)) and BPA. The extraction equilibrium can be reached within 12 min. By combination with a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, the limits of detection were 0.7-2.3 μg L^-1 and the linear ranges were 10-500 μg L^-1 for diethyl phthalate (DEP) and 10-1000 μg L^-1 for diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and BPA with R² > 0.9916. In beverage samples (plastic bottled drinking water, juice and carbonated drink), the developed method was successfully applied to extract and quantify PAEs and BPA with recoveries ranging from 81.7% to 114.2%.

Exposure to Bisphenol A increases malignancy risk of thyroid nodules in overweight/obese patients

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread thyroid disruptor, but evidence about an association with thyroid cancer is weak. Excess body weight is a risk factor for thyroid cancer and affects activity of endocrine disruptors. Aim of the study was to investigate the association between BPA exposure and thyroid cancer, verifying the effect modification related to body weight. We performed a multicentre, cross-sectional study including consecutive patients referring for nodular goiter. The quantitative determination of BPA in serum samples was performed through high performance liquid chromatography system, coupled in tandem with ultraviolet and fluorescence detection. Ninety-six patients were included: 55 benign nodules, 41 thyroid cancers, 28 normal weight, and 68 overweight/obese. BPA was detected in 79 subjects. In the overall study population and in the group with BMI<25 kg/m² BPA exposure was not significantly correlated to thyroid cancer (p = 0.08 and 0.759, respectively). In the group with BMI≥25 kg/m², BPA-exposed subjects showed significantly higher risk of malignancy (OR: 5.3, p = 0.028). At multivariate analysis, such association was independent of smoking, alcohol consumption, occupational exposure, and phthalates exposure (p = 0.021 and 0.016, respectively), but was lost after adjustment for the presence of metabolic syndrome (p = 0.089). In overweight/obese subjects, BPA exposure was significantly associated with higher thyroid stimulating hormone levels. Our study suggests that BPA exposure is a risk factor for thyroid cancer in overweight/obese subjects.

Monitoring of Pollutants Content in Bottled and Tap Drinking Water in Italy

The concentration levels of thirteen organic pollutants and selected heavy metals were investigated in 40 plastics bottled and tap water samples. Some of the selected contaminants have an ascertained or suspected endocrine disrupting activity, such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogs, and Bis 2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which are used by industries as plasticizers. The most frequently detected pollutants were Bisphenol AF (BPAF) (detection frequency (DF) = 67.5%, mean 387.21 ng L⁻¹), DEHP (DF = 62.5%, mean 46.19 µg L⁻¹) and BPA (DF = 60.0%, mean 458.57 ng L⁻¹), with higher concentration levels found in tap waters. Furthermore, a possible level of exposure to thirteen pollutants via drinking water intake was calculated. Our findings show that, even though the occurrence of contaminants and heavy metals in drinking waters does not pose an immediate, acute health risk for the population, their levels should be constantly monitored and “hard-wired” into everyday practice. Indeed, the health impact to the continuous and simultaneous intake of a huge variety of xenobiotics from various sources by humans is complex and still not fully understood.

The occurrence of selected endocrine-disrupting chemicals in water and sediments from an urban lagoon in Southern Italy

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are agents able to exert perturbation toward the endocrine system via a broad array of signalling pathways. Some EDCs are released into the environment as a result of antropogenic activities. Analytical surveillance plays a critical role in investigating the prevalence of such chemicals in environmental samples. A study was carried out in a lagoon in Southern Italy, a water basin relates to the sea through a mouth channel, making this water body a "dynamic environment". The screening of fourteen EDCs in surface waters and sediments, includes a fast and cost-effective sample preparation, based on a solid-liquid (sediments) and liquid-liquid (surface waters) extraction and a chromatographic analysis by liquid chromatography tandem UV and fluorescence detection. Only four chemicals out the fourteen investigated EDCs were detected in both matrices with a frequency higher than 60%. The average concentrations of the single EDC were higher in sediments (730-155.000 ng kg^-1  dw) than in surface waters (132-28.000 ng L^-1 ). Limited to the assayed EDCs, the ecosystem has a low risk regarding to the conservation of biodiversity of the animal species living thereby, since the total estrogenic activity does not exceed 1 ng L^-1 . PRACTITIONER POINTS: Occurrence of selected EDCs was investigated in an Italian lagoon in Southern Italy. BPAF, BADGE, and BPA were the most frequently and highly detected compounds in both waters and sediments. Concentration levels were greater in the sediment than in water samples. Low risk for the ecosystem biodiversity concerning investigated EDCs.

Emerging endocrine disruptors in two edible fish from the Persian Gulf: Occurrence, congener profile, and human health risk assessment

The occurrence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been determined in two widely consumed fish species from Persian Gulf i.e., Epinephelus coioides and Platycephalus indicus by applying a validated analytical for the simultaneous detection of fourteen EDCs. The concentrations of all detected EDCs were greater in the liver than in the muscle (except for bisphenol A in P. indicus), suggesting a prolonged exposure of the fishes to these pollutants in the Persian Gulf. Specifically, the results showed that di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the compound detected most frequently and at the highest concentration in both species. DEHP levels in ranged from 6.68 to 297.48 μg g-dw^-1 and from 13.32 to 350.52 μg g-dw^-1, in muscle and in liver, respectively. A risk assessment study was conducted, and demonstrated that consuming two fish based- meals per week may result in a moderate risk especially for vulnerable population groups.

Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether (BADGE) and Bisphenol Analogs, but Not Bisphenol A (BPA), Activate the CatSper Ca2+ Channel in Human Sperm

Aim: Evidence suggests that bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), bisphenol A (BPA), and BPA analogs can interfere with human male fertility. However, the effect directly on human sperm function is not known. The CatSper Ca²⁺ channel in human sperm controls important sperm functions and is necessary for normal male fertility. Environmental chemicals have been shown to activate CatSper and thereby affect Ca²⁺ signaling in human sperm. BPA has previously been investigated for effects on Ca²⁺ signaling human sperm, whereas the effects of other BPA analogs are currently unknown. The aim of this study is thus to characterize the effect of BADGE, BPA, and the eight analogs BPG, BPAF, BPC, BPB, BPBP, BPE, BPF, BPS on Ca²⁺ signaling, and CatSper in human sperm. Methods: Direct effects of the bisphenols on Ca²⁺ signaling in human sperm cells were evaluated using a Ca²⁺ fluorimetric assay measuring changes in intracellular Ca²⁺. Effects via CatSper were assessed using the specific CatSper inhibitor RU1968. Effects on human sperm function was assessed using an image cytometry-based acrosome reaction assay and the modified Kremer's sperm-mucus penetration assay. Results: At 10 μM the bisphenols BPG, BPAF, BPC, BADGE, BPB, and BPBP induced Ca²⁺ signals in human sperm cells, whereas BPE, BPF, BPS, and BPA had no effect. The efficacy of the chemicals at 10 μM is BPG > BPAF > BPC > BADGE > BPB > BPBP. Dose-response relations of BPG, BPAF, BPC, BADGE, BPB, and BPBP yielded EC50-values in the nM-μM range. The induced Ca²⁺ signals were almost completely abolished using the CatSper inhibitor RU1968, indicating an effect of the bisphenols on CatSper. All bisphenols, except BPBP, were found to dose-dependently inhibit progesterone-induced Ca²⁺ signals, with BPG and BPAF displaying inhibition even in low μM doses. BPG and BPAF were shown to affect human sperm function in a progesterone-like manner. Conclusion: Our results show that the bisphenols BPG, BPAF, BPC, BADGE, BPB, and BPBP can affect Ca²⁺ signaling in human sperm cells through activation of CatSper. This could potentially disrupt human sperm function by interfering with normal CatSper-signaling and thus be a contributing factor in human infertility, either alone or in mixtures with other chemicals.