Oxidative stress and inflammation caused by 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate in rat livers

Benchmark Dose Estimation from Transcriptomics Data for Methylimidazolium Ionic Liquid Hepatotoxicity: Implications for Health Risk Assessment of Green Solvents

Ionic liquids (ILs), traditionally considered environmentally benign solvents, have shown potential toxicity to organisms, raising concerns about their safety. Among them, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium (M8OI) has been detected at high concentrations in soils and exhibits hepatotoxic properties. To uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying this toxicity, whole-transcriptome sequencing was performed, coupled with benchmark dose (BMD) modeling, to derive transcriptomic points-of-departure (tPOD) through dose-response analysis. The transcriptomic analysis identified 425, 667, and 567 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) following low (10 μmol/L), medium (50 μmol/L), and high (200 μmol/L) doses of M8OI exposure, respectively. Enrichment analysis revealed significant perturbations in pathways related to cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and IL-17 signaling. BMD modeling yielded tPOD values of 1.51 μmol/L (median of the 20 most sensitive genes, omicBMD20), 2.98 μmol/L (tenth percentile of all genes, omicBMD10th), 6.83 μmol/L (mode of the first peak of all gene BMDs, omicBMDmode), and 5.9 μmol/L for pathway-level analysis. These transcriptomics-derived tPODs were at least 105-fold lower than M8OI's hepatotoxic concentration, as indicated by its EC50 of 723.6 μmol/L in HepG2 cells. Functional analysis of the transcriptomic data identified legionellosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and transcriptional misregulation in cancer as the most sensitive pathways affected by M8OI. These findings highlight the molecular mechanisms driving M8OI-induced hepatotoxicity and underscore the utility of transcriptomics in deriving sensitive and quantitative toxicity thresholds. The results provide critical insights for guideline-driven toxicological evaluations and regulatory decision-making, supporting a more comprehensive assessment of IL safety.

Soybean Flour Fortified with Gryllus assimilis Powder to Increase Iron Bioavailability Improves Gut Health and Oxidative Balance In Vivo

BACKGROUND

Insects like Gryllus assimilis have an excellent nutritional profile, including iron. However, the bioavailability of this iron and its effects on intestinal health and oxidative balance remain unclear. To enhance acceptance, insects can be used in powder form and combined with common flours.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the effects of Gryllus assimilis powder, alone or with soy flour, on iron bioavailability, intestinal health, and oxidative balance in rodents.

METHODS

Using the hemoglobin depletion/repletion method, 32 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: A (standard diet + ferrous sulfate), B (diet + Gryllus assimilis + soy flour), C (diet + Gryllus assimilis), and D (diet + soy flour). Hemoglobin levels, regeneration efficiency, biological value, serum markers, intestinal health, and oxidative balance were assessed.

RESULTS

Food intake, weight gain, and bioavailability measures showed no differences. However, the Gryllus + soy group showed higher weekly and final hemoglobin levels than Gryllus alone. This combination also improved acetic acid levels, fecal moisture, and oxidative balance, increasing superoxide dismutase activity while reducing peroxidation products compared to Gryllus alone.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the potential benefits of combining Gryllus assimilis with soy flour for iron bioavailability and overall health.

Immunotoxicity of ionic liquid [C14mim]BF4 in rats

Ionic liquid tetrafluoroborated-1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazole salt ([C14mim]BF4) immunotoxicity was investigated in rats using three exposure groups (12.5, 25, and 50 mg kg-1), one recovery group (50 mg kg-1), and a control group without any treatment. The findings demonstrated that, at low doses, [C14mim]BF4 could raise WBC, NEU, and MID and lysozyme levels as well as spleen T-lymphocyte stimulation index in rats, however at high doses, the aforementioned indices were dramatically lowered. As the dose was raised, the proportion of RBC and PLT in the blood as well as CD4+ and CD8+ in the spleen increased, but the quantity of immunoglobulin IgG, IgA, and IgM in the serum as well as the number of NK cells in the spleen considerably dropped. Even though there were varying degrees of improvement 30 days after ceasing exposure, all these changes were unable to return to normal, and the number of NK cells was further decreased. The study demonstrates that [C14mim]BF4 can damage the specific immunity and non-specific immunity of rats, and cause immune dysfunction.

Mechanisms of Biological Effects of Ionic Liquids: From Single Cells to Multicellular Organisms

The review presents a detailed discussion of the evolving field studying interactions between ionic liquids (ILs) and biological systems. Originating from molten salt electrolytes to present multiapplication substances, ILs have found usage across various fields due to their exceptional physicochemical properties, including excellent tunability. However, their interactions with biological systems and potential influence on living organisms remain largely unexplored. This review examines the cytotoxic effects of ILs on cell cultures, biomolecules, and vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. Our understanding of IL toxicity, while growing in recent years, is yet nascent. The established findings include correlations between harmful effects of ILs and their ability to disturb cellular membranes, their potential to trigger oxidative stress in cells, and their ability to cause cell death via apoptosis. Future research directions proposed in the review include studying the distribution of various ILs within cellular compartments and organelles, investigating metabolic transformations of ILs in cells and organisms, detailed analysis of IL effects on proteins involved in oxidative stress and apoptosis, correlation studies between IL doses, exposure times and resulting adverse effects, and examination of effects of subtoxic concentrations of ILs on various biological objects. This review aims to serve as a critical analysis of the current body of knowledge on IL-related toxicity mechanisms. Furthermore, it can guide researchers toward the design of less toxic ILs and the informed use of ILs in drug development and medicine.