Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the watercourses of Elbe basin in Czech Republic

Biotransformation activities of fungal strain apiotrichum sp. IB-1 to ibuprofen and naproxen

Ibuprofen (IBU) and naproxen (NPX), as widely prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are largely produced and consumed globally, leading to frequent and ubiquitous detection in various aqueous environments. Previously, the microbial transformation of them has been given a little attention, especially with the isolated fungus. A yeast-like Apiotrichum sp. IB-1 has been isolated and identified, which could simultaneously transform IBU (5 mg/L) and NPX (2.5 mg/L) with maximum efficiencies of 95.77% and 88.31%, respectively. For mono-substrate, the transformation efficiency of IB-1 was comparable to that of co-removal conditions, higher than most of isolates so far. IBU was oxidized mainly through hydroxylation (m/z of 221, 253) and NPX was detoxified mainly via demethylation (m/z of 215) as shown by UPLC-MS/MS results. Based on transcriptome analysis, the addition of IBU stimulated the basic metabolism like TCA cycle. The transporters and respiration related genes were also up-regulated accompanied with higher expression of several dehydrogenase, carboxylesterase, dioxygenase and oxidoreductase encoding genes, which may be involved in the transformation of IBU. The main functional genes responsible for IBU and NPX transformation for IB-1 should be similar in view of previous studies, which needs further confirmation. This fungus would be useful for potential bioremediation of NSAIDs pollution and accelerate the discovery of functional oxidative genes and enzymes different from those of bacteria.

Pollution levels and ecological risks of PPCPs in water and sediment samples of Danjiangkou Reservoir

The concentrations and distribution patterns of three typical pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water and sediment samples obtained from Danjiangkou Reservoir during two seasonal sampling periods were studied to determine their impact on water quality. The temporal and spatial variations in concentrations measured were analyzed and related to ecological risks with data obtained during the mean-flow period (in June) and the dry period (in November). We found a high detection rate of ketoprofen (KTP) in water samples from Danjiangkou Reservoir; the concentrations ranged from not detected (ND) to 46.80 ng/L with the highest values measured in the Hanku tributary samples followed by the samples collected in the main body of Danjiangkou Reservoir. The KTP concentrations in the Danku tributary samples were the lowest measured in this study. In addition, the concentrations of KTP in the Shending River, Sihe River, Jianghe River, Guanshan River, and Jianhe River water samples were relatively high in the mean-flow period. The water sample detection rates and concentrations of triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) were low in both the mean-flow period and the dry period. All three kinds of PPCPs were detected in the sediment samples with the concentrations of KTP, TCS, and TCC ranging from 0.76 to 7.89 μg/kg, 0.01 to 0.59 μg/kg, and 0.01 to 11.36 μg/kg, respectively. Overall, the concentrations of the three measured PPCPs in the water and sediment samples were all relatively low compared to results reported in the recent literature. The dry period concentrations of PPCPs in the water samples were lower than the concentrations measured in the mean-flow period. However, dry period concentrations were higher in the sediment samples compared to those in the mean-flow period samples. Our interpretation of the spatial and temporal patterns of PPCPs in Danjiangkou Reservoir suggests that these compounds were likely mainly derived from wastewater discharge in the upper reaches of the reservoir. The risk quotient (RQ) method was used for an ecological risk assessment of the detected PPCPs in this study. We found that TCS in water and sediment posed medium ecological risks to algae at different times of the year. In view of the extreme importance of water safety in Danjiangkou Reservoir, the ecological risks of PPCPs require additional attention.

Long-term dietary exposure to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs diclofenac and ibuprofen can affect the physiology of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) on multiple levels, even at "environmentally relevant" concentrations

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of emerging environmental contaminants, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) diclofenac (DCF) and ibuprofen (IBP), on physiological functions in juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fish were exposed for 6 weeks, and for the first time, NSAIDs were administered through diet. Either substance was tested at two concentrations, 20 or 2000 μg/kg, resulting in four different treatments (DCF 20, DCF 2000, IBP 20, IBP 2000). The effects on haematological and biochemical profiles, the biomarkers of oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption were studied, and changes in RNA transcription were also monitored to obtain a comprehensive picture of toxicity. Fish exposure to high concentrations of NSAIDs (DCF 2000, IBP 2000) elicited numerous statistically significant changes (p < 0.05) in the endpoints investigated, with DCF being almost always more efficient than IBP. Compared to control fish, a decrease in total leukocyte count attributed to relative lymphopenia was observed. Plasma concentrations of total proteins, ammonia, and thyroxine, and enzyme activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly elevated in either group, as were the activities of certain hepatic antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase) in the DCF 2000 group. The transcriptomic profile of selected genes in the tissues of exposed fish was affected as well. Significant changes in plasma total proteins, ammonia, ALT, and ALP, as well as in the transcription of genes related to thyroid function and the antioxidant defense of the organism, were found even in fish exposed to the lower DCF concentration (DCF 20). As it was chosen to match DCF concentrations commonly detected in aquatic invertebrates (i.e., the potential feed source of fish), it can be considered "environmentally relevant". Future research is necessary to shed more light on the dietary NSAID toxicity to fish.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the environment: Updates on pretreatment and determination methods

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in human and animal health care to reduce persistent inflammation, pain and fever because of their anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. However, the improper discharge and disposal make it becomes a major contaminant in the environment, which poses a big threat to the ecosystem. For this reason, accurate, sensitive, effective, green, and economic techniques are urgently required and have been rapidly developed in recent years. This review summarizes the advancement of sample preparation technologies for NSAIDs involving solid-phase extraction, solid-phase microextraction, liquid-phase microextraction, QuEChERS, and matrix solid-phase dispersion. Meanwhile, we overview and compare analytical technologies for NSAIDs, including liquid chromatography-based methods, gas chromatography-based methods, capillary electrophoresis, and sensors, particularly the development of liquid chromatography-based methods. Furthermore, we focus on their progress and conduct a comparison between their advantages and disadvantages.

Ketoprofen as an emerging contaminant: occurrence, ecotoxicity and (bio)removal

Ketoprofen, a bicyclic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used in human and veterinary medicine, has recently been cited as an environmental contaminant that raises concerns for ecological well-being. It poses a growing threat due to its racemic mixture, enantiomers, and transformation products, which have ecotoxicological effects on various organisms, including invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, and microorganisms. Furthermore, ketoprofen is bioaccumulated and biomagnified throughout the food chain, threatening the ecosystem function. Surprisingly, despite these concerns, ketoprofen is not currently considered a priority substance. While targeted eco-pharmacovigilance for ketoprofen has been proposed, data on ketoprofen as a pharmaceutical contaminant are limited and incomplete. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent findings (from 2017 to March 2023) regarding the global distribution of ketoprofen in the environment, its ecotoxicity towards aquatic animals and plants, and available removal methods. Special emphasis is placed on understanding how ketoprofen affects microorganisms that play a pivotal role in Earth's ecosystems. The review broadly covers various approaches to ketoprofen biodegradation, including whole-cell fungal and bacterial systems as well as enzyme biocatalysts. Additionally, it explores the potential of adsorption by algae and phytoremediation for removing ketoprofen. This review will be of interest to a wide range of readers, including ecologists, microbiologists, policymakers, and those concerned about pharmaceutical pollution.

Monitoring Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Drinking Water Samples by the LC-MS/MS Method to Estimate Their Potential Health Risk

(1) The occurrence and accumulation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the environment are recognized scientific concerns. Many of these compounds are disposed of in an unchanged or metabolized form through sewage systems and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). WWTP processes do not completely eliminate all active substances or their metabolites. Therefore, they systematically leach into the water system and are increasingly contaminating ground, surface, and drinking water, representing a health risk largely ignored by legislative bodies. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, a significantly larger amount of medicines and protective products were consumed. It is therefore likely that contamination of water sources has increased, and in the case of groundwater with a delayed effect. As a result, it is necessary to develop an accurate, rapid, and easily available method applicable to routine screening analyses of potable water to monitor and estimate their potential health risk. (2) A multi-residue UHPLC-MS/MS analytical method designed for the identification of 52 pharmaceutical products was developed and used to monitor their presence in drinking water. (3) The optimized method achieved good validation parameters, with recovery of 70-120% of most analytes and repeatability achieving results within 20%. In real samples of drinking water, at least one analyte above the limit of determination was detected in each of the 15 tap water and groundwater samples analyzed. (4) These findings highlight the need for legislation to address pharmaceutical contamination in the environment.

Acute and Transgenerational Effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Daphnia magna

Pharmaceuticals pose a great threat to organisms inhabiting the aquatic environment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are major pharmaceutical pollutants with a significant presence in freshwater ecosystems. In this study, the impact of indomethacin and ibuprofen, two of the most commonly prescribed NSAIDs, was assessed on Daphnia magna. Toxicity was assessed as the immobilization of animals and used to determine non-lethal exposure concentrations. Feeding was assessed as a phenotypic endpoint and key enzymes were used as molecular endpoints of physiology. Feeding was decreased in mixture exposures for five-day-old daphnids and neonates. Furthermore, animals were exposed to NSAIDs and their mixture in chronic and transgenerational scenarios revealing changes in key enzyme activities. Alkaline and acid phosphatases, lipase, peptidase, β-galactosidase, and glutathione-S-transferase were shown to have significant changes in the first generation at the first and third week of exposure, and these were enhanced in the second generation. On the other hand, the third recovery generation did not exhibit these changes, and animals were able to recover from the induced changes and revert back to the control levels. Overall, our study points towards transgenerational exposures as more impactful laboratory studies to understand pharmaceutical stressors with a combination of molecular and phenotypic markers of physiology.

The growth, biochemical composition, and antioxidant response of Microcystis and Chlorella are influenced by Ibuprofen

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (IBU) are extensively used, causing substantial amounts to end up in aquatic ecosystems. Unfortunately, little research has been done on how these medications influence the physiology of phytoplankton. This study aimed to investigate the toxicological and physiological effects of IBU on the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa LE3 and Microcystis aeruginosa EAWAG 198, and the chlorophyte Chlorella sorokiniana. Exponential growth phase cultures were exposed to IBU at 10 to 10,000 μg/L for 96 h. The medium effect concentrations revealed varied sensitivity to IBU in the order Chlorella sorokiniana > Microcystis aeruginosa LE3 > Microcystis aeruginosa EAWAG 198. The drug caused a significant difference from control in cell density and chlorophyll-a of the three strains, except for chlorophyll-a in M. aeruginosa EAWAG 198 cultures where a significant difference occurred at 100 μg/L. The cell density of M. aeruginosa LE3 cultures exposed to 10 μg/L IBU increased 24 h post-exposure. Increasing concentrations of IBU induced higher total microcystins content of the Microcystis aeruginosa. Intracellular hydrogen peroxide content, peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase activities, and lipid peroxidation increased as a function of IBU exposure. Total lipid, carbohydrate, and protein content of Chlorella sorokiniana were stimulated following IBU exposure. We conclude that the increasing presence of IBU in aquatic ecosystems could significantly alter the population dynamics of the investigated and other phytoplankton species.

Efficiency of the bank filtration technique for diclofenac removal: A review

Bank filtration (BF) has been employed for more than a century for the production of water with a better quality, and it has been showing satisfactory results in diclofenac attenuation. Considered the most administered analgesic in the world, diclofenac has been frequently detected in water bodies. Besides being persistent in the environment, this compound is not completely removed by the conventional water treatments, drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) and wastewater treatment plant (WWTPs). BF has a high complexity, whose efficiency depends on the characteristics of the observed pollutant and on the environment where the system in installed, which is why this is a topic that has been constantly studied. Nevertheless, studies present the behavior of diclofenac during the BF process. In this context, this research performed the evaluation of the factors and the biogeochemical processes that influence the efficiency of the BF technique in diclofenac removal. The aerobic conditions, higher temperatures, microbial biomass density, hydrogen potential close to neutrality and sediments with heterogeneous fractions are considered the ideal conditions in the aquifer for diclofenac removal. Nonetheless, there is no consensus on which of these factors has the greatest contribution on the mechanism of attenuation during BF. Studies with columns in laboratory and modeling affirm that the highest degradation rates occur in the first centimeters (5-50 cm) of the passage of water through the porous medium, in the environment known as hyporheic zone, where intense biogeochemical activities occur. Research has shown 100% removal efficiency for diclofenac persistent to compounds not removed during the BF process. However, half of the studies had removal efficiency that ranged between 80 and 100%. Therefore, the performance of more in-depth studies on the degradation and mobility of this compound becomes necessary for a better understanding of the conditions and biogeochemical processes which act in its attenuation.

Human Drug Pollution in the Aquatic System: The Biochemical Responses of Danio rerio Adults

Simple Summary

The release of medicinal products for human use in the aquatic environment is now a serious problem, and can be fatal for the organisms that live there. Danio rerio is a freshwater fish that provides the possibility to study the effects of these pollutants on the health of aquatic organisms. The results of the various existing scientific studies are scarce and conflicting. Here, we review the scientific studies that have analyzed these effects, highlighting that the impacts of drugs are evident in the biochemical responses of these animals.

Abstract

To date, drug pollution in aquatic systems is an urgent issue, and Danio rerio is a model organism to study the toxicological effects of environmental pollutants. The scientific literature has analyzed the effect of human drug pollution on the biochemical responses in the tissues of D. rerio adults. However, the information is still scarce and conflicting, making it difficult to understand its real impact. The scientific studies are not consistent with each other and, until now, no one has grouped their results to create a baseline of knowledge of the possible impacts. In this review, the analysis of literature data highlights that the effects of drugs on adult zebrafishes depend on various factors, such as the tissue analyzed, the drug concentration and the sex of the individuals. Furthermore, the most influenced biochemical responses concern enzymes (e.g., antioxidants and hydrolase enzymes) and total protein and hormonal levels. Pinpointing the situation to date would improve the understanding of the chronic effects of human drug pollution, helping both to reduce it in the aquatic systems and then to draw up regulations to control this type of pollution.

Long-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of ibuprofen and aluminum alters oxidative stress status on Danio rerio

Despite the ubiquitous presence of multiple pollutants in aqueous environments have been extensively demonstrated, the ecological impact of chemical cocktails has not been studied in depth. In recent years, environmental studies have mainly focused on the risk assessment of individual chemical substances neglecting the effects of complex mixtures even though it has been demonstrated that combined effects exerted by pollutants might represent a greater hazard to the biocenosis. The current study evaluates the effects on the oxidative stress status induced by individual forms and binary mixtures of ibuprofen (IBU) and aluminum (Al) on brain, gills, liver and gut tissues of Danio rerio after long-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1-11 μg L^-1 and 0.05 mg L^-1- 6 mg L^-1, respectively). Lipid peroxidation (LPO), Protein carbonyl content (PCC) and activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) were evaluated. Moreover, concentrations of both toxicants and the metabolite 2-OH-IBU were quantified on test water and tissues. Results show that ibuprofen (IBU) and aluminum (Al) singly promote the production of radical species and alters the oxidative stress status in all evaluated tissues of zebrafish, nevertheless, higher effects were elicited by mixtures as different interactions take place.

Lab-In-Syringe with Bead Injection Coupled Online to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography as Versatile Tool for Determination of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Surface Waters

We report on the hyphenation of the modern flow techniques Lab-In-Syringe and Lab-On-Valve for automated sample preparation coupled online with high-performance liquid chromatography. Adopting the bead injection concept on the Lab-On-Valve platform, the on-demand, renewable, solid-phase extraction of five nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, namely ketoprofen, naproxen, flurbiprofen, diclofenac, and ibuprofen, was carried out as a proof-of-concept. In-syringe mixing of the sample with buffer and standards allowed straightforward pre-load sample modification for the preconcentration of large sample volumes. Packing of ca. 4.4 mg microSPE columns from Oasis HLB^® sorbent slurry was performed for each sample analysis using a simple microcolumn adapted to the Lab-On-Valve manifold to achieve low backpressure during loading. Eluted analytes were injected into online coupled HPLC with subsequent separation on a Symmetry C18 column in isocratic mode. The optimized method was highly reproducible, with RSD values of 3.2% to 7.6% on 20 µg L^-1 level. Linearity was confirmed up to 200 µg L^-1 and LOD values were between 0.06 and 1.98 µg L^-1. Recovery factors between 91 and 109% were obtained in the analysis of spiked surface water samples.

Application of ultra-sensitive GC-QqQ-MS/MS (MRM) method for the determination of diclofenac in whole blood samples without derivatization

Diclofenac is one of the most frequently prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) worldwide. Although it is considered a relatively safe drug, it exhibits high toxicity to some animal populations (e.g., raptors). An ultra-sensitive gas chromatography method, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS) with an electron impact (EI) ionization source for diclofenac determination in whole blood samples without a derivatization procedure, was developed and fully validated. Diclofenac-d₄ was used as an internal standard. The determination of analytes was performed in the multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The method was linear in the range from 0.1 to 200 ng/mL, with a coefficient of determination of 0.999 (R²). The lower limit of quantification was 0.1 ng/mL, and the detection limit was 0.05 ng/mL. The blood samples (200 µL) were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction (pH3) with ethyl acetate. The intra- and interday accuracies and precisions did not exceed 15%. Recovery and matrix effect values were in the range of 92.2-105.9% and -7.8 to 5.9%, respectively. The developed method was applied in authentic blood samples. A simple and precise GC-QqQ-MS/MS method can be potentially applied for routine clinical, toxicological and environmental analysis.

Carbon xerogels combined with nanotubes as solid-phase extraction sorbent to determine metaflumizone and seven other surface and drinking water micropollutants

Carbon xerogels (CXs) were synthesized by polycondensation of resorcinol and formaldehyde, followed by thermal annealing, and subjected to hydrothermal oxidation. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges were filled with CXs and tested for extraction of metaflumizone and other seven environmental micropollutants (acetamiprid, atrazine, isoproturon, methiocarb, carbamazepine, diclofenac, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) before chromatographic analysis. The recoveries obtained with the pristine CX were low for most analytes, except for metaflumizone (69 ± 5%). Moreover, it was concluded that the adsorption/desorption process of the micropollutants performed better on CXs with a less acidic surface (i.e., pristine CX). Thus, cartridges were prepared with pristine CX and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a multi-layer configuration. This reusable cartridge was able to simultaneously extract the eight micropollutants and was used to validate an analytical methodology based on SPE followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A widespread occurrence of 6/8 target compounds was observed in surface water collected in rivers supplying three drinking water treatment plants and in the resulting drinking water at the endpoint of each distribution system. Therefore, the first study employing CXs and MWCNTs as sorbent in multi-layer SPE cartridges is herein reported as a proof of concept for determination of multi-class water micropollutants.

Novel organ-specific effects of Ketoprofen and its enantiomer, dexketoprofen on toxicological response transcripts and their functional products in salmon

Racemic ketoprofen (RS-KP) and its enantiomer, dexketoprofen (S(+)-KP) are widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and commonly detected in the aquatic environment. The present study has evaluated the toxicological effects of RS-KP and S(+)-KP on biotransformation and oxidative stress responses in gills and liver of Atlantic salmon. Fish were exposed for 10 days using different concentrations of RS-KP (1, 10 and 100 μg/L) and S(+)-KP (0.5, 5 and 50 μg/L). Biotransformation and oxidative stress responses were analysed at both transcript and functional levels. In the gills, significant inhibitory effect at transcriptional and enzymatic levels were observed for biotransformation and oxidative stress responses. On the contrary, biotransformation responses were significantly increased at transcriptional and translational levels in the liver, while the associated enzymatic activities did not parallel this trend and were inhibited and further demonstrated by principal component analysis (PCA). Our findings showed that both compounds produced comparable toxicological effects, by producing organ-specific effect differences. RS-KP and S(+)-KP did not bioaccumulate in fish muscle, either due to rapid metabolism or excretion as a result of their hydrophobic properties. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects observed in the gills suggest that these drugs may not undergo first pass metabolism, that might result to downstream differences in toxicological outcomes.

Anti-inflammatory drugs in the Vistula River following the failure of the Warsaw sewage collection system in 2019

At the end of August 2019, in Warsaw, the sewage collection system of the Wastewater Treatment Plant malfunctioned. During the subsequent 12 days, over 3.6 million m³ of untreated sewage was introduced from the damaged collector directly into the Vistula River. It is one of the biggest known failures of its kind in the world so far. In this study we investigated to what extent the incident contributed to the increased discharge of anti-inflammatory drugs into the environment. The study covered the section from the point of discharge to the city of Toruń (ca. 170 km downstream). It was found that in the river waters downstream of the damaged collector, the concentrations of selected pharmaceuticals increased considerably in comparison with the waters upstream of the collector. The highest concentrations were observed for paracetamol (102.9 μg/L), ibuprofen (5.3 μg/L) and diclofenac (4.8 μg/L). We also measured to what extent and at what rate these pollutants were distributed along the river. The effects of the incident were observed in further parts of the river after 16 days. In the study we also detected elevated concentrations of ibuprofen and diclofenac in the bottom sediments collected 6 weeks after the failure. Measurements of the levels of pharmaceuticals in estuarial and marine waters in the vicinity of the mouth of the Vistula River indicate that the incident did not significantly increase the load of these pollutants in the waters of the southern Baltic Sea.

Root response in Pisum sativum under naproxen stress: Morpho-anatomical, cytological, and biochemical traits

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as an important group of emerging environmental contaminants in irrigation water and soils can influence biochemical and physiological processes essential for growth and development in plants as non-target organisms. Plants are able to take up, transport, transform, and accumulate drugs in the roots. Root biomass in ten-days old pea plants was lowered by 6% already under 0.1 mg/L naproxen (NPX) due to a lowered number of lateral roots, although 0.5 mg/L NPX stimulated the total root length by 30% as against control. Higher section area (by 40%) in root tip, area of xylem (by 150%) or stele-to-section ratio (by 10%) in zone of maturation, and lower section area in zone of lateral roots (by 18%) prove the changes in primary root anatomy and its earlier differentiation at 10 mg/L NPX. Accumulated NPX (up to 10 μg/g DW at 10 mg/L) and products of its metabolization in roots increased the amounts of hydrogen peroxide (by 33%), and superoxide (by 62%), which was reflected in elevated lipid peroxidation (by 32%), disruption of membrane integrity (by 89%) and lowering both oxidoreductase and dehydrogenase activities (by up to 40%). Elevated antioxidant capacity (SOD, APX, and other molecules) under low treatments decreased at 10 mg/L NPX (both by approx. 30%). Naproxen was proved to cause changes at both cellular and tissue levels in roots, which was also reflected in their anatomy and morphology. Higher environmental loading through drugs thus can influence even the root function.

Naproxen affects multiple organs in fish but is still an environmentally better alternative to diclofenac

The presence of diclofenac in the aquatic environment and the risks for aquatic wildlife, especially fish, have been raised in several studies. One way to manage risks without enforcing improved wastewater treatment would be to substitute diclofenac (when suitable from a clinical perspective) with another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) associated with less environmental risk. While there are many ecotoxicity-studies of different NSAIDs, they vary extensively in set-up, species studied, endpoints and reporting format, making direct comparisons difficult. We previously published a comprehensive study on the effects of diclofenac in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Our present aim was to generate relevant effect data for another NSAID (naproxen) using a very similar setup, which also allowed direct comparisons with diclofenac regarding hazards and risks. Sticklebacks were therefore exposed to naproxen in flow-through systems for 27 days. Triplicate aquaria with 20 fish per aquarium were used for each concentration (0, 18, 70, 299 or 1232 μg/L). We investigated bioconcentration, hepatic gene expression, jaw lesions, kidney and liver histology. On day 21, mortalities in the highest exposure concentration group unexpectedly reached ≥ 25 % in all three replicate aquaria, leading us to terminate and sample that group the same day. On the last day (day 27), the mortality was also significantly increased in the second highest exposure concentration group. Increased renal hematopoietic hyperplasia was observed in fish exposed to 299 and 1232 μg/L. This represents considerably higher concentrations than those expected in surface waters as a result of naproxen use. Such effects were observed already at 4.6 μg/L in the experiment with diclofenac (lowest tested concentration). Similar to the responses to diclofenac, a concentration-dependent increase in both relative hepatic gene expression of c7 (complement component 7) and jaw lesions were observed, again at concentrations considerably higher than expected in surface waters. Naproxen bioconcentrated less than diclofenac, in line with the observed effect data. An analysis of recent sales data and reported concentrations in treated sewage effluent in Sweden suggest that despite higher dosages used for naproxen, a complete substitution would only be expected to double naproxen emissions. In summary, naproxen and diclofenac produce highly similar effects in fish but the environmental hazards and risks are clearly lower for naproxen. Hence, if there are concerns for environmental risks to fish with diclofenac, a substitution would be advisable when naproxen presents an adequate alternative from a clinical point-of-view.

Ketoprofen affects swimming behavior and impairs physiological endpoints of Daphnia magna

Ketoprofen (KET) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. This compound is detected in aquatic reservoirs however, little is known about its influence on cladocerans. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the influence of KET at concentrations of 0.005 mg/L, 0.05 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L, 5 mg/L and 50 mg/L on behavioral (swimming speed, hopping frequency) and physiological endpoints (heart rate, thoracic limb activity, mandible movements) of Daphnia magna after 24 h and 48 h exposure. The study showed that swimming speed frequency was decreased after 24 h and 48 h at all the concentrations used in the experiment. Hopping frequency was also inhibited, however the lowest amount of the drug induced transient increase of the parameter after 24 h and its subsequent decrease to the control level after 48 h. Although after 24 h of the exposure physiological parameters: heart rate, thoracic limb activity and mandible movements showed slightly lower sensitivity to KET than the behavioral endpoints: were found to be inhibited after 48 h. The results revealed that both behavioral and physiological endpoints of daphnids responded to KET also at the environmental level, therefore in natural conditions this drug should be considered as a hazardous toxicant to crustaceans.

Spatial variation in the detection rates of frequently studied pharmaceuticals in Asian, European and North American rivers

Pharmaceutical consumption has expanded rapidly during the last century and their persistent presence in the environment has become a major concern. Unfortunately, our understanding of the distribution of pharmaceuticals in surface water and their effects on aquatic biota and public health is limited. Here, we explore patterns in the detection rate of the most frequently studied pharmaceuticals in 64 rivers from 22 countries using bi-clustering algorithms and subsequently analyze the results in the context of regional differences in pharmaceutical consumption habits, social and environmental factors, and removal-efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). We find that 20% of the pharmaceuticals included in this analysis are pervasively present in all the surface waterbodies. Several pharmaceuticals also display low overall positive detection rates; however, they exhibit significant spatial variability and their detection rates are consistently lower in Western European and North America (WEOG) rivers in comparison to Asian rivers. Our analysis suggests the important role of pharmaceutical consumption and population in governing these patterns, however the role of WWTP efficiency appeared to be limited. We were constrained in our ability to assess the role of hydrology, which most likely also plays an important role in regulating pharmaceuticals in rivers. Most importantly though, we demonstrate the ability of our algorithm to provide probabilistic estimates of the detection rate of pharmaceuticals that were not studied in a river, an exercise that could be useful in prioritizing pharmaceuticals for future study.

Distribution of micropollutants in estuarine and sea water along the Portuguese coast

This work provides the first spatial distribution report of micropollutants (MPs) in the entire Portuguese coast, comprising the ocean shore (sea water, SW) and whenever possible the nearest river discharging on it (estuarine water, EW). This surface water monitoring programme aimed to assess the spatial distribution of 37 MPs with a wide chemical nature, including some substances prioritized by the European Union Directive 39/2013/EU and contaminants of emerging concern targeted in the Watch List of Decisions 495/2015/EU and 840/2018/EU. The risk quotients were estimated in each sampling point for the detected MPs. High concentrations of diclofenac, tramadol and carbamazepine were determined, the latter with medium to high risk for algae. Some pharmaceuticals and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were broadly distributed, maybe due to the direct discharge into the sea. Atrazine and alachlor were found in the majority of the samples, with alachlor levels often considered as medium to high risk.

Diclofenac-induced cytotoxicity in cultured carp leukocytes

Diclofenac is a drug commonly used in human and veterinary medicine for the treatment of diseases associated with inflammation and pain. Medicinal products enter waste and surface waters on an everyday basis and contaminate the aquatic environment. Fish are therefore permanently exposed to these chemicals dissolved in their aquatic environment. To simulate variable environmental conditions, the aim of our study was to examine adverse effects of diclofenac under different temperatures of cell incubation (18, 21, 24, 27 and 30 °C). Cyto-toxic and -static effects of diclofenac in concentrations of 0.001 mcg/ml, 0.01 microg/ml, 0.1 mcg/ml, 1 mcg/ml, 10 mcg/ml and 100 mcg/ml for the carp (Cyprinuscarpio) cultured leukocytes were quantified using detection of lactate dehydrogenase released from damaged cells. Overall DCF cytotoxicity was relatively low and its impact was pronounced at higher temperature and DCF concentration. Cells growth inhibition is changing more rapidly but it is high mainly at the highest concentration from low temperature. DNA fragmentation was not detected in tested leukocyte cell line. CYP450 increased diclofenac cytotoxicity only at the highest concentration but at incubation temperatures 18 and 27 °C. Leukocyte viability is essential for immune functions and any change can lead to reduction of resistance against pathogens, mainly in cold year seasons, when the immune system is naturally suppressed.

Occurrence, interactive effects and ecological risk of diclofenac in environmental compartments and biota - a review

Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug has turned into a contaminant of emerging concern; hence, it was included in the previous Watch List of the EU Water Framework Directive. This review paper aims to highlight the metabolism of diclofenac at different trophic levels, its occurrence, ecological risks, and interactive effects in the water cycle and biota over the past two decades. Increased exposure to diclofenac not only raises health concerns for vultures, aquatic organisms, and higher plants but also causes serious threats to mammals. The ubiquitous nature of diclofenac in surface water (river, lake canal, estuary, and sea) is compared with drinking water, groundwater, and wastewater effluent in the environment. This comprehensive survey from previous studies suggests the fate of diclofenac in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and may predict its persistence in the environment. This review offers evidence of fragmentary available data for the water environment, soil, sediment, and biota worldwide and supports the need for further data to address the risks associated with the presence of diclofenac in the environment. Finally, we suggest that the presence of diclofenac and its metabolites in the environment may represent a high risk because of their synergistic interactions with existing contaminants, leading to the development of drug-resistant strains and the formation of newly emerging pollutants.

Psychoactive pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in coastal waters of North-Western Spain: Environmental exposure and risk assessment

The knowledge on the presence of pharmaceutical compounds, and possible risks, in coastal and marine systems is still limited. This study represents the first attempt at monitoring psychoactive pharmaceuticals (PaPs) (benzodiazepines and anxiolytics) and illicit drugs (IDs) in the Rías Baixas coastal area of Northwestern Spain, an area of economic and ecological relevance, leader in shellfish production. Fourteen PaPs and 9 IDs were detected in the water samples with venlafaxine (59%), benzoylecgonine (40%), EDDP (40%), and citalopram (36%) showing the highest detection frequencies. The highest concentrations were measured for venlafaxine (291 ng L^-1), benzoylecgonine (142 ng L^-1), lorazepam (95.9 ng L^-1), and citalopram (92.5 ng L^-1). Risk assessment, based on hazard quotients suggested that venlafaxine, citalopram, sertraline, and EDDP were present in concentrations potentially able to cause chronic effects in exposed organisms. Based on the results obtained further monitoring of venlafaxine, citalopram, and EDDP in coastal waters is recommended.

Analytical and bioanalytical assessments of organic micropollutants in the Bosna River using a combination of passive sampling, bioassays and multi-residue analysis

Complex mixtures of contaminants from multiple sources, including agriculture, industry or wastewater enter aquatic environments and might pose hazards or risks to humans or wildlife. Targeted analyses of a few priority substances provide limited information about water quality. In this study, a combined chemical and effect screening of water quality in the River Bosna, in Bosnia and Herzegovina was carried out, with focus on occurrence and effects of contaminants of emerging concern. Chemicals in water were sampled at 10 sites along the Bosna River by use of passive sampling. The combination of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) enabled sampling of a broad range of contaminants from hydrophobic (PAHs, PCBs, OCPs) to hydrophilic compounds (pesticides, pharmaceuticals and hormones), which were determined by use of GC-MS and LC-MS (MS). In vitro, cell-based bioassays were applied to assess (anti)androgenic, estrogenic and dioxin-like potencies of extracts of the samplers. Of a total of 168 targeted compounds, 107 were detected at least once. Cumulative pollutant concentrations decreased downstream from the city of Sarajevo, which was identified as the major source of organic pollutants in the area. Responses in all bioassays were observed for samples from all sites. In general, estrogenicity could be well explained by analysis of target estrogens, while the drivers of the other observed effects remained largely unknown. Profiling of hazard quotients identified two sites downstream of Sarajevo as hotspots of biological potency. Risk assessment of detected compounds revealed, that 7 compounds (diazinon, diclofenac, 17β-estradiol, estrone, benzo[k]fluoranthene, fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene) might pose risks to aquatic biota in the Bosna River. The study brings unique results of a complex water quality assessment in a region with an insufficient water treatment infrastructure.

Transcriptomic response of Arabidopsis thaliana roots to naproxen and praziquantel

Exposition to pharmaceutical compounds released to the environment is considered as a potential risk for various organisms. We exposed Arabidopsis thaliana plants to naproxen (NAP) and praziquantel (PZQ) in 5 µM concentration for 2 days and recorded transcriptomic response in their roots with the aim to estimate ecotoxicity and to identify gene candidates potentially involved in metabolism of both compounds. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug NAP up-regulated 105 and down-regulated 29 genes (p-value ≤ 0.1, fold change ≥ 2), while anthelmintic PZQ up-regulated 389 and down-regulated 353 genes with more rigorous p-value ≤ 0.001 (fold change ≥ 2). High number of up-regulated genes coding for heat shock proteins and other genes involved in response to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as down-regulation of genes involved in processes such as cell proliferation, transcription and water transport indicates serious negative effect of PZQ. NAP up-regulated mostly genes involved in various biological processes and signal transduction and down-regulated mainly genes involved in signal transduction and electron transport or energy pathways. Further, two cytochrome P450s (demethylation) and one methyltransferase (methylation of carboxyl group) were identified as candidates for phase I and several glutathione- and glycosyltransferases (conjugation) for phase II of NAP metabolism. Cytochrome P450s, glutathione and glycosyltransferases seem to play role also in metabolism of PZQ. Up-regulation of several ABC and MATE transporters by NAP and PZQ indicated their role in transport of both compounds.

Developmental toxicity and biological responses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen

Ketoprofen a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is widely used in over-the-counter to treat pain, swelling and inflammation. Due to extensive application these drugs has been detected in surface waters which may create a risk to aquatic organisms. The aim of the present study is to assess the ecotoxicity of ketoprofen at different concentrations (1, 10 and 100 μg/ml) on embryos and adult zebrafish (1, 10 and 100 μg L^-1) under laboratory conditions. In embryos, concentration dependent developmental changes such as edema, spinal curvature, slow heartbeat, delayed hatching, and mortality rate were observed. In adult zebrafish, biochemical enzymes such as AST, ALT and LDH activities were significantly (P < 0.05) increased whereas a decrease in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was noticed in all the tested concentrations of the drug ketoprofen. Similarly, exposure of ketoprofen caused a significant decrease in antioxidant levels in liver tissue (SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx, and GST). However, lipid peroxidation (LPO) level in liver tissue was found to be increased. The histopathological studies further evidenced the impact of ketoprofen in the liver tissue of zebrafish. The present result concludes that ketoprofen could have an impact on the development and biological endpoints of the zebra fish at above concentrations. The malformation in the development of the embryo and changes in the biological end points may provide integrated evaluation of the toxic effect of ketoprofen on zebrafish in a new perspective.

Degradation of the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Piroxicam by Iron Activated Persulfate: The Role of Water Matrix and Ultrasound Synergy

This work examined the oxidation of Piroxicam (PIR), a representative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug using iron activated persulfate. The effect of persulfate dosing was vital for the efficiency of the process. The addition of 20 mg/L sodium persulfate (SPS) eliminated 500 μg/L of PIR in less than 20 min at natural pH. PIR decomposition followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the observed kinetic constant increased by 2.1 times when the initial concentration of PIR decreased from 2000 to 250 μg/L. Acidic pH favored the PIR destruction, while both sulfate and hydroxyl radicals are involved in PIR destruction at natural pH. The effect of inorganic ions like bicarbonate and chlorides was almost insignificant on PIR removal. The presence of humic acid reduced PIR removal from 100% to 67% after 20 min of treatment with 2 mg/L Fe2+ and 20 mg/L SPS. The experiment that was performed with bottled water showed similar efficiency with ultrapure water, while in the case of secondary effluent, PIR removal decreased by 26% after 30 min of treatment. The Fe2+/SPS/ultrasound hybrid process showed a low degree of synergy (18.3%). The ecotoxicity of aqueous solution using the Vibrio fischeri as an indicator was reduced during the treatment, although with a different trend from the removal of PIR, possibly due to byproducts derived from the oxidation of secondary effluent and PIR.

Multiscale Approach to Deciphering the Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Direct and Intergenerational Effect of Ibuprofen on Mosquito Aedes aegypti

The anti-inflammatory ibuprofen is a ubiquitous surface water contaminant. However, the chronic impact of this pharmaceutical on aquatic invertebrate populations remains poorly understood. In model insect Aedes aegypti, we investigated the intergenerational consequences of parental chronic exposure to an environmentally relevant concentration of ibuprofen. While exposed individuals did not show any phenotypic changes, their progeny showed accelerated development and an increased tolerance to starvation. In order to understand the mechanistic processes underpinning the direct and intergenerational impacts of ibuprofen, we combined transcriptomic, metabolomics, and hormone kinetics studies at several life stages in exposed individuals and their progeny. This integrative approach revealed moderate transcriptional changes in exposed larvae consistent with the pharmacological mode of action of ibuprofen. Parental exposure led to lower levels of several polar metabolites in progeny eggs and to major transcriptional changes in the following larval stage. These transcriptional changes, most likely driven by changes in the expression of numerous transcription factors and epigenetic regulators, led to ecdysone signaling and stress response potentiation. Overall, the present study illustrates the complexity of the molecular basis of the intergenerational pollutant response in insects and the importance of considering the entire life cycle of exposed organisms and of their progeny in order to fully understand the mode of action of pollutants and their impact on ecosystems.

Self-assembled three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide-based hydrogel for highly efficient and facile removal of pharmaceutical compounds from aqueous solution

Herein, self-assembled three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-based hydrogels were synthesized and characterized in detail. A thorough investigation on the uptake of three widely used pharmaceutical drugs, viz. Naproxen (NPX), Ibuprofen (IBP) and Diclofenac (DFC) was carried out from aqueous solutions. To ensure the sustainability of developed hydrogel assembly, practically important parameters such as desorption, recyclability and applicability to real samples were also evaluated. Using the developed 3D hydrogels as adsorptive platforms, excellent decontamination for the above mentioned persistent pharmaceutical drugs was achieved in acidic pH with a removal efficiency in the range of 70-80%. These hydrogels showed fast adsorption kinetics and experimental findings were fitted to different kinetic models, such as pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intra-particle and the Elovich models in an attempt to better understand the adsorption kinetics. Furthermore, equilibrium adsorption data was fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich models, where relatively higher R² values obtained in case of former one suggested that monolayer adsorption played an important part in drug uptake. Thermodynamic aspects were also studied and negative ΔG⁰ values obtained indicated the spontaneous nature of adsorption process. The study was also extended to check practical utility of as-prepared hydrogels by spiking real aqueous samples with drug solution, where high % recoveries obtained for NPX, IBP and DFC were of particular importance with regard to prospective application in wastewater treatment systems. We advocate RGO-based hydrogels as environmentally benign, readily recoverable/recyclable material with excellent adsorption capacity for application in wastewater purification.

Targeted eco-pharmacovigilance for ketoprofen in the environment: Need, strategy and challenge

Implementing "targeted" eco-pharmacovigilance(EPV) which focuses on individual or specific pharmaceuticals on a prioritised basis is a feasible, economical and customized approach to reduce the environmental concentrations and risks of pharmaceuticals. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) remaining in environment are a kind of priority hazard substances, due to a notable case that diclofenac residues caused the loss of more than 99% of vultures across the Indian sub-continent. Ketoprofen, as another widely used NSAID with comparable or even higher global consumption than diclofenac, in the environment has been shown to present a potential risk to non-target terrestrial and aquatic species. Based on the review of 85 articles reporting the analyses of ketoprofen residues in environment since 2010, we found that this NSAID frequently present in various environmental compartments around the world. Therefore, it is urgent to implement EPV targeting ketoprofen pollution. Here, we provide some recommendations for implementing the targeted EPV for ketoprofen, including: Closely monitoring ketoprofen in the natural environment; Reducing the residues of ketoprofen through source control; Encouraging urine source separation and treatment; Limiting the application of veterinary ketoprofen; Designing and constituting a framework system of targeted EPV. But some challenges, such as ambiguity in the accountability of the main bodies responsible for continued monitoring of ketoprofen residues, the lack of optimized urine source separation scenarios and procedure, the need for detailed design and application schemes of the framework system of targeted EPV, etc. should be addressed.

A review on environmental monitoring of water organic pollutants identified by EU guidelines

The contamination of fresh water is a global concern. The huge impact of natural and anthropogenic organic substances that are constantly released into the environment, demands a better knowledge of the chemical status of Earth's surface water. Water quality monitoring studies have been performed targeting different substances and/or classes of substances, in different regions of the world, using different types of sampling strategies and campaigns. This review article aims to gather the available dispersed information regarding the occurrence of priority substances (PSs) and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) that must be monitored in Europe in surface water, according to the European Union Directive 2013/39/EU and the Watch List of Decision 2015/495/EU, respectively. Other specific organic pollutants not considered in these EU documents as substances of high concern, but with reported elevated frequency of detection at high concentrations, are also discussed. The search comprised worldwide publications from 2012, considering at least one of the following criteria: 4 sampling campaigns per year, wet and dry seasons, temporal and/or spatial monitoring of surface (river, estuarine, lake and/or coastal waters) and ground waters. The highest concentrations were found for: (i) the PSs atrazine, alachlor, trifluralin, heptachlor, hexachlorocyclohexane, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate; (ii) the CECs azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, diclofenac, 17α-ethinylestradiol, imidacloprid and 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate; and (iii) other unregulated organic compounds (caffeine, naproxen, metolachlor, estriol, dimethoate, terbuthylazine, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, ketoprofen, atenolol, Bisphenol A, metoprolol, carbofuran, malathion, sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine and ofloxacin). Most frequent substances as well as those found at highest concentrations in different seasons and regions, together with available risk assessment data, may be useful to identify possible future PS candidates.

Determination of acidic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in aquatic samples by liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry combined with carbon nanotubes-based solid-phase extraction

A solid-phase extraction (SPE) method based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) was developed for the determination of 12 acidic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in surface waters and tap water. Pristine and functionalised CNTs were evaluated as sorbent materials. Batch experiments were used to optimise sorption and desorption conditions (sorbent type and amount, adsorption time, pH). The adsorption equilibrium was reached after 8 to 48 h duration, which increased with the pH of solution. Non-agglomerated pristine CNTs (20 mg) showed the most optimal adsorption (94 to 100%) for all of the analytes after a 30-min contact period in acidified water solutions (100 mL). The compounds retained at those conditions were recovered by 40 to 95% by using 5% ammonium hydroxide in methanol as the desorbing solution at ambient conditions. A comprehensive liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ-MS/MS) was used for the analysis of real water samples. The method showed sufficient recovery (65-125%) and good precision (2-14% relative standard deviation (RSD)). The limits of detection and quantification ranged between 0.01 and 1.3 ng L^-1 and 0.04 and 3.9 ng L^-1. Only diclofenac and ibuprofen were found in the analysed surface water samples from Latvia (n = 10) and Norway (n = 14). Diclofenac was found at 1.7-8.4 ng L^-1 concentration in two samples of surface waters, whereas the concentrations of ibuprofen ranged between 1.0 and 9.2 ng L^-1 in seven samples collected in Norway and 3.9-17 ng L^-1 in three samples from Latvia.

Applications of molecularly imprinted polymers for solid-phase extraction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics from environmental waters and biological samples

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals used as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics in the aquatic environment is a threat to humans and aquatic species at large. The primary route of these pharmaceuticals to aquatic environment is through human waste such as urine and faeces. The application of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in the solid-phase extraction (SPE) of such pollutants from environmental and biological samples is important for the pre-concentration of compounds and selectivity of the analytical methods. To date, there are still limited commercial suppliers of MIPs. However, it is easy to synthesize such polymers via non-covalent imprinting approach using easily available and affordable reagents. Therefore, the applications of MIPs in the SPE of NSAIDs and analgesics from environmental and biological samples are reviewed. This is very important because despite the fact that review articles on applications of MIPs for organic compounds have been reported, very little has focussed on NSAIDs and analgesics which are the major studied pharmaceuticals in the environment and biological samples. The review also brings out important aspects of common reagents used including the template molecules during MIP synthesis. Application and future trends are also discussed. Gaps such as little use of environmental friendly reagents such as ionic liquids have been identified. Also, the lack of MIP applications to some compounds such as fenoprofen has been observed which is likely to be developed in the near future.