1
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Xu P, Xu D, Wang X, Chen Z, Dong F, Xiang J, Cheng P, Xu D, Chen Y, Lou X, Dai J, Pan Y. Associations of Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances with Genotoxic Biomarkers: New Insights from Cross-Sectional and In Vivo Evidence. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2025; 59:9955-9967. [PMID: 40279506 PMCID: PMC12120986 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c02054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2025] [Revised: 04/16/2025] [Accepted: 04/17/2025] [Indexed: 04/27/2025]
Abstract
The effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on genomic stability remain unclear. Here, a cross-sectional study was conducted to establish the associations of PFAS with genotoxic biomarkers. We recruited a cohort of 453 residents in 2021 in Zhejiang, China. Thirty PFAS in serum were quantified, alongside seven indicators of genomic stability [five rDNA copy numbers (rDNA-CN), mitochondrial DNA copy numbers (mtDNA-CN), and relative telomere length (RTL)] in whole blood. Results showed that PFUnDA, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 6:2 Cl-PFESA, and PFO5DoDA were positively correlated with rDNA-CN, while PFHpA, PFOA, and PFMOAA showed inverse associations. PFO4DA and PFO5DoDA were positively correlated with mtDNA-CN. PFOA, HFPO-TA, and PFMOAA were negatively associated with the RTL, while perfluorononanoic acid, PFHxS, PFOS, and 6:2 Cl-PFESA showed positive associations. Nonlinear exposure-response relationships were also observed between PFAS and genotoxic biomarkers using restricted cubic spline models. Furthermore, PFAS mixtures were positively associated with mtDNA-CN, with PFO5DoDA showing the highest contribution by the quantile-based g-computation model. In vivo studies further confirmed that PFO5DoDA increased mtDNA-CN in male mice in a dose-dependent manner. This study provides novel evidence that PFAS disrupt genomic stability, with effects varying by functional groups and fluoroalkyl(ether) chain lengths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiwei Xu
- Zhejiang
Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou310051, China
| | - Dihui Xu
- The
Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment for Emerging
Contaminants, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s
Republic of China, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, PR China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Zhejiang
Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou310051, China
| | - Zhijian Chen
- Zhejiang
Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou310051, China
| | - Fengfeng Dong
- The
Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment for Emerging
Contaminants, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s
Republic of China, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, PR China
| | - Jie Xiang
- Zhejiang
Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou310051, China
| | - Ping Cheng
- Zhejiang
Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou310051, China
| | - Dandan Xu
- Zhejiang
Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou310051, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Zhejiang
Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou310051, China
| | - Xiaoming Lou
- Zhejiang
Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou310051, China
| | - Jiayin Dai
- The
Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment for Emerging
Contaminants, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s
Republic of China, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, PR China
| | - Yitao Pan
- The
Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment for Emerging
Contaminants, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s
Republic of China, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, PR China
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Zhang HC, Yang XQ, Wang CH, Shang CY, Shi CY, Chen GW, Liu DZ. Toxicity of microplastics polystyrene to freshwater planarians and the alleviative effects of anthocyanins. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2025; 282:107310. [PMID: 40058299 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2025] [Accepted: 03/03/2025] [Indexed: 04/05/2025]
Abstract
It is impossible to overlook the effects of microplastics (MPs) on aquatic organisms as they continuously accumulate in water environment. Freshwater planarians, which exist in the benthic zone of water bodies and come into contact with the deposited MPs particles, provide a highly representative model for studying the effects of MPs on aquatic organisms. Anthocyanins (ANTs) have gained significant popularity in recent years for their diverse health benefits. In the current study, the median lethal concentration (LC50) of polystyrene (PS) to planarian Dugesia japonica was determined for the first time. Based on this, multiple toxic effects of single PS and PS in combination with ANTs on planarians were explored. The results showed that PS exposure disrupted the redox homeostasis and induced oxidative damage in planarians. Also, PS stress affected the neuromorphology, aggravated cell apoptosis in planarians probably by altering neural gene expressions as well as promoting the expression of apoptosis-related genes while inhibiting stem cell marker genes. In addition, the results also suggested that co-exposure of ANTs could effectively alleviate the toxicity of PS on planarians. Particularly, long-term environmentally relevant concentration PS exposure exhibited a higher propensity for inducing toxicity on planarians than short-term high concentration acute exposure, indicating that the harm of environmental MPs to humans and wildlife exposed to them should not be underestimated. Therefore, considering the recently rising and rapid development of ecotoxicomics, more in-depth research on the toxicity mechanism of environmentally relevant concentration PS-MPs to freshwater planarians from multi-omics levels will be our future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- He-Cai Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, No.46, Jianshedong Road, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, No.46, Jianshedong Road, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Cai-Hui Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, No.46, Jianshedong Road, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Chang-Yang Shang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, No.46, Jianshedong Road, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Chang-Ying Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, No.46, Jianshedong Road, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Guang-Wen Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, No.46, Jianshedong Road, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - De-Zeng Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, No.46, Jianshedong Road, Xinxiang 453007, China
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3
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Li X, Wu X, Zhang J, Xie C, Song Y, Liu Y, Zheng L, Zhang S, Zhang P, Vijver MG, Peijnenburg WJGM, Lynch I, Guo Z. Key events relating to homeostasis and regeneration of freshwater planarians (Dugesia Japonica) after exposure to various ZnO-forms. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2025; 493:138360. [PMID: 40273864 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2025] [Revised: 03/29/2025] [Accepted: 04/20/2025] [Indexed: 04/26/2025]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the toxicity and underlying mechanisms of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), bulk ZnO (ZnO MPs), and zinc ions (Zn2 +) on Dugesia japonica planarians, with a focus on their bioaccumulation, transformation, and associated biological effects. Using advanced techniques such as synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) and single particle ICP-MS (sp-ICP-MS), we measured the accumulation, distribution, and transformation of these materials in planarians. All treatments caused significant Zn accumulation: ZnO NPs increased Zn by 120-fold, ZnO MPs by 100-fold, and Zn2+ by 430-fold. XANES and sp-ICP-MS analysis confirmed that ZnO NPs remained largely in particulate form (40-60 %) following uptake by planarians. Toxicity tests revealed that all treatments impaired blastema growth, locomotion, stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and neural regeneration. ZnO MPs exhibited higher toxicity than ZnO NPs, while Zn2+ resulted in elevated oxidative stress. ZnO NPs induced severe energy damage and triggered cell apoptosis, whereas ZnO MPs caused more pronounced necrosis cell death. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses showed that all treatments disrupted pathways related to oxidative stress response, energy metabolism and cell apoptosis. ZnO NPs primarily affected the membrane integrity pathway, ZnO MPs altered cell homeostasis and membrane potential, while Zn2+ exposure triggered metal ion-specific cellular reactions. These molecular and cellular changes collectively explain the observed phenotypic outcomes, which align with the Adverse Outcome Pathway framework. The findings provide insights into the environmental risks of different ZnO forms and highlight their distinct toxicity mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Li
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255000, China; School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Xin Wu
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255000, China
| | - Junzhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Changjian Xie
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255000, China; School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Yingjun Song
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255000, China
| | - Yunpeng Liu
- Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lingna Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shujing Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255000, China; School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Martina G Vijver
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, Leiden 2300 RA, the Netherlands
| | - Willie J G M Peijnenburg
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, Leiden 2300 RA, the Netherlands; National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Safety Assessment of Substances and Products, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Zhiling Guo
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
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Zhang J, Naveed H, Chen K, Chen L. Toxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Their Substitutes to Terrestrial and Aquatic Invertebrates-A Review. TOXICS 2025; 13:47. [PMID: 39853045 PMCID: PMC11769487 DOI: 10.3390/toxics13010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2024] [Revised: 12/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2025] [Indexed: 01/26/2025]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been widely used in daily life but they cause certain impacts on the environment due to their unique carbon-fluorine chemical bonds that are difficult to degrade in the environment. Toxicological studies on PFASs and their alternatives have mainly focused on vertebrates, while terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates have been studied to a lesser extent. As invertebrates at the bottom of the food chain play a crucial role in the whole ecological chain, it is necessary to investigate the toxicity of PFASs to invertebrates. In this paper, the progress of toxicological studies on PFASs and their alternatives in terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates is reviewed, and the accumulation of PFASs, their toxicity in invertebrates, as well as the neurotoxicity and toxicity to reproduction and development are summarized. This provides a reference to in-depth studies on the comprehensive assessment of the toxicity of PFASs and their alternatives, promotes further research on PFASs in invertebrates, and provides valuable recommendations for the use and regulation of alternatives to PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (J.Z.); (H.N.); (K.C.)
| | - Hassan Naveed
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (J.Z.); (H.N.); (K.C.)
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Keping Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (J.Z.); (H.N.); (K.C.)
| | - Liang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (J.Z.); (H.N.); (K.C.)
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5
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Barhoumi B, Metian M, Alonso-Hernández CM, Oberhaensli F, Mourgkogiannis N, Karapanagioti HK, Bersuder P, Tolosa I. Insight into the effect of natural aging of polystyrene microplastics on the sorption of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in seawater. Heliyon 2024; 10:e40490. [PMID: 39654741 PMCID: PMC11626057 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 11/14/2024] [Accepted: 11/15/2024] [Indexed: 12/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are abundant in aquatic environments and due to their small size, surface properties, and strong hydrophobicity, they can easily sorb chemicals, thus potentially acting as pollutant carriers. To date, most studies investigating the sorption of chemicals on MPs have principally focused on virgin MPs. However, MPs in the environment undergo aging effects, which changes their physical-chemical properties and aptitude to interact with chemicals, such as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) referred to as "forever chemicals". In this study, we compared the sorption behavior of nine PFAS, exhibiting different physical-chemical properties, on virgin and naturally aged polystyrene microplastic (PS-MPs) to explore to what extent the environmental aging affects the sorption behavior of the PS-MPs for different legacy and emerging PFAS in seawater. Differences in the morphology and surface properties of aged PS-MPs were examined by infrared spectroscopy, surface area analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Results revealed that compared to virgin PS-MPs, aged PS-MPs exhibited morphological changes (e.g. cavities, pits, and rough surfaces) with biofilm development and signs of oxidation on the MPs surface. PFAS sorption on PS-MPs was enhanced for the aged PS-MPs compared to virgin PS-MPs with Kd values ranging from 327 L kg-1 for PFOA to 3247 L kg-1 for PFOS in aged PS-MPs. The difference in sorption capacity was mainly attributed to the physical-chemical changes and the adhered biofilm observed in aged PS-MPs. Results also showed that virgin PS-MPs adsorb PFAS mainly through steric hindrance, while the aged PS-MPs may involve more complex sorption mechanisms. This research provides additional insights into the ability of aged MPs as potential carriers of legacy and emerging contaminants in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Badreddine Barhoumi
- IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Principality of Monaco, Monaco
| | - Marc Metian
- IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Principality of Monaco, Monaco
| | | | - François Oberhaensli
- IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Principality of Monaco, Monaco
| | | | | | - Philippe Bersuder
- IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Principality of Monaco, Monaco
| | - Imma Tolosa
- IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Principality of Monaco, Monaco
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Li Y, Zheng X, Zhao Z, Li W, Huang Y, He H, Han Z, Tao J, Lin T. Perfluorobutanoic acid weakens the heterogeneous aggregation of microplastics and microalgae: Perspective from physicochemical properties, extracellular polymeric substances secretion and DLVO theory. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 955:177127. [PMID: 39461534 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 10/14/2024] [Accepted: 10/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/29/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances extensively coexist in aquatic environments and potentially endanger organisms. Microalgae may decrease the effective concentration of pollutants via hetero-aggregation with MPs and adsorption of emerging contaminants. However, the potential influence of coexistent pollutants on hetero-aggregation of MPs and microalgae remains unknown. This study investigated the hetero-aggregation process involving different sizes of polystyrene (PS, 3.0 and 50.0 μm) with Chlorella sorokiniana (C. sorokiniana) in the presence or absence of perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) along settling experiments, scanning electron microscope, and Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) model. We found that the hetero-aggregation between C. sorokiniana and 3 μm PS was more pronounced than with 50 μm PS, while PFBA inhibited this process. ΔOD1 values (reflected hetero-aggregation level) for 3PS-cells and 50PS-cells were 0.189 and 0.087, respectively, and PFBA decreased these values to 0.134 and 0.033. Furthermore, extracellular polymeric substances, known as inducer of hetero-aggregation, increased by 14.33% when exposed to 3 μm PS alone, whereas the co-exposure group showed a decrease of 4.52% compared to 3PS-cells group. PFBA also significantly decreased the protein/polysaccharide ratios in both MPs sizes, reducing hetero-aggregation. DLVO theory revealed that microalgae lowered the energy barrier significantly, while PFBA elevated it, indicating that hetero-aggregation was inhibited by PFBA. This study provides new perspectives for pollutant removal and toxicity variation in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Xiaoying Zheng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
| | - Zhilin Zhao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Wenfei Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Yu Huang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Haidong He
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Zongshuo Han
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Jiaqing Tao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Tao Lin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
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7
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Bharal B, Ruchitha C, Kumar P, Pandey R, Rachamalla M, Niyogi S, Naidu R, Kaundal RK. Neurotoxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Evidence and future directions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 955:176941. [PMID: 39454776 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 09/28/2024] [Accepted: 10/12/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals widely used in various products, including food packaging, textiles, and firefighting foam, owing to their unique properties such as amphiphilicity and strong CF bonds. Despite their widespread use, concerns have arisen due to their resistance to degradation and propensity for bioaccumulation in both environmental and human systems. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between PFAS exposure and neurotoxic effects, spanning cognitive deficits, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review comprehensively synthesizes current knowledge on PFAS neurotoxicity, drawing insights from epidemiological studies, animal experiments, and mechanistic investigations. PFAS, known for their lipophilic nature, tend to accumulate in lipid-rich tissues, including the brain, breaching biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The accumulation of PFAS within the central nervous system (CNS) has been implicated in a spectrum of neurological maladies. Neurotoxicity induced by PFAS manifests through a multitude of direct and indirect mechanisms. A growing body of research associated PFAS exposure with BBB disruption, calcium dysregulation, neurotransmitter alterations, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, all contributing to neuronal impairment. Despite notable strides in research, significant lacunae persist, necessitating further exploration to elucidate the full spectrum of PFAS-mediated neurotoxicity. Prospective research endeavors should prioritize developing biomarkers, delineating sensitive exposure windows, and exploring mitigation strategies aimed at safeguarding neurological integrity within populations vulnerable to PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagyashree Bharal
- Department of Regulatory Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Raebareli (NIPER-R), Transit Campus, Bijnor-Sisendi Road, Sarojini Nagar, Near CRPF Base Camp, Lucknow, UP 226002, India
| | - Chanda Ruchitha
- Department of Regulatory Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Raebareli (NIPER-R), Transit Campus, Bijnor-Sisendi Road, Sarojini Nagar, Near CRPF Base Camp, Lucknow, UP 226002, India
| | - Paarth Kumar
- Department of Regulatory Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Raebareli (NIPER-R), Transit Campus, Bijnor-Sisendi Road, Sarojini Nagar, Near CRPF Base Camp, Lucknow, UP 226002, India
| | - Rukmani Pandey
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Molecular Biology and Genetics of Neurodegeneration, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America
| | - Mahesh Rachamalla
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Som Niyogi
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada; Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Ravinder K Kaundal
- Department of Regulatory Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Raebareli (NIPER-R), Transit Campus, Bijnor-Sisendi Road, Sarojini Nagar, Near CRPF Base Camp, Lucknow, UP 226002, India; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Raebareli (NIPER-R), Transit Campus, Bijnor-Sisendi Road, Sarojini Nagar, Near CRPF Base Camp, Lucknow, UP 226002, India.
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8
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Verma CR, Khare T, Chakraborty P, Gosavi SM, Petrtýl M, Kalous L, Kumkar P. Impact of diethyl phthalate on freshwater planarian behaviour, regeneration, and antioxidant defence. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 276:107110. [PMID: 39378734 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.107110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2024] [Revised: 09/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/29/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Diethyl phthalate (DEP) has been widely used as a plasticiser in various consumer products, including cosmetics, personal care items, and pharmaceuticals, and recent studies reported a higher abundance of this priority phthalate in the aquatic environment. DEP is a potential endocrine disruptor, affecting immune systems in humans and wildlife even at low-level chronic exposure. As concern over phthalates increases globally, regulatory bodies focus more on their environmental impact. However, limited research is available, particularly using model organisms like planarians. Planarians are ideal for toxicological studies and may provide insightful information on pollutants' neurotoxic, developmental, and ecological effects, especially in freshwater environments where planarians play a vital role in ecosystem balance. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to examine the toxicity of DEP using the freshwater Dugesia sp., as an experimental animal. The LC50 for the test organism was calculated using DEP concentrations of 800, 400, 200, 100, and 50 µM, with an estimated LC50 of 357.24 µM. Furthermore, planarians were exposed to sub-lethal DEP concentration (178.62 µM) for one day as well as eight days to evaluate the impact of DEP on planarian locomotion, feeding behaviour, and regeneration ability. At sub-lethal concentration, locomotion and feeding ability were decreased, and regeneration was delayed. Furthermore, neuro-transmittance in planaria was altered by sub-lethal DEP concentration, as indicated by a reduced acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. DEP exposure induced oxidative damage in the tested planarians as shown by a marked increase in stress biomarkers, including lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Our study revealed that DEP exposure may prove fatal to freshwater organisms, such as planarians. The observed alterations in behaviour and regeneration ability demonstrate the severity of the effects exerted by DEP as a toxicant in aquatic ecosystems, thereby indicating the need to restrict its usage to protect aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandani R Verma
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tushar Khare
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Biotechnology, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Paromita Chakraborty
- Environmental Science and Technology Laboratory, Centre for Research in Environment, Sustainability Advocacy and Climate Change (REACH), Directorate of Research, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India; University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Sachin M Gosavi
- Department of Zoology, Maharashtra College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Miloslav Petrtýl
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Kalous
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pradeep Kumkar
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic.
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Shu Q, Xie S, Junaid M, Zheng R, Tang H, Zou J, Zhou A. MPs and PFOS single and combined exposure significantly alter genetic expressions of growth hormone and insulin growth factor-related biomarkers during zebrafish embryonic development. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 949:174925. [PMID: 39043301 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are emerging pollutants that are ubiquitously present in the environment and can cause series of ecotoxicological effects on aquatic animals. This study examined how the expression of genes related to insulin growth factor (igf1, igf2a, igf2b, igfra, and igfrb) and growth hormone (ghrh, gh1, ghra, and ghrb) changes during the development of zebrafish embryos exposed to 8 μm polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) individually and in combination for 72 h. Our findings revealed that both low-concentrations of MP (50 μg/L) and PFOS (0.02 μg/L) treatments could significantly activate gene expression within a short period. High concentrations of MPs (500 μg/L) and PFOS (0.1 μg/L) not only rapidly activated gene expression but also sustained high expression levels for a longer duration. During combined exposures, peak gene expression in the low concentration groups (50 μg/L MPs and 0.02 μg/L PFOS; 50 μg/L MPs and 0.1 μg/L PFOS) primarily occurred within 12 h after treatment. In the high concentration groups (500 μg/L MPs and 0.02 μg/L PFOS), peak expression was also observed within 12 h. Notably, the combined exposure groups exhibited more pronounced effects on gene expression than the individual exposure groups. The activation of gene expression was both more significant and longer-lasting in the combined exposure, indicating a synergistic regulatory effect of MPs and PFOS. Overall, our study suggests that zebrafish embryo development can be significantly impacted by exposure to MPs, PFOS, and their combination, with combined exposures having a more lasting and profound effect on gene regulation compared to single exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingsong Shu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaolin Xie
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, China
| | - Ran Zheng
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, China
| | - Huijuan Tang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jixing Zou
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, China.
| | - Aiguo Zhou
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, China.
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