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Choi J, Rotter S, Ritz V, Kneuer C, Marx-Stoelting P, de Lourdes Marzo Solano M, Oertel A, Rudzok S, Ziková-Kloas A, Tralau T, Hensel A. Thresholds of adversity for endocrine disrupting substances: a conceptual case study. Arch Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s00204-024-03748-9. [PMID: 38704806 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03748-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
For endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) the existence of "safe exposure levels", that is exposure levels that do not present an appreciable risk to human health is most controversially discussed, as is the existence of health-based reference values. Concerns have been especially raised that EDCs might not possess a threshold level such that no exposure level to EDCs can be considered safe. To explore whether or not threshold levels can be identified, we performed a screening exercise on 14 pesticidal and biocidal active substances previously identified as EDCs in the European Union. The respective substances are ideal subjects for case studies to review for endocrine activity and disruptive potential following well-defined regulatory assessment based on solid data to effectually establish adversity as consequence of endocrine disruption. Dimethomorph, metiram and propiconazole for which the weight of evidence demonstrating endocrine disruption was the strongest were used as subjects for further study. Epoxiconazole was additionally selected as its effects on the endocrine system are extensive. For all four substances, analysis of the toxicological data clearly indicated thresholds of adversity below which no adverse effects mediated through an endocrine mechanism were observed. Particular emphasis was placed on mechanistic considerations including homeostasis and the concept of adversity. As a proof of concept this study provides evidence that like other substances of toxicological concern EDCs have threshold levels for adversity. While for some EDCs the respective thresholds might indeed be very low this shows that, data allowing, for other EDCs sufficiently protective reference values can be derived.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Choi
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Rotter
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vera Ritz
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Kneuer
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philip Marx-Stoelting
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Angelika Oertel
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Rudzok
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Ziková-Kloas
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tewes Tralau
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Andreas Hensel
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
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2
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Jaber N, Billet S. How to use an in vitro approach to characterize the toxicity of airborne compounds. Toxicol In Vitro 2024; 94:105718. [PMID: 37871865 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
As part of the development of new approach methodologies (NAMs), numerous in vitro methods are being developed to characterize the potential toxicity of inhalable xenobiotics (gases, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, particulate matter, nanoparticles). However, the materials and methods employed are extremely diverse, and no single method is currently in use. Method standardization and validation would raise trust in the results and enable them to be compared. This four-part review lists and compares biological models and exposure methodologies before describing measurable biomarkers of exposure or effect. The first section emphasizes the importance of developing alternative methods to reduce, if not replace, animal testing (3R principle). The biological models presented are mostly to cultures of epithelial cells from the respiratory system, as the lungs are the first organ to come into contact with air pollutants. Monocultures or cocultures of primary cells or cell lines, as well as 3D organotypic cultures such as organoids, spheroids and reconstituted tissues, but also the organ(s) model on a chip are examples. The exposure methods for these biological models applicable to airborne compounds are submerged, intermittent, continuous either static or dynamic. Finally, within the restrictions of these models (i.e. relative tiny quantities, adhering cells), the mechanisms of toxicity and the phenotypic markers most commonly examined in models exposed at the air-liquid interface (ALI) are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Jaber
- UR4492, Unité de Chimie Environnementale et Interactions sur le Vivant, Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale, Dunkerque, France
| | - Sylvain Billet
- UR4492, Unité de Chimie Environnementale et Interactions sur le Vivant, Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale, Dunkerque, France.
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3
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von Coburg E, Dunst S. The adverse outcome pathway for breast cancer: a knowledge management framework bridging biomedicine and toxicology. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:223. [PMID: 38051394 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00840-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases diagnosed every year. Effective measures for cancer prevention and cancer therapy require a detailed understanding of the individual key disease mechanisms involved and their interactions at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organism level. In that regard, the rapid progress of biomedical and toxicological research in recent years now allows the pursuit of new approaches based on non-animal methods that provide greater mechanistic insight than traditional animal models and therefore facilitate the development of Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) for human diseases. We performed a systematic review of the current state of published knowledge with regard to breast cancer to identify relevant key mechanisms for inclusion into breast cancer AOPs, i.e. decreased cell stiffness and decreased cell adhesion, and to concurrently map non-animal methods addressing these key events. We conclude that the broader sharing of expertise and methods between biomedical research and toxicology enabled by the AOP knowledge management framework can help to coordinate global research efforts and accelerate the transition to advanced non-animal methods, which, when combined into powerful method batteries, closely mimic human physiology and disease states without the need for animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena von Coburg
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Department Experimental Toxicology and ZEBET, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dunst
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Department Experimental Toxicology and ZEBET, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany.
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4
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Bloch D, Diel P, Epe B, Hellwig M, Lampen A, Mally A, Marko D, Villar Fernández MA, Guth S, Roth A, Marchan R, Ghallab A, Cadenas C, Nell P, Vartak N, van Thriel C, Luch A, Schmeisser S, Herzler M, Landsiedel R, Leist M, Marx-Stoelting P, Tralau T, Hengstler JG. Basic concepts of mixture toxicity and relevance for risk evaluation and regulation. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:3005-3017. [PMID: 37615677 PMCID: PMC10504116 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03565-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to multiple substances is a challenge for risk evaluation. Currently, there is an ongoing debate if generic "mixture assessment/allocation factors" (MAF) should be introduced to increase public health protection. Here, we explore concepts of mixture toxicity and the potential influence of mixture regulation concepts for human health protection. Based on this analysis, we provide recommendations for research and risk assessment. One of the concepts of mixture toxicity is additivity. Substances may act additively by affecting the same molecular mechanism within a common target cell, for example, dioxin-like substances. In a second concept, an "enhancer substance" may act by increasing the target site concentration and aggravating the adverse effect of a "driver substance". For both concepts, adequate risk management of individual substances can reliably prevent adverse effects to humans. Furthermore, we discuss the hypothesis that the large number of substances to which humans are exposed at very low and individually safe doses may interact to cause adverse effects. This commentary identifies knowledge gaps, such as the lack of a comprehensive overview of substances regulated under different silos, including food, environmentally and occupationally relevant substances, the absence of reliable human exposure data and the missing accessibility of ratios of current human exposure to threshold values, which are considered safe for individual substances. Moreover, a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms and most susceptible target cells is required. We conclude that, currently, there is no scientific evidence supporting the need for a generic MAF. Rather, we recommend taking more specific measures, which focus on compounds with relatively small ratios between human exposure and doses, at which adverse effects can be expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Bloch
- Department of Pesticides Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Patrick Diel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Bernd Epe
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Hellwig
- Chair of Special Food Chemistry, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alfonso Lampen
- Risk Assessment Strategies, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Angela Mally
- Department of Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - María A Villar Fernández
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sabine Guth
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Angelika Roth
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Rosemarie Marchan
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ahmed Ghallab
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, 83523, Egypt
| | - Cristina Cadenas
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Patrick Nell
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nachiket Vartak
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christoph van Thriel
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Andreas Luch
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schmeisser
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Herzler
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Landsiedel
- Department of Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany
- Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Philip Marx-Stoelting
- Department of Pesticides Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Tewes Tralau
- Department of Pesticides Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
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5
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Schmeisser S, Miccoli A, von Bergen M, Berggren E, Braeuning A, Busch W, Desaintes C, Gourmelon A, Grafström R, Harrill J, Hartung T, Herzler M, Kass GEN, Kleinstreuer N, Leist M, Luijten M, Marx-Stoelting P, Poetz O, van Ravenzwaay B, Roggeband R, Rogiers V, Roth A, Sanders P, Thomas RS, Marie Vinggaard A, Vinken M, van de Water B, Luch A, Tralau T. New approach methodologies in human regulatory toxicology - Not if, but how and when! Environ Int 2023; 178:108082. [PMID: 37422975 PMCID: PMC10858683 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The predominantly animal-centric approach of chemical safety assessment has increasingly come under pressure. Society is questioning overall performance, sustainability, continued relevance for human health risk assessment and ethics of this system, demanding a change of paradigm. At the same time, the scientific toolbox used for risk assessment is continuously enriched by the development of "New Approach Methodologies" (NAMs). While this term does not define the age or the state of readiness of the innovation, it covers a wide range of methods, including quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) predictions, high-throughput screening (HTS) bioassays, omics applications, cell cultures, organoids, microphysiological systems (MPS), machine learning models and artificial intelligence (AI). In addition to promising faster and more efficient toxicity testing, NAMs have the potential to fundamentally transform today's regulatory work by allowing more human-relevant decision-making in terms of both hazard and exposure assessment. Yet, several obstacles hamper a broader application of NAMs in current regulatory risk assessment. Constraints in addressing repeated-dose toxicity, with particular reference to the chronic toxicity, and hesitance from relevant stakeholders, are major challenges for the implementation of NAMs in a broader context. Moreover, issues regarding predictivity, reproducibility and quantification need to be addressed and regulatory and legislative frameworks need to be adapted to NAMs. The conceptual perspective presented here has its focus on hazard assessment and is grounded on the main findings and conclusions from a symposium and workshop held in Berlin in November 2021. It intends to provide further insights into how NAMs can be gradually integrated into chemical risk assessment aimed at protection of human health, until eventually the current paradigm is replaced by an animal-free "Next Generation Risk Assessment" (NGRA).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Miccoli
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany; National Research Council, Ancona, Italy
| | - Martin von Bergen
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; University of Leipzig, Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Albert Braeuning
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Wibke Busch
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Desaintes
- European Commission (EC), Directorate General for Research and Innovation (RTD), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne Gourmelon
- Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Environment Directorate, Paris, France
| | | | - Joshua Harrill
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Durham, USA
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore MD USA, CAAT-Europe, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Matthias Herzler
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Kleinstreuer
- NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Durham, USA
| | - Marcel Leist
- CAAT‑Europe and Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Mirjam Luijten
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | | | - Oliver Poetz
- NMI Natural and Medical Science Institute at the University of Tuebingen, Reutlingen, Germany; SIGNATOPE GmbH, Reutlingen, Germany
| | | | - Rob Roggeband
- European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA), Procter and Gamble Services Company NV/SA, Strombeek-Bever, Belgium
| | - Vera Rogiers
- Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Adrian Roth
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Sanders
- Fougeres Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Fougères, France France
| | - Russell S Thomas
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Durham, USA
| | | | | | | | - Andreas Luch
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Tewes Tralau
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
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6
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Karaca M, Willenbockel CT, Tralau T, Bloch D, Marx-Stoelting P. Toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic mixture effects of plant protection products: A case study. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 141:105400. [PMID: 37116736 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Authorisation of ready to use plant protection products (PPPs) usually relies on the testing of acute and local toxicity only. This is in stark contrast to the situation for active substances where the mandatory data set comprises a most comprehensive set of studies. While the combination of certain active ingredients and co-formulants may nevertheless result in increased toxicity of the final product such combinations have never been evaluated systematically for complex and long-term toxicological endpoints. We therefore investigated the effect of three frequently used co-formulants on the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic of the representative active substance combination of tebuconazol (Teb) and prothioconazol (Pro) or of cypermethrin (Cpm) and piperonyl butoxide (Pip), respectively. With all four active substances being potential liver steatogens, cytotoxicity and triglyceride accumulation in HepaRG were used as primary endpoints. Concomitantly transcriptomics and biochemical studies were applied to interrogate for effects on gene expression or inhibition of CYP3A4 as key enzyme for functionalization. Some of the tested combinations clearly showed more than additive effects, partly due to CYP3A4 enzyme inhibition. Other effects comprised the modulation of the expression and activity of steatosis-related nuclear key receptors. Altogether, the findings highlight the need for a more systematic consideration of toxicodynamic and toxicokinetic mixture effects during assessment of PPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mawien Karaca
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Pesticides Safety, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany; Technical University of Berlin, Institute for Chemistry, Straße des 17. Juni 115, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Tobias Willenbockel
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Pesticides Safety, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tewes Tralau
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Pesticides Safety, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denise Bloch
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Pesticides Safety, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philip Marx-Stoelting
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Pesticides Safety, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany; Technical University of Berlin, Institute for Chemistry, Straße des 17. Juni 115, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
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7
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Bridges JW, Greim H, van Leeuwen K, Stegmann R, Vermeire T, den Haan K. Is the EU chemicals strategy for sustainability a green deal? Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 139:105356. [PMID: 36758784 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
A fully integrated Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) in respect of chemicals is crucial and must include: • An objective evaluation of the present situation including impacts of 'chemicals of concern' throughout their life cycle, that incorporates sustainability issues. • A framework that facilitates innovation of chemistry-based approaches to tackle each of the key sustainability issues. The EU CSS only addresses adverse impacts and mainly focusses on one aspect of risk assessment, the hazard to humans from individual industrial chemicals. The proposal removes consideration of the nature and amount of exposure, which is a critical determinant of risk. It can be presumed that this is solely to simplify, and hence speed up, regulatory decisions thereby enabling more chemicals to be assessed. The linkage of this proposed approach to address any of the major sustainability issues, such as environmental pollutants is obscure. For example, the well-recognised environmental problems caused by polymers such as plastics are not considered. The proposed change in the assessment methodology lacks any scientific justification and fails to address the sustainability issues the EU and the rest of the world are facing. The authors critically discuss a comprehensive innovative evaluation methodology for the impact of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Theo Vermeire
- Retired from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Klaas den Haan
- Retired from Shell International the Hague, the Netherlands.
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8
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De Cock A, Forio MAE, Croubels S, Dominguez-Granda L, Jacxsens L, Lachat C, Roa-López H, Ruales J, Scheyvaerts V, Solis Hidalgo MC, Spanoghe P, Tack FMG, Goethals PLM. Health risk-benefit assessment of the commercial red mangrove crab: Implications for a cultural delicacy. Sci Total Environ 2023; 862:160737. [PMID: 36502983 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mangrove forests, provide vital food resources and are an endangered ecosystem worldwide due to pollution and habitat destruction. A risk-benefit assessment (RBA) was performed on the red mangrove crab (Ucides occidentalis) from the threatened Guayas mangroves in Ecuador. It was aimed to assess the combined potential adverse and beneficial health impact associated with crab consumption and define a recommended safe intake (SI) to improve the diet of the Ecuadoran population while ensuring safe food intake. Target hazard quotients (THQs), benefit quotients (Qs), and benefit-risk quotients (BRQs) were calculated based on the concentrations of the analyzed contaminants (121 pesticide residues, 11 metal(loid)s, antimicrobial drugs from 3 classes) and nutrients (fatty acids, amino acids, and essential nutrients). Except for inorganic arsenic (iAs), the THQ was below 100 for all investigated contaminants, suggesting that the average crab consumer is exposed to levels that do not impose negative non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic health effects in the long and/or short term. Concentrations of iAs (average AsIII: 25.64 and AsV: 6.28 μg/kg fw) were of the highest concern because of the potential to cause negative health effects on long-term consumption. Despite the thriving aquaculture in the Guayas estuary, concentrations of residues of the antimicrobial drugs oxytetracycline (OTC), florfenicol, and nitrofurans still were low. Based on the fact that different risk reference values exist, related to different safety levels, four SI values (0.002, 0.04, 4, and 18 crabs/day) were obtained. The strictest intake values indicate a concern for current consumption habits. In conclusion, the red mangrove crab contains various important nutrients and can be part of a balanced diet for the Ecuadorian population when consumed in limited portions. The present study emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the quality of the environment as a prerequisite for procuring nutritious and safe food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrée De Cock
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Marie Anne Eurie Forio
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Siska Croubels
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Luis Dominguez-Granda
- Centro del Agua y Desarrollo Sustentable, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral ESPOL, Avenida principal de la ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, ECO90211 Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Liesbeth Jacxsens
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carl Lachat
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Heydi Roa-López
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, ECO90211 Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Jenny Ruales
- Departamento de Ciencia de los Alimentos y Biotecnología, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, José Rubén Orellana Ricaurte, Ladrón de Guevara E11-253 y Andalucía, 170517 Quito, Ecuador
| | - Victoria Scheyvaerts
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michelle Carolina Solis Hidalgo
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, ECO90211 Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Pieter Spanoghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filip M G Tack
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Frieda Saeysstraat 1, B-9052 Gent, Belgium
| | - Peter L M Goethals
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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9
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Magurany KA, Chang X, Clewell R, Coecke S, Haugabrooks E, Marty S. A Pragmatic Framework for the Application of New Approach Methodologies in One Health Toxicological Risk Assessment. Toxicol Sci 2023; 192:kfad012. [PMID: 36782355 PMCID: PMC10109535 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, industries and regulatory authorities are faced with an urgent need to assess the potential adverse effects of chemicals more efficiently by embracing new approach methodologies (NAMs). NAMs include cell and tissue methods (in vitro), structure-based/toxicokinetic models (in silico), methods that assess toxicant interactions with biological macromolecules (in chemico), and alternative models. Increasing knowledge on chemical toxicokinetics (what the body does with chemicals) and toxicodynamics (what the chemicals do with the body) obtained from in silico and in vitro systems continues to provide opportunities for modernizing chemical risk assessments. However, directly leveraging in vitro and in silico data for derivation of human health-based reference values has not received regulatory acceptance due to uncertainties in extrapolating NAM results to human populations, including metabolism, complex biological pathways, multiple exposures, interindividual susceptibility and vulnerable populations. The objective of this article is to provide a standardized pragmatic framework that applies integrated approaches with a focus on quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (QIVIVE) to extrapolate in vitro cellular exposures to human equivalent doses from which human reference values can be derived. The proposed framework intends to systematically account for the complexities in extrapolation and data interpretation to support sound human health safety decisions in diverse industrial sectors (food systems, cosmetics, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals etc.). Case studies of chemical entities, using new and existing data, are presented to demonstrate the utility of the proposed framework while highlighting potential sources of human population bias and uncertainty, and the importance of Good Method and Reporting Practices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rebecca Clewell
- 21st Century Tox Consulting, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27517, USA
| | - Sandra Coecke
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - Esther Haugabrooks
- Coca-Cola Company (formerly Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine), Atlanta, Georgia 30313, USA
| | - Sue Marty
- The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan 48667, USA
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Devos Y, Arena M, Ashe S, Blanck M, Bray E, Broglia A, Bronzwaer S, Cafaro A, Corsini E, Dujardin B, Dumont AF, Garcia MG, Gardi C, Guerra B, Kass GE, Maggiore A, Martino L, Merten C, Percivaldi C, Szoradi A, Martinez SV, Ververis E, Vrbos D, Hugas M. Addressing the need for safe, nutritious and sustainable food: Outcomes of the “ONE – Health, Environment & Society – Conference 2022″. Trends Food Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2022.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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11
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Escher BI, Lamoree M, Antignac JP, Scholze M, Herzler M, Hamers T, Jensen TK, Audebert M, Busquet F, Maier D, Oelgeschläger M, Valente MJ, Boye H, Schmeisser S, Dervilly G, Piumatti M, Motteau S, König M, Renko K, Margalef M, Cariou R, Ma Y, Treschow AF, Kortenkamp A, Vinggaard AM. Mixture Risk Assessment of Complex Real-Life Mixtures-The PANORAMIX Project. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph192012990. [PMID: 36293571 PMCID: PMC9602166 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192012990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Humans are involuntarily exposed to hundreds of chemicals that either contaminate our environment and food or are added intentionally to our daily products. These complex mixtures of chemicals may pose a risk to human health. One of the goals of the European Union's Green Deal and zero-pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment is to tackle the existent gaps in chemical mixture risk assessment by providing scientific grounds that support the implementation of adequate regulatory measures within the EU. We suggest dealing with this challenge by: (1) characterising 'real-life' chemical mixtures and determining to what extent they are transferred from the environment to humans via food and water, and from the mother to the foetus; (2) establishing a high-throughput whole-mixture-based in vitro strategy for screening of real-life complex mixtures of organic chemicals extracted from humans using integrated chemical profiling (suspect screening) together with effect-directed analysis; (3) evaluating which human blood levels of chemical mixtures might be of concern for children's development; and (4) developing a web-based, ready-to-use interface that integrates hazard and exposure data to enable component-based mixture risk estimation. These concepts form the basis of the Green Deal project PANORAMIX, whose ultimate goal is to progress mixture risk assessment of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate I. Escher
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, DE-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marja Lamoree
- Department Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Martin Scholze
- Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Environmental Sciences Division, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Matthias Herzler
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Timo Hamers
- Department Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Marc Audebert
- Toxalim, UMR1331, INRAE, 31027 Toulouse, France
- PrediTox, 31100 Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | - Maria João Valente
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henriette Boye
- Odense Child Cohort, Hans Christian Andersen Hospital for Children, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Maria König
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, DE-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kostja Renko
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Margalef
- Department Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Yanying Ma
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Environmental Sciences Division, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Anne Marie Vinggaard
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-35887549
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Herzler M, Marx-Stoelting P, Pirow R, Riebeling C, Luch A, Tralau T, Schwerdtle T, Hensel A. Reply to the opinion paper "The EU chemicals strategy for sustainability: an opportunity to develop new approaches for hazard assessment" by Scholz et al. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:2387-2390. [PMID: 35687126 PMCID: PMC9217875 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03319-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Herzler
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Philip Marx-Stoelting
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralph Pirow
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Riebeling
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Luch
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tewes Tralau
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tanja Schwerdtle
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Hensel
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
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Braeuning A, Bloch D, Karaca M, Kneuer C, Rotter S, Tralau T, Marx-Stoelting P. An approach for mixture testing and prioritization based on common kinetic groups. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:1661-1671. [PMID: 35306572 PMCID: PMC9095521 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03264-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In light of an ever-increasing exposure to chemicals, the topic of potential mixture toxicity has gained increased attention, particularly as the toxicological toolbox to address such questions has vastly improved. Routinely toxicological risk assessments will rely on the analysis of individual compounds with mixture effects being considered only in those specific cases where co-exposure is foreseeable, for example for pesticides or food contact materials. In the field of pesticides, active substances are summarized in so-called cumulative assessment groups (CAG) which are primarily based on their toxicodynamic properties, that is, respective target organs and mode of action (MoA). In this context, compounds causing toxicity by a similar MoA are assumed to follow a model of dose/concentration addition (DACA). However, the respective approach inherently falls short of addressing cases where there are dissimilar or independent MoAs resulting in wider toxicokinetic effects. Yet, the latter are often the underlying cause when effects deviate from the DACA model. In the present manuscript, we therefore suggest additionally to consider toxicokinetic effects (especially related to xenobiotic metabolism and transporter interaction) for the grouping of substances to predict mixture toxicity. In line with the concept of MoA-based CAGs, we propose common kinetics groups (CKGs) as an additional tool for grouping of chemicals and mixture prioritization. Fundamentals of the CKG concept are discussed, along with challenges for its implementation, and methodological approaches and examples are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Braeuning
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Denise Bloch
- Department of Pesticides Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mawien Karaca
- Department of Pesticides Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Kneuer
- Department of Pesticides Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Rotter
- Department of Pesticides Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tewes Tralau
- Department of Pesticides Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philip Marx-Stoelting
- Department of Pesticides Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Wang Z, Wei L, Zeng L, Feng N, Chen J, Chen Y. Click Chemistry-Mediated Particle Counting Sensing via Cu(II)-Polyglutamic Acid Coordination Chemistry and Enzymatic Reaction. Anal Chem 2022; 94:5293-5300. [PMID: 35319873 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c05127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
An electrical resistance-based particle counter (ERPC) with simple operation and high resolution has proved to be a promising biosensing toolkit, whereas amplification-free ERPC biosensors are incapable of analyzing trace small molecules due to their relatively low sensitivity. In this work, click chemistry-mediated particle counting sensing of small-molecule hazards in food samples with high sensitivity was developed. In this strategy, unbound alkyne-functionalized polystyrene microspheres were collected by magnetic separation from the copper-ion-mediated click reaction between alkyne-functionalized polystyrene microspheres and azido-functionalized magnetic beads, which could be used as signal probes for the readout. This click chemistry-mediated ERPC biosensor converts the detection of targets to the quantification of copper ions or ascorbic acid by performing competitive immunoassay-based coordination chemistry and enzymatic reaction, respectively. The sensitivity of the ERPC biosensor has been improved by an order of magnitude due to the signal amplification effects of click chemistry, coordination adsorption, and enzyme catalysis. Furthermore, because of the efficient separation and enrichment of immunomagnetic beads and the robustness of click chemistry, the interference from food matrixes and immunoassay is effectively reduced, and thus, our strategy is exceedingly suitable for detecting trace targets in complex samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shizishan Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Luyu Wei
- Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shizishan Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lingwen Zeng
- Wuhan Zhongke Zhikang Biological Technology Co., Ltd., Gaoxin Avenue, East Lake High-tech Zone, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Niu Feng
- Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shizishan Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Wuhan Shangcheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Gaoxin Avenue, East Lake New Technology Development Zone, Wuhan 430063, China
| | - Yiping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shizishan Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430070, China.,Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Pengfei Road, Dapeng District, Shenzhen 518120, China
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Abstract
Existing highly processed food (HPF) classification systems show large differences in the impact of these foods on biochemical risk factors for disease. If public health nutrition is to consider the degree of food processing as an important element of the link between food and health, certain gaps in research must be acknowledged. Quantifying the food additive exposure derived from HPFs is a task made challenging by the lack of data available on the occurrence and concentration of additives in food and the degree to which the natural occurrence of additives in unprocessed foods confounds exposure estimates. The proposed role of HPFs in health outcomes could also be associated with altered nutrient profiles. Differences exist within and between HPF classification systems in this regard and there are conflicting data on the impact of controlling for nutrient intake. Furthermore, research is needed on how the sensory aspects of HPFs contribute to energy intake. Current data suggest that high energy intake rate may be the mechanism linking HPFs and increased energy intake. A high priority now is to clarify the basis of definitions used to categorize foods as highly processed and, in a constructive sense, to distinguish between the contributions of nutrients, additives and sensory properties to health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Gibney
- Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Ciarán G Forde
- Sensory Science and Eating Behaviour, Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Lichtenstein D, Mentz A, Sprenger H, Schmidt FF, Albaum SP, Kalinowski J, Planatscher H, Joos TO, Poetz O, Braeuning A. A targeted transcriptomics approach for the determination of mixture effects of pesticides. Toxicology 2021; 460:152892. [PMID: 34371104 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
While real-life exposure occurs to complex chemical mixtures, toxicological risk assessment mostly focuses on individual compounds. There is an increasing demand for in vitro tools and strategies for mixture toxicity analysis. Based on a previously established set of hepatotoxicity marker genes, we analyzed mixture effects of non-cytotoxic concentrations of different pesticides in exposure-relevant binary mixtures in human HepaRG hepatocarcinoma cells using targeted transcriptomics. An approach for mixture analysis at the level of a complex endpoint such as a transcript pattern is presented, including mixture design based on relative transcriptomic potencies and similarities. From a mechanistic point of view, goal of the study was to evaluate combinations of chemicals with varying degrees of similarity in order to determine whether differences in mechanisms of action lead to different mixtures effects. Using a model deviation ratio-based approach for assessing mixture effects, it was revealed that most data points are consistent with the assumption of dose addition. A tendency for synergistic effects was only observed at high concentrations of some combinations of the test compounds azoxystrobin, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, propiconazole and thiacloprid, which may not be representative of human real-life exposure. In summary, the findings of our study suggest that, for the pesticide mixtures investigated, risk assessment based on the general assumption of dose addition can be considered sufficiently protective for consumers. The way of data analysis presented in this paper can pave the way for a more comprehensive use of multi-gene expression data in experimental studies related to mixture toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dajana Lichtenstein
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Dept. Food Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Almut Mentz
- University of Bielefeld, CeBiTec, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Heike Sprenger
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Dept. Food Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix F Schmidt
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen/Reutlingen, Germany; Signatope GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Thomas O Joos
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen/Reutlingen, Germany; Signatope GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Poetz
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen/Reutlingen, Germany; Signatope GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Albert Braeuning
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Dept. Food Safety, Berlin, Germany.
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