Increased serum bile acids as a possible biomarker of hepatotoxicity in Brazilian workers exposed to solvents in car repainting shops

First evidence of neonicotinoid insecticides in human bile and associated hepatotoxicity risk

Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are widely applied in agricultural lands and are widespread in different environments, accelerating threats to ecosystems and human health. A number of in vitro/in vivo studies have reported adverse effects of NEOs on mammalian health, but the link between NEO exposure and toxic effects on human liver remains unclear. We randomly recruited 201 participants and quantified eight commercialized NEOs in bile. High frequency and concentration of detection indicate low degradation of human liver on NEOs. The main NEOs are nitenpyram and dinotefuran, which contribute to about 86% of the total residual levels of eight NEOs, due to the highest solubility in bile and are not degraded easily in liver. In contrast, imidacloprid and thiacloprid are major compounds in human blood, according to previous studies, suggesting that individual NEOs behave differently in blood and bile distribution. There was no statistical difference in NEO residues between cancer and non-cancer participants and among the different participant demographics (e.g., age, gender, and body mass index). The serum hematological parameters -bile acid, total bilirubin, cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase -were positively correlated with individual NEO concentrations, suggesting that NEO exposure affects liver metabolism and even enterohepatic circulation. The study first examined the NEO residues in human bile and provided new insights into their bioavailability and hepatoxicity risk.

Online restricted access molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the selective determination of serum bile acids

Synthesis of a RAM imprinted polymer covered with bovine serum albumin applied to determine bile acids from individuals exposed to organic solvents using an online-LC method.

Use of bile acids as potential markers of liver dysfunction in humans: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of using total, individual serum, or urinary bile acids (BA) as potential markers of liver dysfunction.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases using the following keywords- "serum bile acids," "liver dysfunction," "liver injury," "liver disease," "traditional liver function tests," "Chronic liver disease," "acute liver injury". The search was complemented by manual screening of the list of references for relevant articles. We selected only English-language manuscripts for adult patients based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Animal studies and studies on neonates and children were not included.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Changes in BA concentrations or ratios at or prior to changes in liver function tests.

RESULTS

A total of 547 studies were identified, of which 28 were included after reading the entire manuscript. These studies included 1630 patients and 836 controls published between 1990 and 2017. The methods used in BA assays varied significantly, and the studies did not agree. on specific individual BA or BA ratios as biomarkers of specific liver injury or dysfunction. Except for the prognostic value of BA in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), studies have failed to provide evidence for BA as a liver biomarker.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the research conducted on BA for over 27 years, there are inconsistencies in the reported results and a lack of solid evidence to support the use of individual BA or BA ratios as biomarkers of liver injury. Adequately conducted studies needed to resolve this limitation in the literature.

Systems Toxicology Approaches Reveal the Mechanisms of Hepatotoxicity Induced by Diosbulbin B in Male Mice

Diosbulbin B (DIOB) is an effective component of air potato yam with antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities, and it is the main toxic component leading to hepatotoxicity. However, the mechanism of its hepatotoxicity remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to systematically elucidate the molecular action of DIOB on liver metabolic function through systems toxicology approaches. C57BL/6 mice were orally treated with DIOB (10, 30, 60 mg/kg) for 28 days, and the liver metabonomics and histopathology, molecular docking, mRNA expression levels, and activities of enzymes were analyzed. The results illustrated that DIOB could affect fatty acid and glucose metabolism, block the TCA cycle, and DIOB also could disorder bile acid synthesis and transport and promote the occurrence of hyperbilirubinemia. In addition, DIOB increased Cyp3a11 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, these results provide new insights into the mechanism of hepatotoxicity caused by DIOB.

Serum bile acid as a screening tool in workers occupationally exposed to mixtures of organic solvents

The aim of the present study was to find out the potential impact of occupational exposure to mixtures of organic solvents on liver function tests. Serum bile acid (BA) was evaluated as a marker of early hepatic derangement and compared to routine liver function tests. The study included two comparable groups: 57 male workers exposed to organic solvents from a paints factory and 59 administrative male controls. Occupational and medical data and serum analysis for liver function parameters (BAs, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct bilirubin) were obtained. Bile acids showed significantly elevated mean levels in the exposed workers compared to the controls (50.2 ± 47.9 and 5.4 ± 2.7 µmol/L, respectively, p < 0.01). Bile acids were elevated in almost all exposed workers (87.7%) but in none of the controls. Bile acids had significant positive correlation with duration of exposure to organic solvents and lifetime hydrocarbon exposure score (HES) ( p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). All other liver function tests exhibited normal mean levels and did not show statistically significant differences between both groups. The performance of BA versus combined liver enzymes is evaluated using receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curve and likelihood ratios. The area under the curve was significantly high (0.687 > 0.5, p = 0.012) and had optimal decision level (8 µmol/L). Serum BA can be recommended as a screening test for exposure to organic solvents. It can be suggested for follow-up every 1–2 years or accordingly.

Interaction of occupational and personal risk factors in workforce health and safety

Most diseases, injuries, and other health conditions experienced by working people are multifactorial, especially as the workforce ages. Evidence supporting the role of work and personal risk factors in the health of working people is frequently underused in developing interventions. Achieving a longer, healthy working life requires a comprehensive preventive approach. To help develop such an approach, we evaluated the influence of both occupational and personal risk factors on workforce health. We present 32 examples illustrating 4 combinatorial models of occupational hazards and personal risk factors (genetics, age, gender, chronic disease, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, prescription drug use). Models that address occupational and personal risk factors and their interactions can improve our understanding of health hazards and guide research and interventions.

Combined toxic exposures and human health: biomarkers of exposure and effect

Procedures for risk assessment of chemical mixtures, combined and cumulative exposures are under development, but the scientific database needs considerable expansion. In particular, there is a lack of knowledge on how to monitor effects of complex exposures, and there are few reviews on biomonitoring complex exposures. In this review we summarize articles in which biomonitoring techniques have been developed and used. Most examples describe techniques for biomonitoring effects which may detect early changes induced by many chemical stressors and which have the potential to accelerate data gathering. Some emphasis is put on endocrine disrupters acting via epigenetic mechanisms and on carcinogens. Solid evidence shows that these groups of chemicals can interact and even produce synergistic effects. They may act during sensitive time windows and biomonitoring their effects in epidemiological studies is a challenging task.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in women with a multiple pregnancy: an analysis of risks and pregnancy outcomes

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to assess the incidence and perinatal outcomes of multiple pregnancies complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in an urban population.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of all multiple gestation deliveries at our institution between January 2004 and December 2005. Antepartum and delivery data were collected for all patients. Symptoms and treatment were also abstracted for patients in whom intrahepatic cholestasis was diagnosed. We used the Student two-tail t test and Fisher exact test to examine the differences between multiple gestation pregnancies with and without cholestasis of pregnancy.

RESULTS

Data were available for 263 multiple pregnancies. The incidence of cholestasis was 4.2% (11/263), with a mean onset at 29.4 weeks. There were no differences in mean gestational age at delivery, preterm delivery rate, meconium histiocytosis, incidence of preeclampsia, or incidence of postpartum hemorrhage between women with and those without cholestasis. There were no intrauterine fetal deaths in the cholestasis group.

CONCLUSION

Women with multiple gestations complicated by cholestasis of pregnancy do not have increased adverse perinatal outcomes. The absence of unexplained fetal demise may be a result of routine delivery before 40 weeks' gestation in multiple pregnancies.

Metabonomics Study of Intestinal Fistulas Based on Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Q-TOF Mass Spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS)

Ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-TOF mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS) is an effective and sensitive analytical tool. A UPLC/Q-TOF MS-based metabonomics technique was employed to investigate sera from 40 patients with intestinal fistula and 17 healthy volunteers in an effort to find potential biomarkers of the disease and reveal their pathophysiological changes. After the UPLC/Q-TOF analysis, the retention time and m/z data pair for each peak were detected. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and coefficient of correlation analysis were used for marker selection and identification. According to the data, nine potential biomarkers were identified: glycochenodeoxycholic acid, glycocholic [corrected] acid, taurochenodexycholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, and two kinds of lysophosphatidyl choline (C16:0 and C18:2) were found with increased concentrations in the patients, and phenylalanine, tryptophan, and carnitine were found with decreased concentrations in the patients. The results suggested that a subclinical hepatic injury and abnormal metabolism of two essential amino acids (phenylalanine and tryptophan), and a key compound of fatty acid synthesis and beta-oxidation (carnitine), occurred in the fistula patients. This work demonstrates the utility of metabonomics as a top-down systems biology tool for understanding clinical problems.