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Soliman MM, Alotaibi KS, Albattal SB, Althobaiti S, Al-Harthi HF, Mehmood A. Ameliorative impacts of astaxanthin against atrazine-induced renal toxicity through the modulation of ionic homeostasis and Nrf2 signaling pathways in mice. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2024; 13:tfae071. [PMID: 38720817 PMCID: PMC11074709 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Astaxanthin (ASX), a red pigment belonging to carotenoids, has antioxidant activity and anti-oxidative stress effect. Atrazine (ATZ), a frequently used herbicide, whose degradation products are the cause for nephrosis and other oxidative stress associated diseases. This study was aimed to reveal the potential protective mechanism of astaxanthin against atrazine-induced nephrosis. Atrazine was orally given (250 mg/kg bw) to the mice along with astaxanthin (100 mg/kg bw) for 28 days. Serum biochemical indicators, oxidative stress biomarkers, ATPase activities, ion concentration, histomorphology, and various renal genes expression linked with apoptosis, Nrf2 signaling pathway, and aquaporins (AQPs) were assessed. It was found that serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and MDA levels were significantly increased after the treatment of atrazine, whereas serum renal oxidative stress indicators like CAT, GSH, T-AOC, SOD decreased. Renal histopathology showed that atrazine significantly damaged renal tissues. The activities of Ca 2+-Mg 2+-ATPase were increased whereas Na +-K +-ATPase decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Moreover, results confirmed that the expression of AQPs, Nrf2, and apoptosis genes were also altered after atrazine administration. Interestingly, astaxanthin supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) improved atrazine-induced nephrotoxicity via decreasing SCr, BUN, oxidative stress, ionic homeostasis and reversing the changes in AQPs, Nrf2, and apoptosis gene expression. These findings collectively suggested that astaxanthin has strong potential ameliorative impact against atrazine induced nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Mohamed Soliman
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Turabah University College, Turabah, Taif University, Taif 21995, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid S Alotaibi
- General Science and English Language Department, College of Applied Sciences, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 71666, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shatha B Albattal
- General Science and English Language Department, College of Applied Sciences, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 71666, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saed Althobaiti
- Department of Biology, Turabah University College, Turabah, Taif University, Taif 21995, Saudi Arabia
| | - Helal F Al-Harthi
- Department of Biology, Turabah University College, Turabah, Taif University, Taif 21995, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arshad Mehmood
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
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2
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Yin J, Hong X, Ma L, Liu R, Bu Y. Non-targeted metabolomic profiling of atrazine in Caenorhabditis elegans using UHPLC-QE Orbitrap/MS. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 206:111170. [PMID: 32861007 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of the herbicides Atrazine (ATR) has been raised attention due to its ubiquitous occurrence in the environment. As an endocrine disruptor, ATR causes reproductive, immune, nervous system toxicity in biota. In this study, we aimed to investigate metabolic profile characteristics and potential metabolic biomarker that reflects specific damage in toxic effect after ATR exposure. Hence, a metabolomics study was performed to determine the significantly affected metabolites and the reproduction and locomotion of C. elegans were investigated. Mediation analysis was used to evaluate the mediating effect of metabolites on association between ATR exposure and toxic effect. ATR (≥0.04 mg/L) caused the significant dose dependent reduction of brood size and locomotion behavior, however, the body length and width were significantly decreased only in 40 mg/L group. These results suggesting that brood size, head thrashes and body bends are more sensitive indictor to assessment ATR toxicity in C. elegans. Meanwhile, metabolomics analysis revealed that ATR exposure can induce metabolic profiles significant alterations in C. elegans. We found that 9 metabolites significantly increased and 18 metabolites significantly decreased, such as phosphatidylcholine, GMP, CDP-choline, neopterin etc. Those alteration of metabolites were mainly involved in the pathways: glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, folate biosynthesis, glycine, serine and threoninemetabolism, pyrimidine and purine metabolism. Overall, these changes are signs of possible oxidative stress and ATP synthesis disruption modification. Mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect of ATR exposure on brood size, via 7,8-dihydroneopterin 2',3'-cyclic-p, and phosphatidylcholine might mediate association between ATR exposure and body bends, suggesting that 7,8-dihydroneopterin 2',3'-cyclic-p and phosphatidylcholine might be potentially specificity marker for brood size and body bend respectively. This preliminary analysis investigates metabolic characteristics in C. elegans after ATR exposure, helping to understand the pathways involved in the response to ATR exposure and provide potential biomarkers for the safety evaluation of ATR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiechen Yin
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xiang Hong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Lingyi Ma
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Yuanqing Bu
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
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Sun JT, Pan LL, Zhan Y, Tsang DCW, Zhu LZ, Li XD. Atrazine contamination in agricultural soils from the Yangtze River Delta of China and associated health risks. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2017; 39:369-378. [PMID: 27435488 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-016-9853-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Atrazine is one of the most widely applied and persistent herbicides in the world. In view of limited information on the regional contamination of atrazine in soils in China, this study investigated the spatial distribution and environmental impacts of atrazine in agricultural soils collected from the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) as an illustrative analysis of rapidly developing regions in the country. The results showed that the concentrations of atrazine in the YRD agricultural soils ranged from <1.0 to 113 ng/g dry weight, with a mean of 5.7 ng/g, and a detection rate of 57.7 % in soils. Pesticide factory might be a major source for the elevated levels of atrazine in Zhejiang Province. The contamination of atrazine was closely associated with land use types. The concentrations and detection rates of atrazine were higher in corn fields and mulberry fields than in rice paddy fields. There was no significant difference in compositions of soil microbial phospholipids fatty acids among the areas with different atrazine levels. Positive relationship (R = 0.417, p < 0.05, n = 30) was observed between atrazine and total microbial biomass. However, other factors, such as soil type and land management practice, might have stronger influences on soil microbial communities. Human health risks via exposure to atrazine in soils were estimated according to the methods recommended by the US EPA. Atrazine by itself in all the soil samples imposed very low carcinogenic risks (<10-6) and minimal non-cancer risks (hazard index <1) to adults and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Sun
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - L L Pan
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Zhan
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - L Z Zhu
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - X D Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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Marouani N, Tebourbi O, Cherif D, Hallegue D, Yacoubi MT, Sakly M, Benkhalifa M, Ben Rhouma K. Effects of oral administration of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on reproductive parameters in male Wistar rats. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:519-526. [PMID: 27734311 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7656-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is used worldwide in agriculture as a selective herbicide. It has been shown to produce a wide range of adverse effects on the health of both animals and humans from embryotoxicity and teratogenicity to neurotoxicity. In the present study, we have examined the effect of 2,4-D on male reproductive function of rats. Male Wistar rats received daily by force-feeding 100 or 200 mg of 2,4-D/kg body weight for 30 consecutive days. Rats exposed to 100 and 200 mg of 2,4-D/kg showed a significant decrease in body weights only after 24 days of treatment and in relative weights of testis, seminal vesicles and prostate at killing day, when compared with controls. Moreover, a decrease in testosterone and an increase in FSH and LH serum levels were detected in treated rats. Besides, exposure to this herbicide induced pronounced testicular histological alterations with enlarged intracellular spaces, tissue loosening and dramatic loss of gametes in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. In addition, a decreased motility and a number of epididymal spermatozoa with an increased sperm abnormality rate were found in treated rats in comparison with control. With the highest dose, histological observations of seminal vesicles indicated a considerable decrease of secretions in the lumen, a thinness of the muscle layer surrounding the epithelium with branched mucosal crypts and reduced luminal space. In prostate, the heights of the cells decreased while acinar lumen were enlarged and they lost the typical invaginations. Our results suggest that a subacute treatment of 2,4-D promotes reproductive system toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neila Marouani
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, Carthage University, Bizerte, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Tebourbi
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, Carthage University, Bizerte, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Donia Cherif
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, Carthage University, Bizerte, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Dorsaf Hallegue
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, Carthage University, Bizerte, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Tahar Yacoubi
- Department of Anatomy and Pathological Cytology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Mohsen Sakly
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, Carthage University, Bizerte, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Moncef Benkhalifa
- Reproductive Medicine and Medical Cytogenetics Department, University Hospital, Amiens, France
- School of Medicine, Picardie University Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Khemais Ben Rhouma
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, Carthage University, Bizerte, Jarzouna, Tunisia.
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Enterobacter sp. I-3, a bio-herbicide inhibits gibberellins biosynthetic pathway and regulates abscisic acid and amino acids synthesis to control plant growth. Microbiol Res 2016; 193:132-139. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Piccoli C, Cremonese C, Koifman RJ, Koifman S, Freire C. Pesticide exposure and thyroid function in an agricultural population in Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 151:389-398. [PMID: 27540871 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Although numerous pesticides may interfere with thyroid function, however, epidemiological evidence supporting this relationship is limited, particularly regarding modern non-persistent pesticides. We sought to evaluate the association of agricultural work practices, use of contemporary-use pesticides, and OC pesticides residue levels in serum with circulating thyroid hormone levels in an agricultural population. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample of 275 male and female farm residents in Farroupilha, South of Brazil. Information on sociodemographics, lifestyle and agricultural work was obtained through questionnaire. Blood samples were collected on all participants and analyzed for cholinesterase activity, serum residues of OC pesticides, and levels of free T4 (FT4), total T3 (TT3) and TSH. Non-persistent pesticides exposure assessment was based on questionnaire information on current use of pesticides, and frequency and duration of use, among others. Associations were explored using multivariate linear regression models. Total lifetime years of use of fungicides, herbicides and dithiocarbamates in men was associated with increased TSH accompanied by decrease in FT4, with evidence of a linear trend. In addition, there was an association between being sampled in the high pesticide-use season and increased TSH levels. Conversely, farm work and lifetime use of all pesticides were related with slight decrease in TSH and increased TT3 and FT4, respectively. In general, pesticide use was not associated with thyroid hormones in women. Subjects with detected serum concentrations of β-hexachlorocyclohexane, endrin, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide B, γ-chlordane, transnonachlor, heptachlor, p,p'-dichlorodiphenylethane and endosulfan II experienced slight changes in TT3; however, associations were weak and inconsistent. These findings suggest that both cumulative and recent occupational exposure to agricultural pesticides may affect the thyroid function causing hypothyroid-like effects, particularly in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Piccoli
- National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, CEP: 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Cleber Cremonese
- University of Serra Gaúcha, CEP: 95020-472 Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Rosalina J Koifman
- National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, CEP: 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Sergio Koifman
- National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, CEP: 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carmen Freire
- National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, CEP: 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
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7
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Passive exposure to agricultural pesticides and risk of childhood leukemia in an Italian community. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2016; 219:742-748. [PMID: 27693118 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to pesticides has been suggested as a risk factor for childhood leukemia, but definitive evidence on this relation and the specific pesticides involved is still not clear. OBJECTIVE We carried out a population-based case-control study in a Northern Italy community to assess the possible relation between passive exposure to agricultural pesticides and risk of acute childhood leukemia. METHODS We assessed passive pesticide exposure of 111 childhood leukemia cases and 444 matched controls by determining density and type of agricultural land use within a 100-m radius buffer around children's homes. We focused on four common crop types, arable, orchard, vineyard and vegetable, characterized by the use of specific pesticides that are potentially involved in childhood induced leukemia. The use of these pesticides was validated within the present study. We computed the odds ratios (OR) of the disease and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) according to type and density of crops around the children's homes, also taking into account traffic pollution and high-voltage power line magnetic field exposure. RESULTS Childhood leukemia risk did not increase in relation with any of the crop types with the exception of arable crops, characterized by the use of 2.4-D, MCPA, glyphosate, dicamba, triazine and cypermethrin. The very few children (n=11) residing close to arable crops had an OR for childhood leukemia of 2.04 (95% CI 0.50-8.35), and such excess risk was further enhanced among children aged <5 years. CONCLUSIONS Despite the null association with most crop types and the statistical imprecision of the estimates, the increased leukemia risk among children residing close to arable crops indicates the need to further investigate the involvement in disease etiology of passive exposure to herbicides and pyrethroids, though such exposure is unlikely to play a role in the vast majority of cases.
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Tan G, Sun W, Xu Y, Wang H, Xu N. Sorption of mercury (II) and atrazine by biochar, modified biochars and biochar based activated carbon in aqueous solution. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2016; 211:727-735. [PMID: 27061260 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.03.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Corn straw biochar (BC) was used as a precursor to produce Na2S modified biochar (BS), KOH modified biochar (BK) and activated carbon (AC). Experiments were conducted to compare the sorption capacity of these sorbents for aqueous Hg (II) and atrazine existed alone or as a mixture. In comparison to BC, the sorption capacity of BS, BK and AC for single Hg (II) increased by 76.95%, 32.12% and 41.72%, while that for atrazine increased by 38.66%, 46.39% and 47 times, respectively. When Hg (II) and atrazine coexisted in an aqueous solution, competitive sorption was observed on all these sorbents. Sulfur impregnation was an efficient way to enhance the Hg (II) removal due to the formation of HgS precipitate, and oxygen-containing functional groups on the sorbents also contributed to Hg (II) sorption. Activated carbon was the best sorbent for atrazine removal because of its extremely high specific surface area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangcai Tan
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Weiling Sun
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yaru Xu
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hongyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Nonpoint Source Pollution Control, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Nan Xu
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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Campos É, Freire C. Exposure to non-persistent pesticides and thyroid function: A systematic review of epidemiological evidence. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2016; 219:481-97. [PMID: 27265299 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Numerous pesticides are recognized for their endocrine-disrupting properties. Non-persistent pesticides such as organophosphates, dithiocarbamates and pyrethroids may interfere with thyroid function as suggested by animal studies. However, the influence of chronic exposure to these compounds on thyroidal functions in humans remains to be determined. The present study aimed to review epidemiological evidence for an association between exposure to non-persistent pesticides and circulating levels of thyroid hormones (thyroxin [T4] and triiodothyronine [T3]) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases. Articles were limited to original studies and reports published in English, Portuguese or Spanish. Nineteen epidemiological studies were identified, 17 of which were cross-sectional, 14 were of occupationally exposed workers and 11 used exposure biomarkers. Fungicides and organophosphates (OP) insecticides were the most studied pesticides. Although methodological heterogeneity between studies was noted, particularly regarding study design, exposure assessment, and control of confounding, most of them showed associations with changes in T3 and T4, and/or TSH levels, while results from a few of these are consistent with experimental data supporting the findings that non-persistent pesticide exposure exerts hypothyroid-like effects. However, reporting quality was moderate to poor in 50% of the studies, particularly regarding method of selection of participants and discussion of external validity. Overall, current knowledge regarding the impact of non-persistent pesticides on human thyroid function is still limited. Given the widespread use of pesticides, future research should assess effects of exposure to currently-used pesticides in cohort studies combining comprehensive questionnaire-based assessment and biomarkers. Investigators need to pay particular attention to exposure during critical windows of brain development and exposure in agricultural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Élida Campos
- National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Carmen Freire
- National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
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Ouyang W, Cai G, Huang W, Hao F. Temporal-spatial loss of diffuse pesticide and potential risks for water quality in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 541:551-558. [PMID: 26439648 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.09.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Increasing amount of pesticide has been used in Chinese agricultural system with effects on environmental quality and human health. The comprehensive inventory of pesticide use in six main crop categories over the period from 1990 to 2011 in China was conducted. The national average pesticide use intensity was estimated 1.74k g · ha(-1) for grain crops in paddy land, 1.31 kg · ha(-1) for grain crops in dry land, 1.38 kg · ha(-1) for economic crops, 3.82 kg · ha(-1) for vegetables, 1.54 kg · ha(-1) for tea plantations, and 3.49 kg · ha(-1) for orchards. The pesticide use was estimated to be approximately 5.24 × 10(4)t for grain crops in paddy land, 1.05 × 10(5)t for grain crops in dry land, 3.08 × 10(4)t for economic crops, 7.51 × 10(4)t for vegetables, 3.26 × 10(3)t for tea plantations, and 4.13 × 10(4)t for orchards. Based on the pesticide use and loss coefficients for each category, the distribution of pesticide loss in China was calculated. Total pesticide loss in China was estimated about 4.39 × 10(3)t in 2011. The pesticide loss from six main crop categories was about 14.84% for grain crops in paddy land of total pesticide loss, 33.31% for grain crops in dry land, 10.47% for economic crops, 26.37% for vegetables, 1.08% for tea plantations and 13.93% for orchards. The results indicated that the highest pesticide use intensity and highest pesticide loss rate occurred in China's eastern and central provinces. The Monte Carlo simulation was used to quantify the uncertainties associated with estimation of pesticide use and loss rate for the six types of crops. The potential risk to national water quality was assessed and the water in the provinces of Henan, Shandong, Hebei, Beijing and Shanghai was at high risk for pesticide pollution. The implication for the future agricultural and environmental policies on reducing the risk to environmental quality was also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ouyang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Guanqing Cai
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Weijia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Fanghua Hao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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11
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Huang P, Yang J, Ning J, Wang M, Song Q. Atrazine Triggers DNA Damage Response and Induces DNA Double-Strand Breaks in MCF-10A Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:14353-68. [PMID: 26114388 PMCID: PMC4519846 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160714353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrazine, a pre-emergent herbicide in the chloro-s-triazine family, has been widely used in crop lands and often detected in agriculture watersheds, which is considered as a potential threat to human health. Although atrazine and its metabolites showed an elevated incidence of mammary tumors in female Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats, no molecular evidence was found relevant to its carcinogenesis in humans. This study aims to determine whether atrazine could induce the expression of DNA damage response-related proteins in normal human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A) and to examine the cytotoxicity of atrazine at a molecular level. Our results indicate that a short-term exposure of MCF-10A to an environmentally-detectable concentration of atrazine (0.1 µg/mL) significantly increased the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR1) and phosphorylated Rad17 in the cells. Atrazine treatment increased H2AX phosphorylation (γH2AX) and the formation of γH2AX foci in the nuclei of MCF-10A cells. Atrazine also sequentially elevated DNA damage checkpoint proteins of ATM- and RAD3-related (ATR), ATRIP and phospho-Chk1, suggesting that atrazine could induce DNA double-strand breaks and trigger the DNA damage response ATR-Chk1 pathway in MCF-10A cells. Further investigations are needed to determine whether atrazine-triggered DNA double-strand breaks and DNA damage response ATR-Chk1 pathway occur in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixin Huang
- Department of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO 65102, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
| | - John Yang
- Department of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO 65102, USA.
| | - Jie Ning
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - Michael Wang
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Sun W, Zhang P, Yang B, Shu J, Wang Y, Li Y. Products and mechanisms of the heterogeneous reaction of three suspended herbicide particles with NO₃ radicals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 514:185-191. [PMID: 25659317 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Over 60% of herbicides are capable of disrupting the endocrine and/or reproductive systems of animals. These herbicides may be released into the atmosphere in both gas and particulate phases, but most of their degradation processes in the atmosphere are not well known. In this study, the heterogeneous reactions of suspended isopropalin, trifluralin, and alachlor particles with NO₃ radicals were investigated using an online vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The reaction products for the three herbicides were determined by the assistance of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis. Mono-dealkylated derivatives were detected as the main reaction products of isopropalin and trifluralin. In addition, an α-amino alcohol product was detected for isopropalin. The carbonylation derivative and the nitro-substituted derivative were the main reaction products observed for alachlor. The reaction mechanism of NO₃ radical-induced N-dealkylation for isopropalin was clarified by density functional theory calculations. It began with the H-abstraction from the N-propyl group, followed by the formation of the α-peroxypropyl radical, α-propyloxy radical, and α-amino alcohol, as well as by the collapse of the α-amino alcohol. The oxidation mechanism for trifluralin is similar to that of isopropalin, whereas the mechanism for alachlor involves carbonylation and nitro-substitution. These results provided insights on the chemical transformation of these herbicides in the atmosphere. The data generated from this study can be used as fundamental information for future studies on their toxic effects to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqi Sun
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10085, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10085, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10085, China
| | - Jinian Shu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10085, China.
| | - Youfeng Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10085, China
| | - Yueyan Li
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10085, China
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Huang P, Yang J, Song Q. Atrazine affects phosphoprotein and protein expression in MCF-10A human breast epithelial cells. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:17806-26. [PMID: 25275270 PMCID: PMC4227191 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151017806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrazine, a member of the 2-chloro-s-triazine family of herbicides, is the most widely used pesticide in the world and often detected in agriculture watersheds. Although it was generally considered as an endocrine disruptor, posing a potential threat to human health, the molecular mechanisms of atrazine effects remain unclear. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we identified a panel of differentially expressed phosphoproteins and total proteins in human breast epithelial MCF-10A cells after being exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine. Atrazine treatments for 6 h resulted in differential expression of 4 phosphoproteins and 8 total-proteins as compared to the control cells (>1.5-fold, p < 0.05). MALDI-TOF MS/MS analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins belong to various cellular compartments (nucleus, cytosol, membrane) and varied in function, including those regulating the stress response such as peroxiredoxin I, HSP70 and HSP27; structural proteins such as tropomyosin and profilin 1; and oncogenesis proteins such as ANP32A. Six of the 12 identified proteins were verified by quantitative PCR for their transcript levels. The most up-regulated phosphoprotein by atrazine treatment, ANP32A, was further analyzed for its expression, distribution and cellular localization using Western blot and immunocytochemical approaches. The results revealed that ANP32 expression after atrazine treatment increased dose and time dependently and was primarily located in the nucleus. This study may provide new evidence on the potential toxicity of atrazine in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixin Huang
- Department of Agriculture & Environmental Science, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO 65120, USA.
| | - John Yang
- Department of Agriculture & Environmental Science, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO 65120, USA.
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Sun Y, Li YS, Yang JW, Yu J, Wu YP, Li BX. Exposure to atrazine during gestation and lactation periods: toxicity effects on dopaminergic neurons in offspring by downregulation of Nurr1 and VMAT2. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:2811-25. [PMID: 24552878 PMCID: PMC3958883 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15022811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Revised: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
High atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethytlamino-6-isopropylamine-1,3,5-triazine; ATR) contents in the environment threaten the health conditions of organisms. We examined the effects of ATR exposure on Sprague-Dawley rats during gestation and on the dopaminergic neurons of offspring during lactation. Pregnant dams were orally treated with 0 mg/kg/day to 50 mg/kg/day of ATR from gestational day 5 to postnatal day 22. Afterward, neither offspring nor dams received ATR. Dopamine (DA) content was examined in striatum samples by HPLC-FL; the mRNA expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), orphan nuclear hormone (Nurr1), dopamine transporter (DAT), and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in the ventral midbrain samples were examined by fluorescence PCR when the offspring reached one year of age. After the pregnant rats were exposed to ATR, the DA concentrations and mRNA levels of Nurr1 were decreased in their offspring. Decreased Nurr1 levels were also accompanied by changes in the mRNA levels of VMAT2, which controls the transport and reuptake of DA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Sun
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Yan-Shu Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Jun-Wei Yang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Jia Yu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Yan-Ping Wu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Bai-Xiang Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
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Hromadová M, Pospíšil L, Sokolová R, Bulíčková J, Hof M, Fischer-Durand N, Salmain M. Atrazine-based self-assembled monolayers and their interaction with anti-atrazine antibody: building of an immunosensor. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2013; 29:16084-16092. [PMID: 24313270 DOI: 10.1021/la404029j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
As a part of our objective to build an immunosensor for the detection of the pesticide atrazine (ATZ) in environmental samples, we studied the self-assembling process of the disulfide derivative of the pesticide atrazine on a gold substrate. Atrazine-based self-assembled monolayers were characterized by ellipsometry, scanning tunneling microscopy, polarization-modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM IRRAS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements. Two different time constants for the adsorption process were observed, depending on the experimental method used. The QCM data reflect adsorption kinetics of the original disulfide compound, whereas ellipsometry and ex situ PM IRRAS refer to the formation of thiolate (ATZS) monolayers. In situ QCM data demonstrated the suitability of such monolayers for the detection of atrazine in aqueous samples. Exposure of the ATZS sensing surface to an anti-atrazine antibody (anti-ATZ IgG) resulted in complete coverage of the surface by antibody, whereas approximately half of the antibody molecules were displaced from the QCM sensor surface by further addition of atrazine into the solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdaléna Hromadová
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of ASCR , v.v.i., Dolejškova 3, 182 23 Prague, Czech Republic
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Yamini Y, Saleh A. Ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction combined with injection-port derivatization for the determination of some chlorophenoxyacetic acids in water samples. J Sep Sci 2013; 36:2330-8. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201300340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yadollah Yamini
- Department of Chemistry; Tarbiat Modares University; Tehran Iran
| | - Abolfazl Saleh
- Department of Marine Living Resources; Iranian National Institute for Oceanography; Tehran Iran
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Wang Y, Wu S, Chen L, Wu C, Yu R, Wang Q, Zhao X. Toxicity assessment of 45 pesticides to the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida. CHEMOSPHERE 2012; 88:484-91. [PMID: 22459421 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.02.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2011] [Revised: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate comparative toxicity of 45 pesticides, including insecticides, acaricides, fungicides, and herbicides, toward the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida. Results from a 48-h filter paper contact test indicated that clothianidin, fenpyroximate, and pyridaben were supertoxic to E. fetida with LC(50) values ranging from 0.28 (0.24-0.35) to 0.72 (0.60-0.94) μg cm(-2), followed by carbaryl, pyridaphenthion, azoxystrobin, cyproconazole, and picoxystrobin with LC(50) values ranging from 2.72 (2.22-0.3.19) to 8.48 (7.38-10.21) μg cm(-2), while the other pesticides ranged from being relatively nontoxic to very toxic to the worms. When tested in artificial soil for 14 d, clothianidin and picoxystrobin showed the highest intrinsic toxicity against E. fetida, and their LC(50) values were 6.06 (5.60-6.77) and 7.22 (5.29-8.68) mg kg(-1), respectively, followed by fenpyroximate with an LC(50) of 75.52 (68.21-86.57) mgkg(-1). However, the herbicides fluoroglycofen, paraquat, and pyraflufen-ethyl exhibited the lowest toxicities with LC(50) values>1000 mg kg(-1). In contrast, the other pesticides exhibited relatively low toxicities with LC(50) values ranging from 133.5 (124.5-150.5) to 895.2 (754.2-1198.0) mg kg(-1). The data presented in this paper provided useful information for evaluating the potential risk of these chemicals to soil invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Wang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base for Zhejiang Sustainable Pest and Disease Control, Institute of Quality and Standard for Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, Zhejiang, China
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18
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Lasserre JP, Fack F, Serchi T, Revets D, Planchon S, Renaut J, Hoffmann L, Gutleb AC, Muller CP, Bohn T. Atrazine and PCB 153 and their effects on the proteome of subcellular fractions of human MCF-7 cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2012; 1824:833-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2012.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2012] [Revised: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Toxicity of neurons treated with herbicides and neuroprotection by mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SS31. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2011; 8:203-21. [PMID: 21318024 PMCID: PMC3037070 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph8010203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2010] [Revised: 01/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the neurotoxicity of two commonly used herbicides: picloram and triclopyr and the neuroprotective effects of the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, SS31. Using mouse neuroblastoma (N2a) cells and primary neurons from C57BL/6 mice, we investigated the toxicity of these herbicides, and protective effects of SS1 peptide against picloram and triclopyr toxicity. We measured total RNA content, cell viability and mRNA expression of peroxiredoxins, neuroprotective genes, mitochondrial-encoded electron transport chain (ETC) genes in N2a cells treated with herbicides and SS31. Using primary neurons from C57BL/6 mice, neuronal survival was studied in neurons treated with herbicides, in neurons pretreated with SS31 plus treated with herbicides, neurons treated with SS31 alone, and untreated neurons. Significantly decreased total RNA content, and cell viability in N2a cells treated with picloram and triclopyr were found compared to untreated N2a cells. Decreased mRNA expression of neuroprotective genes, and ETC genes in cells treated with herbicides was found compared to untreated cells. Decreased mRNA expression of peroxiredoxins 1-6 in N2a cells treated with picloram was found, suggesting that picloram affects the antioxidant enzymes in N2a cells. Immunofluorescence analysis of primary neurons revealed that decreased neuronal branching and degenerating neurons in neurons treated with picloram and triclopyr. However, neurons pretreated with SS31 prevented degenerative process caused by herbicides. Based on these results, we propose that herbicides--picloram and triclopyr appear to damage neurons, and the SS31 peptide appears to protect neurons from herbicide toxicity.
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Sun K, Gao B, Zhang Z, Zhang G, Zhao Y, Xing B. Sorption of atrazine and phenanthrene by organic matter fractions in soil and sediment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2010; 158:3520-3526. [PMID: 20855138 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2010.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2010] [Revised: 08/17/2010] [Accepted: 08/19/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Atrazine and phenanthrene (Phen) sorption by nonhydrolyzable carbon (NHC), black carbon (BC), humic acid (HA) and whole sediment and soil samples was examined. Atrazine sorption isotherms were nearly linear. The single-point organic carbon (OC)-normalized distribution coefficients (K(OC)) of atrazine for the isolated HA1, NHC1 and BC1 from sediment 1 (ST1) were 36, 550, and 1470 times greater than that of ST1, respectively, indicating the importance of sediment organic matter, particularly the condensed fractions (NHC and BC). Similar sorption capacity of atrazine and Phen by NHC but different isotherm nonlinearity indicated different sorption domains due to their different structure and hydrophobicity. The positive relationship between (O+N)/C ratios of NHC and atrazine logK(OC) at low concentration suggests H-bonding interactions. This study shows that sediment is probably a less effective sorbent for atrazine than Phen, implying that atrazine applied in sediments or soils may be likely to leach into groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Water Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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21
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Lasserre JP, Fack F, Revets D, Planchon S, Renaut J, Hoffmann L, Gutleb AC, Muller CP, Bohn T. Effects of the endocrine disruptors atrazine and PCB 153 on the protein expression of MCF-7 human cells. J Proteome Res 2010; 8:5485-96. [PMID: 19778091 DOI: 10.1021/pr900480f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and a number of pesticides can act as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). These molecules exhibit hormonal activity in vivo, and can therefore interact and perturb normal physiological functions. Many of these compounds are persistent in the environment, and their bioaccumulation may constitute a significant threat for human health. Physiological abnormalities following exposure to these xenobiotic compounds go along with alterations at the protein level of individual cells. In this study, MCF-7 cells were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine, PCB153 (100 ppb, respectively), 17-beta estradiol (positive control, 10 nM) and a negative control (solvent) for t = 24 h (n = 3 replicates/exposure group). After trizol extraction and protein solubilization, protein expression levels were studied by 2D-DIGE. Proteins differentially expressed were excised, trypsin-digested, and identified by MALDI-ToF-ToF, followed by NCBInr database search. 2D-DIGE experiments demonstrated that 49 spots corresponding to 29 proteins were significantly differentially expressed in MCF-7 cells (>1.5-fold, P < 0.05, Student's paired t test). These proteins belonged to various cellular compartments (nucleus, cytosol, membrane), and varied in function; 88% of proteins were down-regulated during atrazine exposure, whereas 75% of proteins were up-regulated by PCB153. Affected proteins included those regulating oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase and structural proteins such as actin or tropomyosin, which may explain morphological changes of cells already observed under the microscope. This study highlights the susceptibility of human cells to compounds with endocrine disrupting properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Lasserre
- Department Environment and Agro-Biotechnologies, Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
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Schreinemachers DM. Perturbation of lipids and glucose metabolism associated with previous 2,4-D exposure: a cross-sectional study of NHANES III data, 1988-1994. Environ Health 2010; 9:11. [PMID: 20187939 PMCID: PMC2848015 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-9-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2009] [Accepted: 02/26/2010] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Results from previous population studies showed that mortality rates from acute myocardial infarction and type-2 diabetes during the 1980s and 1990s in rural, agricultural counties of Minnesota, Montana, North and South Dakota, were higher in counties with a higher level of spring wheat farming than in counties with lower levels of this crop. Spring wheat, one of the major field crops in these four states, was treated for 85% or more of its acreage with chlorophenoxy herbicides. In the current study NHANES III data were reviewed for associations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) exposure, one of the most frequently used chlorophenoxy herbicides, with risk factors that are linked to the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction and type-2 diabetes, such as dyslipidemia and impaired glucose metabolism. METHODS To investigate the toxicity pattern of chlorophenoxy herbicides, effects of a previous 2,4-D exposure were assessed by comparing levels of lipids, glucose metabolism, and thyroid stimulating hormone in healthy adult NHANES III subjects with urinary 2,4-D above and below the level of detection, using linear regression analysis. The analyses were conducted for all available subjects and for two susceptible subpopulations characterized by high glycosylated hemoglobin (upper 50th percentile) and low thyroxine (lower 50th percentile). RESULTS Presence of urinary 2,4-D was associated with a decrease of HDL levels: 8.6% in the unadjusted data (p-value = 0.006), 4.8% in the adjusted data (p-value = 0.08), and 9% in the adjusted data for the susceptible subpopulation with low thyroxine (p-value = 0.02). An effect modification of the inverse triglycerides-HDL relation was observed in association with 2,4-D. Among subjects with low HDL, urinary 2,4-D was associated with increased levels of triglycerides, insulin, C-peptide, and thyroid stimulating hormone, especially in the susceptible subpopulations. In contrast, subjects with high HDL did not experience adverse 2,4-D associated effects. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that exposure to 2,4-D was associated with changes in biomarkers that, based on the published literature, have been linked to risk factors for acute myocardial infarction and type-2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina M Schreinemachers
- Epidemiology Branch, Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
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Montgomery RA, Rubeck-Schurtz CN, Millenbah KF, Roloff GJ, Whalon ME, Olsen LG. Modeling protected species habitat and assigning risk to inform regulatory decisions. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2009; 44:12-23. [PMID: 19308638 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-009-9289-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2008] [Revised: 01/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/07/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, environmental regulatory agencies are required to use "best available" scientific information when making decisions on a variety of issues. However, agencies are often hindered by coarse or incomplete data, particularly as it pertains to threatened and endangered species protection. Stakeholders often agree that more resolute and integrated processes for decision-making are desirable. We demonstrate a process that uses species occurrence data for a federally endangered insect (Karner blue butterfly), a readily available habitat modeling tool, and spatially explicit information about an important Michigan commodity (tart cherries). This case study has characteristics of many protected species regulatory decisions in that species occurrence data were sparse and unequally distributed; regulatory decisions (on pesticide use) were required with potentially significant impacts on a viable agricultural industry; and stakeholder relations were diverse, misinformed, and, in some situations, unjustly contentious. Results from our process include a large-scale, empirically derived habitat suitability map for the focal species and a risk ranking of tart cherry orchards with risk based on the likelihood that pesticide applications will influence the focal protected species. Although the majority (77%) of pesticide-influence zones overlapped Karner blue butterfly habitat, risk scores associated with each orchard were low. Through our process we demonstrated that spatially explicit models can help stakeholders visualize and quantify potential protected species effects. In addition, model outputs can serve to guide field activities (e.g., species surveys and implementation of pesticide buffer zones) that help minimize future effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Montgomery
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To use meta-analytic techniques to synthesize the findings of the current body of published literature regarding the risk of hypospadias resulting from parental exposure to pesticides. MATERIALS AND METHODS A search of Pub Med for original research published in English from January 1966 through March 2008 identified 552 studies, 90 of which were reviewed in detail. Nine studies met all study inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently abstracted data from each included study. Any disagreements were resolved by consensus. Pooled risk ratios (PRRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using both random and fixed effects models, along with statistical tests of homogeneity. RESULTS Elevated but marginally significant risks of hypospadias were associated with maternal occupational exposure (PRR of 1.36, CI=1.04-1.77), and paternal occupational exposure (PRR of 1.19, CI=1.00-1.41). Subgroup analyses provided insights into needed designs for future studies. Notably, exposure assessment using a job-exposure matrix resulted in slightly higher estimated risk than agricultural occupation in fathers; but this effect was reversed in mothers, suggesting the importance of indirect and residential pesticide exposures in this group. CONCLUSIONS Despite potential exposure misclassification, which would tend to diminish observed associations, the previous literature indicates a modestly increased risk of hypospadias associated with pesticide exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carissa M. Rocheleau
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Paul A. Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Leslie K. Dennis
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Ngoula F, Watcho P, Dongmo MC, Kenfack A, Kamtchouing P, Tchoumboué J. Effects of pirimiphos-methyl (an organophosphate insecticide) on the fertility of adult male rats. Afr Health Sci 2008; 7:3-9. [PMID: 17604518 PMCID: PMC2366127 DOI: 10.5555/afhs.2007.7.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Organophosphate insecticides represent one of the most widely used classes of pesticides with high potential for human exposure in both rural and residential environments. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we investigated the effects of pirimiphos-methyl (0, 2-diethylamino-6-methylpirimidin-4-yl O, O-dimethyl phosphorothioate), an organophosphothioate pesticide, on male rat reproductive performances. METHODS A total of 24 adult Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each and orally treated with 0, 41.67, 62.5 or 125 mg/kg of pirimiphos-methyl for 90 days. RESULTS Results from the study showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in feed consumption, body weight gain, relative testis and epidiydimis weights and intra-testicular cholesterol level in rats receiving the test substance at doses of 62.5 or 125 mg/kg whereas a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum total protein, sperm density and motility, fertility and parturition indices and pups sex-ratio (M/F) was recorded in animals treated with 125 mg/Kg of pirimiphos methyl. Histological findings also indicated enlargement of interstitial space, inhibition of spermatogenesis, rarefaction of Leydig cells and oedema in testes compared to control animals. CONCLUSION It could then be concluded that pirimiphos-methyl (62.5 and 125 mg/kg) is detrimental to the reproductive potentials of male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Ngoula
- University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Productions, Dschang, Cameroon.
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Ranz A, Maier E, Motter H, Lankmayr E. Extraction and derivatization of polar herbicides for GC-MS analyses. J Sep Sci 2008; 31:3021-9. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200800290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Ranz A, Eberl A, Maier E, Lankmayr E. Microwave-assisted derivatization of acidic herbicides for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2008; 1192:282-8. [PMID: 18405907 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2008.03.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2007] [Revised: 02/29/2008] [Accepted: 03/26/2008] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Microwave radiation is used to speed up chemical derivatization. In the present study, three microwave-assisted techniques for the methylation of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides prior to analysis by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry are compared. Derivatization was performed with the catalysts sulphuric acid and boron trifluoride as well as with trimethylsilyldiazomethane. In order to establish optimized and stable conditions, a screening for statistically significant factors by means of experimental designs was carried out and supplemented by a careful optimization. Special emphasis has been given to an accurate validation to prove the performance of the techniques. Furthermore, all microwave-assisted methods were compared with their conventional analogues. The optimized methods are valid for routine analysis of different matrices such as water, soil, sediment or tissues, especially for high sample throughput since a simultaneous derivatization of up to 64 samples in one run is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Ranz
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Technikerstrasse 4, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Ranz A, Korpecka J, Lankmayr E. Optimized derivatization of acidic herbicides with trimethylsilyldiazomethane for GC analysis. J Sep Sci 2008; 31:746-52. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200700437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Salehi F, Dunfield L, Phillips KP, Krewski D, Vanderhyden BC. Risk factors for ovarian cancer: an overview with emphasis on hormonal factors. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2008; 11:301-321. [PMID: 18368558 DOI: 10.1080/10937400701876095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most frequently occurring cancer among women and leading cause of gynecological cancer deaths in North America. Although the etiology of ovarian cancer is not clear, certain factors are implicated in the etiology of this disease, such as ovulation, gonadotropic and steroid hormones, germ cell depletion, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, growth factors, cytokines, and environmental agents. Family history of breast or ovarian cancer is a prominent risk factor for ovarian cancer, with 5-10% of ovarian cancers due to heritable risk. Reproductive factors such as age at menopause and infertility contribute to greater risk of ovarian cancer, whereas pregnancy, tubal ligation, and hysterectomy reduce risk. Oral contraceptive (OC) use has clearly been shown to be protective against ovarian cancer. In contrast, large epidemiologic studies found hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to be a greater risk factor for ovarian cancer. The marked influence of hormones and reproductive factors on ovarian cancer suggests that endocrine disrupters may impact risk; however, there is a notable lack of research in this area. Lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, obesity, and diet may affect ovarian cancer risk. Exposure to certain environmental agents such as talc, pesticides, and herbicides may increase risk of ovarian cancer; however, these studies are limited. Further research is needed to strengthen the database of information from which an assessment of environmental and toxicological risk factors for ovarian cancer can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Salehi
- McLaughlin Center for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Petkowski JJ, Chruszcz M, Zimmerman MD, Zheng H, Skarina T, Onopriyenko O, Cymborowski MT, Koclega KD, Savchenko A, Edwards A, Minor W. Crystal structures of TM0549 and NE1324--two orthologs of E. coli AHAS isozyme III small regulatory subunit. Protein Sci 2007; 16:1360-7. [PMID: 17586771 PMCID: PMC2206681 DOI: 10.1110/ps.072793807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2007] [Revised: 04/09/2007] [Accepted: 04/16/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Crystal structures of two orthologs of the regulatory subunit of acetohydroxyacid synthase III (AHAS, EC 2.2.1.6) from Thermotoga maritima (TM0549) and Nitrosomonas europea (NE1324) were determined by single-wavelength anomalous diffraction methods with the use of selenomethionine derivatives at 2.3 A and 2.5 A, respectively. TM0549 and NE1324 share the same fold, and in both proteins the polypeptide chain contains two separate domains of a similar size. Each protein contains a C-terminal domain with ferredoxin-type fold and an N-terminal ACT domain, of which the latter is characteristic for several proteins involved in amino acid metabolism. The ferredoxin domain is stabilized by a calcium ion in the crystal structure of NE1324 and by a Mg(H2O)(6)2+ ion in TM0549. Both TM0549 and NE1324 form dimeric assemblies in the crystal lattice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janusz J Petkowski
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908, USA
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Bornman MS, Pretorius E, Marx J, Smit E, van der Merwe CF. Ultrastructural effects of DDT, DDD, and DDE on neural cells of the chicken embryo model. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2007; 22:328-36. [PMID: 17497638 DOI: 10.1002/tox.20261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to environmental compounds with estrogenic activity and the potential effects on human health is the subject of ongoing scientific debates. Their potential effects raise concern regarding neurological development after prenatal exposure. Central to this debate is the pesticide 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT). Although it has apparent low acute toxicity in mammals, DDT has a long residual persistence and laboratory research has indicated that it acts on the CNS by interfering with Na(+)/K(+) pump mechanism of the neuronal membranes, causing disruption in Ca(2+) homeostasis. Potentially this may lead to both apoptosis and necrosis. The present study investigates the effects of DDT and two of its metabolites DDD and DDE on the ultramorphology of neural cells, using a previously published chicken embryo model. Results indicate cellular swelling, budding, and increased membrane permeability for all three chemicals, accompanied by karyolysis in the DDE group (typical features of oncosis). These results support the finding of other researchers as well as the concerns of the WHO that DDT and its metabolites may cause neurotoxicity after prenatal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Bornman
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, South Africa
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Hiradate S, Furubayashi A, Uchida N, Fujii Y. Adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by an Andosol. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2007; 36:101-9. [PMID: 17215217 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2005.0415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
To identify the important soil components involved in 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) adsorption on Andosols, 2,4-D adsorption on a surface horizon of an Andosol was compared with that on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-treated (soil organic matter [SOM] was removed), acid-oxalate (OX)-treated (active metal hydroxides and SOM were removed), and dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB)-treated (free and active metal [hydr]oxides and SOM were removed) soil samples at equilibrium pHs ranging from 4 to 8. Although the untreated soil contained a large amount of organic C (71.9 g kg-1), removal of SOM had little effect on 2,4-D adsorption. Active surface hydroxyls, which were attached to the active and free metal (hydr)oxides and metal SOM complexes, were identified as the most important soil functional group for 2,4-D adsorption. The dominant mechanism of the 2,4-D adsorption was a ligand exchange reaction in which the carboxylic group of 2,4-D displaced the active surface hydroxyl associated with metals and formed a strong coordination bond between the 2,4-D molecule and soil solid phase. The ligand exchange reaction reasonably accounted for the selective adsorption of 2,4-D over Cl-, competitive adsorption of phosphate over 2,4-D, reduction in plant-growth-inhibitory activity of soil-adsorbed 2,4-D, and the high 2,4-D adsorption ability of Andosols. Although a humic acid purified from the soil did not adsorb 2,4-D, the presence of the humic acid increased 2,4-D adsorption on Al and Fe, probably by inhibiting the hydrolysis and polymerization of Al and Fe resulting in the preservation of available adsorption sites on these metals. The adsorption behavior of 2,4-D on soils could be a good index for predicting the adsorption behavior of other organic acids in soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syuntaro Hiradate
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences (NIAES), 3-1-3 Kan-nondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8604, Japan.
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Van Maele-Fabry G, Libotte V, Willems J, Lison D. Review and Meta-analysis of Risk Estimates for Prostate Cancer in Pesticide Manufacturing Workers. Cancer Causes Control 2006; 17:353-73. [PMID: 16596288 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-005-0443-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2005] [Accepted: 10/31/2005] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the present paper is to review cohort studies that examined the occurrence of prostate cancer in pesticide manufacturing workers in order to undertake a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the risk as well as to assess the level of epidemiological evidence for each class of chemical compounds. METHODS Following a systematic literature search, relative risk (RR) estimates for prostate cancer were extracted from 18 studies published between 1984 and 2004. All studies were summarised and evaluated for homogeneity and publication bias. As no significant heterogeneity was detected, combined RR estimators were calculated using a fixed effect model. Meta-analyses were performed both on the whole set of data and for each chemical class separately. RESULTS The meta-rate ratio estimate for all studies was 1.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.58]. After stratification by specific chemical class, consistent increases in the risk of prostate cancer were found in all groups but statistical significance was found only for accidental or non-accidental exposure to phenoxy herbicides contaminated with dioxins and furans. There was no obvious indication of publication bias. CONCLUSION The overall meta-analysis provides additional quantitative evidence consistent with prior reviews focusing on other groups exposed to pesticides (farmers, pesticide applicators). The results again point to occupational exposure to pesticides as a possible risk factor for prostate cancer but the question of causality remains unanswered. Epidemiological evidence did not allow identifying a specific pesticide or chemical class that would be responsible for the increased risk but the strongest evidence comes from workers exposed to phenoxy herbicides possibly in relation with dioxin and/or furan contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Van Maele-Fabry
- Unité de Toxicologie Industrielle et Médecine du travail, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium.
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Schreinemachers DM. Mortality from ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus (type 2) in four U.S. wheat-producing states: a hypothesis-generating study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2006; 114:186-93. [PMID: 16451853 PMCID: PMC1367830 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.8352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In this ecologic study I examined ischemic heart disease (IHD) and diabetes mortality in rural agricultural counties of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, in association with environmental exposure to chlorophenoxy herbicides, using wheat acreage as a surrogate exposure. I collected data on agricultural land use and 1979-1998 mortality from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites, respectively. Counties were grouped based on percentage of land area dedicated to wheat farming. Poisson relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), comparing high- and medium- with low-wheat counties, were obtained for IHD, the subcategories acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and coronary atherosclerosis (CAS), and diabetes, adjusting for sex, age, mortality cohort, and poverty index. Mortality from IHD was modestly increased (RR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04-1.12). Analyses of its two major forms were more revealing. Compared with low-wheat counties, mortality in high-wheat counties from AMI increased (RR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.14-1.26), and mortality from CAS decreased (RR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.96). Mortality from AMI was more pronounced for those < 65 years of age (RR = 1.31; 95% CI 1.22-1.39). Mortality from type 2 diabetes increased (RR = 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.24). These results suggest that the underlying cause of mortality from AMI and type 2 diabetes increased and the underlying cause of mortality from CAS decreased in counties where a large proportion of the land area is dedicated to spring and durum wheat farming. Firm conclusions on causal inference cannot be reached until more definitive studies have been conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina M Schreinemachers
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA.
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Rowe AM, Brundage KM, Schafer R, Barnett JB. Immunomodulatory effects of maternal atrazine exposure on male Balb/c mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2006; 214:69-77. [PMID: 16443249 PMCID: PMC2034295 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2005.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2005] [Revised: 12/02/2005] [Accepted: 12/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Atrazine is a widely used herbicide applied to corn, sugar and other crops as a broad leaf weed inhibitor. Using the Balb/c mouse model, we have determined that prenatal/lactational exposure to atrazine alters adult immune function. Pregnant Balb/c dams were exposed subcutaneously for 21 days via time release pellets to 700 microg per day of atrazine beginning between days 10 and 12 of pregnancy. Prenatal/Lactational exposure caused no overt physical malformations in the offspring and had no effect on the number of litters carried to term or the litter size. Upon reaching early adulthood (approximately 3 months of age), the state of their immune system was evaluated. There were no changes in body weight or in the organ to body weight ratio of the spleen. Additionally, no changes were observed in the number of CD8+ T cell, CD4+ T cell, or B220+ B cell subpopulations in the spleen. T cell function was assessed by measuring proliferation and cytolytic activity after in vitro allogeneic stimulation. Male mice which had been prenatally/lactationally exposed to atrazine had an increase in both T cell proliferation and cytolytic activity. The humoral immune response was assessed after immunization with heat killed Streptococcus pneumoniae (HKSP). There was a significant increase in the number of HKSP-specific IgM secreting B cells in the spleen of prenatal/lactational exposed male mice. Inasmuch as atrazine is a widespread environmental contaminant, this immunopotentiation raises concerns that it may potentiate clinical diseases, such as autoimmune disease and hypersensitivity, and needs to be carefully monitored and studied.
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Salazar KD, de la Rosa P, Barnett JB, Schafer R. The polysaccharide antibody response after Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination is differentially enhanced or suppressed by 3,4-dichloropropionanilide and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Toxicol Sci 2005; 87:123-33. [PMID: 15976183 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfi244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Propanil (3,4-dichloropropionanilide) and 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) are commonly used herbicides that have toxic effects on the immune system. The present study determined the effect of exposure to these chemicals on the immune response to a bacterial vaccine. The antibody responses to the T-independent type 2 antigen, phosphorylcholine (PC) and the T-dependent antigen, pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) were characterized in C57BL/6 mice after heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae (HKSP) immunization and single or mixture herbicide exposure. Propanil exposure significantly increased the number of PC-specific IgM, IgG2b, and IgG3 antibody-secreting B cells (ASC) in the spleen 4-6-fold over control animals in a dose-dependent manner. However, the number of ASC in the bone marrow and serum titers were comparable in control and propanil-treated mice. In contrast, 2,4-D exposure decreased the number of PC-specific IgM and IgG bone marrow ASC 2-3-fold from control animals. The decrease in bone marrow ASC in 2,4-D-treated mice corresponded to a 3-4-fold decrease in PC-specific IgM, IgG2b, and IgG3 serum titers compared to control mice. The number of ASC in the spleens of 2,4-D-treated mice was, however, comparable to control mice. The antibody response to PspA was not affected by any of the treatments. There were no mixture interactions between the two herbicides in any of the responses measured. These results characterize the primary PC-specific antibody response in the bone marrow, spleen, and serum after HKSP vaccination and herbicide exposure. The differential effects of propanil and 2,4-D on the antibody response to a bacterial vaccine demonstrate the potential of chemical exposure to augment or suppress immune responses to vaccines and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith D Salazar
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-9177, USA
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Du Preez LH, Jansen van Rensburg PJ, Jooste AM, Carr JA, Giesy JP, Gross TS, Kendall RJ, Smith EE, Van Der Kraak G, Solomon KR. Seasonal exposures to triazine and other pesticides in surface waters in the western Highveld corn-production region in South Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2005; 135:131-141. [PMID: 15701400 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2004.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2004] [Accepted: 09/17/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterize concentrations of atrazine, terbuthylazine, and other pesticides in amphibian habitats in surface waters of a corn-production area of the western Highveld region (North-West Province) of South Africa. The study was conducted from November 2001 to June 2002, coinciding with the corn-production season. Pesticide residues were measured at regular intervals in surface water from eight ponds, three in a non-corn-growing area (NCGA) and five within the corn-growing area (CGA). Measured atrazine concentrations differed significantly among sites and between samples. In the five CGA sites, the maximum atrazine concentrations measured during the study ranged from 1.2 to 9.3 microg/L. Although no atrazine was recorded as being applied in the catchment of the three NCGA sites, maximum concentrations from 0.39 to 0.84 microg/L were measured during the study, possibly as a result of atmospheric transport. Maximum measured concentrations of terbuthylazine ranged from 1.22 to 2.1 microg/L in the NCGA sites and from 1.04 to 4.1 microg/L in the CGA sites. The source of terbuthylazine in the NCGA sites may have been in use other than in corn. The triazine degradation products, deisopropylatrazine (DIA) and deethylatrazine (DEA) and diaminochlorotriazine (DACT) were also found in water from both the CGA and NCGA sites. Concentrations of DIA were > or = 1 microg/L throughout the season, while DEA concentrations were mostly <0.5 microg/L before planting but increased after planting and application of herbicides to concentrations >2 microg/L in some locations. Concentrations of DACT were highly variable (LOD to 8 microg/L) both before and after planting and application, suggesting that they resulted from historical use of triazines in the area. Other herbicides such as simazine and acetochlor were only detected infrequently and pesticides such as S-metolachlor, cypermethrin, monocrotophos, and terbuphos, known to be used in the CGA, were not detected in any of the samples. Because of dilution by higher than normal rainfall in the study period, these concentrations may not be predictive of those in years of normal rainfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- L H Du Preez
- School of Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa.
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Bortolozzi AA, Evangelista De Duffard AM, Duffard RO, Antonelli MC. Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid exposure on dopamine D2-like receptors in rat brain. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2004; 26:599-605. [PMID: 15203183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2004.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2003] [Revised: 04/02/2004] [Accepted: 04/05/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a worldwide-used herbicide, has been associated with a range of adverse health effects on humans and different animal species. Although the mechanism of 2,4-D neurotoxicity remains unknown, we had previously reported changes in various neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA), which were proposed to mediate some of the behavioral effects in rats. In the present work, we examined the impact of 2,4-D exposure on the ontogeny of dopaminergic D2-type receptors in prefrontal cortex (PFc), striatum (CPu), hippocampus (H) and cerebellum (Cer). Pregnant rats were orally exposed to 70 mg/kg/day of 2,4-D from gestation day (GD) 16 to postpartum day 23. After weaning, the pups were assigned to one of the two subgroups: T1 [fed with untreated diet until postnatal day, (PD) 90] and T2 [maintained with 2,4-D diet until PD 90]. Five to eight pups per age and sex were sacrificed at 6, 15, 30, 45 or 90 days of age for membrane receptor binding assays employing [3H]nemonapride. Subchronic 2,4-D exposure (T2 group) increased DA D2-type receptor around 40% in CPu. In addition, DA D2-type receptor levels also increased in PFc (15 and 30 days) and Cer (30 and 90 days). Sex-dependent differences in D2 receptors were observed with T2 female rats being more affected than T2 male rats. When the herbicide treatment was interrupted after weaning (T1 group), DA D2-type receptor density was apparently recovered and stabilized to control level. These findings suggest a reversible vulnerability of D2-type receptors to 2,4-D exposure. Regional increases of D2-type receptor density may explain certain behaviors reported early by us, such as catalepsy and right-turning preference in rats exposed to 2,4-D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Analía A Bortolozzi
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Experimental, Faculdad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, UNR, Suipacha 531, Rosario Province, Santa Fe 2.000, Argentina
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Colborn T. Neurodevelopment and endocrine disruption. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2004; 112:944-9. [PMID: 15198913 PMCID: PMC1247186 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.6601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2003] [Accepted: 11/17/2003] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In this article I explore the possibility that contaminants contribute to the increasing prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and associated neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems in developed countries. I discuss the exquisite sensitivity of the embryo and fetus to thyroid disturbance and provide evidence of human in utero exposure to contaminants that can interfere with the thyroid. Because it may never be possible to link prenatal exposure to a specific chemical with neurodevelopmental damage in humans, I also present alternate models where associations have been made between exposure to specific chemicals or chemical classes and developmental difficulties in laboratory animals, wildlife, and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theo Colborn
- Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
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Fox JE, Starcevic M, Jones PE, Burow ME, McLachlan JA. Phytoestrogen signaling and symbiotic gene activation are disrupted by endocrine-disrupting chemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2004; 112:672-7. [PMID: 15121509 PMCID: PMC1241960 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.6456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Some organochlorine pesticides and other synthetic chemicals mimic hormones in representatives of each vertebrate class, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish. These compounds are called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Similarly, hormonelike signaling has also been observed when vertebrates are exposed to plant chemicals called phytoestrogens. Previous research has shown the mechanism of action for EDCs and phytoestrogens is as unintended ligands for the estrogen receptor (ER). Although pesticides have been synthesized to deter insects and weeds, plants produce phytoestrogens to deter herbivores, as attractant cues for insects, and as recruitment signals for symbiotic soil bacteria. Our data present the first evidence that some of the same organochlorine pesticides and EDCs known to disrupt endocrine signaling through ERs in exposed wildlife and humans also disrupt the phytoestrogen signaling that leguminous plants use to recruit Sinorhizobium meliloti soil bacteria for symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Here we report that a variety of EDCs and pesticides commonly found in agricultural soils interfere with the symbiotic signaling necessary for nitrogen fixation, suggesting that the principles underlying endocrine disruption may have more widespread biological and ecological importance than had once been thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Fox
- Environmental Endocrinology Laboratory, Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
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Colborn T. Endocrine Disruption Overview: Are Males at Risk? ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2004; 545:189-201. [PMID: 15086028 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-8995-6_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Theo Colborn
- World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th St., Washington, DC 20037, USA.
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Das PC, McElroy WK, Cooper RL. Potential mechanisms responsible for chlorotriazine-induced alterations in catecholamines in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Life Sci 2003; 73:3123-38. [PMID: 14550852 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2003.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Chlorotriazines interact with undifferentiated PC12 cells in vitro to modulate catecholamine synthesis and release, but the mechanism(s) responsible for this effect had not been determined. In this study we evaluated the effect of atrazine, simazine and cyanazine on the protein expression of the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of dopamine [tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)] and norepinephrine [dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH)]. We also examined the possible intracellular pathway associated with chlorotriazine-induced changes in catecholamine synthesis and release. Incubating PC12 cells in the presence of 100 microM atrazine and simazine decreased intracellular dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) concentration and NE release, and the protein expression of TH (approximately 20%) and DbetaH (approximately 50 and 25%, respectively) after 12-24 h exposure. In contrast, cyanazine (100 microM) stimulated intracellular and released NE concentration, and the protein expression of TH (approximately 20%) and DbetaH (approximately 225%) after 12-36 h exposure. Simultaneous exposure to the essential TH co-factors (iron and tetrahydrobiopterine) was ineffective in altering cellular DA. Agents known to enhance TH and DbetaH transcription, phosphorylation or activity (e.g., 8-bromo cAMP, forskolin or dexamethasone) reversed the inhibitory effects of atrazine and simazine on the NE. Again, in contrast to atrazine and simazine, cyanazine attenuated catecholamine-depleting effect of alpha-Methyl-p-tyrosine (alphaMpT) on NE. Both DA and NE synthesis can be altered by the chlorotriazines and suggest these occur via an alteration of the synthetic enzymes TH and DbetaH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parikshit C Das
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Watanabe T, Kashida Y, Ueda M, Onodera H, Hirose M, Mitsumori K. Promoting Effects of Ethinylestradiol but not Atrazine on N-ethyl- N-nitrosourea-induced Uterine Carcinogenesis in ICR Mice. J Toxicol Pathol 2003. [DOI: 10.1293/tox.16.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Takao Watanabe
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Yoko Kashida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Makoto Ueda
- Division of pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences
| | - Hiroshi Onodera
- Division of pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences
| | - Masao Hirose
- Division of pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences
| | - Kunitoshi Mitsumori
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
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Bortolozzi A, Duffard R, de Duffard AME. Asymmetrical development of the monoamine systems in 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid treated rats. Neurotoxicology 2003; 24:149-57. [PMID: 12564390 DOI: 10.1016/s0161-813x(02)00156-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the regional brain biogenic amine levels in adult rats were altered by pre- and post-natal exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Pregnant rats were daily orally exposed to 70 mg/kg per day of 2,4-D from gestation day (GD) 16 to post-partum day (PPD) 23. After weaning, the pups were assigned to one of two subgroups: T1 fed with untreated diet up to post-natal day (PND) 90 and T2 (maintained with 2,4-D diet up to PND 90). In addition, we wanted to know the effect of 2,4-D on lateralization in the monoamine systems of the basal ganglia of these adult rats and whether there was any correlation with the behavioral developmental pattern previously reported by us. In this study the content of noradrenaline (NA) was significantly increased in substantia nigra (SN) while it decreased in cerebellum in male and female rats of T2 group. The decreased dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovallinic acid (HVA) contents in cerebellum, midbrain, ventral tegmental area (VTA) and prefrontal cortex (PFc) showed an alteration in the mesocorticolimbic system. However, an increase of DA in SN and of DOPAC and HVA in nucleus accumbens (NAc) in both sexes and of DA and DOPAC (only in females) in striatum was detected. The contents of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) were significantly increased in both sexes in PFc, striatum (St), midbrain, SN and cerebellum. Variations of any monoamine levels in NAc and VTA were determined. T1 rats were irreversibly altered: a diminution in DA and/or DOPAC levels in PFc, midbrain, VTA and cerebellum was determined. Indolamines of these rats were increased in both sexes in PFc and St. There was also a large increase in 5-HT levels in midbrain of male rats. Although no changes in the dopaminergic system with respect to their control values in any side of these brain structures were observed, DA and DOPAC levels were found to be decreased in the right side with respect to the left side in striata and accumbens nuclei in T2 female rats supporting the behavioral rotation previously registered by us in these rats. In addition, the increased 5-HT content detected in both the right and left striata observed in this study could be the answer to the behaviors observed and to the early alterations in dopamine in basal ganglia by 2,4-D in neonatal exposed rats, mediated by a serotonergic modulation on the dopaminergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Analía Bortolozzi
- Experimental Toxicology Laboratory, Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Faculty, UNR, Suipacha 531, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
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Tavera-Mendoza L, Ruby S, Brousseau P, Fournier M, Cyr D, Marcogliese D. Response of the amphibian tadpole Xenopus laevis to atrazine during sexual differentiation of the ovary. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2002; 21:1264-1267. [PMID: 12069312 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5620210621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Xenopus laevis tadpoles (stage 56) were exposed to 21 microg/L atrazine under laboratory-controlled conditions in a static system. Following a 48-h exposure period at 21+/-0.5 degrees C during sexual differentiation, tadpoles were fixed, and the kidney-gonad complex was microdissected. Quantitative histological analysis revealed in atrazine-exposed ovaries a significant (p < 0.05) increase in frequency of secondary oogonia. Atresia, or oogonial resorption of both primary and secondary oogonia, also increased significantly (p < 0.05). The results suggest that these primary germ cells, which constitute the total number of germ cells in the ovary for the reproductive life of the organism, were reduced by 20% following a 48-h exposure period compared to 2% in controls.
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Ottinger MA, Abdelnabi MA, Henry P, McGary S, Thompson N, Wu JM. Neuroendocrine and behavioral implications of endocrine disrupting chemicals in quail. Horm Behav 2001; 40:234-47. [PMID: 11534988 DOI: 10.1006/hbeh.2001.1695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Studies in our laboratory have focused on endocrine, neuroendocrine, and behavioral components of reproduction in the Japanese quail. These studies considered various stages in the life cycle, including embryonic development, sexual maturation, adult reproductive function, and aging. A major focus of our research has been the role of neuroendocrine systems that appear to synchronize both endocrine and behavioral responses. These studies provide the basis for our more recent research on the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on reproductive function in the Japanese quail. These endocrine active chemicals include pesticides, herbicides, industrial products, and plant phytoestrogens. Many of these chemicals appear to mimic vertebrate steroids, often by interacting with steroid receptors. However, most EDCs have relatively weak biological activity compared to native steroid hormones. Therefore, it becomes important to understand the mode and mechanism of action of classes of these chemicals and sensitive stages in the life history of various species. Precocial birds, such as the Japanese quail, are likely to be sensitive to EDC effects during embryonic development, because sexual differentiation occurs during this period. Accordingly, adult quail may be less impacted by EDC exposure. Because there are a great many data available on normal development and reproductive function in this species, the Japanese quail provides an excellent model for examining the effects of EDCs. Thus, we have begun studies using a Japanese quail model system to study the effects of EDCs on reproductive endocrine and behavioral responses. In this review, we have two goals: first, to provide a summary of reproductive development and sexual differentiation in intact Japanese quail embryos, including ontogenetic patterns in steroid hormones in the embryonic and maturing quail. Second, we discuss some recent data from experiments in our laboratory in which EDCs have been tested in Japanese quail. The Japanese quail provides an excellent avian model for testing EDCs because this species has well-characterized reproductive endocrine and behavioral responses. Considerable research has been conducted in quail in which the effects of embryonic steroid exposure have been studied relative to reproductive behavior. Moreover, developmental processes have been studied extensively and include investigations of the reproductive axis, thyroid system, and stress and immune responses. We have conducted a number of studies, which have considered long-term neuroendocrine consequences as well as behavioral responses to steroids. Some of these studies have specifically tested the effects of embryonic steroid exposure on later reproductive function in a multigenerational context. A multigenerational exposure provides a basis for understanding potential exposure scenarios in the field. In addition, potential routes of exposure to EDCs for avian species are being considered, as well as differential effects due to stage of the life cycle at exposure to an EDC. The studies in our laboratory have used both diet and egg injection as modes of exposure for Japanese quail. In this way, birds were exposed to a specific dose of an EDC at a selected stage in development by injection. Alternatively, dietary exposure appears to be a primary route of exposure; therefore experimental exposure through the diet mimics potential field situations. Thus, experiments should consider a number of aspects of exposure when attempting to replicate field exposures to EDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Ottinger
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, 20706, USA
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Bortolozzi A, Evangelista de Duffard AM, Dajas F, Duffard R, Silveira R. Intracerebral administration of 2,4-diclorophenoxyacetic acid induces behavioral and neurochemical alterations in the rat brain. Neurotoxicology 2001; 22:221-32. [PMID: 11405254 DOI: 10.1016/s0161-813x(01)00014-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although, the mechanism of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) neurotoxicity remains unknown, the monoaminergic system appears to mediate some of its effects in rats as we previously reported. In this study; we examined the 2,4-D effects on locomotor activity, circling behavior and monoamine levels after the injection into the basal ganglia of male adult rats. These effects were compared with those induced after selective lesions of dopaminergic neurons with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). 2,4-D-injected into one striatum (100 microg/rat) produced a marked depression in locomotor activity and elicited a moderate circling towards the ipsilateral side at 6 and 24 h postinjection. These behavioral changes were accompanied by a decrease and an increase of serotonin (5-HT) and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels, respectively. 2,4-D administration (100 microg/rat) into the nucleus accumbens, induced similar behavioral and neurochemical patterns to the intrastriatal 2,4-D injection, although rats did not present notorious turning. When 2,4-D was injected into one medial forebrain bundle (MFB, 50 microg/rat), animals presented ipsilateral circling, while locomotor activity was unchanged at 3 and 7 days post-injection. These last rats also exhibited diminished levels of striatal 5-HT, dopamine (DA) and their metabolites without changes in the substantia nigra (SN). Animals sacrificed 3 and 7 days after a 6-OHDA injection into one of the MFB, presented progressive depletion of dopamine in striatum and SN. 2,4-D as well as 6-OHDA-treated rats into one of the MFB were challenged with low dose (0.05 mg/kg s.c.) of apomorphine (only at 7 days post-injection) to evaluate a possible DA-receptor supersensitivity. Only 6-OHDA treated rats showing a vigorous contralateral rotation activity. These results indicate that 2,4-D induced a regionally-specific neurotoxicity in the basal ganglia of rats. The neurotoxic effects of 2,4-D on basal ganglia by interacting with the monoaminergic system depended not only on the exact location of the 2,4-D injection, but also on the dose and time period of post-injection. Toxicity produced by 2,4-D appears to be different in monoaminergic terminals, axonal fibers, and cell bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bortolozzi
- Experimental Toxicology Laboratory, Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Faculty, UNR, Rosario, Argentina.
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Seffernick JL, Johnson G, Sadowsky MJ, Wackett LP. Substrate specificity of atrazine chlorohydrolase and atrazine-catabolizing bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2000; 66:4247-52. [PMID: 11010866 PMCID: PMC92292 DOI: 10.1128/aem.66.10.4247-4252.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial atrazine catabolism is initiated by the enzyme atrazine chlorohydrolase (AtzA) in Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP. Other triazine herbicides are metabolized by bacteria, but the enzymological basis of this is unclear. Here we begin to address this by investigating the catalytic activity of AtzA by using substrate analogs. Purified AtzA from Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP catalyzed the hydrolysis of an atrazine analog that was substituted at the chlorine substituent by fluorine. AtzA did not catalyze the hydrolysis of atrazine analogs containing the pseudohalide azido, methoxy, and cyano groups or thiomethyl and amino groups. Atrazine analogs with a chlorine substituent at carbon 2 and N-alkyl groups, ranging in size from methyl to t-butyl, all underwent dechlorination by AtzA. AtzA catalyzed hydrolytic dechlorination when one nitrogen substituent was alkylated and the other was a free amino group. However, when both amino groups were unalkylated, no reaction occurred. Cell extracts were prepared from five strains capable of atrazine dechlorination and known to contain atzA or closely homologous gene sequences: Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP, Rhizobium strain PATR, Alcaligenes strain SG1, Agrobacterium radiobacter J14a, and Ralstonia picketti D. All showed identical substrate specificity to purified AtzA from Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP. Cell extracts from Clavibacter michiganensis ATZ1, which also contains a gene homologous to atzA, were able to transform atrazine analogs containing pseudohalide and thiomethyl groups, in addition to the substrates used by AtzA from Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP. This suggests that either (i) another enzyme(s) is present which confers the broader substrate range or (ii) the AtzA itself has a broader substrate range.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Seffernick
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
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Shafer TJ, Ward TR, Meacham CA, Cooper RL. Effects of the chlorotriazine herbicide, cyanazine, on GABA(A) receptors in cortical tissue from rat brain. Toxicology 1999; 142:57-68. [PMID: 10647918 DOI: 10.1016/s0300-483x(99)00133-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Chlorotriazine herbicides disrupt luteinizing hormone (LH) release in female rats following in vivo exposure. Although the mechanism of action is unknown, significant evidence suggests that inhibition of LH release by chlorotriazines may be mediated by effects in the central nervous system. GABA(A) receptors are important for neuronal regulation of gonadotropin releasing hormone and LH release. The ability of chlorotriazine herbicides to interact with GABA(A) receptors was examined by measuring their effects on [3H]muscimol, [3H]Ro15-4513 and [35S]tert-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) binding to rat cortical membranes. Cyanazine (1-400 microM) inhibited [3H]Ro15-4513 binding with an IC50 of approximately 105 microM (n=4). Atrazine (1-400 microM) also inhibited [3H]Ro15-4513 binding, but was less potent than cyanazine (IC50 = 305 microM). However, the chlorotriazine metabolites diaminochlorotriazine, 2-amino-4-chloro-6-ethylamino-s-triazine and 2-amino-4-chloro-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine were without significant effect on [3H]Ro15-4513 binding. Cyanazine and the other chlorotriazines were without effect on [3H]muscimol or [35S]TBPS binding. To examine whether cyanazine altered GABA(A) receptor function, GABA-stimulated 36Cl- flux into synaptoneurosomes was examined. Cyanazine (50-100 microM) alone did not significantly decrease GABA-stimulated 36Cl- flux. Diazepam (10 microM) and pentobarbital (100 microM) potentiated GABA-stimulated 36Cl- flux to 126 and 166% of control, respectively. At concentrations of 50 and 100 microM, cyanazine decreased potentiation by diazepam to 112 and 97% of control, respectively, and decreased potentiation by pentobarbital to 158 and 137% of control (n = 6). Interestingly, at lower concentrations (5 microM), cyanazine shifted the EC50 for GABA-stimulated 36Cl- flux into synaptoneurosomes from 28.9 to 19.4 microM, respectively (n = 5). These results suggest that cyanazine modulates benzodiazepine, but not the muscimol (GABA receptor site) or TBPS (Cl- channel), binding sites on GABA(A) receptors. Furthermore, at low concentrations, cyanazine may slightly enhance function of GABA(A) receptors, but at higher concentrations, cyanazine antagonizes GABA(A) receptor function and in particular antagonizes the positive modulatory effects of diazepam and pentobarbital.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Shafer
- Neurotoxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
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