Bisphenol A Modulates Autophagy and Exacerbates Chronic Kidney Damage in Mice

Silymarin attenuates post-weaning bisphenol A-induced renal injury by suppressing ferroptosis and amyloidosis through Kim-1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling modulation in male Wistar rats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical used in producing polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins and is commonly found in everyday items like water bottles and food containers. Although its usefulness cannot be overemphasized, the major challenge is its toxicity, including renal toxicity. BPA has been reported to induce ferroptosis and amyloidosis via the modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. On the other hand, silymarin activates the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, thus providing cellular defense. However, the effect of silymarin on BPA-induced renal toxicity is yet to be reported. This study investigated the potential impact of silymarin on renal structure and function following post-weaning BPA exposure. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four equal groups. The control was vehicle-treated, while the silymarin-treated received 100 mg/kg/day of silymarin and BPA-treated rats received 50 mg/kg/day of BPA. The BPA + silymarin-treated rats received treatments as BPA-treated and silymarin-treated. Silymarin diminished BPA-induced rise in serum urea, creatinine, BUN, and plasma kim-1 levels. Also, silymarin improved BPA-induced dyslipidemia. More so, silymarin abrogated toxic amyloid formation and improved renal histoarchitecture in BPA-exposed rats. These events were associated with the suppression of BPA-induced rise in renal iron, MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, and cytochrome c levels, and myeloperoxidase and caspase 3 activities by silymarin therapy. Furthermore, silymarin attenuated BPA-induced downregulation of Nrf2 and GSH levels, and HO-1, GPX4, SOD, catalase, GST, and GR activities. In conclusion, silymarin mitigated post-weaning BPA-induced renal toxicity by suppressing ferroptosis and amyloidosis through Kim-1/Nrf2/HO-1 modulation.

Alginate Beads with Encapsulated Date Palm Pollen Extract: Development, Characterization and Their Potential Role in Hepato-Protection and Fertility-Stimulating Hormones Improvement in Bisphenol A-Treated Rats

The goal of this study was to design polymeric beads with a core of date palm pollen (DPP, Phoenix dactylifera L.) extract using the ionic gelation method and then assess the effects of the extract in combination with alginate polymer (alginate/DPP beads) on the profile of phenolic compounds, their in vitro controlled release, as well as their antioxidant characteristics, and potential role in hepato-protection and fertility-stimulating hormones improvement in bisphenol A (BPA)-treated rats. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) was 94.27 ± 1.47%. The study found that phenolic release was highest (89.81%) at pH 7.4 (simulated intestinal fluid) and lowest (59.43%) at pH 2 (simulated stomach fluid) after 3 h. This particular type of bead also exhibited significant antioxidant activity, phenolic component content, and flavonoid content. The estimated phenolic content was 66.48 mg GAE/g, with methyl gallate, gallic acid, and naringenin as the main components. In vivo evaluation findings revealed that both doses of alginate/DPP beads (delivering 250 and 350 mg/kg of extract per day) significantly protected the liver (as demonstrated by downregulated liver function parameters), improved levels of male fertility-stimulating hormones, reduced oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory cytokines, and protected both liver and testicular tissues from BPA-induced changes. Thus, the actions of alginate/DPP beads make them a promising choice for antioxidant, liver-protecting, and male hormone-enhancing hydrogels.

Selenium modulates bisphenol A-induced intestinal apoptosis, oxidative stress and autophagy in rats: A biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical study

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a hazardous endocrine disruptor released into the environment during the production of certain plastics used for covering of food and beverage cans. In this work, we examined the protective benefits of selenium (Se) against intestinal damage induced by BPA in male rats. Rats were distributed randomly into four groups. The first group received corn oil and served as the control. The second group was administered Se (1 mg/kg body weight; BW). The third group was given oral BPA (50 mg/kg BW). In the fourth group, Se (1 mg/kg BW) and BPA (50 mg/kg BW) were administered simultaneously. This experiment lasted for eight weeks. Specimens from the large intestine were subjected to biochemical analysis of antioxidants and oxidative stress biomarkers, histological observation under light and transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry to autophagy and apoptosis markers. The BPA-exposed group showed significantly elevated oxidative stress markers associated with significant decline of antioxidants in intestinal tissues. BPA resulted in histological alterations such as severe mucosal necrosis with massive inflammatory cell infiltration. Ultra-structurally, the same group showed severe loss of the cell organelles, shrunken nuclei, and abundant autophagosomes. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated a strong reactivity of caspase-3 and LC3 in the BPA group in contrast to the reaction to p62, which was markedly diminished. These effects were mitigated in the BPA+Se group. We concluded that BPA's harmful effects on the large intestine are caused by apoptosis and autophagy. Se may protect intestinal cells from these effects and could be a useful and trustworthy approach for reducing BPA toxicity.

Disruptive multiple cell death pathways of bisphenol-A

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) significantly contribute to health issues by interfering with hormonal functions. Bisphenol A (BPA), a prominent EDC, is extensively utilized as a monomer and plasticizer in producing polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, making it one of the highest-demanded chemicals in commercial use. This is the major component used in plastic products, including bottles, containers, storage items, and food serving ware. Exposure of BPA happens through oral, respiratory, transdermal routes and eye contact. As an EDC, BPA disrupts hormonal binding, leading to various health problems, such as cancers, reproductive abnormalities, metabolic syndrome, immune dysfunction, neurological effects, cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, and obesity. BPA mimics the hormone estrogen but exhibits a weak affinity for estrogen receptors. This weak binding affinity triggers multiple cell death pathways, including necroptosis, pyroptosis, apoptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy, across different cell types. Numerous clinical, in-vitro, and in-vivo experiments have demonstrated that BPA exposure results in unfavorable health effects. This review highlights the mechanisms of cell death pathways initiated through BPA exposure and the associated negative health consequences. The extensive use of BPA and its frequent detection in environmental and biological models underscore the urgent need for further investigation into its effects and the development of safe alternatives. Addressing the health risks posed by BPA involves a comprehensive approach that includes reducing exposure and finding novel substitutes to lessen its detrimental impact on humans.

Coexposure to microplastic and Bisphenol A exhacerbates damage to human kidney proximal tubular cells

Microplastics (MPs) accumulate in tissues, including kidney tissue, while Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plasticizer of particular concern. At present, the combined effects of MPs and BPA are unexplored in human renal cells. Therefore, we exposed a proximal tubular cell line (PTECs) to polyethylene (PE)-MPs and BPA, both separately and in combination. When co-exposed, cells showed a significantly reduced cell viability (MTT test) and a pronounced pro-oxidant (MDA levels, NRF2 and NOX4 expression by Western blot) and pro-inflammatory response (IL1β, CCL/CCR2 and CCL/CCR5 mRNAs by RT-PCR), compared to those treated with a single compound. In addition, heat shock protein (HSP90), a chaperone involved in multiple cellular functions, was reduced (by Western Blot and immunocytochemistry), while aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) expression, a transcription factor which binds environmental ligands, was increased (RT-PCR and immunofluorescence). Our research can contribute to the study of the nephrotoxic effects of pollutants and MPs and shed new light on the combined effects of BPA and PE-MPs.

Enhanced kidney damage induced by increasing nonylphenol doses: impact on autophagy-related proteins and proinflammatory cytokines in rats

Nonylphenol (NP) is an organic pollutant and endocrine disruptor chemical that has harmful effects on the environment and living organisms. This study looked at whether kidney tissues subjected to increasing doses of nonylphenol generated alterations in histopathologic, pro-inflammatory, and autophagic markers. Fifty rats were divided into five groups of ten each: group I: healthy group, II: control (corn oil), group III: 25 μl/kg NP, group IV: 50 μl/kg NP, group V: 75 μl/kg NP. The kidney tissue samples were obtained for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical analyses. The histological deteriorations observed in all NP groups included tubular epithelial cell degeneration, inflammation areas, and hemorrhage. The immunohistochemical investigations showed that NP significantly elevated the autophagy markers (Beclin-1, LC3A/B, p62), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), HIF-1α, and eNOS in group III, IV and V compared with group I and II. The biochemical analysis also revealed that pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) increased in correlation with the NP doses, but only IL-1β reached statistical significance in NP treated rats kidney tissue. The biochemical findings have been confirmed by the histological studies. The damage to renal tissue caused by NP exposure may worsen it by increasing inflammatory and autophagic markers.

BPA exposure and Se deficiency caused spleen damage in chickens by nitrification stress-TNF-α

With the increasing production and demand of plastic products in life, inescapable bisphenol A (BPA) exposure results in a threat to the health of organisms. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for living organisms. The insufficient Se intake can cause multi-tissue organ damage. In the process of production and life, the exposure of BPA is usually accompanied by Se deficiency. In this study, the models of chicken with BPA exposure and/or Se deficiency was duplicated, the status of nitrification stress, apoptosis, necroptosis, and changes in TNF-α/FADD signaling pathways in chicken spleen were examined. At the same time, nitrification stress inhibitor and TNF-α inhibitor were introduced into MSB-1 cell model tests in vitro, indicating that BPA exposure and Se deficiency up-regulated TNF-α/FADD signaling pathway through nitrification stress, inducing necroptosis and apoptosis, and heat shock protein was also involved in this process. This study provides a new control idea for healthy poultry breeding based on Se, and also provides a new reference for toxicity control of environmental pollutants.

Effects of environmental phenols on eGFR: machine learning modeling methods applied to cross-sectional studies

Purpose

Limited investigation is available on the correlation between environmental phenols' exposure and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Our target is established a robust and explainable machine learning (ML) model that associates environmental phenols' exposure with eGFR.

Methods

Our datasets for constructing the associations between environmental phenols' and eGFR were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013-2016). Five ML models were contained and fine-tuned to eGFR regression by phenols' exposure. Regression evaluation metrics were used to extract the limitation of the models. The most effective model was then utilized for regression, with interpretation of its features carried out using shapley additive explanations (SHAP) and the game theory python package to represent the model's regression capacity.

Results

The study identified the top-performing random forest (RF) regressor with a mean absolute error of 0.621 and a coefficient of determination of 0.998 among 3,371 participants. Six environmental phenols with eGFR in linear regression models revealed that the concentrations of triclosan (TCS) and bisphenol S (BPS) in urine were positively correlated with eGFR, and the correlation coefficients were β = 0.010 (p = 0.026) and β = 0.007 (p = 0.004) respectively. SHAP values indicate that BPS (1.38), bisphenol F (BPF) (0.97), 2,5-dichlorophenol (0.87), TCS (0.78), BP3 (0.60), bisphenol A (BPA) (0.59) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (0.47) in urinary contributed to the model.

Conclusion

The RF model was efficient in identifying a correlation between phenols' exposure and eGFR among United States NHANES 2013-2016 participants. The findings indicate that BPA, BPF, and BPS are inversely associated with eGFR.

Health risks of Bisphenol-A exposure: From Wnt signaling perspective

Human beings are routinely exposed to chronic and low dose of Bisphenols (BPs) due to their widely pervasiveness in the environment. BPs hold similar chemical structures to 17β-estradiol (E2) and thyroid hormone, thus posing threats to human health by rendering the endocrine system dysfunctional. Among BPs, Bisphenol-A (BPA) is the best-known and extensively studied endocrine disrupting compound (EDC). BPA possesses multisystem toxicity, including reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Particularly, the central nervous system (CNS), especially the developing one, is vulnerable to BPA exposure. This review describes our current knowledge of BPA toxicity and the related molecular mechanisms, with an emphasis on the role of Wnt signaling in the related processes. We also discuss the role of oxidative stress, endocrine signaling and epigenetics in the regulation of Wnt signaling by BPA exposure. In summary, dysfunction of Wnt signaling plays a key role in BPA toxicity and thus can be a potential target to alleviate EDCs induced damage to organisms.

The essential role of adenine nucleotide translocase 4 on male reproductive function in mice

Adenine nucleotide translocator 4 (Ant4), an ATP/ADP transporter expressed in the early phases of spermatogenesis, plays a crucial role in male fertility. While Ant4 loss causes early arrest of meiosis and increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in male mice, its other potential functions in male fertility remain unexplored. Here, we utilized Ant4 knockout mice to delineate the effects of Ant4-deficiency on male reproduction. Our observations demonstrated that Ant4-deficiency led to infertility and impaired testicular development, which was further investigated by evaluating testicular oxidative stress, autophagy, and inflammation. Specifically, the loss of Ant4 led to an imbalance of oxidation and antioxidants. Significant ultrastructural alterations were identified in the testicular tissues of Ant4-deficient mice, including swelling of mitochondria, loss of cristae, and accumulation of autophagosomes. Our results also showed that autophagic flux and AKT-AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway were affected in Ant4-deficient mice. Moreover, Ant4 loss increased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. Overall, our findings underscored the importance of Ant4 in regulating oxidative stress, autophagy, and inflammation in testicular tissues. Taken together, these insights provided a nuanced understanding of the significance of Ant4 in testicular development.

Environmental toxicants and nephrotoxicity: Implications on mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Kidneys are one of the most important organs in the human body. In addition to filtering 200 liters of fluid every 24 hours, the kidney also regulates acid-base balance, maintains electrolyte balance, and removes waste and toxicants from the body. Nephrotoxicity is the term used to describe the deterioration of kidney function caused by the harmful effects of medications and various types of environmental toxicants. Exposure to environmental toxicants is an inevitable side effect in the world's increasing industrialization and even more prevalent in underdeveloped nations. Growing data over the past few years has illuminated the probable connection between environmental toxicants and nephrotoxicity. Phthalates, microplastics, acrylamide and bisphenol A are environmental toxicants of particular concern, which are known to have nephrotoxic effects. Such toxicants may accumulate in the kidneys of humans after being consumed, inhaled, or come into contact with the skin. They can enter cells through endocytosis and accumulate in the cytoplasm. Small-sized nephrotoxicants can cause a variety of ailments including inflammation with increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and apoptosis. This study uncovers the potential for new insights concerning the relationship between various environmental toxicants and kidney health. The objectives of this review is to establish information gaps, assess and identify the toxicity mechanisms of different nephrotoxicants, identify innovative pharmacological therapies that demonstrate promising therapeutic benefits/ relevance, and discuss the predictions for the future based on the analysis of the literature.

Investigation of autophagy‑related genes and immune infiltration in calcific aortic valve disease: A bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation

The present study aimed to elucidate the role of autophagy-related genes (ARGs) in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and their potential interactions with immune infiltration via experimental verification and bioinformatics analysis. A total of three microarray datasets (GSE12644, GSE51472 and GSE77287) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and gene set enrichment analysis was performed to identify the relationship between autophagy and CAVD. After differentially expressed genes and differentially expressed ARGs (DEARGs) were identified using CAVD samples and normal aortic valve samples, a functional analysis was performed, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses, protein-protein interaction network construction, hub gene identification and validation, immune infiltration and drug prediction. The results of the present study indicated a significant relationship between autophagy and CAVD. A total of 46 DEARGs were identified. GO and pathway enrichment analyses revealed the complex roles of DEARGs in regulating CAVD, including multiple gene functions and pathways. A total of 10 hub genes were identified, with three (SPP1, CXCL12 and CXCR4) consistently upregulated in CAVD samples compared with normal aortic valve samples in multiple datasets and experimental validation. Immune infiltration analyses demonstrated significant differences in immune cell proportions between CAVD samples and normal aortic valve samples, thus showing the crucial role of immune infiltration in CAVD development. Furthermore, therapeutic drugs were predicted that could target the identified hub genes, including bisphenol A, resveratrol, progesterone and estradiol. In summary, the present study illuminated the crucial role of autophagy in CAVD development and identified key ARGs as potential therapeutic targets. In addition, the observed immune cell infiltration and predicted autophagy-related drugs suggest promising avenues for future research and novel CAVD treatments.

Ultra-processed food consumption and chronic kidney disease risk: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Background

High intake of ultra-processed food (UPF) has been associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease(CKD), but the results remain inconsistent. We therefore performed this systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of observational studies that shed light on the association between UPF consumption and the risk of CKD.

Methods

A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases was carried out to find the eligible articles published up to October 31, 2023. Random-effects or fixed-effects models were used to pool the relative risks(RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).The potential sources of heterogeneity across studies were examined using the Cochran’s Q test and I-square(I2). Publication bias was examined using the visual inspection of asymmetry in funnel plots and quantified by Begg’s and Egger’s tests.

Results

Eight studies (six cohort and two cross-sectional studies) exploring the association between UPF consumption and risk of CKD, were included in the final analysis. The pooled analyses revealed that high consumption of UPF was associated with an increased risk of CKD (RR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.09–1.42, p < 0.0001). Moreover, a 10% increase of UPF consumption was associated with a 7% higher risk of CKD (RR = 1.07; 95%CI: 1.04–1.10, p < 0.001). Dose–response analysis of all included studies showed a linear association between UPF consumption and the risk of CKD (RR = 1.02; 95%CI:0.99–1.05, Pdose–response = 0.178, Pnonlinearity = 0.843).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that high consumption of UPF is significantly associated with an increased risk of CKD. Future research with prospective design is required to confirm this positive association.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023478483, PROSPERO identifier CRD42023478483.

Selenium deficiency exacerbated Bisphenol A-induced intestinal toxicity in chickens: Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest mediated by ROS/P53

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a phenolic organic synthetic compound that is used as the raw material of polycarbonate plastics, and its safety issues have recently attracted wide attention. Selenium (Se) deficiency has gradually developed into a global disease affecting intestinal function via oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, the toxic effects and potential mechanisms of BPA exposure and Se deficiency in the chicken intestines have not been studied. In this study, BPA exposure and/or Se deficiency models were established in vivo and in vitro to investigate the effects of Se deficiency and BPA on chicken jejunum. The results showed that BPA exposure and/or Se deficiency increased jejunum oxidative stress and DNA damage, activated P53 pathway, led to mitochondrial dysfunction, and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Using protein-protein molecular docking, we found a strong binding ability between P53 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1, thereby regulating mitochondrial dysfunctional apoptosis. In addition, we used N-acetyl-L-cysteine and pifithrin-α for in vitro intervention and found that N-acetyl-L-cysteine and pifithrin-α intervention reversed the aforementioned adverse effects. This study clarified the potential mechanism by which Se deficiency exacerbates BPA induced intestinal injury in chickens through reactive oxygen species/P53, which provides a new idea for the study of environmental combined toxicity of Se deficiency, and insights into animal intestinal health from a new perspective.

The mixed effect of Endocrine-Disrupting chemicals on biological age Acceleration: Unveiling the mechanism and potential intervention target

INTRODUCTION

Although previous studies investigated the potential adverse effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on biological age acceleration and aging-related diseases, the mixed effect of multiple types of EDCs on biological age acceleration, including its potential underlying mechanism, remains unclear.

METHODS

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to analyze biological age measures, including Klemera-Doubal method biological age (KDM-BA), phenotypic age, and homeostatic dysregulation (HD). Weight quantile sum (WQS) regression was performed to screen biological age-related EDCs (BA-EDCs) and assess the mixed effect of BA-EDCs on biological age acceleration and aging-related disease. Targets of BA-EDCs were obtained from three databases, while heart aging-related genes were obtained from the Aging Anno database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and MCODE algorithm were applied to identify potential interactions between BA-EDC targets and heart aging-related genes. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed to identify related pathways.

RESULTS

This cross-sectional study included 1,439 participants. A decile increase in BA-EDCs co-exposure was associated with 0.31 years and 0.17 years of KDM-BA and phenotypic age acceleration, respectively. The mixed effect of BA-EDCs was associated with an increased prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Vitamins C and E demonstrated a significant interaction effect on the association between BA-EDCs and KDM-BA acceleration. PPI network and functional enrichment analysis indicated that the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications was significantly enriched.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that the co-exposure effect of BA-EDCs was associated with biological age acceleration and ASCVD, with the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway being the underlying mechanism. Vitamins C and E may also be an actionable target for preventing EDC-induced biological aging.

Bisphenol A (BPA) and Cardiovascular or Cardiometabolic Diseases

Bisphenol A (BPA; 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol) is a well-known endocrine disruptor. Most human exposure to BPA occurs through the consumption of BPA-contaminated foods. Cardiovascular or cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, acute kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure are the leading causes of death worldwide. Positive associations have been reported between blood or urinary BPA levels and cardiovascular or cardiometabolic diseases. BPA also induces disorders or dysfunctions in the tissues associated with these diseases through various cell signaling pathways. This review highlights the literature elucidating the relationship between BPA and various cardiovascular or cardiometabolic diseases and the potential mechanisms underlying BPA-mediated disorders or dysfunctions in tissues such as blood vessels, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, liver, pancreas, kidney, and heart that are associated with these diseases.

Bisphenol A Effects on Neurons' Neurochemical Character in the Urinary Bladder Intramural Ganglia of Domestic Pigs

Bisphenol A (BPA), a substance globally used to produce plastics, is part of many everyday items, including bottles, food containers, electronic elements, and others. It may penetrate the environment and living organisms, negatively affecting, among others, the nervous, immune, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems. Knowledge of the impact of BPA on the urinary bladder is extremely scarce. This study investigated the influence of two doses of BPA (0.05 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)/day and 0.5 mg/kg b.w./day) given orally for 28 days on the neurons situated in the ganglia located in the urinary bladder trigone using the typical double immunofluorescence method. In the study, an increase in the percentage of neurons containing substance P (SP), galanin (GAL), a neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS-used as the marker of nitrergic neurons), and/or cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide was noted after BPA administration. The severity of these changes depended on the dose of BPA and the type of neuronal factors studied. The most visible changes were noted in the cases of SP- and/or GAL-positive neurons after administering a higher dose of BPA. The results have shown that oral exposure to BPA, lasting even for a short time, affects the intramural neurons in the urinary bladder wall, and changes in the neurochemical characterisation of these neurons may be the first signs of BPA-induced pathological processes in this organ.

Bisphenol A exposure triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway leading to ocular axial elongation in mice

Background

Ocular axial elongation is one of the features of myopia progression. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated scleral remodeling plays an important role in ocular axial elongation. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most common environmental pollutants and is known to affect various human organs through ER stress. However, whether BPA exerts an effect on scleral remodeling remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of BPA on the development of myopia and scleral ER stress.

Methods

BPA was administered by intraperitoneal injection. 4-PBA was administered as an endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor by eye drops. Refraction and axial length were measured by refractometer and SD-OCT system. Western blot was performed to detect the expression level of ER stress-related proteins.

Results

BPA-administered mice exhibit axial elongation and myopic refractive shift with endoplasmic reticulum stress in the sclera. BPA administration activated scleral PERK and ATF6 pathways, and 4-PBA eye drops attenuated ER stress response and suppressed myopia progression.

Conclusion

BPA controlled axial elongation during myopia development in a mouse model by inducing scleral ER stress and activation of the PERK/ATF6 pathway. 4-PBA eye drops as ER stress inhibitor suppressed BPA-induced myopia development.

Human Exposure to Bisphenols, Parabens, and Benzophenones, and Its Relationship with the Inflammatory Response: A Systematic Review

Bisphenols, parabens (PBs), and benzophenones (BPs) are widely used environmental chemicals that have been linked to several adverse health effects due to their endocrine disrupting properties. However, the cellular pathways through which these chemicals lead to adverse outcomes in humans are still unclear, suggesting some evidence that inflammation might play a key role. Thus, the aim of this study was to summarize the current evidence on the relationship between human exposure to these chemicals and levels of inflammatory biomarkers. A systematic review of peer-reviewed original research studies published up to February 2023 was conducted using the MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. A total of 20 articles met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Most of the reviewed studies reported significant associations between any of the selected chemicals (mainly bisphenol A) and some pro-inflammatory biomarkers (including C-reactive protein and interleukin 6, among others). Taken together, this systematic review has identified consistent positive associations between human exposure to some chemicals and levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers, with very few studies exploring the associations between PBs and/or BPs and inflammation. Therefore, a larger number of studies are required to get a better understanding on the mechanisms of action underlying bisphenols, PBs, and BPs and the critical role that inflammation could play.

Increased levels of IL-17 and autoantibodies following Bisphenol A exposure were associated with activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and abnormal autophagy in MRL/lpr mice

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common environmental endocrine disruptor which mimic the effect of estrogen. The immunotoxicity of BPA has attracted widespread attention in recent years. However, the effects and mechanism of BPA on autoimmune disease were rarely reported. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a typical autoimmune disease, and its etiology and mechanism are complex and unclear. Currently, inflammation and the production of autoantibodies are considered to be important pathological mechanisms of SLE, and estrogen contributes to the occurrence and development of SLE. Therefore, in order to explore whether BPA exposure can affect the development of SLE and its possible mechanism, we used MRL/lpr (lupus-prone mice) and C57/BL6 female mice exposed to 0.1 and 0.2 µg/mL BPA for 6 weeks. We discovered that BPA exposure increased the concentration of serum anti-dsDNA antibody and IL-17, and the level of RORγt protein (the transcription factor of Th17 cells). Moreover, there were higher expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, ULK, Rubicon, P62, Becline1 and LC3 protein in spleen tissue of BPA exposed MRL/lpr mice compared with the control. However, there were no significant changes in the expression of IL-17, RORγt or mTOR in C57 mice exposed to BPA at the same dose. Our study implied that BPA exposure induced the development of SLE, which might be related to the up-regulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and abnormal autophagy. Our study indicated that lupus mice were more susceptible to BPA, and provided a new insight into the mechanism by which BPA exacerbated SLE. Therefore, our study suggested that autoimmune patients and susceptible population should be considered when setting thresholds for environmental BPA exposure.

Bisphenol A (BPA) induces apoptosis of mouse Leydig cells via oxidative stress

As one of the most frequently produced synthetic compounds worldwide, bisphenol A (BPA) has been widely used in many kinds of products such as appliances, housewares, and beverage cans. BPA has been shown to cause damage to male reproductive system; however, the potential mechanism remains to be investigated. In the present study, BPA exposure decreased the testis and epididymis coefficient, caused a disintegration of germinal epithelium, decreased the density and motility of sperm in the epididymis tissue, and increased the number of abnormal sperm morphology, which indicated that BPA exposure could cause damage to testis. BPA was also shown to induce apoptosis and oxidative stress in the testis tissue. The serum testosterone concentration was decreased in the BPA-treated group, suggesting that BPA could lead to Leydig cell damage. Subsequently, mouse TM3 cell, a kind of mouse Leydig cell line, was utilized to investigate the potential mechanism. Herein, we showed that BPA exposure could inhibit cell viability and induce apoptosis of TM3 cells. Furthermore, oxidative stress in the cells could also be induced by BPA, while the inhibition of oxidative stress by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an oxidative stress scavenger, could reverse the inhibition of cell viability and induction of apoptosis by BPA exposure, indicating that oxidative stress was involved in BPA-induced apoptosis of TM3 cells. Finally, RNA-sequencing and real-time PCR were utilized to screen and validate the potential oxidative stress-related genes involving in BPA-induced apoptosis. We found that BPA exposure increased the mRNA levels of oxidative stress-related genes such as Lonp1, Klf4, Rack1, Egln1, Txn2, Msrb1, Atox1, Mtr, and Atp2a2, as well as decreased the mRNA level of Dhfr gene; while NAC could rescue the expression of these genes. Taken together, oxidative stress was involved in BPA-induced apoptosis of mouse Leydig cells.

Association of sleep problems with urinary concentrations of personal care and consumer product chemicals: a nationally representative, population-based study

Sleep problems are common in modern society and may be related to environmental chemicals. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between exposure to personal care and consumer product chemicals (PCCPCs) and sleep-related disorders. Nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used in this study (N=2415). Sleep-related variables, including sleep duration, snoring, and self-reported sleep problems, were included as outcome variables to assess sleep quality. Urinary PCCPC concentrations were used to assess the association of PCCPCs with sleep problems and adjusted for variables similar to those used in related studies. PCCPC levels were analysed as quartiles. Multivariate logistic regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were used to analyse the association of urinary PCCPCs with sleep problems. Nine of the 12 kinds of PCCPCs with a detection rate greater than 50% were included in our study. Specifically, the concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), methyl paraben (MP) and triclosan (TCS) were significantly related to insufficient sleep. Based on the WQS model, combined exposure to PCCPCs was also significantly related to insufficient sleep; TCS, BPA, and MP were the compounds with the greatest impact regarding combined exposure. A variety of PCCPCs were associated with insufficient sleep in participants but were not significantly associated with the other sleep problems reported in the NHANES. As poor quality sleep is associated with multiple adverse health outcomes, our study provides insight into the health risks of PCCPC exposure.

Modulation of Unfolded Protein Response Restores Survival and Function of β-Cells Exposed to the Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that currently affects nearly half a billion people worldwide. β-cells dysfunction is one of the main causes of diabetes. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is correlated with increased diabetes incidence. We hypothesized that treatment with bisphenol A (BPA) induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that activates the unfolded protein response (UPR), leading to impaired function of the β-cells, which over time, can cause diabetes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate UPR pathways activation under BPA treatment in β-cells and possible recovery of ER homeostasis. MIN6 cells (mouse insulinoma cell line) and isolated pancreatic islets from NOR (non-obese diabetes resistant) mice were treated with BPA. We analyzed the impact of BPA on β-cell viability, the architecture of the early secretory pathway, the synthesis and processing of insulin and the activation of UPR sensors and effectors. We found that the addition of the chemical chaperone TUDCA rescues the deleterious effects of BPA, resulting in improved viability, morphology and function of the β-cells. In conclusion, we propose that modulators of UPR can be used as therapeutic interventions targeted towards regaining β-cells homeostasis.

Effects of short-term exposure to low doses of bisphenol A on cellular senescence in the adult rat kidney

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the primary chemicals produced by volume worldwide. Extensive literature has raised many concerns about its possible involvement in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases, but its contribution has not been extensively studied. During cellular senescence, the interference of lipofuscin with cellular functions promotes further senescence, causing cellular malfunction. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays an important protective role in the setting of kidney injury. The goal of the present work was to evaluate the effects of short-term treatment with low doses of BPA on cellular senescence in adult rat kidneys. Male Wistar rats were injected with vehicle (CONTROL group) or 50 or 500 μg/kg/day of BPA for 1 week (BPA50 and BPA500 groups, respectively). The kidneys were fixed in 4% buffered formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed, and an immunoreactive score (IRS) was calculated. Lipofuscin autofluorescence was used for the study of cellular senescence. The renal cortex showed diffuse autofluorescent lipofuscin signal in the proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs) of males in the BPA50-treated (weak intensity) and BPA500-treated (strong intensity) groups, but not in CONTROL males. Labeling of cortical PCTs with anti-IGF-1 antibodies showed an IRS of 0 in the CONTROL group, but IRSs of 4 and 6 in the BPA50- and BPA500-treated groups, respectively. The present results suggest that low, "safe" doses of BPA induce renal injury, as measured by histological signs of renal changes, increased cellular senescence, and activation of cellular repair systems in PCTs.

The impact of PM2.5 on kidney

PM2.5 poses a severe risk to kidneys, inducing kidney function decline, increasing the risk of suffering from chronic kidney diseases and promoting the occurrence and development of various renal tumors. The mechanism of PM2.5-induced renal injury may involve oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and cytotoxicity. This paper elaborated PM2.5-induced kidney damage and the corresponding possible mechanism so as to raise awareness of air pollution and reduce the damage to human body.

The Relationship between Typical Environmental Endocrine Disruptors and Kidney Disease

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that alter the endocrine function of an organism, to result in adverse effects on growth and development, metabolism, and reproductive function. The kidney is one of the most important organs in the urinary system and an accumulation point. Studies have shown that EDCs can cause proteinuria, affect glomeruli and renal tubules, and even lead to diabetes and renal fibrosis in animal and human studies. In this review, we discuss renal accumulation of select EDCs such as dioxins, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenol A (BPA), and phthalates, and delineate how exposures to such EDCs cause renal lesions and diseases, including cancer. The regulation of typical EDCs with specific target genes and the activation of related pathways are summarized.

Combined exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and polystyrene microplastics induced renal autophagy through the ROS/AMPK/ULK1 pathway

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are new environmental pollutants that attracted increased attention. At present, the effects and underlying mechanisms of action of combined exposure of DEHP and PS-MPs on the kidney have not been elucidated. To investigate the renal toxicity of DEHP and PS-MPs exposure, we established single and combined DEHP and PS-MPs exposure models in mice and HEK293 cells, respectively. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, transmission electron microscopy, monodansylcadaverine staining, immunofluorescence, real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis and other methods were used to detect relevant indicators. The results showed that the expression levels of ROS/AMPK/ULK1 and Ppargc1α/Mfn2 signaling pathway-related genes were significantly increased in the DEHP and PS-MPs exposure models. The mRNA and protein expression levels of autophagy markers were also upregulated. In addition, we found that the expression levels of mRNAs and proteins in the combined exposure group were more significantly increased than those in the single exposure group. In conclusion, combined exposure to DEHP and PS-MPs caused oxidative stress and activated the AMPK/ULK1 pathway, thereby inducing renal autophagy. Our results enhance the field of nephrotoxicity studies of plasticizers and microplastics and provide new light on combined toxicity studies of DEHP and PS-MPs.

Natural Products in Mitigation of Bisphenol A Toxicity: Future Therapeutic Use

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental toxin with deleterious endocrine-disrupting effects. It is widely used in producing epoxy resins, polycarbonate plastics, and polyvinyl chloride plastics. Human beings are regularly exposed to BPA through inhalation, ingestion, and topical absorption routes. The prevalence of BPA exposure has considerably increased over the past decades. Previous research studies have found a plethora of evidence of BPA’s harmful effects. Interestingly, even at a lower concentration, this industrial product was found to be harmful at cellular and tissue levels, affecting various body functions. A noble and possible treatment could be made plausible by using natural products (NPs). In this review, we highlight existing experimental evidence of NPs against BPA exposure-induced adverse effects, which involve the body’s reproductive, neurological, hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. The review also focuses on the targeted signaling pathways of NPs involved in BPA-induced toxicity. Although potential molecular mechanisms underlying BPA-induced toxicity have been investigated, there is currently no specific targeted treatment for BPA-induced toxicity. Hence, natural products could be considered for future therapeutic use against adverse and harmful effects of BPA exposure.

Lung adenocarcinoma-related target gene prediction and drug repositioning

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common type of lung cancer. Gene dysregulation plays an essential role in the development of LUAD. Drug repositioning based on associations between drug target genes and LUAD target genes are useful to discover potential new drugs for the treatment of LUAD, while also reducing the monetary and time costs of new drug discovery and development. Here, we developed a pipeline based on machine learning to predict potential LUAD-related target genes through established graph attention networks (GATs). We then predicted potential drugs for the treatment of LUAD through gene coincidence-based and gene network distance-based methods. Using data from 535 LUAD tissue samples and 59 precancerous tissue samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas, 48,597 genes were identified and used for the prediction model building of the GAT. The GAT model achieved good predictive performance, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.90. 1,597 potential LUAD-related genes were identified from the GAT model. These LUAD-related genes were then used for drug repositioning. The gene overlap and network distance with the target genes were calculated for 3,070 drugs and 672 preclinical compounds approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. At which, bromoethylamine was predicted as a novel potential preclinical compound for the treatment of LUAD, and cimetidine and benzbromarone were predicted as potential therapeutic drugs for LUAD. The pipeline established in this study presents new approach for developing targeted therapies for LUAD.

Neuroprotective effects of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid against bisphenol A-induced neurotoxicity in rats: involvement of neuronal apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress and JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway

The exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is inevitable owing to its common use in the production of polycarbonate plastics. Studies to reduce side effects are gaining importance since BPA causes severe toxicities in important tissues such as testes, lungs, brain, liver and kidney. The current study was planned to study ameliorative effect of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) on BPA induced neurotoxicity. Fourty Wistar albino rats were divided into five equal groups as follows: I-Control group, II-18β-GA group (100 mg/kg), III- BPA group (250 mg/kg), IV-250 mg/kg BPA + 50 mg/kg 18β-GA group, V-250 mg/kg BPA + 100 mg/kg 18β-GA group. BPA intoxication was associated with increased MDA level while reduced GSH concentration, activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. BPA supplementation caused apoptosis in the brain by up-regulating caspase-3 and Bax levels and down-regulating Bcl-2. BPA also caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by increasing mRNA transcript levels of PERK, IRE1, ATF-6 and GRP78. Additionally, it was observed that BPA administration activated JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway and levels of TNF-α, NF-κB, p38 MAPK and JNK in the brain. However, co-treatment with 18β-GA at a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg considerably ameliorated oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, ER stress and JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway in brain tissue. Overall, the data of this study indicate that brain damage associated with BPA toxicity could be ameliorated by 18β-GA administration.

Bisphenol A aggravates renal apoptosis and necroptosis in selenium-deficient chickens via oxidative stress and PI3K/AKT pathway

Bisphenol A (BPA) in the environment can have deleterious effects on humans and animals. BPA can exert nephrotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress. Selenium (Se) deficiency can specifically impair kidney tissues and additionally show a synergistic effect on the toxicity of several environmental chemicals. However, the toxic effects of BPA on the chicken kidney and whether Se deficiency produces synergistic effects on the toxicity of BPA remain poorly understood. Herein, we established BPA exposure models and Se deficiency model in vivo and in vitro, and described the discovery path of BPA aggravation on apoptosis and necroptosis in Se-deficient chicken kidneys via regulation of oxidative stress and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/threonine kinase (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway. We found that BPA exposure increased reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels, reduced activities of catalase, GPx, and superoxide dismutase, downregulated PI3K and AKT expressions, activated Bcl/Bax-Caspase 9-Caspase 3, and receptor-interacting protein kinase 1/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein signaling pathways, resulting in apoptosis and necroptosis in the chicken kidney. In addition, Se deficiency significantly promoted the expression of renal apoptosis and necroptosis in BPA-exposed chicken kidneys. Altogether, our results showed that BPA aggravates apoptosis and necroptosis in Se-deficient chicken kidneys via regulation of oxidative stress and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our findings elucidate the mechanism of BPA nephrotoxicity and Se deficiency exacerbation toxicity in chickens and will provide great significance for the protection of the ecological environment and animal health.

Hair Sample Analysis as a Method of Monitoring Exposure to Bisphenol A in Dogs

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic substance widely used in the plastics industry. It penetrates food and environment and, as an endocrine disruptor, has detrimental effects on human organisms. Pet animals, which live in the immediate vicinity of humans, are also exposed to BPA; however, knowledge regarding the exposure of dogs to this substance is extremely scarce. This is the first study in which hair analysis has been used to biomonitor BPA in 30 dogs using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry techniques. The presence of BPA in concentration levels above the method detection limit (1.25 ng/g) was noted in 93.33% of samples. BPA concentration levels were found to range from 7.05 ng/g to 436 ng/g (mean 81.30 ng/g). Statistically significant differences in BPA concentration levels were found between animals with physiological weight and animals with abnormal weight (skinny and obese). In turn, differences between males and females, as well as between young, middle-aged and old dogs, were not statistically significant. The obtained results have clearly shown that hair analysis is a useful method to evaluate the exposure of dogs to BPA. This study also confirmed that dogs are exposed to BPA to a large extent, and this substance may play a role as a pathological factor in this animal species. However, many aspects connected to the influence of BPA on canine health status are unclear and need further study.

Targeting p-AKT/mTOR/MAP kinase signaling, NLRP3 inflammasome and apoptosis by fluvastatin with or without taxifolin mitigates gonadal dysfunction induced by bisphenol-A in male rats

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical substance that is widely used in industry for manufacturing of plastic bottles and resins. Recent reports found that BPA may mimic the effects of estrogen to a great manner that might disrupt the normal hormonal balance in the human body. Fluvastatin is an agent used for treatment of hypercholesterolemia that was proven to possess promising antioxidant ant anti-inflammatory properties. Taxifolin is a polyphenolic compound with potential antioxidant and antiestrogenic effects. The present study investigated the prospect of fluvastatin with or without taxifolin to mitigate testicular dysfunction elicited by BPA in rats. In a model of BPA-induced testicular toxicity, the hormonal profile was assessed and the testicular tissues were examined by biochemical analysis, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Fluvastatin with or without taxifolin improved the body weight gain, hormonal profile, testicular weight and functions, sperm characteristics, the antioxidant status, and the anti-inflammatory mechanisms together with enhancement of autophagy and suppression of the proapoptotic events induced by BPA in the testicular tissues. In addition, fluvastatin with or without taxifolin significantly mitigated the histopathological and the immunohistochemical changes induced by BPA in the testicular tissues. These desirable effects were more pronounced with fluvastatin/taxifolin combination relative to the use of each of these agents alone. In tandem, fluvastatin/taxifolin combination might counteract the pathogenic events induced by BPA in the testicular tissues which may be considered as a novel strategy for amelioration of these disorders.

Comparison of the renal effects of bisphenol A in mice with and without experimental diabetes. Role of sexual dimorphism

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical -xenoestrogen- used in the production of the plastic lining of food and beverage containers, is present in the urine of almost the entire population. Recent studies have shown that BPA exposure is associated with podocytopathy, increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE), and hypertension. Since these changes are characteristic of early diabetic nephropathy (DN), we explored the renal effects of BPA and diabetes including the potential role of sexual dimorphism. Male and female mice were included in the following animals' groups: control mice (C), mice treated with 21.2 mg/kg of BPA in the drinking water (BPA), diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (D), and D mice treated with BPA (D + BPA). Male mice form the D + BPA group died by the tenth week of the study due probably to hydro-electrolytic disturbances. Although BPA treated mice did not show an increase in serum creatinine, as observed in D and D + BPA groups, they displayed similar alteration to those of the D group, including increased in kidney damage biomarkers NGAL and KIM-1, UAE, hypertension, podocytopenia, apoptosis, collapsed glomeruli, as well as TGF-β, CHOP and PCNA upregulation. UAE, collapsed glomeruli, PCNA staining, TGF-β, NGAL and animal survival, significantly impaired in D + BPA animals. Moreover, UAE, collapsed glomeruli and animal survival also displayed a sexual dimorphism pattern. In conclusion, oral administration of BPA is capable of promoting in the kidney alterations that resemble early DN. Further translational studies are needed to clarify the potential role of BPA in renal diseases, particularly in diabetic patients.

Strategies to Protect Dialysis Patients against Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA), also known as 2,2,-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, is a common component of plastics worldwide. However, it has been shown to act as an endocrine disruptor with some hormonal functions. Furthermore, high levels of BPA have been related to the development of cardiovascular events and the activation of carcinogenesis pathways. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have higher serum concentrations of BPA due to their impaired renal function. This situation is aggravated in CKD patients requiring dialysis, because the BPA content of dialysis devices (such as, for example, the filters) is added to the lack of excretion. In addition to the development of BPA-free dialysis filters, some techniques can contribute to the reduction of BPA levels in these patients. The aim of this review is to illustrate the impact of BPA on dialysis patients and suggest some strategies to reduce its inherent risks.