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Xu C, Gong H, Niu L, Li T, Guo H, Hu C, Sun X, Li L, Liu W. Maternal exposure to dietary uranium causes oxidative stress and thyroid disruption in zebrafish offspring. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2023; 265:115501. [PMID: 37774545 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of uranium in aquatic ecosystems has raised growing global concern. However, the understanding of its chronic effects on aquatic organisms is limited, particularly with regards to transgenerational toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the maternal transfer risk of uranium using zebrafish. Sexually mature female zebrafish were exposed to 2 and 20 ng/g of uranium-spiked food for 28 days. The induced bioconcentration, thyroid disruption, and oxidative stress in both the adults (F0) and their embryos (F1) were further investigated. Element analysis showed that uranium was present in both F0 and F1, with higher concentrations observed in F1, indicating significant maternal offloading to the offspring. Meanwhile, an increased malformation and decreased swim speed were observed in the F1. Thyroid hormone analysis revealed significant decreases in the levels of triiodothyronine (T3) in both the F0 adults and F1 embryos, but thyroxine (T4) was not significantly affected. Additionally, the activities of antioxidant defenses, including catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the expression of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly altered in the F0 and F1 larvae at 120 hpf. The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis-related gene transcription expression were also significantly affected in both generations. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of considering maternal transfer in uranium risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Xu
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Honghong Gong
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Lili Niu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China.
| | - Tianyang Li
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Hangqin Guo
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Chenjian Hu
- Zhejiang Radiation Environment Monitoring Station, Hangzhou 310012, China.
| | - Xiaohui Sun
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control, Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Ling Li
- College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 362021, Fujian, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China; International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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2
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Vellingiri B. A deeper understanding about the role of uranium toxicity in neurodegeneration. Environ Res 2023; 233:116430. [PMID: 37329943 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Natural deposits and human-caused releases of uranium have led to its contamination in the nature. Toxic environmental contaminants such as uranium that harm cerebral processes specifically target the brain. Numerous experimental researches have shown that occupational and environmental uranium exposure can result in a wide range of health issues. According to the recent experimental research, uranium can enter the brain after exposure and cause neurobehavioral problems such as elevated motion related activity, disruption of the sleep-wake cycle, poor memory, and elevated anxiety. However, the exact mechanism behind the factor for neurotoxicity by uranium is still uncertain. This review primarily aims on a brief overview of uranium, its route of exposure to the central nervous system, and the likely mechanism of uranium in neurological diseases including oxidative stress, epigenetic modification, and neuronal inflammation has been described, which could present the probable state-of-the-art status of uranium in neurotoxicity. Finally, we offer some preventative strategies to workers who are exposed to uranium at work. In closing, this study highlights the knowledge of uranium's health dangers and underlying toxicological mechanisms is still in its infancy, and there is still more to learn about many contentious discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balachandar Vellingiri
- Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, Punjab, India.
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You Y, Dou J, Xue Y, Jin N, Yang K. Chelating Agents in Assisting Phytoremediation of Uranium-Contaminated Soils: A Review. Sustainability 2022; 14:6379. [DOI: 10.3390/su14106379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Massive stockpiles of uranium (U) mine tailings have resulted in soil contamination with U. Plants for soil remediation have low extraction efficiency of U. Chelating agents can mobilize U in soils and, hence, enhance phytoextraction of U from the soil. However, the rapid mobilization rate of soil U by chelating agents in a short period than plant uptake rate could increase the risk of groundwater contamination with soluble U leaching down the soil profile. This review summarizes recent progresses in synthesis and application of chelating agents for assisting phytoremediation of U-contaminated soils. In detail, the interactions between chelating agents and U ions are initially elucidated. Subsequently, the mechanisms of phytoextraction and effectiveness of different chelating agents for phytoremediation of U-contaminated soils are given. Moreover, the potential risks associated with chelating agents are discussed. Finally, the synthesis and application of slow-release chelating agents for slowing down metal mobilization in soils are presented. The application of slow-release chelating agents for enhancing phytoextraction of soil U is still scarce. Hence, we propose the preparation of slow-release biodegradable chelating agents, which can control the release speed of chelating agent into the soil in order to match the mobilization rate of soil U with plant uptake rate, while diminishing the risk of residual chelating agent leaching to groundwater.
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Guéguen Y, Frerejacques M. Review of Knowledge of Uranium-Induced Kidney Toxicity for the Development of an Adverse Outcome Pathway to Renal Impairment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084397. [PMID: 35457214 PMCID: PMC9030063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
An adverse outcome pathway (AOP) is a conceptual construct of causally and sequentially linked events, which occur during exposure to stressors, with an adverse outcome relevant to risk assessment. The development of an AOP is a means of identifying knowledge gaps in order to prioritize research assessing the health risks associated with exposure to physical or chemical stressors. In this paper, a review of knowledge was proposed, examining experimental and epidemiological data, in order to identify relevant key events and potential key event relationships in an AOP for renal impairment, relevant to stressors such as uranium (U). Other stressors may promote similar pathways, and this review is a necessary step to compare and combine knowledge reported for nephrotoxicants. U metal ions are filtered through the glomerular membrane of the kidneys, then concentrate in the cortical and juxtaglomerular areas, and bind to the brush border membrane of the proximal convoluted tubules. U uptake by epithelial cells occurs through endocytosis and the sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporter (NaPi-IIa). The identified key events start with the inhibition of the mitochondria electron transfer chain and the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, due to cytochrome b5/cytochrome c disruption. In the nucleus, U directly interacts with negatively charged DNA phosphate, thereby inducing an adduct formation, and possibly DNA strand breaks or cross-links. U also compromises DNA repair by inhibiting zing finger proteins. Thereafter, U triggers the Nrf2, NF-κB, or endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways. The resulting cellular key events include oxidative stress, DNA strand breaks and chromosomal aberrations, apoptosis, and pro-inflammatory effects. Finally, the main adverse outcome is tubular damage of the S2 and S3 segments of the kidneys, leading to tubular cell death, and then kidney failure. The attribution of renal carcinogenesis due to U is controversial, and specific experimental or epidemiological studies must be conducted. A tentative construction of an AOP for uranium-induced kidney toxicity and failure was proposed.
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Abstract
Bio-inspired polymeric nanochannel (also referred as nanopore)-based biosensors have attracted considerable attention on account of their controllable channel size and shape, multi-functional surface chemistry, unique ionic transport properties, and good robustness for applications. There are already very informative reviews on the latest developments in solid-state artificial nanochannel-based biosensors, however, which concentrated on the resistive-pulse sensing-based sensors for practical applications. The steady-state sensing-based nanochannel biosensors, in principle, have significant advantages over their counterparts in term of high sensitivity, fast response, target analytes with no size limit, and extensive suitable range. Furthermore, among the diverse materials, nanochannels based on polymeric materials perform outstandingly, due to flexible fabrication and wide application. This compressive Review summarizes the recent advances in bio-inspired polymeric nanochannels as sensing platforms for detection of important analytes in living organisms, to meet the high demand for high-performance biosensors for analysis of target analytes, and the potential for development of smart sensing devices. In the future, research efforts can be focused on transport mechanisms in the field of steady-state or resistive-pulse nanochannel-based sensors and on developing precisely size-controlled, robust, miniature and reusable, multi-functional, and high-throughput biosensors for practical applications. Future efforts should aim at a deeper understanding of the principles at the molecular level and incorporating these diverse pore architectures into homogeneous and defect-free multi-channel membrane systems. With the rapid advancement of nanoscience and biotechnology, we believe that many more achievements in nanochannel-based biosensors could be achieved in the near future, serving people in a better way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- College of Materials and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, People's Republic of China
| | - Yahong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interface Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interface Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
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Joseph SJ, Arunachalam KD, Murthy PB, Ramalingam R, Musthafa MS. Uranium induces genomic instability and slows cell cycle progression in human lymphocytes in acute toxicity study. Toxicol In Vitro 2021; 73:105149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2021.105149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Ma M, Wang R, Xu L, Xu M, Liu S. Emerging health risks and underlying toxicological mechanisms of uranium contamination: Lessons from the past two decades. Environ Int 2020; 145:106107. [PMID: 32932066 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Uranium contamination is a global health concern. Regarding natural or anthropogenic uranium contamination, the major sources of concern are groundwater, mining, phosphate fertilizers, nuclear facilities, and military activities. Many epidemiological and laboratory studies have demonstrated that environmental and occupational uranium exposure can induce multifarious health problems. Uranium exposure may cause health risks because of its chemotoxicity and radiotoxicity in natural or anthropogenic scenarios: the former is generally thought to play a more significant role with regard to the natural uranium exposure, and the latter is more relevant to enriched uranium exposure. The understanding of the health risks and underlying toxicological mechanisms of uranium remains at a preliminary stage, and many controversial findings require further research. In order to present state-of-the-art status in this field, this review will primarily focus on the chemotoxicity of uranium, rather than its radiotoxicity, as well as the involved toxicological mechanisms. First, the natural or anthropogenic uranium contamination scenarios will be briefly summarized. Second, the health risks upon natural uranium exposure, for example, nephrotoxicity, bone toxicity, reproductive toxicity, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and pulmonary toxicity, will be discussed based on the reported epidemiological cases and laboratory studies. Third, the recent advances regarding the toxicological mechanisms of uranium-induced chemotoxicity will be highlighted, including oxidative stress, genetic damage, protein impairment, inflammation, and metabolic disorder. Finally, the gaps and challenges in the knowledge of uranium-induced chemotoxicity and underlying mechanisms will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ruixia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lining Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Sijin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Abstract
As a heavy metal nuclear fuel, uranium is used in various civil and military projects, resulting in environmental pollution. Uranium can enter the body through the mouth, nose and skin, threatening human health. The reproductive organs are sensitive to uranium. For certain exposure times, doses and modes, uranium can produce toxic effects on the reproductive organs. The reproductive toxicity of uranium can be produced through different mechanisms of action, such as changing the level of sex hormones in the body, disrupting the expression of genes or proteins related to reproduction and causing oxidative stress and inflammation. Uranium thus can cause toxic effects to the reproductive system, leading to histopathological changes and decreased conception rates, and may damage the health of the body. This paper reviews the research progress on uranium reproductive toxicity in recent years and indicates a direction for future research on uranium reproductive toxicity and its mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, No.30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yonghong Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, No.30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Binghui Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, No.30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Juan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, No.30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hongrong Kuang
- Chongqing Normal University, No.37, Middle University Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Gong
- Chongqing Normal University, No.37, Middle University Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuhui Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, No.30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Wang YX, Pan A, Feng W, Liu C, Huang LL, Ai SH, Zeng Q, Lu WQ. Variability and exposure classification of urinary levels of non-essential metals aluminum, antimony, barium, thallium, tungsten and uranium in healthy adult men. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2019; 29:424-434. [PMID: 29269756 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-017-0002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic, cadmium and lead are well-known toxic metals, and there are substantial studies on variability of these metals in urine to optimize design of exposure assessment. For urinary levels of other nonessential metals such as aluminum (Al), antimony (Sb), barium (Ba), thallium (Tl), tungsten (W) and uranium (U), however, their within-individual and between-individual variability are unclear. Therefore, we collected 529 samples from 11 healthy adult men on 8 days during a 3-month period. We measured urinary metals and creatinine (Cr) levels, assessed the reproducibility using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and performed sensitivity and specificity analyses to assess how well 1, 2 or 3 specimens could classify exposure. Al, Sb, Ba, W and U levels measured from spot samples varied greatly over days and months (Cr-adjusted ICCs = 0.01-0.14). Serial measures of Tl levels measured from spot samples had fair-to-good reproducibility over 5 consecutive days (Cr-adjusted ICC = 0.40), but worsened when the specimens were collected months apart (Cr-adjusted ICC = 0.16). To identify men who were highly exposed (top 33%) based on their 3-month averages, tests of single spot samples and tests of first-morning voids had high specificities (0.73-0.85) but relatively low sensitivities (0.27-0.60). Collection of repeated urine specimens from each individual improved the classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Xin Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - An Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Feng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Chong Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Li-Li Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Song-Hua Ai
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Qiang Zeng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Wen-Qing Lu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
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Simon O, Gagnaire B, Camilleri V, Cavalié I, Floriani M, Adam-Guillermin C. Toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic of depleted uranium in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Aquat Toxicol 2018; 197:9-18. [PMID: 29425915 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the accumulation pattern and biological effects (genotoxicity and histopathology) to adult zebrafish (male and female) exposed to a nominal waterborne concentration of 20 μg L-1 of depleted uranium (DU) for 28 days followed by 27 days of depuration. Accumulation pattern showed that (i) DU accumulated in brain, (ii) levels in digestive tract were higher than those measured in gills and (iii) levels remained high in kidney, brain and ovary despite the 27 days of depuration period. Genotoxicity, assessed by comet assay, was significant not only during DU exposure, but also during depuration phase. Gonads, in particular the testes, were more sensitive than gills. The histology of gonads indicated severe biological damages in males. This study improved knowledge of ecotoxic profile of uranium, for which a large range of biological effects has already been demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Simon
- Institut de Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV, SERIS, LECO, Cadarache, St-Paul-lez-Durance, France.
| | - Béatrice Gagnaire
- Institut de Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV, SERIS, LECO, Cadarache, St-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Virginie Camilleri
- Institut de Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV, SERIS, LECO, Cadarache, St-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Isabelle Cavalié
- Institut de Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV, SERIS, LECO, Cadarache, St-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Magali Floriani
- Institut de Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV, SERIS, LECO, Cadarache, St-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Christelle Adam-Guillermin
- Institut de Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV, SERIS, LECO, Cadarache, St-Paul-lez-Durance, France
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Legendre A, Elie C, Ramambason C, Manens L, Souidi M, Froment P, Tack K. Endocrine effects of lifelong exposure to low-dose depleted uranium on testicular functions in adult rat. Toxicology 2016; 368-369:58-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2016.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Szyrwiel Ł, Liauchuk V, Chavatte L, Lobinski R. In vitro induction and proteomics characterisation of a uranyl-protein interaction network in bovine serum. Metallomics 2015; 7:1604-11. [PMID: 26506398 DOI: 10.1039/c5mt00207a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Uranyl ions (UO2(2+)) were shown to interact with a number of foetal serum proteins, leading to the formation of a complex that could be isolated by ultracentrifugation. The molecular weight of the complex was estimated based on size-exclusion chromatography as 650 000 Da. Online ICP AES detection indicated that UO2(2+) in the complex co-eluted with minor amounts of calcium and phosphorous, but not with magnesium. A 1D gel electrophoresis of the U-complex produced more than 10 bands of similar intensity compared with only 2-3 intense bands corresponding to the main serum proteins in the control serum, indicative of the specific interaction of UO2(2+) with minor proteins. A proteomics approach allowed for the identification of 74 proteins in the complex. Analysis of the protein-protein interaction network in the UO2(2+) complex identified 32 proteins responsible for protein-protein complex formation and 34 with demonstrated ion-binding function, suggesting that UO2(2+) stimulates the formation of protein functional networks rather than using a particular molecule as its target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Szyrwiel
- CNRS/UPPA, LCABIE, UMR5254, Hélioparc, 2, av. Pr. Angot, F-64053 Pau, France.
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Saito S, Lin YC, Murayama Y, Nakamura Y, Eckner R, Niemann H, Yokoyama KK. Retracted article: In vitro derivation of mammalian germ cells from stem cells and their potential therapeutic application. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:4545-60. [PMID: 26439925 PMCID: PMC4628088 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2020-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Revised: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are a unique type of cells because they
exhibit the characteristics of self-renewal and pluripotency. PSCs may be induced to
differentiate into any cell type, even male and female germ cells, suggesting their
potential as novel cell-based therapeutic treatment for infertility problems.
Spermatogenesis is an intricate biological process that starts from self-renewal of
spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and leads to differentiated haploid spermatozoa.
Errors at any stage in spermatogenesis may result in male infertility. During the
past decade, much progress has been made in the derivation of male germ cells from
various types of progenitor stem cells. Currently, there are two main approaches for
the derivation of functional germ cells from PSCs, either the induction of in vitro
differentiation to produce haploid cell products, or combination of in vitro
differentiation and in vivo transplantation. The production of mature and fertile
spermatozoa from stem cells might provide an unlimited source of autologous gametes
for treatment of male infertility. Here, we discuss the current state of the art
regarding the differentiation potential of SSCs, embryonic stem cells, and induced
pluripotent stem cells to produce functional male germ cells. We also discuss the
possible use of livestock-derived PSCs as a novel option for animal reproduction and
infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeo Saito
- Saito Laboratory of Cell Technology, Yaita, Tochigi, 329-1571, Japan. .,SPK Co., Ltd., Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, 965-0025, Japan. .,College of Engineering, Nihon University, Koriyama, Fukushima, 963-8642, Japan.
| | - Ying-Chu Lin
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaoshiung Medical University, 100 Shin-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Yoshinobu Murayama
- College of Engineering, Nihon University, Koriyama, Fukushima, 963-8642, Japan
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, 3050074, Japan
| | - Richard Eckner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07101, USA
| | - Heiner Niemann
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Löffler-Institut, Mariensee, 31535, Neustadt, Germany.
| | - Kazunari K Yokoyama
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Center of Stem Cell Research, Center of Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Rd, San Ming District, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan. .,Faculty of Science and Engineering, Tokushima Bunri University, Sanuki, 763-2193, Japan. .,Department of Molecular Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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15
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Liu F, Du KJ, Fang Z, You Y, Wen GB, Lin YW. Chemical and biological insights into uranium-induced apoptosis of rat hepatic cell line. Radiat Environ Biophys 2015; 54:207-216. [PMID: 25636514 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-015-0588-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Uranium release into the environment is a threat to human health, and the mechanisms of cytotoxicity caused by uranium are not well-understood. To improve our understanding in this respect, we herein evaluated the effects of uranium exposure on normal rat hepatic BRL cells. As revealed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope analysis, uranyl nitrate was found to be transformed into uranyl phosphate particles in the medium and taken up by BRL cells in an endocytotic uptake manner, which presumably initiates apoptosis of the cell, although soluble uranyl ion may also be toxic. The apoptosis of BRL cells upon uranium exposure was also confirmed by both the acridine orange and ethidium bromide double staining assay and the Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining assay. Further studies revealed that uranium induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the uranium-induced apoptosis was found to be associated with the activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, indicating both a mitochondria-dependent signaling pathway and a death receptor pathway by a crosstalk. This study provides new chemical and biological insights into the mechanism of uranium toxicity toward hepatic cells, which will help seek approaches for biological remediation of uranium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, University of South China, College of Hunan Province, Hengyang, 421001, China
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16
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Maamar MB, Lesné L, Desdoits-Lethimonier C, Coiffec I, Lassurguère J, Lavoué V, Deceuninck Y, Antignac JP, Le Bizec B, Perdu E, Zalko D, Pineau C, Chevrier C, Dejucq-Rainsford N, Mazaud-Guittot S, Jégou B. An investigation of the endocrine-disruptive effects of bisphenol a in human and rat fetal testes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117226. [PMID: 25706302 PMCID: PMC4338204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Few studies have been undertaken to assess the possible effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on the reproductive hormone balance in animals or humans with often contradictory results. We investigated possible direct endocrine disruption by BPA of the fetal testes of 2 rat strains (14.5–17.5 days post-coitum) and humans (8–12 gestational weeks) and under different culture conditions. BPA concentrations of 10-8M and 10-5M for 72h reduced testosterone production by the Sprague-Dawley fetal rat testes, while only 10-5M suppressed it in the Wistar strain. The suppressive effects at 10-5M were seen as early as 24h and 48h in both strains. BPA at 10-7-10-5M for 72h suppressed the levels of fetal rat Leydig cell insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3). BPA exposure at 10-8M, 10-7M, and 10-5M for 72h inhibited testosterone production in fetal human testes. For the lowest doses, the effects observed occurred only when no gonadotrophin was added to the culture media and were associated with a poorly preserved testicular morphology. We concluded that (i) BPA can display anti-androgenic effects both in rat and human fetal testes; (ii) it is essential to ascertain that the divergent effects of endocrine disruptors between species in vitro do not result from the culture conditions used, and/or the rodent strain selected; (iii) the optimization of each in vitro assay for a given species should be a major objective rather than the search of an hypothetical trans-species consensual model-system, as the organization of the testis is intrinsically different between mammalian species; (iv) due to the uncertainty existing on the internal exposure of the human fetal testis to BPA, and the insufficient number of epidemiological studies on the endocrine disruptive effects of BPA, caution should be taken in the extrapolation of our present results to the human reproductive health after fetal exposure to BPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Millissia Ben Maamar
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), IRSET, U1085, SFR Biosit, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
| | - Laurianne Lesné
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), IRSET, U1085, SFR Biosit, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
| | - Christèle Desdoits-Lethimonier
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), IRSET, U1085, SFR Biosit, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
| | - Isabelle Coiffec
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), IRSET, U1085, SFR Biosit, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
| | - Julie Lassurguère
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), IRSET, U1085, SFR Biosit, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
| | - Vincent Lavoué
- CHU Rennes, Service Gynécologie et Obstétrique, Rennes, France
| | - Yoann Deceuninck
- USC 1329 LABERCA, ONIRIS, Atlanpôle—La Chantrerie, Nantes, France
| | | | - Bruno Le Bizec
- USC 1329 LABERCA, ONIRIS, Atlanpôle—La Chantrerie, Nantes, France
| | - Elisabeth Perdu
- UMR 1331 TOXALIM, INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique), Chemin de Tournefeuille, Toulouse, France
| | - Daniel Zalko
- UMR 1331 TOXALIM, INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique), Chemin de Tournefeuille, Toulouse, France
| | - Charles Pineau
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), IRSET, U1085, SFR Biosit, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
| | - Cécile Chevrier
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), IRSET, U1085, SFR Biosit, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
| | - Nathalie Dejucq-Rainsford
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), IRSET, U1085, SFR Biosit, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
| | - Séverine Mazaud-Guittot
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), IRSET, U1085, SFR Biosit, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
| | - Bernard Jégou
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), IRSET, U1085, SFR Biosit, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, CEDEX, France
- EHESP—School of Public Health, Avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, Rennes, France
- * E-mail:
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Habert R, Muczynski V, Grisin T, Moison D, Messiaen S, Frydman R, Benachi A, Delbes G, Lambrot R, Lehraiki A, N'tumba-Byn T, Guerquin MJ, Levacher C, Rouiller-Fabre V, Livera G. Concerns about the widespread use of rodent models for human risk assessments of endocrine disruptors. Reproduction 2014; 147:R119-29. [PMID: 24497529 PMCID: PMC3959776 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fetal testis is a major target of endocrine disruptors (EDs). During the last 20 years, we have developed an organotypic culture system that maintains the function of the different fetal testis cell types and have used this approach as a toxicological test to evaluate the effects of various compounds on gametogenesis and steroidogenesis in rat, mouse and human testes. We named this test rat, mouse and human fetal testis assay. With this approach, we compared the effects of six potential EDs ((mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), cadmium, depleted uranium, diethylstilboestrol (DES), bisphenol A (BPA) and metformin) and one signalling molecule (retinoic acid (RA)) on the function of rat, mouse and human fetal testis at a comparable developmental stage. We found that the response is similar in humans and rodents for only one third of our analyses. For instance, RA and MEHP have similar negative effects on gametogenesis in the three species. For another third of our analyses, the threshold efficient concentrations that disturb gametogenesis and/or steroidogenesis differ as a function of the species. For instance, BPA and metformin have similar negative effects on steroidogenesis in human and rodents, but at different threshold doses. For the last third of our analyses, the qualitative response is species specific. For instance, MEHP and DES affect steroidogenesis in rodents, but not in human fetal testis. These species differences raise concerns about the extrapolation of data obtained in rodents to human health risk assessment and highlight the need of rigorous comparisons of the effects in human and rodent models, when assessing ED risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Habert
- Unit of Stem Cells and Radiation, Laboratory of Development of the Gonads, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris Diderot, BP 6, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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18
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Sun MH, Liu SQ, Du KJ, Nie CM, Lin YW. A spectroscopic study of uranyl-cytochrome b5/cytochrome c interactions. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2014; 118:130-137. [PMID: 24051281 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2013.08.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Revised: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Uranium is harmful to human health due to its radiation damage and the ability of uranyl ion (UO2(2+)) to interact with various proteins and disturb their biological functions. Cytochrome b5 (cyt b5) is a highly negatively charged heme protein and plays a key role in mediating cytochrome c (cyt c) signaling in apoptosis by forming a dynamic cyt b5-cyt c complex. In previous molecular modeling study in combination with UV-Vis studies, we found that UO2(2+) is capable of binding to cyt b5 at surface residues, Glu37 and Glu43. In this study, we further investigated the structural consequences of cyt b5 and cyt c, as well as cyt b5-cyt c complex, upon uranyl binding, by fluorescence spectroscopic and circular dichroism techniques. Moreover, we proposed a uranyl binding site for cyt c at surface residues, Glu66 and Glu69, by performing a molecular modeling study. It was shown that uranyl binds to cyt b5 (KD=10 μM), cyt c (KD=87 μM), and cyt b5-cyt c complex (KD=30 μM) with a different affinity, which slightly alters the protein conformation and disturbs the interaction of cyt b5-cyt c complex. Additionally, we investigated the functional consequences of uranyl binding to the protein surface, which decreases the inherent peroxidase activity of cyt c. The information of uranyl-cyt b5/cyt c interactions gained in this study likely provides a clue for the mechanism of uranyl toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Hui Sun
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
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19
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Homma-Takeda S, Kokubo T, Terada Y, Suzuki K, Ueno S, Hayao T, Inoue T, Kitahara K, Blyth BJ, Nishimura M, Shimada Y. Uranium dynamics and developmental sensitivity in rat kidney. J Appl Toxicol 2013; 33:685-94. [PMID: 23619997 DOI: 10.1002/jat.2870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2012] [Revised: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Renal toxicity is the principal health concern after uranium exposure. Children are particularly vulnerable to uranium exposure; with contact with depleted uranium in war zones or groundwater contamination the most likely exposure scenarios. To investigate renal sensitivity to uranium exposure during development, we examined uranium distribution and uranium-induced apoptosis in the kidneys of neonate (7-day-old), prepubertal (25-day-old) and adult (70-day-old) male Wistar rats. Mean renal uranium concentrations increased with both age-at-exposure and exposure level after subcutaneous administration of uranium acetate (UA) (0.1-2 mg kg(-1) body weight). Although less of the injected uranium was deposited in the kidneys of the two younger rat groups, the proportion of the peak uranium content remaining in the kidneys after 2 weeks declined with age-at-exposure, suggesting reduced clearance in younger animals. In situ high-energy synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed site-specific accumulation of uranium in the S3 segment of the proximal tubules, distributed in the inner cortex and outer stripe of the outer medulla. Apoptosis and cell loss in the proximal tubules increased with age-at-exposure to 0.5 mg kg(-1) UA. Surprisingly, prepubertal rats were uniquely sensitive to uranium-induced lethality from the higher exposure levels. Observations of increased apoptosis in generating/re-generating tubules particularly in prepubertal rats could help to explain their high mortality rate. Together, our findings suggest that age-at-exposure and exposure level are important parameters for uranium toxicity; uranium tends to persist in developing kidneys after low-level exposures, although renal toxicity is more pronounced in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shino Homma-Takeda
- Radiobiology for Children's Health Program, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku Chiba, 263-8555, Japan.
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20
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Tartarin P, Moison D, Guibert E, Dupont J, Habert R, Rouiller-fabre V, Frydman N, Pozzi S, Frydman R, Lecureuil C, Froment P. Metformin exposure affects human and mouse fetal testicular cells. Hum Reprod 2012; 27:3304-14. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
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21
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Hayashi Y, Saitou M, Yamanaka S. Germline development from human pluripotent stem cells toward disease modeling of infertility. Fertil Steril 2012; 97:1250-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Revised: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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22
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Rouiller-fabre V, Muczynski V, Lécureuil C, Livera G, Moison D, Frydman R, Habert R. Polluants environnementaux et troubles de la reproduction masculine : les phtalates au cœur du débat. Cahiers de Nutrition et de Diététique 2011; 46:75-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cnd.2011.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Abstract
Recent plans for a nuclear renaissance in both established and emerging economies have prompted increased interest in uranium mining. With the potential for more uranium mining worldwide and a growth in the literature on the toxicology and epidemiology of uranium and uranium mining, we found it timely to review the current state of knowledge. Here, we present a review of the health effects of uranium mining, with an emphasis on newer findings (2005-2011). Uranium mining can contaminate air, water, and soil. The chemical toxicity of the metal constitutes the primary environmental health hazard, with the radioactivity of uranium a secondary concern. The update of the toxicologic evidence on uranium adds to the established findings regarding nephrotoxicity, genotoxicity, and developmental defects. Additional novel toxicologic findings, including some at the molecular level, are now emerging that raise the biological plausibility of adverse effects on the brain, on reproduction, including estrogenic effects, on gene expression, and on uranium metabolism. Historically, most epidemiology on uranium mining has focused on mine workers and radon exposure. Although that situation is still overwhelmingly true, a smaller emerging literature has begun to form around environmental exposure in residential areas near uranium mining and processing facilities. We present and critique such studies. Clearly, more epidemiologic research is needed to contribute to causal inference. As much damage is irreversible, and possibly cumulative, present efforts must be vigorous to limit environmental uranium contamination and exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doug Brugge
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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