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Calabrese EJ, Pressman P, Hayes AW, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Agathokleous E, Calabrese V. RUTIN, a widely consumed flavonoid, that commonly induces hormetic effects. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 187:114626. [PMID: 38556157 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Rutin is a flavonoid present in numerous fruits and vegetables and therefore widely consumed by humans. It is also a popular dietary supplement of 250-500 mg/day. There is considerable consumer interest in rutin due to numerous reports in the biomedical literature of its multi-system chemo-preventive properties. The present paper provides the first assessment of rutin-induced hormetic concentration/dose responses, their quantitative features and mechanistic basis, along with their biological, biomedical, clinical, and public health implications. The findings indicate that rutin-induced hormetic dose responses are widespread, being reported in numerous biological models and cell types for a wide range of endpoints. Of critical importance is that the optimal hormetic findings shown in in vitro systems are currently not achievable for human populations due to low gastrointestinal tract bioavailability. These findings have the potential to strengthen future experimental studies with rutin, particularly concerning study design parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Morrill I-N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Peter Pressman
- University of Maine, 5728 Fernald Hall, Room 201, Orono, ME, 04469, USA.
| | - A Wallace Hayes
- Center for Environmental Occupational Risk Analysis and Management, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Gaurav Dhawan
- Sri Guru Ram Das (SGRD), University of Health Sciences, Amritsar, India.
| | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA.
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Ecology and Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania, 95123, Italy.
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Calabrese EJ, Selby PB. Muller and mutations: mouse study of George Snell (a postdoc of Muller) fails to confirm Muller's fruit fly findings, and Muller fails to cite Snell's findings. Arch Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s00204-024-03718-1. [PMID: 38573337 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03718-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
In 1931, Hermann J. Muller's postdoctoral student, George D. Snell (Nobel Prize recipient--1980) initiated research to replicate with mice Muller's X-ray-induced mutational findings with fruit flies. Snell failed to induce the two types of mutations of interest, based on fly data (sex-linked lethals/recessive visible mutations) even though the study was well designed, used large doses of X-rays, and was published in Genetics. These findings were never cited by Muller, and the Snell paper (Snell, Genetics 20:545-567, 1935) did not cite the 1927 Muller paper (Muller, Science 66:84, 1927). This situation raises questions concerning how Snell wrote the paper (e.g., ignoring the significance of not providing support for Muller's findings in a mammal). The question may be raised whether professional pressures were placed upon Snell to downplay the significance of his findings, which could have negatively impacted the career of Muller and the LNT theory. While Muller would receive worldwide attention, and receive the Nobel Prize in 1946 "for the discovery that mutations can be induced by X-rays," Snell's negative mutation data were almost entirely ignored by his contemporary and subsequent radiation genetics/mutation researchers. This raises questions concerning how the apparent lack of interest in Snell's negative findings helped Muller professionally, including his success in using his fruit fly data to influence hereditary and cancer risk assessment and to obtain the Nobel Prize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Toxicology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Paul B Selby
- Retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory at Oak Ridge, TN, 4088 Notting Hill Gate Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43220, USA
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Calabrese EJ, Pressman P, Hayes AW, Kapoor R, Dhawan G, Agathokleous E, Calabrese V. Taurine induces hormesis in multiple biological models: May have transformative implications for overall societal health. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 392:110930. [PMID: 38432405 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This paper represents the first integrative assessment and documentation of taurine-induced hormetic effects in the biological and biomedical areas, their dose response features, mechanistic frameworks, and possible public health, therapeutic and commercial applications. Taurine-induced hormetic effects are documented in a wide range of experimental models, cell types and for numerous biological endpoints, with most of these experimental findings being reported within the past five years. It is suggested that the concept of hormesis may have a transformative effect on taurine research and its public health and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Morrill I-N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Peter Pressman
- University of Maine, 5728 Fernald Hall, Room 201, Orono, ME, 04469, USA.
| | - A Wallace Hayes
- Center for Environmental Occupational Risk Analysis and Management, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA.
| | - Gaurav Dhawan
- Sri Guru Ram Das (SGRD), University of Health Sciences, Amritsar, India.
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Ecology and Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania, 95123, Italy.
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Calabrese EJ, Hayes AW, Pressman P, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Agathokleous E, Calabrese V. Flavonoids commonly induce hormetic responses. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1237-1240. [PMID: 38367038 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03684-8] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
The present paper provides a new perspective of previously published findings by Siwak (Food Chem 141:1227-1241, 2013) which showed that 15 structurally diverse flavonoids reduced toxicity (i.e., enhanced cell viability) from hypochlorite using the MTT assay within a pre-conditioning experimental protocol, with each agent showing a similar biphasic concentration response relationship. We use this Commentary to point out that each of the concentration response relationships are consistent with the hormetic dose response. The paper of Siwak (Food Chem 141:1227-1241, 2013) is unique in that it provides a comparison of a relatively large number of agents using the identical experimental protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Morrill I-N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - A Wallace Hayes
- Center for Environmental Occupational Risk Analysis and Management, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Peter Pressman
- University of Maine, 5728 Fernald Hall, Room 201, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | - Gaurav Dhawan
- Sri Guru Ram Das (SGRD), University of Health Sciences, Amritsar, India
| | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Ecology and Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123, Catania, Italy
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Cosentino A, Agafonova A, Modafferi S, Trovato Salinaro A, Scuto M, Maiolino L, Fritsch T, Calabrese EJ, Lupo G, Anfuso CD, Calabrese V. Blood-Labyrinth Barrier in Health and Diseases: Effect of Hormetic Nutrients. Antioxid Redox Signal 2024; 40:542-563. [PMID: 37565276 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2023.0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Significance: The stria vascularis, located in the inner ear, consists of three layers, one of which is the blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB). It is formed by endothelial cells, sealed together to prevent the passage of toxic substances from the blood to the inner ear, by pericytes and perivascular-resident macrophage-like melanocyte. Recent Advances: There are various causes that lead to hearing loss, and among these are noise-induced and autoimmune hearing loss, ear disorders related to ototoxic medication, Ménière's disease, and age-related hearing loss. For all of these, major therapeutic interventions include drug-loaded nanoparticles, via intratympanic or intracochlear delivery. Critical Issues: Since many pathologies associated with hearing loss are characterized by a weakening of the BLB, in this review, the molecular mechanisms underlying the response to damage of BLB cellular components have been discussed. In addition, insight into the role of hormetic nutrients against hearing loss pathology is proposed. Future Directions: BLB cellular components of neurovascular cochlear unit play important physiological roles, owing to their impermeable function against all ototoxic substances that can induce damage. Studies are needed to investigate the cross talk occurring between these cellular components to exploit their possible role as novel targets for therapeutic interventions that may unravel future path based on the use of hormetic nutrients. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 40, 542-563.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Cosentino
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Aleksandra Agafonova
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sergio Modafferi
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Angela Trovato Salinaro
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Scuto
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luigi Maiolino
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Calabrese EJ, Giordano J. How Hermann J. Muller Viewed the Ernest Sternglass Contributions to Hereditary and Cancer Risk Assessment. Health Phys 2024; 126:151-155. [PMID: 38252948 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT As one of the most influential radiation geneticists of the 20th century, Hermann J. Muller had a major role in the development and widespread acceptance of the linear no-threshold (LNT) dose response for hereditary and cancer risk assessments worldwide. However, a spate of historical reassessments have challenged the fundamental scientific foundations of the LNT model, drawing considerable attention to issues of ethical probity and the scientific leadership of Muller. This review paper raises further questions about the objectivity of Muller with respect to the LNT model. It is shown that Muller supported Ernest Sternglass's findings and interpretations concerning radiation-induced childhood leukemia, which have been widely and consistently discredited. These findings provide further evidence that Muller's actions with respect to radiation cancer risk assessment were far more ideologically than scientifically based.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - James Giordano
- Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry, Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007
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Calabrese EJ. Cancer risk assessment, its wretched history and what it means for public health. J Occup Environ Hyg 2024; 21:220-238. [PMID: 38452003 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2024.2311300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
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Calabrese EJ, Selby PB. Muller misled the Pugwash Conference on radiation risks. J Occup Environ Hyg 2024; 21:136-143. [PMID: 37812193 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2268664] [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] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The Pugwash Conferences have been a highly visible attempt to create profoundly important discussions on matters related to global safety and security at the highest levels, starting in 1957 at the height of the Cold War. This paper assesses, for the first time, the formal comments offered at this first Pugwash Conference by the Nobel Prize-winning radiation geneticist, Hermann J. Muller, on the effects of ionizing radiation on the human genome. This analysis shows that the presentation by Muller was highly biased and contained scientific errors and misrepresentations of the scientific record that resulted in seriously misleading the attendees. The presentation of Muller at Pugwash served to promote, on a very visible global scale, continued misrepresentations of the state of the science and had a significant impact on policies and practices internationally and both scientific and personal belief systems concerning the effects of low dose radiation on human health. These misrepresentations would come to affect the adoption and use of nuclear technologies and the science of radiological and chemical carcinogen health risk assessment, ultimately having a profound effect on global environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Paul B Selby
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
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Calabrese EJ, Nascarella M, Pressman P, Hayes AW, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Calabrese V, Agathokleous E. Hormesis determines lifespan. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 94:102181. [PMID: 38182079 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
This paper addresses how long lifespan can be extended via multiple interventions, such as dietary supplements [e.g., curcumin, resveratrol, sulforaphane, complex phytochemical mixtures (e.g., Moringa, Rhodiola)], pharmaceutical agents (e.g., metformin), caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, exercise and other activities. This evaluation was framed within the context of hormesis, a biphasic dose response with specific quantitative features describing the limits of biological/phenotypic plasticity for integrative biological endpoints (e.g., cell proliferation, memory, fecundity, growth, tissue repair, stem cell population expansion/differentiation, longevity). Evaluation of several hundred lifespan extending agents using yeast, nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans), multiple insect and other invertebrate and vertebrate models (e.g., fish, rodents), revealed they responded in a manner [average (mean/median) and maximum lifespans] consistent with the quantitative features [i.e., 30-60% greater at maximum (Hormesis Rule)] of the hormetic dose response. These lifespan extension features were independent of biological model, inducing agent, endpoints measured and mechanism. These findings indicate that hormesis describes the capacity to extend life via numerous agents and activities and that the magnitude of lifespan extension is modest, in the percentage, not fold, range. These findings have important implications for human aging, genetic diseases/environmental stresses and lifespan extension, as well as public health practices and long-term societal resource planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences; University of Massachusetts, Morrill I - Room N344, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| | - Marc Nascarella
- Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University; School of Arts and Sciences, 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter Pressman
- University of Maine, 5728 Fernald Hall, Room 201, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - A Wallace Hayes
- Center for Environmental Occupational Risk Analysis and Management; College of Public Health; University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Gaurav Dhawan
- Sri Guru Ram Das (SGRD) University of Health Sciences, Amritsar, India
| | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Ecology and Applied Meteorology; Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology; Nanjing 210044, China
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Calabrese EJ, Hayes AW, Pressman P, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Agathokleous E, Calabrese V. Quercetin induces its chemoprotective effects via hormesis. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 184:114419. [PMID: 38142767 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Quercetin is a polyphenol present in numerous fruits and vegetables and therefore widely consumed by humans with average daily dietary intakes of 10-20 mg/day. It is also a popular dietary supplement of 250-1000 mg/day. However, despite the widespread consumer interest in quercetin, due to its possible chemopreventive properties, the extensively studied quercetin presents a highly diverse and complex array of biological effects. Consequently, the present paper provides the first assessment of quercetin-induced hormetic concentration/dose responses, their quantitative features and mechanistic foundations, and their biological, biomedical, clinical, and public health implications. The findings indicate that quercetin-induced hormetic dose responses are widespread, being independent of biological model, cell type, and endpoint. These findings have the potential to enlighten future experimental studies with quercetin especially with respect to study design parameters and may also affect the appraisal of possible public health benefits and risks associated with highly diverse consumer consumption practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Morrill I-N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - A Wallace Hayes
- Center for Environmental Occupational Risk Analysis and Management, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Peter Pressman
- University of Maine, 5728 Fernald Hall, Room 201, Orono, ME, 04469, USA.
| | - Gaurav Dhawan
- Sri Guru Ram Das (SGRD), University of Health Sciences, Amritsar, India.
| | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA.
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Ecology and Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania, 95123, Italy.
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Agathokleous E, Calabrese EJ. Evolution of hormesis research: a bibliometric analysis. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:577-578. [PMID: 38017292 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03635-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Department of Ecology, School of Ecology and Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
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Calabrese EJ, Selby PB. Muller's genetic load/species extinction hypothesis. Environ Res 2024; 241:117599. [PMID: 37952856 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117599] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The genetic load hypothesis of Hermann Muller raised the profound question of possible species extinction, even for humans, following a prolonged accumulation of recessive genes due to ionizing radiation exposure within the population. Two major mouse radiation research teams in the United States provided the most extensive tests of Muller's hypothesis. One group continued its study for more than two decades, over 82 consecutive generations, approximating 2500 human years. Even though Muller had stressed for decades his fear of species-threatening effects, no significant effects were observed for related factors such as reproductive fitness and longevity. Yet, the paper presenting the data of the 82-generation negative study has only been cited five times in 45 years. Altogether numerous laboratories worldwide collected vast amounts of data on mice, rats, and swine in an unsuccessful attempt to see if there was convincing evidence to support the genetic load theory and claims that species might deteriorate or be rendered extinct. This paper re-examines Muller's genetic load hypothesis with a new evaluation of how that hypothesis was tested and the significance of the findings, with most of those studies being completed before the BEIR I Committee Report in 1972. That committee briefly discussed the available evidence, mostly ignoring those results as they proceeded to make hereditary risk estimates both for (1) the first generation after a radiation exposure and (2) for the time, in the distant future, when a hypothetical genetic equilibrium would be reached. Their estimates assumed accumulation of harmful mutations and a linear no-threshold dose response extending all of the way down to a single ionization. More recent data on induction by ionizing radiation of dominant mutations that affect the skeletons of mice provide further robust supporting evidence that the generationally cumulative and LNT-based assumptions underpinning Muller's genetic load hypothesis are not correct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Paul B Selby
- Retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory at Oak Ridge, TN; Home Address: 4088 Nottinghill Gate Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43220, USA.
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Calabrese EJ, Selby PB. Comet assay and hormesis. Environ Pollut 2024; 341:122929. [PMID: 37979647 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
The paper provides the first assessment of the occurrence of hormetic dose responses using the Comet assay, a genotoxic assay. Using a priori evaluative criteria based on the Hormetic Database on peer-reviewed comet assay experimental findings, numerous examples of hormetic dose responses were obtained. These responses occurred in a large and diverse range of cell types and for agents from a broad range of chemical classes. Limited attempts were made to estimate the frequency of hormesis within comet assay experimental studies using a priori entry and evaluative criteria, with results suggesting a frequency in the 40% range. These findings are important as they show that a wide range of genotoxic chemicals display evidence that is strongly suggestive of hormetic dose responses. These findings have significant implications for study design issues, including the number of doses selected, dose range and spacing. Likewise, the widespread occurrence of hormetic dose responses in this genotoxic assay has important risk assessment implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Paul B Selby
- Retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory at Oak Ridge, TN. Home Address: 4088 Nottinghill Gate Road, Upper Arlington, OH, 43220, USA.
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Agathokleous E, Calabrese EJ, Barceló D. Environmental hormesis: New developments. Sci Total Environ 2024; 906:167450. [PMID: 37806016 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), Nanjing 210044, China.
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Damià Barceló
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, C/ Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Calabrese EJ, Selby PB. Hermann Muller and his LNT scientific and policy leadership: Private communication reveals uncertainties. Sci Total Environ 2023; 904:166757. [PMID: 37660820 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166757] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
The present paper highlights numerous publications of Hermann J. Muller with a focus on his opinions concerning the validity of the linear no-threshold dose response model for hereditary and cancer risk assessment. These comments reflect a very consistent and powerfully supporting position for the LNT model. However, newly discovered correspondence between Muller and Robley D. Evans reveals that Muller was highly uncertain about the supportive science, and therefore hid his real opinions, deliberately misleading the scientific community and governmental agencies. Of further historical value is that in the correspondence with Evans, Muller proposed what might be the first articulation of an environmentally based Precautionary Principle. These perspectives have remained unknown since Muller requested Evans to keep this letter private.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States of America.
| | - Paul B Selby
- Retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States of America
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16
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Calabrese EJ, Selby PB. Background radiation and cancer risks: A major intellectual confrontation within the domain of radiation genetics with multiple converging biological disciplines. J Occup Environ Hyg 2023; 20:621-632. [PMID: 37642576 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2252032] [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] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
This paper assesses the judgments of leading radiation geneticists and cancer risk assessment scientists from the mid-1950s to mid-1970s that background radiation has a significant effect on human genetic disease and cancer incidence. This assumption was adopted by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation (BEAR) I Genetics Panel for genetic diseases and subsequently applied to cancer risk assessment by other leading individuals/advisory groups (e.g., International Commission on Radiation Protection-ICRP). These recommendations assumed that a sizeable proportion of human mutations originated from background radiation due to cumulative exposure over prolonged reproductive periods and the linear nature of the dose-response. This paper shows that the assumption that background radiation is a significant cause of spontaneous mutation, genetic diseases, and cancer incidence is not supported by experimental and epidemiological findings, and discredits erroneous risk assessments that improperly influenced the recommendations of national and international advisory committees, risk assessment policies, and beliefs worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Paul B Selby
- Retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
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Iavicoli I, Fontana L, Santocono C, Guarino D, Laudiero M, Calabrese EJ. The challenges of defining hormesis in epidemiological studies: The case of radiation hormesis. Sci Total Environ 2023; 902:166030. [PMID: 37544458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166030] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
In the current radiation protection system, preventive measures and occupational exposure limits for controlling occupational exposure to ionizing radiation are based on the linear no-threshold extrapolation model. However, currently an increasing body of evidence indicates that this paradigm predicts very poorly biological responses in the low-dose exposure region. In addition, several in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the presence of hormetic dose response curves correlated to ionizing radiation low exposure. In this regard, it is noteworthy that also the findings of different epidemiological studies, conducted in different categories of occupationally exposed workers (e.g., healthcare, nuclear industrial and aircrew workers), observed lower rates of mortality and/or morbidity from cancer and/or other diseases in exposed workers than in unexposed ones or in the general population, then suggesting the possible occurrence of hormesis. Nevertheless, these results should be considered with caution since the identification of hormetic response in epidemiological studies is rather challenging because of a number of major limitations. In this regard, some of the most remarkable shortcomings found in epidemiological studies performed in workers exposed to ionizing radiation are represented by lack or inadequate definition of exposure doses, use of surrogates of exposure, narrow dose ranges, lack of proper control groups and poor evaluation of confounding factors. Therefore, considering the valuable role and contribution that epidemiological studies might provide to the complex risk assessment and management process, there is a clear and urgent need to overcome the aforementioned limits in order to achieve an adequate, useful and more real-life risk assessment that should also include the key concept of hormesis. Thus, in the present conceptual article we also discuss and provide possible approaches to improve the capacity of epidemiological studies to identify/define the hormetic response and consequently improve the complex process of risk assessment of ionizing radiation at low exposure doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Luca Fontana
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carolina Santocono
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Guarino
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Laudiero
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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18
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Osakabe N, Modafferi S, Ontario ML, Rampulla F, Zimbone V, Migliore MR, Fritsch T, Abdelhameed AS, Maiolino L, Lupo G, Anfuso CD, Genovese E, Monzani D, Wenzel U, Calabrese EJ, Vabulas RM, Calabrese V. Polyphenols in Inner Ear Neurobiology, Health and Disease: From Bench to Clinics. Medicina (Kaunas) 2023; 59:2045. [PMID: 38004094 PMCID: PMC10673256 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59112045] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
There is substantial experimental and clinical interest in providing effective ways to both prevent and slow the onset of hearing loss. Auditory hair cells, which occur along the basilar membrane of the cochlea, often lose functionality due to age-related biological alterations, as well as from exposure to high decibel sounds affecting a diminished/damaged auditory sensitivity. Hearing loss is also seen to take place due to neuronal degeneration before or following hair cell destruction/loss. A strategy is necessary to protect hair cells and XIII cranial/auditory nerve cells prior to injury and throughout aging. Within this context, it was proposed that cochlea neural stem cells may be protected from such aging and environmental/noise insults via the ingestion of protective dietary supplements. Of particular importance is that these studies typically display a hormetic-like biphasic dose-response pattern that prevents the occurrence of auditory cell damage induced by various model chemical toxins, such as cisplatin. Likewise, the hormetic dose-response also enhances the occurrence of cochlear neural cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation. These findings are particularly important since they confirmed a strong dose dependency of the significant beneficial effects (which is biphasic), whilst having a low-dose beneficial response, whereas extensive exposures may become ineffective and/or potentially harmful. According to hormesis, phytochemicals including polyphenols exhibit biphasic dose-response effects activating low-dose antioxidant signaling pathways, resulting in the upregulation of vitagenes, a group of genes involved in preserving cellular homeostasis during stressful conditions. Modulation of the vitagene network through polyphenols increases cellular resilience mechanisms, thus impacting neurological disorder pathophysiology. Here, we aimed to explore polyphenols targeting the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway to neuroprotective and therapeutic strategies that can potentially reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, thus preventing auditory hair cell and XIII cranial/auditory nerve cell degeneration. Furthermore, we explored techniques to enhance their bioavailability and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Osakabe
- Department of Bioscience and Engineering, Shibaura Institute Technology, Saitama 337-8570, Japan;
| | - Sergio Modafferi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (M.L.O.); (F.R.); (V.Z.); (M.R.M.); (G.L.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Maria Laura Ontario
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (M.L.O.); (F.R.); (V.Z.); (M.R.M.); (G.L.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Francesco Rampulla
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (M.L.O.); (F.R.); (V.Z.); (M.R.M.); (G.L.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Vincenzo Zimbone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (M.L.O.); (F.R.); (V.Z.); (M.R.M.); (G.L.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Maria Rita Migliore
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (M.L.O.); (F.R.); (V.Z.); (M.R.M.); (G.L.); (C.D.A.)
| | | | - Ali S. Abdelhameed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Luigi Maiolino
- Department of Medical, Surgical Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (M.L.O.); (F.R.); (V.Z.); (M.R.M.); (G.L.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (M.L.O.); (F.R.); (V.Z.); (M.R.M.); (G.L.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Elisabetta Genovese
- Department of Maternal and Child and Adult Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Daniele Monzani
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37100 Verona, Italy;
| | - Uwe Wenzel
- Institut für Ernährungswissenschaft, Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Edward J. Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA;
| | - R. Martin Vabulas
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Biochemistry, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (M.L.O.); (F.R.); (V.Z.); (M.R.M.); (G.L.); (C.D.A.)
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19
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Agathokleous E, Blande JD, Masui N, Calabrese EJ, Zhang J, Sicard P, Guedes RNC, Benelli G. Sublethal chemical stimulation of arthropod parasitoids and parasites of agricultural and environmental importance. Environ Res 2023; 237:116876. [PMID: 37573021 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have reported stimulation of various organisms in the presence of environmental contaminants. This has created a need to critically evaluate sublethal stimulation and hormetic responses of arthropod parasitoids and parasites following exposure to pesticides and other contaminants. Examining this phenomenon with a focus on arthropods of agricultural and environmental importance serves as the framework for this literature review. This review shows that several pesticides, with diverse chemical structures and different modes of action, applied individually or in combination at sublethal doses, commonly stimulate an array of arthropod parasitoids and parasites. Exposure at sublethal doses can enhance responses related to physiology (e.g., respiration, total lipid content, and total protein content), behavior (e.g., locomotor activity, antennal drumming frequency, host location, and parasitization), and fitness (longevity, growth, fecundity, population net and gross reproduction). Concordantly, the parasitic potential (e.g., infestation efficacy, parasitization rate, and parasitoid/parasite emergence) can be increased, and as a result host activities inhibited. There is some evidence illustrating hormetic dose-responses, but the relevant literature commonly included a limited number and range of doses, precluding a robust differentiation between sub- and superNOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) stimulation. These results reveal a potentially significant threat to ecological health, through stimulation of harmful parasitic organisms by environmental contaminants, and highlight the need to include sublethal stimulation and hormetic responses in relevant ecological pesticide risk assessments. Curiously, considering a more utilitarian view, hormesis may also assist in optimizing mass rearing of biological control agents for field use, a possibility that also remains neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, Jiangsu, China; Research Center for Global Changes and Ecosystem Carbon Sequestration & Mitigation, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, Jiangsu, China.
| | - James D Blande
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P. O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Noboru Masui
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, 4228526, Japan
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- College of Ecological Technology and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, 201418, PR China
| | | | - Raul Narciso C Guedes
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
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20
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Selby PB, Calabrese EJ. How self-interest and deception led to the adoption of the linear non-threshold dose response (LNT) model for cancer risk assessment. Sci Total Environ 2023; 898:165402. [PMID: 37454843 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
This paper clarifies scientific contributions and deceptive/self-serving decisions of William L. Russell and Liane Russell that led to the adoption of the linear non-threshold (LNT) model for cancer risk assessment by the US EPA. By deliberately failing to report an extremely large cluster of mutations in the control group of their first experiment, and thereby greatly suppressing its mutation rate, the Russells incorrectly claimed that the male mouse was 15-fold more susceptible to ionizing-radiation-induced gene mutations as compared with fruit flies. This self-serving error not only propelled their research program into one of great prominence, but it also promoted the LNT-based doubling dose (DD) concept in radiation genetics/cancer risk assessment, by the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation (BEAR) I Genetics Panel (1956). The DD concept became a central element in their recommendation that regulatory agencies switch from a threshold to an LNT model. This error occurred because of a decision by W. Russell not to report that a large cluster of control group mutations found in an experiment for which preliminary results were reported in 1951. This failure to report that cluster and similar clusters continued throughout the careers of the Russells, resulting in massive overestimation of low dose radiation risks supporting the LNT. The Russell database and the repeated claim that those data show that there is no threshold dose rate for mutation in irradiated mouse stem-cell spermatogonia, have provided mechanistic validation supporting the epidemiological LNT hypothesis for radiation-induced leukemias and cancers. This reanalysis supports the threshold model for both males and females, thereby rebutting epidemiological extrapolations from the NAS and EPA claiming support for the LNT hypothesis for cancer risk assessment. The implications of the Russell errors/deceptions, how/why they occurred, and their impact upon society are enormous and need to be addressed by scientific/regulatory agencies, affecting regulatory and litigation activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Selby
- Retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory at Oak Ridge, TN, Home Address: 4088 Nottinghill Gate Road, Upper Arlington, OH 43220, USA
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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21
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Agathokleous E, Blande JD, Calabrese EJ, Guedes RNC, Benelli G. Stimulation of insect vectors of pathogens by sublethal environmental contaminants: A hidden threat to human and environmental health? Environ Pollut 2023; 336:122422. [PMID: 37604394 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Sublethal stimulation and hormetic responses are increasingly identified and acknowledged in scientific research. However, the occurrence and characteristics of such responses in insect vectors of pathogens are little explored and poorly understood. Here, we collate significant evidence from the scientific literature showing that sublethal doses of environmental contaminants, such as pesticides, microplastics, and plasticizers, induce stimulation and hormetic responses in insect vectors of pathogens of agricultural and public health importance, including mosquitoes, other dipterans, psyllids, aphids, and planthoppers. Physiological, behavioral, and demographic traits can be enhanced by exposure to lower subtoxic contaminant doses while being inhibited by higher toxic doses. Energetic trade-offs can also occur, especially at sublethal doses higher than the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL). The relevant literature is limited and so are the number of doses commonly included in the studies, precluding firm conclusions and enhanced understanding. Nevertheless, these effects are significant and could undermine human and environmental health, and thus sustainability agendas, if ultimately the transmission of pathogens and disease spread and severity are increased. Further research is urgently needed to tackle these phenomena, especially under field conditions. The findings discussed here are relevant to chemical risk assessment and chemical safety evaluations, in which all possible effects from the lowest to higher doses should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, Jiangsu, China; Research Center for Global Changes and Ecosystem Carbon Sequestration & Mitigation, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, Jiangsu, China.
| | - James D Blande
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P. O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Morrill I, N344, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Raul Narciso C Guedes
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
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22
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Calabrese EJ, Osakabe N, Di Paola R, Siracusa R, Fusco R, D'Amico R, Impellizzeri D, Cuzzocrea S, Fritsch T, Abdelhameed AS, Wenzel U, Franceschi C, Calabrese V. Hormesis defines the limits of lifespan. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102074. [PMID: 37709054 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
This commentary provides a novel synthesis of how biological systems adapt to a broad spectrum of environmental and age-related stresses that are underlying causes of numerous degenerative diseases and debilitating effects of aging. It proposes that the most fundamental, evolutionary-based integrative strategy to sustain and protect health is based on the concept of hormesis. This concept integrates anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and cellular repair responses at all levels of biological organization (i.e., cell, organ and organism) within the framework of biphasic dose responses that describe the quantitative limits of biological plasticity in all cells and organisms from bacteria and plants to humans. A major feature of the hormetic concept is that low levels of biological, chemical, physical and psychological stress upregulate adaptive responses that not only precondition, repair and restore normal functions to damaged tissues/organs but modestly overcompensate, reducing ongoing background damage, thereby enhancing health beyond that in control groups, lacking the low level "beneficial" stress. Higher doses of such stress often become counterproductive and eventually harmful. Hormesis is active throughout the life-cycle and can be diminished by aging processes affecting the onset and severity of debilitating conditions/diseases, especially in elderly subjects. The most significant feature of the hormetic dose response is that the limits of biological plasticity for adaptive processes are less than twice that of control group responses, with most, at maximum, being 30-60 % greater than control group values. Yet, these modest increases can make the difference between health or disease and living or dying. The quantitative features of these adaptive hormetic dose responses are also independent of mechanism. These features of the hormetic dose response determine the capacity to which systems can adapt/be protected, the extent to which biological performance (e.g., memory, resistance to injury/disease, wound healing, hair growth or lifespan) can be enhanced/extended and the extent to which synergistic interactions may occur. Hormesis defines the quantitative rules within which adaptive processes operate and is central to evolution and biology and should become transformational for experimental concepts and study design strategies, public health practices and a vast range of therapeutic strategies and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Naomi Osakabe
- Department of Bioscience and Engineering, Shibaura Institute Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Ramona D'Amico
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | | | - Ali S Abdelhameed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Uwe Wenzel
- Institut für Ernährungswissenschaft, Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Calabrese EJ. Confirmation that Hermann Muller was dishonest in his Nobel Prize Lecture. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2999-3003. [PMID: 37665363 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03566-5] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
In his Nobel Prize Lecture of December 12, 1946, Hermann J. Muller argued that the dose-response for ionizing radiation-induced germ cell mutations was linear and that there was ''no escape from the conclusion that there is no threshold''. However, a newly discovered commentary by the Robert L. Brent (2015) indicated that Curt Stern, after reading a draft of part of Muller's Nobel Prize Lecture, called Muller, strongly advising him to remove reference to the flawed linear non-threshold (LNT)-supportive Ray-Chaudhuri findings and strongly encouraged him to be guided by the threshold supportive data of Ernst Caspari. Brent indicated that Stern recounted this experience during a genetics class at the University of Rochester. Brent wrote that Muller refused to follow Stern's advice, thereby proclaiming support for the LNT dose-response while withholding evidence that was contrary during his Nobel Prize Lecture. This finding is of historical importance since Muller's Nobel Prize Lecture gained considerable international attention and was a turning point in the acceptance of the linearity model for radiation and chemical hereditary and carcinogen risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
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24
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Calabrese EJ, Pressman P, Hayes AW, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Agathokleous E, Manes P, Calabrese V. Naringin commonly acts via hormesis. Sci Total Environ 2023; 896:164728. [PMID: 37295528 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The present paper provides the first integrative assessment of the capacity of naringin and its metabolite, naringenin, to induce hormetic dose responses within a broad range of experimental biomedical models. The findings indicate that these agents commonly induced protective effects that are typically mediated via hormetic mechanisms leading to biphasic dose-response relationships. The maximum protective effects are generally modest, 30-60 % greater than control group values. The range of experimental findings with these agents has been reported for models with various neurodegenerative diseases, nucleus pulpous cells (NPCs) located within intravertebral discs, several types of stem cells (i.e., bone marrow, amniotic fluid, periodontal, endothelial) as well as cardiac cells. These agents also were effective within preconditioning protocols protecting against environmental toxins such as ultraviolet radiation (UV), cadmium, and paraquat. The mechanism(s) by which the hormetic responses mediates these biphasic dose responses is complex but commonly involves the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), an increasingly recognized regulator of cellular resistance to oxidants. Nrf2 appears to play a role in controlling the basal and induced expression of an array of antioxidant response element-dependent genes to regulate oxidant exposure's physiological and pathophysiological outcomes. Hence its importance in the assessment of toxicologic and adaptive potential is likely to be significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| | - Peter Pressman
- University of Maine, 5728 Fernald Hall, Room 201, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
| | - A Wallace Hayes
- Center for Environmental Occupational Risk Analysis and Management, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- Department of Ecology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.
| | | | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania 95123, Italy.
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Calabrese EJ, Selby PB. Muller mistakes: The linear no-threshold (LNT) dose response and US EPA's cancer risk assessment policies and practices. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 383:110653. [PMID: 37572872 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
This paper identifies the occurrence of six major conceptual scientific errors of Hermann Muller and describes how these errors led to the creation of the linear no-threshold (LNT) dose response historically used worldwide for cancer risk assessments for chemical carcinogens and ionizing radiation. The paper demonstrates the significant role that Muller played in the environmental movement, affecting risk assessment policies and practices that are in force even now a half century following his death. This paper lends support to contemporary research that shows significant limitations of the LNT model for cancer risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA; Morrill I, N344, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA; University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Paul B Selby
- Retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory at Oak Ridge, TN, USA.
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Abstract
Moringa oleifera, a traditional Indian herb, is widely known for its capacity to induce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other chemoprotective effects in a broad range of biomedical models. These perspectives have led to an extensive number of studies using various moringa extracts to evaluate its capacity to protect biological systems from oxidative stress and to explore whether it could be used to slow the onset of numerous age-related conditions and diseases. Moringa extracts have also been applied to prevent damage to plants from oxidative and saline stresses, following hormetic dose–response patterns. The present paper provides the first integrated and mechanistically based assessment showing that moringa extracts commonly induce hormetic dose responses and that many, perhaps most, of the beneficial effects of moringa are due to its capacity to act as an hormetic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003USA
| | | | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing210044, China
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania; Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania95123, Italy
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Calabrese EJ, Pressman P, Hayes AW, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Calabrese V, Agathokleous E, Iavicoli I, Giordano J. Hormesis, biological plasticity, and implications for clinical trial research. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 90:102028. [PMID: 37549872 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
The present paper identifies a critical factor that leads to false negative results (i.e., failing to indicate efficacy when beneficial results did occur) in randomized human drug trials. The paper demonstrates that human performance can only be enhanced by a maximum of 30-60% as described by the hormetic dose response which defines the limits of biological plasticity. However, human epidemiological/clinical trials typically contain such extensive variability that often requires responses greater than 2-3 times control group responses to show statistical significance. Thus, many potentially beneficial agents may be missed because the clinical trial fails to recognize and take into consideration the limits of biological plasticity. The paper proposes that this hormesis-biological plasticity-clinical trial conundrum can be addressed successfully via the use of a weight-of-evidence methodology similar to that used by regulatory agencies such as EPA in environmental assessment of chemical toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| | - Peter Pressman
- University of Maine, 5728 Fernald Hall, Room 201, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - A Wallace Hayes
- Center for Environmental Occupational Risk Analysis and Management, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- Department of Ecology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - James Giordano
- Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry, and Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA
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Calabrese EJ. Thresholds for radiation induced mutation? The Muller-Evans debate: A turning point for cancer risk assessment. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 382:110614. [PMID: 37356557 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
In 1949 Robley Evans [1] published a paper in Science supporting a threshold dose response for ionizing radiation-induced mutation, contradicting comments of Hermann Muller during his 1946 Nobel Prize Lecture [2] and subsequent presentations. Evans sent a final draft [3] prior to publication to over 50 leading geneticists/radiologists, including Muller, with this correspondence being generally extremely supportive, including letters from the radiation geneticists Curt Stern, James Neel and Donald Charles. Of interest is that Muller engaged in a dispute with Evans, with Evans dismissing Muller's comments as containing "a few points of scientific interest, and many matters pertaining to personalities and prejudices." A foundation of the Evans threshold position was the study by Ernst Caspari, which was done under the direction of Curt Stern, at the University of Rochester/Manhattan Project, and for which Muller was a paid consultant, thereby having insider knowledge of the research team, results and internal debates. Muller published a series of articles after the Evans Science publication that marginalized the Caspari findings, claiming that his control group was aberrantly high, which caused his threshold conclusion to be incorrect. Internal correspondence in 1947 between Muller and Stern reveals that Muller supported the use of the Caspari control group based on consistency with his own laboratory data. This correspondence shows that Muller reversed his position three years later, soon after the Evans publication. In that same 1947 correspondence with Stern, Muller also claimed that the mutational findings of Delta Uphoff, who was replicating the Caspari study, could not be supported because of aberrantly low control group values only to reverse himself to support the LNT model. The present paper links Muller's threshold rejection/LNT supporting actions to the timing of the debate with Evans concerning Evans' use of the Caspari data to support the threshold model. It is of historical significance that the duplicitous actions of Muller were rewarded, with his newly expressed reversed views becoming generally accepted (while his previously documented contrary views were hidden/remained private). At the same time, the marginalizing of the Caspari findings greatly impacted recommendations to support LNT by major advisory committees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
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Agathokleous E, Sonne C, Benelli G, Calabrese EJ, Guedes RNC. Low-dose chemical stimulation and pest resistance threaten global crop production. Sci Total Environ 2023; 878:162989. [PMID: 36948307 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Pesticide resistance increases and threatens crop production sustainability. Chemical contamination contributes to the development of pest resistance to pesticides, in part by causing stimulatory effects on pests at low sub-toxic doses and facilitating the spread of resistance genes. This article discusses hormesis and low-dose biological stimulation and their relevance to crop pest resistance. It highlights that a holistic approach is needed to tackle pest resistance to pesticides and reduce imbalance in accessing food and improving food security in accordance with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Among others, the effects of sub-toxic doses of pesticides should be considered when assessing the impact of synthetic and natural pesticides, while the promotion of alternative agronomical practices is needed to decrease the use of agrochemicals. Potential alternative solutions include camo-cropping, exogenous application of phytochemicals that are pest-suppressing or -repelling and/or attractive to carnivorous arthropods and other pest natural enemies, and nano-technological innovations. Moreover, to facilitate tackling of pesticide resistance in poorer countries, less technology-demanding and low-cost practices are needed. These include mixed cropping systems, diversification of cultures, use of 'push-pull cropping', incorporation of flower strips into cultivations, modification of microenvironment, and application of beneficial microorganisms and insects. However, there are still numerous open questions, and more research is needed to address the ecological and environmental effects of many of these potential solutions, with special reference to trophic webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, Jiangsu, China; Research Center for Global Changes and Ecosystem Carbon Sequestration & Mitigation, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Arctic Research Center (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Raul Narciso C Guedes
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
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Calabrese EJ, Agathokleous E, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Calabrese V. Protective effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) are mediated by hormetic mechanisms. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 177:113805. [PMID: 37169059 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The endogenous and dietary agent, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is evaluated for its capacity to induce a broad spectrum of adaptive responses via hormetic dose responses and their underlying mechanisms. ALA was shown to induce hormetic effects in a wide range of experimental models within in vitro and in vivo experimental settings which included direct exposure and pre- and post-conditioning experimental protocols. The hormetic effects occur in a broad range of organ systems, including the brain, heart, kidney and other tissues, with possible public health and clinical/therapeutic applications linked to reducing the onset and progression of neurogenerative diseases and also in the preservation of sperm health and functionality during cryopreservation. This paper provides the first integrated assessment of ALA-induced hormetic dose responses. Underlying mechanisms that mediated the occurrence of ALA-induced hormetic effects involved the induction of low levels of ROS that activate key cell signaling antioxidant (e.g. Nrf2) pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- Department of Ecology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | | | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA.
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania, 95123, Italy.
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31
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Calabrese EJ, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Agathokleous E, Calabrese V. Rhodiola rosea and Salidroside commonly induce hormesis, with particular focus on longevity and neuroprotection. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 380:110540. [PMID: 37169278 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The biological effects of Rhodiola rosea extracts and one of its major constituents, Salidroside, were evaluated for their capacity to induce hormesis/hormetic effects. The findings indicate that the Rhodiola rosea extracts and Salidroside commonly induce hormetic dose responses within a broad range of biological models, cell types and across a broad range of endpoints, with particular emphasis on longevity and neuroprotective endpoints. This paper represents the first integrative documentation and assessment of Rhodiola rosea extracts and Salidroside induction of hormetic effects. These findings have important biomedical applications and should have an important impact with respect to critical study design, dose selection and other experimental features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | | | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA.
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- Department of Ecology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania, 95123, Italy.
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32
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Calabrese EJ, Agathokleous E, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Dhawan V, Manes PK, Calabrese V. Nitric oxide and hormesis. Nitric Oxide 2023; 133:1-17. [PMID: 36764605 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
This present paper provides an assessment of the occurrence of nitric oxide (NO)-induced hormetic-biphasic dose/concentration relationships in biomedical research. A substantial reporting of such NO-induced hormetic effects was identified with particular focus on wound healing, tumor promotion, and sperm biology, including mechanistic assessment and potential for translational applications. Numerous other NO-induced hormetic effects have been reported, but require more development prior to translational applications. The extensive documentation of NO-induced biphasic responses, across numerous organs (e.g., bone, cardiovascular, immune, intestine, and neuronal) and cell types, suggests that NO-induced biological activities are substantially mediated via hormetic processes. These observations are particularly important because broad areas of NO biology are constrained by the quantitative features of the hormetic response. This determines the amplitude and width of the low dose stimulation, affecting numerous biomedical implications, study design features (e.g., number of doses, dose spacing, sample sizes, statistical power), and the potential success of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | | | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA.
| | - Vikas Dhawan
- Department of Surgery, Indian Naval Ship Hospital, Mumbai, India.
| | | | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania, 95123, Italy.
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Calabrese EJ, Mattson MP. Author Correction: How does hormesis impact biology, toxicology, and medicine? NPJ Aging 2023; 9:6. [PMID: 37002224 PMCID: PMC10066356 DOI: 10.1038/s41514-023-00101-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Mark P Mattson
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Calabrese EJ, Agathokleous E. Nitric oxide, hormesis and plant biology. Sci Total Environ 2023; 866:161299. [PMID: 36596420 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The present paper provides the first integrative assessment of the occurrence of nitric oxide (NO) induced hormetic effects in plant biology. Hormetic dose responses were commonly reported for NO donors on numerous plant species of agricultural and other commercial value. The NO donors were also shown to protect plants from a wide range of chemical (i.e., multiple toxic metals) and physical stressors (i.e., heat, drought) in preconditioning (aka priming) experimental protocols showing hormetic dose responses. Practical approaches for the use of NO donors to enhance plant growth using optimized dose response frameworks were also assessed. Considerable mechanistic findings indicate that NO donors have the capacity to enhance a broad range of adaptive responses, including highly integrated antioxidant activities. The integration of the hormesis concept with NO donors is likely to become a valuable practical general strategy to enhance plant productivity across a wide range of valuable plant species facing environmental pollution and climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States of America.
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.
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35
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Calabrese EJ, Pressman P, Hayes AW, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Agathokleous E, Calabrese V. Lithium and hormesis: Enhancement of adaptive responses and biological performance via hormetic mechanisms. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2023; 78:127156. [PMID: 36958112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Biomedical and consumer interest in the health-promoting properties of pure single entities of known or unknown chemical constituents and mixtures has never been greater. Since its "rediscovery" in the 1950s, lithium is an example of such a constituent that represents an array of scientific and public health challenges and medical potentials that may now be understood best when seen through the lens of the dose-response paradigm known as hormesis. The present paper represents the first review of the capacity of lithium to induce hormetic dose responses in a broad range of biological models, organ systems, and endpoints. Of significance is that the numerous hormetic findings occur with extensive concentration/dose response evaluations with the optimal dosing being similar across multiple organ systems. The particular focus of these hormetic dose-response findings was targeted to research with a broad spectrum of stem cell types and neuroprotective effects. These findings suggest that lithium may have critically valuable systemic effects with respect to those therapeutically treated with lithium as well as for exposures that may be achieved via dietary intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Environmental Health Sciences Division, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Peter Pressman
- Saba University School of Medicine, Caribbean, the Netherlands
| | - A Wallace Hayes
- Center for Environmental Occupational Risk Analysis and Management College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences; School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania 95123, Italy
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Calabrese EJ, Agathokleous E, Giordano J, Selby PB. Manhattan Project genetic studies: Flawed research discredits LNT recommendations. Environ Pollut 2023; 319:120902. [PMID: 36566922 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This paper reexamines the technical report (∼ one page) of Uphoff and Stern (1949) in Science that was highly relied upon by the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation (BEAR) I Genetics Panel to support a linearity dose response for radiation risk assessment. The present paper demonstrates that research of Uphoff and Stern (1949) to evaluate whether total dose or dose rate best estimated radiation risks included two variables, thereby precluding the ability to accurately derive a reliable conclusion about this topic. Furthermore, the acute dose selected by Uphoff and Stern was given at a strikingly low dose rate that may have precluded the capacity to adequately test the total dose/dose rate hypothesis, even with a proper study design which also this research did not possess. The issue of total dose and dose rate was much later successfully addressed by Russell et al. (1958) using a murine model, yielding a dose-rate rather than a total dose conclusion. The failure to subject the experimental details of the Uphoff and Stern (1949) study to peer-review and publication in the open literature precluded a rigorous and necessary evaluation, profoundly and improperly impacting the adoption of the linear dose response model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences; Morrill I, N344; University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Applied Meteorology; Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - James Giordano
- Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry, and Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.
| | - Paul B Selby
- Retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory at Oak Ridge, TN, USA; 4088 Nottinghill Gate Road; Upper Arlington, OH, 43220, USA.
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Calabrese EJ, Kapoor R, Dhawan G, Calabrese V. Hormesis mediates platelet-rich plasma and wound healing. Wound Repair Regen 2023; 31:56-68. [PMID: 36458897 DOI: 10.1111/wrr.13060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become an accepted and general wound healing approach with an extremely wide range of applications. Despite considerable diversity in the composition of platelet-rich plasma products that are applied in specific wound healing usage, it is widely recognised that such diverse platelet-rich plasma complex mixtures routinely display hormetic-like biphasic concentrations that are independent of the tissue treated and endpoints measured. The present paper is the first to place the area of platelet-rich plasma-biomedical research and applications within an hormetic framework. The platelet-rich plasma area is also unique as it represents the application of the hormetic concept to the issue of complex biological mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gaurav Dhawan
- Sri Guru Ram Das (SGRD) University of Health Sciences, Amritsar, India
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Calabrese EJ. Evolution frames the dose response for all endpoints including application to cancer risk assessment: Time for a mid-course correction. Sci Total Environ 2022; 852:158466. [PMID: 36057310 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158466] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
An underappreciated perspective is that the quantitative features of the dose-response in the low dose zone are a genetically based biological characteristic with a highly conserved evolutionary basis. Failure to recognize and take this into account has been a major failing of toxicology and radiation biology, affecting regulatory agencies worldwide. The present perspective clarifies the historical foundations of this misstep and calls for a mid- course correction that replaces the public health based Precautionary Principle for risk assessment with one based on the principles of evolutionary biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States of America.
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Calabrese EJ, Giordano J. How did Hermann Muller publish a paper absent any data in the journal Science? Ethical questions and implications of Muller's Nobel Prize. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 368:110204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Calabrese EJ, Giordano J. Ethical Issues in the US 1956 National Academy of Sciences BEAR I Genetics Panel Report to the Public. Health Phys 2022; 123:387-391. [PMID: 35848926 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT This paper presents newly discovered evidence from the personal correspondence of four US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation (BEAR) Genetics Panelists that their 1956 report to the public was written by a third party and was neither reviewed nor approved by the Panel prior to its publication and release to the public. The letters revealed that the 1956 Report contained serious errors and did not represent the views of the Panel. The failure of the US NAS to notify the public that the Report had not been reviewed and approved by the Panel represents a serious breach of ethics. Further ethical issues relate to the failure of the NAS to (1) correct the errors in the Report within an appropriately timely manner and (2) reveal the lack of approval by the Panel even after the Report's release. In light of these discoveries and the profound historical-and continuing-significance of the 1956 Report to all conventional cancer-related risk assessment processes, we opine that this ethical improbity must be acknowledged and that this document must be retracted by the NAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - James Giordano
- Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry and Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 2007, or email at
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Calabrese EJ, Yazji Shamoun D, Agathokleous E. Dose response and risk assessment: Evolutionary foundations. Environ Pollut 2022; 309:119787. [PMID: 35850315 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The present paper indicates that the origin of the LNT concept for ionizing radiation was based on insufficient understanding of evolution, which precluded the possibility of repair of gene mutation. The denial of such repair processes had important implications, leading to a belief in a linear dose response and thus in Hermann J Muller's proclamation of a Proportionality Rule for ionizing radiation. The paper documents how the lack of repair concept dominated the radiation geneticist community to the 1960s leading to the establishment of the linear no threshold dose response (LNT) model for radiation and chemical reproductive and cancer risk assessment. Research from the late 1950s onward would establish the occurrence, generality, and efficacy of genetic and cellular repair processes. While the assumption of a lack of gene mutation repair was wrong, Muller was correct that dose-response concepts need to be founded on mechanistic understandings of evolution. Such mechanisms require the integration of constitutive and inducible adaptive and repair mechanisms that operate in the low-dose zone. This perspective reflects the comment of Dobzhansky (1973) that "nothing makes sense in biology except in light of evolution." While this is a powerful scientific dictum, it assumes a correct understanding of evolution, something that the origins of the LNT dose response lacked. Such modern mechanistic repair developments reveal that the historical foundations of LNT were flawed from the start. Nonetheless, they have been carried forward to the present time, principally by environmental health regulatory agencies that decoupled risk assessment policy from a sound evolutionary foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Finance Department, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, 2110 Speedway, B6600, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Dima Yazji Shamoun
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Finance Department, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, 2110 Speedway, B6600, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- Professor of Ecology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
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Agathokleous E, Peñuelas J, Azevedo RA, Rillig MC, Sun H, Calabrese EJ. Low Levels of Contaminants Stimulate Harmful Algal Organisms and Enrich Their Toxins. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:11991-12002. [PMID: 35968681 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A widespread increase in intense phytoplankton blooms has been noted in lakes worldwide since the 1980s, with the summertime peak intensity amplifying in most lakes. Such blooms cause annual economic losses of multibillion USD and present a major challenge, affecting 11 out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Here, we evaluate recent scientific evidence for hormetic effects of emerging contaminants and regulated pollutants on Microcystis sp., the most notorious cyanobacteria forming harmful algal blooms and releasing phycotoxins in eutrophic freshwater systems. This new evidence leads to the conclusion that pollution is linked to algal bloom intensification. Concentrations of contaminants that are considerably smaller than the threshold for toxicity enhance the formation of harmful colonies, increase the production of phycotoxins and their release into the environment, and lower the efficacy of algaecides to control algal blooms. The low-dose enhancement of microcystins is attributed to the up-regulation of a protein controlling microcystin release (McyH) and various microcystin synthetases in tandem with the global nitrogen regulator Ycf28, nonribosomal peptide synthetases, and several ATP-binding cassette transport proteins. Given that colony formation and phycotoxin production and release are enhanced by contaminant concentrations smaller than the toxicological threshold and are widely occurring in the environment, the effect of contaminants on harmful algal blooms is more prevalent than previously thought. Climate change and nutrient enrichment, known mechanisms underpinning algal blooms, are thus joined by low-level pollutants as another causal mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Research Center for Global Changes and Ecosystem Carbon Sequestration & Mitigation, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, Catalonia 08193, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia 08193, Spain
| | - Ricardo A Azevedo
- Departamento de Genética, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz"/Universidade de São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), Avenida Pádua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, São Paulo, São Paulo 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Matthias C Rillig
- Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Altensteinstr. 6, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Haoyu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Morrill I, N344, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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Lynch HN, Kozal JS, Russell AJ, Thompson WJ, Divis HR, Freid RD, Calabrese EJ, Mundt KA. Systematic review of the scientific evidence on ethylene oxide as a human carcinogen. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 364:110031. [PMID: 35779612 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ethylene oxide is a highly reactive chemical primarily used as an intermediate in chemical production and as a sterilant of medical equipment and food products; it also is produced endogenously as a result of physiological processes. We conducted a systematic review of the potential carcinogenicity of inhaled ethylene oxide in humans using methods that adhere to PRIMSA guidelines and that incorporate aspects from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) (now the National Academy of Medicine) as well as several US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) frameworks for systematic reviews. After a comprehensive literature search and selection process, study quality was evaluated following a method adapted from the EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) framework. The literature screening and selection process identified 24 primary studies in animals or humans and more than 50 mechanistic studies. Integrating epidemiological, animal, and mechanistic literature on ethylene oxide and cancer according to the IOM framework yielded classifications of suggestive evidence of no association between ethylene oxide and stomach cancer, breast cancer and lymphohematopoietic malignancies at human relevant exposures. However, we acknowledge that there is additional uncertainty in the classification for lymphohematopoietic malignancies owing to a paucity of evidence for specific types of these tumors, each of which is a distinct disease entity of possibly unique etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kenneth A Mundt
- Cardno ChemRisk, Boston, MA, USA; University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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Agathokleous E, Barceló D, Aschner M, Azevedo RA, Bhattacharya P, Costantini D, Cutler GC, De Marco A, Docea AO, Dórea JG, Duke SO, Efferth T, Fatta-Kassinos D, Fotopoulos V, Ginebreda A, Guedes RNC, Hayes AW, Iavicoli I, Kalantzi OI, Koike T, Kouretas D, Kumar M, Manautou JE, Moore MN, Paoletti E, Peñuelas J, Picó Y, Reiter RJ, Rezaee R, Rinklebe J, Rocha-Santos T, Sicard P, Sonne C, Teaf C, Tsatsakis A, Vardavas AI, Wang W, Zeng EY, Calabrese EJ. Rethinking Subthreshold Effects in Regulatory Chemical Risk Assessments. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:11095-11099. [PMID: 35878124 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, Jiangsu China
- Research Center for Global Changes and Ecosystem Carbon Sequestration & Mitigation, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, Jiangsu China
| | - Damià Barceló
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC; Barcelona 08034, Spain
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, ICRA-CERCA; Girona 17003, Spain
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Bronx, New York 10461, United States
| | - Ricardo Antunes Azevedo
- Departamento de Genética, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz"/Universidade de São Paulo (ESALQ/USP); São Paulo CEP 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Prosun Bhattacharya
- KTH-international Groundwater Arsenic Research Group, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology; Stockholm SE-100 44, Sweden
| | - David Costantini
- Unité Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation (PhyMA), UMR 7221 Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle; CNRS, 7 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - G Christopher Cutler
- Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Campus, Dalhousie University; Truro, Nova Scotia B2N 5E3, Canada
| | | | - Anca Oana Docea
- Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova; Craiova 200349, Romania
| | - José G Dórea
- Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília; Brasília 70919-970, Brazil
| | - Stephen O Duke
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi; Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Johannes Gutenberg University, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology; Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Despo Fatta-Kassinos
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Nireas-International Water Research Centre, School of Engineering, University of Cyprus; P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
| | - Vasileios Fotopoulos
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology; Lemesos 3603, Cyprus
| | - Antonio Ginebreda
- Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona 18-26, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Raul Narciso C Guedes
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa;Viçosa, Minas Gerais 36570-900, Brazil
| | - A Wallace Hayes
- Center for Environmental/Occupational Risk Analysis & Management, University of South Florida, College of Public Health; Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
- Michigan State University; East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II; Naples 80131, Italy
| | | | - Takayoshi Koike
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University; Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8589, Japan
| | - Demetrios Kouretas
- Department of Biochemistry-Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larisa 41500, Greece
| | - Manish Kumar
- School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies; Dehradun 248007, India
| | - José E Manautou
- Pharmaceutical Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Michael N Moore
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health (ECEHH), University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital; Truro TR1 3HD, U.K
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Plymouth, Devon PL1 3DH, U.K
- School of Biological & Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth; Plymouth PL 4 8AA, U.K
| | - Elena Paoletti
- Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council; Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB; Bellaterra, Catalonia 08193, Spain
- CREAF; Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia 08193, Spain
| | - Yolanda Picó
- Environmental and Food Safety Research Group (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre (CIDE), Universitat de València-CSIC-GV; Valencia 46113, Spain
| | - Russel J Reiter
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio; San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | - Ramin Rezaee
- International UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,Mashhad 91779-43335, Iran
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91779-43335, Iran
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water, and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil, and Groundwater-Management; Wuppertal 42285, Germany
| | - Teresa Rocha-Santos
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) & Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro; Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Pierre Sicard
- ARGANS, 260 route du Pin Montard, Biot 06410, France
| | - Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC); Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Biomass Value-added Products, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University; Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Christopher Teaf
- Institute of Science & Public Affairs, Florida State University; Tallahassee, Florida 32306, United States
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete; Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Alexander I Vardavas
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete; Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Wenjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Northeast Forestry University; Harbin 150040, China
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Science; Changchun 130102, China
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University; Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts; Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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Calabrese EJ, Dhawan G, Kapoor R, Agathokleous E, Calabrese V. Hormesis: Wound healing and keratinocytes. Pharmacol Res 2022; 183:106393. [PMID: 35961478 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106393] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hormetic dose responses (i.e., a biphasic dose/concentration response characterized by a low dose stimulation and a high dose inhibition) are shown herein to be commonly reported in the dermal wound healing process, with the particular focus on cell viability, proliferation, and migration of human keratinocytes in in vitro studies. Hormetic responses are induced by a wide range of substances, including endogenous agents, numerous drug and nanoparticle preparations and especially plant derived extracts, including many well-known dietary supplements as well as physical stressor agents, such as low-level laser treatments. Detailed mechanistic studies have identified common signaling pathways and their cross-pathway communications that mediate the hormetic dose responses. These findings suggest that the concept of hormesis plays a fundamental role in wound healing, with important potential implications for agent screening and evaluation, as well as clinical strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Professor of Toxicology; School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 USA.
| | - Gaurav Dhawan
- Sri Guru Ram Das (SGRD); University of Health Sciences, Amritsar, India.
| | - Rachna Kapoor
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Hartford, CT, USA.
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Applied Meteorology; Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology; Nanjing 210044, China.
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania 95123, Italy.
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Calabrese EJ, Selby PB, Giordano J. Ethical challenges of the linear non-threshold (LNT) cancer risk assessment revolution: History, insights, and lessons to be learned. Sci Total Environ 2022; 832:155054. [PMID: 35390380 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This paper provides historical review and evaluation of the development, adoption, and advocacy of the linear non-threshold (LNT) dose response model for cancer risk assessment as applied in practices and policies worldwide. It extends previous historical assessments and provides novel insights regarding: 1) how LNT bias became institutionalized in US governmental agencies, 2) how improper editorial practices at the journal Science promoted the adoption of LNT, 3) how a Nobel Prize winning scientist unjustifiably espoused and influenced support for replacing the threshold dose response model with the LNT model, 4) how the cover-up of striking and substantial experimental cancer data by US government scientists reduced support for the threshold dose response model at a critical period of cancer risk assessment policy adoption, and 5) how these events have negatively influenced cancer risk assessment practices and environmental and public health decisions for decades. These findings are presented to illustrate how profound and recognized mistakes, biases and unethical activities, inclusive of frank scientific misconduct, converged, and should motivate regulatory agencies worldwide to critically evaluate any existing policies that apply the LNT model as well as to serve as object lessons for current and future ethical conduct of research, and the provision of ethico-legal education in and across scientific curricula and institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Morrill I, N344, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| | - Paul B Selby
- Retired, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - James Giordano
- Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry and Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA
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47
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), Nanjing 210044, China.
| | - Michael N Moore
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health (ECEHH), University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, UK; Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, Devon, UK; School of Biological & Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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Calabrese EJ, Calabrese V. Hormesis and Epidermal Stem Cells. Dose Response 2022; 20:15593258221119911. [PMID: 36158736 PMCID: PMC9500281 DOI: 10.1177/15593258221119911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper provides an assessment of hormetic dose responses in epidermal stem cells (EpSCs) in animal models and humans, with emphasis on cell proliferation and differentiation and application to wound healing and aging processes. Hormetic dose responses were induced by several agents, including dietary supplements (eg, luteolin, quercetin), pharmaceuticals (eg, nitric oxide), endogenous agents (eg, growth/differentiation factor 5), and via diverse chemical means to sustain steaminess features to retard aging and disease onset. While hormetic dose responses have been extensively reported in a broad spectrum of stem cells, this area has only been explored to a limited extent in EpSCs, principally within the past 5 years. Nonetheless, these findings provide the first integrated assessment of hormesis and EpSC biology within the context of enhancing key functions such as cell proliferation and differentiation and resilience to inflammatory stresses. This paper assesses putative mechanisms of hormetic responses in EpSCs and potential therapeutic applications to prevent dermatological injury and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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49
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Calabrese EJ, Selby PB. Cover up and cancer risk assessment: Prominent US scientists suppressed evidence to promote adoption of LNT. Environ Res 2022; 210:112973. [PMID: 35182593 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports that William Russell, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), conducted a large-scale lifetime study from 1956 to 1959 showing that exposure of young adult male mice to a large dose of acute X-rays had no treatment effects on male and female offspring concerning longevity or the frequency, severity, or age distribution of neoplasms and other diseases. Despite the scientific, societal and crucial timing significance of the study, Russell did not publish the findings for almost 35 years, nor did he inform governmental advisory committees, thereby significantly biasing decisions made during this period which supported the adoption of LNT for risk assessment. Of further significance, Arthur Upton, an ORNL colleague of Russell during this study and later Director of the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), was also fully knowledgeable of this study, its findings and its negative impact on the acceptance of LNT. Upton later worked along with Russell to publish these data (i.e., Cosgrove et al., 1993) to dispute the case-specific claim that children developed cancer because of the radiation exposure of their fathers as workers at the Sellafield nuclear plant. Thus, while Russell's data were available, but were not used to challenge the key radiation and leukemia paper of Edward B. Lewis, (1957) when LNT was being adopted by regulatory agencies, they were used in a major trial in the United Kingdom (UK) for the client (i.e., British Nuclear Fuels Plc) that hired Upton. While the duplicity of Russell's and Upton's actions is striking, the key finding of the present paper is that Russell and Upton intentionally orchestrated and sustained an LNT cover up during the key period of LNT adoption by regulatory agencies, thereby showing an overwhelming bias to enhance the adoption of LNT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Calabrese
- Professor of Toxicology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Morrill I, N344, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Paul B Selby
- Retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory at Oak Ridge, TN.
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Ricci PF, Calabrese EJ. Resolving an Open Science-policy question: Should the LNT still be an omnibus regulatory assumption? Sci Total Environ 2022; 825:153917. [PMID: 35189226 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153917] [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: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory analyses, modeling the carcinogenic effect of ionizing radiations (IR) (e.g., alpha and beta particles, x-, and gamma rays, neutrons) and chemicals continue to use the linear no-threshold (LNT) model from zero to some low dose. The LNT is an omnibus causal default in regulatory occupational and health risk analysis. Its use raises four issues that make this default an open question. The first is that the LNT applied to study a single agent excludes co-exposure to other known risk factors: physical, dietary, socio-economic, and other. Causation is inappropriately specified because cancer incidence is imputed to the single agent's doses, although most cancers are multifactorial diseases. The second, linear interpolation from high to zero dose and response, is incorrect because biological and epidemiological evidence identify different mechanisms and modes of action at those doses. Third, additivity of exposure effect to background effect is questionable and certainly variable. Fourth, the default overestimates the probabilities and consequences at low doses, supplanting rational decision-making in which alternative models may be more or less likely to be correct. Recent converging scientific evidence against the LNT hypothesis answers the open question. The LNT use in regulation conflates science with administrative ease and risk aversion by policymakers. It should be replaced by models that are based on biologically motivated mechanistic understandings within an evolutionary biology framework that integrates adaptive strategies/processes in their formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo F Ricci
- University of Bologna, Environmental Management, Ravenna Campus, Scienze Ambientali, Via Sant'Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy.
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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