Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a class of widely distributed environmental pollutants that have been primarily studied as genotoxic compounds. Their mutagenicity/genotoxicity largely depends on their oxidative metabolism leading to the production of dihydrodiol epoxide metabolites, as well as additional metabolites contributing to oxidative DNA damage, such as PAH quinones. However, both parental PAHs and their metabolites, including PAH quinones or hydroxylated PAHs, have been shown to produce various types of non-genotoxic effects. These include e.g., activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and/or additional nuclear receptors, activation of membrane receptors, including tyrosine kinases and G-protein coupled receptors, or activation of intracellular signaling pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinases, Akt kinase and Ca2+-dependent signaling. These pathways may, together with the cellular DNA damage responses, modulate cell proliferation, cell survival or cell-to-cell communication, thus contributing to the known carcinogenic effects of PAHs. In the present review, we summarize some of the known non-genotoxic effects of PAHs, focusing primarily on those that have also been shown to be modulated by PAH metabolites. Despite the limitations of the available data, it seems evident that more attention should be paid to the discrimination between the potential non-genotoxic effects of parental PAHs and those of their metabolites. This may provide further insight into the mechanisms of toxicity of this large and diverse group of environmental pollutants.
- MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- metabolická aktivace MeSH
- mutageny farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- oxidační stres MeSH
- polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Somatic embryogenesis is an important biotechnological technique which can be used in studies associated with environmental stress. Four embryogenic cell lines of Norway spruce were grown on media enriched with copper and arsenic in concentration ranges 50-500 μM and 10-50 μM, respectively. The effects were observed during subsequent stages of somatic embryogenesis, the characteristics evaluated being proliferation potential, average number of somatic embryos obtained per g/fresh weight, morphology of developed somatic embryos, metal uptake, and microanalysis of macro- and micronutrients uptake. Copper and arsenic at higher concentrations significantly reduced the growth of early somatic embryos. In almost all treatments, the cell line V-1-3 showed the best performance compared with the other lines tested. Environmental scanning electron microscopy was used to visualize and identify morphological abnormalities in the development of somatic embryos. Abnormalities observed were classified into several categories: meristemless somatic embryos, somatic embryos with disrupted meristem, reduced number of cotyledons, single cotyledon and fused cotyledons. With the application of a low temperature method for the environmental scanning electron microscope, samples were stabilized and whole meristems could be investigated in their native state. As far as we are aware, this is the first report of the effect of copper and arsenic during the process of somatic embryogenesis and the first to evaluate the content of macro and micronutrients uptake in Norway spruce.
- MeSH
- aktivní transport MeSH
- arsen farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- biotechnologie MeSH
- buněčné linie MeSH
- fyziologický stres MeSH
- klíčení účinky léků MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- měď farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
- smrk účinky léků embryologie metabolismus MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The main objective of this study was to determine how rat tapeworms affect the excretion of zinc and cadmium through rat feces. Male rats (Rattus norvegicus var. alba) were divided into four groups, and the experiment was conducted over a 6-week period. The control groups (00; 0T) were provided with a standard ST-1 rodent mixture and received 10.5 mg of Zn/week. Groups P0 and PT were fed a mixture supplemented with the hyperaccumulating plant Arabidopsis halleri at a dosage of 123 mg Zn/week and 2.46 mg Cd/week. Groups 0T and PT were infected with the rat tapeworm (Hymenolepis diminuta). Fecal samples were collected 24 h post exposure. Zinc and cadmium concentrations in rat feces were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Tapeworm presence decreased the amount of metals excreted through the feces of the host throughout the entire experiment, with the exception of 1 week (control group). No statistically significant differences between zinc excretion rates in the control groups (00 and 0T) were detected at any time throughout the experiment. A statistically significant difference between zinc excretion rates (p < 0.05) in the exposed groups (P0 and PT) was detected in 2 of the 6 monitored weeks. Group PT excreted significantly less cadmium (p < 0.01) than group P0 did in three of the 6 weeks. Overall, our results indicate that tapeworms are able to influence the excretion of metals by their host. Tapeworms accumulate metals from intestinal contents. It is not clear whether tapeworms carry out this process before the host tissues absorb the metals from the intestines or the tapeworms accumulate metals excreted from the body of the host back to the intestines. Most likely, it is a combination of both phenomena.
- MeSH
- cestodózy metabolismus MeSH
- feces chemie MeSH
- gastrointestinální obsah chemie MeSH
- Hymenolepis diminuta metabolismus MeSH
- kadmium farmakokinetika MeSH
- krmivo pro zvířata MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí farmakokinetika MeSH
- modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
- potkani Wistar MeSH
- zinek farmakokinetika MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Lead is well known environmental pollutant, which can cause toxic effects in multiple organ systems. However, the influence of lead oxide nanoparticles, frequently emitted to the environment by high temperature technological processes, is still concealed. Therefore, we investigate lead oxide nanoparticle distribution through the body upon their entry into lungs and determine the microscopic and ultramicroscopic changes caused by the nanoparticles in primary and secondary target organs. METHODS: Adult female mice (ICR strain) were continuously exposed to lead oxide nanoparticles (PbO-NPs) with an average concentration approximately 106 particles/cm3 for 6 weeks (24 h/day, 7 days/week). At the end of the exposure period, lung, brain, liver, kidney, spleen, and blood were collected for chemical, histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic analyses. RESULTS: Lead content was found to be the highest in the kidney and lungs, followed by the liver and spleen; the smallest content of lead was found in brain. Nanoparticles were located in all analysed tissues and their highest number was found in the lung and liver. Kidney, spleen and brain contained lower number of nanoparticles, being about the same in all three organs. Lungs of animals exposed to lead oxide nanoparticles exhibited hyperaemia, small areas of atelectasis, alveolar emphysema, focal acute catarrhal bronchiolitis and also haemostasis with presence of siderophages in some animals. Nanoparticles were located in phagosomes or formed clusters within cytoplasmic vesicles. In the liver, lead oxide nanoparticle exposure caused hepatic remodeling with enlargement and hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes, centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes with karyomegaly, areas of hepatic necrosis, occasional periportal inflammation, and extensive accumulation of lipid droplets. Nanoparticles were accumulated within mitochondria and peroxisomes forming aggregates enveloped by an electron-dense mitochondrial matrix. Only in some kidney samples, we observed areas of inflammatory infiltrates around renal corpuscles, tubules or vessels in the cortex. Lead oxide nanoparticles were dispersed in the cytoplasm, but not within cell organelles. There were no significant morphological changes in the spleen as a secondary target organ. Thus, pathological changes correlated with the amount of nanoparticles found in cells rather than with the concentration of lead in a given organ. CONCLUSIONS: Sub-chronic exposure to lead oxide nanoparticles has profound negative effects at both cellular and tissue levels. Notably, the fate and arrangement of lead oxide nanoparticles were dependent on the type of organs.
- MeSH
- hodnocení rizik MeSH
- inhalační expozice MeSH
- játra účinky léků metabolismus ultrastruktura MeSH
- kovové nanočástice * aplikace a dávkování chemie toxicita MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí aplikace a dávkování chemie farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- ledviny účinky léků metabolismus ultrastruktura MeSH
- mozek účinky léků metabolismus ultrastruktura MeSH
- myši inbrední ICR MeSH
- olovo aplikace a dávkování chemie farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- oxidy aplikace a dávkování chemie farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- plíce účinky léků metabolismus ultrastruktura MeSH
- slezina účinky léků metabolismus ultrastruktura MeSH
- tkáňová distribuce MeSH
- toxikokinetika MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
Perfluoroalkyl phosphonic and phosphinic acids (PFPAs and PFPiAs) are sub-groups of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) that have been commercialized since the 1970s, particularly as defoamers in pesticide formulations and wetting agents in consumer products. Recently, C4/C4 PFPiA and its derivatives have been presented as alternatives to long-chain PFASs in certain applications. In this study, we systematically assess the publicly available information on the hazardous properties, occurrence, and exposure routes of PFPAs and PFPiAs, and make comparisons to the corresponding properties of their better-known carboxylic and sulfonic acid analogs (i.e. PFCAs and PFSAs). This comparative assessment indicates that [i] PFPAs likely have high persistence and long-range transport potential; [ii] PFPiAs may transform to PFPAs (and possibly PFCAs) in the environment and biota; [iii] certain PFPAs and PFPiAs can only be slowly eliminated from rainbow trout and rats, similarly to long-chain PFCAs and PFSAs; [iv] PFPAs and PFPiAs have modes-of-action that are both similar to, and different from, those of PFCAs and PFSAs; and [v] the measured levels of PFPAs/PFPiAs in the global environment and biota appear to be low in comparison to PFCAs and PFSAs, suggesting, for the time being, low risks from PFPAs and PFPiAs alone. Although risks from individual PFPAs/PFPiAs are currently low, their ongoing production and use and high persistence will lead to increasing exposure and risks over time. Furthermore, simultaneous exposure to PFPAs, PFPiAs and other PFASs may result in additive effects necessitating cumulative risk assessments. To facilitate effective future research, we highlight possible strategies to overcome sampling and analytical challenges.
- MeSH
- ekotoxikologie MeSH
- fluorokarbony analýza farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- hodnocení rizik MeSH
- kyseliny fosfinové analýza farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- kyseliny fosforité analýza farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí analýza farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí metody MeSH
- nebezpečné látky analýza farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- výzkumný projekt MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an effective tool for assessing actual exposure to chemicals that takes into account all routes of intake. Although hair analysis is considered to be an optimal biomarker for assessing mercury exposure, the lack of harmonization as regards sampling and analytical procedures has often limited the comparison of data at national and international level. The European-funded projects COPHES and DEMOCOPHES developed and tested a harmonized European approach to Human Biomonitoring in response to the European Environment and Health Action Plan. Herein we describe the quality assurance program (QAP) for assessing mercury levels in hair samples from more than 1800 mother-child pairs recruited in 17 European countries. To ensure the comparability of the results, standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sampling and for mercury analysis were drafted and distributed to participating laboratories. Training sessions were organized for field workers and four external quality-assessment exercises (ICI/EQUAS), followed by the corresponding web conferences, were organized between March 2011 and February 2012. ICI/EQUAS used native hair samples at two mercury concentration ranges (0.20-0.71 and 0.80-1.63) per exercise. The results revealed relative standard deviations of 7.87-13.55% and 4.04-11.31% for the low and high mercury concentration ranges, respectively. A total of 16 out of 18 participating laboratories the QAP requirements and were allowed to analyze samples from the DEMOCOPHES pilot study. Web conferences after each ICI/EQUAS revealed this to be a new and effective tool for improving analytical performance and increasing capacity building. The procedure developed and tested in COPHES/DEMOCOPHES would be optimal for application on a global scale as regards implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- laboratoře normy MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- matky MeSH
- mezinárodní spolupráce MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí metody normy MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- řízení kvality MeSH
- rozvoj plánování MeSH
- rtuť analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- vlasy, chlupy chemie MeSH
- vystavení vlivu životního prostředí analýza MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
AIM: Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) from the environment are still bioaccumulating in human tissues. The aim of our study was to analyze the development of plasma POPs levels in obese women in relationship with their weight loss success in five year follow-up study. METHODS: 20 obese women aged 25-73 years were studied just before and after having completed a 3 month controlled low calorie diet (LCD) intervention (5 MJ daily), and again after 6 and 60 months since the beginning of the study. Body weight and plasma levels of 7 POPs were measured: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) 153, 138, 180; 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE); 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), hexachlorocyclobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane β (HCH β). RESULTS: Data shows that after 3 months of a completely controlled restrictive diet regimen, the weight loss was associated with an increase in POP plasma levels. However, after a five year follow-up, there were no differences in POPs plasma levels between those who kept losing weight or maintained the initial weight (WL/M) and the group of weight gainers (WG), except for HCB where the WG had a significantly higher level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that contrary to the long-term weight gain, the long-term weight loss or weight maintenance caused by diet restriction is associated with lower plasma levels of HCB.
- MeSH
- chlorované uhlovodíky krev farmakokinetika MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- hmotnostní úbytek fyziologie MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí krev farmakokinetika MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- následné studie MeSH
- obezita dietoterapie krev MeSH
- rezidua pesticidů analýza krev MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- vystavení vlivu životního prostředí analýza MeSH
- změny tělesné hmotnosti MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
The tapeworm Moniezia expansa and naturally infected sheep were investigated with respect to their lead accumulation. Lead-Pb(CH(3)COO)(2) was added to the distilled water and administered orally to the sheep every day for a period of 1 week. After the exposure period the sheep were killed and the metal levels were determined in the muscle, liver, kidney and blood of the sheep as well as in the cestode parasites (Moniezia expansa). The impact of an infection with the cestode Moniezia expansa and a simultaneous Pb exposure, on the concentrations of heavy metals in the host kidney, liver, muscle, blood and cestodes was studied. The concentration of lead in the cestodes was on average 458, 5 and 4-fold higher in the cestodes than in the muscle, liver and kidney of the host, respectively. Parasitised sheep accumulated significantly less lead in their tissues than their uninfected conspecifics (ANOVA test, P < or = 0.05). Also the differences between host's tissues and tapeworms were found to be significant (ANOVA test, P < or = 0.05). Thus, this study reveals that lead accumulation also occurs in cestodes parasitizing mammals. The host-parasite-system sheep-Moniezia expansa appears to be a useful and promising bioindication system especially in farming (rural, agricultural) and the natural ecosystem.
- MeSH
- analýza rozptylu MeSH
- Cestoda MeSH
- cestodózy parazitologie MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí farmakokinetika MeSH
- monieziáza parazitologie MeSH
- nemoci ovcí parazitologie MeSH
- olovo farmakokinetika MeSH
- ovce domácí MeSH
- ovce MeSH
- tkáňová distribuce MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) such as perfluoro-octane sulphonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are emerging environmental pollutants, arising mainly from their use as surface treatment chemicals, polymerization aids and surfactants. They are ubiquitous, persistent and bioaccumulative in the environment. Perfluorinated compounds are being proposed as a new class of POPs. Although tests in rodents have demonstrated numerous negative effects of PFCs, it is unclear if exposure to perfluorinated compounds may affect human health. This review provides an overview of the recent toxicology and toxicokinetics, monitoring data now available for the environment, wildlife, and humans and attempts to explain the mechanisms of action of PFCs.
- MeSH
- divoká zvířata MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- fluorokarbony analýza farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- hodnocení rizik MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí analýza farmakokinetika toxicita MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- sladká voda MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
