Freshwater biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services are changing at an unprecedented rate due to the impacts of vast number of stressors overlapping in time and space. Our study aimed at characterizing individual and combined impacts of pollution with pharmaceuticals (PhACs) and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and increased water temperature (as a proxy for climate change) on primary producers and first level consumers in freshwaters. We conducted a microcosm experiment with a simplified freshwater food web containing moss (Bryophyta) and shredding caddisfly larvae of Micropterna nycterobia (Trichoptera). The experiment was conducted with four treatments; control (C), increased water temperature + 4 °C (T2), emerging contaminants' mix (EC = 15 PhACs & 5 EDCs), and multiple stressor treatment (MS = EC + T2). Moss exhibited an overall mild response to selected stressors and their combination. Higher water temperature negatively affected development of M. nycterobia through causing earlier emergence of adults and changes in their lipidome profiles. Pollution with PhACs and EDCs had higher impact on metabolism of all life stages of M. nycterobia than warming. Multiple stressor effect was recorded in M. nycterobia adults in metabolic response, lipidome profiles and as a decrease in total lipid content. Sex specific response to stressor effects was observed in adults, with impacts on metabolome generally more pronounced in females, and on lipidome in males. Thus, our study highlights the variability of both single and multiple stressor impacts on different traits, different life stages and sexes of a single insect species. Furthermore, our research suggests that the combined impacts of warming, linked to climate change, and contamination with PhACs and EDCs could have adverse consequences on the population dynamics of aquatic insects. Additionally, these findings point to a potential decrease in the quality of resources available for both aquatic and potentially terrestrial food webs.

• Klíčová slova
• Aquatic-terrestrial subsidies, Caddisflies, Climate change, Ecosystem subsidies, Pollution, Sex specific stress response,
• MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory * toxicita   metabolismus   MeSH
• hmyz fyziologie   MeSH
• klimatické změny MeSH
• léčivé přípravky MeSH
• potravní řetězec * MeSH
• sladká voda MeSH
• voda MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• endokrinní disruptory * MeSH
• léčivé přípravky MeSH
• voda MeSH

The frequencies of adverse outcomes associated with male reproductive health, including infertility and testicular cancer, are increasing. These adverse trends are partially attributed to increased exposure to environmental agents such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This study addresses effects on EDCs on adjacent prepubertal Sertoli TM4 cells, specifically on 1) testicular gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), one of the hallmarks of non-genotoxic carcinogenicity, 2) GJIC building blocks connexins (Cx), and 3) mitogen-activated protein kinases MAPKs. We selected eight representatives of EDCs: organochlorine chemicals such as pesticides dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, lindane, methoxychlor, and vinclozolin, industrial chemicals bisphenol A and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl, and components of personal care products, triclocarban and triclosan. EDCs rapidly dysregulated GJIC in Sertoli TM4 cells mainly via MAPK p38 and/or Erk1/2 pathways by the intermediate hyper- or de-phosphorylation of Cx43 (Ser368, Ser282) and translocation of Cx43 from the plasma membrane, suggesting disturbed intracellular trafficking of Cx43 protein. Surprisingly, EDCs did not rapidly activate MAPK Erk1/2 or p38; on the contrary, TCC and TCS decreased their activity (phosphorylation). Our results indicate that EDCs might disrupt testicular homeostasis and development via testicular GJIC, junctional and non-junctional functions of Cx43 and MAPK-signaling pathways in Sertoli cells.

• Klíčová slova
• Connexins, Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, Gap junctional intercellular communication, Reproductive toxicity, Sertoli cells, Testicular tumors,
• MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory * metabolismus   MeSH
• fosforylace MeSH
• konexin 43 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mezerový spoj metabolismus   MeSH
• mezibuněčná komunikace MeSH
• testikulární nádory * metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• endokrinní disruptory * MeSH
• konexin 43 MeSH

This study focuses on the adsorption kinetics of four highly potent sex hormones (estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estriol (E3)), present in water reservoirs, which are considered a major cause of fish feminization, low sperm count in males, breast and ovarian cancer in females induced by hormonal imbalance. Herein, electrospun polymeric nanostructures were produced from cellulose acetate, polyamide, polyethersulfone, polyurethanes (918 and elastollan), and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to simultaneously adsorbing these estrogenic hormones in a single step process and to compare their performance. These nanofibers possessed an average fiber diameter in the range 174-330 nm and their specific surface area ranged between 10.2 and 20.9 m2g-1. The adsorption-desorption process was investigated in four cycles to determine the effective reusability of the adsorption systems. A one-step high-performance liquid chromatography technique was developed to detect and quantify concurrently each hormone present in the solution. Experimental data were obtained to determine the adsorption kinetics by applying pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models. Findings showed that E1, E2 and EE2 best fitted pseudo-second-order kinetics, while E3 followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. It was found that polyurethane Elastollan nanofibers had maximum adsorption capacities of 0.801, 0.590, 0.736 and 0.382 mg g-1for E1, E2, EE2 and E3, respectively. In addition, the results revealed that polyurethane Elastollan nanofibers had the highest percentage efficiency of estrogens removal at ∼58.9% due to its strong hydrogen bonding with estrogenic hormones, while the least removal efficiency for PAN at ∼35.1%. Consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles demonstrated that polyurethane maintained the best efficiency, even after being repeatedly used four times compared to the other polymers. Overall, the findings indicate that all the studied nanostructures have the potential to be effective adsorbents for concurrently eradicating such estrogens from the environment.

• Klíčová slova
• electrospun nanofibers, estrogenic hormones, kinetics, static adsorption, wastewater treatment,
• MeSH
• adsorpce MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu * chemie   metabolismus   farmakokinetika   MeSH
• čištění vody MeSH
• elektrochemické techniky metody   MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory * chemie   metabolismus   farmakokinetika   MeSH
• kinetika MeSH
• kongenery estradiolu * chemie   metabolismus   farmakokinetika   MeSH
• membrány umělé MeSH
• nanovlákna chemie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory * MeSH
• kongenery estradiolu * MeSH
• membrány umělé MeSH

• Klíčová slova
• animal models, cosmetics, daily exposure, endocrine disrupting chemicals, food, in vitro tests, personal care, water,
• MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory aplikace a dávkování   metabolismus   toxicita   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metabolické nemoci chemicky indukované   epidemiologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• rozmnožování účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• úvodní články MeSH
• úvodníky MeSH
• Názvy látek
• endokrinní disruptory MeSH

The equilibrium dissociation constant of competitive antagonists represents the affinity of the receptor-ligand interaction, and it is a key characteristic of many therapeutic drugs or toxic compounds. Two commonly used methods by which the affinity of the antagonist can be estimated are Schild analysis and the Cheng-Prusoff method. However, both methods yield different results when applied to systems with slopes not equal to one. The Gaddum equation, which is fundamental for both methods, should be extended to incorporate the slope parameter of the dose-response curves and this extension should diminish the differences between the Schild and Cheng-Prusoff methods. In this study, we derived a novel form of the Gaddum equation with a slope parameter (Hill coefficient) of agonist dose-response curve. We also derived the subsequent equations for Schild and Cheng-Prusoff analysis and we validated the proposed model by the measurement of several known estrogen receptor competitive antagonists. Standardized in vitro yeast reporter gene assay (BMAEREluc/ERα) has been used for the measurements and the range of used antagonist concentrations was 1.37-46.03 μM. By applying our mathematical model, both Schild and Cheng-Prusoff methods provide more similar values of antagonist affinity than the original mathematical approach. The correctness of the model has also been demonstrated by the measurement of a partial agonist with a known receptor affinity. The presented mathematical model significantly reduces the differences in values calculated by the Cheng-Prusoff and Schild methods and yields more accurate estimations of antagonist affinity.

• Klíčová slova
• Antagonists, Equilibrium constant, Gaddum equation, Inhibition curve analysis, Receptor theory, Schild analysis,
• MeSH
• alfa receptor estrogenů antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• antagonisté estrogenového receptoru metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• benzhydrylové sloučeniny metabolismus   toxicita   MeSH
• biologické modely * MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory metabolismus   toxicita   MeSH
• estradiol metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• estrogeny metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• fenoly metabolismus   toxicita   MeSH
• kompetitivní vazba MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• parciální agonismus léků MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alfa receptor estrogenů MeSH
• antagonisté estrogenového receptoru MeSH
• benzhydrylové sloučeniny MeSH
• bisphenol A MeSH Prohlížeč
• endokrinní disruptory MeSH
• estradiol MeSH
• estrogeny MeSH
• fenoly MeSH
• ligandy MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to detect endocrine disruption potential of selected bisphenols and phthalates, compare in silico prediction with results from two in vitro methods and bring up-to-date information on development of EU legislation, available in vitro methods and biomechanisms involved in endocrine disruption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In silico approach based on the OECD QSAR Toolbox was used for prediction of estrogen receptor α binding. OECD TG 455 assay and a yeast-based YES/YAS assay was used to determine the interactions with human estrogen (ERα) and androgen receptors. RESULTS: In silico results predicted the screened phthalates as non binders and bisphenols as very strong binders of the ERα. In vitro results differed from in silico prediction in several cases but exhibited concordance mainly for strong binders of ERα. Most of the substances exhibited parallel activity (agonist-antagonist) on both estrogen and androgen receptors. Agonistic studies showed the effective concentration of 10% activity (EC10) from 5.0E-07 for strong agonists (e.g. BPC, BPTMC). Cytotoxicity was observed after 48 h exposure of S. cerevisiae to BPFL, BPG, BPM, BPTMC in concentrations starting at 3.6E-05 mol/l. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest multiple parallel interactions of tested compounds and emphasize the importance of determination of an appropriate battery of in vitro methods that will include more receptors and will be appropriate to target specific molecular mechanisms involved in endocrine disruption. Results in agonistic studies indicate agonistic potential and are supported by results of antagonistic studies with consideration of possible multiple interactions.

• MeSH
• alfa receptor estrogenů metabolismus   MeSH
• androgenní receptory metabolismus   MeSH
• androgeny metabolismus   MeSH
• biotest metody   MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory metabolismus   MeSH
• estrogeny metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• receptory pro estrogeny metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alfa receptor estrogenů MeSH
• androgenní receptory MeSH
• androgeny MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory MeSH
• ESR1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• estrogeny MeSH
• receptory pro estrogeny MeSH

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants that interact in a complex manner with both the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and estrogen receptors (ER). Their potential endocrine-disrupting activities may depend on both inhibitory AhR-ER cross-talk and on AhR-dependent metabolic production of estrogenic PAH metabolites. Here, we analyzed the impact of AhR on estrogen-like effects of PAHs, such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), in particular, on control of cell cycle progression/cell proliferation. Using AhR knockout variant of estrogen-sensitive human breast cancer MCF-7 cells (MCF-7 AhRKO cells), we observed that the AhR-dependent control of cytochrome P450 family 1 (CYP1) expression played a major role in formation of estrogenic BaP metabolites, most notably 3-OH-BaP, which contributed to the ER-dependent induction of cell cycle progression/cell proliferation. Both BaP metabolism and the BaP-induced S-phase transition/cell proliferation were inhibited in MCF-7 AhRKO cells, whereas these cells remained sensitive towards both endogenous estrogen 17β-estradiol or hydroxylated BaP metabolites. BaP was found to increase the activity of ER-dependent luciferase reporter gene in wild-type MCF-7 cells; however, unlike its hydroxylated metabolite, BaP failed to stimulate luciferase activity in MCF-7 AhRKO cells. Similarly, estrogen-like effects of other known estrogenic PAHs, such as benz[a]anthracene or 3-methylcholanthrene, were diminished in MCF-7 AhRKO cells. Ectopic expression of human CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 enzymes partly restored both BaP metabolism and its effects on cell proliferation. Taken together, our data suggest that the AhR-dependent metabolism of PAHs contributes significantly to the impact of PAHs on cell proliferation in estrogen-sensitive cells.

• MeSH
• buněčné kultury MeSH
• buněčný cyklus účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• cytochrom P-450 CYP1A1 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• cytochrom P450 CYP1B1 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory metabolismus   toxicita   MeSH
• exprese genu účinky léků   MeSH
• genetické vektory MeSH
• genový knockdown MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• MFC-7 buňky MeSH
• plazmidy MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky metabolismus   toxicita   MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• receptory aromatických uhlovodíků genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• receptory pro estrogeny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• reportérové geny MeSH
• transfekce MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• CYP1A1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• CYP1B1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• cytochrom P-450 CYP1A1 MeSH
• cytochrom P450 CYP1B1 MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky MeSH
• receptory aromatických uhlovodíků MeSH
• receptory pro estrogeny MeSH

The white rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus HK 35, which is also an edible industrial mushroom commonly cultivated in farms, was tested in the degradation of typical representatives of endocrine disrupters (EDCs; bisphenol A, estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, 17α-ethinylestradiol, triclosan and 4-n-nonylphenol); its degradation efficiency under model laboratory conditions was greater than 90% within 12 days and better than that of another published strain P. ostreatus 3004. A spent mushroom substrate from a local farm was tested for its applicability in various batch and trickle-bed reactors in degrading EDCs in model fortified and real communal wastewater. The reactors were tested under various regimes including a pilot-scale trickle-bed reactor, which was finally tested at a wastewater treatment plant. The result revealed that the spent substrate is an efficient biodegradation agent, where the fungus was usually able to remove about 95% of EDCs together with suppression of the estrogenic activity of the sample. The results showed the fungus was able to operate in the presence of bacterial microflora in wastewater without any substantial negative effects on the degradation abilities. Finally, a pilot-scale trickle-bed reactor was installed in a wastewater treatment plant and successfully operated for 10days, where the bioreactor was able to remove more than 76% of EDCs present in the wastewater.

• Klíčová slova
• Bioreactor, Endocrine disruptors, Ligninolytic fungi, Pleurotus ostreatus, Wastewater treatment,
• MeSH
• biodegradace MeSH
• bioreaktory mikrobiologie   MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory analýza   izolace a purifikace   metabolismus   MeSH
• odpadní voda chemie   MeSH
• Pleurotus metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory MeSH
• odpadní voda MeSH

The mechanisms contributing to toxic effects of airborne lower-chlorinated PCB congeners (LC-PCBs) remain poorly characterized. We evaluated in vitro toxicities of environmental LC-PCBs found in both indoor and outdoor air (PCB 4, 8, 11, 18, 28 and 31), and selected hydroxylated metabolites of PCB 8, 11 and 18, using reporter gene assays, as well as other functional cellular bioassays. We focused on processes linked with endocrine disruption, tumor promotion and/or regulation of transcription factors controlling metabolism of both endogenous compounds and xenobiotics. The tested LC-PCBs were found to be mostly efficient anti-androgenic (within nanomolar - micromolar range) and estrogenic (at micromolar concentrations) compounds, as well as inhibitors of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) at micromolar concentrations. PCB 8, 28 and 31 were found to partially inhibit the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated activity. The tested LC-PCBs were also partial constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) agonists, with PCB 4, 8 and 18 being the most active compounds. They were inactive towards other nuclear receptors, such as vitamin D receptor, thyroid receptor α, glucocorticoid receptor or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ. We found that only PCB 8 contributed to generation of oxidative stress, while all tested LC-PCBs induced arachidonic acid release (albeit without further modulations of arachidonic acid metabolism) in human lung epithelial cells. Importantly, estrogenic effects of hydroxylated (OH-PCB) metabolites of LC-PCBs (4-OH-PCB 8, 4-OH-PCB 11 and 4'-OH-PCB 18) were higher than those of the parent PCBs, while their other toxic effects were only slightly altered or suppressed. This suggested that metabolism may alter toxicity profiles of LC-PCBs in a receptor-specific manner. In summary, anti-androgenic and estrogenic activities, acute inhibition of GJIC and suppression of the AhR-mediated activity were found to be the most relevant modes of action of airborne LC-PCBs, although they partially affected also additional cellular targets.

• Klíčová slova
• Airborne polychlorinated biphenyls, Endocrine disruption, HydroxyLated PCBs, Metabolism of xenobiotics, Tumor promotion,
• MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory metabolismus   toxicita   MeSH
• epitelové buňky účinky léků   MeSH
• hydroxylace MeSH
• konstitutivní androstanový receptor MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch toxicita   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory metabolismus   MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly metabolismus   toxicita   MeSH
• pregnanový X receptor MeSH
• receptory cytoplazmatické a nukleární metabolismus   MeSH
• signální transdukce účinky léků   MeSH
• steroidní receptory metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• endokrinní disruptory MeSH
• konstitutivní androstanový receptor MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly MeSH
• pregnanový X receptor MeSH
• receptory cytoplazmatické a nukleární MeSH
• steroidní receptory MeSH

Stagnant water bodies have generally received little attention regarding the presence of endocrine disruptive compounds, although they can integrate diverse pollutants from multiple different sources. Many compounds of anthropogenic as well as natural origin can contribute to the overall estrogenicity of surface waters and some of them can exhibit adverse effects on aquatic biota even in very low concentrations. This study focused on freshwater ponds and reservoirs affected by water blooms and determined the estrogenic activity of water by in vitro bioassay as well as concentrations of several important groups of estrogenic compounds (estrogenic hormones, alkylphenols, and phytoestrogens) by LC-MS/MS analyses. Estrogenic hormones were found at concentrations up to 7.1 ng.L-1, similarly to flavonoids, whose concentrations did not exceed 12.5 ng.L-1. Among alkylphenols, only bisphenol A and 4-tert-octylphenol were detected in levels reaching 100 ng.L-1 at maximum. Estrogenic activity of water samples varied from below the quantification limit to 1.95 ng.L-1. There does not seem to be any general causal link of the massive phytoplankton occurrence with the estrogenicity of water or concentration of phytoestrogens, since they showed no direct relationship with the phytoplankton abundance or composition across sites. The contribution of the analysed compounds to the estrogenic activity was calculated in three scenarios. In minimum scenario, just the compounds above quantification limit (LOQ) were taken into account and for most samples, only minor part (<6%) of the biological activity could be explained. In the mean and maximum scenarios, we included also compounds below LOQ into the calculations at the level of LOQ/2 and LOQ, respectively. In these cases, a considerable part of the estrogenic activity could be attributed to the possible presence of steroid estrogens below LOQ. However, for the samples with estrogenic activity greater than 1 ng.L-1, more than 50% of the estrogenic activity remained unexplained even in the maximum scenario. Probably other compounds or possible interactions between individual substances cause the estrogenic activity in these types of water bodies and in this case, the results of LC-MS/MS analyses cannot sufficiently predict the biological effects. A complex approach including bioassays is needed when assessing the estrogenicity of these types of surface waters.

• Klíčová slova
• Alkylphenols, Estrogenicity, Estrogens, Flavonoids, Surface water,
• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• chromatografie kapalinová MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• estrogeny analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• fytoplankton chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• sladká voda chemie   MeSH
• tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory MeSH
• estrogeny MeSH