Environmental toxicology and pharmacology最新文献

Exposure to environmental pollutants, including trace metals, is a major driver of bee decline worldwide. While pesticides undergo standardised risk assessments (i.e., LD₅₀) and the implementation of online databases, no such approaches exist for trace metals. Here, using acute oral exposure, we determined the LC₅₀, LD₅₀, and mass-standardised LD₅₀ of copper and cadmium, essential and non-essential metals, respectively, in workers and males of the buff-tailed bumble bee. We also evaluated gut damage and sucrose consumption in workers post-exposure. Cadmium was more toxic than copper for workers at same doses, although both metals induced severe gut melanisation and reduced sucrose consumption at high concentrations. Males displayed higher tolerance to cadmium, but it was correlated to their higher body mass, emphasising the necessity for reporting mass-standardised LD₅₀ for genuine sex comparisons in risk assessments. Our findings advocate for the establishment of databases focusing on metal-induced lethal effects on model bee species.

Graphene oxide, due to its unique properties, has several potential applications in biomedicine, especially as a drug carrier. Despite emerging studies on its cytotoxicity and uptake into cells, there are still gaps in knowledge on this area. When analyzing the internalization of nanomaterials, many different factors must be considered, including particle size, surface modifications, and interactions with biological fluids that can change their properties. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of graphene oxide fractions in different sizes and samples incubated in human serum on endothelial cells (HUVECs). In addition, the study was conducted in both macroscale and microscale using Cell-on-a-Chip technology to better replicate in vivo conditions. Our findings indicate that samples incubated with serum reduce the efficiency of fraction uptake into cells. It was also observed that the uptake efficiency of graphene oxide (GO) fractions is higher in the microscale (in more real to in vivo environment) compared to the macroscale. Our research has shown that in order to determine the correct interaction of new materials into mammalian cells, it is necessary to take into account many different biochemical and physical factors.

This study examines the effects of Roundup Transorb® (RDT) exposure on reproductive functions and ovarian miRNA expression in Austrolebias charrua. Exposure to RDT (at 0.065 or 5 mg. L⁻¹ for 96 h) significantly disrupts fertility, evidenced by changes in fertilization rates and egg diameter. Profiling of ovarian miRNAs identified a total 205 miRNAs in A. charrua. Among these, three miRNAs were upregulated (miR-10b-5p, miR-132–3p, miR-100–5p), while ten miRNAs were downregulated (miR-499–5p, miR-375, miR-205–5p, miR-206–3p, miR-203a-3p, miR-133b-3p, miR-203b-5p, miR-184, miR-133a-3p, miR-2188–5p) compared to non-exposed fish. This study reveals that differentially expressed miRNAs are linked to molecular pathways such as steroid hormone biosynthesis, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, bioenergetics, and antioxidant defense. It also analyzes molecular interactions between miRNAs and target genes during RDT exposure in annual killifish, providing insights into biomarkers in ecotoxicology. Moreover, it provides scope for developing environmental health assessment models based on epigenomic endpoints, supporting the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services through the quantification of stress responses in living organisms exposed to pesticides.

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is a health complication, encompassing excessive inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and tubular necrosis; leading to kidney failure and death. Sepsis treatments are nonspecific and palliative. In this study, we evaluated the effect of morin, a flavonoid with known nephroprotective capabilities, on sepsis-induced AKI by dividing eighty male mice into: normal, morin-treated, septic, and septic mice treated with morin. Half of the groups were sacrified 3 days post sepsis induction, while the rest was sacrified on the 7th day. Treating septic mice with morin resulted in the amelioration of sepsis-associated pathophysiological renal alterations and the increase of the survival and recovery rates compared with those of septic control group. These findings indicate that morin has a therapeutic effect against sepsis-associated AKI via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and regenerative effects. Thus, it could be used as potential pharmacological intervention for preventing renal complications of sepsis.

The consumption of hormone-derived medicines, such as levonorgestrel (LNG), is increasing worldwide, and its discharge into the environment reaches non-target organisms. In our previous study, we exposed the parental generation of zebrafish to environmentally relevant concentrations of LNG during the developmental phase. Subsequently, they had grown in a tank with clean water until adulthood. Now, we allowed this parental generation to reproduce to obtain F1 progeny unexposed to LGN, in order to analyze the transgenerational effects of parental LNG exposure on the survival and hatching of unexposed F1 embryos and the stress and behavior of F1 larvae. Here, we found decreased survival rates with higher LNG concentrations, providing a transgenerational effect. This highlights the environmental impact of exposure to LNG, causing damage at the individual and population level and affecting the next generation at the beginning of development, impacting qualities in the survival of the species.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a highly toxic commonly used pesticide and can seriously harm human health. This study assessed the potential of galangin (GAL), an antioxidant flavonoid, to attenuate oxidative stress, inflammation and kidney injury caused by CPF, emphasizing the role of farnesoid-x-receptor (FXR) and Nrf2. Rats were supplemented with CPF and GAL for 28 days. CPF increased serum creatinine, urea and Kim-1, provoked several tissue alterations, and increased kidney ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA), NF-κB p65, TNF-α, iNOS, and caspase-3. GAL effectively ameliorated serum kidney injury markers, ROS, MDA, and TNF-α, suppressed NF-κB p65, iNOS, and caspase-3, and enhanced antioxidants. GAL suppressed Keap1 and upregulated FXR, Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO-1 in CPF-administered rats. GAL exhibited binding affinity with Keap1, FXR, caspase-3, iNOS, HO-1, and NF-κB. In conclusion, GAL is effective in preventing CPF nephrotoxicity by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation. This protection is linked to upregulation of antioxidants, Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and FXR.

In Ulaanbaatar roughly 60 % of the population live in traditional Mongolian yurts in the so-called Ger districts of the city. Winter indoor air quality is a serious concern in these districts as about 98 % of households consume solid fossil fuel (mainly coal). In our study, indoor air quality was assessed based on PAHs analysis and ecotoxicity testing of 24-hour samples collected in 4 yurts. Three of the selected yurts were equipped with conventional while the fourth one with improved stoves. Analysis of PAHs profiles showed the prevalence of higher molecular weight PAHs in all yurts. Concentrations of the 5-ring benzo(b)fluoranthene and 6-ring benzo(g.h.i)perylene were extremely high in one yurt using conventional stove, 8430 µg g⁻¹ and 6320 µg g⁻¹, respectively. Ecotoxicity of the samples was assessed using the kinetic version of the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition bioassay. In concordance with PAHs concentrations, ecotoxicity was also the highest in that yurt.

Fipronil (FP) is an insecticide used in the treatment and control of pests, but it also adversely affects bees. Currently, there is no data on the genotoxic effects of FP in the brain of bumblebees. Thus, through the comet assay and routine morphological analysis, we analyzed the morphological effects and potential genotoxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of FP on the brain of Bombus atratus. Bumblebees were exposed at concentrations of 2.5 μg/g and 3.5 μg/g for 96 hours. After the exposure, the brains were removed for morphological and morphometric analysis, and the comet assay procedure - used to detect DNA damage in individual cells using electrophoresis. Our data showed that both concentrations (2.5 μg/g and 3.5 μg/g) caused DNA damage in brain cells. These results corroborate the morphological data. We observed signs of synapse loss in the calyx structure, intercellular spaces between compact inner and non-compact inner cells, and cell swelling. This study provides unprecedented evidence of the effects of FP on DNA and cellular structures in the brain of B. atratus and reinforces the need to elucidate its toxic effects on other species to allow future risk assessments and conservation projects.

The escalating concern surrounding fluoranthene (FLN), phenanthrene (Phe), and pyrene (Pyr), underscores the urgency to investigate their dynamics in the context of agricultural ecosystems. Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (Bok choy), a globally consumed vegetable, holds particular significance in this scenario. This study explores the migration and transformation of FLN, Phe, and Pyr from soil to Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis during its growth. The germination rates of seeds in these treatments varied, with soil+Bok choy and soil+FLN+Bok choy treatments showing higher rates (77.8 %), while soil+mix+Bok choy exhibited the lowest rate (11.1 %) after 3 days. Analyzing the distribution of FLN, Phe, and Pyr in Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis parts after 30 days revealed a sequence of accumulation in stem> root> leaf. This study provides information on practical implications for regulating the soil-plant migration and transformation of FLN, Phe, and Pyr, offering valuable insights for migration of PAHs pollution in agricultural settings.

Thiacloprid, a hazardous neonicotinoid insecticide, prevalent in daily agricultural practices, raises concerns due to the harmful effects of its residues on food items, and on unintended organisms poses a significant threat to human health. Introduced in 1990, Thiacloprid have gained popularity for its perceived effectiveness and reduced risks to non-target animals. However, emerging research in recent years reports significant toxic effects of Thiacloprid on non-target species, spanning neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and reproductive issues. Mammalian studies, particularly involving rodents, reveal cognitive impairment, hippocampal damage, and hepatic abnormalities upon Thiacloprid exposure. Reproductive toxicity and DNA damage are imminent concerns, disrupting gestational epigenetic reprogramming and suggesting persistent effects on future generations. Genotoxic effects, Embryotoxic, and observed reproductive toxicity accentuate the need for caution in the utilization of Thiacloprid. This review highlights reported toxic effects produced by Thiacloprid in recent years, challenging the initial belief in its lower toxicity for vertebrates.