Toxics最新文献

The effect of heavy metals on male hormonal regulation-particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis-remains poorly characterized. We aim to investigate associations between heavy metal exposure and HPT axis-related hormones. We analyzed data, including male participants aged 3-80 years, from a nationally representative survey. Five metals and twelve sex hormones were measured. We used multivariate linear regression and restricted cubic splines to assess associations and dose-response relationships. Mixture effects were quantified using quantile-based g computation. The modifying effects of vitamin D and folate were examined. The underlying mechanisms were explored through a narrative review and integrative bioinformatics analysis. A total of 6547 males were included. Metal exposure was predominantly associated with hormonal perturbations in adolescents and older adults. Specifically, metal mixture was associated with hormones in adolescent males [effect range: -5.10% (95% CI: -9.24, -0.76) to 18.12% (95% CI: 9.80, 27.07)] and older males [effect range: 3.17% (95% CI: 0.07, 6.37) to 10.94% (95% CI: 4.82, 17.43)]. Effect modifications were observed for vitamin D in children and adolescents, and for folate across all age groups. The PI3K-Akt signaling pathway was identified as a potential mechanism. Our findings provide novel insights into the association and potential pathway between heavy metals and male hormonal disturbance.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic and pervasive environmental pollutant that exerts detrimental effects on human health through diverse biochemical and molecular mechanisms. As a vital metabolic organ, the liver harbors macrophages that play a crucial role in maintaining hepatic health and function. Current research has paid relatively little attention to the role of macrophages in liver injury induced by heavy metal exposure. This review summarizes current research on the molecular mechanisms underlying cadmium-induced toxicity in hepatic macrophages, focusing on oxidative stress, signaling pathways, gene transcription, and apoptosis. It further examines how cadmium-induced macrophage dysfunction impacts hepatic immunometabolism. Specifically, we detail how cadmium triggers oxidative stress and disrupts intracellular calcium homeostasis, leading to the activation of transcription factors such as NF-κB and Nrf2, and the subsequent engagement of related signaling cascades. These perturbations alter macrophage polarization (M1/M2), promote cellular damage and apoptosis, and ultimately exacerbate hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. By synthesizing recent advances in this field, this review aims to provide a theoretical foundation and future directions for research, with the goal of informing novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of heavy metal-associated liver diseases.

Commercial smooth-hound sharks of the genus Mustelus are commonly landed and consumed in Mediterranean fisheries, raising concerns about potential human exposure to persistent contaminants. This study investigated the occurrence of organochlorine compounds (OCs), including hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), together with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in muscle and liver tissues of Mustelus mustelus and Mustelus punctulatus collected in the waters of the Egadi Archipelago (central Mediterranean Sea). OCs were detected in all analyzed samples, with total PCB concentrations reaching higher values in liver compared to muscle tissues, reflecting tissue-specific accumulation and detoxification processes. PFAS were detected in all analyzed muscle samples (1.10-58.5 ng/g w.w.), with PFOS, PFOA and PFNA generally below current European regulatory thresholds, although isolated exceedances were observed. Stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) highlighted differences in trophic ecology between the two species and suggested that feeding habitat and trophic position may influence contaminant exposure patterns, particularly in M. punctulatus. The human health risk assessment, conducted as a screening-level evaluation, indicated potential concern associated with PCB concentrations in liver tissue, while risks associated with muscle consumption were generally lower. Overall, the integration of contaminant analysis and stable isotopes provides insights into organismal exposure pathways and supports the use of smooth-hound sharks as sentinels of contaminant presence in Mediterranean coastal ecosystems.

Low-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (LMW-PAHs), such as the 400 μM mixture of phenanthrene and fluorene used in this study, are prevalent environmental pollutants. Induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by LMW-PAHs promote cell invasion and migration and contribute to disease pathogenesis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression by acting as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) that sequester microRNAs (miRNAs), a mechanism important for modulating EMT. Previously, regulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and EMT in A549 cells are shown to occur through the hsa_circ_0039929/miR-15b-3p_R-1/FGF2 axis. Here, the functional role of the related LINC01376/miR-15b-3p_R-1/FGF2 axis in LMW-PAH-induced EMT was examined in A549 and H1299 cells. The miR-15b-3p_R-1 was downregulated, whereas LINC01376 and FGF2 were upregulated following LMW-PAH exposure. LINC01376 overexpression enhanced EMT, migration, and invasion. Interactions between miR-15b-3p_R-1 and FGF2, as well as direct binding of LINC01376 to miR-15b-3p_R-1, were confirmed experimentally. The results indicate that, in LMW-PAH-treated cells, LINC01376 functions as a ceRNA to sponge miR-15b-3p_R-1, thereby elevating FGF2 expression and promoting EMT, migration, and invasion. Identification of the LINC01376/miR-15b-3p_R-1/FGF2 regulatory axis highlighted as a key mechanism in LMW-PAH-driven EMT and suggests its potential as a therapeutic target in PAH-related pathologies.

With increasing industrialization, hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is used in various metal smelting and other industries, which, in turn, causes hexavalent chromium pollution. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of isolated Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) from high-Cr(VI) soils and to evaluate its safety. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed to explore its Cr(VI) response mechanisms, and a mouse model (24 mice) was established to evaluate the safety of the bacterium at different concentrations. Key genetic findings showed that Cr(VI) exposure significantly up-regulated the Spx gene and down-regulated the CtsR gene-two critical transcriptional regulators involved in stress response and development that mediate Cr(VI) tolerance. Pathway analysis revealed that ribosome RNA, redox balance, protein biosynthesis, metabolism, and cysteine biosynthesis play a significant role in bacterial Cr(VI) resistance. In the in vivo experiment, it was observed that the small intestine (SI), liver, and spleen of the mice remained normal without any injuries. Different levels of the F3 isolate demonstrated the ability to resist colonization by digestive juices, as observed in the SI slides. Consequently, B. subtilis can endure high levels of Cr(VI) by regulating redox process genes, which makes it a potential candidate for further research in selecting safe, tolerant, and bio-remedial isolates for Cr(VI) treatment.

Background: Nanoplastics (NPs), as emerging foodborne contaminants, can accumulate in the heart and induce toxic effects. However, whether NPs exert differential cardiac impacts depending on dietary habits remains unclear.

Methods: In this study, mice subjected to different dietary patterns (Normal diet, ND; High-fat diet, HFD; High-fructose diet, HFrD) were orally administered 80 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) at a dose of 10 mg/(kg·day) for 1, 4, and 8 weeks. The fluorescence tracing, histopathological analysis, quantification of inflammatory and fibrotic markers, and transcriptomic sequencing were used to evaluate the distribution and hazardous effect of PS-NPs.

Results: By the 8th week, significant fluorescence labeled PS-NPs accumulation was detected in the hearts of mice on HFD group and HFrD group. Histopathological and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that both HFD and HFrD groups exacerbated cardiac collagen deposition and inflammatory infiltration in PS-NP-exposed mice. Transcriptomic analysis further indicated that under HFD, PS-NP exposure primarily activated MAPK signaling pathway-mediated inflammation, thereby promoting fibrosis. In contrast, under HFrD, PS-NP80 amplified cardiac injury via the TNF signaling pathway.

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that dietary habits can aggravate the cardiac toxicity induced by foodborne nanoplastics, highlighting the importance of considering dietary patterns in the risk assessment of food contaminants.

As China's industrialization progresses, the transformation of site properties across various regions has become increasingly common. Concurrently, with the relocation and market exit of some enterprises, the land occupied by the original factory sites has been developed for other uses. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of soil and groundwater contamination levels and the associated ecological and health risks in abandoned industrial lands. The investigation focused on analyzing heavy metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination using various assessment methods, including the single-factor pollution index, Nemerow composite pollution index, and potential ecological risk index. These methods were used to assess the contamination levels of 11 heavy metals in both soil and groundwater. Additionally, health risk assessments for PAHs were conducted using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) and Carcinogenic Risk (CR) models, considering both direct and indirect exposure pathways. The results indicated that the average concentration of each heavy metal in the soil did not exceed the screening thresholds, with all Nemerow index values falling below 1, suggesting that the site is not significantly polluted. Ecological risk assessment further revealed that most heavy metals posed minor risks, while some localized areas showed slight enrichment. Health risk assessments for PAHs indicated that, although the risks for both adults and children were within acceptable limits, the ingestion pathway for children showed a slightly higher risk compared to adults. The groundwater quality met Class IV standards, indicating no significant pollution. These findings provide data support and reference for future land-use planning, environmental management, and remediation strategies for abandoned industrial sites.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental endocrine disruptors (EDCs) that enter the human body through respiratory, digestive, and dermal exposure. Prolonged exposure has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity. However, whether genetic variation in apoptosis-related pathways modifies the reproductive effects of PAH exposure remains unclear. To investigate gene-environment interactions between urinary PAH metabolites and polymorphisms in apoptosis-related genes in relation to sperm apoptosis, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving 176 male participants from an infertility clinic in Wuhan, China, who completed structured questionnaires and provided biological samples. Ten OH-PAH metabolites in repeated urine samples were measured, along with genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at apoptosis-related genes (Fas, FasL, and caspase-3) in whole blood DNA, and sperm apoptosis. Multivariable linear regression evaluated the interaction between urinary OH-PAH levels and apoptotic gene SNPs on apoptotic sperm, with genotype-stratified analyses. PAH exposure appeared to interact with SNPs in FasL rs763110, Fas rs2234767, and caspase-3 rs12108497 to jointly influence sperm cell apoptosis. Specifically, for the FasL rs763110, higher 9-OHFlu was associated with fewer viable sperm and more apoptotic sperm, and this association was more pronounced among CC genotype homozygotes. For the caspase-3 rs12108497, higher 2-OHFlu was associated with more dead sperm, and this association was significant among TC and TC/CC genotypes. These findings suggest that genetic variation in apoptosis-related genes may modify susceptibility to PAH-induced sperm apoptosis, highlighting the importance of gene-environment interactions in male reproductive toxicity.

This study focuses on the Lujiang Alum Mine, analyzing sources of acid mine drainage (AMD) generated during remediation activities. A numerical model of groundwater flow was constructed to simulate and predict the causes of AMD under the influence of remediation measures. Concurrently, hydrogen and oxygen stable-isotope-tracing techniques were employed to elucidate the pathways through which AMD occurred and the mechanisms underlying water acidification. A fully mixed model was established to quantify the rates of contribution from different water sources. The results indicate that the annual amount of acidic wastewater produced under the influence of disturbance via remediation is approximately 3.29 × 10⁵ m³. The fully mixed model based on environmental isotopes further revealed that the discharge of water from the first branch of the +85 m adit serves as the primary cause of AMD during the wet, normal, and dry seasons, with a contribution exceeding 50%. This is followed by recharge from Tianchi Lake, accounting for approximately 20-30%. In contrast, the contributions from seepage water from the roof of the +85 m adit and water from the Xiaofanshan Inclined Shaft are relatively minor. Based on these findings, we propose targeted strategies for source prevention and end-of-pipe treatment of AMD in the mining area. This work provides scientific support for the ongoing ecological restoration project at the Lujiang Alum Mine and offers valuable insights for AMD management in similar mines.

Tuber crops cultivated in basalt-derived soils are influenced by naturally high geochemical backgrounds, which may elevate heavy metal(loid) levels and associated health risks. To clarify the geochemical controls governing metal accumulation, this study analyzed rock, soil, and tuber (sweet potato and yam) samples from the Qiongbei volcanic area of Hainan Island, China. Concentrations of eight heavy metal(loid)s (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and 22 nutrient-related indicators (N, P, K, SOC, S, Se, Fe, Mn, and their available fractions) were determined. Soil contamination and potential human health risks were evaluated using the pollution index and the health risk model. The results showed that 11.1-55.6% of soil samples exceeded pollution thresholds for Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn, reflecting typical basaltic high-background characteristics. In contrast, heavy metal(loid) concentrations in tuber crops were relatively low and jointly regulated by parent material composition and soil nutrient status. Non-carcinogenic risks (HI) were below 1, indicating acceptable exposure levels, while carcinogenic risks were mainly associated with Cd, Cr, and Pb, with total carcinogenic risk (TCR) exceeding 1 × 10^-4, suggesting potential health concerns. Strong correlations between soil nutrients (N, P, K, SOC, S, Se, Mn, and Fe) and plant uptake of As, Cd, Cu, and Cr indicate that nutrient availability plays a crucial role in controlling heavy metal(loid) bioavailability. The volcanic soils exhibited a "high total content-low bioavailability" pattern. Enhancing soil Se, SOC, available N, and slowly available K (SAK) can effectively reduce Cd and other high-risk metal accumulation in tuber crops. These findings elucidate the key geochemical processes influencing heavy metal transfer in volcanic agroecosystems and provide a scientific basis for safe agricultural utilization and health risk prevention in high-background regions.