Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2026.106195
Adam Bownik, Barbara Pawlik-Skowrońska
The aim of our investigation was to determine the effects of seven cyanobacterial metabolites microcystin-LR (MC-LR), anabaenopeptin-A (ANA-A), cylindrospermopsin (CYL), anabaenopeptin-B (ANA-B) aeruginosin 98 A (AER-A), aeruginosin 98B (AER-B), microginin-FR1 (MG-FR1) and their mixtures on common indicators of oxidative stress in RTgill-W1cells. The cells were exposed to the metabolites at various concentrations and the following parameters were determined after 48 h: catalase (CAT) activity, lipid peroxidation (LPO), total nitric oxide (NO) level and superoxide (SOD) dismutase activity. Data were analyzed with the use of one-way ANOVA (N = 3) and Dunnett's test. We found that all single tested metabolites increased but CYL decreased CAT activity. Mixtures had stimulatory effect, however antagonistic interactions were found in the binary and ternary mixtures. No lipid peroxidation occurred in the cells exposed to any of the tested variant. Only AER-A increased NO level, however the rest of both single metabolites at highest concentrations (1004 nM) and mixtures reduced the level of this parameter. Only ANA-B inhibited SOD activity at the highest concentration, however no alterations were found in the cells exposed to binary or ternary mixtures. The study showed that cyanobacterial metabolites may induce oxidative stress in fish gill cells, however effects are dependent on type of a metabolite and concentration of a component in mixtures. On the basis of antagonistic interactions in ternary mixture it may be hypothesized that during natural exposure components of mixtures may reciprocally mitigate their effects.
本研究旨在探讨7种蓝藻代谢产物微囊藻毒素- lr (MC-LR)、鸭绿霉素-A (ANA-A)、柱状精子素(CYL)、鸭绿霉素- b (ANA-B)、绿脓杆菌蛋白98 A (AER-A)、绿脓杆菌蛋白98B (AER-B)、微球蛋白- fr1 (MG-FR1)及其混合物对rtgill - w1细胞氧化应激指标的影响。将细胞暴露于不同浓度的代谢物中,48 h后测定过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、脂质过氧化(LPO)、总一氧化氮(NO)水平和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。数据分析采用单因素方差分析(N = 3)和Dunnett检验。我们发现所有单一测试的代谢物都增加了,但CYL降低了CAT活性。混合物具有刺激作用,但在二元和三元混合物中发现拮抗相互作用。暴露于任何测试变体的细胞中均未发生脂质过氧化。只有AER-A增加了NO水平,而最高浓度(1004 nM)和混合浓度下的其他单代谢物均降低了该参数的水平。只有ANA-B在最高浓度下抑制SOD活性,但在二元或三元混合物中未发现任何变化。研究表明,蓝藻代谢物可能诱导鱼鳃细胞氧化应激,但影响取决于代谢物的类型和混合物中成分的浓度。根据三元混合物中的拮抗相互作用,可以假设在自然暴露期间,混合物的组分可以相互减轻其作用。
{"title":"Effects of cyanobacterial metabolites and their mixtures on biomarkers of oxidative stress in RTgill-W1 cells","authors":"Adam Bownik, Barbara Pawlik-Skowrońska","doi":"10.1016/j.tiv.2026.106195","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tiv.2026.106195","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of our investigation was to determine the effects of seven cyanobacterial metabolites microcystin-LR (MC-LR), anabaenopeptin-A (ANA-A), cylindrospermopsin (CYL), anabaenopeptin-B (ANA-B) aeruginosin 98 A (AER-A), aeruginosin 98B (AER-B), microginin-FR1 (MG-FR1) and their mixtures on common indicators of oxidative stress in RTgill-W1cells. The cells were exposed to the metabolites at various concentrations and the following parameters were determined after 48 h: catalase (CAT) activity, lipid peroxidation (LPO), total nitric oxide (NO) level and superoxide (SOD) dismutase activity. Data were analyzed with the use of one-way ANOVA (<em>N</em> = 3) and Dunnett's test. We found that all single tested metabolites increased but CYL decreased CAT activity. Mixtures had stimulatory effect, however antagonistic interactions were found in the binary and ternary mixtures. No lipid peroxidation occurred in the cells exposed to any of the tested variant. Only AER-A increased NO level, however the rest of both single metabolites at highest concentrations (1004 nM) and mixtures reduced the level of this parameter. Only ANA-B inhibited SOD activity at the highest concentration, however no alterations were found in the cells exposed to binary or ternary mixtures. The study showed that cyanobacterial metabolites may induce oxidative stress in fish gill cells, however effects are dependent on type of a metabolite and concentration of a component in mixtures. On the basis of antagonistic interactions in ternary mixture it may be hypothesized that during natural exposure components of mixtures may reciprocally mitigate their effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54423,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology in Vitro","volume":"112 ","pages":"Article 106195"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2026.106194
Henrique Leal de Oliveira , Sara Hartke , Victória Borgmann A. de Souza , Carolina Vaccari Batista , Gabriela Pasqualim , Vânia Marisia Santos Fortes dos Reis , Edison Capp , Leo Anderson Meira Martins , Ilma Simoni Brum
Raising of mitogenic and anti-apoptotic agents – such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor type 1, and estrogen – during obesity and diabetes mellitus (types 1 and 2) favors the endometrial cancer (EC) development. Metformin, commonly used for treating type 2 diabetes, and resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, can both decrease cancer cell proliferation by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. We evaluate the effects of metformin and/or resveratrol in an in vitro model of human type 1 endometrioid EC. Ishikawa cells were treated with 0.1 to 50 mM of metformin and/or 0.1 to 75 μM of resveratrol from 24 h to 72 h. Analyses assessed cell viability, cytotoxicity, caspases activation, mitochondrial function, cellular death, cell cycle, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway gene expression. In-silico analysis was conducted using Cytoscape. Metformin induced mitochondrial swelling, caspase-mediated apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. Resveratrol decreased mitochondrial mass, cytotoxicity, and induced cell cycle arrest. Combined treatment with the highest concentrations reduced mitochondrial activity, cytotoxicity, and caspase activation while maintaining apoptotic features and cell cycle arrest. Resveratrol attenuated the toxic effects of metformin but it could be inducing a caspase-independent cell death in co-treated cells. Although in-silico analysis suggested potential molecular targets and interconnected mechanisms, lower concentrations did not alter PI3K/Akt/mTOR gene expression.
{"title":"Dual effects of metformin and resveratrol on compromising viability of endometrial cancer cells","authors":"Henrique Leal de Oliveira , Sara Hartke , Victória Borgmann A. de Souza , Carolina Vaccari Batista , Gabriela Pasqualim , Vânia Marisia Santos Fortes dos Reis , Edison Capp , Leo Anderson Meira Martins , Ilma Simoni Brum","doi":"10.1016/j.tiv.2026.106194","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tiv.2026.106194","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Raising of mitogenic and anti-apoptotic agents – such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor type 1, and estrogen – during obesity and diabetes mellitus (types 1 and 2) favors the endometrial cancer (EC) development. Metformin, commonly used for treating type 2 diabetes, and resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, can both decrease cancer cell proliferation by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. We evaluate the effects of metformin and/or resveratrol in an <em>in vitro</em> model of human type 1 endometrioid EC. Ishikawa cells were treated with 0.1 to 50 mM of metformin and/or 0.1 to 75 μM of resveratrol from 24 h to 72 h. Analyses assessed cell viability, cytotoxicity, caspases activation, mitochondrial function, cellular death, cell cycle, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway gene expression. <em>In-silico</em> analysis was conducted using Cytoscape. Metformin induced mitochondrial swelling, caspase-mediated apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. Resveratrol decreased mitochondrial mass, cytotoxicity, and induced cell cycle arrest. Combined treatment with the highest concentrations reduced mitochondrial activity, cytotoxicity, and caspase activation while maintaining apoptotic features and cell cycle arrest. Resveratrol attenuated the toxic effects of metformin but it could be inducing a caspase-independent cell death in co-treated cells. Although <em>in-silico</em> analysis suggested potential molecular targets and interconnected mechanisms, lower concentrations did not alter PI3K/Akt/mTOR gene expression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54423,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology in Vitro","volume":"112 ","pages":"Article 106194"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2026.106193
Gabriel Martínez-Razo , Ruth Angélica Lezama , Armando Vega-López , María Lilia Domínguez-López
Diesel exhaust particles (DEnP) represent a major urban air pollutant with known adverse effects on human health, yet detailed cellular interactions at the nanoscale are poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the cellular responses and adaptation mechanisms of human lung epithelial and fibroblast-like cell lines exposed to Mexican diesel exhaust nanoparticles. Exhaust samples from cold and warm engine emissions were analyzed for polyaromatic hydrocarbons, organic matter, and elemental composition using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the DEnP nanostructure was scrutinized using 3D topographical image analysis. In vitro assays assessed cell proliferation, adhesion molecule expression (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), and proteins related to endocytosis (clathrin and dynamin) in response to DEnP exposure. SEM and TEM analyses revealed distinct nanoparticle forms and compositions, with significant increases in cell proliferation, endocytosis, and adhesion molecule expression observed, suggesting robust cellular adaptation mechanisms to counteract DEnP-induced stress. The study confirms significant cellular adaptations in response to DEnP, underscoring the need for preventive strategies to mitigate the impacts of exposure. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation into long-term cellular adaptations and their implications for pulmonary health.
{"title":"Diesel exhaust nanoparticles: Cellular adaptation in lung epithelial and fibroblast cells – An in vitro study","authors":"Gabriel Martínez-Razo , Ruth Angélica Lezama , Armando Vega-López , María Lilia Domínguez-López","doi":"10.1016/j.tiv.2026.106193","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tiv.2026.106193","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diesel exhaust particles (DEnP) represent a major urban air pollutant with known adverse effects on human health, yet detailed cellular interactions at the nanoscale are poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the cellular responses and adaptation mechanisms of human lung epithelial and fibroblast-like cell lines exposed to Mexican diesel exhaust nanoparticles. Exhaust samples from cold and warm engine emissions were analyzed for polyaromatic hydrocarbons, organic matter, and elemental composition using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the DEnP nanostructure was scrutinized using 3D topographical image analysis. In vitro assays assessed cell proliferation, adhesion molecule expression (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), and proteins related to endocytosis (clathrin and dynamin) in response to DEnP exposure. SEM and TEM analyses revealed distinct nanoparticle forms and compositions, with significant increases in cell proliferation, endocytosis, and adhesion molecule expression observed, suggesting robust cellular adaptation mechanisms to counteract DEnP-induced stress. The study confirms significant cellular adaptations in response to DEnP, underscoring the need for preventive strategies to mitigate the impacts of exposure. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation into long-term cellular adaptations and their implications for pulmonary health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54423,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology in Vitro","volume":"112 ","pages":"Article 106193"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145906726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106192
Abhay U. Andar , Youcheng Liu , Dana C. Hammell , David A. Sterling , Tom Klingner , Mark Tokarski , Mark Boeniger , Audra Stinchcomb
Tobacco harvesting workers may have high levels of skin exposure to nicotine that can lead to green tobacco sickness. Current exposure reduction methods are often infeasible. The purpose of this work was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of topical barrier gel formulations as a personal protective equipment to reduce nicotine permeation through skin. Four formulations of a barrier gel developed and applied on Yucatan miniature pig skin were tested using a PermeGear flow through in vitro diffusion apparatus. Donor solutions of either L-nicotine or green tobacco leaf extract with and without the use of barrier gel formulations were analyzed over a 24 h exposure period. High pressure liquid chromatography was used to quantify the nicotine content in the receiver compartment. Gloves coated with a barrier gel formulation were also tested. The best barrier gel formulations reduced in vitro skin permeation of nicotine by 97.6 % from L-nicotine, by 64.0 % from green tobacco leaf extract, and by 86.6 % from green tobacco leaf extract for gardening gloves coated with the barrier gel. The barrier gel is effective in reducing skin permeation of nicotine in vitro and might have greater preventive capabilities at environmental exposure levels of nicotine during tobacco harvesting.
{"title":"Barrier gel formulations and coated gloves to reduce skin permeation of nicotine and protect against green tobacco sickness","authors":"Abhay U. Andar , Youcheng Liu , Dana C. Hammell , David A. Sterling , Tom Klingner , Mark Tokarski , Mark Boeniger , Audra Stinchcomb","doi":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106192","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106192","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tobacco harvesting workers may have high levels of skin exposure to nicotine that can lead to green tobacco sickness. Current exposure reduction methods are often infeasible. The purpose of this work was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of topical barrier gel formulations as a personal protective equipment to reduce nicotine permeation through skin. Four formulations of a barrier gel developed and applied on Yucatan miniature pig skin were tested using a PermeGear flow through <em>in vitro</em> diffusion apparatus. Donor solutions of either L-nicotine or green tobacco leaf extract with and without the use of barrier gel formulations were analyzed over a 24 h exposure period. High pressure liquid chromatography was used to quantify the nicotine content in the receiver compartment. Gloves coated with a barrier gel formulation were also tested. The best barrier gel formulations reduced <em>in vitro</em> skin permeation of nicotine by 97.6 % from L-nicotine, by 64.0 % from green tobacco leaf extract, and by 86.6 % from green tobacco leaf extract for gardening gloves coated with the barrier gel. The barrier gel is effective in reducing skin permeation of nicotine <em>in vitro</em> and might have greater preventive capabilities at environmental exposure levels of nicotine during tobacco harvesting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54423,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology in Vitro","volume":"112 ","pages":"Article 106192"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145829090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106191
Xiu Chen , Xiaoyi Pan , Jieping Zhao , Huihui Jin , Hengbin Zhang , Yongbiao Song , Hui Zhou , Jianbiao Yao , Huidi Jiang
Neocryptotanshinone (NCTS), an ingredient of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, is a promising compound for development since it exhibits various pharmacological effects including hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the interactions between NCTS and cytochrome P450s (CYPs), including the CYP-mediated NCTS metabolism and NCTS-induced CYP regulation. The results revealed that NCTS was mainly metabolized by CYPs in human liver microsomes (HLMs), and CYP2C8 and 2C9 were identified as the main CYPs involved; the relative contributions of CYP2C8 and 2C9 were 35 % and 65 %, respectively, after normalization of individual CYP abundance in the human liver. Meanwhile, NCTS weakly inhibited CYP1A2, 2C8, and 2C9, with IC50 > 30 μM. In addition, NCTS induced CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 expression in human primary hepatocytes, and the underlying mechanism was found by the activation of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) vis reporter gene assay. Molecular docking of NCTS and CYPs, PXR confirmed these results. Our study sheds light on the interactions of NCTS with CYPs and provides useful information for predicting potential drug-drug interactions for NCTS, which will be helpful for NCTS development and clinical utilization of drugs containing NCTS.
{"title":"Interactions of neocryptotanshinone and human cytochrome P450 in silico and in vitro","authors":"Xiu Chen , Xiaoyi Pan , Jieping Zhao , Huihui Jin , Hengbin Zhang , Yongbiao Song , Hui Zhou , Jianbiao Yao , Huidi Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106191","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106191","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Neocryptotanshinone (NCTS), an ingredient of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, is a promising compound for development since it exhibits various pharmacological effects including hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the interactions between NCTS and cytochrome P450s (CYPs), including the CYP-mediated NCTS metabolism and NCTS-induced CYP regulation. The results revealed that NCTS was mainly metabolized by CYPs in human liver microsomes (HLMs), and CYP2C8 and 2C9 were identified as the main CYPs involved; the relative contributions of CYP2C8 and 2C9 were 35 % and 65 %, respectively, after normalization of individual CYP abundance in the human liver. Meanwhile, NCTS weakly inhibited CYP1A2, 2C8, and 2C9, with IC<sub>50</sub> > 30 μM. In addition, NCTS induced CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 expression in human primary hepatocytes, and the underlying mechanism was found by the activation of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) <em>vis</em> reporter gene assay. Molecular docking of NCTS and CYPs, PXR confirmed these results. Our study sheds light on the interactions of NCTS with CYPs and provides useful information for predicting potential drug-drug interactions for NCTS, which will be helpful for NCTS development and clinical utilization of drugs containing NCTS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54423,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology in Vitro","volume":"112 ","pages":"Article 106191"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145795585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-13DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106190
Øyvind P. Haugen , Itziar Polanco-Garriz , Victor Alcolea-Rodriguez , Raquel Portela , Rita Bæra , Hamed Sadeghiankaffash , Jana Hildebrandt , Dmitri Ciornii , Korinna Altmann , Francesco Barbero , Ivana Fenoglio , Julián J. Reinosa , José F. Fernández , Alberto Katsumiti , Laura M.A. Camassa , Håkan Wallin , Shan Zienolddiny-Narui , Anani K. Afanou
Current literature on health hazards associated with micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) is largely influenced by studies that insufficiently account for potential microbial contamination of their test materials. This may lead to misinterpretation of outcomes, as the test materials may be incorrectly considered pristine MNPs. The present study screened eight MNP test materials for microbial contaminants using Toll-like receptor (TLR) reporter cells for TLR2 and TLR4 and the commonly used Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. Our results show that MNPs testing negative for endotoxins, based on the absence of TLR4 activation and negative LAL results, may still contain microbial ligands that selectively activate TLR2. Moreover, five of the eight MNP test materials contained microbial ligands capable of activating TLR2 and/or TLR4. Compared to the LAL assay, TLR4-based screening effectively detected endotoxin contamination. Overall, we found that the TLR reporter cell assay provides broader coverage than the LAL assay in detecting microbial ligands, which appear to be highly prevalent in MNP test materials.
{"title":"Activation of Toll-like receptor 2 reveals microbial contamination beyond endotoxins on micro- and nanoplastics","authors":"Øyvind P. Haugen , Itziar Polanco-Garriz , Victor Alcolea-Rodriguez , Raquel Portela , Rita Bæra , Hamed Sadeghiankaffash , Jana Hildebrandt , Dmitri Ciornii , Korinna Altmann , Francesco Barbero , Ivana Fenoglio , Julián J. Reinosa , José F. Fernández , Alberto Katsumiti , Laura M.A. Camassa , Håkan Wallin , Shan Zienolddiny-Narui , Anani K. Afanou","doi":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106190","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106190","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Current literature on health hazards associated with micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) is largely influenced by studies that insufficiently account for potential microbial contamination of their test materials. This may lead to misinterpretation of outcomes, as the test materials may be incorrectly considered pristine MNPs. The present study screened eight MNP test materials for microbial contaminants using Toll-like receptor (TLR) reporter cells for TLR2 and TLR4 and the commonly used Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. Our results show that MNPs testing negative for endotoxins, based on the absence of TLR4 activation and negative LAL results, may still contain microbial ligands that selectively activate TLR2. Moreover, five of the eight MNP test materials contained microbial ligands capable of activating TLR2 and/or TLR4. Compared to the LAL assay, TLR4-based screening effectively detected endotoxin contamination. Overall, we found that the TLR reporter cell assay provides broader coverage than the LAL assay in detecting microbial ligands, which appear to be highly prevalent in MNP test materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54423,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology in Vitro","volume":"112 ","pages":"Article 106190"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145764308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-06DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106188
Ketaki Sandu, Dirk Theile
In experimental toxicology, evaluating cisplatin adducts at DNA or RNA is often required but can be complicated by methodological aspects. For instance, the cross-linking might affect the nucleic acid isolation efficiencies, which in turn can be influenced by the purification approach. Two cancer cell lines were cisplatin treated and DNA/RNA were isolated using manual Trizol-based protocols or column-based kits. Platinum levels at DNA/RNA were evaluated by atomic absorption spectroscopy.
For RNA, the manual purification yielded higher concentrations than the kit for both cisplatin-treated and non-treated samples. RNA platination was identical for both isolation approaches. For DNA, the manual method can yield lower concentrations from cisplatin-treated cells, likely reflecting diminished solubility of cross-linked DNA. DNA platination levels again were identical with both isolation methods.
Because DNA isolation is less efficient than RNA isolation, platinum-DNA adduct quantification is difficult when DNA yields are low or cells were exposed to low cisplatin concentrations. However, DNA platination can be estimated by the platination degree of RNA because platination of both nucleic acids agreed well and RNA was always isolated very efficiently.
In summary: First, manual purification and column-based kits can yield unequal nucleic acid concentrations, and RNA is more efficiently purified than DNA. Second, column-based kits remain practical because platination does not affect isolation efficiency. Third, when DNA platination is not quantifiable (low yield, small sample volumes), RNA platination is a good proxy.
{"title":"Cisplatin adducts at DNA or RNA do not affect their cellular isolation efficiencies using column-based kits or manual Trizol-based purification methods","authors":"Ketaki Sandu, Dirk Theile","doi":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106188","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106188","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In experimental toxicology, evaluating cisplatin adducts at DNA or RNA is often required but can be complicated by methodological aspects. For instance, the cross-linking might affect the nucleic acid isolation efficiencies, which in turn can be influenced by the purification approach. Two cancer cell lines were cisplatin treated and DNA/RNA were isolated using manual Trizol-based protocols or column-based kits. Platinum levels at DNA/RNA were evaluated by atomic absorption spectroscopy.</div><div>For RNA, the manual purification yielded higher concentrations than the kit for both cisplatin-treated and non-treated samples. RNA platination was identical for both isolation approaches. For DNA, the manual method can yield lower concentrations from cisplatin-treated cells, likely reflecting diminished solubility of cross-linked DNA. DNA platination levels again were identical with both isolation methods.</div><div>Because DNA isolation is less efficient than RNA isolation, platinum-DNA adduct quantification is difficult when DNA yields are low or cells were exposed to low cisplatin concentrations. However, DNA platination can be estimated by the platination degree of RNA because platination of both nucleic acids agreed well and RNA was always isolated very efficiently.</div><div>In summary: First, manual purification and column-based kits can yield unequal nucleic acid concentrations, and RNA is more efficiently purified than DNA. Second, column-based kits remain practical because platination does not affect isolation efficiency. Third, when DNA platination is not quantifiable (low yield, small sample volumes), RNA platination is a good proxy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54423,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology in Vitro","volume":"112 ","pages":"Article 106188"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145710433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106189
Anna-Katharina Hensel , Henri Hakkarainen , Mo Yang , Jingwen Huang , Laura Mussalo , Claire Fayad , Katja Kanninen , Pasi Jalava
Air-liquid interface (ALI) systems have emerged as a physiologically relevant in vitro platform for evaluating the toxicological impact and potential health effects of airborne pollutants. When utilizing collected ultrafine particles (UFPs), application volume and liquid type are critical parameters. Using a smaller volume of liquid for the cell exposure results in a heterogeneous distribution of UFPs across the cell monolayer, whereas application of a sufficient volume optimises even UFP distribution. A buffered solution for UFP administration minimises potential side effects and unravels dose-dependent effects in toxicological endpoints. However, standardised exposure methodologies limit reproducibility and comparability across studies. Therefore, we propose a refined manual exposure technique of suspended airborne pollutants in an adequate exposure volume that bridges the gap between conventional submerged cultures and ALI systems. Our model uses cell culture inserts with A549 epithelial cells, THP-1 macrophages, and EA.hy926 endothelial cells to mimic the in vivo alveolar barrier within the lungs. This approach offers a balance of experimental reproducibility whilst addressing the current challenges of standardisation and feasibility in exposure studies with manual UFP exposure. In conjunction with existing aerosol ALI continuous flow exposure systems, our studies are advancing translational in vitro evaluations, aligning with the 3R principle.
{"title":"Optimisation of ultrafine particle exposure in an alveolar tri-culture model at the air-liquid interface","authors":"Anna-Katharina Hensel , Henri Hakkarainen , Mo Yang , Jingwen Huang , Laura Mussalo , Claire Fayad , Katja Kanninen , Pasi Jalava","doi":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106189","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106189","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Air-liquid interface (ALI) systems have emerged as a physiologically relevant in vitro platform for evaluating the toxicological impact and potential health effects of airborne pollutants. When utilizing collected ultrafine particles (UFPs), application volume and liquid type are critical parameters. Using a smaller volume of liquid for the cell exposure results in a heterogeneous distribution of UFPs across the cell monolayer, whereas application of a sufficient volume optimises even UFP distribution. A buffered solution for UFP administration minimises potential side effects and unravels dose-dependent effects in toxicological endpoints. However, standardised exposure methodologies limit reproducibility and comparability across studies. Therefore, we propose a refined manual exposure technique of suspended airborne pollutants in an adequate exposure volume that bridges the gap between conventional submerged cultures and ALI systems. Our model uses cell culture inserts with A549 epithelial cells, THP-1 macrophages, and EA.hy926 endothelial cells to mimic the in vivo alveolar barrier within the lungs. This approach offers a balance of experimental reproducibility whilst addressing the current challenges of standardisation and feasibility in exposure studies with manual UFP exposure. In conjunction with existing aerosol ALI continuous flow exposure systems, our studies are advancing translational in vitro evaluations, aligning with the 3R principle.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54423,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology in Vitro","volume":"112 ","pages":"Article 106189"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145702516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106187
Carine Cassimiro Cedrola, Clara Cassimiro Cedrola, Ana Cláudia Chagas de Paula, Juliana de Carvalho da Costa, Fernanda Maria Pinto Vilela
Ethical concerns, high costs, and scientific limitations associated with animal testing have accelerated the search for alternative methods to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical cosmetic formulations. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the global patent landscape related to non-animal testing approaches for skin care products, focusing on filings from January 2015 to March 2025, indexed in the Espacenet database. From 470 patent applications initially screened, 23 met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and were selected for in-depth analysis. Key innovations include 3D epidermal models featuring melanocytes, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands; advanced microfluidic chips, and enzyme-based chemical toxicity assays. Although supported by regulatory frameworks, challenges persist regarding standardization, reproducibility, and the ethical sourcing of human tissue. This patent application review reveals a clear shift toward advanced 3D models and organ-on-a-chip technologies that better replicate the complexity of human skin physiology. The trends observed indicate that alternative methods to animal testing are not only an ethical necessity but are also becoming a technological reality, offering more predictive, reliable, and efficient strategies for safety assessment.
{"title":"Alternatives to animal testing in cosmetic products: A patent applications review and future perspectives","authors":"Carine Cassimiro Cedrola, Clara Cassimiro Cedrola, Ana Cláudia Chagas de Paula, Juliana de Carvalho da Costa, Fernanda Maria Pinto Vilela","doi":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106187","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106187","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ethical concerns, high costs, and scientific limitations associated with animal testing have accelerated the search for alternative methods to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical cosmetic formulations. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the global patent landscape related to non-animal testing approaches for skin care products, focusing on filings from January 2015 to March 2025, indexed in the Espacenet database. From 470 patent applications initially screened, 23 met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and were selected for in-depth analysis. Key innovations include 3D epidermal models featuring melanocytes, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands; advanced microfluidic chips, and enzyme-based chemical toxicity assays. Although supported by regulatory frameworks, challenges persist regarding standardization, reproducibility, and the ethical sourcing of human tissue. This patent application review reveals a clear shift toward advanced 3D models and organ-on-a-chip technologies that better replicate the complexity of human skin physiology. The trends observed indicate that alternative methods to animal testing are not only an ethical necessity but are also becoming a technological reality, offering more predictive, reliable, and efficient strategies for safety assessment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54423,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology in Vitro","volume":"112 ","pages":"Article 106187"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145688740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-08-05DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106126
Jessica L Beers, Shalon L Harvey, Raeanne M Lanphier, Blake R Rushing, Susan L McRitchie, Susan J Sumner, Klarissa D Jackson
Cannabidiol (CBD) and valproate (VPA) are anti-epileptic medications commonly co-prescribed to treat seizures due to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex in children. Clinical trial data have demonstrated that CBD carries a risk for severe hepatotoxicity that is greatly increased when prescribed with VPA through an unknown mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate CBD-induced liver injury in combination with VPA using an in vitro liver model. Three-dimensional human hepatocyte spheroids are an emerging in vitro system that allows investigation of long-term toxicity. Spheroids derived from primary human hepatocytes were treated with vehicle control, 2-200 μM CBD, 0.5-20 mM VPA, CBD + VPA, and 0.1-10 mM acetaminophen (positive control). After 24 h, 8 days, and 15 days of exposure, spheroids were analyzed for ATP depletion, urea production, and CBD and VPA metabolite generation. Untargeted metabolomic analysis was also conducted. A delayed-onset, dose-dependent hepatotoxicity was observed in spheroids exposed to each drug treatment compared to vehicle control. This study is the first to recapitulate the hepatotoxic drug interaction of CBD and VPA in vitro and demonstrates the utility of human hepatocyte spheroids for toxicity studies. Future work is needed to examine mechanisms of CBD-induced hepatotoxicity with VPA.
大麻二酚(CBD)和丙戊酸酯(VPA)是抗癫痫药物,通常共同用于治疗儿童Lennox-Gastaut综合征,Dravet综合征和结节性硬化症引起的癫痫发作。临床试验数据表明,CBD具有严重肝毒性的风险,当通过未知机制与VPA一起使用时,这种风险会大大增加。本研究的目的是通过体外肝模型研究cbd联合VPA诱导的肝损伤。三维人肝细胞球体是一个新兴的体外系统,允许研究长期毒性。来源于人原代肝细胞的球体分别用对照、2-200 μM CBD、0.5-20 mM VPA、CBD + VPA和0.1-10 mM对乙酰氨基酚(阳性对照)处理。在暴露24小时、8天和15天后,对球体进行ATP消耗、尿素生成、CBD和VPA代谢物生成的分析。还进行了非靶向代谢组学分析。与对照组相比,暴露于每种药物治疗的球体中观察到延迟发作,剂量依赖性肝毒性。这项研究首次概述了CBD和VPA在体外的肝毒性药物相互作用,并证明了人类肝细胞球体在毒性研究中的实用性。未来的工作需要研究cbd诱导的VPA肝毒性的机制。
{"title":"Evaluating cannabidiol-induced liver injury with and without valproate using a three-dimensional human hepatocyte spheroid model.","authors":"Jessica L Beers, Shalon L Harvey, Raeanne M Lanphier, Blake R Rushing, Susan L McRitchie, Susan J Sumner, Klarissa D Jackson","doi":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106126","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cannabidiol (CBD) and valproate (VPA) are anti-epileptic medications commonly co-prescribed to treat seizures due to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex in children. Clinical trial data have demonstrated that CBD carries a risk for severe hepatotoxicity that is greatly increased when prescribed with VPA through an unknown mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate CBD-induced liver injury in combination with VPA using an in vitro liver model. Three-dimensional human hepatocyte spheroids are an emerging in vitro system that allows investigation of long-term toxicity. Spheroids derived from primary human hepatocytes were treated with vehicle control, 2-200 μM CBD, 0.5-20 mM VPA, CBD + VPA, and 0.1-10 mM acetaminophen (positive control). After 24 h, 8 days, and 15 days of exposure, spheroids were analyzed for ATP depletion, urea production, and CBD and VPA metabolite generation. Untargeted metabolomic analysis was also conducted. A delayed-onset, dose-dependent hepatotoxicity was observed in spheroids exposed to each drug treatment compared to vehicle control. This study is the first to recapitulate the hepatotoxic drug interaction of CBD and VPA in vitro and demonstrates the utility of human hepatocyte spheroids for toxicity studies. Future work is needed to examine mechanisms of CBD-induced hepatotoxicity with VPA.</p>","PeriodicalId":54423,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology in Vitro","volume":" ","pages":"106126"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12412670/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144800952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}