International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ilzira A. Minigalieva

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Guest Editor

Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers, 620014 Yekaterinburg, Russia
Interests: theory of combined toxicity development; combined toxicity studies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chemical pollution of the workplace air in chemical, metallurgical, electric welding, and some other industries, and of all environment media affected by industrial emissions is usually multicomponent, which necessitates adequate assessment of health risks of combined exposure to multiple chemicals. The rationale for such an assessment is the toxicological (mainly experimental) characterization of the types of a combined effect of chemical pollutants. The issue of combined toxicity has been developed by hygiene science for many decades and discussed in a large number of original research publications devoted to specific mixtures of toxicants, systematic reviews and topical monographs (Kustov V.V., 1975; Tolokontsev N.A., 1976; Katsnelson B.A., 2002; ATSDR, 2004; Rakitsky V.N., 2012; Zholdakova Z.I., 2012, etc.). In spite of this, the problem under consideration is far from not only being resolved, but also from a common understanding.

As a guest editor of the IJMS Special Issue “Multifactorial and Multicomponent Influence Assessment on the Toxic Effects Development”, I expect research papers from experts in assessment of toxicity of mixtures and/or combined toxicity.

Dr. Ilzira A. Minigalieva
Guest Editor

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Keywords

toxicology of mixtures
combined toxicity
experimental studies

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2960 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Roles of Nrf2/HO-1 and ICAM-1 in the Protective Effect of Nano-Curcumin against Copper-Induced Lung Injury

by Wedad S. Sarawi, Ahlam M. Alhusaini, Hanan K. Alghibiwi, Juman S. Alsaab and Iman H. Hasan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 13975; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241813975 - 12 Sep 2023

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Abstract

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for maintaining normal homeostasis in living organisms. Yet, an elevated level of Cu beyond homeostatic capacity may lead to oxidative damage of cellular components in several organs, including the lungs. This work investigated the effects of curcumin (Curc) and nano-curcumin (nCurc) against Cu-induced lung injury, accenting the roles of oxidative stress, inflammation, and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor/heme oxygenase-1 Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Rats were challenged with 100 mg/kg of copper sulfate (CuSO₄) while being treated with Curc or nCurc for 7 days. Cu-triggered lung oxidative stress detected as dysregulation of oxidative/antioxidant markers, a downregulation of Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling, and an increase in the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Additionally, it decreased the expression of lung-specific proteins, surfactant protein-C (SP-C), and mucin-1 (MUC-1), induced apoptosis, and caused changes in lung histology. Curc and nCurc alleviated CuSO₄-induced lung injury by suppressing oxidative damage and inflammation and activating Nrf-2/HO-1. They also prevented apoptosis and restored the normal expression of SP-C and MUC-1. We concluded that nCurc exhibited superior efficacy compared with Curc in mitigating CuSO₄-induced lung injury. This was associated with reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic responses and increased Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and expression of SP-C and MUC-1. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifactorial and Multicomponent Influence Assessment on the Toxic Effects Development)

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Review

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25 pages, 5246 KiB

Open AccessReview

Melatonin and Vitamins as Protectors against the Reproductive Toxicity of Bisphenols: Which Is the Most Effective? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Sheila I. Peña-Corona, Juan I. Chávez-Corona, Luis E. Pérez-Caltzontzin, Dinorah Vargas-Estrada, C. Adriana Mendoza-Rodríguez, Edgar Ramos-Martínez, Jose L. Cerbón-Gutiérrez, José A. Herrera-Barragán, David Quintanar-Guerrero and Gerardo Leyva-Gómez

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(19), 14930; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241914930 - 05 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1682

Abstract

Bisphenols such as bisphenol A (BPA), S (BPS), C (BPC), F (BPF), AF (BPAF), tetrabromobisphenol, nonylphenol, and octylphenol are plasticizers used worldwide to manufacture daily-use articles. Exposure to these compounds is related to many pathologies of public health importance, such as infertility. Using a protector compound against the reproductive toxicological effects of bisphenols is of scientific interest. Melatonin and vitamins have been tested, but the results are not conclusive. To this end, this systematic review and meta-analysis compared the response of reproductive variables to melatonin and vitamin administration as protectors against damage caused by bisphenols. We search for controlled studies of male rats exposed to bisphenols to induce alterations in reproduction, with at least one intervention group receiving melatonin or vitamins (B, C, or E). Also, molecular docking simulations were performed between the androgen (AR) and estrogen receptors (ER), melatonin, and vitamins. About 1234 records were initially found; finally, 13 studies were qualified for review and meta-analysis. Melatonin plus bisphenol improves sperm concentration and viability of sperm and increases testosterone serum levels compared with control groups; however, groups receiving vitamins plus bisphenols had lower sperm concentration, total testis weight, and testosterone serum levels than the control. In the docking analysis, vitamin E had the highest negative MolDock score, representing the best binding affinity with AR and ER, compared with other vitamins and melatonin in the docking. Our findings suggest that vitamins could act as an endocrine disruptor, and melatonin is most effective in protecting against the toxic effects of bisphenols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifactorial and Multicomponent Influence Assessment on the Toxic Effects Development)

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