Journal of Xenobiotics

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants that have been detected in human blood and tissues, raising concerns regarding systemic exposure and potential health effects. Internal MP burden mitigation techniques, nevertheless, are yet largely unexplored. We evaluated whether oral administration of chitosan derived from Procambarus clarkii (PCC) could reduce circulating MPs in humans via gastrointestinal sequestration in this pilot-controlled study. 11 healthy adults received PCC supplementation (0.8 g/day) for 15 days, while 10 matched controls received a placebo. Using stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR), blood MP concentrations were quantified and characterised according to size, shape, and polymer type. At baseline, MPs were found in every subject. Following PCC supplementation, mean MP concentrations decreased from 1.84 ± 0.28 µg/mL to 1.34 ± 0.20 µg/mL (−26.3%, p < 0.01, paired analysis). The control group observed no significant differences. While polymer-resolved analysis consistently indicated reductions across major polymer classes, size-resolved analysis indicated preferential reductions in intermediate particle fractions (11–50 µm). The circulating MPs’ estimated mean residence time (MRT) was 58 ± 28 days. These findings provide preliminary evidence that chitosan-based gastrointestinal sequestration could potentially reduce the systemic MP burden in humans. Full article

Exposure to air pollution is linked to adverse health outcomes. To better reflect real-world conditions, we employed a mobile exposure system enabling direct field exposure of the human airway epithelial model MucilAir™ to ambient air in a traffic-burdened locality. This study represents a follow-up to our previous work, in which a 5-day exposure period under extreme traffic-related pollution conditions resulted in premature cell loss. Under different meteorological conditions characterized by increased precipitation and lower particle number concentrations, MucilAir™ cultures were exposed to traffic-polluted air for 2 days. The exposure resulted in a mild but significant increase in cytotoxicity markers, including lactate dehydrogenase release and elevated levels of 15-F_2t-isoprostane, indicating induction of the cellular stress response rather than severe cytotoxicity. A transcriptomic analysis revealed extensive gene expression changes; the enrichment of the pathways related to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon detoxification and amino acid biosynthesis suggests adaptive metabolic responses to oxidative and genotoxic stress. In parallel, the pathways associated with epithelial proliferation and repair, extracellular matrix organization, focal adhesion, and immune signaling were suppressed, indicating potential disruption of the epithelial homeostasis. Overall, these findings demonstrate that 2 days of exposure to real-world traffic-polluted air elicits adaptive stress responses in airway epithelial cells while simultaneously impairing the processes essential for epithelial integrity, potentially leading to airway dysfunction. Full article

Data on arsenic (As) and other potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Pakistani retail meats are limited, constraining evidence-based dietary risk assessment and management. This study aimed to determine the concentrations and profiles of As and seven other PTEs (Cr, Ni, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn) in commonly consumed meats and to evaluate the associated non-carcinogenic health risks. Ninety-two paired liver and muscle samples from broiler chicken, goat (mutton), and beef cattle were collected from four cities across the Indus Plain and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Dietary exposure was evaluated using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazardous index (HI) under typical and high-consumption scenarios. Overall, Zn and Cu exhibited the highest concentrations, followed by Mn and Cr, whereas As, Pb, Ni, and Cd occurred at comparatively lower but environmentally relevant levels. Beef liver exhibited the highest contamination levels, exceeding FAO/WHO permissible limits for Pb, Cu, and Cd in up to 40% of samples. In contrast, mutton and beef muscle contained the highest As and Zn concentrations, while chicken muscle showed elevated Cr levels. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed three dominant co-variation patterns, suggesting potential contamination pathways: (i) geogenic groundwater sources enriched with As, Cr, and Ni; (ii) atmospheric and industrial dust inputs linked with Pb, Cd, and Mn; (iii) mineral-enriched feed additives potentially contributing to elevated Zn and Cu, particularly in poultry. Under high-consumption scenarios, THQ values for As, Cr, Cu, and Zn exceeded the safety threshold (THQ > 1), highlighting beef products as the dominant source of chronic dietary risk. Overall, the findings highlight pronounced tissue- and species-specific accumulation trends, and emphasizes the urgent need for stricter feed and water quality control measures to minimize dietary exposure to PTEs. Full article

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are widely used in automotive polymers and electronic components, yet vehicles remain an under-characterized and potentially high-exposure microenvironment, particularly in hot climates. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of BFR occurrence, sources, and exposure risks in vehicle dust from Saudi Arabia, addressing a critical regional data gap. This study systematically investigates the occurrence, compositional patterns, sources, and human exposure risks of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and selected alternative BFRs in dust from 80 vehicles (domestic cars and taxis; model years 2015–2022) operating in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Dust samples were collected using a standardized vacuuming protocol, extracted and cleaned using solvent extraction and silica SPE, and analyzed via GC–NCI–MS. Both legacy PBDE congeners and emerging alternatives (including DBDPE and TBB) were consistently detected, with BDE-209 dominating the overall BFR burden with mean concentrations of 6560 ng/g in domestic vehicles and 5454 ng/g in taxis, with maximum values reaching 220,860 ng/g. Lower-brominated PBDEs occurred at substantially lower concentrations, reflecting the ongoing global transition away from Penta- and Octa-BDE formulations. Taxis exhibited generally higher concentrations than domestic vehicles, likely due to prolonged occupancy, increased usage intensity, and enhanced dust resuspension dynamics. Multivariate analysis (PCA and correlation) revealed two distinct source categories: (i) legacy Penta-BDE-related congeners associated with polyurethane foam and textile materials and (ii) high-brominated PBDEs and DBDPE linked to hard plastics and electronic components. Human exposure assessment demonstrated that dust ingestion is the dominant exposure pathway, while dermal and inhalation routes contribute minimally. Non-carcinogenic hazard indices (HI) were well below unity for all compounds (HI < 1.67 × 10⁻⁶), and incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR) for BDE-209 remained within or near accepted risk thresholds (7.52 × 10⁻⁶–1.04 × 10⁻⁵), although occupational exposure among taxi drivers was consistently higher. Overall, the results demonstrate that modern vehicle cabins act as significant microenvironments for chronic BFR exposure, particularly under high-temperature conditions. Despite generally low estimated risks, the combined effects of chemical persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and mixture toxicity—amplified by extreme in-cabin temperatures—highlight vehicles as overlooked yet significant exposure environments. These findings provide the first comprehensive dataset for the Arabian Peninsula and emphasize the need for climate-sensitive exposure assessment, safer material design, and targeted mitigation strategies in vehicle interiors. Full article

The increasing fragmentation of plastic debris into nanosized particles represents a threat to freshwater ecosystems, yet the biological effects of nanoplastics (NPs) on freshwater invertebrates remain poorly understood. This study investigated tissue distribution, cellular effects and immune responses following acute exposure to polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics (PET-NPs) in the freshwater gastropod Pomacea canaliculata, a species of high ecological relevance and physiological resilience. Adult snails were injected with PET-NPs at 5 or 10 mg/L and sampled after 24 and 72 h. PET-NPs accumulation in the anterior and posterior kidneys was assessed by fluorescence imaging and tissue morphology was evaluated. Stress- and inflammation-related genes (Pc-Heat Shock Protein (HSP)70, Pc-HSP90 and Pc-Allograft inflammatory factor 1) expression was quantified by RT-qPCR. PET-NPs uptake and phagocytic activity were analyzed in circulating hemocytes in vivo and ex vivo. PET-NPs were accumulated in renal tissues, persisting up to 72 h without histopathological alterations. Gene expression analyses revealed non-linear and dose/time-dependent responses. Hemocytes of different morphologies internalized PET-NPs in a dose-dependent manner and showed intercellular particle transfer. Overall, acute PET-NP exposure determines rapid immune handling and tissue sequestration with limited short-term physiological impact, underscoring the potential involvement of immune processes in NPs fate and highlighting the need for chronic exposure studies. Full article

The interplay between the environmental exposome and the cancer genome remains a critical gap in precision oncology. While somatic mutational signatures—genomic fossils imprinted by exposures such as ultraviolet radiation; tobacco smoke; and industrial pollutants—are well characterised for their etiological significance; their functional impact on therapeutic efficacy remains largely unexplored. We hypothesised that these environmental genomic scars induce distinct pharmacogenomic vulnerabilities and resistance mechanisms that vary by geographical exposure patterns. This study employs two complementary analytical frameworks. First, a linear regression-based pharmacogenomic screen across four datasets (GDSC1, GDSC2, CTRP, CCLE; 1001 cell lines, 31 cancer types) identified 608 statistically significant (p < 0.01) mutational signature–drug interactions, revealing that UV-associated signature SBS7a is associated with broad-spectrum therapeutic resistance, including to BRAF inhibitors (PLX-4720, p < 10⁻⁴), while pollution-driven oxidative stress (SBS18) is associated with sensitivity to p38 MAPK inhibition (VX-702, r = −0.45, p < 10⁻⁹). Second, an XGBoost predictive model trained exclusively on 33,679 GDSC2 records using a 1265-feature matrix integrating 40 SBS signatures, drug chemistry descriptors, proteomic features, and two satellite-derived environmental variables (NASA PM_2.5 and UV)—achieved R² = 0.7973 on a 20% holdout set (grouped cross-validation R² = 0.7296). SHAP analysis revealed that satellite-derived PM_2.5 (Zone_PM25) ranked 7th of 1265 features, exceeding all 40 individual SBS mutational signatures. Synthesising these findings with satellite-derived atmospheric data, we constructed an exploratory spatially interpolated risk surface spanning 122 nations, generating the hypothesis that uniform drug efficacy assumptions may not apply globally. These findings suggest that a patient’s environmental exposure history may constitute a measurable pharmacogenomic variable. This exploratory framework warrants validation in independent datasets and with individual-level geographic data before clinical application. Full article

Trans-cinnamaldehyde (CIN), the main component of cinnamon essential oil, is a promising sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. Despite its use, ecotoxicological data on non-target species remain fragmented. This study systematically evaluates CIN’s acute toxicity across multiple trophic levels to characterize the biological sensitivity and environmental response of key organisms. Aquatic assays measured bioluminescence inhibition in Aliivibrio fischeri and immobilization in Daphnia magna. Terrestrial evaluations included lethality tests on Eisenia fetida and root elongation in Allium cepa. Additionally, the impact on soil and river microbial communities was analyzed via Biolog EcoPlates™. Significant dose–response relationships were observed across all bioindicators (p < 0.0001). A. fischeri was the most sensitive species (EC₅₀ = 1.428 mg·L⁻¹), followed by D. magna (EC₅₀ = 4.533 mg·L⁻¹). In terrestrial models, A. cepa (EC₅₀ = 11.644 mg·L⁻¹) exhibited higher sensitivity than E. fetida (LC₅₀ = 412.519 mg·kg⁻¹). Microbial metabolic activity showed dose-dependent inhibition, particularly affecting carbohydrate and polymer degradation at high concentrations. These findings define the first ecotoxicological benchmarks for CIN, establishing EC₁₀ and EC₅₀ values under standardized conditions. These data provide the necessary toxicological constraints to ensure environmental safety in future field-scale applications of this natural compound. Full article

Glyphosate and its primary metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) are widely detected in aquatic environments, yet their combined effects on fish remain insufficiently understood. This study used label-free blood plasma proteomic profiling to explore molecular patterns associated with 14-day exposure of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate (100 µg/L), AMPA (100 µg/L), and their mixture (50 + 50 µg/L). Across the three exposure groups, 41 proteins of interest showed pronounced abundance differences relative to the control based on fold-change selection criteria. These proteins were mainly associated with immune recognition, innate immune and complement-associated functions, coagulation and extracellular protease regulation, lipid/sterol transport, and extracellular matrix organization. In the mixture group, proteins of interest spanned several functional categories, suggesting that combined exposure deserves further attention in future studies of plasma-level responses to glyphosate and AMPA. Overall, these findings provide preliminary insights into blood plasma protein patterns associated with systemic responses of fish to glyphosate, AMPA, and their mixture at environmentally relevant concentrations and highlight the importance of considering parent compounds, metabolites, and their co-occurrence when assessing the potential biological effects of herbicide contamination in aquatic ecosystems. Full article

Styrene, a constituent of polystyrene food-contact materials, can migrate into hot beverages, but data on short-term consumer exposure and associated biological responses remain limited. In this single-arm longitudinal human biomonitoring pilot study, 40 healthy adults consumed tea or coffee daily in Styrofoam cups for approximately two weeks. Biomarkers were measured at baseline, day 6, and day 11, including urinary mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA), salivary malondialdehyde (MDA), comet assay parameters in peripheral blood lymphocytes, and micronucleus (MN) frequency in buccal cells. Measured styrene migration into beverages ranged from 3.3 to 7.1 μg/L, below the World Health Organization guideline value. Urinary metabolites and salivary MDA showed substantial interindividual variability and no consistent temporal pattern. In contrast, generalized estimating equation models showed progressive increases in comet assay indicators over the exposure period. Tail intensity and tail moment increased over time, with stronger changes among participants consuming two cups daily. MN frequency did not change significantly. These findings suggest that repeated short-term consumption of hot beverages in polystyrene cups was associated with modest changes in selected early biomarkers of biological effect under consumer-use conditions. The results should be interpreted cautiously in light of the modest sample size, short follow-up, and absence of more specific mechanistic endpoints, but they support further study of repeated low-level exposure to food-contact materials. Full article

In equatorial Africa, rapid urbanization has increased city populations and particulate matter emissions. Street dust is a visual indicator that can be used to track urban pollution. In the present study, the total concentration and speciation of 10 potentially toxic elements (PTEs; As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Mn, Fe, Pb, Co, and Zn) in dust (n = 36) sampled from three streets of Mbarara City, Uganda, were determined using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry. The concentration of PTEs (0.27–36,401.50 mg/kg) geostatistically indicated moderate to extremely high enrichment of Cd, Cu, and Co in street dust. According to principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses, As, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd originated mainly from anthropogenic inputs, Fe and Mn came from geogenic sources, while Cr, Ni, and Co were from both natural and anthropogenic contributions. The mobility of the PTEs followed a general trend, Zn > Co > Cd > Ni > Cr, with Zn and Co being more environmentally mobile. Human health risk assessments indicated that discernible non-carcinogenic health risks may result from ingestion of dust by both children and adults. Children could also experience cancer health effects through the same exposure pathway. Full article

Background: Exposure of pregnant women to stress and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy can have a substantial impact on mother and infant health. We investigated the concentrations of EDCs, such as parabens (PBs) and triclosan (TCS), as well as stress hormones (cortisone and cortisol), across pregnancy trimesters and examined their associations with maternal average telomere length (TL). Methods: Hair samples from 49 postpartum women were analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to quantify EDCs and stress hormone concentrations. Results: The mean methyl paraben concentrations in the hair of postpartum women were prevalent across all pregnancy trimesters, while butyl paraben was detected at the lowest levels. The mean concentration of PBs followed the order methyl > propyl > ethyl > benzyl > butyl paraben across pregnancy trimesters. We found that ethyl paraben and triclosan were each positively and significantly associated with cortisol levels in postpartum women’s hair. Consistent with this, the mean cortisone concentration gradually increased from the first to the third pregnancy trimester, whereas cortisol reached the highest mean concentration at the second trimester. A significant positive association between cortisol and cortisone levels was observed. Further analyses revealed that mothers’ average TL was positively associated with ethylparaben and triclosan levels and inversely associated with benzylparaben levels. Last but not least, we found that cortisol/cortisone levels were positively associated with postpartum women’s TL in a statistically significant manner. Conclusions: In the present study, prenatal exposure to stress hormones and EDCs appears to exert a statistically significant impact on maternal TL dynamics. Full article

Microplastic (MP) pollution in agricultural settings is an emerging field of study, with interest focusing on potential resource contamination of soil and water due to the use of plastic materials in farming practices. The Mississippi Delta, a highly agricultural region, is prone to both natural and intentional flooding, potentially exacerbating this issue. This exploratory study investigated MP (>30 µm) concentrations, sizes, and polymer compositions in floodwater, irrigation water, and surface runoff from soybean fields across two counties in the Mississippi Delta using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR). Mean ± SE concentrations (MPs/L) were 72 ± 66 in floodwater (n = 18), 169 ± 121 in source (irrigation pond) water (n = 4), and 30 ± 37 in runoff (n = 3) in Sunflower County, MS. In Coahoma County, MS, mean ± SE runoff concentration was 88 ± 76 MPs/L (n = 24). Mean concentrations were elevated as compared to other MP studies in agricultural environments. The most common polymers present were polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene-ethyl vinyl acetate (PE/EVA), and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), which are commonly used in the manufacturing of agricultural materials. MPs from the smallest size fraction measured (30–100 µm) were the most common in all floodwater samples, ranging from 75.5–91% abundance. Using Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR)-FTIR, larger plastic litter was identified as mostly PE and PET, which is consistent with polymer distributions in floodwater samples. Overall, MPs were prevalent in both floodwater and runoff, with relatively consistent concentrations and polymer compositions across samples. However, further research is needed to fully elucidate their fate and potential impacts on agricultural systems. Full article

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a reliable HS-GC-FID/FID method for the determination of ethanol and other low-molecular-weight volatile compounds in biological fluids for forensic applications. Method: The method is based on headspace gas chromatography with dual-column and dual flame ionization detection (HS-GC-FID/FID), using Zebron ZB-BAC1 and ZB-BAC2 columns. The procedure was validated in terms of linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, and accuracy, as well as carryover. Results: The method demonstrated linearity over the concentration range of 0.05–5.0‰, with R² values of 0.997–0.999. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.05‰, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.025‰. Precision and accuracy were both below 5%. Retention times (min) on the two columns were as follows: methanol (1.70/1.81), ethanol (2.06/2.29), acetone (2.60/2.59), isopropanol (2.45/2.73), n-propanol (3.24/3.98), and n-butanol (6.35/8.45). The developed method was successfully evaluated through international proficiency testing and is routinely applied in our laboratory for forensic casework. Conclusions: The developed HS-GC-FID/FID method provides accurate and reliable determination of ethanol and other relevant volatile compounds in biological fluids (i.a., blood) and meets the requirements for forensic toxicology. Additionally, the literature review conducted in this study highlights that globally unified principles for forensic alcohol analysis are still lacking, and that certain inappropriate methodological approaches remain in use. The present paper also provides recommendations defining essential methodological requirements to ensure the evidential reliability of ethanol analysis in forensic toxicology. Full article

Halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HPAHs) are persistent contaminants with elevated toxicity, yet dietary exposure data remain limited. Here, we systematically assessed dietary HPAHs using 87 duplicate diet samples collected from populations living in and around a coking industrial area by applying the duplicate diet method, a gold-standard approach that provides precise individual-level exposure information. Thirty-one HPAHs were detected, including seven previously unreported congeners, with mean concentrations of 62.51, 33.68, and 16.52 ng/g in the coking plant, nearby residential, and control areas, respectively. Lipid-rich foods, particularly meats, exhibited the highest HPAH burdens, and thermal processing approximately doubled concentrations in meals collected from the coking plant area. Dietary cancer risk was evaluated using a toxicity equivalency-based incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) framework. Although several HPAHs occurred at low concentrations, congeners with high relative effect potency contributed disproportionately to cumulative cancer risk. Population-level risk distributions revealed that 25.8% of dietary samples exceeded the benchmark ILCR threshold of 10⁻⁴ in the coking plant area. In silico toxicity predictions further indicated potential organ-specific toxicological relevance for the blood, liver, kidney, and cardiovascular systems, supporting the health relevance of dietary HPAH exposure. In general, these results suggest that industrial influence, food composition, and cooking practices jointly contribute to dietary HPAH exposure and toxicity-weighted cancer risk. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating halogenated congeners into routine monitoring programs and health risk assessments in industrialized regions. Full article

Firefighters are potentially exposed to multiple harmful substances, and their activities are classified as carcinogenic to humans. This case study assessed early genotoxic damage (fpg-comet and BMCyt assays) and epigenetic alterations (seven circulating miRNAs) in 35 firefighters compared to 45 non-exposed workers. Occupational exposure to fire smoke was self-reported via questionnaire. Firefighters showed higher median genotoxic DNA damage with respect to the non-exposed group (%DNA tail Buff 19.4 vs. 16.8; %DNA tail Enz 22.2 vs. 19.3; Tail moment 5.5 vs. 4.5; % of apoptotic cells 1.13 vs. 0.97). miRNAs related to air pollution, oxidative stress, tumor suppression, and immune responses, like mir-16, mir-15a, mir-29a, mir-125b, and mir-142, showed significant downregulation (p < 0.001) in the exposed group. Mean percentages of early apoptosis biomarkers and composite DNA damage indices among FF also differed significantly from the other participants (‰Condensed chromatin 0.46 vs. 0.06; ‰Tot anomalies 5.15 vs. 3.82). Multiple correlations emerged, particularly between miRNAs and comet assay parameters, and between comet assay and BMCyt indicators. The implemented integrated approach provides information about the existence of a relationship between genotoxic and epigenetic effects in firefighters, also influenced by time since exposure. Future studies with bigger sample sizes are required. Full article

Toxicological testing for drugs of abuse (DOAs) is an essential tool for healthcare practitioners and law enforcement agencies. Oral fluid (OF) is an alternative biological fluid for detecting recent DOA intake and is widely employed in forensic investigations. In the current study, a relatively novel and “green” fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) procedure for sample preparation was coupled to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to provide simplicity, cost-effectiveness, rapidity, low solvent consumption, and high analytical performance for the quantitative determination of ten commonly encountered DOAs and metabolites: amphetamine, benzoylecgonine, cocaine, codeine, ecgonine methyl ester, methadone, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine. The FPSE procedure was optimized by testing different filters, pH, extraction time, and solvents. The validated method demonstrated excellent linearity for all analytes, selectivity, acceptable precision, and high sensitivity (ranges for limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were 0.01–2 ng/mL and 0.03–6 ng/mL, respectively). Autosampler and short-term freeze stability exceeded 95% and 90% for all analytes, respectively. Overall, the combination of FPSE with LC–MS/MS provided a sensitive, selective, and environmentally friendly innovative analytical approach for the determination of DOA in OF and is suitable for both screening and confirmatory forensic and clinical applications. Full article

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a potent hepatotoxin that has been shown to cause liver damage even at doses lower than the established Low Observable Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) of 200 μg/kg in animal models. We have previously observed that low-dose exposure to MC-LR in animals with diet-induced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and subsequent treatment with antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase-Src kinase inhibitor pNaKtide significantly alleviated hepatic infiltration of immune cells, downregulated markers of inflammation and hepatotoxicity, increased the breakdown of the toxin molecule, and restored phase I and II drug metabolism pathways, including the glutathione pathway. Because the liver is composed of heterogeneous cell types, this study aimed to determine the specific role of hepatocytes in the uptake and metabolism of MC-LR, especially in the setting of MASLD. To address this, we used two well-established hepatocyte cell lines—AML-12 murine hepatocytes and human Hep3B hepatocytes. Preliminary dose comparison studies with AML-12 cells showed that MC-LR at 10 μM concentration showed a significant upregulation in the genetic expression of the markers of hepatotoxicity—OSMR (p ≤ 0.01) and SerpinE (p ≤ 0.0001)—in comparison to Vehicle. Treatment with pNaKtide (1 µM) and/or NAC (10 mM) in the presence of MC-LR significantly reduced the expression of both OSMR (p ≤ 0.0001) and SerpinE (p ≤ 0.01 and p ≤ 0.0001, respectively). To model steatotic hepatocytes characteristic of the MASLD phenotype, Hep3B hepatocytes were first treated with 500 µM of oleic acid (OA) before exposing them to the toxin in the presence and absence of antioxidants. MC-LR exposure, induced markers of inflammation and hepatotoxicity to be elevated significantly in the presence of OA as compared to MC-LR exposure alone. This elevation of the genetic markers of inflammation and hepatotoxicity was significantly attenuated on treatment with pNaKtide (1 µM) and NAC (10 mM). Quantification of human SERPINE1 (PAI1) and 8-OHdG, a stable marker of oxidative stress, in the spent media of Hep3B cells corroborated the trends observed in the genetic markers of hepatotoxicity. These observations support the central role that hepatocytes play in the uptake and metabolism of MC-LR, which is complicated by the presence of MASLD-like conditions and can help in the development of future therapeutic strategies. Full article

Organophosphate pesticides are widely used agricultural chemicals that pose significant environmental and health risks due to their neurotoxicity, which is associated with inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. In this study, carbon materials derived from rabbit litter-based precursors were investigated as sustainable adsorbents for the removal of organophosphate pesticides from aqueous systems. The prepared materials exhibited a broad range of textural properties, with specific surface areas ranging from 10 to 487 m² g⁻¹, depending on the precursor composition. Adsorption experiments demonstrated measurable removal of chlorpyrifos, malathion, and dimethoate, with maximum adsorption capacities reaching 71.8 mg g⁻¹ for malathion, although adsorption performance varied among materials, indicating a combined influence of pore accessibility and surface chemical heterogeneity. Evaluation of acetylcholinesterase inhibition before and after adsorption showed a consistent decrease in enzyme inhibition across all systems, with values reduced from 40% to as low as 20% for chlorpyrifos, from 35% to as low as 11% for malathion, and from 20% to as low as 10% for dimethoate, indicating a reduction in the neurotoxic potential of the treated solutions. In addition, the genotoxicity of the carbon materials varied with their structural and compositional characteristics, underscoring the importance of considering both adsorption performance and biological interactions. These findings demonstrate that waste-derived carbon materials can contribute to the removal of organophosphate contaminants while simultaneously reducing their associated neurotoxic effects. Full article

The widespread use of modern insecticide formulations underscores the need for mechanistic evaluation of their potential renal toxicity. This study investigated the nephrotoxic effects of Ampligo^® 150 ZC, a binary formulation of lambda-cyhalothrin and chlorantraniliprole, in female rabbits under subacute exposure conditions, with particular emphasis on apoptosis-related and epithelial integrity biomarkers, and evaluated the protective effects of thyme essential oil (TEO) and vitamin C. Rabbits were allocated into four groups: control, AP, AP + TEO, and AP + TEO + vitamin C. Ampligo (AP) exposure resulted in significant renal dysfunction, as evidenced by elevated biochemical biomarkers and marked histopathological lesions. At the molecular level, AP induced p53 upregulation alongside Bcl-2 and Cyclin D1 downregulation, suggesting apoptosis induction and cell cycle dysregulation. Moreover, reduced E-cadherin and β-catenin expressions indicated disruption of epithelial junction integrity and impaired renal structural homeostasis. Notably, co-administration of TEO and vitamin C markedly attenuated these alterations, improving biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical parameters. Overall, these findings suggest that AP-driven nephrotoxicity may involve apoptotic and epithelial pathways under subacute exposure conditions, whereas antioxidant co-treatment may mitigate kidney injury, supporting the potential of natural antioxidants as adjuncts against pesticide-induced renal injury. Full article