Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Environments environments	3.5	5.7	2014	25.7 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	8.1	2000	18.1 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Journal of Xenobiotics jox	6.8	5.3	2011	30 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Pollutants pollutants	-	-	2021	28.9 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Toxics toxics	3.9	4.5	2013	15.6 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

18 pages, 1730 KiB

Open AccessReview

Air-Pollution-Mediated Microbial Dysbiosis in Health and Disease: Lung–Gut Axis and Beyond

by Md Habibul Hasan Mazumder and Salik Hussain

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(4), 1595-1612; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14040086 - 21 Oct 2024

Viewed by 469

Growing evidence suggests physiological and pathological functions of lung and gut microbiomes in various pathologies. Epidemiological and experimental data associate air pollution exposure with host microbial dysbiosis in the lungs and gut. Air pollution through increased reactive oxygen species generation, the disruption of [...] Read more.

Growing evidence suggests physiological and pathological functions of lung and gut microbiomes in various pathologies. Epidemiological and experimental data associate air pollution exposure with host microbial dysbiosis in the lungs and gut. Air pollution through increased reactive oxygen species generation, the disruption of epithelial barrier integrity, and systemic inflammation modulates microbial imbalance. Microbiome balance is crucial in regulating inflammation and metabolic pathways to maintain health. Microbiome dysbiosis is proposed as a potential mechanism for the air-pollution-induced modulation of pulmonary and systemic disorders. Microbiome-based therapeutic approaches are increasingly gaining attention and could have added value in promoting lung health. This review summarizes and discusses air-pollution-mediated microbiome alterations in the lungs and gut in humans and mice and elaborates on their role in health and disease. We discuss and summarize the current literature, highlight important mechanisms that lead to microbial dysbiosis, and elaborate on pathways that potentially link lung and lung microbiomes in the context of environmental exposures. Finally, we discuss the lung–liver–gut axis and its potential pathophysiological implications in air-pollution-mediated pathologies through microbial dysbiosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure)

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22 pages, 19388 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Network Pharmacology Approaches Used to Identify Therapeutic Molecules for Chronic Venous Disease Based on Potential miRNA Biomarkers

by Oscar Salvador Barrera-Vázquez, Juan Luis Escobar-Ramírez and Gil Alfonso Magos-Guerrero

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(4), 1519-1540; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14040083 - 15 Oct 2024

Viewed by 654

Abstract

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a prevalent condition in adults, significantly affecting the global elderly population, with a higher incidence in women than in men. The modulation of gene expression through microRNA (miRNA) partly regulated the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous research [...] Read more.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a prevalent condition in adults, significantly affecting the global elderly population, with a higher incidence in women than in men. The modulation of gene expression through microRNA (miRNA) partly regulated the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous research identified a functional analysis of seven genes (CDS2, HDAC5, PPP6R2, PRRC2B, TBC1D22A, WNK1, and PABPC3) as targets of miRNAs related to CVD. In this context, miRNAs emerge as essential candidates for CVD diagnosis, representing novel molecular and biological knowledge. This work aims to identify, by network analysis, the miRNAs involved in CVD as potential biomarkers, either by interacting with small molecules such as toxins and pollutants or by searching for new drugs. Our study shows an updated landscape of the signaling pathways involving miRNAs in CVD pathology. This latest research includes data found through experimental tests and uses predictions to propose both miRNAs and genes as potential biomarkers to develop diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the early detection of CVD in the clinical setting. In addition, our pharmacological network analysis has, for the first time, shown how to use these potential biomarkers to find small molecules that may regulate them. Between the small molecules in this research, toxins, pollutants, and drugs showed outstanding interactions with these miRNAs. One of them, hesperidin, a widely prescribed drug for treating CVD and modulating the gene expression associated with CVD, was used as a reference for searching for new molecules that may interact with miRNAs involved in CVD. Among the drugs that exhibit the same miRNA expression profile as hesperidin, potential candidates include desoximetasone, curcumin, flurandrenolide, trifluridine, fludrocortisone, diflorasone, gemcitabine, floxuridine, and reversine. Further investigation of these drugs is essential to improve the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, supporting the clinical use of miRNAs as biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting CVD is crucial. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure)

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15 pages, 2550 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Altered Expression of Thyroid- and Calcium Ion Channels-Related Genes in Rat Testes by Short-Term Exposure to Commercial Herbicides Paraquat or 2,4-D

by Enoch Luis, Vanessa Conde-Maldonado, Edelmira García-Nieto, Libertad Juárez-Santacruz, Mayvi Alvarado and Arely Anaya-Hernández

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(4), 1450-1464; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14040081 - 9 Oct 2024

Viewed by 536

Abstract

Exposure to pesticides such as paraquat and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been linked to harmful health effects, including alterations in male reproduction. Both herbicides are widely used in developing countries and have been associated with reproductive alterations, such as disruption of spermatogenesis and [...] Read more.

Exposure to pesticides such as paraquat and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been linked to harmful health effects, including alterations in male reproduction. Both herbicides are widely used in developing countries and have been associated with reproductive alterations, such as disruption of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. The thyroid axis and Ca²⁺-permeable ion channels play a key role in these processes, and their disruption can lead to reproductive issues and even infertility. This study evaluated the short-term effects of exposure to commercial herbicides based on paraquat and 2,4-D on gene expression in rat testes. At the molecular level, exposure to paraquat increased the expression of the thyroid hormone transporters monocarboxylate transporter 8 (Mct8) and organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1C1 (Oatp1c1) and the thyroid receptor alpha (TRα), suggesting a possible endocrine disruption. However, it did not alter the expression of the sperm-associated cation channels (CatSper1-2) or vanilloid receptor-related osmotically activated channel (Trpv4) related to sperm motility. In contrast, exposure to 2,4-D reduced the expression of the Mct10 transporter, Dio2 deiodinase, and CatSper1, which could affect both the availability of T3 in testicular cells and sperm quality, consistent with previous studies. However, 2,4-D did not affect the expression of CatSper2 or Trpv4. Deregulation of gene expression could explain the alterations in male reproductive processes reported by exposure to paraquat and 2,4-D. These thyroid hormone-related genes can serve as molecular biomarkers to assess endocrine disruption due to exposure to these herbicides, aiding in evaluating the health risks of pesticides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure)

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14 pages, 1705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Microbiological Screening Tests in Assessment of Environmental Exposure to Antibiotics: Preliminary Studies

by Daria Madej-Knysak, Ewa Adamek, Leon Kośmider and Wojciech Baran

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(3), 1187-1200; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14030067 - 4 Sep 2024

Viewed by 620

Abstract

Contact of aquatic microbiocenoses with antibiotics present in the environment can cause the former to develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Therefore, the search for methods to detect antibiotics and drug-resistant microorganisms in the environment is important. The presented paper proposes a simple procedure [...] Read more.

Contact of aquatic microbiocenoses with antibiotics present in the environment can cause the former to develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Therefore, the search for methods to detect antibiotics and drug-resistant microorganisms in the environment is important. The presented paper proposes a simple procedure to assess environmental exposure to antibiotics and the presence of non-susceptible microorganisms. Medium solutions with selected antibiotics and a microbial growth indicator were applied to test plates, and were inoculated with water samples from various ecosystems. After incubation, the susceptibility of the microorganisms to antibiotics was determined and presented in chronic microbial toxic concentration (MTC) values. It was confirmed that the presented procedure enables the assessment of the antibiotic susceptibility and adaptation potential of unselected microorganisms from different aquatic ecosystems. However, the MTC values depend on the inoculum volume, the density and seasonal activity of the microorganisms, the method of inoculum preparation, and the incubation time of the test plate. The described procedure may be practically applied as a screening test to identify the presence of drug-resistant microorganisms. Additionally, it may also be suitable as a method to assess environmental exposure to antibiotics. However, prior standardisation is required before implementing this procedure in quantitative studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure)

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13 pages, 455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Liver and Kidney Function and Birth Outcomes in Pregnant Surinamese Women Exposed to Mercury and Lead in the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH) Environmental Epidemiologic Cohort Study

by Sheila Kort, Jeffrey Wickliffe, Arti Shankar, Hannah H. Covert, Maureen Lichtveld and Wilco Zijlmans

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(3), 1051-1063; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14030059 - 1 Aug 2024

Viewed by 779

Abstract

Exposure to mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), in combination with liver and kidney impairment, may result in adverse birth outcomes. From 408 women in the age range of 16 to 46 years, living in rural and urban areas in the interior of Suriname, [...] Read more.

Exposure to mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), in combination with liver and kidney impairment, may result in adverse birth outcomes. From 408 women in the age range of 16 to 46 years, living in rural and urban areas in the interior of Suriname, we looked at the association between adverse birth outcomes and exposure to Hg and Pb in combination with liver and kidney function. This group of women represented a subcohort of pregnant women who participated in the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH)—Meki Tamara study. Liver function was assessed by measuring aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Kidney function was assessed by measuring creatinine, urea, and cystatin C. We defined preterm births as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, low birthweight as birthweight < 2500 g, and low Apgar score as a score < 7 at 5 min, and these were used as indicators for adverse birth outcomes. Small size for gestational age was defined as gestational age < −2SD weight for GA. We found significant statistical associations between biomarkers for liver and kidney functions and adverse birth outcomes Apgar score and gestational age. No significant association was found between heavy metals Hg and lead and adverse birth outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure)

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24 pages, 7397 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toxicity to the Male Reproductive System after Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics: A Macrogenomic and Metabolomic Analysis

by Xue Zhang, Yueping Wu, Xufeng Fu, Shulan He, Liping Shi, Haiming Xu, Xiaojuan Shi, Yue Yang, Yongbin Zhu, Yanrong Wang, Hongyan Qiu, Hongmei Li and Jiangping Li

Toxics 2024, 12(8), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12080531 - 23 Jul 2024

Viewed by 899

Abstract

Nanoplastics (NPs) cause serious contamination of drinking water and potential damage to human health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of NPs with different particle sizes and concentrations on the reproductive function of male mice. In this study, free drinking water exposure [...] Read more.

Nanoplastics (NPs) cause serious contamination of drinking water and potential damage to human health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of NPs with different particle sizes and concentrations on the reproductive function of male mice. In this study, free drinking water exposure was used to expose male BALB/C mice to PS-NPs (20 nm, 200 nm, and 1000 nm) at 0.1 mg/L, 1 mg/L, and 5 mg/L for 4 months. The male reproductive function of the mice was assessed after NPs exposure, and fecal and blood samples were collected for macrogenomics and metabolomics. The results showed that PS-NPs resulted in mice with reduced testicular organ coefficients, decreased sperm quality, altered testicular tissue structure, disturbed sex hormone levels, and abnormal levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress. Furthermore, this study found that NP exposure affected the alteration of gut communities and metabolic pathways related to male reproduction, such as Clostridium and glutathione metabolism. Importantly, we found an effect of NP particle size on reproductive function. In the future, more attention should be paid to the smaller particle sizes of NPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure)

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16 pages, 1750 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Exposure and Neurocognitive Function in the General Population: A Community-Based Study

by Feng-Chieh Su, Yi-Chia Wei, Chiao-Yin Sun, Heng-Jung Hsu, Chin-Chan Lee, Yih-Ting Chen, Heng-Chih Pan, Cheng-Kai Hsu, Yun-An Liu and Chun-Yu Chen

Toxics 2024, 12(7), 514; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12070514 - 17 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1027

Abstract

Background: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are pervasive in everyday environments. The impacts of these chemicals, along with EDC-related lifestyle and dietary habits on neurocognitive function, are not well understood. Methods: The Chang Gung Community Medicine Research Center conducted a cross-sectional study involving 887 participants. [...] Read more.

Background: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are pervasive in everyday environments. The impacts of these chemicals, along with EDC-related lifestyle and dietary habits on neurocognitive function, are not well understood. Methods: The Chang Gung Community Medicine Research Center conducted a cross-sectional study involving 887 participants. From this initial cohort, 120 individuals were selected based on their EDC exposure scores for detailed analysis. Among these, 67 participants aged 55 years or older were further chosen to undergo cognitive impairment assessments using the Ascertain Dementia-8 (AD-8) questionnaire. Results: These 67 older participants did not significantly differ in age, albuminuria, or estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to those with lower impairment scores. This study revealed that mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) levels (8.511 vs. 6.432 µg/g creatinine, p = 0.038) were associated with greater risk of cognitive impairment (AD-8 ≥ 2). Statistical models adjusting for age, gender, and diabetes indicated that MEHP levels positively correlated with AD-8 scores, achieving statistical significance in more comprehensive models (β ± SE: 0.160 ± 0.076, p = 0.042). Logistic regression analysis underscored a significant positive association between high MEHP levels and higher AD-8 scores (odds ratio: 1.217, p = 0.006). Receiver operating characteristic curves highlighted the association of high MEHP levels and EDC exposure scores for significant cognitive impairment, with areas under the curve of 66.3% and 66.6%, respectively. Conclusion: Exposure to EDCs, specifically di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, the precursor to MEHP, may be associated with neurocognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure)

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16 pages, 4602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Age, Gender, and BMI Modulate the Hepatotoxic Effects of Brominated Flame Retardant Exposure in US Adolescents and Adults: A Comprehensive Analysis of Liver Injury Biomarkers

by Tingting Li, Wanjing Xu, Yue Zhang, Xueman Ding, Li Liu, Panpan Xu, Hengrui Xing, Yue Ma, Mulatibieke Keerman and Qiang Niu

Toxics 2024, 12(7), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12070509 - 15 Jul 2024

Viewed by 762

Abstract

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), commonly found in consumer products, have been identified as potential hazards to liver function. While the individual effects of specific BFRs are somewhat understood, there is limited evidence on how mixtures of these chemicals, especially when influenced by demographic [...] Read more.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), commonly found in consumer products, have been identified as potential hazards to liver function. While the individual effects of specific BFRs are somewhat understood, there is limited evidence on how mixtures of these chemicals, especially when influenced by demographic factors, interact to affect liver function. This study utilized data from 10,828 participants aged 12 and above from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2016) to investigate the associations between BFRs (both individually and in combinations) and biomarkers of liver injury. The study focused on how age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) modify modulate these effects. Multivariate linear regression, restricted cubic spline function, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and quantile g-computation (qgcomp) models were used to analyze the linear, non-linear, and joint associations between BFR levels and liver function parameters. We found positive associations between the mixed BFRs index and AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, and TBIL levels and a negative association with ALB levels. PBDE28, PBDE47, and PBB153 consistently contributed to the top weight in both the WQS and qgcomp models. Most critically, the study demonstrated that the relationship between co-exposure to BFRs and liver function parameters was modified by age, gender, and BMI. Therefore, our study highlights the importance of considering demographic diversity in assessing the risk of BFR-induced liver damage and supports the implementation of tailored preventive and intervention strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure)

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9 pages, 1854 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aminomethylphosphonic Acid (AMPA), a Glyphosate Metabolite, Decreases Plasma Cholinesterase Activity in Rats

by Jesús Chávez-Reyes, Fernando Saráchaga-Terrazas, Oliver Alejandro Colis-Arenas, Carlos H. López-Lariz, Carlos M. Villalón and Bruno A. Marichal-Cancino

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(2), 604-612; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14020035 - 7 May 2024

Viewed by 1399

Abstract

Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, is linked to a plethora of deleterious effects in both clinical and preclinical studies. Nevertheless, the effects of its main metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), whose half-life in soil is even longer than that of glyphosate, have been little [...] Read more.

Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, is linked to a plethora of deleterious effects in both clinical and preclinical studies. Nevertheless, the effects of its main metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), whose half-life in soil is even longer than that of glyphosate, have been little explored. On this basis, as a first approach, in this work, we report that intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of AMPA or glyphosate (at 10, 56, and 100 mg/kg) decreased, to a similar extent, plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity in acutely exposed rats. Moreover, we designed an experimental protocol to analyze and compare the effects of AMPA and glyphosate on human plasma ChE activity; this protocol consisted of adding these compounds to human plasma to subsequently test the effects of this plasma on the contraction to acetylcholine (ACh) in the frog rectus abdominis muscle (an indirect estimate of ChE activity). Accordingly, this muscular contraction to ACh was evaluated before and after pre-incubation of ACh with (i) plasma alone, (ii) plasma with AMPA, and (iii) plasma with glyphosate. Our results indicate that AMPA, like glyphosate, decreased ChE activity in the plasma of rats (when given i.p.) and humans (when added in vitro), suggesting that both xenobiotics may exert similar toxicological effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure)

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12 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Air Pollution and Primary DNA Damage among Zagreb (Croatia) Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Marko Gerić, Gordana Pehnec, Katarina Matković, Jasmina Rinkovec, Ivana Jakovljević, Ranka Godec, Silva Žužul, Ivan Bešlić, Ante Cvitković, Luka Delić, Pascal Wild, Irina Guseva Canu, Nancy B. Hopf and Goran Gajski

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(1), 368-379; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14010023 - 13 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1515

Abstract

More than eight million premature deaths annually can be attributed to air pollution, with 99% of the world’s population residing in areas below recommended air quality standards. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the association between primary DNA damage and air pollution [...] Read more.

More than eight million premature deaths annually can be attributed to air pollution, with 99% of the world’s population residing in areas below recommended air quality standards. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the association between primary DNA damage and air pollution data among 123 participants enrolled between 2011 and 2015 in Zagreb, Croatia. While most measured air pollutants adhered to regulatory limits, benzo[a]pyrene concentrations bound to PM₁₀ exceeded them. Factorial analysis narrowed down air pollution data to four exposure factors (particulate matter, two metal factors, and other pollutants). Despite the absence of significant positive associations between modeled air pollution exposure factors and comet assay descriptors (tail length, tail intensity, tail moment, and highly damaged nuclei), the critical health implications of air pollution warrant further investigations, particularly with biomarkers of exposure and different biomarkers of effect in populations facing air pollution exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure)

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