Disease Risks and Toxic Pathway from Environmental Chemical Exposure

Abstract submission deadline

31 January 2026

Manuscript submission deadline

31 March 2026

Viewed by

20657

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human health can be influenced by many environmental factors, including physical, chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants. Among them, exposure to environmental chemicals is a serious ongoing public health issue. Understanding public health risks posed by environmental chemical exposure is complicated. There are many impact factors including population susceptibility, latencies between exposure and disease manifestations, and background environmental exposure. Relationships between environmental exposure and health outcomes can only be established through well-designed epidemiological, toxicological, and clinical studies. Therefore, along with traditional risk assessment, integrating all available types of data, such as traditional toxicology, environmental epidemiology, and the environmental exposome would approach environmental chemical risk assessment from a new lens. There is an immediate need to develop good research associated with the disease risk and toxicity posed by environmental chemical exposure. This Special Issue aims to explore the perspective of environmental chemical risk assessment. We invite researchers to contribute original research and articles as well as review articles in the scope of this Special Issue. The topics of interest include but are not limited to:

• Public health and health impact assessment and environmental epidemiology
• Environmental risk assessments and management
• Environmental toxicology
• Wastewater-based epidemiology
• Environmental technology for environmental health protection

Dr. Zhenglu Wang
Dr. Chuang Liu
Dr. Jiana Li
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Environments environments	3.5	5.7	2014	22.8 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	8.1	2000	16.8 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Journal of Xenobiotics jox	6.8	5.3	2011	28 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Pollutants pollutants	-	-	2021	25.3 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Toxics toxics	3.9	4.5	2013	18.3 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Toxins toxins	3.9	7.5	2009	20.3 Days	CHF 2700	Submit

Preprints.org is a multidisciplinary platform offering a preprint service designed to facilitate the early sharing of your research. It supports and empowers your research journey from the very beginning.

MDPI Topics is collaborating with Preprints.org and has established a direct connection between MDPI journals and the platform. Authors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by posting their preprints at Preprints.org prior to publication:

1. Share your research immediately: disseminate your ideas prior to publication and establish priority for your work.
2. Safeguard your intellectual contribution: Protect your ideas with a time-stamped preprint that serves as proof of your research timeline.
3. Boost visibility and impact: Increase the reach and influence of your research by making it accessible to a global audience.
4. Gain early feedback: Receive valuable input and insights from peers before submitting to a journal.
5. Ensure broad indexing: Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Published Papers (15 papers)

Order results

Content type Publication Date

Result details

Normal Extended Compact

Journals

All Environments IJMS JoX Pollutants Toxics Toxins

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 198 KiB)

20 pages, 9167 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Risk Loci for Radiotherapy-Induced Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Through Integrated Genomic Analysis

by Fan Ding, Zehao Pang, Xiujia Ji, Yuanfang Jiang, Qiulan Wang and Zhitong Bing

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(9), 4132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26094132 - 26 Apr 2025

Abstract

Radiotherapy-induced hearing impairment significantly affects patients’ quality of life, yet its genetic basis remains poorly understood. This study seeks to identify genetic variants associated with radiotherapy-induced tinnitus and hearing loss and explore their functional implications. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to [...] Read more.

Radiotherapy-induced hearing impairment significantly affects patients’ quality of life, yet its genetic basis remains poorly understood. This study seeks to identify genetic variants associated with radiotherapy-induced tinnitus and hearing loss and explore their functional implications. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with radiotherapy-induced tinnitus and hearing loss. Protein–protein interaction networks and functional enrichment analyses were performed to explore underlying biological pathways. A phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) analysis across five databases examined associations between identified SNPs and various phenotypes. The GWAS identified 97 SNPs significantly associated with radiotherapy-induced tinnitus and 76 SNPs with hearing loss. Tinnitus-associated variants were enriched in pathways involving Wnt signaling and telomerase RNA regulation, while hearing-loss-associated variants were linked to calcium-dependent cell adhesion and neurotransmitter receptor regulation. The PheWAS analysis revealed significant associations between these hearing-impairment-related SNPs and metabolic phenotypes, particularly BMI and metabolic disorders. A chromosomal distribution analysis showed concentrated significant SNPs on chromosomes 1, 2, 5, and 10. This study identified distinct genetic architectures underlying radiotherapy-induced tinnitus and hearing loss, revealing different molecular pathways involved in their pathogenesis. The unexpected association with metabolic phenotypes suggests potential interactions between metabolic status and susceptibility to radiotherapy-induced hearing complications. These findings provide insights for developing genetic screening tools and targeted interventions to prevent or mitigate radiotherapy-related hearing damage. Full article

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

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2837 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Naphthenic Acid Fraction Components-Induced Metabolic and Mitochondrial Alterations in Rat Hepatoma Cells: Monitoring Metabolic Reprogramming with Tryptophan–Kynurenine Ratio

by Laiba Jamshed, Amica Marie-Lucas, Genevieve A. Perono, Gregg T. Tomy, Jim J. Petrik, Richard A. Frank, L. Mark Hewitt, Philippe J. Thomas and Alison C. Holloway

J. Xenobiot. 2025, 15(3), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15030061 - 24 Apr 2025

Abstract

Altered body condition and diminished growth in wildlife in the Alberta Oil Sands Region (AOSR) are prompting investigations into the impact of oil sands industrial activity on wildlife in the region. Chemical constituents from bitumen-influenced waters, including oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), can [...] Read more.

Altered body condition and diminished growth in wildlife in the Alberta Oil Sands Region (AOSR) are prompting investigations into the impact of oil sands industrial activity on wildlife in the region. Chemical constituents from bitumen-influenced waters, including oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), can disrupt endocrine signaling, leading to aberrant lipid accumulation and altered glycemic control in mammals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs), derived from OSPW, on energy homeostasis using the McA-RH7777 rat hepatocyte model. Cells were exposed to NAFCs at nominal concentrations of 0, 0.73, 14.7, and 73.4 mg/L for 24 and 48 h. We assessed gene expression related to lipid and glucose metabolism and measured triglyceride accumulation, glucose, and fatty acid uptake. NAFC exposure (14.7 and 73.4 mg/L) reduced triglyceride levels and glucose uptake and increased fatty acid uptake and the expression of beta-oxidation genes, suggesting a metabolic switch from glucose to fatty acid oxidation. This switch in substrate availability signifies a shift in cellular energy dynamics, potentially linked to altered mitochondrial function. To investigate this, we conducted adenosine triphosphate (ATP), mitochondrial membrane potential, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays to measure cellular ATP levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis, respectively. At both time points, 73.4 mg/L NAFC exposure resulted in increased ATP levels, induced mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization, and increased apoptosis. These results suggest that mitochondrial efficiency is compromised, necessitating metabolic adaptations to maintain energy homeostasis. Given that cells exhibit metabolic flexibility that allows them to dynamically respond to changes in substrate availability, we further demonstrated that the kynurenine–tryptophan ratio (KTR) serves as a marker for a shift in energy metabolism under these stress conditions. This work provides a mechanistic framework for understanding how bitumen-derived organic contaminants may disrupt metabolic function in wildlife living in the AOSR. These findings further support the use of molecular markers like KTR to evaluate sub-lethal metabolic stress in environmental health monitoring. Full article

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

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 406 KiB)

13 pages, 2339 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Arthropod Diversity and Sorghum Quality in Northern Jiangsu, China: The Benefits of Green Pest Management Revealed Through Metabarcoding

by Qian Jin, Yuxuan Zheng, Mingquan Pan, Xiaoman Zhang, Aibing Zhang and Shangkun Lai

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 2977; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26072977 - 25 Mar 2025

Viewed by 180

Abstract

Sorghum is a key global crop with substantial economic importance. Implementing green pest management for sorghum is crucial for promoting ecological balance and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. This study assesses the impact of green pest management on arthropod biodiversity and sorghum yield [...] Read more.

Sorghum is a key global crop with substantial economic importance. Implementing green pest management for sorghum is crucial for promoting ecological balance and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. This study assesses the impact of green pest management on arthropod biodiversity and sorghum yield and quality. Over two years, using Malaise trapping and DNA metabarcoding, we found that green pest management significantly enhanced arthropod diversity, increasing species richness by 5.63% and shifting species composition, notably increasing the abundance of Hymenoptera. Although sorghum yield metrics were higher in the green group compared to the chemical control group, these differences were not statistically significant. However, the green group exhibited improved quality with lower crude fat (3.63% vs. 4.08% in the chemical control group) and higher levels of crude protein (9.18% vs. 9.13%), starch (73.69% vs. 73.41%), and amylopectin (98.53% vs. 98.34%). These findings underscore the benefits of green pest management in fostering biodiversity and enhancing sorghum quality. Future research should focus on optimizing biodiversity-driven agroecosystem resilience and scaling these strategies across diverse agricultural systems. Full article

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

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 262 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Potential Toxic Heavy Metal Levels in Serum of Saudi Patients Under Regular Hemodialysis and Its Association with Parathyroid Hormone, Uremic Pruritus, and Anemia

by Sadyah Nedah Alrashidi, Samia Soliman Barghash, Abuzar E. A. E. Albadri and Sona S. Barghash

Toxics 2025, 13(4), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13040241 - 24 Mar 2025

Viewed by 284

Abstract

Worldwide, environmental pollution is a major contributor to illness and mortality, encompassing toxic elements, air pollutants, agricultural pesticides, and contaminated food and water. In patients with end-stage kidney disease, several factors—including impaired renal excretion, the degree of renal impairment, medication use, dialysate contamination, [...] Read more.

Worldwide, environmental pollution is a major contributor to illness and mortality, encompassing toxic elements, air pollutants, agricultural pesticides, and contaminated food and water. In patients with end-stage kidney disease, several factors—including impaired renal excretion, the degree of renal impairment, medication use, dialysate contamination, the quality of dialysis water, and metabolic changes—may lead to the accumulation of toxic elements in hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to assess toxic element levels in adults undergoing hemodialysis compared to a control group and to investigate the correlation between parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, uremic pruritus, anemia and toxic element concentrations. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 adult patients undergoing regular hemodialysis for at least three months. Another group of 60 apparently healthy adult voluntaries with matched age and sex with the patient group served as the control. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) method was used to measure the concentrations of serum levels of aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As) for both groups, as well as in drinking water and dialysate water. The hemodialysis group exhibited significantly higher levels of Al, Pb, Cd, Cr, and As compared to the control group. Serum Pb levels showed a significant negative correlation with PTH, while serum ferritin levels were negatively correlated with Cr. However, no significant correlation was found between toxic element levels and uremic pruritus or anemia. Toxic element concentrations in dialysis and drinking water samples were within acceptable limits and below the detection threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/American National Standards Institute (AAMI/ANSI). Therefore, elevated toxic element levels in hemodialysis patients may not be primarily attributable to drinking water or dialysis. Full article

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

►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 2090 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Thiodiphenol in Rat Urine as a Biomarker of Exposure to Temephos

by Miao-Ling Shih, Ma. de Lourdes López-González, Marisela Uribe-Ramírez, Aurora Elizabeth Rojas-García, Francisco Alberto Verdín-Betancourt and Adolfo Sierra-Santoyo

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(4), 1889-1900; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14040100 - 4 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1330

Abstract

Temephos is an organophosphorus pesticide widely used as a larvicide in public health campaigns to control vector-borne diseases. Data on the urinary elimination of temephos metabolites are limited, and there is no validated biomarker of exposure for its evaluation. This study aimed to [...] Read more.

Temephos is an organophosphorus pesticide widely used as a larvicide in public health campaigns to control vector-borne diseases. Data on the urinary elimination of temephos metabolites are limited, and there is no validated biomarker of exposure for its evaluation. This study aimed to determine the urinary excretion kinetics of temephos and its metabolites in adult male rats. Hence, adult male Wistar rats were administered orally with a single dose of temephos (300 mg/kg). Urine samples were collected at different time intervals after dosing and enzymatically hydrolyzed using β-glucuronidase/sulfatase from H. pomatia. The metabolites were extracted and analyzed by HPLC-DAD. The metabolites detected were 4,4′-thiodiphenol (TDP), 4,4′-sulfinyldiphenol (SIDP), 4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol (SODP), or bisphenol S (BPS), a non-identified metabolite, and only traces of the parent compound. The mean urine concentrations of metabolites were used for kinetic analysis. Urinary levels of TDP were fitted to a two-compartmental model, and its half-lives (t_1/2 Elim-U) were 27.8 and 272.1 h for the first and second phases, respectively. The t_1/2 Elim-U of BPS was 17.7 h. TDP, the main metabolite of temephos, was eliminated by urine and is specific and stable. Therefore, it may be used as a biomarker of temephos exposure. Full article

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

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

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

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2142

Abstract

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)

►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 4297 KiB)

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 1735

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)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

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 1239

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)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

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

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1201

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)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 72 KiB)

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

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1228

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)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 773 KiB)

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

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1708

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)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 283 KiB)

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

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1830

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)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 10777 KiB)

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 1196

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)

►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

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

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1930

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)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 76 KiB)

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 2 | Viewed by 2044

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)

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

 

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

Displaying articles 1-15