Assessing the estrogenic potency in a Portuguese wastewater treatment plant using an integrated approach

The estrogenic potency of a wastewater treatment plant(WWTP) was evaluated using chemical and biological analyses,which showed that after the station treatment processes some of the selected endocrine disruptor compounds(EDCs) were still present in the treated effuent(e.g.,bisphenol A,alkylphenols,estrone) .Thus,the most common endocrine EDCs were identified and quantified and the overall estrogenicity of the treated effuent assessed by integrating the results.Male goldfish(Carassius auratus) were used as biological indicators in a 28-day experiment.Vitellogenin(Vtg) ,gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices,steroids(17β-estradiol and 11-ketotestosterone) and histopathology were biomarkers used in fish to evaluate WWTP treated effuent estrogenicity,in combination with instrumental analyses.The results showed a significant increase(P0.01) in plasma and liver Vtg,which were significantly correlated(r=0.66;P0.01) .The gonadosmatic index was significantly(P0.01) reduced in exposed fish.The steroid analyses revealed significant elevations in 17β-estradiol and depressed 11-ketotestosterone concentrations.The histological examinations show changes in exposed fish gonads,such as regressed testes and in some cases(43%to 75%) the development of ovo-testis in fish exposed to 50% and 100% treated effuent.     

Assessing the anti-estrogenic activity of sodium pentachlorophenol in primary cultures of juvenile goldfish (Carassius auratus) hepatocytes using vitellogenin as a biomarker

Both pentachlorophenol and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin （TCDD） had been studied widely because of their probable anti-estrogenic activity. Sodium pentachlorophenol （PCP-Na）, as a industrial product used in many fields, usually contains a trace of TCDD. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-estrogenic effect of PCP-Na in juvenile goldfish （Gurassius auratus） hepatocyte cultures using vitellogenin （VTG） as the biomarker. The ID50 of PCP-Na was investigated and then a series of concentrations （0.001 0.5 μg/ml） of PCP-Na were evaluated to estimate the anti-estrogenic activity. Results showed that PCP-Na was cytotoxic for hepatocytes even at very low concentration 〈1.21 μg/ml, and it could not induce VTG at any concentrations tested. Since it failed to stimulate VTG production, the possibility of its anti-estrogenic effect was tested, and a well-known anti-estrogenic compound-tamoxifen was used as positive control. PCP-Na caused a reduction in VTG synthesis in juvenile goldfish （Carassius auratus） hepatocytes at concentrations 〉0.1μg/ml when co-exposure with 1μg/ml 17β-estradiol （E2）, making its anti-estrogenic activity approximately as potent as tamoxifen. Our results indicate that PCP-Na can act as negative modulators of estrogenic function in juvenile goldfish （Carassius auratus） hepatocytes.     

Ecotoxicological effects of waterborne PFOS exposure on swimming performance and energy expenditure in juvenile goldfish (Carassius auratus)

The potential risks of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are of increasing ecological concern. Swimming performance is linked to the fitness and health of fish. However, the impacts of PFOS on swimming performance remain largely unknown. We investigated the ecotoxicological effects of acute exposure to PFOS on the swimming performance and energy expenditure of juvenile goldfish (Carassius auratus). The fish were exposed to a range of PFOS concentrations (0, 0.5, 2, 8 and 32 mg/L) for 48 hr. The spontaneous swimming activity, fast-start swimming performance, critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and active metabolic rate (AMR) of the goldfish were examined after exposure to PFOS. PFOS exposure resulted in remarkable effects on spontaneous activity. Motion distance was reduced, and the proportion of motionless time increased with increasing concentrations of PFOS. However, no significant alterations in the fast-start performance-related kinematic parameters, such as latency time, maximum linear velocity, maximum linear acceleration or escape distance during the first 120 msec after stimulus, were observed after PFOS exposure. Unexpectedly, although PFOS exposure had marked influences on the swimming oxygen consumption rates and AMR of goldfish, the U crit of the goldfish was not significantly affected by PFOS. This may result in a noteworthy increase in the energetic cost of transport. The overall results indicate that, in contrast to spontaneous activity, underlying swimming capabilities are maintained in goldfish after short-term exposure to PFOS, but energy expenditure during the process of swimming is dramatically aggravated.     

Simultaneous size characterization and mass quantification of the in vivo core-biocorona structure and dissolved species of silver nanoparticles

Size characterization of silver nanoparticles with biomolecule corona(AgNP@BCs) and mass quantification of various silver species in organisms are essential for understanding the in vivo transformation of Ag NPs. Herein, we report a versatile method that allows simultaneous determination of the size of AgNP@BCs and mass concentration of various silver species in rat liver. Both particulate and ionic silver were extracted in their original forms from the organs by alkaline digestion, and analyzed by size exclusion chromatography combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(SEC-ICP-MS). While the silver mass concentrations were quantified by ICP-MS with a detection limit of 0.1 μg/g, the effective diameter of AgNP@BCs was determined based on the retention time in SEC separation with size discrimination of 0.6-3.3 nm. More importantly, we found that the BC thickness of AgNP@BCs is core size independent, and a linear correlation was found between the effective diameter and core diameter of AgNP@BCs in extracted tissues, which was used to calibrate the core diameter with standard deviations in the range of 0.2-1.1 nm. The utility of this strategy was demonstrated through application to rat livers in vivo. Our method is powerful for investigating the transformation mechanism of Ag NPs in vivo.     

A toxicity-based method for evaluating safety of reclaimed water for environmental reuses

A large quantity of toxic chemical pollutants possibly remains in reclaimed water due to the limited removal efficiency in traditional reclamation processes. It is not enough to guarantee the safety of reclaimed water using conventional water quality criteria. An integrated assessment method based on toxicity test is necessary to vividly depict the safety of reclaimed water for reuse. A toxicity test battery consisting of lethality, genotoxicity and endocrine disrupting effect was designed to screen the multiple biological effects of residual toxic chemicals in reclaimed water. The toxicity results of reclaimed water were converted into the equivalent concentrations of the corresponding positive reference substances（EQC）. Simultaneously, the predicted no-effect concentration（PNEC） of each positive reference substance was obtained by analyzing the species sensitivity distribution（SSD） of toxicity data. An index ＂toxicity score＂ was proposed and valued as 1, 2, 3, or 4 depending on the ratio of the corresponding EQC to PNEC. For vividly ranking the safety of reclaimed water, an integrated assessment index ＂toxicity rank＂ was proposed, which was classified into A, B, C, or D rank with A being the safest. The proposed method was proved to be effective in evaluating reclaimed water samples in case studies.     

Immunotoxicity of bisphenol a to Carassius auratus Lymphocytes and macrophages following in vitro exposure

Bisphenol A （BPA） is the monomer component of polycarbonate plastics and classified as an endocrine disrupting chemical （EDC）. The reproductive toxicity of BPA has been extensively studied in mammals; however, relatively little information is available on the immunotoxic responses of fish to BPA. In this study, we investigated the effects of BPA on the immune functions of lymphocytes and macrophages in Carassius auratus. The effects of BPA were compared with those of two natural steroid hormones, estradiol and hydrocortisone. Proliferation of the two types of cells in response to PHA was measured using colorimetric MTT assay. Macrophage respiratory burst stimulated by Con A was measured using chemiluminescence assay. Results showed that BPA （0.054-5.4 mg/L）, estradiol （0.0002-2.0 mg/L） and hydrocortisone （5-50 mg/L） significantly induced Carassius auratus lymphocyte proliferation while higher doses of hydrocortisone （500-5000 mg/L） appeared to be inhibitory. BPA （0.005-50 mg/L）, estradiol （0.005-800 mg/L） and hydrocortisone （0.005-500 mg/L） markedly enhanced macrophage proliferation, whereas higher doses of BPA （500-1000 mg/L） appeared to inhibit cell proliferation. Furthermore, higher dosage of BPA （50 mg/L） and hydrocortisone （50 and 500 mg/L） suppressed the macrophages respiratory burst while estradiol is stimulative all the doses tested （0.05-500 mg/L）. In conclusion, BPA could have immunotoxicity to Carassius auratus and functional changes of lymphocyte and macrophage in Carassius auratus may be different between low and high dosages.     

Validation of a HRGC–ECNI/LRMS method to monitor short-chain chlorinated paraffins in human plasma

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins(SCCPs) are produced in high volume and have the high potential to pose a threat to human health. However, little information is available for SCCP contamination in human blood/plasma/serum, mainly due to the difficulty of sample preparation and quantitative analysis. A method using high resolution gas chromatography coupled with electron capture negative ionization low resolution mass spectrometry(HRGC–ECNI/LRMS) was developed and validated to measure SCCPs in human plasma. The pretreatment process included protein denaturation and lipid elimination, liquid–liquid extraction with a mixture of n-hexane/dichloromethane(1:1, V/V), and cleanup on a multilayer silica column. The blank controls, including procedural blank, vacuum blood collection tube blank, and instrumental blank, were the most pivotal points for the reliable analysis of SCCPs. The average value of procedural blanks was 9.0 ng/g; and the method detection limit(MDL), calculated as the sum of the average procedural blank value and 3 times of the standard deviation of the procedural blanks, was 12.6 ng/g plasma. The validated method was applied to measure the concentrations of the total SCCPs(∑ SCCPs) in50 plasma samples from a general population. The measured plasma concentrations of ∑SCCPs ranged from MDL to 203 ng/g wet weight(ww), with an average value of 32.0 ng/g ww.The relative abundance profiles of SCCPs in plasma samples were dominated by C10- and C11-CP congener groups centered on Cl6–7. The developed method can be used for the comprehensive and large-scale investigation of SCCP levels in human plasma.     

Kinetics study on photochemical oxidation of polyacrylamide by ozone combined with hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation

An investigation on the process of ozone combined with hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation has been carried out in order to establish the kinetics for photochemical oxidation of polyacrylamide （PAM） in aqueous solution. Effects of operating parameters, including initial PAM concentration, dosages of ozone and hydrogen peroxide, UV radiation and pH value on the photochemical oxidation of PAM, have been studied. There was an increase in photochemical oxidation rate of PAM with increasing of dosages of 03, H2O2 and ultraviolet radiation. Upon increasing of the initial PAM concentration, the photochemical oxidation rate of PAM decreased. Slight effect of pH value on the photochemical oxidation rate of PAM was observed in the experiments. The kinetics equation for the photochemical oxidation of PAM by the system has been established.     

Oxidative stress related enzymes in response to chromium (Ⅵ) toxicity in Oxya chinensis ( Orthoptera : Acridoidae)

The toxic effects of Cr（Vl） on antioxidant enzymes of Oxya chinensis（Orthoptera： Acridoidae） were determined. Changes in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase（SOD）, catalase（CAT）, and guaiacol peroxidase（GPx） were measured in O. chinensis insects injected with Cr（VI）. Fifth-nymphs of O. chinensis insects were injected with Cr（VI） with different concentrations （0, 75, 150, 225, 300, 375, 450 mg/kg of body weight）. The results showed that Cr（VI） led to the change of SOD, CAT, and GPx activities at different concentrations, which revealed that： （1） The oxidative stress of SOD increased with the increase of Cr （VI） concentration. （2） With the increase of Cr （VI） concentrations, CAT activities for females increased at lower concentrations, but decreased at higher concentration range, which indicated that antioxidant system of O. chinensis was not influenced by the presence of Cr （VI）. A very similar response to Cr（VI） effect for males indicated that Cr（VI） concentrations were not high enough to damage O. chinensis in terms of CAT. （3） The GPx activity for females increased in all treatments, which revealed that the damage power of Cr（VI） was increased with the increase of Cr（Vi） concentrations in terms of GPx, but the effect was not so remarkable. There was not a consistent trend of GPx activities for males in all treatments of Cr（VI）. Cr（VI）-induced changes in antioxidant enzymes were different for SOD, CAT and GPx, of which the tendency was that activities generally changed with increase of concentrations of Cr（VI） suggesting SOD, CAT, and GPx could serve as indices of oxidative stress to some extent.     

Combined effect of tributyltin and benzo[a] pyrene on the levels of sex hormone and vitellogenin in female Sebastiscus marmoratus

Tributyltin（TBT）, an organometal used as an antifouling biocide, has been reported to induce masculinization of fish. Benzo [a]pyrene （BaP）, a widespread carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, has been reported that its microsomal metabolites can produce an estrogenic response when tested in vitro. This study was therefore designed to examine the potential in vivo influence of TBT, BaP and their mixture on sex hormone levels in serum of Sebastiscus marmoratus, which were given 2 separate intraperitoneally （ip） injections（a single injection every 7 d） of TBT（0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg）, BaP（0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg）, or both in combination（0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg）; control fish received olive oil vehicle only. Six days after the 2nd injection, serum samples were collected and analyzed for sex hormone levels and alkali labile protein phosphorus （ALPP）, which is related to the yolk precursor protein vitellogenin. The pollutants at all doses significantly reduced serum testosterone, estradiol and ALPP content after 2 injections compared with the corresponding controls. The reduction of the estradiol levels should be response for the decrease of the vitellogenin levels. The results in the present study suggested that aromatase seems not the major target acted by TBT and BaP in fish. This study demonstrated that TBT or BaP exposure both inhibit the reproductive potential in female Sebastiscus marmoratus. Combined effect of TBT and BaP on the serum testosterone, estradiol and ALPP was not antagonism from the anticipation.     

生活垃圾焚烧飞灰中的二英分布及指示异构体的识别

对我国4座生活垃圾焚烧炉飞灰样品中的二英分析结果表明,二英的毒性当量范围为0.34～3.80 ng/g.二英异构体的分布具有相似性,其中1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD和2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF共占毒性当量的33.6%～40.5%.结合对某生活垃圾焚烧炉长期监测结果,同一焚烧炉不同时期飞灰样品的二英毒性当量与1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD和2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF贡献值具有很好的线性相关性（r分别为0.996 3和0.997 4）,1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD和2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF可作为指示异构体用于焚烧飞灰中二英毒性的快速测定,尤其适用于同一焚烧炉的长期监测,指示因子分别为4.466?4和3.164?6;不同焚烧炉飞灰的二英毒性当量与2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF有很好的线性相关性（r=0.984?9）,2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF可作为不同焚烧炉飞灰中二英检测的指示异构体,指示因子为3.419 4.     

Determination of estrogenic activity in the river Chienti (Marche Region, Italy) by using in vivo and in vitro bioassays

Environmental estrogen-like compounds (i.e. xenoestrogens) are a variety of pollutants, ranging from synthetic to natural occurring molecules, that are found in surface and waste waters over a wide range of concentrations. In aquatic environment, the overall estrogenic activity is often due to the presence of a mixture of chemicals and their degraded products which can induce synergistic effects. Current strategies for monitoring estrogen-like chemicals are based on the use of a battery of in vivo and in vitro ecotoxicological tests. In this regard, the aim of the present work was to carry out a bio-monitoring study for testing estrogenicity of the Chienti river (Marche Region, Italy) by using both an E-screen and a vitellogenin (Vtg) induction assay in juvenile goldfish. Three sites were used for analysis, localized at the mouth (sampling point 1), in the middle (sampling point 2) and at the origin (sampling point 3) of Chienti river. For most of the water samples (i.e. samples collected at sampling points 2 and 3), clear estrogenic activity was detected in the E-screen assay suggesting different proliferation activities in function of the collecting site. In contrast, the Vtg ELISA demonstrated that water samples collected from each sampling point were estrogenic. Overall, we showed for the first time that the estrogenic activities in water samples from the Chienti river were significant in both in vivo and in vitro; we also observed a different sensitivity between bioassays.     

乙炔基雌二醇对真鲷幼鱼的雌激素效应研究

采用静态暴露方式研究17α-乙炔基雌二醇(EE_2)对真鲷(Pagrosomus major)幼鱼的雌激素效应.当真鲷幼鱼暴露于0.01、0.1、0.5 μg/L EE_2,42 d后,真鲷幼鱼的肥满度极显著下降;血浆中卵黄蛋白原(Vtg)被诱导产生,肝胰脏指数(HSI)和血浆蛋白总量极显著升高;血浆雌二醇(E_2)和睾酮(T)水平显著降低,其中血浆雌二醇受EE_2的干扰更显著,降低的幅度更大.结果提示,真鲷幼鱼的肥满度、肝胰脏指数、血浆蛋白总量、血浆性激素水平等可作为评估EE_2等环境内分泌干扰物毒性效应的生物指标;真鲷幼鱼血浆中的Vtg具有作为生物标志物,用于监测海洋水体中EE_2等环境内分泌干扰物的潜力.     

上海市大气颗粒物生物毒性及二噁英呼吸暴露风险评价

使用Vibrio fischeri发光细菌法,评价了工业区和居民区大气颗粒物悬浮液的细菌毒性,并对颗粒物暴露后的老鼠毒性效应进行了分析和讨论;应用HRGC-HRMS研究了工业区大气中二噁英浓度水平及组分特征,并在此基础上开展了二噁英呼吸暴露风险评价.结果显示：工业区大气颗粒物的细菌毒性要明显高于居民区,表明急性毒性结果与局地污染排放密切相关;不同粒径分布的大气颗粒物细菌毒性结果产生显著差异,证明毒性成分主要吸附在较细粒径的颗粒物上.强有力的证据表明,颗粒物暴露后的肺组织病理损伤与氧化性自由基过量产生有关,因此与自由基相关的毒理机制可作为下一步深入研究的路径.4个采样点主动采样、被动采样和大气沉降样品二噁英浓度范围分别为0.034~1.29pg/m³、0.031~0.103pg/m³和0.226~4.67pg/（m²·d）,平均值分别为0.366pg/m³、0.063pg/m³和1.82pg/（m²·d）;优势组分分别为2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF、2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF、1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF和1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF,2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF、1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD、2,3,7,8-TCDD和2,3,7,8-TCDF,2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF、1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD、2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF和1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF.成人和儿童呼吸暴露量最大值分别为9.74×10^-2pg/（kg·d）和1.28×10^-1pg/（kg·d）,均低于0.4pg/（kg·d）（呼吸进入人体的每日允许摄入量）,表明暴露风险处于可接受水平.     

四种拟除虫菊酯类农药的环境雌激素活性研究

将金鱼(Carassius auratus)分别暴露于0.1mg/L甲氰菊酯、氰戊菊酯、溴氰菊酯和0.5mg/L氯氰菊酯21d后,尾静脉取血,离心分离获得血浆,利用Western-blot方法检测金鱼血浆中是否有卵黄原蛋白产生,同时测定金鱼生殖腺指数、γ-谷氨酰转移酶和乳酸脱氢酶活性.结果表明,对照组雄性金鱼血浆中未检测到卵黄原蛋白,4种拟除虫菊酯农药均能诱导雄性金鱼分泌卵黄原蛋白,而且溴氰菊酯和氯氰菊酯明显降低了雄鱼生殖腺指数,4种农药均能够明显抑制精巢γ-谷氨酰转移酶和乳酸脱氢酶活性.由此可见,4种拟除虫菊酯类农药具有潜在的环境雌激素活性和生殖毒性.     

实时定量RT-PCR方法评价壬基酚的雌激素效应

壬基酚是1种环境雌激素物质,以血清卵黄蛋白原作为生物标记物检测壬基酚的最低雌激素效应浓度高于10μg/L.利用亚成体青鱼进行不同浓度的(1、10、50、100μg/L)壬基酚暴露实验,运用实时定量RT-PCR方法,从分子水平上,对青鱼VTG-Ⅰ、VTG-Ⅱ、CHG-H和CHG-L的基因表达进行了研究,并对低浓度壬基酚的环境雌激素效应进行了分析.结果表明:1μg/L浓度的壬基酚暴露组青鱼肝脏的VTG-Ⅰ、VTG-Ⅱ、CHG-H、CHG-L基因表达均被显著诱导,说明实时定量RT-PCR能够检测1μg/L壬基酚     

壬基酚异构体的雌激素效应研究进展

壬基酚是一种内分泌干扰物,可以对人类和动物机体正常的内分泌功能产生影响。以往进行的壬基酚雌激素效应研究多以工业壬基酚为研究对象,很少以单一的壬基酚异构体作为受试化合物。而工业壬基酚是由不同异构体组成的混合物,不同结构壬基酚异构体的雌激素活性存在差异。文章综述了国内外壬基酚及异构体雌激素效应研究的现状,包括各种雌激素活性体外测定方法与结果、壬基酚异构体结构与雌激素活性的相关性等,分析了文献中不同实验条件下壬基酚雌激素活性测定结果产生差异的原因,提出了壬基酚雌激素效应研究的展望。     

南方某水厂处理工艺过程中内分泌干扰物的变化规律

对南方某水厂处理工艺过程中内分泌干扰效应进行了研究.将水源水和各处理工艺的出水用固相萃取方法富集后,按不同极性洗脱,得到从非极性到极性3个组分,对总提取物和各分级富集组分分别进行重组基因酵母检测.探讨了该水厂不同处理工艺过程中内分泌干扰物的变化规律.结果表明:水源水中该类污染物浓度最高,相当于0.25 pmol/L雌二醇当量,主要存在于非极性组分(正己烷洗脱组分)中.各处理工艺段水样都存在一定程度的内分泌干扰物效应.经处理后,非极性组分内分泌干扰物效应降低,极性组分内分泌干扰物效应逐渐增加,但总地内分泌干扰物效应逐渐递减,现有工艺对雌激素类物质有较好的去除效果,去除率达到83%.研究表明,重组基因酵母检测技术结合水样的固相萃取、三步纯化分级前处理方法可以快速、有效地筛选和定量分析水样中未知内分泌干扰物及其总体效应.