A model for estimating the potential biomagnification of chemicals in a generic food web: Preliminary development

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of organic pollutants have been increasingly assessed and modeled during the last years. Due to the complexity of these processes and the large variability of food webs, setting generic assessments for these parameters is really difficult. Equilibrium models, based on a compound's lipophylicity, are the main tool in regulatory proposals, such as for identifying Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Substances (PBTs), although a refinement has been claimed by the scientific community. Toxicokinetic studies offer an alternative for these estimations, where biomagnification is modeled as a succession of bioaccumulation processes, each one regulated by toxicokinetic parameters. METHODS: A review of kinetic models covering species belonging to different trophic levels and with different ecological behavior has been conducted. The results were employed for setting a conceptual model for estimating the biomagnification potential in a generic food web, which was mathematically implemented through system dynamic models developed under data sheet software. Crystal Ball was then employed for allowing Monte Carlo based probabilistic calculations. Bioaccumulation laboratory assays have been performed to estimate toxicokinetic parameters in mussels (Mytilus edulis) with two PAHs (chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene). The contamination was delivered via food. The exposure period lasted more than one month followed then by a depuration phase. The contaminant content was determined on an individual basis on five replicates. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:. The reviewed information suggested the development of a tiered conceptual biomagnification model, starting with a simplified food chain which can be refined to more realistic and complex models in successive levels. CONCLUSIONS: The mathematical implementation of the conceptual model offers tools for estimating the potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification of chemicals under very different conditions. The versatility of the model can be used for both comparative estimations and for validating the model. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: Since bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes are crucial elements for a proper risk assessment of chemicals, their estimation by mathematical models has been widely tested. However, inregulatory assessments, too simplistic models are still being used quite often. The biomagnification model presented in this study should be amore accurate alternative to these models. In comparison to other previously published biomagnification models, the present one covers the time variation of bioaccumulation using just a few toxicokinetic parameters.     

沉积物中2,2',4,4'-四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)在铜锈环棱螺体内的毒代动力学及其繁殖毒性

多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)是一种全球性的新型持久性有毒污染物,沉积物中高浓度的PBDEs是水生态系统的巨大风险源,2,2’,4,4’-四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)在PBDEs同系物中,目前分布最广,生物毒性最强。为评价沉积物中BDE-47向底栖动物体内转移的潜力及其对底栖动物的潜在繁殖毒性,将实验室培养的铜锈环棱螺(Bellamya aeruginosa)暴露于BDE-47加标沉积物中,研究了BDE-47在铜锈环棱螺体内的毒代动力学特性及其对铜锈环棱螺潜在繁殖力的影响。结果表明,铜锈环棱螺对沉积物中BDE-47吸收较快,代谢速度相对较慢,BDE-47在铜锈环棱螺体内具有较强的生物积累性。生物积累达理论平衡时,铜锈环棱螺体内BDE-47浓度为1440.67ng·g-1(以样品干质量计)。BDE-47在铜锈环棱螺体内的生物积累和生物净化过程较好地符合一级动力学模型,摄入速率常数、清除速率常数和生物-沉积物累积因子分别为0.10、0.038和2.75,生物半衰期为18d。铜锈环棱螺体内BDE-47达到90%稳定状态所需的理论时间约为60d。低浓度BDE-47(160ng·g-1)暴露对铜锈环棱螺的潜在繁殖力没有影响,但当浓度≥640ng·g-1时,铜锈环棱螺的繁殖力下降50%,这表明BDE-47对铜锈环棱螺具有繁殖毒性。铜锈环棱螺可作为指示沉积物中底栖生物长期暴露于BDE-47的良好检测模型。     

Determination of andrographolide sodium bisulfite in renal microdialysis fluid of rats and toxicokinetic study

Abstract

Andrographolide sodium bisulfite (ASB) widely used for intestinal infections and respiratory tract infections. It has been reported to frequently cause acute renal failure in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nephrotoxicity and toxicokinetics in Sprague-Dawley rats after a single-dose injection of ASB administered at 100, 600, and 1000?mg/kg via intravenous tail injections. The concentrations in plasma and kidney microdialysates were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in plasma were determined and toxicokinetic parameters were observed. In plasma and kidney, the elimination constant and clearance were decreased and the half-time was increased with increasing dose. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were positively correlated with ASB concentration indicating the potential for accumulation in kidney that can eventually lead to damage.