A study of biochemical parameters among individuals residing in a fluoride endemic area in India

Fluoride (Fl) exerts an inhibitory effect on many metabolic enzymes of various tissues. A study was carried out among individuals residing in a Fl-affected area in India. The biochemical parameters including serum enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and serum creatinine (CRTN) were estimated in 259 subjects compared to 233 controls. The results showed that among the Fl-exposed population, ALKP and SGPT were significantly increased compared to control. The CRTN levels were also significantly increased compared to the control subjects. LDH levels were not markedly altered. Data suggest that Fl exposure affects renal and hepatic functions in endemic areas of India.     

Effects of bisphenol A on Gammarus fossarum and Lumbriculus variegatus in artificial indoor streams

The impact of bisphenol A (BPA) on Gammarus fossarum and Lumbriculus variegatus was studied in four artificial indoor streams (0, 5, 50 and 500?µg?L^?1 BPA, nominal) over 103 days in a pulse–dose exposure scenario (weekly BPA application). For G. fossarum populations at day 103, the proportions of juveniles and of breeding females from the highest BPA treatment were in tendency reduced. For individually exposed gammarid pairs an EC₁₀ of 17?µg?L^?1 BPA (nominal) for the proportion of reproductive females in the fourth brood was determined. During the first three broods, the largest brood size occurred at the highest BPA concentration, whereas in the fourth brood it decreased concentration-dependently (fourth brood EC₁₀?=?5?µg?L^?1 BPA, nominal). Effects on L. variegatus were a reduced population growth (103?d-EC₁₀ of 2?µg?L^?1 BPA, nominal) and an increase in dry weight and the number of segments in large, complete worms.     

The correlation of total and extractable heavy metals from soil and domestic sewage sludge and their transfer to maize ( Zea mays L.) plants

A study to understand the mobility and transport of heavy metals (HMs) from soil and soil amended with sewage sludge to maize plants was carried out. The total and ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA)-extractable HMs in agricultural soil and untreated domestic sewage sludge samples, and the correlation between the total and extractable metals in soil and sewage sludge were carried out. Pot experiments were performed to study the transfer of HMs to maize grains, grown in soil (control) and in soil amended with sewage sludge (test samples). The total and extractable HMs in soil, sewage sludge, and maize grains were analysed by FAAS/ETAAS (flame atomic absorption spectrometer/electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer) after digestion in microwave oven. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between the total contents of Cu, Cd, As and their respective extractable fractions in soil, while in domestic wastewater sludge (DWS) the better correlation was observed only for Ni and Cd. The edible part of maize plants (grains) from test samples presented high concentration of Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cu, As, and Cr concentrations (80.7–85.6, 3.8–3.95, 2.35–2.5, 0.75–0.82, 3.21–3.29, 0.23–0.27, and 0.22–0.29?mg?kg^?1, respectively). Good correlations were found between metals in exchangeable fractions of both soil and DWS and total metals in control and test samples of maize grains. The transfer factor of all HMs from DWS to maize grains was also determined.     

Toxicity of cadmium to the green alga Parachlorella kessleri: Producing Cd-loaded algae for feeding experiments

The effects of Cd at environmental concentrations (0–32 µg/L) on the green alga Parachlorella kessleri were investigated. At about 3 µg Cd/L, toxic effects of Cd are becoming evident, much lower than reported previously. At 8 µg/L and higher, pronounced adverse effects on growth, cell morphology, size, and physiological state are seen. Therefore, levels lower than 2 µg Cd/L should be employed to produce Cd-carrying algae for feeding experiments with organisms on the next trophic level, e.g. mussels, to avoid reduced food uptake. These findings also suggest that aquatic ecosystem conditions can be indirectly influenced via the impairment of the nutritional value of algae since they are the basic organisms of aquatic food chains.     

Toxicological effects of mouse diet contaminated with tributyltin on the immune and neurological systems of C57BL/6 mice

Organotin compounds, widely used as antifouling agents, are known to bioaccumulate in the food chain. Among organotin compounds, tributyltin (TBT), a toxic and widespread contaminant, has become a serious factor in environmental pollution and is suspected of being immunotoxic in animals. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 80 µg of TBT per kilogram of body weight (kg bw), provided in food, on the immune and neurological systems of C57Bl/6 mice. Data showed that TBT increased the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes in both adult and juvenile female and juvenile male mice, but that it decreased the proliferation of both T and B lymphocytes in adult male mice. The macrophages activity in female and male juvenile mice was higher than in adults of both sexes. The natural killer cytotoxic activity was also increased in juvenile and adult males and females compared to the control groups. In the brain, we observed the presence of TBT in the hippocampus, the striatum, the cortex, and the cerebellum in both the male and female groups. The highest levels were observed in the cortex of females and males, while the lowest levels were found in the cerebellum. TBT also induced an increase in the levels of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in the striatum, the hippocampus and in cortical structures but not in the cerebellum where the levels of TBT are lower. Our findings indicate that TBT modulated the immune and nervous systems causing endocrine and nervous perturbations.     

Absence of metallothionein 3 expression in breast cancer is a rare but favorable marker that is under epigenetic control

Cadmium (Cd²⁺), a known carcinogen, mimics the effects of estrogen in the uterus and mammary gland suggesting its possible involvement in the development and progression of breast cancer. This lab showed through analysis of a small set of archival human diagnostic specimens that the third isoform of the classic Cd²⁺ binding protein metallothionein (MT-3) is not expressed in normal breast tissue, but is expressed in some breast cancers and that expression tends to correlate with a poor disease outcome. The goals of this study were to verify that overexpression of MT-3 in a large set of archival human diagnostic specimens tends to correlate with poor disease outcome and define the mechanism of MT-3 gene regulation in the normal breast epithelial cell. The results showed that MT-3 was expressed in approximately 90% of all breast cancers and was absent in normal breast epithelium. The lack of MT-3 staining in some cancers correlated with a favorable patient outcome. High frequency of MT-3 staining was also found for in situ breast cancer suggesting that MT-3 might be an early biomarker for breast cancer. The study also demonstrated that the MCF-10A cell line, an immortalized, non-tumorigenic model of human breast epithelial cells, displayed no basal expression of MT-3, nor was it induced by Cd²⁺. Treatment of the MCF-10A cells with the demethylation agent, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, or the histone deacetylase inhibitor, MS-275, restored MT-3 mRNA expression. It was also shown that the MT-3 metal regulatory elements are potentially active binders of protein factors following treatment with these inhibitors suggesting that MT-3 expression may be subject to epigenetic regulation.     

Effects of benzo(a)pyrene on blood components,tumor markers,and oxidative status in mice

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of long-term exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in mice. Hemogram, tumor markers, oxidative status, and B(a)P residues in liver tissue were evaluated. Sixty albino Swiss mice were randomly distributed equally into three groups; the control was given 0.1?mL corn oil once a week for 8 weeks. The other two groups were given 20 and 40?mg B(a)P per kg body weight once a week orally for the same period. B(a)P-treated mice suffered from depression and ascites, and macrocytic normochromic anemia was recorded at the 16th and 30th week. There was marked leukocytosis with lymphocytosis at the early stage of the experiment, followed by leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia at the end of the experiment. Monocytes and arginase activity were elevated throughout the experiment. Alpha feto-protein was detected only in the experimental groups in the 30th week of the experiment. A marked increase in lipid peroxides associated with a decrease in reduced glutathione and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was observed in liver homogenate of the B(a)P-exposed animals. Residues of B(a)P were detected in liver tissue with a concentration parallel to the B(a)P dose level. In conclusion, B(a)P caused abnormal changes in the hemogram, evidence of tumor formation through B(a)P-induced oxidative stress, and it was accumulated in the liver tissue of mice.     

Indoor and outdoor air pollution and lung cancer in New Hampshire and Vermont

Indoor and outdoor air pollution is known to contribute to increased lung cancer incidence. This study is the first to address the contribution of home heating fuel and geographical course particulate matter (PM₁₀) concentrations to lung cancer rates in New Hampshire, USA. First, Pearson correlation analysis and geographically weighted regression were used to investigate spatial relationships between outdoor PM₁₀ and lung cancer rates. While the aforementioned analyses did not indicate a significant contribution of PM₁₀ to lung cancer in the state, there was a trend towards a significant association in the northern and southwestern regions of the state. Second, case-control data were used to estimate the contributions of indoor pollution and secondhand smoke to the risk of lung cancer with adjustment for confounders. Increased risk was found among those who used wood or coal to heat their homes for more than 10 winters before the age of 18, with a significant increase in risk per winter. Resulting data suggest that further investigation of the relationship between heating-related air pollution levels and lung cancer risk is needed.     

Spore inhibition-based enzyme substrate assay for monitoring of aflatoxin M1 in milk

A spore germination-based concept and its transformation into a field level prototype for monitoring aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in milk was developed. Initially, 15 strains of Bacillus spp. procured from different culture collection were screened for AFM₁ sensitivity using spot assay and marker strain showing inhibition at 0.5 ppb was selected based upon maximum zone of inhibition. The selected strain B. megaterium 2949 was further screened for different enzymes activities and subsequently its spores were produced to an extent of 73.13% ± 3.197% in newly developed sporulation medium containing beef extract (0.0075% ± 0.0004%), yeast extract (0.015% ± 0.001%), peptone (0.0375% ± 0.0016%), and sodium chloride (0.0375% ± 0.0018%). A spore germination-based concept/ assay was optimized by immobilizing spores in eppendorf with pretreated milk (80°C/15 min) containing germinant and chromogenic substrate followed by incubation at 37°C. The appearance of sky blue color within real time of 45 min indicated spores germination and release of specific marker enzyme such as acetyl esterase and its specific action on chromogenic substrate which demonstrates absence of AFM₁ in milk. However, if there was no color change, presence of AFM₁ at 0.5 ppb MRL was denoted by Codex. The developed concept on AFM₁ detection was validated and a correlation of 0.97 was established with AOAC approved Charm 6602 and ELISA at Codex MRL with minimal false positive and negative results. The cost effective test has potential application in dairy farms, manufacturing, and R&D units for routine monitoring of AFM₁ in milk.