A review of dietary and non-dietary exposure to bisphenol-A.

in Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (2012), 50(10), 3725-40

Due to the large number of applications of bisphenol-A (BPA), the human exposure routes are multiple. We aimed to review shortly the food and non-food sources of BPA, and to evaluate their contribution to ... [more ▼]

Due to the large number of applications of bisphenol-A (BPA), the human exposure routes are multiple. We aimed to review shortly the food and non-food sources of BPA, and to evaluate their contribution to the human exposure. Food sources discussed here include epoxy resins, polycarbonate and other applications, such as paperboard and polyvinylchloride materials. Among the non-food sources, exposures through dust, thermal paper, dental materials, and medical devices were summarized. Based on the available data for these exposure sources, it was concluded that the exposure to BPA from non-food sources is generally lower than that from exposure from food by at least one order of magnitude for most studied subgroups. The use of urinary concentrations from biomonitoring studies was evaluated and the back-calculation of BPA intake seems reliable for the overall exposure assessment. In general, the total exposure to BPA is several orders of magnitude lower than the current tolerable daily intake of 50 mug/kg bw/day. Finally, the paper concludes with some critical remarks and recommendations on future human exposure studies to BPA. [less ▲]

Computational toxicology: Physiologically based pharmacokinetic models (PBPK) for lifetime exposure and bioaccumulation of polybrominated dephenyl ethers (PBDEs) in marine mammals

in Environmental Pollution (2012)

Due to migration of harbour porpoises towards more polluted areas like the North Sea and their sensitivity towards pollution, there is a need for proper conservation measures for this species. As a ... [more ▼]

Due to migration of harbour porpoises towards more polluted areas like the North Sea and their sensitivity towards pollution, there is a need for proper conservation measures for this species. As a consequence, knowledge about the pollutant’s kinetics is required. The present study is the first to investigate the kinetics of PBDEs in marine mammals using PBPK modeling as a non-destructive tool for describing the chemical’s kinetics in a protected animal species. The models were developed and parameterized using data from the literature and Black Sea harbour porpoises through computer opti- mization. The predictability of these models in time was assessed by reverse dosimetry modeling using data from North Sea porpoises (1990e2008). From these predictions, PBDE 99 levels were found to decrease the fastest, followed by PBDE 153, 47 and 100. Results show that the PBPK models can be applied for harbour porpoises from different regions and also simulate time trends. [less ▲]

Do persistent organic pollutants represent a threat to marine turtles, Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricata, nesting in Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles)?

in Organohalogen Compounds (2011, August)

Thyroid endocrine disruption in situ and in vivo experiments reveals compensatory mechanisms

Conference (2011, May)

We compared effects of in situ and in vivo exposure of EDC on teleost thyroid system in order to get a complete picture of the putative interactions. A 120-day experimental exposure was designed in ... [more ▼]

We compared effects of in situ and in vivo exposure of EDC on teleost thyroid system in order to get a complete picture of the putative interactions. A 120-day experimental exposure was designed in combination to in situ measurements of persistent organic pollutants in 87 wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) form European estuaries. Seventy-five individuals were exposed to doses of PCB (0.3 to 1.0 µg Σ7PCBs per g food pellets) that reflects the persistent organic pollution to which the European sea bass population could conceivably be exposed. We applied a series of recommended measurement endpoints in these studies. The centrally controlled thyroidal secretion of T4 was monitored adequately from the muscular T4 levels and from thyroid histological appearance. Muscular T3 levels and enzymatic deiodinase and sulfatase activities in liver were measured. Observations made in experimental exposure to environmental relevant doses of PCB were consistent with those made in our field study. In both studies the muscular T4 levels were unaffected and no multivariate relationship with contaminant exposure could be revealed. Measurements of follicular diameter and epithelial cell heights showed no significant differences. Our findings revealed an increase of the hepatic T4ORD activity by higher chlorinated PCB congeners and DDTs. In both studies, we observed a general decrease the thyroid hormone conjugation by sulfatases that increases their solubility and facilitates their excretion. The muscular T3 levels were well preserved. These changes likely represent compensatory responses to disrupting effects that might otherwise have depressed T3 levels. This approach permitted us to interpret the causes and implications of alterations of the teleost thyroid system. [less ▲]

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF BLOOD CONTAMINANTS ON IMMUNE RESPONSES IN HARBOUR SEALS (PHOCA VITULINA)

in Organohalogen Compounds (2011), 73

Thyroid dysfunction in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): Underlying mechanisms and effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on thyroid hormone physiology and metabolism

in Aquatic Toxicology (2011), 105

The current study examines the effect of subchronic exposure to a mixture of Aroclor standards on thyroid hormone physiology and metabolism in juvenile sea bass. The contaminant mixture was formulated to ... [more ▼]

The current study examines the effect of subchronic exposure to a mixture of Aroclor standards on thyroid hormone physiology and metabolism in juvenile sea bass. The contaminant mixture was formulated to reflect the persistent organic pollution to which the European sea bass population could conceivably be exposed (0.3, 0.6 and 1.0 g 7PCBs per g food pellets) and higher (10 g 7PCBs per g food pellets). After 120 days of exposure, histomorphometry of thyroid tissue, muscular thyroid hormone concentration and activity of enzymes involved in metabolism of thyroid hormones were assessed. Mean concentrations of 8, 86, 142, 214 and 2279 ng g−1 ww ( 7 ICES PCB congeners) were determined after 120 days exposure. The results show that the effects of PCB exposures on the thyroid system are dose-dependent. Exposure to environmentally relevant doses of PCB (0.3–1.0 g 7PCBs per g food pellets) induced a larger variability of the follicle diameter and stimulated hepatic T4 outer ring deiodinase. Muscular thyroid hormone levels were preserved thanks to the PCB induced changes in T4 dynamics. At 10 times higher concentrations (10 g 7PCBs per g food pellets) an important depression of T3 and T4 levels could be observed which are apparently caused by degenerative histological changes in the thyroid tissue. [less ▲]

A non-invasive approach to study lifetime exposure and bioaccumulation of PCBs in protected marine mammals: PBPK modeling in harbor porpoises

in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (2011), In Press, Corrected Proof

In the last decade, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models have increasingly been developed to explain the kinetics of environmental pollutants in wildlife. For marine mammals specifically ... [more ▼]

In the last decade, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models have increasingly been developed to explain the kinetics of environmental pollutants in wildlife. For marine mammals specifically, these models provide a new, non-destructive tool that enables the integration of biomonitoring activities and in vitro studies. The goals of the present study were firstly to develop PBPK models for several environmental relevant PCB congeners in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), a species that is sensitive to pollution because of its limited metabolic capacity for pollutant transformation. These models were tested using tissue data of porpoises from the Black Sea. Secondly, the predictive power of the models was investigated for time trends in the PCB concentrations in North Sea harbor porpoises between 1990 and 2008. Thirdly, attempts were made to assess metabolic capacities of harbor porpoises for the investigated PCBs. In general, results show that parameter values from other species (rodents, humans) are not always suitable in marine mammal models, most probably due to differences in physiology and exposure. The PCB 149 levels decrease the fastest in male harbor porpoises from the North Sea in a time period of 18†years, whereas the PCB 101 levels decrease the slowest. According to the models, metabolic breakdown of PCB 118 is probably of lesser importance compared to other elimination pathways. For PCB 101 and 149 however, the presence of their metabolites can be attributed to bioaccumulation of metabolites from the prey and to metabolic breakdown of the parent compounds in the harbor porpoises. [less ▲]

Maternal transfer of PCBs, PBDEs and their hydroxylated metabolites in grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) from the Isle of May, Scotland

in Organohalogen Compounds (2011)

Persistent organic pollutants and methoxylated PBDEs in harbour porpoises from the North Sea from 1990 until 2008. Young wildlife at risk?

in Science of the Total Environment (2010), 409

n the European North Sea, harbour porpoises are top predators with relatively long life spans and a limited capacity for metabolic biotransformation of contaminants compared to some other marine mammal ... [more ▼]

n the European North Sea, harbour porpoises are top predators with relatively long life spans and a limited capacity for metabolic biotransformation of contaminants compared to some other marine mammal species. As such, they are exposed to a mixture of persistent pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), DDT and metabolites (DDXs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and chlordanes (CHLs) that bioaccumulate in their tissues. We report here on the levels of persistent organic pollutants and of the naturally-produced methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs) in blubber, liver and kidney of harbour porpoise neonates (n = 3), calves (n = 15), juveniles (n = 6) and adults (n = 4) of the southern North Sea. Concentrations of almost all contaminant classes decrease slightly in all age groups over the period 1990–2008. For some classes (e.g. PCBs and DDXs) however, levels seem to increase little in harbour porpoise calves. In all animals, blubber had the highest concentrations, followed by liver and kidney, whereas liver and kidney were the preferred tissues for several compounds, such as octa- and deca-PCBs. Our data suggest that harbour porpoises calves are exposed to higher or comparable concentrations of POPs and of MeO-PBDEs and somewhat different patterns of selected POPs than adults, potentially placing them, and the entire population, at a disproportionate risk for exposure-related health effects. [less ▲]

Polychlorinated Biphenyls affect Histological Appearance of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Thyroids

Conference (2010)

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are well-described endocrine disrupters and of particular interest are effects on thyroid function. We propose here a thorough approach to assess effects of these compounds on ... [more ▼]

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are well-described endocrine disrupters and of particular interest are effects on thyroid function. We propose here a thorough approach to assess effects of these compounds on the thyroid function of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). An experimental exposure of sea bass to commercial PCB mixtures has been designed to understand underlying toxicity mechanisms and effects on the thyroid system. After 120 days of exposure histological appearance of thyroid tissue was assessed by light and electron microscopy. The follicle area, perimeter, diameter, length and with of every follicle cross section were interactively measured. The shape of the follicles was described with three dimensionless shape descriptors: roundness, form factor and aspect ratio. The histomorphometrical analysis showed a greater heterogeneity of thyroid follicle diameter and especially higher epithelial cell heights in sea bass exposed to environmental relevant doses of PCB (from 0.3 to 0.9 μg g-1 [7 ICES PCB]). Ultrastructural histological investigations showed that the epithelial cells surrounding the bigger follicles present an higher accumulation of colloid droplets. This was interpreted to be the result of increased stimulation of follicular cells. No differences in shape could be identified among the different treatment groups The size of the follicles and the form of the follicular cells gives an indication of the secretary activity of the gland. These observations support the hypothesis that the contamination of PCB mixtures can induce a hyperactivity of the thyroid tissue. These observations were confirmed by measurements of muscular thyroid hormone concentrations and activity thyroid hormone metabolism. [less ▲]