Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences

Yang, Jun; Kim, Hyun; Koo, Bon; Lee, Cheol; Jung, Jong-Hyeon; Seo, Young

doi: 10.1007/s13530-018-0350-8pmid: N/A

Evolution of industrial technologies is accelerating the usage of diverse chemicals in manufacturing processes and improving the risk of leakage by chemical accidents. Many institutes and organizations have pursued the prevention proper response against chemical accidents. Human health risk assessment aims to evaluate of the nature and probability of adverse health effects in humans who may be exposed to hazards in a contaminated environmental media. However, the risk assessment in chemical accidents has limitations caused by physical complications during the accident, difficulty in predicting the environmental fate of the target chemical, consideration of geometry in modeling program, and other factors. In this review, we suggest a toxicogenomic approach to overcome these aforementioned weak points in human health risk assessment in chemical accidents. The approach is explained using some toxic chemicals that indicate high accident rates. Even though this toxicogeomic database approach needs further validation studies as well as data quality assessment before being applied to actual risk assessments, our suggestions provide important clues for improving quality and accuracy of the existing human health risk assessment process, especially in cases of chemical accidents that need appropriate a response or prediction.

Emamverdian, Abolghassem;Ding, Yulong;Xie, Yinfeng

doi: 10.1007/s13530-018-0351-7pmid: N/A

Abstract Objective Silicon, an abundant element in the earth’s crust, is a known factor in reducing the toxicity of plants. The effects of silicon were investigated to the amelioration of Zinc (Zn) toxicity on antioxidant enzyme activities (Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Glutathione Reductase (GR)), Hydrogen peroxide concentrations (H2O2), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and soluble protein (SP) in one bamboo species (Arundinaria pygmaea). Methods This study was conducted in vitro condition to determine the effects of four Zn concentrations (100, 300, 500, and 1000 µmol/L) at two different concentrations of silicon (Si) (0 and 100 µmol/L) on a single bamboo species (Arundinaria pygmaea). Results The results indicated that Si can stimulate the plant defense mechanism and ameliorate heavy metal stress caused by Zn concentrations, which can increase antioxidant enzyme and non-enzyme activity and decrease damaging effects caused by free radicals, H2O2, and soluble protein in this bamboo species. Conclusion Furthermore, the results indicated that the combination of 100/300 µmol/L had a considerable impact on the reduction of Zn toxicity.

Yadav, Rakhee;Agrawal, Ashish K.;Ali, Manjoor;Kumar, Amit;Singh, Balwant;Kashyap, Yogesh;Sinha, Amar;Gadkari, S. C.;Pandey, Badri N.

doi: 10.1007/s13530-018-0352-6pmid: N/A

Abstract Objective Present study is aimed to investigate the anatomical and histopathological changes in liver tissues of Swiss albino male mice, one month after intravenous administration of thorium (232Th; 4 and 40 mg/kg). Methods Synchrotron X-ray micro-CT imaging, CD31 immuno-cytochemistry, hematoxylin & eosin staining and Periodic acid-Schiff staining were performed to study changes in liver anatomy, blood vessels/capillaries, histology and glycogen content of liver, respectively. Results Synchrotron X-ray micro-CT imaging of liver showed loss of blood vessels in mice treated with thorium (4 mg/kg), which was more prominent at higher dose of thorium (40 mg/kg). These thorium-induced changes in liver were correlated with the decrease in CD31 positive cells and loss of tissue architecture. A dose-dependent increase in glycogen content was also observed in the liver of thorium-treated mice. Conclusion Our results provide novel insight about the effects of thorium on liver, which may have significant implications in understanding the mechanism of thorium thorium-induced hepatotoxicity.

Lim, Jong-Min;Song, Chang-Hyun;Park, Su-Jin;Park, Dong-Chan;Jung, Go-Woon;Cho, Hyung-Rae;Ku, Sae Kwang;Choi, Jae-Suk

doi: 10.1007/s13530-018-0353-5pmid: N/A

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to observe the possible laxative effects of a triple-fermented barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) extract (FBe) obtained by saccharification and by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Weissella cibaria in normal rats. Methods Forty rats (8 rats in five groups) were selected and used after 10 d of acclimatization. FBe at concentrations of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg was orally administered once a day for 15 d, and the changes in fecal parameters, gastrointestinal transit ratio, fecal mucus content, and colonic mucosa histology, were observed in normal rats. The laxative effects of FBe were compared against those of sodium picosulfate. Results By assessing the key parameters for laxative effects in rats, the present study demonstrated that oral administration of 200 and 300 mg/kg FBe showed favorable laxative effects, mediated by increases in gastrointestinal motility. However, restricted effects were observed when using 100 mg/kg FBe, at least under the experimental conditions presented here. Conclusion Based on these results, we conclude that FBe is promising as a new potent laxative agent or as an ingredient in functional foods, with low toxicity at a dose level of 200 mg/kg in normal rats.

Noh, Ji-Woong;Yang, Seung-Min;Park, Jaehong;Kim, Junghwan

doi: 10.1007/s13530-018-0354-4pmid: N/A

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to establish a correlation between the physical compositions of stroke patients and their activities of daily living. Methods The participants in this study included 33 hemiplegic stroke patients. The physical composition measurements included fat-free mass, body fat mass, percentage of body fat, and the segmental muscle mass of the participants. The difference in muscle mass between the paralyzed and non-paralyzed sides of the body was calculated through the analysis in stroke. The activities of daily living were evaluated by scoring the respondents’ basic activities of daily living using the modified Barthel index (MBI) scale. Results The correlation between the MBI score and the muscle mass of both limbs was not significant. Although not statistically significant, the MBI score and body fat percentage showed a slight negative correlation. Conclusion The conclusion of this study is that the relationship between the physical composition of stroke patients and activities of daily living cannot be clearly defined.

Mohsenzadeh, Fariba

doi: 10.1007/s13530-018-0355-3pmid: N/A

Abstract Objective Benzo[a]pyrene, belonging to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is one of the most important industrial pollutants. This research was aimed to evaluate some fungal strains, with petroleum removing potency, for degradation of BaP from BaP-polluted media and also evaluation of Enzyme activity and protein content in the fungi growing in BaP-polluted media. Methods In a field study seven fungal specie were isolated from Tehran oil refinery and cultured in potato dextrose agar (PDA) media containing 30, 60 and 90 (mg/kg) BaP for adaptation of the fungal strains. Removing of BaP was measured after 45 days growth of the fungal colonies under different concentrations of BaP pollution in PDA media and soil. Peroxidase and catalase activity, and protein content were compared in the fungi growing in BaP-polluted media and control ones. Results The results showed that all the isolated fungi were able to growth in the BaP containing media and could remove BaP from the media. The highest removal efficiency was determined for Fusarium acuminatum (93%). Similar data obtained when the fungus used for bioremediation of BaP-polluted soil (91%). Total protein content and enzymatic activity (Peroxidase and Catalase) were increased with increasing of BaP pollution. The highest catalase activity was measured in F. acuminatum growing in the media containing 90 mg/kg BaP (2.2×10-2 unit/mg protein) and the highest (5× 10-3 unit/mg protein) peroxidase activity for Alternaria alternata. Protein content in the fungi was increased with increasing of BaP pollution. In F. acuminatum, the lowest amount of total protein was observed in the control sample (1×10-3 mg/g FW) and the highest amount was belonging to the group treated by 90 mg/kg BaP (7.5×10-3 mg/g FW). Conclusion It concluded that F. acuminatum showed the highest catalase activity, highest total protein content and also the highest BaP removal efficiency from both BaP-polluted media and soils.

Saravanan, Manoharan;Lee, Do-Hee;Rhee, Jae-Sung

doi: 10.1007/s13530-018-0356-2pmid: N/A

Abstract Objective Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are recognized as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and environmental contaminants with their persistency, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity to organisms. Our study was aimed to measure the sublethal effects of PCBs on the survival and growth rates in a marine mysid. Methods Survival of juvenile and adult marine mysids was measured upon different concentrations of PCBs (i.e. 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 ppb) for 4 weeks. The numbers of offspring per survived individual female and their survival rate were measured. Effect of waterborne PCBs on growth was determined by measuring the total length, antennal scale, and three parameters of uropod such as exopod, endopod, and telson. Results The results showed that 0.5 and 1 ppb of PCBs induced over 50% mortality in the juvenile and adult marine mysids, respectively. Of survived mysids, the number of newly hatched juvenile was significantly decreased from females exposed to 0.1 and 0.5 ppb. The survival of newborn juveniles was also significantly decreased from females exposed to 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 ppb of PCBs. Growth parameters such as total body length, lengths of antennal scale, exopod, endopod, and telson were significantly affected in the 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 ppb of PCBs-exposed groups during 4 weeks exposure. Conclusion Our results indicate the toxic effects of waterborne PCBs on the survival and growth of juvenile and adult marine mysids with highlighting persistent effects of PCBs on second generations.

Saryono, Saryono;Sumeru, Annas;Proverawati, Atikah;Efendi, Ferry

doi: 10.1007/s13530-018-0357-1pmid: N/A

Abstract Objective Many toxic compounds in foods cause liver damage and disturbance of bodily function. Inflammation will precede liver damage as an initial response to poisoning. The inflammatory response depends heavily on the strength of the body’s immune system. Many foods, drugs, and other compounds can decrease the immune system, but few serve as immunostimulants. This study aims to prove the decreasing of carbon tetrachloride toxicity using date-seed (Phoenix dactylifera L.) steeping to improve rat immunity. Methods This was an experiment with pre- and posttest with a control group design. Wistar white rats were grouped into 6 groups, healthy control (HC), negative control (NC), positive control (PC), treatment dose 1 g/ kg (T1), treatment dose 3 g/kg (T3), and treatment dose 5 g/kg (T5). All of the groups were induced by CCL4 before treatment except the HC group. The observed data were interleukin-6 (IL-6), lymphocyte count, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Data from the groups were compared with an ANOVA test and followed by a post hoc test if a significant result was found. Results The results showed that there were significant differences between IL-6, lymphocyte count, and CRP between HC and other groups that CCL4-induced. After the delivery of date-seed steeping, levels of IL-6 and CRP decreased, and the lymphocyte count increased significantly. The group with the 5 g/kg treatment dose was the most effective group for inhibiting the increase of IL-6 and CRP, but a dose of 3 g/kg was the most effective to increase lymphocyte count. Conclusion Date-seed steeping suppresses pro-inflammation mediators; it has a potency which improves cytokine pro-inflammation by inhibiting the inflammation process. Thus, date seed can be used as a cheap source of anti-inflammation that can be considered as a health opportunity for developing countries.