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Realistic Environmental Mixtures of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: From Their Determination to Their Mechanisms of Actions

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 11054

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Monia Perugini

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Guest Editor

Teramo University, Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, Via Renato Balzarini 1, I-64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: environmental toxicology; personal care products toxicity; fish acute toxicity tests; zebrafish; in vivo animal model; biomonitoring studies; bioindicators

Special Issue Information

This Special Issue is intended to enrich our knowledge on the effects and mechanism of actions for the analysis of mixtures of environmental pollutants. Human populations are environmentally exposed, on daily basis, to large numbers of mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Although the levels of exposure are low, the long-term effects of chemical mixtures on human health are not yet established. EDCs may mimic or interfere with physiological endocrine hormones and metabolic signaling, leading to a variety of tissue specific damage. Moreover, in utero exposures may compromise early developmental processes and predispose the fetus to adverse health risks later in life. This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health invites the submission of research papers and reviews on realistic environmental mixtures of EDCs, with a specific focus on the following topics:

Biological methods for determination of EDC mixtures from environmental samples;
Animal and human biomonitoring studies on EDC mixtures;
In vivo toxicity tests to assess the effects of EDC mixtures;
Methodologies for health risk assessment of EDC mixtures.

Prof. Dr. Monia Perugini
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

environmental mixtures
endocrine disrupting chemicals
risk assessment
bioindicators
in vivo toxicity

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 804 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oxidative Stress Parameters in Goitrogen-Exposed Crested Newt Larvae (Triturus spp.): Arrested Metamorphosis

by Jelena P. Gavrić, Svetlana G. Despotović, Branka R. Gavrilović, Tijana B. Radovanović, Tamara G. Petrović, Maja Ajduković, Tijana Vučić, Milena Cvijanović, Caterina Faggio and Marko D. Prokić

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(18), 9653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189653 - 13 Sep 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1678

Abstract

Thiourea is an established disruptor of thyroid hormone synthesis and is frequently used as an inhibitor of metamorphosis. The changes caused by thiourea can affect processes associated with the oxidative status of individuals (metabolic rate, the HPI axis, antioxidant system). We investigated the parameters of oxidative stress in crested newt (Triturus spp.) larvae during normal development in late larval stage 62 and newly metamorphosed individuals, and during thiourea-stimulated metamorphosis arrest in individuals exposed to low (0.05%) and high (0.1%) concentrations of thiourea. Both groups of crested newts exposed to thiourea retained their larval characteristics until the end of the experiment. The low activities of antioxidant enzymes and the high lipid peroxidation level pointed to increased oxidative stress in larvae at the beginning of stage 62 as compared to fully metamorphosed individuals. The activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the concentration of sulfhydryl (SH) groups were significantly lower in larvae reared in aqueous solutions containing thiourea than in newly metamorphosed individuals. The high thiourea concentration (0.1%) affected the antioxidative parameters to the extent that oxidative damage could not be avoided, contrary to a lower concentration. Our results provide a first insight into the physiological adaptations of crested newts during normal development and simulated metamorphosis arrest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Realistic Environmental Mixtures of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: From Their Determination to Their Mechanisms of Actions)

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12 pages, 1137 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring of Environmental Hg Occurrence in Tunisian Coastal Areas

by Amel Jebara, Vincenzo Lo Turco, Caterina Faggio, Patrizia Licata, Vincenzo Nava, Angela Giorgia Potortì, Rosalia Crupi, Hedi Ben Mansour and Giuseppa Di Bella

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(10), 5202; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105202 - 13 May 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 1863

Abstract

Total mercury (Hg) was determined in 450 environmental samples (seawater, sediment plant and fish) from five Mahdia coastal areas (Tunisia). Tolerable Weekly Intake% (TWI) values, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), were calculated based on the average metal concentration in fish and the average weekly fish consumption rate. Hg was accumulated mainly in fish and in Posidonia oceanica leaves. Hg in sediment ranged from 1.88 μg/kg dry weight (d.w.) to 7.48 μg/kg d.w., while it was between 0.32 μg/kg and 0.19 μg/kg in seawaters. Our study showed high concentration in Posidonia oceanica in S3 (plant = 16.76 ± 4.48 μg/kg d.w.) as compared to those in S4 sites (plant = 5.33 ± 0.05 μg/kg d.w.). Concentrations for S. aurata and S. salpa in the Rejiche area exceeded the EC 1881/2006 legislation with values of 1.9 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively, and consumers may be exposed to high concentrations of Hg that exceeds the EFSA. The results showed that the fish species should be constantly monitored due to their TWI% of 154.5% for S. aurata and 209.8% S. salpa respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Realistic Environmental Mixtures of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: From Their Determination to Their Mechanisms of Actions)

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9 pages, 3718 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Experimental Approach to Study the Effects of Realistic Environmental Mixture of Linuron and Propamocarb on Zebrafish Synaptogenesis

by Giulia Caioni, Carmine Merola, Monia Perugini, Michele d’Angelo, Anna Maria Cimini, Michele Amorena and Elisabetta Benedetti

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(9), 4664; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094664 - 27 Apr 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2295

Abstract

The reasons behind the extensive use of pesticides include the need to destroy vector organisms and promote agricultural production in order to sustain population growth. Exposure to pesticides is principally occupational, even if their persistence in soil, surface water and food brings the risk closer to the general population, hence the demand for risk assessment, since these compounds exist not only as individual chemicals but also in form of mixtures. In light of this, zebrafish represents a suitable model for the evaluation of toxicological effects. Here, zebrafish embryos were exposed for 96 h post fertilization (hpf) to sublethal concentrations (350 µg/L) of linuron and propamocarb, used separately and then combined in a single solution. We investigated the effects on morphological traits and the expression of genes known to be implicated in synaptogenesis (neurexin1a and neuroligin3b). We observed alterations in some phenotypic parameters, such as head width and interocular distance, that showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) for the mixture treatment. After individual exposure, the analysis of gene expression showed an imbalance at the synaptic level, which was partially recovered by the simultaneous administration of linuron and propamocarb. This preliminary study demonstrates that the combined substances were responsible for some unpredictable effects, diverging from the effect observed after single exposure. Thus, it is clear that risk assessment should be performed not only on single pesticides but also on their mixtures, the toxicological dynamics of which can be totally unpredictable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Realistic Environmental Mixtures of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: From Their Determination to Their Mechanisms of Actions)

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17 pages, 3330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toxicological Assessment of Oral Co-Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) in Juvenile Rats at Environmentally Relevant Dose Levels: Evaluation of the Synergic, Additive or Antagonistic Effects

by Roberta Tassinari, Sabrina Tait, Luca Busani, Andrea Martinelli, Mauro Valeri, Amalia Gastaldelli, Annalisa Deodati, Cinzia La Rocca, Francesca Maranghi and the LIFE PERSUADED Project Group

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(9), 4584; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094584 - 26 Apr 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2511

Abstract

Background: The general population (including children) is exposed to chemical mixtures. Plasticizers such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates (mainly Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-DEHP) are widespread contaminants classified as endocrine disrupters which share some toxicological profiles and coexist in food and environment. Methods: To identify hazards of DEHP and BPA mixtures, the juvenile toxicity test—where rodents are in peripubertal phase of development, resembling childhood—was selected using exposure data from biomonitoring study in children. Biological activity and potential enhanced and/or reduced toxicological effects of mixtures due to common mechanisms were studied, considering endpoints of metabolic, endocrine and reproductive systems. The degree of synergy or antagonism was evaluated by synergy score calculation, using present data and results from the single compound individually administered. Results: In metabolic system, synergic interaction predominates in female and additive in male rats; in the reproductive and endocrine systems, the co-exposure of BPA and DEHP showed interactions mainly of antagonism type. Conclusions: The present approach allows to evaluate, for all the endpoints considered, the type of interaction between contaminants relevant for human health. Although the mode of action and biological activities of the mixtures are not completely addressed, it can be of paramount usefulness to support a more reliable risk assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Realistic Environmental Mixtures of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: From Their Determination to Their Mechanisms of Actions)

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Review

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25 pages, 2756 KiB

Open AccessReview

Organic Pollutants Associated with Plastic Debris in Marine Environment: A Systematic Review of Analytical Methods, Occurrence, and Characteristics

by Hongrui Zhao, Ileana Federigi, Marco Verani and Annalaura Carducci

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4892; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064892 - 10 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1535

Abstract

Plastic pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems, and microplastics (MPs, particles < 5 mm size) may behave as a vehicle of organic pollutants, causing detrimental effects to the environment. Studies on MP-sorbed organic pollutants lack methodological standardization, resulting in a low comparability and replicability. In this work, we reviewed 40 field studies of MP-sorbed organic contaminants using PRISMA guidelines for acquiring information on sampling and analytical protocols. The papers were also scored for their reliability on the basis of 7 criteria, from 0 (minimum) to 21 (maximum). Our results showed a great heterogeneity of the methods used for the sample collection, MPs extraction, and instruments for chemicals’ identification. Measures for cross-contamination control during MPs analysis were strictly applied only in 13% of the studies, indicating a need for quality control in MPs-related research. The most frequently detected MP-sorbed chemicals were polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Most of the studies showed a good reliability (>75% of the total score), with 32 papers scoring 16 or higher. On the basis of the collected information, a standardizable protocol for the detection of MPs and MP-sorbed chemicals has been suggested for improving the reliability of MPs monitoring studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Realistic Environmental Mixtures of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: From Their Determination to Their Mechanisms of Actions)

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