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Metabolites
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The Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Neurodevelopment and Human Metabolism
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The Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Neurodevelopment and Human Metabolism

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Metabolomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 4177

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Cláudia Sirlene Oliveira

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Guest Editor
Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba 80250-060, Brazil
Interests: mercury; lead; selenium; neurodevelopment; brain; oxidative stress; bi-omarkers; antioxidant system
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Izonete Cristina Guiloski

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Guest Editor
Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba 80250-060, Brazil
Interests: pesticides; pharmaceuticals; phthalates; endocrine disruptors; environmental contaminants; neurodevelopment; metabolism; oxidative stress; biomarkers; antioxidant system

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Anthropogenic activities have been contributing to the exponential increase of pollutants released into the environment. The perinatal period represents a critical and vulnerable period for the developing brain. This way, exposure to environmental contaminants, such as metals, pesticides, phthalates, and other emerging contaminants, can affect the organism's metabolism. Developing individuals are more sensitive when challenged with xenobiotics. A particular concern is regarding the morphology and physiology of the developing brain. Alterations during neurodevelopment can compromise important functions of the individual's nervous system and cause permanent health problems, such as learning, memory, and behavioral deficits.

Studying the effects of environmental contaminants isolated or in mixtures, especially in realistic concentrations, in different models/organisms (rodents, fish, cell culture, etc.) and the effects in several pathways of organisms' development and metabolism is pivotal to understanding the effects of anthropogenic actions on human health.

In this Special Issue, papers exploring new biomarkers of exposure, new pathways affected, and biochemical and molecular alterations caused by exposure to environmental contaminants (especially pesticides and metals) are welcome.

Dr. Cláudia Sirlene de Oliveira
Dr. Izonete Cristina Guiloski
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Metabolites 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 2700 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

  • pesticides
  • metals
  • mercury
  • methylmercury
  • developing organism
  • oxidative stress

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1342 KB  
Article
Effects of Physiologically Relevant Species of Organic Mercury on Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Neural Precursor Cells
by Juliane Hostert, Nathalia Kirsten, Larissa Lührs, Ana Carolina Irioda, Izonete Cristina Guiloski, Katherine Athayde Teixeira de Carvalho and Cláudia Sirlene Oliveira
Metabolites 2025, 15(12), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15120794 - 14 Dec 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental neurotoxic agent with significant detrimental effects on human health, particularly targeting the central nervous system. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of physiologically relevant species of MeHg, specifically MeHg–cysteine and MeHg–glutathione, on mesenchymal stem cells [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental neurotoxic agent with significant detrimental effects on human health, particularly targeting the central nervous system. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of physiologically relevant species of MeHg, specifically MeHg–cysteine and MeHg–glutathione, on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural precursor cells (NPCs). Methods: The NPCs were differentiated from the MSCs after being seeded on a natural functional biopolymer matrix. The cells were exposed to 0, 0.01, 0.5, 1.5, and 2.0 µM MeHgCl or its physiologically relevant species. Biochemical markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH), were analyzed. Results: MeHgCl and its physiological species did not affect MSC viability. However, 1.5 and 2.0 µM MeHgCl caused a significant reduction (~25%) in NPC viability. SOD activity and GSH levels were not significantly altered in either MSCs or NPCs. In contrast, MeHg–glutathione (2.0 µM) significantly decreased GPx activity in both MSCs (~62%) and NPCs (~78%). GST activity remained unchanged in MSCs, but NPCs showed a significant decrease (~50%) after exposure to 1.5 and 2.0 µM MeHg–glutathione. Conclusions: The results indicate that MSCs are more resistant to MeHg toxicity, whereas NPCs display markedly susceptibility. These findings highlight the distinct cellular responses to MeHg exposure. The disruption of antioxidant defenses, particularly in NPCs, may promote oxidative stress and ultimately lead to cell death. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Neurodevelopment and Human Metabolism)
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Review

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29 pages, 2365 KB  
Review
Caloric Restriction and Sirtuins as New Players to Reshape Male Fertility
by Diana C. A. André, Pedro F. Oliveira, Marco G. Alves and Ana D. Martins
Metabolites 2025, 15(5), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15050303 - 2 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2963
Abstract
Over the years, caloric intake has remained a subject of profound scrutiny. Within the scientific community, there has been rigorous debate to ascertain which path is most ideal for enhancing quality of life and extending the human lifespan. Caloric restriction has been shown [...] Read more.
Over the years, caloric intake has remained a subject of profound scrutiny. Within the scientific community, there has been rigorous debate to ascertain which path is most ideal for enhancing quality of life and extending the human lifespan. Caloric restriction has been shown to be a promising contributor towards longevity and delaying the onset of age-related diseases. This diet consists of a reduction in caloric intake while maintaining essential energy and nutritional requirements to achieve optimal health while avoiding malnutrition. However, the effects of this nutritional regimen on male reproductive health have not yet been comprehensively studied. Nevertheless, such a complex process will certainly be regulated by a variety of metabolic sensors, likely sirtuins. Evidence has been gathered regarding this group of enzymes, and their ability to regulate processes such as chromatin condensation, the cell cycle, insulin signaling, and glucose and lipid metabolism, among many others. Concerning testicular function and male fertility, sirtuins can modulate certain metabolic processes through their interaction with the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and mitochondrial dynamics, among many others, which remain largely unexplored. This review explores the impact of caloric restriction on male fertility, highlighting the emerging role of sirtuins as key regulators of male reproductive health through their influence on cellular metabolism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Neurodevelopment and Human Metabolism)
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