Exploring the toxic effects and mechanism of methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO‐PBDEs) on thyroxine‐binding globulin (TBG): Synergy between spectroscopic and computations

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are organic substances frequently used in many industries. The most important group within BFRs are polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Because they persist in the environment, accumulate in food chains and have toxic effects, they are a potential health risk both for animals and humans. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers may disrupt processes of hormonal regulation in living organisms by reducing thyroxine concentrations in the plasma of the exposed individuals. In vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of these substances to bind to estrogen and androgen receptors. Tests on rodents have also demonstrated neurotoxicity of some of the PBDEs. Although industrial use of PBDEs is now regulated to a large extent, PBDEs have already been detected in areas with no apparent industrial load, e.g. in Greenland. This article presents an overview of BFRs-related issues with a particular emphasis on PBDEs, describes toxic effects of those substances and their metabolism in living organisms, and discusses issues related to the incidence of PBDEs in the environment.

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The Toxic Effects of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Rotifer Branchionus plicatilis

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.807-809.385 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 807-809 ◽

pp. 385-391 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jing Zhang ◽

You Wang ◽

Xue Xi Tang ◽

Kuan Fang

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Life Span ◽

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽

Brachionus Plicatilis ◽

Toxic Effects ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Diphenyl Ethers ◽

All Treatment ◽

Bde 209

In the current study, two of the most environmentally relevant Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were individually evaluated for toxic effects on rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. The results showed that the life span declined significantly in all treatment groups (0.05mg/L, 0.1mg/L, 0.2mg/L BDE-47 and BDE-209) compared to the control, and BDE-47 caused significant decrease compared to BDE-209 at 0.2mg/L treatment group. Significant increases of intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurred in all treatment groups except for 0.05mg/L BDE-209 treatment group compared to the control, and significant increases were observed in all BDE-47 treatment groups compared to the equivalent treatment groups of BDE-209. Meanwhile significant increases of intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]in) occurred in 0.1mg/L, 0.2mg/L BDE-47 and 0.2mg/L BDE-209 treatment groups compared to the control, and BDE-47 cause significant increase compared to BDE-209 at 0.2mg/L treatment group. The present study demonstrated that life span, ROS and Ca2+ were involved in PBDEs toxic effects, and toxicities of BDE-47 were higher than BDE-209. Otherwise, the toxic effects in both BDE-47 and BDE-209 were similar, which suggest that the toxic effects of two PBDEs congeners may be caused by the same toxic mechanism of action.

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Toxic effects of two commercial polybrominated diphenyl ethers on Artemia larvae at three developmental stages

Crustaceana ◽

10.1163/15685403-bja10042 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 177-187

Author(s):

Qingtian Zhang ◽

Sifan Guo ◽

Guikun Hu

Keyword(s):

Developmental Stage ◽

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

The Body ◽

Toxic Effects ◽

Abnormal Behaviour ◽

Diphenyl Ethers ◽

Selection Of

Abstract Toxic effects of two commercial products, penta-BDE (DE-71) and octa-BDE (DE-79), on larvae of the brine shrimp, Artemia, were studied. Results showed that their toxic effects were related not only to the concentration and exposure time, but also to the developmental stage of Artemia. Newly hatched Artemia nauplii showed stronger tolerance than those at metanauplius stage or pseudoadult stage, while DE-71 showed a stronger toxic effect than DE-79 to some extent. Abnormal behaviour of Artemia larvae might occur within 12 h, and sometimes mortality rates increased quickly even if there was no death within 36 h. Both DE-71 and DE-79 showed significant influences on the body length of Artemia larvae within 24 h; the higher the concentration, the stronger the inhibition. As far as a toxic testing standard is concerned, further experimental studies on the selection of Artemia population and developmental stage are essential.

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