Analysis of PCDDs/PCBs by AhR-CALUX assay in Indian dietary food and environment ash

This study found distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in bovine milk and ash samples collected from 9 different major districts namely Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Coimbatore, Trippur, Madurai, Chennai, Dindigul and Tiruchirappalli, which were highly populated and industrialized districts of South India (Tamil Nadu). The total toxic equivalency (TEQ) for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in the bovine milk samples were ranged from 0.028 to 7.331-pg TEQ/g fat. Some of the districts showed higher PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs concentration in milk and ash samples. Further, BM14 (7.331 pg-TEQ/g fat) and BM21 (6.406 pg-TEQ/g fat) sampling sites showed exceed level of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs than WHO regulation limits (6 pg-TEQ/g fat). Similarly, Total dioxins and DL-PCBs concentration in the ash sample were between 0.003-1. ng TEQ/g. Samples from AS3 (1.2 ng-TEQ/g) and AS11 (1.06 ng-TEQ/g) showed higher total dioxins and DL-PCBs level among other sampling sites. This study provides an overview of dioxins and dioxin-related compounds contamination in bovine milk and ash samples in south Tamil Nadu. Further, the CALUX assay method validation has simplified the monitoring of dioxin contamination in the environment.

Analysis of PCDDs/PCBs by AhR-CALUX assay in Indian dietary food and environment ash

This study found distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in bovine milk and ash samples collected from 9 different major districts namely Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Coimbatore, Trippur, Madurai, Chennai, Dindigul and Tiruchirappalli, which were highly populated and industrialized districts of South India (Tamil Nadu). The total toxic equivalency (TEQ) for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in the bovine milk samples were ranged from 0.028 to 7.331-pg TEQ/g fat. Some of the districts showed higher PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs concentration in milk and ash samples. Further, BM14 (7.331 pg-TEQ/g fat) and BM21 (6.406 pg-TEQ/g fat) sampling sites showed exceed level of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs than WHO regulation limits (6 pg-TEQ/g fat). Similarly, Total dioxins and DL-PCBs concentration in the ash sample were between 0.003-1. ng TEQ/g. Samples from AS3 (1.2 ng-TEQ/g) and AS11 (1.06 ng-TEQ/g) showed higher total dioxins and DL-PCBs level among other sampling sites. This study provides an overview of dioxins and dioxin-related compounds contamination in bovine milk and ash samples in south Tamil Nadu. Further, the CALUX assay method validation has simplified the monitoring of dioxin contamination in the environment.

CALUX Bioassay analysis of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in Bovine milk and Municipal dumping site Ash samples from Indian environment

This study showed the distribution of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in bovine milk and ash samples collected from urban and rural areas of south Tamil Nadu and one milk sample from Japan. Around 25 bovine milk samples and 16 ash samples were collected accordingly. The total TEQ for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were ranged from 0.028 to 7.331 pg TEQ/g fat. Some of the districts were showed higher PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs concentration in milk and ash samples. Further, BM14 (7.331 pg-TEQ/g fat) and BM21 (6.406 pg-TEQ/g fat) area exceed level of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs than WHO regulation limits (6 pg-TEQ/g fat). Likewise, BM3, BM8, and BM14 areas showed higher milk contamination by dioxins, which exceed the WHO regulation limit (3pg-TEQ/g fat). Similarly, the total TEQ for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in ash samples was ranged from 0.02 to 1.2 ng TEQ/g. AS3 (1.2 ng-TEQ/g) and AS11 (1.06 ng-TEQ/g) areas showed higher dioxins and DL-PCBs among the samples. This study provides an overview of dioxins and dioxin-related compounds contamination in bovine milk and ash samples. Further, the CALUX assay method validation has simplifies the monitoring of dioxin contamination in the environment.

In vitro human cell-based TTR-TRβ CALUX assay indicates thyroid hormone transport disruption of short-chain, medium-chain, and long-chain chlorinated paraffins

Over the last decades, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), and long-chain chlorinated paraffins (LCCPs) have become the most heavily produced monomeric organohalogen compound class of environmental concern. However, knowledge about their toxicology is still scarce, although SCCPs were shown to have effects on the thyroid hormone system. The lack of data in the case of MCCPs and LCCPs and the structural similarity with perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) prompted us to test CPs in the novel TTR-TR CALUX assay for their thyroid hormone transport disrupting potential. Four self-synthesized and additionally purified single chain length CP mixtures (C10-CPs, C11-CPs, C14-CPs and C16-CPs) and two each of industrial MCCP and LCCP products were tested in parallel with PFOA. All CP mixtures influenced the TTR binding of T4, giving activities of 1,300 to 17,000 µg/g PFOA equivalents and lowest observable effect concentrations (LOELs) of 0.95 to 0.029 mM/L incubate. Highest activities and lowest LOELs were observed for C16-CPs (48.3% Cl content, activity 17,000, LOEL 0.047 mM/L) and a LCCP mixture (71.7% Cl content; activity 10,000; LOEL 0.029 mM/L). A trend of higher activities and lower LOELs towards longer chains and higher chlorination degrees was implied, but could not be statistically confirmed. Irrespectively, the less well examined and current-use LCCPs showed the highest response in the TTR-TRβ CALUX assay.

Hydroxypterocarpans with estrogenic activity in Aguaje, the fruit of Mauritia flexuosa (Peruvian moriche palm)

Background: Phytoestrogens in edible plants, including soybean isoflavones and pomegranates, have been used for alleviation of premenopausal/postmenopausal syndromes and osteoporosis. Mauritia flexuosa (moriche palm) is grown in Peru and Brazil for its edible fruit that is said to contain phytoestrogens, but the relevant estrogenic compounds have not been identified. We investigated the constituents of moriche palm fruit extract and evaluated their estrogenic ability.Materials and methods: Ethyl acetate fraction of dried moriche palm was purified by column chromatography and HPLC chromatography. To evaluate estrogenic activity, we performed [1] simulation of binding to the human estrogen receptor (ER), [2] investigation of the proliferative effect on MCF-7 cells, and [3] the estrogen-chemically activated luciferase gene expression (E-CALUX) assay.Results: Two hydroxypterocarpans were isolated including lespeflorin G8 (LF) and 8-hydroxyhomopterocarpan (8-HHP). The binding affinity of LF to ERa was higher than that of 8-HHP, with inhibition constants of 81.9 nM and 1.99 mM, respectively. However, LF and 8-HHP exhibited a similar proliferative effect on MCF-7 cells at 10 mM. The E-CALUX assay demonstrated that LF is a full ER agonist and 8-HHP is a partial agonist.Conclusion: LF was identified as a major estrogenic compound in the fruit of Mauritia flexuosa.Keywords: Mauritia flexuosa, moriche palm, lespeflorin G8, homopterocarpan, estrogenic activity, MCF-7, E-CALUX