Detoxication Strategy of Epoxide Hydrolase��The Basis for a Novel Threshold for Definable Genotoxic Carcinogens

From our recent work on the three-dimensional structure of epoxide hydrolases we theoretically deduced the likelihood of a two-step catalytic mechanism that we and others have subsequently experimentally confirmed. Analysis of the rate of the two steps by us and by others show that the first step—responsible for removal of the reactive epoxide from the system—works extraordinarily fast (typically three orders of magnitude faster than the second step), sucking up the epoxide like a sponge. Regeneration of the free enzyme (the second step of the catalytic mechanism) is slow. This becomes a toxicological problem only at doses of the epoxide that titrate the enzyme out. Our genotoxicity work shows that indeed this generates a practical threshold below which no genotoxicity is observed. This shows that—contrary to old dogma—practical thresholds exist for definable genotoxic carcinogens.     

Alumina at 50 and 13 nm nanoparticle sizes have potential genotoxicity

Although nanomaterials have the potential to improve human life, their sideline effects on human health seem to be inevitable and still are unknown. Some studies have investigated the genotoxicity of alumina nanoparticles (AlNPs); however, this effect is still unclear due to insufficient evaluation and conflicting results. Using a battery of standard genotoxic assays, the present study offers evidence of the genotoxicity associated with aluminum oxide (alumina) at NP sizes of 50 and 13 nm, when compared with bulk alumina (10 μm). The genotoxicity induced by alumina at bulk and NP sizes was evaluated with Ames test, comet test, micronucleus assay and sperm deformity test. The mechanism related to the induction of reactive oxygen species was explored as well. Our results showed that AlNPs (13 and 50 nm) were able to enter cells and induced DNA damage, micronucleus in bone marrow, sperm deformation and reactive oxygen species induction in a time‐, dose‐ and size‐dependent manner. Therefore, we conclude that AlNPs (13 and 50 nm), rather than bulk alumina, induce markers of genotoxicity in mice, with oxidative stress as a potential mechanism driving these genotoxic effects. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The use of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as an in vitro model to assess the toxicity of nanoparticles to endothelium: a review

With the rapid development of nanotechnologies, nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly produced and used in many commercial products, which could lead to the contact of human blood vessels with NPs. Thus, it is necessary to understand the adverse effects of NPs to relevant cells lining human blood vessels, especially endothelial cells (ECs) that cover the lumen of blood vessels. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are among one of the most popular models used for ECs in vitro . In the present review, we discussed studies that have used HUVECs as a model to investigate the EC–NP interactions, the toxic effects of NPs on ECs and the mechanisms. The results of these studies indicated that NPs could be internalized into HUVECs by the endocytosis pathway as well as transported across HUVECs by exocytosis and paracellular pathways. Exposure of HUVECs to NPs could induce cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, eNOS uncoupling and endothelial activation, which could be explained by NP‐induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response and dysfunction of organelles. In addition, some studies have also evaluated the influences of microenvironment (e.g. the presence of proteins and excessive nutrients), the physiological and/or pathological stimuli related to the diversity of ECs (e.g. shear stress, cyclic stretch and inflammatory stimuli), and the physicochemical properties of NPs on the responses of ECs to NP exposure. In conclusion, it has been suggested that HUVECs could be considered as a relatively reliable and simple in vitro model for ECs to predict and evaluate the toxicity of NPs to endothelium. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vitro genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of some paraben esters on human peripheral lymphocytes

Parabens (PBs) are p-hydroxybenzoic acid ester compounds commonly employed as antimicrobial preservatives, mainly in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of some paraben esters (butyl paraben, propyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, and isopropyl paraben) on human peripheral lymphocytes, using in vitro sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosome aberration (CA), and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) tests. Lymphocyte cultures were treated with four concentrations of PBs (100, 50, 25 and 10?µg/mL) for 24 and 48?h. Paraben esters significantly induced MN formations as compared to solvent control. Furthermore, butyl paraben and propyl paraben increased MN formations a concentration-dependent manner at 24 and 48?h. PBs increased the CA at 24 and 48?h. However, this increase was not meaningful for butyl paraben and isopropyl paraben at 48?h when compared with solvent control. Butyl, isobutyl, and isopropyl paraben significantly increased the SCE at 24 and 48?h. However, propyl paraben did not induce SCE meaningfully in both treatment periods. A significant decrease in the cytokinesis-block proliferation index and mitotic index was observed in cells exposed to all concentrations of PBs at 24 and 48?h. However, proliferation index was not affected at all concentrations of PBs after 24?h treatment, although it was decreased at the highest concentration of PBs at 48?h. It is concluded that all of the paraben esters used in this study have highly genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on human lymphocytes cells in vitro.     

Toxicological evaluation of metal oxide nanoparticles and mixed exposures at low doses using zebra fish and THP1 cell line

Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles are being used in different industries now‐a‐days leading to their unavoidable exposure to humans and animals. In the present study, toxicological testing was done using nanoparticles of copper oxide, cerium oxide and their mixture (1:1 ratio) on zebra fish embryos and THP‐1 cell line. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 0.01 μg/ml to 50 μg/ml concentrations of dispersed nanoparticles using a 96 well plate and their effects were studied at different hours post fertilization (hpf) i.e. 0 hpf, 24 hpf, 48 hpf, 72 hpf and 96 hpf respectively. Results showed that copper oxide nanoparticles has drastic effects on the morphology and physiology of zebra fish whereas cerium oxide nanoparticles and mixture of these nanoparticles did not show much of the effects. Comparable results were obtained from in vitro study using human monocyte cell line (THP‐1). It is concluded that these nanoparticles may cause toxicological effects to humans and environment.     

The size‐dependent genotoxic potentials of titanium dioxide nanoparticles to endothelial cells

Despite intensive research activities, there are still many major knowledge gaps over the potential adverse effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂‐NPs), one of the most widely produced and used nanoparticles, on human cardiovascular health and the underlying mechanisms. In the present study, alkaline comet assay and cytokinesis‐block micronucleus test were employed to determine the genotoxic potentials of four sizes (100, 50, 30, and 10 nm) of anatase TiO₂‐NPs to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in culture. Also, the intracellular redox statuses were explored through the measurement of the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) with kits, respectively. Meanwhile, the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) were also detected by western blot. The results showed that at the exposed levels (1, 5, and 25 μg/mL), all the four sizes of TiO₂‐NPs could elicit an increase of both DNA damage and MN frequency in HUVECs in culture, with a positive dose‐dependent and negative size‐dependent effect relationship (T100 < T50 < T30 < T10). Also, increased levels of intracellular ROS, but decreased levels of GSH, were found in all the TiO₂‐NP‐treated groups. Intriguingly, a very similar manner of dose‐dependent and size‐dependent effect relationship was observed between the ROS test and both comet assay and MN test, but contrary to that of GSH assay. Correspondingly, the levels of Nrf2 protein were also elevated in the TiO₂‐NP‐exposed HUVECs, with an inversely size‐dependent effect relationship. These findings indicated that induction of oxidative stress and subsequent genotoxicity might be an important biological mechanism by which TiO₂‐NP exposure would cause detrimental effects to human cardiovascular health.     

克百威及其代谢产物的小鼠骨髓红细胞微核试验研究

[目的]利用微核试验研究克百威及其4种代谢产物的遗传毒性。[方法]分别以0．1、0．2、0．4mg/kg3个不同剂量水平的克百威及其代谢产物3-羟基呋喃丹、3-酮基呋喃丹、呋喃酚和亚硝基呋喃丹腹腔注射染毒健康小鼠，24h后以同样剂量再次注射染毒，6h后脱颈椎处死动物，制片，观察并计数嗜多染红细胞的微核率，进行统计分析。[结果]克百威、呋喃酚及3-酮基呋喃丹小鼠胸骨骨髓嗜多染红细胞微核实验为阴性结果，高剂量处理组微核率分别为1．3‰、3．25‰和3．62‰，与阴性对照组(1．83‰)差异无显著性；而高剂量组3-羟基呋喃丹(7．00‰)和三个剂量组的亚硝基呋喃丹(微核率分别为3．62‰、5．00‰、7．85‰)均有明显微核效应。[结论]克百威、呋喃酚和3-酮基呋喃丹在受试剂量下微核试验阴性，3-羟基呋哺丹和亚硝基呋喃丹微核试验阳性，提示可能对染色体具有突变效应。     

Genotoxicity of trichloroethylene in the natural milieu

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a suspected genotoxic and carcinogenic compound which is usually present in the air, soil and water as pollutant. To estimate the genotoxic potential of TCE in a pure chemical form as well as an ingredient of the complex sample, Ames fluctuation test using TA98 and TA100 strains and Allium cepa genotoxicity assay were performed. For the genotoxicity analysis of TCE in natural milieu, the above mentioned tests were performed on the waste waters collected from two different stations of northern India namely Saharanpur and Aligarh, U.P., and these waste waters were supplemented with 50 and 100 mg/l of trichloroethylene. TCE alone was found to be non-genotoxic by both the testing system up to the range of 1000 mg/l concentration (data not shown). However, the test water samples supplemented with 100 mg/l of TCE, exhibited a significant increase in the genotoxicity compared with control by both the testing systems. In Ames fluctuation test, Mi(f) value was found to be increased by 41% and 53% with 100 mg/l of TCE supplemented Saharanpur and Aligarh waste water samples respectively, in the presence of S9 fraction compared with their respective controls. Allium cepa genotoxicity test also showed around 25% increase in total chromosomal aberration frequency following 100 mg/l TCE supplementation. However, supplementation of 50 mg/l TCE to the test water samples could not enhance the genotoxicity to a significant extent. From these results, we can conclude that TCE itself was non-genotoxic but it may promote mutation and/or DNA damage at a concentration of 100 mg/l under certain environmental conditions. We suggest that some chemicals in the test water samples might be interacting with TCE and/or metabolite(s) to cause the enhancement in genotoxicity. The mechanism of these synergistic effects should be explored further.     

Mitochondria-derived reactive intermediate species mediate asbestos-induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress-responsive signaling pathways

Background: The incidence of asbestos-induced human cancers is increasing worldwide, and considerable evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators of these diseases. Our previous studies suggested that mitochondria might be involved in the initiation of oxidative stress in asbestos-exposed mammalian cells.Objective: We investigated whether mitochondria are a potential cytoplasmic target of asbestos using a mitochondrial DNA–depleted (ρ⁰) human small airway epithelial (SAE) cell model: ρ⁰ SAE cells lack the capacity to produce mitochondrial ROS.Methods: We examined nuclear DNA damage, micronuclei (MN), intracellular ROS production, and the expression of inflammation-related nuclear genes in both parental and ρ⁰ SAE cells in response to asbestos treatment.Results: Asbestos induced a dose-dependent increase in nuclear DNA oxidative damage and MN in SAE cells. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in intracellular oxidant production and activation of genes involved in nuclear factor κB and proinflammatory signaling pathways in SAE cells. In contrast, the effects of asbestos were minimal in ρ⁰ SAE cells.Conclusions: Mitochondria are a major cytoplasmic target of asbestos. Asbestos may initiate mitochondria-associated ROS, which mediate asbestos-induced nuclear mutagenic events and inflammatory signaling pathways in exposed cells. These data provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of asbestos-induced genotoxicity.