Environmental Chemicals Study Research Articles

Performance of variable selection methods for estimating the non-linear health effects of correlated chemical mixtures

OPS 05: Statistical methods to analyze mixtures, Room 114, Floor 1, August 27, 2019, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Background/Aim: Statistical methods for identifying harmful chemicals in a correlated mixture often assume linearity in exposure–response relationships. Non-monotonic relationships are biologically plausible (e.g., endocrine-disrupting chemicals); however, the impact of non-monotonicity on the performance of variable selection methods has not been evaluated. In a simulation study, we assessed the performance of three methods for the identification of important mixture components when exposure-response relationships are expected to be non-linear, including Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), Bayesian additive regression trees (BART), and Bayesian structured additive regression with spike–slab priors (BSTARSS). We compared these methods to lasso penalised regression assuming linearity. Methods: We used data on exposure to phthalates and phenols in pregnant women from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to simulate realistic exposure data using a multivariate copula, which allowed us to vary the correlation structure while preserving the observed marginal distributions. We simulated datasets of size N=250 and compared methods across 32 scenarios, varying by model size and sparsity, signal-to-noise ratio, exposure correlation structure, and shape of exposure–response relationships (including linear, S-shaped, and both symmetric and asymmetric inverse-U-shaped relationships). We compared the performance of methods in terms of their sensitivity, specificity, and estimation accuracy. Results: BKMR and BSTARSS achieved moderate to high specificity and sensitivity in most scenarios. BART achieved high specificity (>0.96), but low to moderate sensitivity (0.12–0.66). Lasso was highly sensitive (0.75–0.99), except when exposure–response relationships were symmetric inverse-U-shaped (<0.2). Performance was affected by changes in the signal-to-noise ratio but not substantially by the correlation structure. Conclusions: Penalised regression methods assuming linearity, such as lasso, may not be suitable in studies of environmental chemicals hypothesised to have non-monotonic relationships with outcomes. Instead, BKMR and BSTARSS may be used to flexibly estimate the shapes of exposure–response relationships and to select among correlated exposures in small sample size studies.

Perchlorate in human milk samples from the maternal-infant research on environmental chemicals study (MIREC)

ABSTRACTPerchlorate is a low molecular weight highly soluble anion. It occurs naturally in the environment, primarily near potash deposits and in arid regions. The determination of perchlorate in human milk is of interest in vulnerable populations such as infants and pregnant women. In this study, a sensitive and selective isotope dilution ion chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (ID IC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of perchlorate in human milk samples collected from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.27 µg·kg−1 for human milk. A total of 439 human milk samples were analysed with measurable levels of perchlorate in most of the milk samples, and the mean value was 7.62 ± 32.7 µg·kg−1. This project provided important information related to perchlorate levels in human milk collected across Canada and the extent to which pregnant women and their infants may be exposed to perchlorate. A dietary exposure assessment was also conducted in infants based on the measured values in human milk. The mean perchlorate probable daily intakes (PDIs) for infants consuming human milk were 0.31 ± 0.07 μg/kg bw/day for infants under 1 year and 0.17 ± 0.10 μg/kg bw/day for infants between 1 and 3 years old. None of the estimates exceeded the FAO/WHO provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 10 μg/kg bw/day.

Characterization of maternal plasma biomarkers associated with delivery of small and large for gestational age infants in the MIREC study cohort.

ObjectiveNeonatal morbidity and mortality can be influenced by maternal health status. Information on maternal and fetal biomarkers of adverse health outcomes is limited. This work aims at identifying maternal biomarkers associated with low and high birth weight for gestational age groups.Design and settingsPopulation-based prospective cohort study of the potential adverse health effects of exposure to environmental contaminants on pregnancy and infant health.MethodsThird trimester maternal plasma samples (n = 1588) from a pregnancy cohort (Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study, MIREC) were analyzed for changes in a target spectrum of biomarkers of vascular health (e.g., matrix metalloproteinases MMPs, vascular endothelial cell growth factor VEGF), inflammation (e.g. cellular adhesion molecules CAMs, cytokines, chemokines) by affinity-based multiplex protein array analyses. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to examine associations between target plasma biomarkers, maternal-infant characteristics, and birth weight outcomes assessed as small for gestational age (SGA) ≤10th percentile and large for gestational age (LGA) ≥90th percentile groups.Results and outcomesOur results revealed that maternal plasma biomarkers monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 MCP-1 (p<0.05, +ve) and VEGF (p<0.05, -ve) along with parity = 1 (p<0.01, -ve) and gestational hypertension (p<0.05, +ve) were associated with SGA births. Meanwhile, LGA was associated with maternal plasma VEGF (p<0.05, +ve) and MMP-9 (p<0.05, -ve) and gestational hypertension (p<0.01, +ve), pre-pregnancy body mass index (p<0.01, +ve), parity (p<0.05, +ve) and education (p<0.05, -ve).ConclusionsThird trimester maternal plasma biomarkers in combination with maternal health and socioeconomic characteristics can be useful in predicting SGA and LGA outcomes. Maternal vascular health and inflammatory status may contribute to both SGA and LGA births through distinct molecular mechanisms.

Maternal and cord blood manganese (Mn) levels and birth weight: The MIREC birth cohort study.

Epidemiological studies have hypothesized that both insufficient and excess blood manganese (Mn) levels during pregnancy are associated with reduced fetal growth. This literature is characterized by inconsistent results and a limited focus on women with exposures representative of the general North American population. We examined the relationship between maternal and cord blood Mn levels and fetal growth among women enrolled in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study (MIREC). Mothers with singleton, term infants and complete maternal first and third trimester blood Mn data were eligible for inclusion in the present study (n = 1519). Mean birth weight and odds ratios of small for gestational age (SGA) births according to maternal and cord blood Mn levels (low (<10), referent (10-<90), high (≥90) percentiles) were estimated. We also evaluated the association between the ratio of cord and maternal blood Mn and birth weight. Women with low (<0.82 μg/dL) maternal blood third trimester Mn levels had infants that weighed an average of 64.7 g (95% CI: -142.3,12.8) less than infants born to women in the referent exposure group. This association was strengthened and became statistically significant when adjusted for toxic metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium) [-83.3 g (95% CI: -162.4, -4.1)]. No statistically significant associations were observed in models of maternal first trimester or cord blood Mn. A one unit increase in the cord/maternal blood Mn ratio was associated with a 29.4 g (95% CI: -50.2, -8.7), when adjusted for maternal and neonatal characteristics. Our findings motivate additional research regarding the relation between Mn exposure and fetal growth. Further inquiry is necessary to determine whether an exposure threshold exists, how growth related effects of maternal and fetal Mn may differ, and how concurrent exposure to other toxic metals may impact the association between Mn and growth.

Blood metal levels and third trimester maternal plasma matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)

While it is known that in utero exposure to environmental toxicants, namely heavy metals, can adversely affect the neonate, there remains a significant paucity of information on maternal biological changes specific to metal exposures during pregnancy. This study aims at identifying associations between maternal metal exposures and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that are known to be engaged in pregnancy process. Third trimester maternal plasma (n = 1533) from a pregnancy cohort (Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study, MIREC) were analyzed for MMP-1,-2,-7,-9 and -10 by affinity-based multiplex protein array analyses. Maternal metal concentrations (mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic and manganese) in 1st and 3rd trimesters exhibited strong correlations (p < 0.05). Multivariate regression models were used to estimate odds ratio (OR) for the association between metal concentrations in quartiles and high (90%) and low (10%) maternal MMP levels. Significant (p < 0.05) metal exposure-related effects were observed with the different MMP isoform responses. MMP profiles were specific to the trimester at which the maternal blood metals were analyzed. Our findings suggest that the profiles of these MMP isoforms vary with the type of metal exposure, blood metal concentrations and the trimester at which metal levels were determined. These new findings on maternal metal-MMP relationships can guide future explorations on toxicity mechanisms relevant to metal exposure-mediated adverse birth outcomes.

Infant birth weight and third trimester maternal plasma markers of vascular integrity: the MIREC study

Background: There is paucity of information on mechanisms constituting adverse birth outcomes. We assessed here the relationship between vascular integrity and adverse birth effects.Methods and results: Third trimester maternal plasma (n = 144) from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study (MIREC) was analysed for vascular, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers by HPLC-fluorescence, protein array and EIA method. Analysis of the <25th and >75th percentile birth weight subgroups revealed markers associated with birth weight (ETs, MMP-9, VEGF, and 8-isoPGF-2α) and gestational age (ET-1, MMP-2, and VEGF).Conclusions: Mechanistic insights into adverse birth outcome pathways can be achieved by integrating information on multiple biomarkers, physiology using systems biology approach.

Environmental Chemicals in Urine and Blood: Improving Methods for Creatinine and Lipid Adjustment.

BackgroundInvestigators measuring exposure biomarkers in urine typically adjust for creatinine to account for dilution-dependent sample variation in urine concentrations. Similarly, it is standard to adjust for serum lipids when measuring lipophilic chemicals in serum. However, there is controversy regarding the best approach, and existing methods may not effectively correct for measurement error.ObjectivesWe compared adjustment methods, including novel approaches, using simulated case–control data.MethodsUsing a directed acyclic graph framework, we defined six causal scenarios for epidemiologic studies of environmental chemicals measured in urine or serum. The scenarios include variables known to influence creatinine (e.g., age and hydration) or serum lipid levels (e.g., body mass index and recent fat intake). Over a range of true effect sizes, we analyzed each scenario using seven adjustment approaches and estimated the corresponding bias and confidence interval coverage across 1,000 simulated studies.ResultsFor urinary biomarker measurements, our novel method, which incorporates both covariate-adjusted standardization and the inclusion of creatinine as a covariate in the regression model, had low bias and possessed 95% confidence interval coverage of nearly 95% for most simulated scenarios. For serum biomarker measurements, a similar approach involving standardization plus serum lipid level adjustment generally performed well.ConclusionsTo control measurement error bias caused by variations in serum lipids or by urinary diluteness, we recommend improved methods for standardizing exposure concentrations across individuals.CitationO’Brien KM, Upson K, Cook NR, Weinberg CR. 2016. Environmental chemicals in urine and blood: improving methods for creatinine and lipid adjustment. Environ Health Perspect 124:220–227; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1509693

A birth cohort study to investigate the association between prenatal phthalate and bisphenol A exposures and fetal markers of metabolic dysfunction.

BackgroundObesity and type-2 diabetes are on the rise and in utero exposure to environmental contaminants is a suspected contributing factor. Our objective was to examine associations between prenatal exposure to potential endocrine disrupting chemicals and markers of fetal metabolic dysfunction.MethodsThe Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study (MIREC) recruited 2001 women during the first trimester of pregnancy from 10 Canadian sites. First trimester maternal urine was measured for 11 phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A (BPA). Leptin and adioponectin measured in 1,363 available umbilical cord blood samples served as markers of metabolic function. Restricted cubic spline curves were used to assess the relationship between continuous measures of phthalate and BPA levels and cord blood adipokines. Polytomous logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between phthalates and BPA and both high (≥90th percentile) and low (≤10th percentile) fetal adiponectin and leptin, adjusting for confounding factors. Analyses were conducted for all subjects, overall, and separately by fetal sex.ResultsLeptin was significantly higher in female than male infants. We observed an inverse, non-linear relationship between BPA and adiponectin among males in the restricted cubic spline and linear regression analysis. Mono-(3-carboxypropyl) (MCPP) was associated with increased odds of high leptin among males in the polytomous logistic regression models (4th quartile OR = 3.5 95% CI: 1.1-11.6).ConclusionOur findings contribute to the growing body of evidence examining the influence of early life exposure on metabolic regulation and function. Associations between maternal exposure to chemicals and markers of metabolic function appear to be potentially sex specific. However, further investigation is required to determine whether in utero and childhood exposure to BPA and phthalates are associated with metabolic dysfunctions later in life.

Exposure to Environmental Chemicals during Pregnancy and Fetal Markers of Metabolic Dysfunction

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are on the rise and in-utero exposure to environmental contaminants is a suspected factor. The Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study (MIREC) recruited 2001 women during the first trimester of pregnancy from 10 Canadian sites. The present study was designed to examine associations between exposure to environmental chemicals during early pregnancy and markers of fetal metabolic dysfunction. Environmental contaminants, including metals, phthalates and bisphenol A, were measured in maternal blood or urine. Leptin and adioponectin levels were measured in cord blood and served as markers of metabolic dysfunction. Logistic regression models, adjusted for maternal BMI, ethnicity and maternal age, were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between environmental chemicals and fetal adiponectin and leptin levels. Effect modification by infant sex was also assessed. There were 1363 women who had a first trimester blood or urine sample and a cord blood sample. Leptin levels were significantly higher in females than males. Cadmium exposure among males was associated with significantly increased odds of elevated leptin (OR=5.58 95% CI: 1.58 to 19.68). A positive association between MEP phthalate levels and elevated leptin levels was also observed. No significant associations were found between environmental chemicals and cord blood adiponectin levels. The effects of prenatal exposure to certain environmental chemicals on cord blood leptin levels may be operating in a sex-dependent manner. Long-term implications for metabolic status and risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes should be investigated further.

The Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study—Overview of the biomonitoring component of a Canadian Pregnancy Cohort

The Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study—Overview of the biomonitoring component of a Canadian Pregnancy Cohort

HExpoChem: a systems biology resource to explore human exposure to chemicals

Humans are exposed to diverse hazardous chemicals daily. Although an exposure to these chemicals is suspected to have adverse effects on human health, mechanistic insights into how they interact with the human body are still limited. Therefore, acquisition of curated data and development of computational biology approaches are needed to assess the health risks of chemical exposure. Here we present HExpoChem, a tool based on environmental chemicals and their bioactivities on human proteins with the objective of aiding the qualitative exploration of human exposure to chemicals. The chemical-protein interactions have been enriched with a quality-scored human protein-protein interaction network, a protein-protein association network and a chemical-chemical interaction network, thus allowing the study of environmental chemicals through formation of protein complexes and phenotypic outcomes enrichment. HExpoChem is available at http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/HExpoChem-1.0/.

A method for rapid dose–response screening of environmental chemicals using human embryonic stem cells

IntroductionHuman embryonic stem cells (hESC) provide an invaluable model for assessing the effects of environmental chemicals and drugs on human prenatal development. However, hESC are difficult to adapt to 96-well plate screening assays, because they survive best when plated as colonies, which are difficult to count and plate accurately. The purpose of this study is to present an experimental method and analysis procedure to accomplish reliable screening of toxicants using hESC. MethodsWe present a method developed to rapidly and easily determine the number of cells in small colonies of hESC spectrophotometerically and then accurately dispense equivalent numbers of cells in 96-well plates. The MTT assay was used to evaluate plating accuracy, and the method was tested using known toxicants. ResultsThe quality of the plate set-up and analysis procedure was evaluated with NIH plate validation and assessment software. All statistical parameters measured by the software were acceptable, and no drift or edge effects were observed. The 96-well plate MTT assay with hESC was tested by performing a dose–response screen of commercial products, which contain a variety of chemicals. The screen was done using single wells/dose, and the reliability of this method was demonstrated in a subsequent screen of the same products repeated three times. The single and triple screens were in good agreement, and NOAELs and IC50s could be determined from the single screen. The effects of vapor from volatile chemicals were studied, and methods to monitor and avoid vapor effects were incorporated into the assay. DiscussionOur method overcomes the difficulty of using hESC for reliable quantitative 96-well plate assays. It enables rapid dose–response screening using equipment that is commonly available in laboratories that culture hESC. This method could have a broad application in studies of environmental chemicals and drugs using hESC as models of prenatal development.

Advancing the Selection of Neurodevelopmental Measures in Epidemiological Studies of Environmental Chemical Exposure and Health Effects

With research suggesting increasing incidence of pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, questions regarding etiology continue to be raised. Neurodevelopmental function tests have been used in epidemiology studies to evaluate relationships between environmental chemical exposures and neurodevelopmental deficits. Limitations of currently used tests and difficulties with their interpretation have been described, but a comprehensive critical examination of tests commonly used in studies of environmental chemicals and pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders has not been conducted. We provide here a listing and critical evaluation of commonly used neurodevelopmental tests in studies exploring effects from chemical exposures and recommend measures that are not often used, but should be considered. We also discuss important considerations in selecting appropriate tests and provide a case study by reviewing the literature on polychlorinated biphenyls.

Urine-sampling methods for environmental chemicals in infants and young children

This review paper examines and evaluates urine-sampling methodologies in infants and young children, to determine which methods are suitable for use in large biomonitoring surveys or studies of environmental chemicals in children younger than 6 years. Methods for non-toilet-trained children include the use of urine bags, collection pads (e.g., cotton or gauze inserts), disposable diapers, cotton diapers, and the clean catch method. In toilet-trained children, collection methods include use of a commode insert pan as well as specimen collection cups. The advantages and disadvantages of these various methods need to be evaluated with respect to the target population, timing and frequency of collection, minimum sample volume required, method of urine extraction, potential for contamination of the sample, stability of the analyte of interest, and burden on participants and research team. Collection methods must not introduce contamination or affect the integrity of the sample, should be logistically practical, and should minimize discomfort experienced by the child. Although collection of urine samples from children who are not toilet-trained is more challenging than collection from older toilet-trained children, the vulnerability of younger children to the exposure to and health effects of environmental chemicals makes finding suitable methods a priority.

REPORTING NEEDS FOR STUDIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS IN HUMAN MILK

Studies of environmental chemicals in human milk have been carried out in many countries, but few have been conducted in the United States. These studies are useful for monitoring population trends in exposure to chemicals, for research into the determinants of environmental chemicals in milk and relationships between the levels found and the health status of the women and their infants, and for risk assessment. This article provides practical advice on data and information reporting for such studies. Participation in these studies comes at a difficult time for the breast-feeding mothers, so it is important that the mothers support the study and its goals. A key goal of any study of environmental chemicals in human milk must be to ensure that the breast-feeding process is not disrupted by unwarranted concerns about harm to the infant from chemicals in human milk. Therefore, it is essential that reporting of information be a two-way process. Information needs to be supplied to participating mothers before, during, and after their participation in the study. Information supplied before participation is necessary to satisfy the ethical requirement for informed consent; information supplied during participation includes advice on expressing, collecting, and storing milk samples, and how to avoid sample contamination; and information supplied to each participant at the end of the study includes a report of their individual results and a summary of study results and outcomes generally. The key instrument for obtaining data from the participants is the study questionnaire. This needs to be prepared in accordance with principles of good questionnaire development, and preferably should be interviewer administered. The questionnaire content will vary according to the objectives of the study. Although studies of environmental chemicals in human milk are logistically complex and demanding, they are practicable and, with careful planning and execution, yield important data.

A new Salmonella typhimurium NM5004 strain expressing rat glutathione S-transferase 5-5: use in detection of genotoxicity of dihaloalkanes using an SOS/umu test system.

The Escherichia coli mu operon was subcloned into a pKK233-2 vector containing rat glutathione S-transferase (GST) 5-5 cDNA and the plasmid thus obtained was introduced into Salmonella typhimurium TA1535. The newly developed strain S.typhimurium NM5004, was found to have 52-fold greater GST activity than the original umu strain S.typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002. We compared sensitivities of these two tester strains, NM5004 and TA1535/pSK1002, for induction of umuC gene expression with several dihaloalkanes which are activated or inactivated by GST 5-5 activity. The induction of umuC gene expression by these chemicals was monitored by measuring the cellular beta-galactosidase activity produced by umuC"lacZ fusion gene in these two tester strains. Ethylene dibromide, 1-bromo-2-chloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and methylene dichloride induced umuC gene expression more strongly in the NM5004 strain than the original strain. 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine were found to induce umuC gene expression to similar extents in both strains. In the case of 1-nitropyrene and 2-nitrofluorene, however, NM5004 strain showed weaker umuC gene expression responses than the original TA1535/pSK1002 strain. 1,2-Epoxy-3-(4'-nitrophenoxy)propane, a known substrate for GST 5-5, was found to inhibit umuC induction caused by 1-bromo-2-chloroethane. These results indicate that this new tester NM5004 strain expressing a mammalian GST theta class enzyme may be useful for studies of environmental chemicals proposed to be activated or inactivated by GST activity.

Pesticides--how research has succeeded and failed in informing policy: DDT and the link with breast cancer.

Investigation of chemical exposures as possible etiologic factors for breast cancer has not been a research priority in the United States, which is surprising given the evidence from animal studies that environmental chemicals cause cancer and reproductive dysfunction. Study of environmental chemicals has also been indicated by the failure of traditional epidemiologic methods to account for significant proportions of breast cancer incidence with other risk factors. The fact that breast cancer risk is strongly associated with reproductive hormones is a further clue that environmental chemicals should be investigated. In addition to cancer, specific outcomes that need to be explored are reproductive dysfunction, immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Policy guiding our research should encourage toxicologic investigations of exposures to environmental chemicals that use state-of-the-art methods to determine exposure and human health effects. Using the approach suggested by John McLachlan, functional toxicology should be used to assess the activity of chemicals with regard to these outcomes. Just as dioxin toxicity can be expressed as toxic equivalents, estrogenic activity, for example, can be characterized in terms of estrogenic equivalents. In addition to the need to undertake this kind of research, needs for methods development and creative research funding mechanisms are discussed. Prevention of breast cancer may require intervention at an early age. Better understanding of breast cancer etiology, and especially its environmental components, may lead us toward that goal.

Mechanisms of neurotoxicity: applications to human biomonitoring

Interactions of chemicals with cerebral neurotransmitters, receptors, and second messenger systems are often accompanied by similar changes involving components in non-neural tissues. On this basis, indirect strategies have been developed to investigate neural cell function parameters by methods using accessible cells such as platelets or peripheral blood lymphocytes. The validity of certain surrogate markers of biochemical events occurring in the nervous system has been documented by recent studies in both laboratory animals and humans. Although experience with neurotoxicants is still limited, advantages and limitations of methods using peripheral blood cells as indicators of chemically-induced nervous system changes have been documented by a number of studies in psychopharmacology and biological psychiatry. Applicability of this approach in conventional population studies of environmental chemicals remains to be demonstrated. However, recent data regarding the action of low doses of mercury and organophosphates on receptors and signal transduction pathways in peripheral lymphocytes suggest useful applications of certain surrogate markers in mechanistic studies of neurotoxicity in vivo and, possibly, in assessing early biochemical effects ofneurotoxicants in humans.

Modulation of Benzo[a]pyrene Bioactivation by Glucuronidation in Lymphocytes and Hepatic Microsomes from Rats with a Hereditary Deficiency in Bilirubin UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) play a major role in the elimination of nucleophilic metabolites of xenobiotics, such the phenols and quinols of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzo[a]pyrene (BP). In this way, UGTs may prevent the further oxidation of such metabolites to toxic reactive intermediates, which may react with lipids, DNA, RNA, and protein, thereby initiating such toxicities as cellular necrosis, birth defects, and cancer. We have shown previously in vivo and in hepatic microsomes that rats with a hereditary deficiency in bilirubin UGT (Gunn and RHA strains) have decreased glucuronidation of BP metabolites and enhanced BP covalent binding to hepatic DNA and microsomal protein, and enhanced BP embryotoxicity. We further hypothesized that a similar deficiency in BP glucuronidation, with increased BP bioactivation and covalent binding, might be observed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from UGT-deficient rats, which, if true, would suggest the utility of an analogous human lymphocyte model for evaluating the toxicological relevance of human UGT deficiencies. Such an in vitro approach is essential for human studies of environmental chemicals and drugs with a high toxicologic potential. In the current study, [7,10-14C]BP was preincubated with NADPH and hepatic microsomes from Wistar rats induced with β-naphthoflavone. The supernatant from this preincubation, which contained BP reactive intermediates and hydroxylated BP metabolites, was further incubated with uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid and peripheral lymphocytes from heterozygous (j/+) and homozygous (j/j) RHA rats, which are genetically deficient in bilirubin UGT, and from congenic, homozygous (+/+) UGT-normal controls. In vivo, bilirubin glucuronidation was reduced in UGT deficiency, with progressively higher plasma concentrations of unconjugated bilirubin in j/+ and j/j UGT-deficient rats compared to +/+ UGT-normal controls (p < 0.05). In in vitro studies, glucuronide conjugates of BP were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with a radioisotope detector, and the covalent binding of BP to microsomal protein was measured by liquid scintillation spectrometry. BP glucuronidation and covalent binding, respectively, were decreased and increased to a progressively greater degree in both hepatic microsomes and lymphocytes from j/+ and j/j UGT-deficient rats compared to +/+ UGT-normal controls (p < 0.05). Reduced BP glucuronidation in lymphocytes from UGT-deficient RHA rats correlated with elevated BP covalent binding (R2 = 0.85, p < 0.005). Both BP glucuronidation and BP covalent binding in lymphocytes significantly correlated with those reactions using hepatic microsomes from the same animals. These results in UGT-deficient lymphocytes also accurately reflected the in vivo biotransformation and covalent binding of BP in UGT-deficient rats. Accordingly, this modified lymphocyte assay involving preincubation provides cellular confirmation of the cytoprotective role of UGT by reducing BP bioactivation and covalent binding. Furthermore, this model constitutes a valid approach for elucidating toxicological mechanisms and risk in humans with hereditary UGT deficiencies.

Application of a trochoidal electron monochromator/mass spectrometer system to the study of environmental chemicals.

A trochoidal electron monochromator has been interfaced to a mass spectrometer to perform electron capture negative ion mass spectrometric (ECNIMS) analyses of environmentally relevant chemicals. The kinetic energy of the electron beam can be varied from 0.025 to 30 eV under computer control. No reagent gas is used to moderate the electron energies. An electron energy spread of +/- 0.1 to +/- 0.4 eV full width at half-maximum (fwhm) can readily be obtained at a transmitted current of 2 x 10(-6) A, improving to +/- 0.07 eV at 5 x 10(-7) A. Comparisons of ECNI results from the electron monochromator/mass spectrometer system with those from a standard instrument that uses a moderating gas show similar spectra for heptachlor but not for the s-triazine herbicides, as for example, atrazine. This compound shows numerous adduct ions by standard ECNIMS that are eliminated by using the electron monochromator to generate the mass spectra. Isomeric tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins show distinct differences in the electron energies needed to produce the maximum amount of parent and fragment anions. Multiple resonance states resulting in stable radical anions (M.-) are easily observed for nitrobenzene and for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Ionic products of dissociative electron capture invariably occur from several resonance states.