ToxicsPub Date : 2025-04-29DOI: 10.3390/toxics13050355
Amina A Farag, Mahmoud Mostafa, Reham M Abdelfatah, Alshimaa Ezzat ELdahshan, Samar Fawzy Gad, Shimaa K Mohamed, Mona K Alawam, Aya Aly Elzeer, Nesma S Ismail, Sally Elsharkawey, Haneen A Al-Mazroua, Hatun A Alomar, Wedad S Sarawi, Heba S Youssef
{"title":"Ellagic Acid Alleviates Imidacloprid-Induced Thyroid Dysfunction via <i>PI3K/Akt/mTOR</i>-Mediated Autophagy.","authors":"Amina A Farag, Mahmoud Mostafa, Reham M Abdelfatah, Alshimaa Ezzat ELdahshan, Samar Fawzy Gad, Shimaa K Mohamed, Mona K Alawam, Aya Aly Elzeer, Nesma S Ismail, Sally Elsharkawey, Haneen A Al-Mazroua, Hatun A Alomar, Wedad S Sarawi, Heba S Youssef","doi":"10.3390/toxics13050355","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050355","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Imidacloprid (IMI) is a widely used insecticide known for its high selectivity toward insects. Ellagic acid (EA) is a plant-derived polyphenolic compound recognized for its therapeutic potential and favorable safety profile in the treatment of various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of EA, formulated as novasomes (NOV), against IMI-induced thyroid dysfunction and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Rats were divided into four equal groups: control, EA-NOV, IMI, and IMI + EA-NOV. Thyroid function was assessed by measuring free triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Thyroid tissues were examined to evaluate histopathological alterations, as well as to assess the oxidative/antioxidant pathway (Nrf2, SOD, TAC, MDA), inflammatory pathway (IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB), apoptotic pathway (<i>Bcl</i>, <i>BAX</i>), and autophagy pathway (<i>PI3K/Akt/mTOR</i>, <i>P53</i>, <i>Beclin-1</i>). Exposure to IMI resulted in impaired thyroid function, the upregulated gene expression of the <i>PI3K/Akt/mTOR</i> pathway, and downregulated <i>P53</i> expression. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining revealed Beclin-1-mediated autophagy, alongside increased apoptosis, oxidative stress, and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, EA improved thyroid function and ameliorated histopathological alterations by enhancing autophagy-inducing pathways. Additionally, the alleviation of oxidative stress was evidenced by the increased immunohistochemical staining of Nrf2, which promoted the synthesis and activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced apoptotic and inflammatory markers. This study proposes the use of EA as a potential protective, naturally occurring phytoceutical against IMI-induced thyroid dysfunction, primarily through the modulation of <i>PI3K/Akt/mTOR</i>-mediated autophagy.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144151922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Environmental DNA-Based Ecological Risk Assessment of PAHs in Aged Petroleum-Contaminated Soils.","authors":"Jinrong Huang, Chang Zhou, Fanyong Song, Tianyuan Li, Jianing Wang, Xiaowen Fu","doi":"10.3390/toxics13050357","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050357","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>(1) Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are important components of petroleum and pose a serious threat to the soil environment of oil production well sites. Therefore, scientific risk thresholds and ecological risk assessment methods must be established for PAHs in petroleum-contaminated soils. (2) Methods: In this study, based on the environmental DNA (eDNA) method, the soil bacterial community was considered as a receptor to assess the ecological risks of PAH contamination in aged petroleum-polluted soils. A combination of the risk quotient and the equivalent toxicity factor was used to assess the ecological risk of PAHs. (3) Results: A dose-response curve was plotted to determine the 50% effective concentration (EC<sub>50</sub>) of the total equivalent toxicity for 16 PAHs (∑TEQ<sub>BaP</sub>) in petroleum-contaminated soils. Following the plot of the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curve, the hazardous concentration for protecting 95% species values (HC<sub>5</sub>) of petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), electrical conductivity (EC), and total equivalent toxicity of PAHs were calculated to be 892.1 μs·cm<sup>-1</sup>, 149.9 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>, and 0.2601 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. The regression models of the distribution factor (DF) and aging factor (AF) were defined as DF = -1.132 SOM + 0.033PAHs + 9.968 and AF = 242.518 SOM + 1256.029 lgpH + 0.024 EC - 1415.447. Following calibrations of the DF and AF, the value of HC<sub>5</sub> was determined as 0.1956 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>, which could be considered the risk threshold of the total toxicity of PAHs. The calibrated toxicity data distribution was consistent with that of the normal cumulative probability distribution model. The results showed that 50% of the aged petroleum-contaminated soils showed high-risk levels of bacterial communities exposed to PAHs. (4) Conclusions: This study provides a reference for deriving the ecological risk threshold of soil pollutants and explores alternative methods for the ecological risk assessment of PAHs at specific sites.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144151925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-04-29DOI: 10.3390/toxics13050354
Raluca Maria Bucur Popa, Cristiana Radulescu, Ioana Daniela Dulama, Raluca Maria Stirbescu, Ioan Alin Bucurica, Andreea Laura Banica, Sorina Geanina Stanescu
{"title":"Potential Health Risk of Microplastic Exposures from Skin-Cleansing Products.","authors":"Raluca Maria Bucur Popa, Cristiana Radulescu, Ioana Daniela Dulama, Raluca Maria Stirbescu, Ioan Alin Bucurica, Andreea Laura Banica, Sorina Geanina Stanescu","doi":"10.3390/toxics13050354","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050354","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This research aims to investigate and quantify the possible presence of microplastics (MPs) in usual skin-cleansing products (i.e., liquid soap, micellar water, and micellar cleansing oil), the most popular from the market in terms of brand and customer confidence. Therefore, optical microscopy and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (micro-FTIR) were used to determine the MPs' number, color, shape, size, and chemical composition. For the first time, the results were correlated with the possible exposure paths (i.e., inhalation, ingestion, or adsorption) to assess the human health risk of the analyzed micellar-based cleansers in terms of chronic total exposure dose to microplastics. Finally, a statistical analysis was added to this study for source prediction of MPs in skin-cleansing samples in terms of morphology, chemical composition, and other factors (i.e., brand, packaging, etc.). The various exposures and toxicities of MPs were assessed in terms of potential health risk, knowing that their toxic effect depends on the polymeric structure strongly linked with the size, shape, and concentration in the products.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144151665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Long-Term Exposure to Microplastics Promotes Early-Stage Hepatocarcinogenesis Induced by Diethylnitrosamine in Rats by Modulation of Their Gut Microbiota.","authors":"Huina Guo, Jianan Wang, Shaowen Huang, Suren Rao Sooranna, Fangyi Shu, Genliang Li","doi":"10.3390/toxics13050353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050353","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatocarcinogenesis is linked to environmental factors, with microplastics (MPs) emerging as a global environmental concern that may contribute to liver injury. However, the impact of MPs on the early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis has been largely ignored. Here we investigated the impact of long-term MP exposure on the formation of preneoplastic lesions during hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in rats. Rats were injected with DEN to induce preneoplastic lesions, and then they were orally administered with 1 µm MPs 0.5 mg/kg body weight per day for 20 weeks. The results revealed that long-term exposure to MPs did not induce the formation of glutathione <i>S</i>-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci as preneoplastic lesions during hepatocarcinogenesis in these animals, thereby indicating non-carcinogenicity. However, MP exposure resulted in a 1-fold increase in both the number and size of GST-P-positive foci in rats initiated with DEN compared to those treated with DEN alone. Accordingly, MP exposure led to a 0.61-fold increase in the index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells in DEN-initiated rats when compared to DEN treatment alone. In addition, the composition of the gut microbiota was significantly altered, accompanied by various levels of short-chain fatty acids. Our results suggest that long-term MP exposure can promote pre-neoplastic lesion formation in DEN-induced rats by increased cell proliferation as well as alterations in the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid levels. This highlights the potential health risks associated with hepatocarcinogenesis linked to long-term exposure to MPs.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-04-29DOI: 10.3390/toxics13050356
Xinyu Huang, Bin Zou, Shenxin Li
{"title":"Identification and Time Series Analysis of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and O<sub>3</sub> Associated Health Risk Prevention and Control Areas.","authors":"Xinyu Huang, Bin Zou, Shenxin Li","doi":"10.3390/toxics13050356","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050356","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Air pollution of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and O<sub>3</sub> is a global health concern. Traditional approaches for identifying air pollution control areas mainly relied on pollutant concentrations, neglecting population distribution and exposure. This study proposes a method to divide these areas from a health risk perspective, comparing their objectivity and rationality with the government-defined key regions. The results show that for PM<sub>2.5</sub>, the health risk population and average risk rates in the prevention and control areas were 0.993 million (0.1286%), 1.030 million (0.1283%), and 1.023 million (0.1202%) in 2010, 2015, and 2020, significantly higher than in the key areas: 0.778 million (0.1252%), 0.834 million (0.1278%), and 0.825 million (0.1212%). Similarly, for O<sub>3</sub>, the figures in the prevention and control areas were 0.096 million (0.01228%), 0.095 million (0.01243%), and 0.110 million (0.01316%), also higher than in the key areas: 0.0757 million (0.01218%), 0.078 million (0.01189%), and 0.090 million (0.01315%). Additionally, the Gini coefficients for PM<sub>2.5</sub>, O<sub>3</sub>, and overall health risks in the prevention and control areas were lower (0.182, 0.203, 0.284) compared to those in the key areas (0.207, 0.216, 0.292). This study provides a method for defining air pollution control regions based on health risks, offering significant insights for pollution zoning and prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Determination of Multiple Fluorescent Brighteners in Human Plasma Using Captiva EMR-Lipid Clean-Up and LC-MS/MS Analysis.","authors":"Yubing Yan, Bowen Liang, Jiawen Yang, Qing Deng, Xiaoying Liang, Hui Chen, Bibai Du, Lixi Zeng","doi":"10.3390/toxics13050352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050352","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fluorescent brighteners (FBs) are a class of chemicals extensively used in industrial and consumer products. Their environmental occurrences and potential health risks have raised significant concerns. However, the lack of analytical methods for FBs in human samples has hindered the accurate assessment of internal exposure levels. Addressing this gap, this study developed and validated a novel method for the simultaneous determination of 13 FBs at trace levels in human plasma using solid-phase extraction combined with HPLC-MS/MS. The method employed EMR-Lipid SPE columns, which can selectively adsorb phospholipids for plasma sample pre-treatment. Detection was achieved through positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) modes. The results showed that all 13 FBs exhibited good linearity within their respective ranges, with correlation coefficients (R<sup>2</sup>) greater than 0.992. The method quantitation limits (MQLs) of the FBs ranged from 0.012 to 0.348 ng/mL, and the spiked recovery rates ranged from 61% to 98%. The method was successfully applied to analyze 10 adult plasma samples, detecting 10 FBs with total concentrations ranging from 0.221 to 0.684 ng/mL. This study provides a reliable analytical method for determining FBs in human plasma, providing a basis for further research on human internal exposure to FBs and associated health risk assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144151782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-04-28DOI: 10.3390/toxics13050351
Georgios Charvalas, Aikaterini Molla, Alexios Lolas, Elpiniki Skoufogianni, Savvas Papadopoulos, Evaggelia Chatzikirou, Christina Emmanouil, Olga Christopoulou
{"title":"Evaluation of Potential Toxic Elements in Soils from Three Urban Areas Surrounding a Steel Industrial Zone.","authors":"Georgios Charvalas, Aikaterini Molla, Alexios Lolas, Elpiniki Skoufogianni, Savvas Papadopoulos, Evaggelia Chatzikirou, Christina Emmanouil, Olga Christopoulou","doi":"10.3390/toxics13050351","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050351","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The urban zone around the city of Volos, a Greek city with a historically industrialized profile, faces threats arising from Potential Toxic Element (PTE) contamination. The scope of this study is to determine the contamination levels of 10 PTEs in three urban areas which are located near the industrial zone in the city of Volos. For this purpose, a total of 30 soil samples from parks, playgrounds and roadsides were collected from the Agios Georgios, Velestino and Rizomilos areas (Magnesia, Central Greece). The sampling was conducted in June 2022 and the concentrations of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co) and zinc (Zn) were measured through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) revealed moderate pollution in most cases, whereas in some sites the contamination was significant for Ni or for As. Principal Component Analysis showed concomitant changes for some PTEs in Component 1 and for others in Component 2, explaining approximately 67% of the variation. K-means Cluster Analysis showed two distinct groups of PTE-impacted sites within these urban areas. It can be postulated that industrial activities may have a carry-over effect on the soil in residential areas. Frequent monitoring of areas deemed as \"contaminated\" and time-series data are needed to examine in depth the soil pollution in cities and its possible shifts in relation to the changes in industrialization status in the extended urban areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144151932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/toxics13050350
Michaela Beltcheva, Yana Tzvetanova, Peter Ostoich, Iliana Aleksieva, Tsenka Chassovnikarova, Liliya Tsvetanova, Rusi Rusew
{"title":"Oral Supplementation with Modified Natural Clinoptilolite Protects Against Cadmium Toxicity in ICR (CD-1) Mice.","authors":"Michaela Beltcheva, Yana Tzvetanova, Peter Ostoich, Iliana Aleksieva, Tsenka Chassovnikarova, Liliya Tsvetanova, Rusi Rusew","doi":"10.3390/toxics13050350","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050350","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>For the first time, this study investigates in vivo the potential of Na-modified natural clinoptilolite to mitigate cadmium toxicity in ICR mice, a model relevant to human health. We enhanced natural clinoptilolite to improve its cadmium (Cd) exchange capacity. Mice were exposed to environmentally realistic cadmium nitrate Cd(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> doses in their drinking water. The detoxification efficacy of the mineral was evaluated over 45 days in four groups: control (no supplementation), Cd(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> only, clinoptilolite only, and a combination of Cd(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> and clinoptilolite. We assessed Cd bioaccumulation in the liver and kidneys, genotoxicity (micronucleus assay), hematological parameters, and oxidative stress markers. Cd exposure resulted in significant bioaccumulation, reduced growth, changes in erythrograms, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. Mice receiving clinoptilolite alone showed a significant increase in body mass. Modified clinoptilolite led to a nearly 48% reduction in Cd accumulation and a 30% increase in Cd excretion in the Cd-plus-clinoptilolite group compared to the Cd-only group. Erythrogram and leukogram parameters returned to near-normal levels, with reductions in malondialdehyde (MDA) and increases in glutathione (GSH) observed by the end of the experiment. No elevated levels of micronuclei were found following clinoptilolite supplementation. These results suggest that modified clinoptilolite may be a cost-effective detoxifier in Cd-polluted regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144151988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ToxicsPub Date : 2025-04-27DOI: 10.3390/toxics13050348
Shimei Zheng, Yongchao Li, Cuihong Chen, Naiyu Wang, Fengxia Yang
{"title":"Solutions to the Dilemma of Antibiotics Use in Livestock and Poultry Farming: Regulation Policy and Alternatives.","authors":"Shimei Zheng, Yongchao Li, Cuihong Chen, Naiyu Wang, Fengxia Yang","doi":"10.3390/toxics13050348","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050348","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While the application of antibiotics in livestock production has undeniably propelled the rapid growth of animal husbandry, the escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance stemming from antibiotic use poses significant threats to global public health and sustainable agricultural development. To address this critical challenge, multifaceted strategies have been implemented through coordinated policy interventions and scientific innovations. This review systematically examines two pivotal dimensions: (1) evolving regulatory frameworks governing antibiotic usage and (2) emerging non-antibiotic alternatives, with a particular focus on their implementation mechanisms and technological maturation. The analysis of transnational antibiotic governance encompasses comparative policy evolution in the European Union, the United States, and China. These regulatory paradigms address critical control points including registration management policies, usage monitoring systems, and integrated surveillance programs. Concerning technological alternatives, six categories of antibiotic substitutes are critically evaluated: Chinese herbal formulations, plant-derived essential oils, antimicrobial peptides, microecological agents, acidifiers, and enzyme preparations. These solutions are functionally categorized into prophylactic agents (enhancing disease resilience) and zootechnical additives (optimizing feed efficiency). These antibiotic alternatives demonstrate certain efficacy in alleviating the challenges of antibiotic overuse, yet they still face multiple implementation barriers. Further investigations are warranted to establish standardized efficacy evaluation protocols and conduct technoeconomic feasibility assessments under commercial-scale production conditions. Ultimately, resolving the antibiotic dilemma requires synergistic collaboration between regulatory bodies, pharmaceutical innovators, and academic researchers. This work emphasizes the crucial interplay between evidence-based policymaking and technological advancement in shaping sustainable livestock production systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144151923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Response to Oxidative Stress Induced by Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine in Differentiated PC12 Cells.","authors":"Cunzhi Li, Xiaoqiang Lv, Zhiyong Liu, Hui Deng, Ting Gao, Huan Li, Xinying Peng, Airong Qian, Junhong Gao, Lifang Hu","doi":"10.3390/toxics13050347","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050347","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) is a globally recognized energetic material that widely used in industrial, mining, and military fields. Like hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and other nitramine compounds, HMX has also been reported to exhibit neurotoxicity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of HMX remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the neurotoxicity induced by HMX by adopting PC12 cells. The results show that HMX treatment decreased cell viability and upregulated the intracellular free calcium ions (Ca<sup>2+</sup>) in PC12 cells. Furthermore, HMX caused aggravated oxidative stress in PC12 cells, as evidenced by the upregulations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Intracellular biochemical assays demonstrated that HMX induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in PC12 cells. Notably, altered expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), as well as an abnormal transcription profile, were also observed in PC12 cells treated by HMX. These findings suggest that HMX exerts toxic effects on PC12 cells, involved in oxidative stress, and disturbances in Ca<sup>2+</sup> and BDNF, accompanied by aberrant iGluRs. Overall, the present study helps us better understand the health hazards associated with HMX and provides valuable insights for developing the health protection standards related to HMX exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":23195,"journal":{"name":"Toxics","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144151811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}