Luis Henríquez-hernández - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Luis Henríquez-hernández
Congenital hypothyroidism causes altered lipogenic response to thyroid hormones in adult rat liver
Febs Journal [ISSN 1742-464X], v. 273 sup. 1, p. 219-220, Abstract PP528, (Junio 2006), 2006
PLoS ONE, 2012
Thyroid hormones are required for normal growth and development in mammals. Congenital-neonatal h... more Thyroid hormones are required for normal growth and development in mammals. Congenital-neonatal hypothyroidism (CH) has a profound impact on physiology, but its specific influence in liver is less understood. Here, we studied how CH influences the liver gene expression program in adulthood. Pregnant rats were given the antithyroid drug methimazole (MMI) from GD12 until PND30 to induce CH in male offspring. Growth defects due to CH were evident as reductions in body weight and tail length from the second week of life. Once the MMI treatment was discontinued, the feed efficiency increased in CH, and this was accompanied by significant catch-up growth. On PND80, significant reductions in body mass, tail length, and circulating IGF-I levels remained in CH rats. Conversely, the mRNA levels of known GH target genes were significantly upregulated. The serum levels of thyroid hormones, cholesterol, and triglycerides showed no significant differences. In contrast, CH rats showed significant changes in the expression of hepatic genes involved in lipid metabolism, including an increased transcription of PPARa and a reduced expression of genes involved in fatty acid and cholesterol uptake, cellular sterol efflux, triglyceride assembly, bile acid synthesis, and lipogenesis. These changes were associated with a decrease of intrahepatic lipids. Finally, CH rats responded to the onset of hypothyroidism in adulthood with a reduction of serum fatty acids and hepatic cholesteryl esters and to T3 replacement with an enhanced activation of malic enzyme. In summary, we provide in vivo evidence that neonatal hypothyroidism influences the hepatic transcriptional program and tissue sensitivity to hormone treatment in adulthood. This highlights the critical role that a euthyroid state during development plays on normal liver physiology in adulthood.
P-62 Regulation of suppressor of cytokine signalling-2 gene expression in liver and kidney by estradiol, growth hormone and thyroid hormone interaction
Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 2008
Toxics
Psychedelics are experiencing a strong renaissance and will soon be incorporated into clinical pr... more Psychedelics are experiencing a strong renaissance and will soon be incorporated into clinical practice. However, there is uncertainty about how much harm they can cause at what doses. This review aimed to collect information on the health-hazardous doses of psychedelic substances, to be aware of the risks to which patients may be subjected. We focused on ergolamines, simple tryptamines, and phenylethylamines. We reviewed articles published in major medical and scientific databases. Studies reporting toxic or lethal doses in humans and animals were included. We followed PRISMA criteria for revisions. We identified 3032 manuscripts for inclusion. Of these, 33 were ultimately useful and gave relevant information about effects associated with high psychedelics doses. Despite having different molecular structures and different mechanisms of action, psychedelics are effective at very low doses, are not addictive, and are harmful at extremely high doses. For LSD and psilocybin, no dose ha...
Radiotherapy and Oncology, May 1, 2012
Individual blood concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and chemical elements, and COVID-19: A prospective cohort study in Barcelona
Environmental Research
Presence of anticoagulant rodenticide residues in five predatory birds species of the canary islands, 2002-2011
Science of The Total Environment, 2021
Background: Few cities in the world biomonitor changes in human levels of persistent organic poll... more Background: Few cities in the world biomonitor changes in human levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) through periodic health surveys representative of the general population. Objectives: To analyze changes in serum concentrations of POPs in Barcelona from 2006 to 2016, and to analyze socio-demographic correlates of concentrations of 62 POPs in 2016. Methods: Participants in the Barcelona Health Surveys of 2006 and 2016 (N = 231 and 240, respectively) were interviewed face-to-face, gave blood, and underwent a physical exam. POPs were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Concentrations of all nine most prevalent compounds decreased markedly during the 10-years. Reductions occurred in almost all sex, age and BMI subgroups. For most organochlorine compounds the reduction was larger in women than men (for HCB, −77% and − 62%, respectively). For β-HCH, PCBs, naphthalene and phenanthrene the decrease was larger in the younger groups. Large reductions in concentrations of PCBs and DDE were observed in individuals with normal weight but not in individuals with obesity. Conclusions: While concentrations of most POPs are decreasing in Barcelona, significant sociodemographic differences in such reductions warrant strengthening public and private policies towards groups making slower progress. A relevant component of the success in the current decreasing is a reduction of differences (convergence) by gender.
Science of The Total Environment, 2021
The population of the Canary Islands has been exposed to high levels of persistent organic pollut... more The population of the Canary Islands has been exposed to high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Biomonitoring studies are essential to know the temporal trend in residue levels, particularly of substances banned decades ago. The purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of plasma concentrations of 59 POPs in 175 participants from the PREDIMED-Plus trial (2014-2016), and to compare them with the distribution of these POPs in 343 participants in the PREDIMED trial (2006-2009). All participants had metabolic syndrome. No difference in the distribution of age, gender or BMI was observed between trials. POPs were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Density plots-POP Geoffrey Rose curves-were used to represent the full population distribution of each compound. Three out of 59 POPs were detected and quantified in ≥95% of the samples (p,p′-DDE, median = 694.7 ng/g lipid; HCB, median = 57.0 ng/g lipid; and β-HCH, median = 75.7 ng/g lipid). PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 were detected in 64.6, 40.0 and 88.0% of the samples. Females showed highest concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and those subjects who lost ˃ 5 kg showed significant higher plasma concentrations of POPs.
Data in Brief, 2020
The dataset presented in this article supports "Optimization and validation of a method for the s... more The dataset presented in this article supports "Optimization and validation of a method for the simultaneous environmental monitoring of 218 pesticide residues in clay loam soil" [1]. A method based on QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged & Safe) for the extraction of pesticide and some metabolites residues was developed. The quantification of the chemicals was performed by a combination of two complementary LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analyses. Detailed optimization data of the QuEChERS extraction method is provided, including (1) salt combination, (2) acidification of the solvent (3) the amount of the selected acid (Formic Acid, FA) and (4) moisturization of the soil samples prior to extraction. In addition, all the validation data are presented, including
Science of The Total Environment, 2019
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Science of The Total Environment, 2018
Pellets present higher contamination levels than plastic fragments • High levels of DDT metabolit... more Pellets present higher contamination levels than plastic fragments • High levels of DDT metabolites in the microplastic found in the coastal environment of the Canary Islands • Higher levels of contamination were found in Gran Canaria, the most populated and industrialized island
Science of The Total Environment, 2018
Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) are highly lipophilic and resistant to degradation, h... more Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) are highly lipophilic and resistant to degradation, hence these substances are commonly found in the environment even decades after their prohibition. The aim of the present study was to determine human serum concentrations of POPs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Romanian population, investigating the role of demographic variables on the body burden of such chemicals. A cross-sectional study including a total of 121 subjects from Brasov (Transylvania region) was designed. The concentration of 62 chemicals, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) and PAHs, was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in the serum of the participants. p,p′-DDE and β-HCH were detected in 100% and 62% of the series (median values = 2.1 and 0.5 μg/L); PCB-153 was detected in 77.7% of the subjects and PCB-28 showed the highest median concentration (0.5 μg/L); BDE-47 was detected at a low concentration in 11.6% of the individuals; phenanthrene and naphthalene were present in 98.3% and 38.8% of the serum samples (median values = 0.9 and 6.5 μg/L, respectively). Age was the main determinant of the total body burden of OCPs and PCBs. A positive correlation was observed between p,p′-DDE and age (Spearman Rho = 0.312, P b 0.0001), suggesting the prevalence of higher levels of pollutants at older ages. The present results showed a significant decrease in serum levels of p,p′
The Science of the total environment, 2018
Traditionally, a major part of aquaculture technology requires fish oil (FO) and fish meal (FM) t... more Traditionally, a major part of aquaculture technology requires fish oil (FO) and fish meal (FM) to produce the aquafeed for farmed species. FO is the main source of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish feed. In recent years, the use of vegetable-origin ingredients in fish feeds has been increasingly studied as an alternative to reduce the levels of these lipophilic pollutants in farmed species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of dietary vegetable oils in the farming of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) on the contents in persistent - polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) - and semi persistent pollutants - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) - of their edible parts. A total of 60 seabass muscle pools were obtained from fish farmed employing six experimental diets, which contained different percentages of FO (6 vs. 3%) and FM (20%, 10% and 5%). We did not observe di...
Environmental research, 2018
Smoking is considered an important source for inorganic elements, most of them toxic for human he... more Smoking is considered an important source for inorganic elements, most of them toxic for human health. During the last years, there has been a significant increase in the use of e-cigarettes, although the role of them as source of inorganic elements has not been well established. A cross-sectional study including a total of 150 subjects from Brasov (Romania), divided into three groups (non-smokers, cigarette smokers and electronic cigarettes smokers) were recruited to disclose the role of smoking on the human exposure to inorganic elements. Concentration of 42 elements, including trace elements, elements in the ATSDR's priority pollutant list and rare earth elements (REE) were measured by ICP-MS in the blood serum of participants. Cigarette smokers showed the highest levels of copper, molybdenum, zinc, antimony, and strontium. Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users presented the highest concentrations of selenium, silver, and vanadium. Beryllium, europium and lanthanides were ...
Environment international, Jan 9, 2018
There is growing concern about environmental pollution produced by elements, including "emer... more There is growing concern about environmental pollution produced by elements, including "emerging" contaminants, such as rare earth elements (REE) and other trace elements (TE), which are extensively and increasingly employed in the manufacture of consumer electronics. Previous research has shown that prenatal exposure to some elements (mainly heavy metals) may be associated with decreased fetal growth and other adverse birth outcomes. Recent studies have also shown that environmental exposure to REE and TE may be related to adverse effects on human health. This cross-sectional study, which included nearly 92% of the births in 2016 in La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain; n = 471), aimed to evaluate the potential adverse health effects exerted by a wide range of elements on newborns. We quantified the levels of 44 elements (including 26 REE and TE) in their umbilical cord blood. Our results showed low or very low levels of most elements. We found an inverse association between a...
The Science of the total environment, Jan 30, 2016
The marine environment acts as a sink for diverse anthropogenic pollutants, although the environm... more The marine environment acts as a sink for diverse anthropogenic pollutants, although the environmental contamination may be non-uniformly distributed. In recent decades, the aquaculture sector has experienced a steady growth postulating as a good alternative for seafood production. However, a social debate exits about the differential level of pollutants in wild and farmed species. This study was designed to evaluate the level of pollutants in a sentinel species: Bogue (Boops boops) associated and non-associated to fish-farm cages. A total of 82 chemical substances were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, including persistent (polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)), semi-persistent (bromodiphenyl ethers (BDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)), and emerging pollutants (such as organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and UV-filters). In general, aquaculture-associated bogues showed lower levels of semi-persistent and emerging poll...
The Science of the total environment, Jan 4, 2016
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are highly toxic compounds that are exclusively used for the con... more Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are highly toxic compounds that are exclusively used for the control of rodent pests. Despite their defined use, they are nonetheless found in a large number of non-target species indicating widespread penetration of wildlife. Attempts to quantify the scale of problem are complicated by non-random sampling of individuals tested for AR contamination. The American mink (Neovison vison) is a wide ranging, non-native, generalist predator that is subject to wide scale control efforts in the UK. Exposure to eight ARs was determined in 99 mink trapped in NE Scotland, most of which were of known age. A high percentage (79%) of the animals had detectable residues of at least one AR, and more than 50% of the positive animals had two or more ARs. The most frequently detected compound was bromadiolone (75% of all animals tested), followed by difenacoum (53% of all mink), coumatetralyl (22%) and brodifacoum (9%). The probability of mink exposure to ARs increased ...
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, 2016
Background. Novel predictors of prognosis and treatment response for prostate cancer are required... more Background. Novel predictors of prognosis and treatment response for prostate cancer are required to better individualize treatment. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 4 genes direct (XRCC5 and XRCC6) or indirect (PARP1 and MVP) involved in non-homologous endjoining were examined in 494 Spanish prostate cancer patients. Methods. A total of 22 SNPs were genotyped in a Biotrove OpenArray® NT Cycler. Clinical tumor stage, diagnostic prostate specific antigen (PSA) serum levels, and Gleason score at diagnosis were obtained for all participants. Genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined using the web-based environment SNPator. Results. (XRCC6) rs2267437 appeared as a risk factor for developing more aggressive prostate cancer tumors. Those patients carrying the GG genotype were at higher risk of develop bigger tumors (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.04, (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.26-3.29), p = 0.004), present higher diagnostic PSA levels (OR = 2.12, (95%CI 1.19-3.78), p = 0.011), higher Gleason score (OR = 1.65, (95%CI 1.01-2.68), p = 0.044), and D'Amico higher risk tumors (OR = 2.38, (95%CI 1.24-4.58), p = 0.009) than those patients carrying the CC/CG genotypes. Those patients carrying the (MVP) rs3815824 TT genotype were at higher risk of present higher diagnostic PSA levels (OR = 4.74, (95%CI 1.40-16.07), p = 0.013) than those patients carrying the CC genotype. When both SNPs were analyzed in combination, those patients carrying the risk genotypes were at higher risk of develop D'Amico higher risk tumors (OR = 3.33, (95%CI 1.56-7.17), p = 0.002). Conclusions. For the first time, genetic variants at XRCC6 and MVP genes are associated with risk of more aggressive disease, and would be taken into account when assessing the malignancy of prostate cancer.
Organochlorine Pesticides Exposure and Bladder Cancer: Evaluation from a Gene-Environment Perspective in a Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in the Canary Islands (Spain)
Journal of Agromedicine, 2015
The incidence of bladder cancer has increased significantly since the 1950s. Pesticide exposure h... more The incidence of bladder cancer has increased significantly since the 1950s. Pesticide exposure has been linked with increasing bladder cancer incidence, although the evidence is inconclusive. However, most epidemiological studies did not evaluate the potential role played by the organochlorine pesticides, the most widely used pesticides in Western countries from the 1940s to the 1970s. Organochlorine pesticides were banned in the late 1970s because of their persistence in the environment and their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. Organochlorine pesticides were employed in huge amounts in the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands; the authors, therefore, evaluated the role played by organochlorine pesticides exposure on bladder cancer. Serum levels of the most prevalent organochlorine pesticides used in the agriculture of these Islands (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane [p,p'-DDT], and its metabolites dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [p,p'-DDE] and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane [p,p'-DDD], hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, α- and β-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, methoxychlor, and mirex) were measured in 140 bladder cancer cases and 206 controls. GST-M1 and GST-T1 gene polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. These results showed that serum levels of organochlorine pesticides did not increase bladder cancer risk. On the contrary, total burden of hexachlorocyclohexanes was found to be negatively associated to bladder cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 0.929, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.865-0.997; P = .041). This effect disappeared when the distribution of the gluthathione S-transferase polymorphisms was introduced in the statistical model. These results indicate that organochlorine pesticides are not a risk factor for bladder cancer. However, these findings provide additional evidence of gene-environment interactions for organochlorine pesticides and bladder cancer and reinforce the relevance of genes encoding xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in bladder cancer.
Congenital hypothyroidism causes altered lipogenic response to thyroid hormones in adult rat liver
Febs Journal [ISSN 1742-464X], v. 273 sup. 1, p. 219-220, Abstract PP528, (Junio 2006), 2006
PLoS ONE, 2012
Thyroid hormones are required for normal growth and development in mammals. Congenital-neonatal h... more Thyroid hormones are required for normal growth and development in mammals. Congenital-neonatal hypothyroidism (CH) has a profound impact on physiology, but its specific influence in liver is less understood. Here, we studied how CH influences the liver gene expression program in adulthood. Pregnant rats were given the antithyroid drug methimazole (MMI) from GD12 until PND30 to induce CH in male offspring. Growth defects due to CH were evident as reductions in body weight and tail length from the second week of life. Once the MMI treatment was discontinued, the feed efficiency increased in CH, and this was accompanied by significant catch-up growth. On PND80, significant reductions in body mass, tail length, and circulating IGF-I levels remained in CH rats. Conversely, the mRNA levels of known GH target genes were significantly upregulated. The serum levels of thyroid hormones, cholesterol, and triglycerides showed no significant differences. In contrast, CH rats showed significant changes in the expression of hepatic genes involved in lipid metabolism, including an increased transcription of PPARa and a reduced expression of genes involved in fatty acid and cholesterol uptake, cellular sterol efflux, triglyceride assembly, bile acid synthesis, and lipogenesis. These changes were associated with a decrease of intrahepatic lipids. Finally, CH rats responded to the onset of hypothyroidism in adulthood with a reduction of serum fatty acids and hepatic cholesteryl esters and to T3 replacement with an enhanced activation of malic enzyme. In summary, we provide in vivo evidence that neonatal hypothyroidism influences the hepatic transcriptional program and tissue sensitivity to hormone treatment in adulthood. This highlights the critical role that a euthyroid state during development plays on normal liver physiology in adulthood.
P-62 Regulation of suppressor of cytokine signalling-2 gene expression in liver and kidney by estradiol, growth hormone and thyroid hormone interaction
Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 2008
Toxics
Psychedelics are experiencing a strong renaissance and will soon be incorporated into clinical pr... more Psychedelics are experiencing a strong renaissance and will soon be incorporated into clinical practice. However, there is uncertainty about how much harm they can cause at what doses. This review aimed to collect information on the health-hazardous doses of psychedelic substances, to be aware of the risks to which patients may be subjected. We focused on ergolamines, simple tryptamines, and phenylethylamines. We reviewed articles published in major medical and scientific databases. Studies reporting toxic or lethal doses in humans and animals were included. We followed PRISMA criteria for revisions. We identified 3032 manuscripts for inclusion. Of these, 33 were ultimately useful and gave relevant information about effects associated with high psychedelics doses. Despite having different molecular structures and different mechanisms of action, psychedelics are effective at very low doses, are not addictive, and are harmful at extremely high doses. For LSD and psilocybin, no dose ha...
Radiotherapy and Oncology, May 1, 2012
Individual blood concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and chemical elements, and COVID-19: A prospective cohort study in Barcelona
Environmental Research
Presence of anticoagulant rodenticide residues in five predatory birds species of the canary islands, 2002-2011
Science of The Total Environment, 2021
Background: Few cities in the world biomonitor changes in human levels of persistent organic poll... more Background: Few cities in the world biomonitor changes in human levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) through periodic health surveys representative of the general population. Objectives: To analyze changes in serum concentrations of POPs in Barcelona from 2006 to 2016, and to analyze socio-demographic correlates of concentrations of 62 POPs in 2016. Methods: Participants in the Barcelona Health Surveys of 2006 and 2016 (N = 231 and 240, respectively) were interviewed face-to-face, gave blood, and underwent a physical exam. POPs were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Concentrations of all nine most prevalent compounds decreased markedly during the 10-years. Reductions occurred in almost all sex, age and BMI subgroups. For most organochlorine compounds the reduction was larger in women than men (for HCB, −77% and − 62%, respectively). For β-HCH, PCBs, naphthalene and phenanthrene the decrease was larger in the younger groups. Large reductions in concentrations of PCBs and DDE were observed in individuals with normal weight but not in individuals with obesity. Conclusions: While concentrations of most POPs are decreasing in Barcelona, significant sociodemographic differences in such reductions warrant strengthening public and private policies towards groups making slower progress. A relevant component of the success in the current decreasing is a reduction of differences (convergence) by gender.
Science of The Total Environment, 2021
The population of the Canary Islands has been exposed to high levels of persistent organic pollut... more The population of the Canary Islands has been exposed to high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Biomonitoring studies are essential to know the temporal trend in residue levels, particularly of substances banned decades ago. The purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of plasma concentrations of 59 POPs in 175 participants from the PREDIMED-Plus trial (2014-2016), and to compare them with the distribution of these POPs in 343 participants in the PREDIMED trial (2006-2009). All participants had metabolic syndrome. No difference in the distribution of age, gender or BMI was observed between trials. POPs were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Density plots-POP Geoffrey Rose curves-were used to represent the full population distribution of each compound. Three out of 59 POPs were detected and quantified in ≥95% of the samples (p,p′-DDE, median = 694.7 ng/g lipid; HCB, median = 57.0 ng/g lipid; and β-HCH, median = 75.7 ng/g lipid). PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 were detected in 64.6, 40.0 and 88.0% of the samples. Females showed highest concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and those subjects who lost ˃ 5 kg showed significant higher plasma concentrations of POPs.
Data in Brief, 2020
The dataset presented in this article supports "Optimization and validation of a method for the s... more The dataset presented in this article supports "Optimization and validation of a method for the simultaneous environmental monitoring of 218 pesticide residues in clay loam soil" [1]. A method based on QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged & Safe) for the extraction of pesticide and some metabolites residues was developed. The quantification of the chemicals was performed by a combination of two complementary LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analyses. Detailed optimization data of the QuEChERS extraction method is provided, including (1) salt combination, (2) acidification of the solvent (3) the amount of the selected acid (Formic Acid, FA) and (4) moisturization of the soil samples prior to extraction. In addition, all the validation data are presented, including
Science of The Total Environment, 2019
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Science of The Total Environment, 2018
Pellets present higher contamination levels than plastic fragments • High levels of DDT metabolit... more Pellets present higher contamination levels than plastic fragments • High levels of DDT metabolites in the microplastic found in the coastal environment of the Canary Islands • Higher levels of contamination were found in Gran Canaria, the most populated and industrialized island
Science of The Total Environment, 2018
Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) are highly lipophilic and resistant to degradation, h... more Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) are highly lipophilic and resistant to degradation, hence these substances are commonly found in the environment even decades after their prohibition. The aim of the present study was to determine human serum concentrations of POPs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Romanian population, investigating the role of demographic variables on the body burden of such chemicals. A cross-sectional study including a total of 121 subjects from Brasov (Transylvania region) was designed. The concentration of 62 chemicals, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) and PAHs, was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in the serum of the participants. p,p′-DDE and β-HCH were detected in 100% and 62% of the series (median values = 2.1 and 0.5 μg/L); PCB-153 was detected in 77.7% of the subjects and PCB-28 showed the highest median concentration (0.5 μg/L); BDE-47 was detected at a low concentration in 11.6% of the individuals; phenanthrene and naphthalene were present in 98.3% and 38.8% of the serum samples (median values = 0.9 and 6.5 μg/L, respectively). Age was the main determinant of the total body burden of OCPs and PCBs. A positive correlation was observed between p,p′-DDE and age (Spearman Rho = 0.312, P b 0.0001), suggesting the prevalence of higher levels of pollutants at older ages. The present results showed a significant decrease in serum levels of p,p′
The Science of the total environment, 2018
Traditionally, a major part of aquaculture technology requires fish oil (FO) and fish meal (FM) t... more Traditionally, a major part of aquaculture technology requires fish oil (FO) and fish meal (FM) to produce the aquafeed for farmed species. FO is the main source of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish feed. In recent years, the use of vegetable-origin ingredients in fish feeds has been increasingly studied as an alternative to reduce the levels of these lipophilic pollutants in farmed species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of dietary vegetable oils in the farming of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) on the contents in persistent - polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) - and semi persistent pollutants - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) - of their edible parts. A total of 60 seabass muscle pools were obtained from fish farmed employing six experimental diets, which contained different percentages of FO (6 vs. 3%) and FM (20%, 10% and 5%). We did not observe di...
Environmental research, 2018
Smoking is considered an important source for inorganic elements, most of them toxic for human he... more Smoking is considered an important source for inorganic elements, most of them toxic for human health. During the last years, there has been a significant increase in the use of e-cigarettes, although the role of them as source of inorganic elements has not been well established. A cross-sectional study including a total of 150 subjects from Brasov (Romania), divided into three groups (non-smokers, cigarette smokers and electronic cigarettes smokers) were recruited to disclose the role of smoking on the human exposure to inorganic elements. Concentration of 42 elements, including trace elements, elements in the ATSDR's priority pollutant list and rare earth elements (REE) were measured by ICP-MS in the blood serum of participants. Cigarette smokers showed the highest levels of copper, molybdenum, zinc, antimony, and strontium. Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users presented the highest concentrations of selenium, silver, and vanadium. Beryllium, europium and lanthanides were ...
Environment international, Jan 9, 2018
There is growing concern about environmental pollution produced by elements, including "emer... more There is growing concern about environmental pollution produced by elements, including "emerging" contaminants, such as rare earth elements (REE) and other trace elements (TE), which are extensively and increasingly employed in the manufacture of consumer electronics. Previous research has shown that prenatal exposure to some elements (mainly heavy metals) may be associated with decreased fetal growth and other adverse birth outcomes. Recent studies have also shown that environmental exposure to REE and TE may be related to adverse effects on human health. This cross-sectional study, which included nearly 92% of the births in 2016 in La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain; n = 471), aimed to evaluate the potential adverse health effects exerted by a wide range of elements on newborns. We quantified the levels of 44 elements (including 26 REE and TE) in their umbilical cord blood. Our results showed low or very low levels of most elements. We found an inverse association between a...
The Science of the total environment, Jan 30, 2016
The marine environment acts as a sink for diverse anthropogenic pollutants, although the environm... more The marine environment acts as a sink for diverse anthropogenic pollutants, although the environmental contamination may be non-uniformly distributed. In recent decades, the aquaculture sector has experienced a steady growth postulating as a good alternative for seafood production. However, a social debate exits about the differential level of pollutants in wild and farmed species. This study was designed to evaluate the level of pollutants in a sentinel species: Bogue (Boops boops) associated and non-associated to fish-farm cages. A total of 82 chemical substances were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, including persistent (polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)), semi-persistent (bromodiphenyl ethers (BDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)), and emerging pollutants (such as organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and UV-filters). In general, aquaculture-associated bogues showed lower levels of semi-persistent and emerging poll...
The Science of the total environment, Jan 4, 2016
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are highly toxic compounds that are exclusively used for the con... more Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are highly toxic compounds that are exclusively used for the control of rodent pests. Despite their defined use, they are nonetheless found in a large number of non-target species indicating widespread penetration of wildlife. Attempts to quantify the scale of problem are complicated by non-random sampling of individuals tested for AR contamination. The American mink (Neovison vison) is a wide ranging, non-native, generalist predator that is subject to wide scale control efforts in the UK. Exposure to eight ARs was determined in 99 mink trapped in NE Scotland, most of which were of known age. A high percentage (79%) of the animals had detectable residues of at least one AR, and more than 50% of the positive animals had two or more ARs. The most frequently detected compound was bromadiolone (75% of all animals tested), followed by difenacoum (53% of all mink), coumatetralyl (22%) and brodifacoum (9%). The probability of mink exposure to ARs increased ...
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, 2016
Background. Novel predictors of prognosis and treatment response for prostate cancer are required... more Background. Novel predictors of prognosis and treatment response for prostate cancer are required to better individualize treatment. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 4 genes direct (XRCC5 and XRCC6) or indirect (PARP1 and MVP) involved in non-homologous endjoining were examined in 494 Spanish prostate cancer patients. Methods. A total of 22 SNPs were genotyped in a Biotrove OpenArray® NT Cycler. Clinical tumor stage, diagnostic prostate specific antigen (PSA) serum levels, and Gleason score at diagnosis were obtained for all participants. Genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined using the web-based environment SNPator. Results. (XRCC6) rs2267437 appeared as a risk factor for developing more aggressive prostate cancer tumors. Those patients carrying the GG genotype were at higher risk of develop bigger tumors (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.04, (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.26-3.29), p = 0.004), present higher diagnostic PSA levels (OR = 2.12, (95%CI 1.19-3.78), p = 0.011), higher Gleason score (OR = 1.65, (95%CI 1.01-2.68), p = 0.044), and D'Amico higher risk tumors (OR = 2.38, (95%CI 1.24-4.58), p = 0.009) than those patients carrying the CC/CG genotypes. Those patients carrying the (MVP) rs3815824 TT genotype were at higher risk of present higher diagnostic PSA levels (OR = 4.74, (95%CI 1.40-16.07), p = 0.013) than those patients carrying the CC genotype. When both SNPs were analyzed in combination, those patients carrying the risk genotypes were at higher risk of develop D'Amico higher risk tumors (OR = 3.33, (95%CI 1.56-7.17), p = 0.002). Conclusions. For the first time, genetic variants at XRCC6 and MVP genes are associated with risk of more aggressive disease, and would be taken into account when assessing the malignancy of prostate cancer.
Organochlorine Pesticides Exposure and Bladder Cancer: Evaluation from a Gene-Environment Perspective in a Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in the Canary Islands (Spain)
Journal of Agromedicine, 2015
The incidence of bladder cancer has increased significantly since the 1950s. Pesticide exposure h... more The incidence of bladder cancer has increased significantly since the 1950s. Pesticide exposure has been linked with increasing bladder cancer incidence, although the evidence is inconclusive. However, most epidemiological studies did not evaluate the potential role played by the organochlorine pesticides, the most widely used pesticides in Western countries from the 1940s to the 1970s. Organochlorine pesticides were banned in the late 1970s because of their persistence in the environment and their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. Organochlorine pesticides were employed in huge amounts in the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands; the authors, therefore, evaluated the role played by organochlorine pesticides exposure on bladder cancer. Serum levels of the most prevalent organochlorine pesticides used in the agriculture of these Islands (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane [p,p'-DDT], and its metabolites dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [p,p'-DDE] and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane [p,p'-DDD], hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, α- and β-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, methoxychlor, and mirex) were measured in 140 bladder cancer cases and 206 controls. GST-M1 and GST-T1 gene polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. These results showed that serum levels of organochlorine pesticides did not increase bladder cancer risk. On the contrary, total burden of hexachlorocyclohexanes was found to be negatively associated to bladder cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 0.929, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.865-0.997; P = .041). This effect disappeared when the distribution of the gluthathione S-transferase polymorphisms was introduced in the statistical model. These results indicate that organochlorine pesticides are not a risk factor for bladder cancer. However, these findings provide additional evidence of gene-environment interactions for organochlorine pesticides and bladder cancer and reinforce the relevance of genes encoding xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in bladder cancer.