Research Publications (Food Safety)

Abstract Arsenic occurs across the world in freshwater and marine environments, menacing the survival of aquatic organisms. Organic and inorganic forms of this substance can be found, in which the inorganic form is more hazardous than the organic form. Most aquatic bodies contain inorganic arsenic species, but organic species are believed to be the dominant form of arsenic in the majority of fish. Natural and anthropogenic both are the sources of water contamination with arsenic.

Abstract Genotoxic and hepatotoxic effects of lead (Pb) on a freshwater fish, climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) were studied at an environmentally relevant concentration (43.3 ppm). The genotoxic potential of Pb was confirmed by micronucleus study, with increased frequencies of erythrocytic nuclear alterations like lobed, blebbed, notched, fragmented, and micronuclei were observed in erythrocytes in treated groups as compared to control.

Abstract Heavy metals are among the most important environmental pollutions used in various industries. Their extensive use has increased human susceptibility to different chronic diseases. Toxic metal exposure, especially cadmium, arsenic, and lead, causes oxidative damages, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic and epigenetic modifications.

Abstract Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that causes renal carcinogenicity following the induction of karyomegaly in proximal tubular cells after repeated administration to rats. Here, we performed gene profiling regarding altered DNA methylation and gene expression in the renal tubules focusing on the mechanism of OTA‐induced carcinogenesis.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, EarlyView. Our previous study showed that sodium arsenite (200 mg/L) affected the nervous system and induced motor neuron development via the Sonic hedgehog pathway in zebrafish larvae. To gain more insight into the effects of arsenite on other signaling pathways, including apoptosis, we have performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction array-based gene expression analyses.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, Accepted Article. Nowadays, more and more attention has been focused on the risk of the neurotoxic action of cadmium (Cd) under environmental exposure. Due to the growing incidence of nervous system diseases, including neurodegenerative changes, and suggested involvement of Cd in their etiopathogenesis, this review aimed to discuss critically this element neurotoxicity.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, EarlyView. Quantum dots (QDs), with unique and tunable optical properties, have been widely used in many fields closely related to our daily lives, such as biomedical application and electronic products. Therefore, the potential toxicity of QDs on the human health should be understood. Autophagy plays an important role in cell survival and death.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, Accepted Article. The relationship between cadmium exposure, exposure-related renal tubular dysfunction, and mortality have been reported, mainly in the residents of Cd contaminated areas in Japan. The aim of this study was to establish the cause-effect relationship between renal tubular dysfunction and cancer mortality in the general population in non-contaminated areas.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, EarlyView.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, EarlyView.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, EarlyView. Short-chained alkyl mercury compounds accumulate in particularly in the brain. Exposure to these compounds is associated with various neurotoxic effects. Gender-based differences are observed in neurodevelopmental disorders, and testosterone and estradiol may alter the toxic effect of the compounds.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, EarlyView. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of halogenated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vertebrates. Thus, increased knowledge of AhR-mediated responses to xenobiotics is imperative. Sebastes schlegelii is increasingly being used as a model for studying environmental toxicology; hence, in this study, the presence of AhR2 was evaluated in S. schlegelii.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, EarlyView. Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/DFs) are byproducts of brominated flame retardants and can cause adverse health effects. Although exposure to polychlorinated (PC) DD/DFs induces toxic effects, including liver injury and neurobehavioral disorder, little is known about toxicities associated with PBDD/DF exposure. Thus, we examined effects of perinatal exposure to brominated congener on the infant mouse.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, EarlyView. Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal widely found in the environment. Cd is also a potential neurotoxicant, and its exposure is associated with impairment of cognitive function. However, the underlying mechanisms by which Cd induces neurotoxicity are unclear. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effect of Cd on primary murine neural stem/progenitor cells (mNS/PCs) isolated from the subventricular zone.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, EarlyView.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generated by the incomplete combustion of carbon. Exposures correlate with systemic immune dysfunction and overall immune suppression. Real‐world exposures to PAHs are almost always encountered as mixtures; however, research overwhelmingly centers on isolated exposures to a single PAH, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P).

Mitochondria are important organelles in human cells, providing more than 95% of the energy. However, some drugs and environmental chemicals could induce mitochondrial dysfunction, which might cause complex diseases and even worsen the condition of patients with mitochondrial damage. Some drugs have been withdrawn from the market due to their severe mitochondrial toxicity, such as troglitazone.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a raw material of polycarbonate and epoxy resin. It is used for various household electrical appliances, electronic equipment, office automation equipment, medical equipment, mobile phones, paints for automobiles, internal surface coating of cans, and adhesives for civil engineering and construction. BPA is a well‐known endocrine‐disrupting chemical, and it was reported that BPA has an adverse effect on the nervous and immune systems.

Lung cancer is the most common neoplasm and the primary cause‐related mortality in developed and in most of nondeveloped countries. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that even at low arsenic doses, the lungs are one of the main target organs and that chronic arsenic exposure has been associated with an increase in lung cancer development.

The G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor 1 (Gper1) is a membrane‐bound estrogen receptor that mediates non‐genomic action of estrogens. A Gper1‐mediating pathway has been implicated in reproductive activities in fish, including oocyte growth, but Gper1 has been characterized in only a very limited number of fish species.

To improve our understanding of underlying toxic mechanisms, it is important to evaluate differences in effects that a variety of metals exert at concentrations representing the same toxic level to the organism.

Worldwide demand for petroleum products has resulted in increased oil and gas activities in many countries. Conventional and unconventional oil and gas extraction, production, and transport lead to increased levels of petroleum‐derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment.

Itai‐itai (Japanese, “It hurts! It hurts!”) disease (IID), a form of osteomalacia, can be induced in ovariectomized rats by long‐term administration of cadmium (Cd). This IID rat model shows severe anemia, severe nephropathy, and osteomalacia accompanied by iron (Fe) deposition at the mineralization front. We characterized the pathogenesis of Cd‐induced bone lesions by investigating the relationship between Fe deposition and osteoid tissue formation in ovariectomized rats.

Cadmium (Cd) is an occupational and environmental heavy metal pollutant derived from many sources that is linked to endothelial homeostasis. The endothelium is an important site of Cd deposition, while increasing evidence has revealed there is a close relationship between endothelial dysfunction and abnormal lipid metabolism. However, the effects of the alterations in lipid metabolism on endothelial cells (ECs) after Cd exposure still remain unclear.