Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B, Critical Reviews

The widespread production and use of plastics have resulted in accumulation of plastic debris in the environment, gradually breaking down into smaller particles over time. Nano-plastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs), defined as particles smaller than 100 nanometers and 5 millimeters, respectively, raise concerns due to their ability to enter the human body through various pathways including ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Various investigators demonstrated that these particles may produce physical and chemical damage to human cells, tissues, and organs, disrupting cellular processes, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress, and impacting hormone and neurotransmitter balance...

Cyclic and linear siloxanes are compounds synthesized from silicon consisting of alternating atoms of silicone and oxygen [Si-O] units with organic side chains. The most common cyclic siloxanes are octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6), while the most common linear siloxanes are high molecular weight polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) and low molecular weight volatile linear siloxanes known as hexamethyldisiloxane (L2), octamethyltrisiloxane (L3), decamethyltetrasiloxane (L4), dodecamethylpentasiloxane (L5)...

The relationship of occupational exposure to endotoxins with different histologic subtypes of lung cancer has not been established. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to assess the effect of exposure to endotoxins on the development of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). A bibliographic search was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases until December 2022, including all cohort and/or case-control studies that examined occupational exposure to endotoxins and SCLC...

The aim of this review was to explore the advances of nanoformulations as a strategy to optimize glioblastoma treatment, specifically focusing on targeting and controlling drug delivery systems to the tumor. This review followed the PRISMA recommendations. The studies were selected through a literature search conducted in the electronic databases PubMed Central, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science, in April 2023, using the equation descriptors: (nanocapsule OR nanoformulation) AND (glioblastoma). Forty-seven investigations included were published between 2011 and 2023 to assess the application of different nanoformulations to optimize delivery of chemotherapies including temozolomide, carmustine, vincristine or cisplatin previously employed in brain tumor therapy, as well as investigating another 10 drugs...

Africanized bees have spread across the Americas since 1956 and consequently resulted in human and animal deaths attributed to massive attacks related to exposure from Argentina to the USA. In Brazil, more than 100,000 accidents were registered in the last 5 years with a total of 303 deaths. To treat such massive attacks, Brazilian researchers developed the first specific antivenom against Africanized honey bee sting exposure. This unique product, the first of its kind in the world, has been safely tested in 20 patients during a Phase 2 clinical trial...

Given the increasing concern surrounding ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin damage, there has been a rise in demand for UV filters. Currently, UV-filters are considered emerging contaminants. The extensive production and use of UV filters have led to their widespread release into the aquatic environment. Thus, there is growing concern that UV filters may bioaccumulate and exhibit persistent properties within the environment, raising several safety health concerns. Octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC) is extensively employed as a UV-B filter in the cosmetic industry...

Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI) constitutes hepatic damage attributed to drug exposure. DILI may be categorized as hepatocellular, cholestatic or mixed and might also involve immune responses. When DILI occurs in dose-dependent manner, it is referred to as intrinsic, while if the injury occurs spontaneously, it is termed as idiosyncratic. This review predominately focused on idiosyncratic liver injury. The established molecular mechanisms for DILI include (1) mitochondria dysfunction, (2) increased reactive oxygen species levels, (3) presence of elevated apoptosis and necrosis, (4) and bile duct injuries associated with immune mediated pathways...

Noise, any unwanted sound, is pervasive and impacts large populations worldwide. Investigators suggested that noise exposure not only induces auditory damage but also produces various organ system dysfunctions. Although previous reviews primarily focused on noise-induced cardiovascular and cerebral dysfunctions, this narrow focus has unintentionally led the research community to disregard the importance of other vital organs. Indeed, limited studies revealed that noise exposure impacts other organs including the liver, kidneys, pancreas, lung, and gastrointestinal tract...

Bioactive compounds derived from secondary metabolism in animals have refined selectivity and potency for certain biological targets. The superfamily Dendrobatoidea is adapted to the dietary sequestration and secretion of toxic alkaloids, which play a role in several biological activities, and thus serve as a potential source for pharmacological and biotechnological applications. This article constitutes a scoping review to understand the trends in experimental research involving bioactive alkaloids derived from Dendrobatoidea based upon scientometric approaches...

Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) is a synthetic amino acid that blocks the biosynthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH), an endogenous antioxidant cellular component present in tumor cells. GSH levels have been associated with tumor cell resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs and platinum compounds. Consequently, by depleting GSH, BSO enhances the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents in drug-resistant tumors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of preclinical studies utilizing BSO in cancer treatments...

The purpose of this study was to determine the toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate, a structural analog of the artificial sweetener sucralose. Sucralose-6-acetate is an intermediate and impurity in the manufacture of sucralose, and recent commercial sucralose samples were found to contain up to 0.67% sucralose-6-acetate. Studies in a rodent model found that sucralose-6-acetate is also present in fecal samples with levels up to 10% relative to sucralose which suggest that sucralose is also acetylated in the intestines...

This review systematically gathers and provides an analysis of pollutants levels emitted from wildfire (WF) and their impact on short-term health effects of affected populations. The available literature was searched according to Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, and Study design (PECOS) database defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a meta-analysis was conducted whenever possible. Data obtained through PECOS characterized information from the USA, Europe, Australia, and some Asian countries; South American countries were seldom characterized, and no data were available for Africa and Russia...

This review is based upon evidence from the published effects of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on genotoxic damage induced by metals with carcinogenic potential. First, the relationship between GTP and antioxidant defense system is provided. Subsequently, the processes involved in the oxidative stress generated by metals and their relationship to oxidative DNA damage is examined. The review demonstrated that GTP generally decrease oxidative DNA damage induced by exposure to metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and lead (Pb)...

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) has been extensively used and reported to produce toxicity, most notably involving the liver. Carbon tetrachloride metabolism involves CYP450-mediated bioactivation to trichloromethyl and trichloromethyl peroxy radicals, which are capable of macromolecular interaction with cell components including lipids and proteins. Radical interaction with lipids produces lipid peroxidation which can mediate cellular damage leading to cell death. Chronic exposure with CCl4 a rodent hepatic carcinogen with a mode of action (MOA) exhibits the following key events: 1) metabolic activation; 2) hepatocellular toxicity and cell death; 3) consequent regenerative increased cell proliferation; and 4) hepatocellular proliferative lesions (foci, adenomas, carcinomas)...

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra that results in a decrease in dopamine levels, resulting in motor-type disturbances. Different vertebrate models, such as rodents and fish, have been used to study PD. In recent decades, Danio rerio (zebrafish) has emerged as a potential model for the investigation of neurodegenerative diseases due to its homology to the nervous system of humans. In this context, this systematic review aimed to identify publications that reported the utilization of neurotoxins as an experimental model of parkinsonism in zebrafish embryos and larvae...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, and its global health burden is increasing. COPD is characterized by emphysema, mucus hypersecretion, and persistent lung inflammation, and clinically by chronic airflow obstruction and symptoms of dyspnea, cough, and fatigue in patients. A cluster of pathologies including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and cardiovascular disease in the form of hypertension and atherosclerosis variably coexist in COPD patients...

The aim of this review was to (i) acknowledge structural advantages of natural products (NPs) for designing therapeutic drugs; (ii) emphasize how wildlife conservation is socially and economically necessary for scientific and commercial progress in Brazilian regions; and (iii) show how decisions by governmental regulations exert damaging effects on safeguarding of biodiversity. Natural products (NPs) from animals (e.g.: bufadienolides as marinobufagin), plants (diterpenes: casearin X and paclitaxel; triterpenes: betulinic acid) and microorganisms (depsipeptides: geodiamolides; antraciclines: doxorubicin) are the main source of oral drugs and have innate advantages for enteral and parenteral drug design, synthesis and combinational chemistry using novel techniques, including green chemistry...

Firefighters are the principal line of defense against fires, being at elevated risk of exposure to health-relevant pollutants released during fires and burning processes. Although many biomonitoring studies exist, only a limited number of human in vitro investigations in fire risk assessment are currently available. In vitro studies stand out as valuable tools to assess the toxicity mechanisms involved following exposure to fire pollutants at a cellular level. The aim of the present review was to contextualize existing in vitro studies using human cell models exposed to chemicals emitted from fire emissions and wood smoke and discuss the implications of the observed toxic outcomes on adverse health effects detected in firefighters...

This review examined the mutagenicity and genotoxicity associated with exposure to outdoor air pollutants in Brazil. A search was performed on the Web of Science database using a combination of keywords that resulted in 134 articles. After applying exclusion criteria, a total of 75 articles were obtained. The articles were classified into three categories: (1) studies with plants and animals, (2) in vitro studies, and (3) human biomonitoring. The investigations were conducted in 11 of 27 Brazilian states with the highest prevalence in the southeast and south regions...

Trichoderma is a saprophytic fungus that is used worldwide as a biocontrol and biofertilizer agent. Although considered nonpathogenic until recently, reports of human infections produced by members of the Trichoderma genus are increasing. Numerous sources of infection were proposed based upon patient data and phylogenetic analysis, including air, agriculture, and healthcare facilities, but the deficit of knowledge concerning Trichoderma infections makes patient treatment difficult. These issues are compounded by isolates that present profiles which exhibit high minimum inhibitory concentration values to available antifungal drugs...