Enhanced cytotoxicity of pentachlorophenol by perfluorooctane sulfonate or perfluorooctanoic acid in HepG2 cells

Abstract

h i g h l i g h t sPFOS and PFOA could enhance the cytotoxity of PCP to HepG2 cells. PFOS displayed stronger synergistic cytotoxicity with PCP than PFOA. Cytotoxic enhancement might be via strengthening the phosphorylation uncoupling of PCP. PFOS and PFOA might cause membrane disruption and improve the uptake of PCP. a r t i c l e i n f o t r a c tChlorinated phenols and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are two kinds of pollutants which are widely present in the environment. Considering liver is the primary toxic target organ for these two groups of chemicals, it is interesting to evaluate the possible joint effects of them on liver. In this work, the combined toxicity of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were investigated using HepG2 cells. The results indicated that PFOS and PFOA could strengthen PCP's hepatotoxicity. Further studies showed that rather than intensify the oxidative stress or promote the biotransformation of PCP, PFOS (or PFOA) might lead to strengthening of the oxidative phosphorylation uncoupling of PCP. By measuring the intracellular PCP concentration and the cell membrane properties, it was suggested that PFOS and PFOA could disrupt the plasma membrane and increase the membrane permeability. Thus, more cellular accessibility of PCP was induced when they were co-exposed to PCP and PFOS (or PFOA), leading to increased cytotoxicity. Further research is warranted to better understand the combined toxicity of PFAAs and other environmental pollutants.

In vitro evaluation of the cytotoxicity and modulation of mechanisms associated with inflammation induced by perfluorooctanesulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid in human colon myofibroblasts CCD-18Co

“…However, under the different conditions of our study, the MTT conversion percentage was increased by PFOA at the doses investigated. Contrary to studies showing that PFOS and PFOA did not increase the proliferation of the cells at concentrations below inhibitory concentrations (Shan et al, 2013;Coperchini et al, 2014), our results revealed that both PFASs were able to increase MTT conversion at concentrations below toxic level. Hormesis is a reproducible and generalizable phenomenon that explains many dose-response relationships (Calabrese et al, 1999).…”

Effects of pentachlorophenol on the detoxification system in white-rumped munia ( Lonchura striata )

“…The principal mechanisms of PCP-induced toxicity appear to be related to the generation of ROS (Shan et al, 2013), which affect the antioxidant system (SOD, CAT, GST, GSH-Px and GSH content) and can cause oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation if oxidative stress overwhelms the defense system. In agreement with this, we observed a decrease in GSH and an increase in MDA content in the PCP-treated groups (Fig.…”

Potential hepatic toxicity of buprofezin at sublethal concentrations: ROS-mediated conversion of energy metabolism

“…The elevated levels of these indicators after buprofezin treatment confirmed our hypothesis. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments have also demonstrated that pesticides can reduce the ATP level in liver tissue and HepG2 cells[40,41].…”