Investigation on Sex Hormone-Disruption Effects of Two Novel Brominated Flame Retardants (DBDPE and BTBPE) in Male Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Two Human Cell Lines (H295R and MVLN)

Abstract

Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromo-phenoxy) ethane (BTBPE) are novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and have been detected in variety of environment and biota. Although sex endocrine-disrupting potential has been suggested in experimental studies, their adverse effects on sex steroid hormones and underlying mechanisms are largely unclear. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the sex hormone-disrupting effects of two NBFRs using in vivo and in vitro models together. For this, male zebrafish (Danio rerio) along with human adrenocortical carcinoma (H295R) and breast carcinoma (MVLN) cell lines were employed. In male zebrafish, 14-day exposure to DBDPE significantly increased 17β-estradiol (E2) concentrations. Disruption of sex hormone regulation was also suggested after exposure to BTBPE, i.e., the increasing trend of E2 levels, E2/11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) ratio, and estrogen receptor-alpha (erα) and erβ gene expression levels. In H295R cells, an E2/T ratio showed an increasing trend by DBDPE exposure, but transcriptions of major genes in steroidogenesis pathway were not affected. Taken together, our observation implies that two NBFRs could cause the sex hormone disruption potential in male zebrafish and H295R cells but probably not through alteration of steroidogenesis pathway.

Understanding the Influence of Gypsum upon a Hybrid Flame Retardant Coating on Expanded Polystyrene Beads

“…For example, the bromine-containing molecule decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) greatly facilitates the gas phase activity of this flame retardant. Several studies suggested that DBDPE does not release the toxic and carcinogenic polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PBDD) and polybrominated dibenzofuran (PBDF) gases during combustion due to the absence of ether linkages [19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

Response of Sex Steroid Hormone Synthesis Substrates in Serum and Testes of Male Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Exposed to Methomyl and Its Recovery Pattern

“…Recent evidence suggests that numerous compounds present in the environment act as hormone mimics and interfere with the reproductive status of vertebrates through effects ranging from alterations in plasma reproductive hormone levels to sterility [8]. An alteration in steroid hormone synthesis is an important biological response from a toxicological standpoint [9][10][11]. This is because the biological effects of pollutant exposure in organisms can be investigated through several molecular and biochemical biomarkers reflecting the onset of various cellular alterations [12,13].…”