Modulation of persistent organic pollutant toxicity through nutritional intervention: Emerging opportunities in biomedicine and environmental remediation

Abstract

Environmental pollution is increasing worldwide, and there is evidence that exposure to halogenated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls can contribute to the pathology of inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. Pollutant removal from contaminated sites and subsequent pollutant degradation are critical for reducing the long-term health risks associated with exposure. However, complete remediation of a toxicant from the environment is very difficult and cost-prohibitive. Furthermore, remediation technologies often result in the generation of secondary toxicants. Considering these circumstances, environmentally-friendly and sustainable remediation technologies and biomedical solutions to reduce vulnerability to environmental chemical insults need to be explored to reduce the overall health risks associate with exposure to environmental pollutants. We propose that positive lifestyle changes such as healthful nutrition and consumption of diets rich in fruits and vegetables or bioactive nutrients with antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties will reduce the body’s vulnerability to environmental stressors and thus reduce toxicant-mediated disease pathologies. Interestingly, emerging evidence now implicates the incorporation of bioactive nutrients, such as plant-derived polyphenols, in technologies focused on the capture, sensing and remediation of halogenated POPs. We propose that human nutritional intervention in concert with the use of natural polyphenol sensing and remediation platforms may provide a sensible means to develop primary and long-term prevention strategies of diseases associated with many environmental toxic insults including halogenated POPs.

Dioxin-like pollutants increase hepatic flavin containing monooxygenase (FMO3) expression to promote synthesis of the pro-atherogenic nutrient biomarker trimethylamine N-oxide from dietary precursors

“…Interestingly, it appears that diet can either exacerbate the toxicity of environmental pollutants, or in the case of healthful diets, certain nutritional choices may actually reduce risks associated with pollutant exposures [12, 13]. For example, diets high in certain pro-inflammatory fats may exacerbate PCB-induced endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, but diets high in anti-inflammatory bioactive nutrients, such as polyphenols, may block the acute or chronic pro-atherogenic effects of pollutants [12–18].…”

The role of nutrition in influencing mechanisms involved in environmentally mediated diseases

“…healthful nutrition, exercise or increased physical activity) can modulate or reduce the toxicity of hazardous chemicals (62, 63). Diet can either increase or reduce the harmful effects associated with exposure to environmental pollutants.…”

“…An accumulating body of evidence clearly shows that nutrition can modulate PCB toxicity (62, 63). For example, specific fatty acids present in many oils, such as linoleic acid (the parent omega-6 fatty acid), can amplify PCB toxicity in vascular endothelial cells, an event which can be down-regulated by vitamin E (63).…”

Lindane, kepone and pentachlorobenzene: chloropesticides banned by Stockholm convention

“…Persistent organic pollutants (POP) are compounds of high resistance to degradation in environment in natural processes, being by chance highly toxic and dangerous to animals, including humans (Petriello et al 2014;Usman et al 2014). Vast majority of them were used as pesticides by the time they were identified as toxin and found to be accumulated in fats (Lee et al 2010).…”