Identification of major dioxin-like compounds and androgen receptor antagonist in acid-treated tissue extracts of high trophic-level animals

Environ Sci Technol. 2011 Dec 1;45(23):10203-11. doi: 10.1021/es2024274. Epub 2011 Nov 8.

Abstract

We evaluated the applicability of combining in vitro bioassays with instrument analyses to identify potential endocrine disrupting pollutants in sulfuric acid-treated extracts of liver and/or blubber of high trophic-level animals. Dioxin-like and androgen receptor (AR) antagonistic activities were observed in Baikal seals, common cormorants, raccoon dogs, and finless porpoises by using a panel of rat and human cell-based chemical-activated luciferase gene expression (CALUX) reporter gene bioassays. On the other hand, no activity was detected in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-, progesterone receptor (PR)-, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2)-CALUX assays with the sample amount applied. All individual samples (n = 66) showed dioxin-like activity, with values ranging from 21 to 5500 pg CALUX-2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalent (TEQ)/g-lipid. Because dioxins are expected to be strong contributors to CALUX-TEQs, the median theoretical contribution of dioxins calculated from the result of chemical analysis to the experimental CALUX-TEQs was estimated to explain up to 130% for all the tested samples (n = 54). Baikal seal extracts (n = 31), but not other extracts, induced AR antagonistic activities that were 8-150 μg CALUX-flutamide equivalent (FluEQ)/g-lipid. p,p'-DDE was identified as an important causative compound for the activity, and its median theoretical contribution to the experimental CALUX-FluEQs was 59% for the tested Baikal seal tissues (n = 25). Our results demonstrate that combining in vitro CALUX assays with instrument analysis is useful for identifying persistent organic pollutant-like compounds in the tissue of wild animals on the basis of in vitro endocrine disruption toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Dioxins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / metabolism
  • Porpoises
  • Raccoon Dogs
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / metabolism
  • Seals, Earless
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*

Substances

  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists
  • Dioxins
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical