Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
are not eficient enough to prevent contamination of environmental surface waters with
EDCs (Kusk et al., 2011). In addition, many EDCs are metabolized, producing derivatives
that are not present in the currently existing libraries and thus cannot be identiied by
chemical methods. Complex mixtures with endocrine-altering properties in the water fur-
ther complicate the process of identifying active constituents. Our results unambiguously
demonstrate that the translocation-based assay can detect biologically active EDCs that
are not identiiable by chemical methods. The results of our “forensic chemistry” analysis
also indicate that the translocation-based assay is superior to the currently used chemical
methods, as it successfully detected not only androgenic but also glucocorticoid activity in
the water, the latter undetectable by the currently known chemical methods.
Finally, should we be concerned by the presence of these two classes of EDCs in the
water sources? It is true that none of the samples were taken from drinking water reser-
voirs, and most were highly concentrated. However, when several different concentrations
of two randomly selected samples were tested, we discovered that both samples were posi-
tive for glucocorticoid and androgen activity at 10× concentrations (10× higher than the
original water sample). In addition, one of the samples was also positive for glucocorticoid
activity at 1× concentration, suggesting that the level of glucocorticoids at that location is
suficiently high to elicit biological responses.
Naturally occurring glucocorticoids acting through glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoids
receptors (GR and MR, respectively) are released in mammalian organisms in a complex cir-
cadian and ultradian manner (Lightman, 2006; Stavreva et al., 2009, 2012b). Excess exposure
to glucocorticoid is associated with immune suppression and a variety of other deleterious
side effects (Schacke et al., 2002). Exposures to stress hormones, including glucocorticoids,
during the prenatal period have programming effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adre-
nal axis, brain neurotransmitter systems, and cognitive abilities of the offspring (Darnaudery
and Maccari, 2008). Negative effects on the immune function on the offspring upon prenatal
exposure to endogenous or synthetic glucocorticoids were also reported (Merlot et al., 2008).
Moreover, disruption of the AR signaling in males by environmental chemicals is well docu-
mented (Luccio-Camelo and Prins, 2011). Studies using guinea pigs and monkeys demonstrate
that prenatal exposure to androgens is associated with irreversible changes in sexual and
social behaviors of the female progenies later in life (Luccio-Camelo and Prins, 2011; Wallen
and Hassett, 2009). Thus, contamination of water sources with both glucocorticoid and andro-
genic activity could have deleterious short-term effects, as well as long-term consequences.
In conclusion, implementation of this novel approach for detection and monitoring of
biologically active EDCs in water (Stavreva et al., 2012a) may facilitate both the develop-
ment and testing of appropriate iltration methods for eficient removal of EDCs from
water sources, as well as the establishment of regulatory guidelines. This approach could
be readily extended to other nuclear receptors and applied to detection of various classes
of EDCs in the environment.
References
Alvarez, D.A., W.L. Cranor, S.D. Perkins, V.L. Schroeder, L.R. Iwanowicz, R.C. Clark, C.P. Guy,
A.E. Pinkney, V.S. Blazer, and J.E. Mullican. 2009. Reproductive health of bass in the Potomac,
U.S.A., drainage: Part 2. Seasonal occurrence of persistent and emerging organic contaminants.
Environ. Toxicol. Chem.
28:1084-1095.
