Alkoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activities and polychlorinated biphenyl patterns in shrews as biomarkers in environmental risk assessments: sensitivity and specificity.
Alkoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (AROD) biomarkers are useful indicators of the exposure of organisms to dioxin-like compounds. In the current study, an in vivo validation of the use of such biomarkers in shrews was conducted. Furthermore, the use of changes in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) patterns as an animal-friendly alternative to AROD biomarkers was evaluated. Two experiments and a field study were conducted in which dose-response relations were established between levels of sigma-PCBs in shrews on one hand and their AROD activities and changes in PCB patterns on the other. We demonstrate that the changes in PCB patterns are as sensitive as the classic AROD biomarkers. The experiments also showed a substrate-specific induction of AROD biomarkers and a related PCB congener-specific metabolism. This implies that congener-specific analysis of PCBs can reveal activities of specific AROD biomarkers. Gender-specific induction of AROD activities in shrews was shown in the field study, whereas the relationship between exposure and changes in PCB patterns did not differ between genders. It is concluded that (i) AROD biomarkers are useful biomarkers to assess exposure of shrews to specific organochlorines and that (ii) changes in PCB patterns can be used as an animal-friendly alternative to these AROD biomarkers.
van den Brink
Nico W
NW
Alterra, Wageningen UR, Box 47, NL6700AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands. nico.vandenbrink@wur.nl
Bosveldt
Albertus Bart T C
AB
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000737:chemistry; D002713:Chlorine / Q000737:chemistry; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000737:chemistry*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000737:chemistry*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D012788:Shrews
D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008055:Lipids; D002713:Chlorine; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1