title: Effects of mixtures of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) derived from cod liver oil on H295R steroidogenesis.
abstract: Crude cod liver oil and liver oil supplements are consumed as a source of vitamin A, D and polyunsaturated fatty acids; during winter and early pregnancy. Crude cod liver oil however constitutes a considerable source of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This paper aimed at characterizing and quantifying the influence of POP mixtures extracted from three different steps in the cod liver oil industrial process on hormone production and the expression of steroidogenesis-related genes in H295R cells. Exposure to extracts from crude cod liver oil and from its industrial waste increased progesterone (P4), cortisol (Cort), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) production; and among others, the expression of MC2R, CYP11B1 and HSD3B2 genes. Observed effects after exposure to pharmaceutical cod liver oil extract were considerably lower. The type of effects on gene expression and hormone production were similar to those induced by forskolin and PCBs, the latter being the major contaminants within the extracts. Additional research is required to further unveil the mechanisms behind the observed steroidogenic effects and to assess whether the potential risk might outweigh the potential benefits of crude and processed cod liver oil consumption.
authors: Department of Environment and Agro-biotechnologies, Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, 41, rue de Brill, L4422 Belvaux, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, Luxembourg. montano@lippmann.lu
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Montaño
authors: K E
authors: KE
authors: Zimmer
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Dahl
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Berg
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Olsaker
authors: J U
authors: JU
authors: Skaare
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Murk
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Ropstad
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Verhaegen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D003060:Cod Liver Oil / Q000737:chemistry*; D017931:DNA Primers; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D013256:Steroids; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003060:Cod Liver Oil