Computational toxicology: Physiologically based pharmacokinetic models (PBPK) for lifetime exposure and bioaccumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in marine mammals.
Due to migration of harbour porpoises towards more polluted areas like the North Sea and their sensitivity towards pollution, there is a need for proper conservation measures for this species. As a consequence, knowledge about the pollutant's kinetics is required. The present study is the first to investigate the kinetics of PBDEs in marine mammals using PBPK modeling as a non-destructive tool for describing the chemical's kinetics in a protected animal species. The models were developed and parameterized using data from the literature and Black Sea harbour porpoises through computer optimization. The predictability of these models in time was assessed by reverse dosimetry modeling using data from North Sea porpoises (1990-2008). From these predictions, PBDE 99 levels were found to decrease the fastest, followed by PBDE 153, 47 and 100. Results show that the PBPK models can be applied for harbour porpoises from different regions and also simulate time trends.
Laboratory for Ecophysiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium. liesbeth.weijs@ua.ac.be
Liesbeth
L
Weijs
Adrian
A
Covaci
Raymond S H
RS
Yang
Krishna
K
Das
Ronny
R
Blust
D000818:Animals; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D009659:North Sea; D050741:Phocoena / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical