title: Low concentrations of dibromoacetic acid and N-nitrosodimethylamine induce several stimulatory effects in the invertebrate model Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: Dibromoacetic acid (DBAA) and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) have natural and anthropogenic sources and are ubiquitously distributed in the environment. They are classified as toxic and carcinogenetic and various studies have addressed their effects on vertebrates. Furthermore, there is no information about the whole-organism effects at low concentrations or about their impact on invertebrates. Therefore, these compounds were studied with the model invertebrate Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) at relatively low concentrations. Biological tests (life span, reproduction, body size, thermal stress resistance) as well as biochemical (pro- and antioxidative capacity and lipid peroxidation) and biomolecular assays (transcription of stress genes) were performed. None of the applied concentrations showed a toxic potential. Instead, they extended life span and increased the body length. Both xenobiotics did not cause oxidative stress or DNA damages, or acted as endocrine disruptors. The stimulatory effects on C. elegans were most likely not a result of an induced protective stress response. Instead, an 'energy saving mode', indicated by the reduced transcription of many stress response genes, could have provided additional resources for longevity and growth. Although both substances are potentially toxic at higher doses, the present study underlines the importance of testing lower concentrations and their impact on invertebrates.
authors.affiliation: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Biology, Freshwater and Stress Ecology, Späthstr. 80/81, 12437 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: nora_baberschke@yahoo.de.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baberschke
authors.affiliation: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Biology, Freshwater and Stress Ecology, Späthstr. 80/81, 12437 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: christian_ew_steinberg@web.de.
authors.forename: Christian E W
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.affiliation: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Biology, Freshwater and Stress Ecology, Späthstr. 80/81, 12437 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: nadines1976@aol.com.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saul
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size / Q000187:drug effects; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; C088674:dibromoacetic acid; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine
keywords: Dibromoacetic acid; Down-regulation; Gene transcription; Life history traits; N-nitrosodimethylamine; Stimulatory effects