title: Evaluation of serum markers of blood redox homeostasis and inflammation in PCB naturally contaminated heifers undergoing decontamination.
abstract: Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widely spread and long persistent contaminants. The aim of this study was to evaluate physiological changes associated with the decontamination of animals previously exposed to environmental pollutants. Eight Limousine heifers were removed from a polluted area and fed a standard ration for six months. The extent of contamination was defined by measuring total toxic equivalents (TEQ) values of dioxin like-PCBs (DL-PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and NDL-PCBs amount in pericaudal fat two weeks after the removal from the contaminated area (day 0) and then bimonthly for six months during the decontamination (days 59, 125, and 188). The concentrations of both DL-PCBs + PCDD/Fs and NDL-PCBs at the start of decontamination (day 0) were higher than those legally admitted, and they were strongly decreased at the end of the experimental period. Specific indices of blood redox homeostasis and inflammation were also measured at each time. Serum concentrations of Retinol, Tocopherol and Ascorbate, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were lower at day 0 than after 59, 125 or 188 days of decontamination. Protein-bound carbonyls (PC), nitro-tyrosine (N-Tyr), and lipid hydroperoxides concentrations were higher at day 0 than during decontamination. In addition, TAC, PC and N-Tyr levels correlated with both DL-PCB and NDL-PCB concentrations only at day 0. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and Haptoglobin were higher in samples collected at day 0 than in those obtained during decontamination. As Haptoglobin and TNF-alpha levels correlated with both DL-PCB and NDL-PCB concentrations at day 0 and at day 59 (when these concentrations are still over legal limit), they might represent easily measurable parameters for assessing acute exposure to pollutants. Further both N-Tyr and TNF-alpha concentrations could be used as bio-monitoring markers of the decontamination procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 121, 80126 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: luisa.cigliano@unina.it.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cigliano
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy. Electronic address: carlo.nebbia@unito.it.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nebbia
authors.affiliation: Université de Lorraine, INRA, 2 avenue de la forêt de Haye, TSA 40602, 54518 Vandoeuvre Cedex, France. Electronic address: guido.rychen@univ-lorraine.fr.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rychen
authors.affiliation: Université de Lorraine, INRA, 2 avenue de la forêt de Haye, TSA 40602, 54518 Vandoeuvre Cedex, France. Electronic address: cyril.feidt@univ-lorraine.fr.
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Feidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy. Electronic address: flavia.girolami@unito.it.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Girolami
authors.affiliation: National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Animal Production System in Mediterranean Environments (ISPAAM), via Argine 1085, 80147 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: cristina.rossetti@cnr.it.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossetti
authors.affiliation: National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Animal Production System in Mediterranean Environments (ISPAAM), via Argine 1085, 80147 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: mariastefania.spagnuolo@cnr.it.
authors.forename: Maria Stefania
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Spagnuolo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003666:Decontamination; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Biomarkers; Environmental pollution; Haptoglobin; Oxidative stress; PCB decontamination; Redox homeostasis