Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Author Spotlight: A New and Efficient Method for Comprehensive Metabolite Cytotoxicity Assessment of Triazole Pesticides in Plants
Published on: December 22, 2023
Relative toxicological ranking of eight polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners using cytotoxicity, chemical
Sabrina Tait1, Monia Perugini2, Cinzia La Rocca1
1Dept. of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are widely used flame retardants which persist and diffuse in the environment thus entering the food chain. Eight congeners, most relevant for human exposure (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183 and 209), were analyzed in vitro and in silico to derive a relative toxicological ranking. Cytotoxicity was assessed on human liver (HepG2) and colon (DLD-1) cell lines, by three assays (MTS, ATP and DNA content) in a range of realistic concentration (1pM - 10 nM). Jejunum and Caco-2 passive absorptions were calculated in silico. Exposure estimates were calculated using EFSA database. By ToxPi we integrated the overall data. No reduction of DNA content was observed, supporting absence of cytotoxicity. Otherwise, hormetic effects were exerted by all the congeners, except BDE-183. BDE-28, 47, 99, 100 differently affected the ATP content inducing a dose-related increase in HepG2 and depletion in DLD-1. Jejunum coefficients did not differ among congeners, whereas a higher Caco-2 coefficient indicates rapid absorption of BDE-28. ToxPi relative rankings support the toxicological relevance of BDE-153 and 28 congeners for their potential hazard; the inclusion of exposure data in young and adult populations shifted BDE-209 and BDE-47 as top ranked due to their widespread occurrence in the diet.
More Related Videos
05:47In Silico Modeling Method for Computational Aquatic Toxicology of Endocrine Disruptors: A Software-Based Approach Using QSAR Toolbox
Published on: August 28, 2019
07:08Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Toxicity Testing in Animals
Toxic Reactions: Overview
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Physical Properties of Amines