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Oxysterols Profile in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Triclocarban and Propylparaben-A Preliminary Study
Carmine Merola1, Anton Vremere1,2, Federico Fanti1
1Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
Abstract:
Oxysterols have long been considered as simple by-products of cholesterol metabolism, but they are now fully designed as bioactive lipids that exert their multiple effects through their binding to several receptors, representing endogenous mediators potentially involved in several metabolic diseases. There is also a growing concern that metabolic disorders may be linked with exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). To date, there are no studies aimed to link EDCs exposure to oxysterols perturbation-neither in vivo nor in vitro studies. The present research aimed to evaluate the differences in oxysterols levels following exposure to two metabolism disrupting chemicals (propylparaben (PP) and triclocarban (TCC)) in the zebrafish model using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Following exposure to PP and TCC, there were no significant changes in total and individual oxysterols compared with the control group; however, some interesting differences were noticed: 24-OH was detected only in treated zebrafish embryos, as well as the concentrations of 27-OH, which followed a different distribution, with an increase in TCC treated embryos and a reduction in zebrafish embryos exposed to PP at 24 h post-fertilization (hpf). The results of the present study prompt the hypothesis that EDCs can modulate the oxysterol profile in the zebrafish model and that these variations could be potentially involved in the toxicity mechanism of these emerging contaminants.
Insights
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like propylparaben and triclocarban may alter oxysterol levels in zebrafish. These changes in bioactive lipids could be linked to EDC toxicity mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Oxysterols are bioactive lipids involved in metabolic diseases.
- Metabolic disorders are increasingly linked to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
- No prior studies have investigated the link between EDC exposure and oxysterol perturbations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in oxysterol levels after exposure to propylparaben (PP) and triclocarban (TCC) in zebrafish.
- To explore the potential role of EDCs in modulating oxysterol profiles.
- To hypothesize the involvement of oxysterol variations in EDC toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the zebrafish model for in vivo exposure studies.
- Administered propylparaben (PP) and triclocarban (TCC) to zebrafish embryos.
- Quantified oxysterol levels using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Main Results:
- No significant changes in total or individual oxysterols were observed in PP or TCC treated groups compared to controls.
- 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-OH) was detected exclusively in treated zebrafish embryos.
- 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OH) levels increased with TCC exposure and decreased with PP exposure at 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf).
Conclusions:
- EDCs can modulate the oxysterol profile in zebrafish.
- Observed variations in oxysterols (24-OH and 27-OH) suggest a potential link to EDC toxicity.
- This study provides a foundation for further research into EDC-oxysterol interactions and their toxicological implications.
