Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors and Nuclear Receptors Gene Expression in Infertile and Fertile Men from Italian Areas with Different Environmental Features

Internal levels of selected endocrine disruptors (EDs) (i.e., perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP), mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP), and bisphenol A (BPA)) were analyzed in blood/serum of infertile and fertile men from metropolitan, urban and rural Italian areas. PFOS and PFOA levels were also evaluated in seminal plasma. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of same subjects, gene expression levels of a panel of nuclear receptors (NRs), namely estrogen receptor α (ERα) estrogen receptor β (ERβ), androgen receptor (AR), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) were also assessed. Infertile men from the metropolitan area had significantly higher levels of BPA and gene expression of all NRs, except PPARγ, compared to subjects from other areas. Subjects from urban areas had significantly higher levels of MEHP, whereas subjects from rural area had higher levels of PFOA in both blood and seminal plasma. Interestingly, ERα, ERβ, AR, PXR and AhR expression is directly correlated with BPA and inversely correlated with PFOA serum levels. Our study indicates the relevance of the living environment when investigating the exposure to specific EDs. Moreover, the NRs panel in PBMCs demonstrated to be a potential biomarker of effect to assess the EDs impact on reproductive health

Review of the Scientific Literature on Biology, Ecology, and Aspects Related to the Fishing Sector of the Striped Venus (Chamelea gallina) in Northern Adriatic Sea

Striped venus (Chamelea gallina) is one of the most important fish resources on the west coast of the Adriatic Sea. Recently, there has been a widespread die-off of C. gallina populations in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (northern Adriatic Sea, Italy), probably due to unfavorable climatic events. Overall, wild populations have become increasingly rare due to many factors affecting the ecological balance of the species. In this study, the available literature was reviewed to determine the current state of knowledge on the biology, ecology, fisheries, and status of C. gallina populations with reference to populations in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. However, few data are available in terms of peer-reviewed articles; much of it can be found in the gray literature (e.g., project reports, ministerial reports, institutional websites, etc.). However, a critical review of the sources reveals that the species is as endangered as the habitats it inhabits. As a result, conservation and restoration efforts have been undertaken to date as part of some larger project to protect the species. Therefore, considering the ecological and economic importance of this species, the results of the new studies will be useful for the scientific community and will be a key element in the conservation of this species

Persistent Unresolved Inflammation in the Mecp2-308 Female Mutated Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder usually caused by mutations in the X-linked gene methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). Several Mecp2 mutant mouse lines have been developed recapitulating part of the clinical features. In particular, Mecp2-308 female heterozygous mice, bearing a truncating mutation, are a validated model of the disease. While recent data suggest a role for inflammation in RTT, little information on the inflammatory status in murine models of the disease is available. Here, we investigated the inflammatory status by proteomic 2-DE/MALDI-ToF/ToF analyses in symptomatic Mecp2-308 female mice. Ten differentially expressed proteins were evidenced in the Mecp2-308 mutated plasma proteome. In particular, 5 positive acute-phase response (APR) proteins increased (i.e., kininogen-1, alpha-fetoprotein, mannose-binding protein C, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and alpha-2-macroglobulin), and 3 negative APR reactants were decreased (i.e., serotransferrin, albumin, and apolipoprotein A1). CD5 antigen-like and vitamin D-binding protein, two proteins strictly related to inflammation, were also changed. These results indicate for the first time a persistent unresolved inflammation of unknown origin in the Mecp2-308 mouse model

MtDNA mutagenesis impairs elimination of mitochondria during erythroid maturation leading to enhanced erythrocyte destruction

Haematopoietic progenitor cells show special sensitivity to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutagenesis, which suggests that increased mtDNA mutagenesis could underlie anemias. Here we show that elevated mtDNA mutagenesis in mice with a proof-reading deficient mtDNA polymerase (PolG) leads to incomplete mitochondrial clearance, with asynchronized iron loading in erythroid precursors, and increased total and free cellular iron content. The resulting Fenton chemistry leads to oxidative damage and premature destruction of erythrocytes by splenic macrophages. Our data indicate that mitochondria actively contribute to their own elimination in reticulocytes and modulate iron loading. Asynchrony of this sequence of events causes severe mitochondrial anaemia by depleting the organism of red blood cells and the bone marrow of iron. Our findings account for the anaemia development in a progeroid mouse model and may have direct relevance to the anemias associated with human mitochondrial disease and ageing.Peer reviewe

Seasonal Fluctuations of Trace Elements from Different Habitats of Orbetello Lagoon (Thyrrenian Sea, Italy)

This study evaluated seasonal fluctuations of trace elements of major ecotoxicological concern in sediments and their uptakes by the aquatic vegetation indifferent undisturbed habitats from the Orbetello lagoon, correlating measured levels to abiotic and biotic drivers to scale the significant of their effect on observed seasonal variability of trace elements. Results show that under natural undisturbed conditions, observed seasonal fluctuations in different habitats are statistically correlated to temperature, salinity, and turbidity of water and total nutrients in sediments. These variables and the habitat type dominated by macroalgae (C. linum) play a significant role as drivers of variability for measured trace elements in sediments. This study represents a reference undisturbed condition of natural seasonal trends of trace elements in different habitat types before the occurrence of numerous impacting activities on sediments and could represent a useful baseline for further management evaluations after the occurrence of sediment disturbance actions planned for the near future