A cluster-randomized crossover trial of organic diet impact on biomarkers of exposure to pesticides and biomarkers of oxidative stress/inflammation in primary school children

Despite suggestive observational epidemiology and laboratory studies, there is limited experimental evidence regarding the effect of organic diet on human health. A cluster-randomized 40-day-organic (vs. 40-day-conventional) crossover trial was conducted among children (11–12 years old) from six schools in Cyprus. One restaurant provided all organic meals, and adherence to the organic diet intervention was measured by parent-provided diet questionnaire/diary data. Biomarkers of pyrethroid and neonicotinoid pesticide exposures were measured using tandem mass spectrometry, and oxidative stress/inflammation (OSI) biomarkers using immunoassays or spectrophotometry. Associations were assessed using mixed-effect regression models including interactions of treatment with time. Seventy-two percent of neonicotinoid biomarkers were non-detectable and modeled as binary (whether detectable). In post-hoc analysis, we considered the outcome of age-and-sex-standardized BMI. Multiple comparisons were handled using Benjamini-Hochberg correction for 58 regression parameters. Outcome data were available for 149 children. Children had lower pesticide exposures during the organic period (pyrethroid geometric mean ratio, GMR = 0.297; [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.237, 0.373], Q-value < 0.05); odds for detection of neonicotinoids (OR = 0.651; [95% CI: 0.463, 0.917), Q-value < 0.05); and decreased OSI biomarker 8-OHdG (GMR = 0.888; [95% CI: 0.808, 0.976], Q-value < 0.05). An initial increase was followed by a countervailing decrease over time in the organic period for OSI biomarkers 8-iso-PGF2a and MDA. BMI z-scores were lower at the end of the organic period (β = -0.131; [95% CI: 0.179, -0.920], Q-value < 0.05). Energy intake during the conventional period was reported to be higher than the recommended reference levels. The organic diet intervention reduced children’s exposure to pyrethroid and neonicotinoid pesticides and, over time lowered biomarkers of oxidative stress/inflammation (8-iso-PGF2a, 8-OHdG and MDA). The several-week organic diet intervention also reduced children’s age- and-sex-standardized BMI z-scores, but causal inferences regarding organic diet’s physiological benefits are limited by the confounding of the organic diet intervention with caloric intake reduction and possible lifestyle changes during the trial

Application of the urban exposome framework using drinking water and quality of life indicators: a proof-of-concept study in Limassol, Cyprus

Background Cities face rapid changes leading to increasing inequalities and emerging public health issues that require cost-effective interventions. The urban exposome concept refers to the continuous monitoring of urban environmental and health indicators using the city and smaller intra-city areas as measurement units in an interdisciplinary approach that combines qualitative and quantitative methods from social sciences, to epidemiology and exposure assessment. Methods In this proof of concept study, drinking water and quality of life indicators were described as part of the development of the urban exposome of Limassol (Cyprus) and were combined with agnostic environment-wide association analysis. This study was conducted as a two-part project with a qualitative part assessing the perceptions of city stakeholders, and quantitative part using a cross-sectional study design (an urban population study). We mapped the water quality parameters and participants’ opinions on city life (i.e., neighborhood life, health care, and green space access) using quarters (small administrative areas) as the reference unit of the city. In an exploratory, agnostic, environment-wide association study analysis, we used all variables (questionnaire responses and water quality metrics) to describe correlations between them. Results Overall, urban drinking-water quality using conventional indicators of chemical (disinfection byproducts-trihalomethanes (THM)) and microbial (coliforms, E. coli, and Enterococci) quality did not raise particular concerns. The general health and chronic health status of the urban participants were significantly (false discovery rate corrected p-value < 0.1) associated with different health conditions such as hypertension and asthma, as well as having financial issues in access to dental care. Additionally, correlations between THM exposures and participant behavioral characteristics (e.g., household cleaning, drinking water habits) were documented. Conclusion This proof-of-concept study showed the potential of using integrative approaches to develop urban exposomic profiles and identifying within-city differences in environmental and health indicators. The characterization of the urban exposome of Limassol will be expanded via the inclusion of biomonitoring tools and untargeted metabolomics

Study of phenolic compounds from natural product extracts by the use of nuclear magnetic resonance and hyphenated techniques

The main objectives of this PhD thesis was the development and implementation ofmethodologies of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in the identification ofcompounds in complex plant extracts without any previous chromatographic separation andisolation of the individual components. The main conclusions and methodologies of thepresent PhD thesis are as follows:(a) A simple method for NMR observation of –OH groups in the solvent DMSO-d6was developed based on the combined use of picric acid, dilute solutions and temperaturesnear the freezing point of the solution. This results in a significant reduction in the exchangerate of protons and, thus, in the line widths of the individual phenol –OH groups. Theimplementation of two-dimensional 1H-13C NMR resulted in the complete identification ofnatural antioxidants in extracts of natural products without the use of complex and timeconsuming chromatographic techniques for isolation of each individual component.(b) The great sensitivity of %(1H) of –OH groups to changes of the electronicenvironment in combination with increased resolution of the –OH groups is an excellentmethod to achieve the complete identification of e.g. flavonoids, although several carbonshave similar or identical chemical shifts.(c) The present research results provide important information about the potentialitiesto classify the absorptions of the –OH groups on the basis of the structure of the molecule andthe nature of the substituens in the rings. This demonstrates also the important diagnostic roleof the –OH groups which may have in the analysis of complex plant extracts, without priorchromatographic separation of the individual components. A key advantage of using theabsorptions of the –OH groups is the wide 1H shielding range and the possibility to classifychemical shifts. It is particularly interesting that the shileding range of the –OH absorptions (8- 15 ppm) extents significantly the range of the 1H chemical shifts of the aliphatic andaromatic protons. As a result, the degree of overlapping of the –OH resonances is muchsmaller than in the range of aliphatic and aromatic protons.(d) A comparative study of an olive leaf extract in different solvents and temperaturesdemonstrated the importance of the solvent and temperature on the equilibrium constants ofthe various types of aldehyde forms of oleuropein. (e) The absorptions of the –OH groups, and the cross peaks obtained from 2D 1H-13CHMBC NMR spectra, can be useful tools for the automated via computer programs, analysisof complex extracts of natural products. Further application of the method could also be thearea of metabolomics.ΣΤΗΝ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΑ ΔΙΔΑΚΤΟΡΙΚΗ ΔΙΑΤΡΙΒΗ ΔΙΕΡΕΥΝΗΘΗΚΕ Η ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗ ΚΑΙ Η ΕΦΑΡΜΟΓΗ ΜΕΘΟΔΟΛΟΓΙΩΝ ΦΑΣΜΑΤΟΣΚΟΠΙΑΣ ΠΥΡΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΜΑΓΝΗΤΙΚΟΥ ΣΥΝΤΟΝΙΣΜΟΥ (NMR) ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΤΑΥΤΟΠΟΙΗΣΗ ΕΝΩΣΕΩΝ ΣΕ ΠΟΛΥΠΛΟΚΑ ΦΥΤΙΚΑ ΕΚΧΥΛΙΣΜΑΤΑ ΧΩΡΙΣ ΤΟΝ ΠΡΟΗΓΟΥΜΕΝΟ ΧΡΩΜΑΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΟ ΔΙΑΧΩΡΙΣΜΟ ΤΟΥΣ.ΤΑ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑ ΤΗΣ ΔΙΔΑΚΤΟΡΙΚΗΣ ΔΙΑΤΡΙΒΗΣ ΣΥΝΟΨΙΖΟΝΤΑΙ ΩΣ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΩΣ:(Α) ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗ ΕΝΟΣ ΠΡΩΤΟΚΟΛΛΟΥ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΜΕΛΕΤΗ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΕΩΝ ΦΑΙΝΟΛΙΚΩΝ ΟΜΑΔΩΝ –ΟΗ ΣΕ ΠΟΛΥΠΛΟΚΑ ΕΚΧΥΛΙΣΜΑΤΑ ΦΥΣΙΚΩΝ ΠΡΟΪΟΝΤΩΝ. Η ΑΥΞΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΔΙΑΚΡΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΙΚΑΝΟΤΗΤΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΟΜΑΔΩΝ –ΟΗ ΕΠΙΤΕΥΧΘΗΚΕ ΜΕ ΤΗ ΣΥΝΔΥΑΣΤΙΚΗ ΧΡΗΣΗ ΔΙΑΛΥΤΗ DMSO-D6, ΠΙΚΡΙΚΟΥ ΟΞΕΟΣ, ΑΡΑΙΩΜΕΝΩΝ ΔΕΙΓΜΑΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΡΜΟΚΡΑΣΙΑΣ ΠΛΗΣΙΟΝ ΤΟΥ ΣΗΜΕΙΟΥ ΠΗΞΕΩΣ ΤΟΥ ΔΙΑΛΥΜΑΤΟΣ ΠΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΕΡΟΥΝ ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΗ ΕΛΑΤΤΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΤΑΧΥΤΗΤΑΣ ΑΝΤΑΛΛΑΓΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΠΡΩΤΟΝΙΩΝ. ΠΕΡΑΙΤΕΡΩ, ΕΦΑΡΜΟΣΤΗΚΕ ΕΚΤΕΝΩΣ ΔΙΣΔΙΑΣΤΑΤΗ ΤΕΧΝΙΚΗ 1H-13C NMR ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΠΛΗΡΗ ΤΑΥΤΟΠΟΙΗΣΗ ΦΥΣΙΚΩΝ ΑΝΤΙΟΞΕΙΔΩΤΙΚΩΝ ΣΕ ΕΚΧΥΛΙΣΜΑΤΑ ΦΥΣΙΚΩΝ ΠΡΟΪΟΝΤΩΝ, ΧΩΡΙΣ ΤΗ ΧΡΗΣΗ ΠΟΛΥΠΛΟΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΧΡΟΝΟΒΟΡΩΝ ΧΡΩΜΑΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΩΝ ΤΕΧΝΙΚΩΝ ΑΠΟΜΟΝΩΣΗΣ ΚΑΘΕ ΣΥΣΤΑΤΙΚΟΥ ΧΩΡΙΣΤΑ.(Β) Η ΕΞΑΙΡΕΤΙΚΗ ΕΥΑΙΣΘΗΣΙΑ Δ(1Η) ΤΩΝ ΟΜΑΔΩΝ –ΟΗ ΣΕ ΑΛΛΑΓΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΑΚΟΥ ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΟΣ ΛΟΓΩ ΥΠΟΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗΣ ΑΚΟΜΗ ΚΑΙ ΣΕ ΑΠΟΣΤΑΣΗ ΔΩΔΕΚΑ ΔΕΣΜΩΝ ΣΕ ΣΥΝΔΥΑΣΜΟ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΑΥΞΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΔΙΑΚΡΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΙΚΑΝΟΤΗΤΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΟΜΑΔΩΝ –ΟΗ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΙ ΜΙΑ ΑΡΙΣΤΗ ΜΕΘΟΔΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΠΙΤΕΥΞΗ ΤΗΣ ΠΛΗΡΟΥΣ ΤΑΥΤΟΠΟΙΗΣΗΣ, ΓΙΑ ΠΑΡΑΔΕΙΓΜΑ ΦΛΑΒΟΝΟΕΙΔΩΝ, ΣΕ ΕΚΧΥΛΙΣΜΑΤΑ, ΠΑΡΟΤΙ ΑΡΚΕΤΟΙ ΑΝΘΡΑΚΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΔΟΜΙΚΟΥ ΤΩΝ ΣΚΕΛΕΤΟΥ ΕΧΟΥΝ ΠΑΡΟΜΟΙΕΣ Η ΤΑΥΤΟΣΗΜΕΣ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΕΙΣ.(Γ) ΤΑ ΕΡΕΥΝΗΤΙΚΑ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΑ ΠΟΥ ΠΡΟΕΚΥΨΑΝ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΕΦΑΡΜΟΓΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΕΘΟΔΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ ΠΡΟΣΕΦΕΡΑΝ ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΕΣ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΜΕ ΤΗ ΔΥΝΑΤΟΤΗΤΑ ΑΠΟΤΥΠΩΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΤΗΓΟΡΟΠΟΙΗΣΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΧΗΜΙΚΩΝ ΜΕΤΑΤΟΠΙΣΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΟΜΑΔΩΝ –ΟΗ ΜΕ ΒΑΣΗ ΤΗ ΔΟΜΗ ΤΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗ ΦΥΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΥΠΟΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΔΑΚΤΥΛΙΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΝΩΣΕΩΝ. ΒΑΣΙΚΟ ΠΛΕΟΝΕΚΤΗΜΑ ΤΗΣ ΧΡΗΣΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΟΜΑΔΩΝ –ΟΗ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΙ ΤΟ ΜΕΓΑΛΟ ΕΥΡΟΣ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΕΩΝ ΑΛΛΑ ΚΑΙ Η ΔΥΝΑΤΟΤΗΤΑ ΚΑΤΗΓΟΡΟΠΟΙΗΣΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΧΗΜΙΚΩΝ ΜΕΤΑΤΟΠΙΣΕΩΝ. ΕΙΝΑΙ ΙΔΙΑΙΤΕΡΑ ΕΝΔΙΑΦΕΡΟΝ ΟΤΙ Η ΚΛΙΜΑΚΑ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΟΜΑΔΩΝ –ΟΗ (8 - 15 PPM) ΑΥΞΑΝΕΙ ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΑ ΤΗΝ ΚΛΙΜΑΚΑ ΧΗΜΙΚΩΝ ΜΕΤΑΤΟΠΙΣΕΩΝ 1Η ΚΑΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΙΣΗ ΜΕ ΤΟ ΕΥΡΟΣ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΑΛΕΙΦΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΑΡΩΜΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΠΡΩΤΟΝΙΩΝ. ΩΣ ΣΥΝΕΠΕΙΑ, Ο ΒΑΘΜΟΣ ΑΛΛΗΛΕΠΙΚΑΛΥΨΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΚΟΡΥΦΩΝ –ΟΗ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΟΛΥ ΜΙΚΡΟΤΕΡΟΣ ΣΕ ΣΧΕΣΗ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ ΤΩΝ ΑΛΕΙΦΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΑΡΩΜΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΠΡΩΤΟΝΙΩΝ. ΤΟ ΓΕΓΟΝΟΣ ΑΥΤΟ ΥΠΟΔΕΙΚΝΥΕΙ ΤΗ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΣΗΜΑΣΙΑ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΟΜΑΔΩΝ –ΟΗ ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΜΕΓΑΛΟ ΔΙΑΓΝΩΣΤΙΚΟ ΡΟΛΟ ΠΟΥ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΔΥΝΑΤΟΝ ΝΑ ΕΧΟΥΝ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΝΑΛΥΣΗ ΠΟΛΥΠΛΟΚΩΝ ΦΥΤΙΚΩΝ ΕΚΧΥΛΙΣΜΑΤΩΝ, ΧΩΡΙΣ ΠΡΟΗΓΟΥΜΕΝΟ ΧΡΩΜΑΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΟ ΔΙΑΧΩΡΙΣΜΟ ΤΩΝ ΣΥΣΤΑΤΙΚΩΝ.(Δ) ΑΠΟ ΤΗ ΣΥΓΚΡΙΤΙΚΗ ΜΕΛΕΤΗ ΕΚΧΥΛΙΣΜΑΤΟΣ ΦΥΛΛΩΝ ΕΛΙΑΣ ΣΕ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΟΥΣ ΔΙΑΛΥΤΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΡΜΟΚΡΑΣΙΕΣ ΠΡΟΕΚΥΨΕ Ο ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΟΣ ΡΟΛΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΔΙΑΛΥΤΗ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΡΜΟΚΡΑΣΙΑΣ ΣΤΗ ΜΕΤΑΒΟΛΗ ΤΗΣ ΙΣΟΡΡΟΠΙΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΩΝ ΑΛΔΕΫΔΙΚΩΝ ΜΟΡΦΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΑΙΟΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΝΗΣ.(Ε) ΤΕΛΟΣ, ΤΟΣΟ ΟΙ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΟΜΑΔΩΝ –ΟΗ, ΟΣΟ ΚΑΙ ΟΙ ΛΑΜΒΑΝΟΜΕΝΕΣ ΚΟΡΥΦΕΣ ΔΙΑΣΤΑΥΡΩΣΗΣ ΦΑΣΜΑΤΩΝ 2D 1H-13C HMBC, ΜΠΟΡΟΥΝ ΝΑ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΟΥΝ ΧΡΗΣΙΜΑ ΕΡΓΑΛΕΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΑΥΤΟΜΑΤΟΠΟΙΗΜΕΝΗ, ΜΕΣΩ ΥΠΟΛΟΓΙΣΤΙΚΩΝ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΩΝ, ΑΝΑΛΥΣΗ ΠΟΛΥΠΛΟΚΩΝ ΕΚΧΥΛΙΣΜΑΤΩΝ ΦΥΣΙΚΩΝ ΠΡΟΪΟΝΤΩΝ. ΠΕΡΑΙΤΕΡΩ ΕΦΑΡΜΟΓΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΕΘΟΔΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ ΘΑ ΜΠΟΡΟΥΣΕ ΝΑ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΕΙ ΚΑΙ Η ΜΕΤΑΒΟΝΟΜΙΚΗ (METABOLOMICS). ΑΥΤΟ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΙ ΚΑΙ ΜΙΑ ΠΡΟΚΛΗΣΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΜΕΘΟΔΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΠΟΥ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΧΘΗΚΕ ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗ ΔΙΑΡΚΕΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΑΣ ΔΙΑΤΡΙΒΗΣ

A sensitive and fast method for trihalomethanes in urine using gas chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Because of the plethora of exposure sources and routes through which humans are exposed to trihalomethanes (THM), the limitation of their short half-lives could be overcome, if a highly sensitive method was available to quantify urinary THM concentrations at sub-ppb levels. The objective of this study was to develop a fast and reliable method for the determination of the four THM analytes in human urine. A sensitive methodology was developed for THM in urine samples using gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC–QqQ-MS/MS) promoting its use in epidemiological and biomonitoring studies. The proposed methodology enjoys limits of detection similar to those reported in the literature (11–80 ng L−1) and the advantages of small initial urine volumes (15 mL) and fast analysis per sample (12 min) when compared with other methods. This is the first report using GC–QqQ-MS/MS for the determination of THM in urine samples. Because of its simplicity and less time-consuming nature, the proposed method could be incorporated into detailed (hundreds of participants’ urine samples) exposure assessment protocols providing valuable insight into the dose–response relationship of THM and cancer or pregnancy anomalies

Cohort-friendly protocol for the determination of two urinary biomarkers of exposure to pyrethroids and neonicotinoids using gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Neonicotinoids (NEOs) and synthetic pyrethroids (PYRs) are active ingredients of commercial pesticides and/or insecticides with extensive indoor and outdoor applications, worldwide. Improved exposure metrics are warranted for NEOs and PYRs, if we are to better understand their human health effects. A cohort-friendly protocol for determining non-specific biomarkers of exposure to NEOs and PYRs, e.g. 6-chloronicotinic acid (6-CN) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), respectively, in human urine voids was proposed. A series of optimization experiments were conducted to validate the bioanalytical protocol using gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS) in MRM mode. The method reached low detection limits for both analytes (0.075 μg L−1 for 6-CN and 0.050 μg L−1 for 3-PBA) in a short preparation and analysis time. The method used small initial urine sample volume (2 mL), short extraction time (≈ 240 min for the batches of 32 samples) and instrumental analysis time (≈ 14 min) for both pesticide metabolites in a single run. This protocol could facilitate the assessment of population exposure metrics for these pesticides and their inclusion in health risk assessment. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Coupling Urinary Trihalomethanes and Metabolomic Profiles of Type II Diabetes: A Case-Control Study

Abiding by the exposome paradigm, incorporation of external and internal exposure metrics using metabolomics tools is warranted to refine the etiology of type II diabetes (T2D). A small (n = 51) age-and sex matched case-control study was conducted in Cyprus coupling urinary trihalomethanes (THMs) with T2D. The objectives were to (i) perform a comparative assessment of different deconvolution parameters in compound identification and (ii) evaluate the association between differentially expressed metabolites and either urinary THM or T2D status. Untargeted urinary metabolomics was performed with a GC MS triple quadrupole mass spectrometry system. Results of three deconvolution searches each yielding >130 metabolites were used in subsequent analyses. The number of differentially expressed compounds by T2D status or the urinary THM levels (above or below median) differed among the three searches. The identity of these compounds was also confirmed using known standards (level 1 identification). In multivariate logistic regression, 3-aminoisobutyric acid was an important predictor of lower odds of T2D after adjusting for known risk factors. The widespread incorporation of metabolomics in population studies accounting for environmental exposures will eventually pave the way for the exposome characterization, also improving our understanding of,the disease process

Obesity-mediated association between exposure to brominated trihalomethanes and type II diabetes mellitus: an exploratory analysis

With the exception of chloroform, the rest of trihalomethanes (THM), the so-called brominated THM (Br-THM) are composed of bromine-substituted molecules with increased lipophilicity and potency to biological tissues. The THM are formed within disinfected tap water and their health effects, under research, range from cancer to adverse reproductive outcomes. However, the association between human exposures to Br-THM and the risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic co-morbidities, such as obesity and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis has never been previously explored. The objective of this exploratory analysis was to address obesity-mediated associations between urinary concentrations of brominated THM and incidences of T2DM in a Cypriot adult population (n = 326). First morning urine voids were collected once during summer and another time during winter while a detailed questionnaire was administered to participants. Creatinine-adjusted urinary Br-THM analyte concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in T2DM cases when compared with those in healthy individuals. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders showed that participants with ≥ 30 kg m− 2 BMI were at a higher T2DM risk (OR = 8.42, 95% CI: 1.97, 45.5; p < 0.01) when compared with that of normal weight participants ( < 25 kg m− 2). About 4 times higher risk for developing T2DM was observed for individuals in the upper tertile of urinary Br-THM levels (OR = 3.99, 95% CI: 1.07, 19.7; p < 0.05) when compared with the lower tertile participants. Among the participants with BMI ≥ 25 kg m− 2, urinary Br-THM levels were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in diabetics than in healthy individuals. Ingestion and non-ingestion exposures to Br-THM deserve careful consideration in relevant epidemiological studies, as a possible environmental risk factor of T2DM

Cohort-friendly protocol for a sensitive and fast method for trihalomethanes in urine using gas chromatography—Triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A cohort-friendly biomonitoring protocol has been developed for measuring biomarkers of exposure to disinfection by-products (trihalomethanes, THM) in urine using small initial volume (3 mL) and short analysis time (∼10 min) that facilitates the throughput of a large number of samples. The objective of this study was to optimise a cohort-friendly biomonitoring protocol for the determination of four THM analytes in human urine using gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS). The proposed methodology will facilitate the inclusion of such urinary THM measurements into large population health studies

Co-occurrence profiles of trace elements in potable water systems: a case study

Potable water samples (N = 74) from 19 zip code locations in a region of Greece were profiled for 13 trace elements composition using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The primary objective was to monitor the drinking water quality, while the primary focus was to find novel associations in trace elements occurrence that may further shed light on common links in their occurrence and fate in the pipe scales and corrosion products observed in urban drinking water distribution systems. Except for arsenic at two locations and in six samples, rest of the analyzed elements was below maximum contaminant levels, for which regulatory values are available. Further, we attempted to hierarchically cluster trace elements based on their covariances resulting in two groups; one with arsenic, antimony, zinc, cadmium, and copper and the second with the rest of the elements. The grouping trends were partially explained by elements’ similar chemical activities in water, underscoring their potential for co-accumulation and co-mobilization phenomena from pipe scales into finished water. Profiling patterns of trace elements in finished water could be indicative of their load on pipe scales and corrosion products, with a corresponding risk of episodic contaminant release. Speculation was made on the role of disinfectants and disinfection byproducts in mobilizing chemically similar trace elements of human health interest from pipe scales to tap water. It is warranted that further studies may eventually prove useful to water regulators from incorporating the acquired knowledge in the drinking water safety plans