Logo image
Upregulation of fatty acid synthesis genes in the livers of adolescent female rats caused by inhalation exposure to PCB52 (2,2′,5,5′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl)
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Upregulation of fatty acid synthesis genes in the livers of adolescent female rats caused by inhalation exposure to PCB52 (2,2′,5,5′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl)

Brynn Kyleakin Helm-Kwasny, Amanda Bullert, Hui Wang, Michael S. Chimenti, Andrea Adamcakova-Dodd, Xuefang Jing, Xueshu Li, David K. Meyerholz, Peter S. Thorne, Hans-Joachim Lehmler, …
Environmental toxicology and pharmacology, Vol.110, 104520
09/2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104520
PMCID: PMC11377153
PMID: 39067718

View Online

Abstract

Elevated airborne PCB levels in older schools are concerning due to their health impacts, including cancer, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), cardiovascular issues, neurodevelopmental diseases, and diabetes. During a four-week inhalation exposure to PCB52, an air pollutant commonly found in school environments, adolescent rats exhibited notable presence of PCB52 and its hydroxylated forms in their livers, alongside changes in gene expression. Female rats exhibited more pronounced changes in gene expression compared to males, particularly in fatty acid synthesis genes regulated by the transcription factor SREBP1. In vitro studies with human liver cells showed that the hydroxylated metabolite of PCB52, 4-OH-PCB52, but not the parent compound, upregulated genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis similar to in vivo exposure. These findings highlight the sex-specific effects of PCB52 exposure on livers, particularly in females, suggesting a potential pathway for increased MASLD susceptibility. [Display omitted] •PCB52 inhalation exposure increases fatty acid synthesis gene transcripts in liver.•Effects of PCB52 exposure on the livers of young rats is sex-specific.•The hydroxylated form of PCB52 is responsible for transcript changes in liver cells.
Fatty acid synthesis Inhalation exposure PCB52 Persistent organic pollutant Polychlorinated biphenyl Steatosis

Details

Metrics

Logo image