Disordered behavior in the early-born Taiwan Yucheng children

doi:10.1016/0045-6535(94)90410-3

Chemosphere

Volume 29, Issues 9–11, November–December 1994, Pages 2413-2422

https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-6535(94)90410-3 Get rights and content

Abstract

Behavioral problems were evaluated in Taiwanese children who were born between July 1978 and June 1985 to women who had consumed rice oil that was contaminated by heat-degraded polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). One hundred and eighteen such children, referred to as ‘the early-born Yucheng children’, and matched controls were followed with the Chinese version of Rutter's Child Behavior Scale A annually from 1985 to 1991. At any fixed age, the early-born Yucheng children had mean Rutter behavior scores 1.75 to 2.40 points higher (14–38% worse) than that of their controls. The effects were similar in the health, habit, and behavioral subscores and persistent as the children aged.

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2014, Food and Chemical Toxicology
Citation Excerpt :
PCB-exposed animals are toxico-behaviorally well-characterized environmental models of ADHD (Berger et al., 2001; Das Banerjee et al., 2008; Rice, 1998, 1999). There is a great deal of evidence that children born to females who consumed PCB-contaminated food during pregnancy show delayed developmental milestones, cognitive deficits, and behavioral problems (Jacobson and Jacobson, 1996; Lai et al., 1994; Yu et al., 1994). Under our experimental conditions, Aroclor1254-exposed mice exhibited the three core symptoms of ADHD; i.e., hyperactivity, impulsivity, and impaired attention.
Methylphenidate (MP) has become the primary drug of choice for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, its psychotropic effects severely hamper long-term clinical use. We evaluated the effects of YY162, which consists of terpenoid-strengthened Ginkgo biloba and ginsenoside Rg3, on the ADHD-like condition induced by Aroclor1254, because both components have been suggested to modulate oxidative stress, dopaminergic neurotransmission, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, which may be critical targets for understanding the pathogenesis of ADHD. YY162 attenuated the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decrease in BDNF levels induced by Aroclor1254 in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. YY162 significantly attenuated Aroclor1254-induced ADHD-like behavior and oxidative stress in ICR mice. Furthermore, YY162 attenuated reductions in p-TrkB, BDNF, dopamine transporter (DAT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET) expression. These attenuating effects of YY162 were comparable to those of MP. Importantly, K252a, a TrkB antagonist, counteracted the protective effects of YY162. Our results suggest that YY162 possesses significant protective activities against ADHD-like conditions with negligible behavioral side effects, and that interactive signaling between antioxidant potential and BDNF/TrkB receptor for the positive modulation of the DAT and NET is important for YY162-mediated neuroprotective activity.
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals. Elucidating Our Understanding of Their Role in Sex and Gender-Relevant End Points
2014, Vitamins and Hormones
Citation Excerpt :
Therefore, we will examine the effects of EDCs on rough-and-tumble play behavior and concomitant hypothalamic ER binding in our proposed research. Children exposed to PCBs, lead, or mercury showed inattention, hyperactivity, and disordered and/or mildly antisocial behavior (Needleman et al., 1979; Schettler, 2001; Yu et al., 1994). In animal models, developmental exposure to EDCs produces similar effects.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are diverse and pervasive and may have significant consequence for health, including reproductive development and expression of sex-/gender-sensitive parameters. This review chapter discusses what is known about common EDCs and their effects on reproductively relevant end points. It is proposed that one way that EDCs may exert such effects is by altering steroid levels (androgens or 17-estradiol, E₂) and/or intracellular E₂ receptors (ERs) in the hypothalamus and/or hippocampus. Basic research findings that demonstrate developmentally sensitive end points to androgens and E₂ are provided. Furthermore, an approach is suggested to examine differences in EDCs that diverge in their actions at ERs to elucidate their role in sex-/gender-sensitive parameters.
Exposure to Environmental Chemicals and Developmental Risk: Contributions from Studies with Monkeys
2008, Primate Models of Children's Health and Developmental Disabilities
Pregnant women and children are exposed to a vast array of synthetic chemicals in air, water, soil, and food. Effects on exposed children have been documented with a range of environmental pollutants including lead, methylmercury, arsenic, solvents, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The level of functional disruption associated with exogenous chemical exposure depends on multiple factors that include timing, route of exposure, and dose. In some cases, prenatal exposure can impair function in the offspring while leaving the mother apparently healthy and without evidence of clinical neurotoxicity. Animal models provide a critical link in the developmental consequences of exposure. Selection of the appropriate animal model for studies of environmental chemicals is generally based on factors such as conditions of exposure, public health significance, and economic constraints. Macaque monkeys are Old World primates and share a common evolutionary history with humans, including basic aspects of reproduction and development. Ovarian morphology and physiological control and timing of menses are close to identical in macaques and humans. Thus, the use of the monkey model provides key insights on the impact that chemical agents can have on the growth and development of species closely related to humans.
Effect of Aroclor 1254 on Sertoli cellular antioxidant system, androgen binding protein and lactate in adult rat in vitro
2005, Toxicology
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent and bioaccumulative environmental toxicants. Previous studies suggested that PCBs (Aroclor 1254) induce toxic effects including reproductive toxicity. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of Aroclor 1254 on Sertoli cellular function and antioxidant system of adult rat in vitro. Sertoli cells were isolated from adult rat testes and treated with various concentrations (10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻⁷ M) of Aroclor 1254 for 6, 12 and 24 h. After the treatment period, cell viability was assessed and the Sertoli cellular antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) and glutathione reductase (GR) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were assayed. In addition, androgen binding protein (ABP) and lactate secretions were also quantified in Sertoli cell culture medium. Sertoli cellular viability and activity of antioxidant enzymes were significantly reduced in Aroclor 1254 (10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻⁷ M) treatment for 6, 12 and 24 h whereas, the Sertoli cellular lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in a dose and duration dependent manner. In addition, ABP secretion diminished and lactate secretion was significantly elevated in the same manner. To conclude, the present study suggested that Aroclor 1254 disrupts Sertoli cellular metabolic functions such as ABP, lactate secretions and activity of antioxidant enzymes.
Transforming growth factor-β3 restores fusion in palatal shelves exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
2005, Journal of Biological Chemistry
The pollutant, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (“dioxin”), has been implicated in the etiology of a wide variety of human birth defects. In an effort to identify pharmacological blockers of dioxin-induced terata, we performed a histological and microscopic analysis of the developing murine palate that had been exposed to dioxin. In both in vivo and in vitro model systems, we observed that dioxin exposure leads to a reduction in the number of filopodial extensions at the medial epithelial edge of the developing palate. Given that this filopodial aberration is similar to the phenotype observed in Tgfβ3 null mice, a mutant known to display a 100% incidence of cleft palate, we examined the interaction between TGFβ3 and dioxin in palatal fusion. We found that that the addition of TGFβ3 to an in vitro palate culture model prevented the dioxin-induced reduction in filopodial density. Moreover, TGFβ3 exposure completely prevented the dioxin-induced block of palatal fusion in this system. Although these data do not point to a direct cellular or molecular mechanism for TGFβ3 dioxin antagonism, these results do suggest that TGFβ3 or stimulators of this signaling pathway hold potential as antidotes for dioxin-induced terata and that this opposing pharmacology may extend to additional toxicological endpoints.
Role of environmental estrogens in the deterioration of male factor fertility
2002, Fertility and Sterility
To evaluate the role of the environmental estrogens polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and phthalate esters (PEs) as potential environmental hazards in the deterioration of semen parameters in infertile men without an obvious etiology.
Randomized controlled study.
Tertiary care referral infertility clinic and academic research center.
Twenty-one infertile men with sperm counts <20 million/mL and/or rapid progressive motility <25% and/or <30% normal forms without evidence of an obvious etiology and 32 control men with normal semen analyses and evidence of conception.
Semen and blood samples were obtained as part of the treatment protocol.
Evaluation of semen parameters such as ejaculate volume, sperm count, motility, morphology, vitality, osmoregulatory capacity, sperm chromatin stability, and sperm nuclear DNA integrity.
PCBs were detected in the seminal plasma of infertile men but not in controls, and the concentration of PEs was significantly higher in infertile men compared with controls. Ejaculate volume, sperm count, progressive motility, normal morphology, and fertilizing capacity were significantly lower in infertile men compared with controls. The highest average PCB and PE concentrations were found in urban fish eaters, followed by rural fish eaters, urban vegetarians, and rural vegetarians. The total motile sperm counts in infertile men were inversely proportional to their xenoestrogen concentrations and were significantly lower than those in the respective controls.
PCBs and PEs may be instrumental in the deterioration of semen quality in infertile men without an obvious etiology.

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Abstract

References (21)

Effects of maternal exposure to polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) on F1 generation behavior in the rat

Fundam Appl Toxicol.

Lightly chlorinated ortho-substituted PCB congeners decrease dopamine in nonhuman primate brain and in tissue culture

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol.

Comparison of the effects of Aroclors 1016 and 1260 on non-human primate catecholamine function

Toxicology

Polychlorinated biphenyls and the developing nervous system: cross-species comparisons

Neurotoxicol Teratol.

The effects of polychlorinated biphenyls given prenatally on the neurobehavioral development of mice

Environ Res.

In utero PCB/PCDF exposure: relation of developmental delay to dysmorphology and dose

Neurotoxicol Teratol

A six-year follow-up study of intellectual and behavioral development of Yu-cheng children: cross-sectional findings of the second field work study [in Chinese; English summary]

chin Psychiatry

The cognitive and behavioral development of children prenatally exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls and contaminants: sixth-year fieldwork report

Chin Psychiatry

Cognitive development of Yu-Cheng (‘oil disease’) children prenatally exposed to heat-degraded PCBs

JAMA

A six year follow-up study on the intellectual and behavioral development of Yu-cheng (oil disease) children: findings for the fifth year of field work

Chin Psychiatry

Cited by (28)

YY162 prevents ADHD-like behavioral side effects and cytotoxicity induced by Aroclor1254 via interactive signaling between antioxidant potential, BDNF/TrkB, DAT and NET

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals. Elucidating Our Understanding of Their Role in Sex and Gender-Relevant End Points

Exposure to Environmental Chemicals and Developmental Risk: Contributions from Studies with Monkeys

Effect of Aroclor 1254 on Sertoli cellular antioxidant system, androgen binding protein and lactate in adult rat in vitro

Transforming growth factor-β3 restores fusion in palatal shelves exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

Role of environmental estrogens in the deterioration of male factor fertility

ToxicologyDisordered behavior in the early-born Taiwan Yucheng children

Abstract

Fundam Appl Toxicol.

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol.

Toxicology

Neurotoxicol Teratol.

Environ Res.

Neurotoxicol Teratol

A six-year follow-up study of intellectual and behavioral development of Yu-cheng children: cross-sectional findings of the second field work study [in Chinese; English summary]

chin Psychiatry

The cognitive and behavioral development of children prenatally exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls and contaminants: sixth-year fieldwork report

Chin Psychiatry

Cognitive development of Yu-Cheng (‘oil disease’) children prenatally exposed to heat-degraded PCBs

JAMA

A six year follow-up study on the intellectual and behavioral development of Yu-cheng (oil disease) children: findings for the fifth year of field work

Chin Psychiatry

Toxicology
Disordered behavior in the early-born Taiwan Yucheng children