We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sodium p-Perfluorous Nonenoxybenzene Sulfonate (OBS) Induces Developmental Toxicity Through Apoptosis in Developing Zebrafish Embryos: A Comparison with Perfluorooctane Sulfonate
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that OBS, an alternative to the banned PFAS compound PFOS, induces developmental toxicity in aquatic organisms despite being marketed as safer, raising concerns that PFOS substitutes may carry similar risks and warrant more rigorous environmental safety assessment.
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a representative persistent organic pollutant that exerts toxic effects on aquatic organisms. As an alternative to PFOS, sodium p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzene sulfonate (OBS) has been frequently detected in aquatic environments and human tissues in recent years. However, its toxic effects on aquatic organisms and potential health risks to humans remain unclear. Zebrafish embryos are transparent and amenable to in vivo manipulation and observation. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated its developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos, with PFOS as the positive control. We exposed zebrafish embryos to different concentrations of OBS (15, 20, and 25 mg/L) and PFOS (15 mg/L) for 2–168 h post fertilization (hpf) and then examined physiological and gene expression changes. At 24 hpf, spontaneous twitches in the 25 mg/L OBS group decreased to (5 ± 0.34)/min. By 48 hpf, the 20 mg/L OBS group’s hatching rate was (47.78 ± 2.22)%, significantly lower than the control. At 72 hpf, heart rates in both the PFOS and OBS groups were elevated, at 82 ± 0.6, 84.5 ± 0.5, 89.4 ± 0.3, and 93.7 ± 0.4, respectively. Similarly to PFOS, OBS induced developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos. In addition, both OBS and PFOS exposure downregulated the expression level of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 in zebrafish embryos, with a notable 0.53-fold decrease observed in the 25 mg/L OBS group. Conversely, they upregulated the expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9, with Caspase-3 expression increasing 1.14-, 1.5-, and 1.7-fold in the 15 mg/L PFOS, 20 mg/L OBS, and 25 mg/L OBS groups, respectively. These OBS- and PFOS-induced changes in gene expression increased apoptosis, suggesting that OBS can induce developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos, and that its effect is comparable to that of PFOS. Therefore, considering its aquatic toxicity, measures aimed at limiting or remediating OBS pollution in the environment are necessary.
More Papers Like This
Comparing Ocular Toxicity of Legacy and Alternative Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Zebrafish Larvae
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the eye toxicity of legacy PFAS chemicals (PFOS and PFOA) with their newer alternatives (PFBS and PFBA) using zebrafish larvae. They found that PFOS caused the most significant visual impairment, reducing both phototactic and optomotor responses in a concentration-dependent manner, while the alternative chemicals showed no detectable visual toxicity. The study suggests that while replacement PFAS compounds appear safer for visual development, the legacy chemical PFOS poses notable risks to eye function.
Developmental Toxicity of Chlorinated Polyfluorinated Ether Sulfonate (F-53B), a Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) Alternative, in Embryos and Larvae of Blotched Snakehead (Channa maculata)
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists tested F-53B, a chemical used to replace banned toxic substances in products like non-stick cookware, and found it severely harms developing fish by causing birth defects and damaging their organs. This matters because F-53B builds up in the environment just like the toxic chemicals it replaced, suggesting it could pose similar health risks to humans through contaminated water and food. The study shows that "safer" chemical alternatives aren't always actually safer and need thorough testing before widespread use.
An Integrated Metabolomics-Based Model, and Identification of Potential Biomarkers, of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid Toxicity in Zebrafish Embryos
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used advanced metabolomics techniques to study how the industrial chemical PFOS affects zebrafish embryo development at the molecular level. They identified specific metabolic disruptions and potential biomarkers that could indicate early PFOS exposure. The study provides new insights into how persistent environmental pollutants like PFAS interfere with biological processes during critical developmental stages.
Immunotoxicity and Transcriptome Analyses of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos Exposed to 6:2 FTSA
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a chemical increasingly used as a replacement for the banned compound PFOS, and assessed its effects on the immune system. They found that exposure significantly reduced key immune enzyme activities and triggered widespread changes in gene expression related to immune function. The study suggests that this widely used PFOS substitute may carry its own immunotoxic risks to aquatic organisms.
Toxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Their Substitutes to Terrestrial and Aquatic Invertebrates—A Review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their chemical substitutes accumulate and cause toxicity in terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, highlighting concerns about reproductive, developmental, and neurotoxic effects in organisms that form the base of food chains.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.