Paule Vasseur

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) is a commonly used plasticizer in polyvinylchloride (PVC) formulations and a potentially non-genotoxic carcinogen. The aim of this study was to identify genes whose level of expression is altered by DEHP by using a global wide-genome approach in Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells, a model similar to human cells regarding their responses to this type of carcinogen. With mRNA Differential Display (DD), we analysed the transcriptional regulation of SHE cells exposed to 0, 12.5, 25 and 50 μM of DEHP for 24 hrs, conditions which induced neoplastic transformation of these cells. A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to confirm differential expression of genes identified by DD.

Decision‐making for remediation of industrial wastelands are still based on the concentrations of pollutants of concern measured in soils. In this work, two soils polluted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals were investigated for their toxicity on earthworms (Eisenia fetida), collembolae (Folsomia candida), and higher plants (Brassica chinensis, Lactucca sativa and Avena sativa) in order to study the relationships between chemical contamination and biological effects. Although the level of contamination by PAHs was elevated and commensurate in the two soils, their toxicity profile was quite different. Soil A affected survival and reproduction of invertebrates and growth of higher plants. Surprisingly, soil B, heavily contaminated by metals in addition to PAHs, was devoid of toxicity. Our results indicate that toxicity cannot simply be extrapolated from pollutant concentrations in a complex matrix in which bioavailability of pollutants may be reduced by ageing. Moreover, the use of toxicity data obtained from spiked soils characterized by readily bioavailable pollutants can also be called into question for such extrapolations. Predicting biological effects therefore requires biological tools to avoid any erroneous conclusions that can be drawn from sole extrapolation of analytical results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008.

The transfer of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from bivalves, through the food chain to vertebrates was of concern. Our research aimed at estimating potential effects for consumers resulting from the ingestion of seafood contaminated by oil spill pollutants. After the “Erika” wreck, mussels (Mytilus sp.) were collected from sites of the Atlantic coast impacted to various degrees by the oil slick and constituted contaminated food for rats during 2 and 4 weeks. Genotoxic damage were studied in rats by means of COMET assay carried out in liver, bone marrow and peripheral blood. Biochemical and genomic effects such as the induction of CYP 1A1 and the expression of cytochrome genes were measured in rat livers. The most sensitive biological parameter reflecting the transfer of contaminants via the food appeared to be DNA breaks studied by means of the COMET assay. Genotoxic damage, observed mainly in the liver, were rather moderate and remained not persistent. This study underlined the bioavailability of pollutants in fuel oil contaminated mussels for consumers, and the complexity of the contamination consecutive to the oil spill. The occurrence of related PAH compounds in addition to non-substituted PAHs in fuel oils and mussels raised the question of their implication in the registered effects. Nos préoccupations venaient du transfert des hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (HAPs) des bivalves aux mammifères, par la voie alimentaire. Notre recherche visait à estimer les effets potentiels pour des consommateurs résultant de l'ingestion de fruits de mer contaminés par les polluants de marée noire. Suite au naufrage de l'« Erika », des moules (Mytilus sp.) ont été échantillonnées sur des stations de la côte atlantique plus ou moins polluées par la marée noire. Des rats ont reçu pendant 2 et 4 semaines des rations de cette nourriture contaminée. La génotoxicité a été étudiée au moyen du test des comètes au niveau du foie, de la moelle osseuse et du sang périphérique des rats. Les effets biochimiques et génomiques tels que l'induction du CYP 1A1 et l'expression des gènes du cytochrome, ont été recherchés au niveau du foie. Le paramètre biologique le plus sensible, reflétant un transfert des contaminants par la voie alimentaire, apparaît être l'étude des cassures à l'ADN par le test des comètes. Les dommages génotoxiques, observés principalement dans le foie, restent plutôt modérés et non persistants. Cette étude a souligné la biodisponibilité des polluants dans les moules pour le consommateur, et la complexité de la contamination engendrée par la marée noire. La présence de composés apparentés aux HAPs, en plus des HAPs non-substitués dans les fiouls lourds libérés et dans les moules, soulève la question de leur implication dans les effets observés.