Accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the brain compared with the levels in other tissues among different vertebrates from an e-waste recycling site. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Yaxian; Li, Yuanyuan; Qin, Xiaofei; Lou, Qinqin; Qin, Zhanfen
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 218(2016)
• Page Start: 1334
• Page End: 1341
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers -- Accumulation -- Brain -- Blood-brain barrier -- Evolution; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.08.091
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the brain compared with that in other tissues among different vertebrates. We collected mice, chickens, ducks, frogs, and fish from an e-waste recycling region in Taizhou, China, and measured PBDE concentrations in brain, liver and muscle tissues. The levels of PBDE in the tissues of mice, chickens, ducks, frogs and fish ranged 0.45–206, 0.06–18.8, 1.83–112, 2.75–108, and 0.02–32.0 ng/g wet weight, respectively. Preferential distribution in the liver and muscle relative to the brain was observed for PBDEs in mice, chickens, ducks and frogs. However, a high retention in the brain compared to the liver and muscle was observed in fish. Comparison of the brain/liver concentration (B/L) ratios revealed differences in PBDEs accumulation in the brain among these vertebrates. PBDEs accumulation in the brain was greatest in fish, followed by frogs, while the lowest accumulation occurred in the brains of mammals and birds. The findings apparently coincided with the evolution of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) across vertebrates, i.e. the BBB of fish might be less efficient than those of mammals, birds and amphibian. Low brominated congeners (such as BDE-28, BDE-47 and BDE-99) were predominant in the brains of investigated vertebrates, whereas BDE-209 was most abundant in liver and muscle tissues of mice, chickens and ducks. Significant differences in B/L ratios among PBDE congeners were found in both mice and chickens ( p < 0.05). Particularly in mice, the B/L ratios of PBDE congeners presented a declining trend with increased bromine number. Our findings suggested that low brominated congeners might have a higher capacity to penetrate the BBB and accumulate in the brain, whereas high brominated congeners such as BDE-209 might have less potency to pass through the barrier. Further experimental studies are needed to confirm our findings. Graphical abstract: Highlights: PBDEs levels in the brain, liver, and muscle tissues of mice, chickens, ducks, frogs and fish were reported. PBDEs concentrations in brains were lower than those in other tissues of mice, chickens, ducks and frogs. PBDEs concentrations in brains were higher than those in other tissues of fish. The B/L ratios of congeners exhibited a declining trend with increasing bromine number in mice. Species-specific differences in the brain between fish and other vertebrates were found. Abstract : There are large differences in PBDEs accumulation in the brain among mice, chickens, ducks, frogs, and fish.