Do biomarkers of exposure and effect correlate with internal exposure to PAHs in swine?

Abstract

Humans are commonly exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a family of compounds present as mixtures in the environment. This study exposed swine to PAH mixtures in single and subacute dose regimens and collected liver and ileum tissue to measure cytochrome P450 mRNA expression and enzyme activity as biomarkers of exposure and DNA adducts and oxidized proteins as biomarkers of effect. Micronucleated reticulocytes were measured as systemic biomarkers of effect. Duration of exposure did not influence biomarkers of exposure, though exposure duration produced significant increases in DNA adducts and oxidative stress. Micronucleated reticulocyte numbers were not affected by exposure length.

• BPDE adducts
• EROD
• micronuclei
• oxidative stress
• Pig CYPs

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Kyle James and Roman Nosach for their assistance with sample collection, as well as Jennifer Briens for her assistance with sample analysis.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. This work was supported by Health Canada Contract (# 4500190296) to SDS and MW as well as a NSERC Strategic Grant to SDS. This work was approved by the University of Saskatchewan’s Animal Research Ethics Board, and adhered to the Canadian Council on Animal Care guidelines for humane animal use.