Biomedical subjects
Jorge Gardea-Torresdey
Publications and source records attributed to Jorge Gardea-Torresdey.
Hexavalent chromium reduces larval growth and alters gene expression in mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus).
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a common bioavailable metal ion that causes oxidative stress, DNA adducts, and perturbs gene expression. Changes in gene expression are useful biomarkers of toxicant exposure that provide information about an organism's health, adaptability, and toxicant-specific effects. Therefore, we developed a cDNA array for the estuarine sentinel species mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). Mummichog larvae were exposed to concentrations ranging from 0 to 24 mg/L (462 microM) of Cr(VI) for 30 d, and growth was measured to determine the no-observable-effect concentration (1.5 mg/L) and the lowest-observable-effect concentration (3 mg/L). Body burdens from Cr(VI)-exposed fish showed a dose-dependent increase and were inversely correlated to body weight. Mummichog larvae exposed to Cr(VI) differentially expressed 16 genes in a dose-dependent manner, including GLUT-2, L-FABP, ATPase synthase 8, type II keratin, TBT-binding protein, and complement component C3-2. Many of these genes are involved in energy metabolism or growth, which is consistent with the reduced growth observed. In subsequent experiments, adults were exposed to Cr(VI) for 7 d at 0, 1.5, or 3 mg/L, because adult mummichog are used in monitoring Superfund sites. Hexavalent chromium altered the expression of 10 genes in adult liver, including HGFA, H-FABP, and complement component C3-2. Many of these genes also are involved in energy metabolism. The mummichog arrays provide a potential mechanism for the effects of Cr(VI) on growth. We anticipate using these arrays and the data they provide to monitor effects at polluted sites, to assess the bioavailability of chromium at these sites, and to investigate the efficacy of remediation in chromium-polluted estuaries.
Gas chromatography.
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Gas chromatography.
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Environmental evaluation of fluoride in drinking water at "Los Altos de Jalisco," in the central Mexico region.
Naturally occurring fluoride has been detected and quantified in drinking water in several cities of the "Los Altos de Jalisco" (LAJ) region. LAJ is located in the northeastern part of the state of Jalisco-Mexico, covering an area of 16,410 km2 with a population of 696,318 in 20 municipalities. Drinking water comes mainly from groundwater aquifers, located in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, which is a volcanic region characterized by hydrothermal activity. Results indicated that water supply from 42% of the municipalities had a fluoride concentration over the Mexican standards of 1.5 mg/L. It is important to notice that there are three cities, Lagos de Moreno (1.66-5.88 mg/L F(-)), Teocaltiche (3.82-18.58 mg/L F(-)), and Encarnación de Díaz (2.58-4.40 mg/L F(-)) where all water samples resulted in fluoride concentration over the maximum contaminant level. The total population from these three cities is over 122,000 inhabitants. Another important city with high levels of fluoride in the water supply was Tepatitlán de Morelos (2 wells with 6.54 and 13.47 mg/L F(-)). In addition to water supply, 30 samples of brand-name bottled water were tested. Surprisingly, 8 samples (27%) demonstrated fluoride level over the standards, mainly Agua de Lagos with 5.27 mg/L. Fluoridated table salt (200-300 mg/kg F(-)) is another important source of fluoride. A large number of people living in the region, mainly school children, might be under adverse health risk because they are consuming contaminated drinking water. It is well known that long-term exposure to water with high levels of fluoride produces severe health problems.
[Estimation of exposure to fluoride in "Los Altos de Jalisco", México].
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the level of fluoride exposure and human health risks in Los Altos de Jalisco (Jalisco State Heights) region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted between May and July 2002. The fluoride concentrations of 105 water wells and six tap water samples were electrochemically measured. Exposure doses to fluoride and total intake of fluoride were estimated for babies (10 kg), children (20 kg), and adults (70 kg). RESULTS: The fluoride concentration of the water samples ranged from 0.1 to 17.7 mg/l. More than 45% of the water samples exceeded the national guideline value for fluoride of 1.5 mg/l. The estimated values of the exposure doses to fluoride and total intake of fluoride were in the range of 0.04-1.8 mg/kg/d and 0.5-18.4 mg/d, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and bone fractures are some of the potential health risks due to the intake of high doses of fluoride for the population of Los Altos de Jalisco. In order to reduce health risks, fluoridated salt,fluoridated toothpastes, and drinking water containing more than 0.7 mg/l of fluoride should be avoided.