Enhancement of toxicity of various POPs in consequence of interaction with dissolved humic substances
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| Year of publication | 2009 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
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| Description | Humic substances (HS) are ubiquitous natural products of decomposition of dead organic matter. In soil ecology, HS can be divided generally into three groups: humic acids, fulvic acids and humins (insoluble fraction). In the soil environment, HS are present at concentrations up to 10% (dry weight), and up to 200 mg L-1 in pore water. Biological effects of HS can be both of indirect and direct nature. Indirect effects such toxicants and/or nutrient control via interaction with various HS structures have been known for a long time. However, also direct physiological effects such as changes of heat shock proteins expression and biotransformation enzymes activity, or hormone-like effects in animals, have been shown recently. In our previous in vitro study, we described the interaction of 12 HS samples with aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). In this paper, we summarize our new findings on interaction of both AhR-active and -inactive HS with various persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Results have shown mostly enhancement or no change of AhR-mediated activity (or so called dioxin-like toxicity) of POPs if co-exposed with dissolved HS. Possible interpretation of the observed results will be discussed. |
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