From binge eating to binge drinking: A new and robust paradigm for assessing binge ethanol self-administration in male rats.

Animal models of alcohol (ethanol) self-administration are crucial to dissect the neurobiological mechanisms underlying alcohol dependence, yet only a few of these induce pharmacologically relevant levels of alcohol consumption and rarely the alcohol self-administration co-occurs with other addictive behaviours. The present study aims to validate a novel model of voluntary ethanol consumption in male Wistar rats, in which ethanol access follows a binge eating experience. Over 10 sessions, Wistar rats were exposed to binge or control eating (i.

Metal exposure and biomarker levels among e-cigarette users in Spain.

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has increased due to the belief that they are healthier than tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarettes contain a metallic heating coil (composed of Ni, Cr, Al and other metals) to heat a solution (commonly called e-liquid) and convert it into an aerosol. This aerosol is inhaled (vaped) by the users who can be potentially exposed to a wide variety of metals.

Modulation of the endogenous antioxidants paraoxonase-1 and urate by pesticide exposure and genetic variants of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes.

This study evaluated the association between pesticide exposure in farmworkers and plasma levels of the endogenous antioxidants urate and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) enzyme activities (paraoxonase, arylesterase and diazoxonase, three substrate-specific assays for measuring PON1 function) by using generalized estimating equations (GEEs). Decreases in plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterases (BChE and AChE, respectively) were used as biomarkers of pesticide exposure. We also assessed the contribution of genetic polymorphisms of the pesticide-metabolising enzymes PON1, glutathione S-transferases (GST) and cholinesterase variants (BCHE) on plasma levels of endogenous antioxidants and potential gene-environment interactions.

Evaluation of pesticide-induced oxidative stress from a gene-environment interaction perspective.

Previously we reported that intensive agriculture workers exposed to pesticides had decreased levels of the intraerythrocyte enzymes delta-9-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), very likely as a result of pesticide-induced oxidative stress. We have now examined in this population potential gene-environment interactions by modeling generalized estimating equations (GEE) adjusted for age, sex, body mass index and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Particularly, we assessed the interaction effects between plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterases (BChE and AChE, used as proxies for short- and long-term pesticide exposure, respectively) and a number of genetic polymorphisms of pesticide metabolizing enzymes such as paraoxonase-1 (PON1), glutathione-S-transferases (GST) and plasma cholinesterase variants (BCHE) on levels of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and ALA-D).

Biomonitorization of cadmium, chromium, manganese, nickel and lead in whole blood, urine, axillary hair and saliva in an occupationally exposed population.

Heavy metal contamination from occupational origin is a cause for concern because of its potential accumulation in the environment and in living organisms leading to long term toxic effects. This study was aimed to assess Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni and Pb levels in whole blood, urine, axillary hair and saliva from 178 individuals with occupational exposure to heavy metals. Levels of metal compounds were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Urinary levels of arsenic and heavy metals in children and adolescents living in the industrialised area of Ria of Huelva (SW Spain).

The Ria of Huelva (south-west Spain) is a highly polluted estuary as a consequence of long-term mining and industrial activities. Between 2003 and 2004, we conducted a biomonitoring study of exposure to arsenic and some heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, copper and nickel) in urine samples of a representative sample (n=227) of children and adolescents residing in this area, and of a reference group of 196 children and adolescents living in other less industrialised areas of Andalusia (south Spain). We also assessed the determinants of the variability in urinary metals within the population of the Ria of Huelva.

Interaction between human serum esterases and environmental metal compounds.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and cholinesterase (BChE) are two of the major human serum esterases. Although most of variation in PON1 activity results from genetic factors, there is growing evidence that environmental chemicals also modulate its activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether environmental exposure to metal compounds has any influence on those esterases.

Biomonitoring of urinary metals in a population living in the vicinity of industrial sources: a comparison with the general population of Andalusia, Spain.

The Ria of Huelva (south-west Spain) is one of the most polluted fluvial-estuarine systems in the world. Industrial activity delivers huge amounts of pollutants to the local environment, particularly heavy metals and arsenic. Here we aimed to determine urinary levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni in a representative sample (n=857) of adults living in the Ria of Huelva.

Low level of exposure to pesticides leads to lung dysfunction in occupationally exposed subjects.

Pesticides may contribute to adverse respiratory health effects among farmers and have been considered one causal factor for the rise in asthma prevalence. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate potential respiratory function abnormalities following long-term pesticide exposure by means of a complete pulmonary function testing, including spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. The study population was comprised by workers from a prominent intensive agriculture area of southern Spain that relied on pesticides for the control of plagues.

A fatal case following exposure to zinc chloride and hexachloroethane from a smoke bomb in a fire simulation at a school.

Introduction: The common mixture for smoke bombs contains zinc oxide and a chlorine donor, which allows for the formation of fine particles of zinc chloride. We report a fatal case of exposure to a smoke bomb used for a fire training exercise at a school.

Case Report: A 21-year-old student inhaled zinc oxide/hexachloroethane from a smoke bomb during a fire simulation at a school.

Changes in antioxidant enzymes in humans with long-term exposure to pesticides.

Different pesticides, including organophosphates (OPs), have been reported to induce oxidative stress due to generation of free radicals and alteration in antioxidant defence mechanisms. In this study, a cohort of 81 intensive agriculture workers (pesticide sprayers) was assessed twice during the course of a spraying season for changes in erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was used as a reference biomarker.

Validation of a procedure for the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of cocaine and metabolites in pericardial fluid.

A method is described for the simultaneous quantification of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, and cocaethylene in pericardial fluid. Pericardial fluid samples from autopsy casework involving cocaine-related deaths and deaths unrelated to drug abuse were collected. The extraction of cocaine and its metabolites was performed using Bond-Elut Certify columns.

Heavy metal concentrations in the general population of Andalusia, South of Spain: a comparison with the population within the area of influence of Aznalcóllar mine spill (SW Spain).

Levels of metalloids (As - urine) and heavy metals (Hg - urine, Cd - whole blood and Zn - serum) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in 601 subjects living in the area affected by the Aznalcóllar mine spill (SW, Spain) and compared with those of a representative sample (960 subjects) selected from the Andalusian community (non-affected area), southern Spain. The characteristic parameters of the analytical method including uncertainty were determined for each metal. Potential associations of metal concentration with age, sex and body mass index as well as life-style habits (smoking, alcohol consumption and food habits) were explored.

Influence of exposure to pesticides on serum components and enzyme activities of cytotoxicity among intensive agriculture farmers.

Although the effects of acute pesticide poisoning are well known for the pesticides most currently used, hardly any data exist on health effects after long-term low-dose exposures. Major unresolved issues include the effect of moderate exposure in the absence of poisoning. The increased utilization of pesticides other than organophosphates makes it even more difficult to find associations.

Application of pericardial fluid to the analysis of morphine (heroin) and cocaine in forensic toxicology.

In this study opiates (morphine and codeine) and cocaine and its related metabolites (benzoylecgonine and cocaethylene) were analyzed in pericardial fluid by GC/MS. This is the first study reporting levels of drugs of abuse in this body fluid. The analytical method used has been previously validated and then applied to 54 drug-related deaths in the Barcelona area (Spain).

Changes in erythrocyte enzymes in humans long-term exposed to pesticides: influence of several markers of individual susceptibility.

Changes in erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) have been reported after exposure to different pesticides, including organophosphates and paraquat. In this study, we have determined ALA-D in 135 pesticide applicators (sprayers) from an intensive agriculture setting at two periods with different pesticide exposure. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was used as a reference biomarker.

Effect of long-term exposure to pesticides on plasma esterases from plastic greenhouse workers.

Previous reports in animals considered beta-glucuronidase activity as a novel biomarker of anticholinesterase (organophosphates and carbamates) pesticides exposure. Acid phosphatase activity was also shown to increase after organophosphates exposure. In addition, there is evidence that the paraoxonase status influences sensitivity to specific pesticides.

Paraoxonase activity and genetic polymorphisms in greenhouse workers with long term pesticide exposure.

Serum paraoxonase (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) associated protein, which plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, although it was primarily associated with the hydrolysis of organophosphorus compounds. PON1 was initially thought to be independent from physiological or pathological states, although recently some environmental factors have been reported to modulate its activity. In this study, we have investigated the promoter (PON1 -108C/T and -909 C/G) and coding region (PON1 192Q/R and 55L/M) polymorphisms, as well as PON1 activity towards different substrates (paraoxon, phenylacetate and diazoxon) in 102 individuals with long term low dose exposure to pesticides in a plastic greenhouse setting (sprayers), who are probably the group of agricultural workers with the highest exposure to pesticides.

Identification of paraoxonase 3 in rat liver microsomes: purification and biochemical properties.

Three paraoxonase genes (PON1, PON2 and PON3) have been described so far in mammals. Although considerable information is available regarding PON1, little is known about PON2 and PON3. PON3 has been isolated recently from rabbit serum [Draganov, Stetson, Watson, Billecke and La Du (2000) J.