Species- and tissue-specific profiles and potential risks of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their metabolites in dogs and cats.

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the long-term health effects of chemical exposure in pets, particularly dogs and cats, from sources such as pet food and house dust. Domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are continuously exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), with particular attention being paid to the toxicity of their metabolites, hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs) and methylsulfonyl PCBs (MeSO-PCBs). However, the tissue distribution and species-specific differences of these PCB metabolites in domestic animals have not been fully elucidated.

Nontarget Screening of Organohalogen Compounds in the Liver of Wild Birds from Osaka, Japan: Specific Accumulation of Highly Chlorinated POP Homologues in Raptors.

Nontarget screening studies have recently revealed the accumulation of typically unmonitored organohalogen compounds (OHCs) in various marine animals, but information for terrestrial food chains is still lacking. This study investigated the accumulation profiles of known and unknown OHCs in the liver of representative wild bird specimens from Osaka, Japan using nontarget analysis based on two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A large number of unmonitored OHCs were identified, including anthropogenic contaminants and marine halogenated natural products (HNPs), and their accumulation profiles were considered to be influenced by terrestrial and brackish water-based diets.

β-Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits the bacterial growth and biofilm formation by supragingival plaque commensals.

β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (BGA) is a natural antibacterial agent. Previous studies reported that BGA has antibacterial effects against several bacteria. This study evaluated the effects of BGA on the regulation of supragingival plaque bacteria.

Age-related changes in gingival blood flow parameters measured using laser speckle flowmetry.

Previous studies have suggested a possible relationship between age-related changes to human gingival hemodynamics and periodontal disease. However, firmly establishing this has been difficult because of a lack of suitable tools. Our study investigated whether a non-invasive laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG)-based 2-dimensional technique could be used to assess maxillary anterior gingival blood flow under resting conditions.

Anthropogenic and Naturally Produced Brominated Phenols in Pet Blood and Pet Food in Japan.

Present study determined concentrations and residue patterns of bromophenols (BPhs) in whole blood samples of pet cats and pet dogs collected from veterinary hospitals in Japan. BPhs concentrations were higher in cat blood than in dog blood, with statistically insignificant differences (p = 0.07).

Species- and Tissue-Specific Profiles of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Their Hydroxylated and Methoxylated Derivatives in Cats and Dogs.

The adverse effects of elevated polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels, reported in the blood of domestic dogs and cats, are considered to be of great concern. However, the tissue distribution of PBDEs and their derivatives in these animals is poorly understood. This study determined the concentrations and profiles of PBDEs, hydroxylated PBDEs (OH-PBDEs), methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs), and 2,4,6-tribromophenol (2,4,6-tri-BPh) in the blood, livers, bile, and brains of dogs and cats in Japan.

Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans isolated from a wild bird (ural owl) and its feed (shrew-moles): comparison of molecular types with human isolates.

Background: Corynebacterium ulcerans is a pathogen causing diphtheria-like illness to humans. In contrast to diphtheria by Corynebacterium diphtheriae circulating mostly among humans, C. ulcerans infection is zoonotic.

Organohalogen Compounds in Pet Dog and Cat: Do Pets Biotransform Natural Brominated Products in Food to Harmful Hydroxlated Substances?

There are growing concerns about the increase in hyperthyroidism in pet cats due to exposure to organohalogen contaminants and their hydroxylated metabolites. This study investigated the blood contaminants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their hydroxylated and methoxylated derivatives (OH-PCBs, OH-PBDEs, and MeO-PBDEs), in pet dogs and cats. We also measured the residue levels of these compounds in commercially available pet foods.

Species-specific differences in the accumulation features of organohalogen contaminants and their metabolites in the blood of Japanese terrestrial mammals.

Residue levels and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), their hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PCBs, OH-PBDEs), and methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs) in the blood of various terrestrial mammals in Japan, including cats, raccoon dogs, dogs, masked palm civets, foxes, raccoons, badgers, and mongooses were determined. Tri- through penta-chlorinated OH-PCBs were predominant in cat blood, whereas hexa- through octa-chlorinated OH-PCBs were found in other species. High proportion of BDE209 was found in all species, suggesting exposure to municipal waste and soil containing higher levels of deca-BDE products.

Regional trend and tissue distribution of brominated flame retardants and persistent organochlorines in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) from Japan.

The present study investigated concentrations and patterns of brominated flame retardants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), and persistent organochlorines (OCs) in liver and adipose tissues of raccoon dogs (RD: Nyctereutes procyonoides) collected from two metropolises and a local prefecture in Japan during 2001-2006. Relatively high concentrations of PBDEs were found in RD livers, while HBCD levels were the lowest among the measured organohalogen compounds. Among PBDE congeners, BDE 209 was predominant in RDs from all the regions, indicating that pollution derived from the technical decaBDE product is extensive across Japan.

Contamination status and accumulation features of persistent organochlorines in pet dogs and cats from Japan.

Concentrations of persistent organochlorines (OCs) such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), biphenyls, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and their metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, hexachlorobenzene, and chlordane compounds were determined in genital organs of pet dogs and cats and pet foods from Japan. Levels of OCs in dogs were relatively lower than those in cats, while residue levels in their diets were almost similar, implying that accumulation and elimination mechanisms of these contaminants are different between dogs and cats. When bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were estimated from concentrations of OCs in dogs, cats, and their diets, BCFs of all the OCs except PCDD/DFs exceeded 1.