Principal Investigator
Evan Gallagher, University of Washington, School of Public Health
Project
Washington Sea Grant-funded research examined the interaction between antioxidants and PBDEs by comparing two novel, cost-effective approaches: in vitro using human liver cells, and in vivo using zebrafish.
Research Updates
Background
In 2007, the Washington Legislature banned polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). However, these toxic organic chemicals are persistent pollutants in Puget Sound sediments and their presence in salmon and other fish has raised public health concerns. Balanced against these concerns, salmon also contain beneficial omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This raises the question: Can these antioxidants counteract the effects of oxidant PDBEs? The interaction between these micronutrients and contaminants has not been studied at the molecular level, but any such effect could be important to food safety, public health, and to anxious consumers.
Results
The omega-3s caused potent antioxidation in the cells but provided less than 10 percent protection against PBDE toxicity. Sulforaphane, a compound in broccoli and related vegetables with similar antioxidant properties, afforded only slightly better protection. This suggests that PBDEs have other toxic properties that antioxidants do not counter. Omega-3s were partially effective at protecting mitochondria from PDBEs; they and sulforaphane improved mitochondrial membrane function in contaminated cells. The zebrafish could not be fed omega-3s but did receive sulforaphane, which protected them somewhat against PBDE-caused heart damage and tail deformation. The approaches tested here could also be used to assess relative benefits and risks of consuming salmon micronutrients together with other chemical contaminants.
Publications
Espinoza HM, Shireman LM, McClain V, Atkins W, Gallagher EP (2012) Cloning, expression and analysis of the olfactory glutathione S-transferases in coho salmon. Biochemical Pharmacology, 85(6):839-848.
McClain V, Stapleton HM, Tilton F, Gallagher EP (2011) BDE 49 is a developmental toxicant in zebrafish. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 155(2):253-258.
Wang L and Gallagher EP (2013) Role of Nrf2 antioxidant defense in mitigating cadmium-induced oxidative stress in the olfactory system of zebrafish. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 226(2):177-186.
Yeh A, Kruse SE, Marcinek DJ, Gallagher EP (2013) Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the cellular and mitochondrial toxicity of BDE 47. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 85(6):839-848.