Endocrine Disrupting Compounds Affecting Corticosteroid Signaling Pathways in Czech and Swiss Waters: Potential Impact on Fish

Macikova, Petra
Groh, Ksenia J.
Ammann, Adrian A.
Schirmer, Kristin
Suter, Marc J. -F.

Open link

Publication date

December 2014

DOI

10.1021/es502711c

Publisher

American Chemical Society (ACS)

ISSN

0013-936X

Citation count (estimate)

Abstract

This study investigated the occurrence of corticosteroid signaling disruptors in wastewaters and rivers in the Czech Republic and in Switzerland. 36 target compounds were detected using HPLC-MS/MS, with up to 6.4 mu g/L for azole antifungals that indirectly affect corticosteroid signaling. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated activity was determined using the GR-CALUX bioassay with dexamethasone equivalent concentrations ranging from <LOD-2.6, 19-37, and 78-542 ng/L for river water, treated, and untreated wastewater, respectively. For most samples, the chemically predicted GR-mediated response was higher than that determined by the bioassay. Correspondingly, antiglucocorticoid activity was observed in some fractions. The fish plasma model ...