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Povzetek: Bisphenols (BPs) are industrial chemicals extensively used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins for everyday products, including food and beverage containers, toys, and thermal paper, representing major sources of human exposure. Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most prevalent; however, due to its endocrine-disrupting, reproductive, and genotoxic effects, it is classified as a substance of high concern by the European Chemicals Agency. Regulatory restrictions have prompted the use of structural analogues, including bisphenol AP (BPAP) and bisphenol C (BPC); however, emerging evidence suggests they may pose similar or greater health risks. Comprehensive data on their toxicity and human exposure, especially in mixtures, remain limited. This study assessed the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of BPA, and less studied analogues BPAP, BPC, and their binary mixtures using a human-relevant 3D HepG2 spheroid model, representing an advanced in vitro system. Spheroids were exposed for 24 and 96 h, and effects were evaluated by ATP-based viability assays, comet assay, and targeted transcriptomics. None of the bisphenols induced significant cytotoxicity, although slight reductions in viability were observed for BPAP, BPC, and mixtures. DNA strand breaks were detected after exposure to BPA, BPC, and mixtures. Transcriptomic analysis revealed modest stress responses and strong upregulation of xenobiotic metabolism genes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, UGT1A1, NAT2), indicating cellular recognition of the tested bisphenols as bioactive xenobiotics. Antioxidant and DNA repair genes were largely unchanged, except for upregulation of oxidative stress markers HMOX1 and SRXN1 and a slight increase in OGG1, indicating oxidative DNA damage. Importantly, mixture effects were predominantly additive, with no evidence of synergistic interactions under the tested conditions. Overall, bisphenol exposure primarily triggered oxidative stress and metabolic responses rather than robust DNA damage signalling, suggesting that genotoxicity is largely mediated by reactive oxygen species. By integrating multiple endpoints in a 3D liver model, this study provides a more comprehensive assessment of bisphenol toxicity and highlights potential risks associated with BPA analogues and their mixtures, supporting the need for a comprehensive safety assessment to evaluate their suitability as replacements in consumer products.
Ključne besede: bisphenol, DNA damage, oxidative stress, complex mixtures, metabolism
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 10.07.2026; Ogledov: 162; Prenosov: 173
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Povzetek: A recent study has suggested that plastics may contain more than 16,000 chemicals, including additives, processing aids, starting substances, intermediates and Non-Intentionally Added Substances. Plastic chemicals are released throughout the plastic life cycle, from production, use, disposal and recycling. Most of these chemicals have not been studied for potential hazardous properties for humans and in the environment. To refine the risk assessment of these leachable chemicals, additional hazard data are needed. The PlasticLeach project within the EU co-funded Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) aims to address this data gap by screening several plastic products in daily use. Leachates will be prepared from a number of these plastic items, and these chemical mixtures will be further tested using several test guideline compliant assays and New Approach Methodologies covering both human health and environmental endpoints. The most toxic leachates will be characterized using a non-targeted analysis pipeline to identify chemicals in the leachate. When single chemicals of concern are identified, these will be further tested to determine hazardous properties and identify the respective potency factors to better understand their specific hazard profiles. A tiered approach for hazard testing will be followed. The experimental work will be complemented by in silico toxicological profiling, using publicly available toxicity databases and tools, including Artificial Intelligence tools that cover both human and environmental endpoints. A comprehensive array of endpoints, including cytotoxicity, endocrine disruption, genotoxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity and effects related to ecotoxicity will be evaluated. In this paper, we outline the plastic products to be tested and the battery of assays that will be used to identify hazards relevant to both human health and the environment. Data generated from in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches will be reported using standardized formats, stored within a centralized repository, and harmonized to adhere to the FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable). This integrated strategy will not only advance our understanding of the risks associated with plastic-derived chemicals but will also provide critical support for regulatory decision-making and facilitate the development of safer, and more ecofriendly plastic materials in the future.
Ključne besede: plastics, chemicals, leachables, PARC, new approach methodologies, hazard assessment, toxicity, risk assessment
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.12.2025; Ogledov: 507; Prenosov: 370
Celotno besedilo (1,41 MB)
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