2024-05-04 07:11:33
In recent years, the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, has gradually increased. However, genetic factors cannot fully explain the cause. Some researchers believe that chemicals in the environment are also responsible for barriers to neurodevelopment. .
Toxic chemicals can easily disrupt brain development (photoAC)
Recently, the scientific team at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine published an article in Nature Neuroscience Researchers.Disinfectant/personal care productsQuaternary ammonium compounds commonly found in chemicals and organophosphate flame retardants commonly used in furniture/electronic products may affect oligodendrocyte development.
Epidemiological evidence shows that exposure to TDCIPP, an organophosphate flame retardant, during childhood is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental problems such as the need for special education and motor dysfunction. Highly exposed children are more likely to experience different neurodevelopmental problems than children with these conditions. lower exposure. Sexual intercourse up to 2 to 6 times.
In previous studies, scientists have generally focused more on neurons than glial cells. In fact, glial cells also play a very important role. Oligodendrocytes are important supporting cells for neurons. The myelin sheath they produce can promote neuronal information transmission and provide nutritional and metabolic support to neurons, which is crucial for maintaining neuronal function and lifespan. Studies have shown that impaired development or loss of oligodendrocytes can lead to severe cognitive and motor impairments.
The window for oligodendrocyte development is very long. Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) begin to develop from the fetal period and are most active during the first two years of life. Mature oligodendrocytes begin to produce myelin, a process that peaks during infancy and childhood but continues into adolescence and adulthood. Oligodendrocytes are therefore susceptible to damage long following birth.
Common Household Compounds Are Poisoning the Next Generation (Pixabay)
To identify environmental chemicals that may affect oligodendrocyte production, researchers constructed a library containing 1,823 chemicals and OPCs treated with a concentration of 20 μM OPCs will transform into oligodendrocytes within 3 days. Analysis during development can determine the effects of chemicals. on oligodendrocytes.
The experimental results showed that more than 80% of the chemical substances did not affect the development or vitality of oligodendrocytes, 292 substances were considered cytotoxic to developing oligodendrocytes, and 47 substances inhibited the production of oligodendrocytes, 22 species stimulated the production of oligodendrocytes.
Researchers analyzed cytotoxic chemicals and discovered a common chemical structural feature, a tetraalkyl structure with nitrogen as the center. There are 13 compounds of this structure in the chemical library, 9 of which are toxic to oligodendrocytes, and 4 of them are among the most toxic. The highest toxicity can result in a greater than 80% reduction in cell viability.
This toxicity is specific to oligodendrocytes. The researchers tested the most common quaternary ammonium compounds found in everyday life, C12-C14 and ADEBC, and found that oligodendrocytes were 21 to 100 times more toxic than astrocytes and fibroblasts.
Next, the researchers analyzed 47 chemicals that inhibit oligodendrocyte development and found that the most abundant of them was a phosphate group (see the yellow group in the image above). This group is contained in three common chemicals: TMPP, TBPP and TDCIPP. These three substances are all organophosphates and are widely used as pesticides and flame retardants.
Researchers used TDCIPP to culture human cortical organoids for 60 to 70 days and found that while overall cell density did not change, oligodendrocytes decreased by more than 70%.
baby (photoAC)
Does this mean that the corresponding chemicals in our lives cause disease?
Researchers used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to estimate exposure to TDCIPP via BDCIPP in urine. Among U.S. children ages 3 to 11 surveyed from 2013 to 2018, 1,753 of 1,763 children (99.4%) had BDCIPP in their urine samples, and the level was significantly higher than that of adults, which indicates that the content of flame retardants in children may be higher. Comparing different generations, we also see that the problem of children’s exposure to organophosphate flame retardants is increasing.
By grouping BDCIPP levels into quartiles, high urinary BDCIPP levels were found to be significantly associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Children in the highest level group had a double risk of receiving special education (OR 2.0) and a 500% increased risk of gross motor dysfunction (OR 6.0). This provides strong evidence for a positive association between exposure to organophosphate flame retardants and abnormal neurodevelopment.
Quaternary ammonium compounds and organophosphate flame retardants are all too common in our lives.Quaternary ammonium compounds arepersonal care productsmedications, antistatic agents,DisinfectantFrequent visitors, especially since the COVID-19 outbreak, studies have found that levels of certain quaternary ammonium compounds in human blood have doubled. Organophosphate flame retardants have also been “built into” humans for a long time and are found in human blood, urine, breast milk, and cerebrospinal fluid.
How to avoid these common elements in life? Behavioral intervention studies indicate that identifying appropriate cleaning products and methods, regular home cleaning, and frequent hand washing can effectively reduce exposure to flame retardants. For the rest, you will still have to wait for the source to resolve the problem.
The references:
[1]https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-024-01599-2
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