Genotoxicity by rapeseed methyl ester and hydrogenated vegetable oil combustion exhaust products in lung epithelial (A549) cells.

Biofuel is an attractive substitute for petrodiesel because of its lower environmental footprint. For instance, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) emission per fuel energy content is lower for rapeseed methyl ester (RME) than for petrodiesel. This study assesses genotoxicity by extractable organic matter (EOM) of exhaust particles from the combustion of petrodiesel, RME, and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) in lung epithelial (A549) cells. Genotoxicity was assessed as DNA strand breaks by the alkaline comet assay. EOM from the combustion of petrodiesel and RME generated the same level of DNA strand breaks based on the equal concentration of total PAH (i.e. net increases of 0.13 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.002, 0.25, and 0.12 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.24] lesions per million base pairs, respectively). In comparison, the positive control (etoposide) generated a much higher level of DNA strand breaks (i.e. 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.97) lesions per million base pairs. Relatively low concentrations of EOM from RME and HVO combustion particles (<116 ng/ml total PAH) did not cause DNA strand breaks in A549 cells, whereas benzo[a]pyrene and PAH-rich EOM from petrodiesel combusted using low oxygen inlet concentration were genotoxic. The genotoxicity was attributed to high molecular weight PAH isomers with 5-6 rings. In summary, the results show that EOM from the combustion of petrodiesel and RME generate the same level of DNA strand breaks on an equal total PAH basis. However, the genotoxic hazard of engine exhaust from on-road vehicles is lower for RME than petrodiesel because of lower PAH emission per fuel energy content.

Inhalation of hydrogenated vegetable oil combustion exhaust and genotoxicity responses in humans.

Biofuels from vegetable oils or animal fats are considered to be more sustainable than petroleum-derived diesel fuel. In this study, we have assessed the effect of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) exhaust on levels of DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as primary outcome, and oxidative stress and inflammation as mediators of genotoxicity. In a randomized cross-over study, healthy humans were exposed to filtered air, inorganic salt particles, exhausts from combustion of HVO in engines with aftertreatment [i.e. emission with nitrogen oxides and low amounts of particulate matter less than 2.5 µm (approximately 1 µg/m3)], or without aftertreatment (i.e. emission with nitrogen oxides and 93 ± 13 µg/m3 of PM2.5). The subjects were exposed for 3 h and blood samples were collected before, within 1 h after the exposure and 24 h after. None of the exposures caused generation of DNA strand breaks and oxidatively damaged DNA, or affected gene expression of factors related to DNA repair (Ogg1), antioxidant defense (Hmox1) or pro-inflammatory cytokines (Ccl2, Il8 and Tnfa) in PBMCs. The results from this study indicate that short-term HVO exhaust exposure is not associated with genotoxic hazard in humans.

Anthocyanins and phenolic acids from a wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) powder counteract lipid accumulation in THP-1-derived macrophages.

PURPOSE: Blueberries are a rich source of anthocyanins (ACNs) and phenolic acids (PA), which are hypothesized to protect against development of atherosclerosis. The present study examined the effect of an ACN- and PA-rich fractions, obtained from a wild blueberry powder, on the capacity to counteract lipid accumulation in macrophages derived from monocytic THP-1 cells. In addition, we tested the capacity of pure ACNs and their metabolites to alter lipid accumulation. METHODS: THP-1-derived macrophages were incubated with fatty acids (500 µM oleic/palmitic acid, 2:1 ratio) and different concentrations (from 0.05 to 10 µg mL(-1)) of ACN- and PA-rich fractions, pure ACN standards (malvidin, delphinidin and cyanidin 3-glucoside), and metabolites (syringic, gallic and protocatechuic acids). Lipid accumulation was quantified with the fluorescent dye Nile red. RESULTS: Lipid accumulation was reduced at all concentrations of the ACN-rich fraction tested with a maximum reduction at 10 µg mL(-1) (-27.4%; p < 0.0001). The PA-rich fraction significantly reduced the lipid accumulation only at the low concentrations from 0.05 µg mL(-1) to 0.3 µg mL(-1), with respect to the control with fatty acids. Supplementation with pure ACN compounds (malvidin and delphinidin-3-glucoside and its metabolic products (syringic and gallic acid)) reduced lipid accumulation especially at the low concentrations, while no significant effect was observed after cyanidin-3-glucoside and protocatechuic acid supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated a potential role of both the ACN- and PA-rich fractions and single compounds in the lipid accumulation also at concentrations close to that achievable in vivo.