Editor’s Choice Articles

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

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19 pages, 769 KiB  
Systematic Review
Systematic Review of Safety of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators in Healthy Adults: Implications for Recreational Users
by Jonathan D. Vignali, Kevin C. Pak, Holly R. Beverley, Jesse P. DeLuca, John W. Downs, Adrian T. Kress, Brett W. Sadowski and Daniel J. Selig
J. Xenobiot. 2023, 13(2), 218-236; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13020017 - 10 May 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6495
Abstract
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are not FDA approved, and obtaining SARMs for personal use is illegal. Nevertheless, SARM use is increasingly popular amongst recreational athletes. Recent case reports of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and tendon rupture raise serious concerns for the safety [...] Read more.
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are not FDA approved, and obtaining SARMs for personal use is illegal. Nevertheless, SARM use is increasingly popular amongst recreational athletes. Recent case reports of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and tendon rupture raise serious concerns for the safety of recreational SARM users. On 10 November 2022 PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for studies that reported safety data of SARMs. A multi-tiered screening approach was utilized, and any study or case report of generally healthy individuals exposed to any SARM was included. Thirty-three studies were included in the review with 15 case reports or case series and 18 clinical trials (total patients N = 2136 patients, exposed to SARM N = 1447). There were case reports of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) (N = 15), Achilles tendon rupture (N = 1), rhabdomyolysis (N = 1), and mild reversible liver enzyme elevation (N = 1). Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was commonly reported in clinical trials in patients exposed to SARM (mean 7.1% across trials). Two individuals exposed to GSK2881078 in a clinical trial were reported to have rhabdomyolysis. Recreational SARM use should be strongly discouraged, and the risks of DILI, rhabdomyolysis, and tendon rupture should be emphasized. However, despite warnings, if a patient refuses to discontinue SARM use, ALT monitoring or dose reduction may improve early detection and prevention of DILI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Drug Therapeutics)
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33 pages, 6178 KiB  
Article
Geospatiotemporal and Causal Inferential Study of European Epidemiological Patterns of Cannabis- and Substance-Related Congenital Orofacial Anomalies
by Albert Stuart Reece and Gary Kenneth Hulse
J. Xenobiot. 2023, 13(1), 42-74; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13010006 - 01 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1822
Abstract
Introduction. Since high rates of congenital anomalies (CAs), including facial CAs (FCAs), causally attributed to antenatal and community cannabis use have been reported in several recent series, it was of interest to examine this subject in detail in Europe. Methods. CA data were [...] Read more.
Introduction. Since high rates of congenital anomalies (CAs), including facial CAs (FCAs), causally attributed to antenatal and community cannabis use have been reported in several recent series, it was of interest to examine this subject in detail in Europe. Methods. CA data were taken from the EUROCAT database. Drug exposure data were downloaded from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Income was taken from the World Bank’s online sources. Results. On the bivariate maps of both orofacial clefts and holoprosencephaly against resin, the Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentration rates of both covariates increased together in France, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands. In the bivariate analysis, the anomalies could be ranked by the minimum E-value (mEV) as congenital glaucoma > congenital cataract > choanal atresia > cleft lip ± cleft palate > holoprosencephaly > orofacial clefts > ear, face, and neck anomalies. When nations with increasing daily use were compared to those without, the former had generally higher rates of FCAs (p = 0.0281). In the inverse probability weighted panel regression, the sequence of anomalies—orofacial clefts, anotia, congenital cataract, and holoprosencephaly—had positive and significant cannabis coefficients of p = 2.65 × 10−5, 1.04 × 10−8, 5.88 × 10−16, and 3.21 × 10−13, respectively. In the geospatial regression, the same series of FCAs had positive and significant regression terms for cannabis of p = 8.86 × 10−9, 0.0011, 3.36 × 10−8, and 0.0015, respectively. Some 25/28 (89.3%) E-value estimates and 14/28 (50%) mEVs were >9 (considered to be in the high range), and 100% of both were >1.25 (understood to be in the causal range). Conclusion. Rising cannabis use is associated with all the FCAs and fulfils the epidemiological criteria for causality. The data indicate particular concerns relating to brain development and exponential genotoxic dose-responses, urging caution with regard to community cannabinoid penetration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products/Herbal Medicines)
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33 pages, 1033 KiB  
Review
Endocrine-Disrupting Effects of Bisphenol A on the Cardiovascular System: A Review
by Maria Inês Fonseca, Margarida Lorigo and Elisa Cairrao
J. Xenobiot. 2022, 12(3), 181-213; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox12030015 - 13 Jul 2022
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5075
Abstract
Currently, the plastic monomer and plasticizer bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely used chemicals. BPA is present in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, commonly used in food storage and industrial or medical products. However, the use of this synthetic compound [...] Read more.
Currently, the plastic monomer and plasticizer bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely used chemicals. BPA is present in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, commonly used in food storage and industrial or medical products. However, the use of this synthetic compound is a growing concern, as BPA is an endocrine-disrupting compound and can bind mainly to estrogen receptors, interfering with different functions at the cardiovascular level. Several studies have investigated the disruptive effects of BPA; however, its cardiotoxicity remains unclear. Therefore, this review’s purpose is to address the most recent studies on the implications of BPA on the cardiovascular system. Our findings suggest that BPA impairs cardiac excitability through intracellular mechanisms, involving the inhibition of the main ion channels, changes in Ca2+ handling, the induction of oxidative stress, and epigenetic modifications. Our data support that BPA exposure increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) including atherosclerosis and its risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes. Furthermore, BPA exposure is also particularly harmful in pregnancy, promoting the development of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. In summary, BPA exposure compromises human health, promoting the development and progression of CVDs and risk factors. Further studies are needed to clarify the human health effects of BPA-induced cardiotoxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Emerging Chemicals)
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20 pages, 521 KiB  
Review
Glyphosate vs. Glyphosate-Based Herbicides Exposure: A Review on Their Toxicity
by Carlos Martins-Gomes, Tânia L. Silva, Tatiana Andreani and Amélia M. Silva
J. Xenobiot. 2022, 12(1), 21-40; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox12010003 - 17 Jan 2022
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 7615
Abstract
Glyphosate-based herbicide has been the first choice for weed management worldwide since the 1970s, mainly due to its efficacy and reported low toxicity, which contributed to its high acceptance. Many of the recent studies focus solely on the persistence of pesticides in soils, [...] Read more.
Glyphosate-based herbicide has been the first choice for weed management worldwide since the 1970s, mainly due to its efficacy and reported low toxicity, which contributed to its high acceptance. Many of the recent studies focus solely on the persistence of pesticides in soils, air, water or food products, or even on the degree of exposure of animals, since their potential hazards to human health have raised concerns. Given the unaware exposure of the general population to pesticides, and the absence of a significant number of studies on occupational hazards, new glyphosate-induced toxicity data obtained for both residual and acute doses should be analyzed and systematized. Additionally, recent studies also highlight the persistence and toxicity of both glyphosate metabolites and surfactants present in herbicide formulations. To renew or ban the use of glyphosate, recently published studies must be taken into account, aiming to define new levels of safety for exposure to herbicide, its metabolites, and the toxic excipients of its formulations. This review aims to provide an overview of recent publications (2010–present) on in vitro and in vivo studies aimed at verifying the animal toxicity induced by glyphosate, its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) and glyphosate-based formulations, evaluated in various experimental models. Apart from glyphosate-induced toxicity, recent data concerning the role of surfactants in the toxicity of glyphosate-based formulations are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Xenobiotics as Emerging Environmental Contaminants)
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12 pages, 302 KiB  
Review
Non-Negligible Effects of UV Irradiation on Transformation and Environmental Risks of Microplastics in the Water Environment
by Fangyuan Cheng, Tingting Zhang, Yue Liu, Yanan Zhang and Jiao Qu
J. Xenobiot. 2022, 12(1), 1-12; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox12010001 - 21 Dec 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5164
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in environmental media, and their harmful effects on MPs on the ecosystem have attracted more and more attention. Once released into the environment, MPs can trigger oxidative degradation through ultraviolet (UV) to cause photoaging. Photoaging significantly affects the properties [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in environmental media, and their harmful effects on MPs on the ecosystem have attracted more and more attention. Once released into the environment, MPs can trigger oxidative degradation through ultraviolet (UV) to cause photoaging. Photoaging significantly affects the properties of MPs, which leads to changing their environmental behaviors and increasing environmental risks. In this review, the generation of MPs under UV irradiation and the influence of environmental factors on the photoaging of MPs were discussed. Photoaging of MPs is an important process affecting the migration, transformation and interaction of pollutants in water and soil. In order to fully predict the fate and environmental interaction of MPs, more researches are needed in the future to explore the photoaging behavior of different types of MPs under natural environmental conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Xenobiotics as Emerging Environmental Contaminants)
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