• EU - FP6 Integrated Project
• Project: Assessing the toxicity and hazard of non-dioxin-like PCBs present in food (ATHON)

The aim of this project is to study the neurotoxic and endocrine disruptive effect of non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs). Therefore, the effects NDL-PCBs on pre- and postsynaptic aspects of neurotransmission, steroidogenesis, steroid metabolism, androgen receptor expression, and enzymes activities in vitro will be investigated.

The effects of NDL-PCBs on the function of the human GABAA expressed in Xenopus oocytes will be assed by measuring the effects on GABA-evoked Cl- currents. Amperometry and calcium-imaging techniques will be used to study which congeners (or metabolites) affect intracellular calcium homeostasis and basal or evoked neurotransmitter release in neuroendocrine PC12 cells. Several cell lines will be used to study effects of several PCBs congeners and their hydroxyl- and methylsulfonyl-metabolites on steroidogenesis and steroid metabolism. Special attention will be given to androgen receptor expression, aromatase and COMT activity.

PCBs are prevalent contaminants in fatty food of animal origin, such as meat, certain fish and dairy products. The present PCB exposure of general population in several countries is in the same range as the exposure level at which subtle neurotoxic effects have been observed in infants following perinatal exposure. Unlike dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) congeners, there is little insufficient information on the mechanisms of action of NDL-PCBs congeners and their relevance and presence in food to perform a health risk assessment. Because NDL-PCBs congeners constitute a large part of PCB congeners found in food and human tissues, it is of major importance to understand the toxicology of NDL-PCBs.