Analysis of the combined effects of medium molecular weight polymers and environmental chemicals

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K11682
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 64010:Environmental load and risk assessment-related
• Research Institution: Otsuma Women's University (2023); Saitama Prefectural University (2018-2022)
• Principal Investigator: Shinomiya Miho 大妻女子大学, 社会情報学部, 教授 (60291069)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 高分子化合物 / 中分子量 / 農薬 / 複合影響

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The effects of five polymeric compounds on the growth and survival of cultured cells in the presence of pesticides and other chemicals were investigated to understand the combined effects of medium molecular weight polymers and environmental chemicals. The cationic polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) was found to be the most potent inhibitor of cell growth and survival among the polymers evaluated. PEI was found to counteract the cytotoxic effect of thiram (fungicide) at concentrations that it alone did not affect, while it enhanced the cytotoxic effect of paraquat (herbicide).

Free Research Field

環境化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

中分子量高分子化合物と環境化学物質の複合影響に関する基礎的知見が乏しい現状において、本研究では高分子化合物の種類と細胞毒性の強弱の関係を示すともに、PEIがチウラムに対してはその毒性を相殺し、パラコートに対してはその毒性を増強することを明らかにした。本研究の成果は、化学物質の複合暴露によるリスク評価の基盤となる知見を提供し、今後のリスク評価の高度化に貢献するものと期待される。