Premium
Wastewater‐derived antagonistic activities of G protein‐coupled receptor‐acting pharmaceuticals in river water
Author(s) -
Ihara Masaru,
Hanamoto Seiya,
Ihara Mariko O.,
Zhang Han,
Tanaka Hiroaki
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/jat.3952
Subject(s) - atenolol , pharmacology , g protein coupled receptor , chemistry , sulpiride , receptor , antagonist , biology , endocrinology , biochemistry , blood pressure
Pharmaceuticals are widely detected in aquatic environments, and their potential risks to aquatic species are of concern because they are designed to be biologically active. Here, we used an in vitro assay, called the transforming growth factor α shedding assay, to measure the biological activities of G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR)‐acting pharmaceuticals present in river water and effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Japan from 2014 to 2016. Antagonistic activities against angiotensin (AT1), dopamine (D2), adrenergic (β1), acetylcholine (M1) and histamine (H1) receptors were detected in river water, and were stronger downstream than upstream owing to effluent from WWTPs along the river. Ozonation at one WWTP reduced these activities. Concentrations of sulpiride (D2 antagonist) could explain 73% of antagonistic activities against the D2 receptor; those of metoprolol, atenolol and propranolol (β1 antagonists) could explain 16% of activities against the β1 receptor; and those of pirenzepine (M1 antagonist) could explain 15% of activities against the M1 receptor. Therefore, other receptor antagonists also occur. GPCR‐acting pharmaceuticals should be given more attention in environmental monitoring and toxicity testing.