Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

8-2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Department

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Degree Program

Pharmacology and Toxicology, MS

Committee Chair

Wise, Jamie

Committee Member

Wise, Sr., John

Committee Member

Kouokam, J. Calvin

Committee Member

Cai, Lu

Author's Keywords

Environmental health; heavy metals; PFAS; guinea pigs; drinking water; liver disease

Abstract

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental contaminants of major public health concern. Despite commonly being found together in contaminated drinking water, no studies have considered the concomitant health effects of Cr(VI) and PFAS, specifically perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). In vitro studies using CHO cells assessed the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Cr(VI) and PFAS both individually and in combination. Intracellular and extracellular Cr levels were measured with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. PFOS was found to exacerbate Cr(VI) induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Additionally, a novel in vivo model of studying the hepatotoxicity of Cr(VI) was established. Adult Hartley guinea pigs were exposed to either 0 or 5 mg Cr(VI)/L in their drinking water for 90 days. At the end of the study, tissues were collected for subsequent analyses. Cr significantly accumulated in the liver and blood of exposed animals and altered several hematological and biochemical parameters.

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