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Qian T, Zhang J, Liu J, Wu J, Ruan Z, Shi W, Fan Y, Ye D, Fang X. Associations of phthalates with accelerated aging and the mitigating role of physical activity. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 278:116438. [PMID: 38744065 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Phthalates are positioned as potential risk factors for health-related diseases. However, the effects of exposure to phthalates on accelerated aging and the potential modifications of physical activity remain unclear. A total of 2317 participants containing complete study-related information from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010 were included in the current study. We used two indicators, the Klemera-Doubal method biological age acceleration (BioAgeAccel) and phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel), to assess the accelerated aging status of the subjects. Multiple linear regression (single pollutant models), weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, Quantile g-computation, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were utilized to explore the associations between urinary phthalate metabolites and accelerated aging. Three groups of physical activity with different intensities were used to evaluate the modifying effects on the above associations. Results indicated that most phthalate metabolites were significantly associated with BioAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel, with effect values (β) ranging from 0.16 to 0.21 and 0.16-0.37, respectively. The WQS indices were positively associated with BioAgeAccel (0.33, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.54) and PhenoAgeAccel (0.50, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.82). Quantile g-computation indicated that phthalate mixtures were associated with accelerated aging, with effect values of 0.15 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.28) for BioAgeAccel and 0.39 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.67) for PhenoAgeAccel respectively. The BKMR models indicated a significant positive association between the concentrations of urinary phthalate mixtures with the two indicators. In addition, we found that most phthalate metabolites showed the strongest effects on accelerated aging in the no physical activity group and that the effects decreased gradually with increasing levels of physical activity (P < 0.05 for trend). Similar results were also observed in the mixed exposure models (WQS and Quantile g-computation). This study indicates that phthalates exposure is associated with accelerated aging, while physical activity may be a crucial barrier against phthalates exposure-related aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Qian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Public Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Hefei, Anhui 231131, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Prevention and Control, Occupational Health and Safety, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Hefei, Anhui 231131, China; Anhui Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Hefei, Anhui 231131, China; Joint Research Center of Occupational Medicine and Health, Institute of Grand Health, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Hefei, Anhui 231131, China
| | - Jintao Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Jingwei Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Zhaohui Ruan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Wenru Shi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Yinguang Fan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
| | - Dongqing Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; School of Public Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Hefei, Anhui 231131, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Prevention and Control, Occupational Health and Safety, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Hefei, Anhui 231131, China; Anhui Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Hefei, Anhui 231131, China; Joint Research Center of Occupational Medicine and Health, Institute of Grand Health, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Hefei, Anhui 231131, China.
| | - Xinyu Fang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
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Rodríguez-Carrillo A, Remy S, Koppen G, Wauters N, Mustieles V, Desalegn A, Iszatt N, den Hond E, Verheyen VJ, Fábelová L, Murinova LP, Pedraza-Díaz S, Esteban M, Poyatos RM, Govarts E, van Nuijs ALN, Covaci A, Schoeters G, Olea N, Fernández MF. Urinary phthalate/DINCH metabolites associations with kisspeptin and reproductive hormones in teenagers: A cross-sectional study from the HBM4EU aligned studies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 929:172426. [PMID: 38631641 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to phthalate/DINCH metabolites can induce human reproductive toxicity, however, their endocrine-disrupting mechanisms are not fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between concentrations of phthalate/DINCH metabolites, serum kisspeptin, and reproductive hormones among European teenagers from three of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. METHODS In 733 Belgian (FLEHS IV study), Slovak (PCB cohort follow-up), and Spanish (BEA study) teenagers, ten phthalate and two DINCH metabolites were measured in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Serum kisspeptin (kiss54) protein, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were measured by immunosorbent assays. Free Androgen Index (FAI) was calculated as a proxy of free testosterone. Adjusted sex-stratified linear regression models for individual studies, mixed effect models (LME) accounting for random effects for pooled studies, and g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models for the phthalate/DINCH mixture were performed. RESULTS The LME suggested that each IQR increase in ln-transformed levels of several phthalates was associated with lower kisspeptin [MnBP: %change (95%CI): -2.8 (-4.2;-0.4); MEHP: -1.4 (-3.4,0.2)] and higher FSH [∑DINP: 11.8 (-0.6;25.1)] levels in females from pooled studies. G-computation showed that the phthalates/DINCH mixture was associated with lower kisspeptin [-4.28 (-8.07;-0.34)] and higher FSH [22.13 (0.5;48.4)] also in females; BKMR showed similar although non-significant pattern. In males, higher phthalates metabolites [MEHP: -12.22 (-21.09;-1.18); oxo-MEHP: -12.73 (-22.34;-1.93)] were associated with lower TT and FAI, although higher DINCH [OH-MINCH: 16.31 (6.23;27.35), cx-MINCH: 16.80 (7.03;27.46), ∑DINCH: 17.37 (7.26;29.74)] were associated with higher TT levels. No mixture associations were found in males. CONCLUSION We observed sex-specific associations between urinary concentrations of phthalate/DINCH metabolites and the panel of selected effect biomarkers (kisspeptin and reproductive hormones). This suggests that exposure to phthalates would be associated with changes in kisspeptin levels, which would affect the HPG axis and thus influence reproductive health. However, further research is needed, particularly for phthalate replacements such as DINCH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rodríguez-Carrillo
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium; Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein, 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Remy
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Natasha Wauters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- Biomedical Research Center & School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Anteneh Desalegn
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Nina Iszatt
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | | | - Veerle J Verheyen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Lucia Fábelová
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lubica Palkovicova Murinova
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Susana Pedraza-Díaz
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Esteban
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael M Poyatos
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Laboratorios, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, Spain
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein, 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Nicolás Olea
- Biomedical Research Center & School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernández
- Biomedical Research Center & School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
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Gerofke A, Lange R, Vogel N, Schmidt P, Weber T, David M, Frederiksen H, Baken K, Govarts E, Gilles L, Martin LR, Martinsone Ž, Santonen T, Schoeters G, Scheringer M, Domínguez-Romero E, López ME, Calvo AC, Koch HM, Apel P, Kolossa-Gehring M. Phthalates and substitute plasticizers: Main achievements from the European human biomonitoring initiative HBM4EU. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 259:114378. [PMID: 38631089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Phthalates and the substitute plasticizer DINCH belong to the first group of priority substances investigated by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) to answer policy-relevant questions and safeguard an efficient science-to-policy transfer of results. Human internal exposure levels were assessed using two data sets from all European regions and Israel. The first collated existing human biomonitoring (HBM) data (2005-2019). The second consisted of new data generated in the harmonized "HBM4EU Aligned Studies" (2014-2021) on children and teenagers for the ten most relevant phthalates and DINCH, accompanied by a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program for 17 urinary exposure biomarkers. Exposures differed between countries, European regions, age groups and educational levels. Toxicologically derived Human biomonitoring guidance values (HBM-GVs) were exceeded in up to 5% of the participants of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. A mixture risk assessment (MRA) including five reprotoxic phthalates (DEHP, DnBP, DiBP, BBzP, DiNP) revealed that for about 17% of the children and teenagers, health risks cannot be excluded. Concern about male reproductive health emphasized the need to include other anti-androgenic substances for MRA. Contaminated food and the use of personal care products were identified as relevant exposure determinants paving the way for new regulatory measures. Time trend analyses verified the efficacy of regulations: especially for the highly regulated phthalates exposure dropped significantly, while levels of the substitutes DINCH and DEHTP increased. The HBM4EU e-waste study, however, suggests that workers involved in e-waste management may be exposed to higher levels of restricted phthalates. Exposure-effect association studies indicated the relevance of a range of endpoints. A set of HBM indicators was derived to facilitate and accelerate science-to-policy transfer. Result indicators allow different groups and regions to be easily compared. Impact indicators allow health risks to be directly interpreted. The presented results enable successful science-to-policy transfer and support timely and targeted policy measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Gerofke
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Rosa Lange
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nina Vogel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Phillipp Schmidt
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Till Weber
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Madlen David
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Baken
- Brabant Advies, Brabantlaan 3, 5216 TV 's, Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Liese Gilles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Žanna Martinsone
- Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007, Riga, Latvia
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), P.O. Box 40, FI-00032, Tyoterveyslaitos, Finland
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Toxicological Center, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Martin Scheringer
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, 611 37, Czech Republic
| | - Elena Domínguez-Romero
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, 611 37, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Esteban López
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Argelia Castaño Calvo
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Petra Apel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
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Sahoo AK, Chivukula N, Ramesh K, Singha J, Marigoudar SR, Sharma KV, Samal A. An integrative data-centric approach to derivation and characterization of an adverse outcome pathway network for cadmium-induced toxicity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:170968. [PMID: 38367714 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Cadmium is a prominent toxic heavy metal that contaminates both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Owing to its high biological half-life and low excretion rates, cadmium causes a variety of adverse biological outcomes. Adverse outcome pathway (AOP) networks were envisioned to systematically capture toxicological information to enable risk assessment and chemical regulation. Here, we leveraged AOP-Wiki and integrated heterogeneous data from four other exposome-relevant resources to build the first AOP network relevant for inorganic cadmium-induced toxicity. From AOP-Wiki, we filtered 309 high confidence AOPs, identified 312 key events (KEs) associated with inorganic cadmium from five exposome-relevant databases using a data-centric approach, and thereafter, curated 30 cadmium relevant AOPs (cadmium-AOPs). By constructing the undirected AOP network, we identified a large connected component of 18 cadmium-AOPs. Further, we analyzed the directed network of 59 KEs and 82 key event relationships (KERs) in the largest component using graph-theoretic approaches. Subsequently, we mined published literature using artificial intelligence-based tools to provide auxiliary evidence of cadmium association for all KEs in the largest component. Finally, we performed case studies to verify the rationality of cadmium-induced toxicity in humans and aquatic species. Overall, cadmium-AOP network constructed in this study will aid ongoing research in systems toxicology and chemical exposome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajaya Kumar Sahoo
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India
| | - Nikhil Chivukula
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India
| | | | - Jasmine Singha
- National Centre for Coastal Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Pallikaranai, Chennai, India
| | | | - Krishna Venkatarama Sharma
- National Centre for Coastal Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Pallikaranai, Chennai, India
| | - Areejit Samal
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India.
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Smith MN, Stump S, van Bergen SK, Davies HG, Fanning E, Eaton R, Manahan CC, Sergent A, Zarker K. A Hazard-Based Framework for Identifying Safer Alternatives to Classes of Chemicals: A Case Study on Phthalates in Consumer Products. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:45002. [PMID: 38683745 PMCID: PMC11057665 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans are exposed to hazardous chemicals found in consumer products. In 2019, the Pollution Prevention for Healthy People and Puget Sound Act was passed in Washington State. This law is meant to reduce hazardous chemicals in consumer products and protect human health and the environment. The law directs the Washington State Department of Ecology to assess chemicals and chemical classes found in products, determine whether there are safer alternatives, and make regulatory determinations. OBJECTIVES To implement the law, the Department of Ecology developed a hazard-based framework for identifying safer alternatives to classes of chemicals. METHODS We developed a hazard-based framework, termed the "Criteria for Safer," to set a transparent bar for determining whether new chemical alternatives are safer than existing classes of chemicals. Our "Criteria for Safer" is a framework that builds on existing hazard assessment methodologies and published approaches for assessing chemicals and chemical classes. DISCUSSION We describe implementation of our criteria using a case study on the phthalates chemical class in two categories of consumer products: vinyl flooring and fragrances used in personal care and beauty products. Additional context and considerations that guided our decision-making process are also discussed, as well as benefits and limitations of our approach. This paper gives insight into our development and implementation of a hazard-based framework to address classes of chemicals in consumer products and will aid others working to build and employ similar approaches. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13549.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa N. Smith
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Sascha Stump
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Saskia K. van Bergen
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Holly G. Davies
- Environmental Public Health Sciences, Washington State Department of Health, Tumwater, Washington, USA
| | - Elinor Fanning
- Environmental Public Health Sciences, Washington State Department of Health, Tumwater, Washington, USA
| | - Rae Eaton
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Craig C. Manahan
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Amber Sergent
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Ken Zarker
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
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Peralta M, Lizcano F. Endocrine Disruptors and Metabolic Changes: Impact on Puberty Control. Endocr Pract 2024; 30:384-397. [PMID: 38185329 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the significant impact of environmental chemicals on disease development, focusing on their role in developing metabolic and endocrine diseases. The objective is to understand how these chemicals contribute to the increasing prevalence of precocious puberty, considering various factors, including epigenetic changes, lifestyle, and emotional disturbances. METHODS The study employs a comprehensive review of descriptive observational studies in both human and animal models to identify a degree of causality between exposure to environmental chemicals and disease development, specifically focusing on endocrine disruption. Due to ethical constraints, direct causation studies in human subjects are not feasible; therefore, the research relies on accumulated observational data. RESULTS Puberty is a crucial life period with marked physiological and psychological changes. The age at which sexual characteristics develop is changing in many regions. The findings indicate a correlation between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and the early onset of puberty. These chemicals have been shown to interfere with normal hormonal processes, particularly during critical developmental stages such as adolescence. The research also highlights the interaction of these chemical exposures with other factors, including nutritional history, social and lifestyle changes, and emotional stress, which together contribute to the prevalence of precocious puberty. CONCLUSION Environmental chemicals significantly contribute to the development of certain metabolic and endocrine diseases, particularly in the rising incidence of precocious puberty. Although the evidence is mainly observational, it adequately justifies regulatory actions to reduce exposure risks. Furthermore, these findings highlight the urgent need for more research on the epigenetic effects of these chemicals and their wider impact on human health, especially during vital developmental periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Peralta
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Universidad de La Sabana, CIBUS, Chía, Colombia
| | - Fernando Lizcano
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Universidad de La Sabana, CIBUS, Chía, Colombia; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Fundación CardioInfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Vilfranc CL, Houghton LC, Tsui F, Barrett E, Llanos AAM, Pennell K, Walker DAH, Martinez M, Morton B, Shepard P, Terry MB, McDonald JA. The hair tales of women of color in Northern Manhattan: a qualitative analysis. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2024; 6:1298615. [PMID: 38559324 PMCID: PMC10978798 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2024.1298615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as phthalates, can negatively impact maternal and child health, contributing to impaired fetal growth, preterm birth, and pregnancy complications, as well as increased downstream risks of cardiometabolic disease and breast cancer. Notably, women of color (WOC) are the largest consumers of personal care products, which are a common source of EDC exposure. Methods The Let's Reclaim Our Ancestral Roots (Let's R.O.A.R) Pilot Study developed an educational intervention delivered during pregnancy to promote reduced use of phthalate-containing hair care products (HCPs). This mixed-methods study included: (1) a quantitative analysis and (2) a qualitative analysis of the educational sessions and the semi-structured focus groups to evaluate the factors that influenced the hair care practices and product choices of WOC at various stages of life, including their current pregnancy (hereafter referred to as the hair journey). During the sessions, participants learned about EDCs (with a focus on phthalates), the unequal burden of exposure for WOC, adverse implications of exposure, and exposure reduction strategies. Focus group sessions provided insight into participants' hair journeys from childhood to the current pregnancy and explored factors during their hair product selection process. All sessions were transcribed and imported into NVivo Version 12 for coding and thematic analysis. Results A total of 46 individuals were enrolled in the study, and 31 participated in an educational session. This current work synthesizes the qualitative analysis of this study. We identified two important life stages (before and after gaining agency over hair care practices and product choices) and three dominant themes related to HCP use: (1) products that impacted the hair journey, which involved all mentions of hair products, (2) factors that influenced the hair journey, which included individuals or entities that shaped participants' hair experiences, and (3) the relationship between hair and sense of self, where sense of self was defined as the alignment of one's inner and outer beauty. Conclusion The themes intersected and impacted the participants' hair journey. Cultural integration was a sub-theme that overlapped within the dominant themes and participants discussed the effect of traditions on their hair experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrystelle L. Vilfranc
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lauren C. Houghton
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Felice Tsui
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Emily Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Adana A. M. Llanos
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kurt Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | | | - Micaela Martinez
- We ACT for Environmental Justice, New York, NY, United States
- Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Beaumont Morton
- We ACT for Environmental Justice, New York, NY, United States
| | - Peggy Shepard
- We ACT for Environmental Justice, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mary Beth Terry
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jasmine A. McDonald
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
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8
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Vallée A, Ceccaldi PF, Carbonnel M, Feki A, Ayoubi JM. Pollution and endometriosis: A deep dive into the environmental impacts on women's health. BJOG 2024; 131:401-414. [PMID: 37814514 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interaction between pollution and endometriosis is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. The impact of pollution, particularly air and water pollution, or occupational hazards, on hormonal disruption and the initiation of endometriosis remains a major issue. OBJECTIVES This narrative review aims to delve into the intricate connection between pollution and endometriosis, shedding light on how environmental factors contribute to the onset and severity of this disease and, thus, the possible public health policy implications. DISCUSSION Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in pollutants dysregulate the hormonal balance, contributing to the progression of this major gynaecological disorder. Air pollution, specifically PM2.5 and PAHs, has been associated with an increased risk of endometriosis by enhancing chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalances. Chemical contaminants in water and work exposures, including heavy metals, dioxins, and PCBs, disrupt the hormonal regulation and potentially contribute to endometriosis. Mitigating the environmental impact of pollution is required to safeguard women's reproductive health. This requires a comprehensive approach involving stringent environmental regulations, sustainable practices, responsible waste management, research and innovation, public awareness, and collaboration among stakeholders. CONCLUSION Public health policies have a major role in addressing the interaction between pollution and endometriosis in a long-term commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Vallée
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France
| | - Pierre-François Ceccaldi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France
- Medical School, University of Versailles, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Versailles, France
| | - Marie Carbonnel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France
- Medical School, University of Versailles, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Versailles, France
| | - Anis Feki
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Marc Ayoubi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France
- Medical School, University of Versailles, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Versailles, France
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9
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Lin RR, Lin DA, Maderal AD. Toxic Ingredients in Personal Care Products: A Dermatological Perspective. Dermatitis 2024; 35:121-131. [PMID: 38109205 DOI: 10.1089/derm.2023.0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Environmental dermatology is the study of how environmental factors affect the integumentary system. The environment includes natural and built habitats, encompassing ambient exposure, occupational exposures, and lifestyle exposures secondary to dietary and personal care choices. This review explores common toxins found in personal care products and packaging, such as bisphenols, parabens, phthalates, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, p-phenylenediamine, and formaldehyde. Exposure to these toxins has been associated with carcinogenic, obesogenic, or proinflammatory effects that can potentiate disease. In addition, these compounds have been implicated as endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can worsen dermatological conditions such as acne vulgaris, or dermatitis. Certain pollutants found in personal care products are not biodegradable and have the potential to bioaccumulate in humans. Therefore, even short-term exposure can cause long-lasting issues for communities. The skin is often the first point of contact for environmental exposures and serves as the conduit between environmental toxins and the human body. Therefore, it is important for dermatologists to understand common pollutants and their acute, subacute, and chronic impact on dermatological conditions to better diagnose and manage disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R Lin
- From the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Deborah A Lin
- Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Andrea D Maderal
- Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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10
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Gray LE, Conley JM, Bursian SJ. Dose Addition Models Accurately Predict the Subacute Effects of a Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctanoic Acid on Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) Chick Mortality. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:97-104. [PMID: 37753878 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Biomonitoring data have consistently demonstrated that fish, wildlife, and humans are exposed to multiple per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water and foods. Despite ubiquitous exposure to mixtures of PFAS, there is a lack of in vivo PFAS mixture research that addresses whether these chemicals act in a cumulative, dose-additive (DA) manner or whether they behave independently. For this reason, there is a critical need for mixtures studies designed to evaluate the cumulative toxicity and potential chemical interactions to support the assessment of human and ecological risks and also to define appropriate regulatory actions. Our primary objective was to evaluate the previously published Japanese quail chick mortality concentration-response data for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and the mixture of PFOS + PFOA and to use statistical modeling to determine whether the effects of the mixtures were accurately predicted by either DA or response addition modeling. In addition, we wanted to compare different DA models to determine whether one model produced more accurate predictions than the others. Our results support the hypothesis of cumulative effects on shared endpoints from PFOA and PFOS co-exposure and DA approaches for predictive estimates of cumulative effects. Given the limited number of in vivo studies that have been executed with enough individual PFAS and PFAS mixture concentration-response data to test the hypothesis of DA for PFAS mixtures, this re-analysis of the data is an important contribution to our understanding of how PFAS mixtures act. The analysis will provide support for regulatory agencies as they begin to implement PFAS cumulative hazard assessments in higher vertebrates. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:97-104. © 2023 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Earl Gray
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research & Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Justin M Conley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research & Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Steven J Bursian
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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11
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Curi TZ, Passoni MT, Lima Tolouei SE, de Araújo Ramos AT, França de Almeira SC, Scinskas ABAF, Romano RM, de Oliveira JM, Spercoski KM, Carvalho Dos Santos A, Dalsenter PR, Koch HM, Martino-Andrade AJ. Reproductive toxicity following in utero and lactational exposure to a human-relevant phthalate mixture in rats. Toxicol Sci 2023; 197:1-15. [PMID: 37788136 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This rodent (Wistar rats) study examined reproductive effects of in utero/lactational exposure to a mixture of 6 antiandrogenic phthalates (PMix): diisobutyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, diisopentyl phthalate, butylbenzyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, and diisononyl phthalate. The PMix was defined based on exposure data from pregnant women in Brazil. Experimental groups were established by extrapolating the estimated human dose to rats (0.1 mg/kg/day), followed by up to 3 additional doses corresponding to 5, 1000, and 5000 times the starting rat dose: 0 (control), 0.1, 0.5, 100, and 500 mg/kg/day. The fetal experiment assessed gestational exposure effects on fetal gonads, whereas the postnatal experiment evaluated reproductive parameters in males and females after in utero and lactational exposure. Prenatal exposure decreased fetal testicular testosterone production at 0.5 and 500 mg/kg/day. PMix 500 also reduced mRNA expression of steroidogenesis-related genes, upregulated transcript expression of the retinoic acid-degrading enzyme Cyp26b1, and increased multinucleated gonocytes incidence in fetal testes. Postnatal assessment revealed antiandrogenic effects at the highest dose, including reduced anogenital distance, nipple retention, and decreased weight of reproductive organs. Early puberty onset (preputial separation) was observed at the lowest dose in males. In contrast, females did not show significant changes in fetal and adult endpoints. Overall, the PMix recapitulated early and late male rat phthalate syndrome phenotypes at the highest dose, but also induced some subtle changes at lower doses, which warrant confirmation and mechanistic assessments. Our data support the use of epidemiologically defined mixtures for exposure risk assessments over traditional toxicological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Zauer Curi
- Reproductive Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil
| | - Marcella Tapias Passoni
- Reproductive Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil
| | - Sara Emilia Lima Tolouei
- Reproductive Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil
| | - Anderson Tadeu de Araújo Ramos
- Animal Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil
| | - Samara Christina França de Almeira
- Animal Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil
| | - Anna Beatriz Abreu Ferraz Scinskas
- Animal Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil
| | - Renata Marino Romano
- Reproductive Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Centro-Oeste, Guarapuava, PR 85040-167, Brazil
| | - Jeane Maria de Oliveira
- Reproductive Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Centro-Oeste, Guarapuava, PR 85040-167, Brazil
| | | | - Ariany Carvalho Dos Santos
- Histopathology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, MS 9804-970, Brazil
| | - Paulo Roberto Dalsenter
- Reproductive Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil
| | - Holger Martin Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University-Bochum (IPA), Bochum 44789, Germany
| | - Anderson Joel Martino-Andrade
- Reproductive Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil
- Animal Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR 81531-990, Brazil
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12
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Burns JS, Bather JR, Sergeyev O, Lee MM, Korrick SA, Sokolov S, Kovalev S, Koch HM, Lebedev AT, Mínguez-Alarcón L, Hauser R, Williams PL. Longitudinal association of prepubertal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with pubertal progression among a cohort of boys. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 233:116330. [PMID: 37348639 PMCID: PMC10575624 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have reported associations of anti-androgenic phthalate metabolite concentrations with later onset of male puberty, but few have assessed associations with progression. OBJECTIVES We examined the association of prepubertal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with trajectories of pubertal progression among Russian boys. METHODS At enrollment (ages 8-9 years), medical history, dietary, and demographic information were collected. At entry and annually to age 19 years, physical examinations including testicular volume (TV) were performed and spot urines collected. Each boy's prepubertal urine samples were pooled, and 15 phthalate metabolites were quantified by isotope dilution LC-MS/MS at Moscow State University. Metabolites of anti-androgenic parent phthalates were included: butylbenzyl (BBzP), di-n-butyl (DnBP), diisobutyl (DiBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP) and diisononyl (DiNP) phthalates. We calculated the molar sums of DEHP, DiNP, and all AAP metabolites. We used group-based trajectory models (GBTMs) to identify subgroups of boys who followed similar pubertal trajectories from ages 8-19 years based on annual TV. We used multinomial and ordinal regression models to evaluate whether prepubertal log-transformed phthalate metabolite concentrations were associated with slower or faster pubertal progression trajectories, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS 304 boys contributed a total of 752 prepubertal urine samples (median 2, range: 1-6) for creation of individual pools. The median length of follow-up was 10.0 years; 79% of boys were followed beyond age 15. We identified three pubertal progression groups: slower (34%), moderate (43%), and faster (23%) progression. A standard deviation increase in urinary log-monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) concentrations was associated with higher adjusted odds of being in the slow versus faster pubertal progression trajectory (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06-2.04). None of the other phthalate metabolites were associated with pubertal progression. CONCLUSIONS On average, boys with higher concentrations of prepubertal urinary MBzP had a slower tempo of pubertal progression, perhaps attributable to the disruption of androgen-dependent biological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Burns
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - J R Bather
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 2, 4th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - O Sergeyev
- Group of Epigenetic Epidemiology, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskye Gory, House 1, Building 40, Room 322, 119992, Moscow, Russia
| | - M M Lee
- Nemours Children's Health/Sidney Kimmel Medical School, Jefferson University, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - S A Korrick
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, 3rd Floor West, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - S Sokolov
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russia
| | - S Kovalev
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russia
| | - H M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - A T Lebedev
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russia
| | - L Mínguez-Alarcón
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, 3rd Floor West, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - R Hauser
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Kresge Building, 9th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - P L Williams
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 2, 4th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Kresge Building, 9th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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13
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Henriksen LS, Frederiksen H, Jørgensen N, Juul A, Skakkebæk NE, Toppari J, Petersen JH, Main KM. Maternal phthalate exposure during pregnancy and testis function of young adult sons. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:161914. [PMID: 36736395 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalate exposure during fetal life may disrupt testicular development. Congruent with this, studies have found shorter anogenital distance, reduced penile size and altered hormone levels in infant boys whose mothers were exposed to higher levels of some phthalates during pregnancy. Few studies have explored if such adverse effects persist in adulthood. Thus, we aimed to explore if there is an association between fetal phthalate exposure and markers of testicular function in young adult men. METHODS In a longitudinal mother-child cohort from Copenhagen, Denmark, we examined 100 young men whose mothers during pregnancy had serum drawn and analyzed for 34 phthalate metabolites. Examinations of the young men took place at 18-20 years of age and included measurements of adult markers of testicular function (reproductive hormones, penile size, anogenital distance (AGD), testis volume, semen quality) and growth factors. Associations between maternal serum concentrations of phthalate metabolites and reproductive measures in the young men were tested using multiple linear regression. RESULTS Most consistently, higher maternal phthalate exposure was associated with higher luteinizing hormone (LH) but unchanged testosterone in adult sons. Congruently, higher maternal exposure was associated with lower total and free testosterone/LH ratios in adult sons. For example, twice as high maternal MiNP was associated with a 7.9 % (95 % CI 1.6-13.8) lower free testosterone/LH ratio. There was no consistent pattern of associations between the different phthalate metabolites and other reproductive hormones, clinical outcomes, or semen quality. None of the tested associations was significant after multiplicity adjustment. CONCLUSIONS In this exploratory study, higher maternal exposure to some phthalates was associated with impaired testicular Leydig cell function evidenced by a lower total and free testosterone/LH ratio in adult sons. This unique 18-20-year follow-up study raises concern and suggests that exposure of pregnant women to phthalates may have long-term effects on adult reproductive health in male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Scheutz Henriksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research & Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction & Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research & Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction & Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research & Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction & Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research & Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction & Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels E Skakkebæk
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research & Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction & Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jørgen Holm Petersen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katharina M Main
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research & Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction & Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Lærkeholm Müller M, Busch AS, Ljubicic ML, Upners EN, Fischer MB, Hagen CP, Albrethsen J, Frederiksen H, Juul A, Andersson AM. Urinary concentration of phthalates and bisphenol A during minipuberty is associated with reproductive hormone concentrations in infant boys. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 250:114166. [PMID: 37058994 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transient postnatal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormone axis is termed minipuberty and considered an important developmental period, which is highly sensitive to endocrine disruption. Here, we explore exposure-outcome associations during minipuberty between concentrations of potentially endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in urine of infant boys and their serum reproductive hormone concentrations. METHODS In total, 36 boys participating in the COPENHAGEN Minipuberty Study had data available for both urine biomarkers of target endocrine disrupting chemicals and reproductive hormones in serum from samples collected on the same day. Serum concentrations of reproductive hormones were measured by immunoassays or by LC-MS/MS. Urinary concentrations of metabolites of 39 non-persisting chemicals, including phthalates and phenolic compounds, were measured by LC-MS/MS. Nineteen chemicals had concentrations above the limit of detection in ≥50% of children and were included in data analysis. Associations of urinary phthalate metabolite and phenol concentrations (in tertiles) with hormone outcomes (age- and sex-specific SD-scores) were analysed by linear regression. Primarily, we focused on the EU regulated phthalates; butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP), di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) as well as bisphenol A (BPA). Urinary metabolites of DiBP, DnBP and DEHP were summed and expressed as ∑DiBPm, ∑DnBPm and ∑DEHPm. RESULTS Compared to boys in the lowest ∑DnBPm tertile, urinary concentration of ∑DnBPm was associated with concurrent higher luteinizing hormone (LH) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) SD-scores as well as lower testosterone/LH ratio in boys in the middle ∑DnBPm tertile (estimates (CI 95%) 0.79 (0.04; 1.54), 0.91 (0.13; 1.68), and -0.88 (-1.58;-0.19), respectively). Further, higher insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) SD-scores and lower DHEAS SD-score in boys in the highest ∑DnBPm tertile (0.91 (0.12; 1.70) and -0.85 (-1.51;-0.18), respectively) were observed. In addition, boys in the middle and highest ∑DEHPm tertile had higher LH (1.07 (0.35; 1.79) and 0.71 (-0.01; 1.43), respectively) and in the highest ∑DEHPm tertile also higher AMH (0.85 (0.10; 1.61)) concentration SD-scores, respectively. Boys in the highest BPA tertile had significantly higher AMH and lower DHEAS concentration compared to boys in the lowest BPA tertile (1.28 (0.54; 2.02) and -0.73 (-1.45; -0.01)), respectively. DISCUSSION Our findings indicate that exposure to chemicals with known or suspected endocrine disrupting potential, especially the EU-regulated DnBP, DEHP and BPA, may modify male reproductive hormone concentrations in infant boys suggesting that minipuberty is a critical window sensitive to endocrine disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Lærkeholm Müller
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexander Siegfried Busch
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; University of Münster, Department of General Pediatrics, Münster, Germany
| | - Marie Lindhardt Ljubicic
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emmie N Upners
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Margit B Fischer
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Casper P Hagen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob Albrethsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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15
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Baralić K, Pavić A, Javorac D, Živančević K, Božić D, Radaković N, Antonijević Miljaković E, Buha Djordjevic A, Ćurčić M, Bulat Z, Antonijević B, Đukić-Ćosić D. Comprehensive investigation of hepatotoxicity of the mixture containing phthalates and bisphenol A. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 445:130404. [PMID: 36455319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Connections between the mixture containing bis(2- ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bisphenol A (BPA) and liver injury were explored through in silico investigation and 2 in vivo models. Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), ShinyGO, ToppCluster and Cytoscape were used for bioinformatic analysis. In vivo subacute study was performed on rats - five groups (n = 6): (1) Control: corn oil, (2) DEHP: 50 mg/kg b.w./day, (3) DBP: 50 mg/kg b.w./day, (4) BPA: 25 mg/kg b.w./day, (5) MIX: DEHP + DBP + BPA. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to the investigated substances in different doses, singularly and combined (binary and ternary mixtures). Liver injury was linked to 75 DEHP, DBP, and BPA genes, mostly connected to inflammation/oxidative stress. In rats, significant alterations in redox status/bioelements and pathohistology were most notable or exclusively present in MIX (probable additive effects). BPA decreased liver area (LA) index in dose-dependent manner. DEHP (< 2 µg/mL) and DBP (≤ 5 µg/mL) reduced LA values, while their higher doses increased LA index. The effect of DBP in binary mixtures led to a lethal outcome at the two highest concentrations, while the hepatotoxicity of DEHP/DBP/BPA mixture was dictated by BPA (confirmed by the benchmark dose analysis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Baralić
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović", University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Aleksandar Pavić
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragana Javorac
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović", University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Katarina Živančević
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović", University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia; University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry "Ivan Djaja", Studentski trg, 3, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragica Božić
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović", University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nataša Radaković
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Evica Antonijević Miljaković
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović", University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Buha Djordjevic
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović", University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marijana Ćurčić
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović", University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zorica Bulat
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović", University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana Antonijević
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović", University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Đukić-Ćosić
- Department of Toxicology "Akademik Danilo Soldatović", University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
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16
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Al-Saleh I, Elkhatib R, Alnuwaysir H, Aldhalaan H, Binmanee A, Hawari A, Alhazzani F, Jabr MB. The cumulative risk assessment of phthalates exposure in preterm neonates. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 248:114112. [PMID: 36657281 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are widely used plasticizers in various consumer products and medical devices, with some reporting as having estrogenic and anti-androgenic endocrine-disrupting effects. Premature neonates may be exposed to high levels of specific phthalates during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) because of reliance on multiple medical procedures that pose a possible health risk. The present study utilized seven urinary phthalate metabolites of dibutyl phthalate isomers [(di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP)], butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) that had been previously measured in 33 preterm neonates sampled at hospital admission (N = 23) and daily during their NICU stay (N = 260). We aimed to perform: (1) cumulative risk assessment (CRA) using the volume and creatinine-adjusted models; (2) examine the temporal variability of CRA from repeated measures and (3) estimate the risk of cumulative exposure to phthalates based on their anti-androgenic and/or estrogenic properties. We multiplied the relative activity of individual phthalates exhibiting estrogenic or anti-androgenic effects by daily intake. For each preterm neonate, CRA was assessed based on the hazard index (HI) metric [the sum of hazard quotients] based on three reference doses for anti-androgenicity: the tolerable daily intake (TDI) from the European Food Safety Authority, the reference dose (RfD-AA) published in 2010 and newly revised published in 2020 (NRfD-AA). The metabolites of BBzP and DEHP were 2-23 fold higher in preterm neonates during their NICU stay. Median HIs increased in the order of HINRfDAA > HIRfDAA > HITDI. In the creatinine-based model, 87% (92%), 87% (96%), and 100% (100%) of preterm neonates at admission (during NICU stay) showed HITDI, HIRfD-AA, and HINRfD-AA exceeding 1, respectively with DEHP the most prevalent. The temporal reproducibility of HI (based on three reference doses) during preterm neonate stay in the NICU was high, with intra-class correlation coefficients ranging between 0.77 and 0.97, suggesting persistent exposure to phthalates. The four phthalates that preterm neonates were exposed to in the NICU exhibited estrogenic binding and anti-androgenic effects with median values (creatinine-based) of 98.7 and 56.9 μg/kg body weight/day, respectively. This was especially true for DEHP. The results indicate that preterm neonates in this NICU setting are probably at high risk of cumulative phthalate exposure with anti-androgenic properties that may have long-term adverse reproductive and developmental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al-Saleh
- Environmental Health Program, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Rola Elkhatib
- Environmental Health Program, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hissah Alnuwaysir
- Environmental Health Program, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hesham Aldhalaan
- Center for Autism Research, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Binmanee
- Neonatal Critical Care Section, Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Hawari
- Neonatal Critical Care Section, Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad Alhazzani
- Neonatal Critical Care Section, Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Bin Jabr
- Neonatal Critical Care Section, Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
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17
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Vogel N, Frederiksen H, Lange R, Jørgensen N, Koch HM, Weber T, Andersson AM, Kolossa-Gehring M. Urinary excretion of phthalates and the substitutes DINCH and DEHTP in Danish young men and German young adults between 2000 and 2017 - A time trend analysis. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 248:114080. [PMID: 36657282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Over the last twenty-five years it has become evident that exposure to several phthalates can have adverse effects on human health, such as endocrine disruption. This led to a series of EU regulations that resulted in a decrease in the production volumes of the restricted phthalates and an increased production of substitutes. The current study describes the impact of regulations and changes in production and use of phthalates and their substitutes on internal exposure patterns in two European populations since the beginning of the 2000'ies. Using harmonised data from young adults in Denmark (Danish Young Men Study, n = 1,063, spot urine) and Germany (Environmental Specimen Bank, n = 878, 24-h urine) with repeated cross-sectional design (3-11 cycles per biomarker) we applied Locally Estimated Scatterplot Smoothing (LOESS) and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) to estimate time trends and the role of covariates on the trend (e.g. age, BMI). Time trends of daily excretion (μg/24h) are comparable between the two samples for the regulated (DEHP, BBzP, DiNP, DnBP, DiBP, DiDP/DPHP) as well as the non-regulated substances (DMP, DEP, DINCH, DEHTP) although the rate of change differ for some of the compounds. GLM results indicate that the daily excretion of the most regulated phthalates has decreased over time (DEHP yearly about 12-16%, BBzP 5%, DnBP 0.3-17%, and DiBP 4-12%). Interestingly, also the non-regulated phthalates DMP and DEP decreased by 6-18% per year. In sharp contrast, the phthalate substitutes DINCH and DEHTP show very steep annual increases (∼10-68% and ∼100%, respectively) between 2009 and 2017. We did not find an effect of age, sex, BMI, or education on the time trend. The present study provides comparable insights into how exposure to phthalates and two of their substitutes have changed over the last two decades in Germany and Denmark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Vogel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Rosa Lange
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Berlin, Germany
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Till Weber
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Denmark
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18
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Cinzori ME, Pacyga DC, Babayev E, Duncan FE, Li Z, Williams PL, Flaws JA, Strakovsky RS. Ovarian volume partially explains associations of phthalate biomarkers with anti-Müllerian hormone and estradiol in midlife women. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 172:107771. [PMID: 36724714 PMCID: PMC10012419 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Women are ubiquitously exposed to endocrine disruptors, including phthalates. Ovarian follicles undergoing folliculogenesis (indirectly measured by ovarian volume) produce anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol (E2). We evaluated associations of phthalates with ovarian volume to assess whether this explained prior positive associations of phthalates with AMH and E2. METHODS Women ages 45-54 years (n = 614) had transvaginal ultrasounds of right/left ovaries to calculate mean ovarian volume. Women provided up-to-four urine and blood samples for quantifying AMH (first serum sample), E2 (all serum samples), and nine phthalate metabolites (from pooled urine, representing six parent phthalates). Multivariable linear or logistic regression models (for individual phthalate biomarkers), as well as weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression (for mixture analyses) evaluated associations of phthalate biomarkers with ovarian volume. Using cross-sectional mediation analysis, we assessed whether associations of phthalates with ovarian volume partially explained those of phthalates with AMH or E2. RESULTS Most women were non-Hispanic White (68%) and pre-menopausal (67%) with higher urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations than U.S. women. In single-pollutant models, 10% increases in mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP) and monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) were associated with 0.44% (95% CI: -0.02%, 0.91%) and 0.62% (95% CI: 0.02%, 1.23%) larger ovarian volumes, respectively. As a cumulative mixture, 10% increases in the phthalate mixture were associated with 2.89% larger ovarian volume (95%CI: 0.27, 5.59) with MCPP (35%) and MBzP (41%) identified as major contributors. Higher ovarian volume due to a 10% increase in MBzP (indirect effect OR: 1.004; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.01) explained 16% of the positive association between MBzP and higher AMH, whereas higher ovarian volume due to a 10% increase in MCPP (indirect effect %Δ: 0.11; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.22) explained 23% of the positive association between MCPP and E2. CONCLUSION In this cross-sectional study, phthalates were associated with increased ovarian volume, with implications for midlife hormone production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Cinzori
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
| | - Diana C Pacyga
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
| | - Elnur Babayev
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Zhong Li
- Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, United States
| | - Paige L Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61802, United States
| | - Rita S Strakovsky
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States.
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19
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Gerofke A, David M, Schmidt P, Vicente JL, Buekers J, Gilles L, Colles A, Bessems J, Bastiaensen M, Covaci A, Den Hond E, Koppen G, Laeremans M, Verheyen VJ, Černá M, Klánová J, Krsková A, Zvonař M, Knudsen LE, Koch HM, Jensen TK, Rambaud L, Riou M, Vogel N, Gabriel C, Karakitsios S, Papaioannou N, Sarigiannis D, Kakucs R, Középesy S, Rudnai P, Szigeti T, Barbone F, Rosolen V, Guignard C, Gutleb AC, Sakhi AK, Haug LS, Janasik B, Ligocka D, Estokova M, Fabelova L, Kolena B, Murinova LP, Petrovicova I, Richterova D, Horvat M, Mazej D, Tratnik JS, Runkel AA, Castaño A, Esteban-López M, Pedraza-Díaz S, Åkesson A, Lignell S, Vlaanderen J, Zock JP, Schoeters G, Kolossa-Gehring M. From science to policy: How European HBM indicators help to answer policy questions related to phthalates and DINCH exposure. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 247:114073. [PMID: 36434900 PMCID: PMC9758616 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Within the European Human Biomonitoring (HBM) Initiative HBM4EU we derived HBM indicators that were designed to help answering key policy questions and support chemical policies. The result indicators convey information on chemicals exposure of different age groups, sexes, geographical regions and time points by comparing median exposure values. If differences are observed for one group or the other, policy measures or risk management options can be implemented. Impact indicators support health risk assessment by comparing exposure values with health-based guidance values, such as human biomonitoring guidance values (HBM-GVs). In general, the indicators should be designed to translate complex scientific information into short and clear messages and make it accessible to policy makers but also to a broader audience such as stakeholders (e.g. NGO's), other scientists and the general public. Based on harmonized data from the HBM4EU Aligned Studies (2014-2021), the usefulness of our indicators was demonstrated for the age group children (6-11 years), using two case examples: one phthalate (Diisobutyl phthalate: DiBP) and one non-phthalate substitute (Di-isononyl cyclohexane-1,2- dicarboxylate: DINCH). For the comparison of age groups, these were compared to data for teenagers (12-18 years), and time periods were compared using data from the DEMOCOPHES project (2011-2012). Our result indicators proved to be suitable for demonstrating the effectiveness of policy measures for DiBP and the need of continuous monitoring for DINCH. They showed similar exposure for boys and girls, indicating that there is no need for gender focused interventions and/or no indication of sex-specific exposure patterns. They created a basis for a targeted approach by highlighting relevant geographical differences in internal exposure. An adequate data basis is essential for revealing differences for all indicators. This was particularly evident in our studies on the indicators on age differences. The impact indicator revealed that health risks based on exposure to DiBP cannot be excluded. This is an indication or flag for risk managers and policy makers that exposure to DiBP still is a relevant health issue. HBM indicators derived within HBM4EU are a valuable and important complement to existing indicator lists in the context of environment and health. Their applicability, current shortcomings and solution strategies are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Gerofke
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany,Corresponding author.
| | - Madlen David
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Phillipp Schmidt
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joana Lobo Vicente
- European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jurgen Buekers
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Liese Gilles
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Ann Colles
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Jos Bessems
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Gudrun Koppen
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Michelle Laeremans
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Veerle J. Verheyen
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Milena Černá
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Klánová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Krsková
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Zvonař
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic,Faculty of Sport Studies, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lisbeth E. Knudsen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen Øster Farimagsgade 5 DK Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Holger M. Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance − Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Loïc Rambaud
- Santé publique France, French Public Health Agency (SpFrance), Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Margaux Riou
- Santé publique France, French Public Health Agency (SpFrance), Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Nina Vogel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Catherine Gabriel
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece,HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece
| | - Spyros Karakitsios
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece,HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece
| | - Nafsika Papaioannou
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece,HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece
| | - Denis Sarigiannis
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece,HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece,Environmental Health Engineering, Institute of Advanced Study, Palazzo del Broletto - Piazza Della Vittoria 15, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Réka Kakucs
- National Public Health Center, Albert Flórián út 2-6., 1097, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Középesy
- National Public Health Center, Albert Flórián út 2-6., 1097, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Rudnai
- National Public Health Center, Albert Flórián út 2-6., 1097, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Szigeti
- National Public Health Center, Albert Flórián út 2-6., 1097, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Fabio Barbone
- Department of Medicine—DAME, University of Udine, Via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Valentina Rosolen
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cedric Guignard
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, 41, rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Arno C. Gutleb
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, 41, rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | | | | | - Beata Janasik
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, St. Teresy 8, Lodz, Poland
| | - Danuta Ligocka
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, St. Teresy 8, Lodz, Poland
| | - Milada Estokova
- Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic, Trnavska cesta 52, 826 45, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Fabelova
- Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Branislav Kolena
- Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A Hlinku 1, 94901 Nitra, Slovakia
| | | | - Ida Petrovicova
- Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A Hlinku 1, 94901 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Denisa Richterova
- Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Milena Horvat
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Agneta Annika Runkel
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Argelia Castaño
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Esteban-López
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Pedraza-Díaz
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agneta Åkesson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sanna Lignell
- Swedish Food Agency, PO Box 622, SE-751 26, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jelle Vlaanderen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan-Paul Zock
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
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Lange R, Vogel N, Schmidt P, Gerofke A, Luijten M, Bil W, Santonen T, Schoeters G, Gilles L, Sakhi AK, Haug LS, Jensen TK, Frederiksen H, Koch HM, Szigeti T, Szabados M, Tratnik JS, Mazej D, Gabriel C, Sarigiannis D, Dzhedzheia V, Karakitsios S, Rambaud L, Riou M, Koppen G, Covaci A, Zvonař M, Piler P, Klánová J, Fábelová L, Richterová D, Kosjek T, Runkel A, Pedraza-Díaz S, Verheyen V, Bastiaensen M, Esteban-López M, Castaño A, Kolossa-Gehring M. Cumulative risk assessment of five phthalates in European children and adolescents. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2022; 246:114052. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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21
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Juraska JM. Changes in sex differences in neuroanatomical structure and cognitive behavior across the life span. Learn Mem 2022; 29:340-348. [PMID: 36206396 PMCID: PMC9488018 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053499.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences occur in the structure and function of the rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus, which can change from the juvenile period through old age. Although the evidence is incomplete, it appears that in at least some portions of the cortex these differences develop due to the rise of ovarian hormones at puberty and are potentially not dependent on the perinatal rise in testosterone, which is essential for sexual differentiation of the hypothalamus and sexual behavior. During aging of female rats, the presence of continued ovarian hormone secretion after cessation of the estrous cycle also influences sex differences in neuroanatomical structure and cognitive behavior, resulting in nullification or reversal of sex differences seen in younger adults. Sex differences can be altered by experience in a stimulating environment during the juvenile/adolescent period, and sex differences in performance even can be affected by the parameters of a task. Thus, broad generalizations about differences such as "spatial ability" are to be avoided. It is clear that to understand how the brain produces behavior, sex and hormones have to be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice M Juraska
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois 61820, USA
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22
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Burns JS, Sergeyev O, Lee MM, Williams PL, Mínguez-Alarcón L, Plaku-Alakbarova B, Sokolov S, Kovalev S, Koch HM, Lebedev AT, Hauser R, Korrick SA. Associations of prepubertal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with pubertal onset among a longitudinal cohort of boys. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113218. [PMID: 35390299 PMCID: PMC9310051 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although phthalate exposures have been associated with adverse effects on male reproductive health, few studies have explored longitudinal associations with male pubertal development. OBJECTIVES We examined the association of prepubertal urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites with age at pubertal onset in a prospective cohort of Russian boys. METHODS At enrollment at ages 8-9 years, medical history, dietary, and demographic information was collected. At entry and annually, physical examinations and pubertal staging [Genitalia (G), Pubarche (P), and testicular volume (TV, in ml)] were conducted and spot urines were collected. Prepubertal urine samples (defined as either TV = 1, 2 and G = 1, 2 or TV = 3 and G = 1) were pooled for each boy and phthalate metabolite concentrations were quantified using isotope dilution LC-MS/MS at Moscow State University. We measured 15 metabolites including those from anti-androgenic parent phthalates (AAPs) such as di (2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP) and di-isononyl (DiNP) phthalates as well as monobenzyl (MBzP), mono-n-butyl (MnBP), and mono-isobutyl (MiBP) metabolites. We calculated the molar sums of DEHP (∑DEHP), DiNP (∑DiNP), and AAP (∑AAP) metabolites. Separate interval-censored models were used to assess associations of quartiles of prepubertal phthalate metabolites with each pubertal onset indicator, G2+, P2+ and TV > 3 mL, adjusted for covariates and urine specific gravity. RESULTS 304 boys had 752 prepubertal urine samples (median 2, range: 1-6) for pooling. In adjusted models, higher urinary AAPs were consistently associated with later pubertal onset (P2) with mean shifts ranging from 8.4 to 14.2 months for the highest versus lowest quartiles. Significantly later onset for G2 and TV > 3 mL was observed for higher versus lower quartiles of MiBP, MBzP, ∑DEHP and ∑DiNP. CONCLUSIONS On average, boys with higher concentrations of prepubertal urinary AAPs had later pubertal onset by six months to over a year. The impact of AAPs on timing of male puberty may be attributable to disruption of androgen-dependent biological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane S Burns
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Oleg Sergeyev
- Group of Epigenetic Epidemiology, Belozersky Research Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskye Gory, House 1, Building 40, Room 322, 119992, Moscow, Russia; Chapaevsk Medical Association, Meditsinskaya Str., 3a, Chapaevsk, Samara Region, 446100, Russia
| | - Mary M Lee
- Nemours Children's Health, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, 19803, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical School, Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paige L Williams
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 2, Room 443, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave., Kresge Building, 9th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, 3rd Floor West, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Bora Plaku-Alakbarova
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Epidemiology Division, Optuminsight Life Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sergey Sokolov
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey Kovalev
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russian Federation
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Albert T Lebedev
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russian Federation
| | - Russ Hauser
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave., Kresge Building, 9th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Susan A Korrick
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, 3rd Floor West, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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23
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Elcombe CS, Evans NP, Bellingham M. Critical review and analysis of literature on low dose exposure to chemical mixtures in mammalian in vivo systems. Crit Rev Toxicol 2022; 52:221-238. [PMID: 35894754 PMCID: PMC9530410 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2022.2091423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic chemicals are ubiquitous throughout the environment. Consequentially, humans are exposed to hundreds of anthropogenic chemicals daily. Current chemical risk assessments are primarily based on testing individual chemicals in rodents at doses that are orders of magnitude higher than that of human exposure. The potential risk from exposure to mixtures of chemicals is calculated using mathematical models of mixture toxicity based on these analyses. These calculations, however, do not account for synergistic or antagonistic interactions between co-exposed chemicals. While proven examples of chemical synergy in mixtures at low doses are rare, there is increasing evidence that, through non-conformance to current mixture toxicity models, suggests synergy. This review examined the published studies that have investigated exposure to mixtures of chemicals at low doses in mammalian in vivo systems. Only seven identified studies were sufficient in design to directly examine the appropriateness of current mixture toxicity models, of which three showed responses significantly greater than additivity model predictions. While the remaining identified studies were unable to provide evidence of synergistic toxicity, it became apparent that many results of such studies were not always explicable by current mixture toxicity models. Additionally, two data gaps were identified. Firstly, there is a lack of studies where individual chemical components of a complex mixture (>10 components) are tested in parallel to the chemical mixture. Secondly, there is a lack of dose-response data for mixtures of chemicals at low doses. Such data is essential to address the appropriateness and validity of future chemical mixture toxicity models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris S Elcombe
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Neil P Evans
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michelle Bellingham
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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24
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Ringbeck B, Bury D, Lee I, Lee G, Alakeel R, Alrashed M, Tosepu R, Jayadipraja EA, Tantrakarnapa K, Kliengchuay W, Brüning T, Choi K, Koch HM. Biomarker-Determined Nonylphenol Exposure and Associated Risks in Children of Thailand, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:10229-10238. [PMID: 35801963 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nonylphenol (NP) is an endocrine disruptor and environmental contaminant. Yet, data on individual body burdens and potential health risks in humans, especially among children, are scarce. We analyzed two specific urinary NP metabolites, hydroxy-NP (OH-NP) and oxo-NP. In contrast to parent NP, OH-NP has a much higher urinary excretion fraction (Fue), and both are insusceptible to external contamination. We investigated spot urine samples from school children of Thailand (n = 104), Indonesia (n = 89), and Saudi Arabia (n = 108) and could quantify OH-NP in 100% of Indonesian and Saudi children (median concentrations: 8.12 and 8.57 μg/L) and in 76% of Thai children (1.07 μg/L). Median oxo-NP concentrations were 0.95, 1.10, and <0.25 μg/L, respectively, in line with its lower Fue. Median daily NP intakes (DIs), back-calculated from urinary OH-NP concentrations, were significantly higher in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia [0.47 and 0.36 μg/(kg bw·d), respectively] than in Thailand [0.06 μg/(kg bw·d)]. Maximum DIs were close to the preliminary tolerable DI of 5 μg/(kg bw·d) from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Dominant sources of exposure or relevant exposure pathways could not be readily identified by questionnaire analyses and also potentially varied by region. The novel biomarkers provide long-needed support to the quantitative exposure and risk assessment of NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Ringbeck
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Bury
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Inae Lee
- School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Gowoon Lee
- School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Raid Alakeel
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - May Alrashed
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Medical and Molecular Genetics Research, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ramadhan Tosepu
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Halu Oleo, Kendari 93232, Indonesia
| | | | - Kraichat Tantrakarnapa
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi 10400, Thailand
| | - Wissanupong Kliengchuay
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi 10400, Thailand
| | - Thomas Brüning
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Kyungho Choi
- School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
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25
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Ravichandran J, Karthikeyan BS, Samal A. Investigation of a derived adverse outcome pathway (AOP) network for endocrine-mediated perturbations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 826:154112. [PMID: 35219661 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An adverse outcome pathway (AOP) is a compact representation of the available mechanistic information on observed adverse effects upon environmental exposure. Sharing of events across individual AOPs has led to the emergence of AOP networks. Since AOP networks are expected to be functional units of toxicity prediction, there is current interest in their development tailored to specific research question or regulatory problem. To this end, we have developed a detailed workflow to construct an endocrine-relevant AOP (ED-AOP) network based on the existing information available in AOP-Wiki. We propose a cumulative weight of evidence (WoE) score for each ED-AOP based on the WoE scores assigned to key event relationships (KERs) by AOP-Wiki, revealing gaps in AOP development. Connectivity analysis of the ED-AOP network comprising 48 AOPs reveals 7 connected components and 12 isolated AOPs. Subsequently, we apply standard network measures to perform an in-depth analysis of the two largest connected components of the ED-AOP network. Notably, the graph-theoretic analyses led to the identification of important events including points of convergence or divergence in the ED-AOP network. These findings can suggest potential adverse outcomes and facilitate the development of new endpoints or assays for chemical risk assessment. Detailed analysis of the largest component in the ED-AOP network gives insights on the systems-level perturbations caused by endocrine disruption, emergent paths, and stressor-event associations. In sum, the derived ED-AOP network can provide a broader view of the biological events disrupted by endocrine disruption, as well as facilitate better risk assessment of environmental chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janani Ravichandran
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai 600113, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai 400094, India
| | | | - Areejit Samal
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai 600113, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai 400094, India.
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26
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Gray LE, Conley JM, Lambright CS, Furr JR. In utero exposure to a mixture of the perfluoroalkyl-isopropyl pesticide pyrifluquinazon with dibutyl phthalate cumulatively disrupts male rat reproductive development via different mechanisms of action. Toxicol Sci 2022; 188:234-247. [PMID: 35642937 PMCID: PMC10269475 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Administration of individual chemicals and mixtures during sexual differentiation that disrupt the androgen signaling pathway can induce reproductive abnormalities in male rats. In the current study, we co-administered the heptafluoroisopropyl pesticide pyrifluquinazon (PFQ), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) to pregnant rats during sexual differentiation of the reproductive tract. Both chemicals have been shown to disrupt reproductive tract differentiation in a dose-related manner reducing male anogenital distance (AGD), permanently reducing androgen-dependent tissue weights and sperm counts, and inducing reproductive malformations in male offspring, albeit by different mechanisms of action that converge downstream in the androgen signaling pathway on a common key event. Rats were orally dosed from gestation days 14-18 with dilutions of PFQ and DBP at 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the top dose (100 mg/kg PFQ and 750 mg/kg DBP). The mixture ratio was selected such that each chemical would contribute equally to multiple effects on the male offspring reproductive tract and the dose range was designed to determine if the mixture produced additive effects predicted by dose addition or response addition models, or whether significant interactions occurred. Observed data were compared to dose and response addition model predictions. As hypothesized, the mixture reduced F1 male AGD, reproductive organ weights and sperm counts and induced hypospadias with dose addition consistently providing a better prediction of the observed effects than response addition. These results support our hypothesis that chemicals that disrupt the androgen signaling pathway induce dose-additive male reproductive abnormalities regardless of the specific mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Earl Gray
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Branch, PHITD, CPHEA, ORD, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, 27711 North Carolina
| | - Justin M Conley
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Branch, PHITD, CPHEA, ORD, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, 27711 North Carolina
| | - Christy S Lambright
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Branch, PHITD, CPHEA, ORD, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, 27711 North Carolina
| | - Johnathan R Furr
- Inotiv, 13 Firstfield Road, Suite 110, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20878
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27
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James-Todd T, Ponzano M, Bellavia A, Williams PL, Cantonwine DE, Calafat AM, Hauser R, Quinn MR, Seely EW, McElrath TF. Urinary phthalate and DINCH metabolite concentrations and gradations of maternal glucose intolerance. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 161:107099. [PMID: 35085932 PMCID: PMC10723583 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies suggest a link between pregnancy phthalate exposures and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Few studies have evaluated associations between phthalate biomarkers (individual or mixtures) with gradations of maternal glucose intolerance. METHODS In a subset of 606 women participating in LIFECODES pregnancy cohort, a combination of 50-gram 1-h non-fasting glucose load test (GLT) and 100-gram 3-h fasting oral glucose tolerance test was used to determine pregnancy glycemic status (median: 27 weeks gestation): normoglycemia (n = 136), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (n = 296), and GDM (n = 174). Nineteen metabolites of phthalates and their replacements were measured during each trimester. We used multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate associations between biomarkers (in quartiles) and maternal glycemic status (GDM v. normoglycemia and IGT v. normoglycemia), adjusting for potential confounders. We also used principal component analysis to evaluate associations jointly accounting for metabolites as chemical mixtures. RESULTS Higher 1st trimester mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate (MCPP) was associated with decreased odds of GDM (Q4 v. Q1: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.67) and IGT (Q4 v. Q1 OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.79). Higher 2nd trimester mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) was associated with increased IGT (Q4 v. Q1 OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.07), and 2nd trimester mono-3-hydroxybutyl phthalate (MHBP) was non-monotonically associated with increased GDM (Q2 v. Q1 OR: 3.21; 95% CI: 1.54, 6.87). Mixture analyses showed similar associations (Q4 v. Q1 for 2nd trimester dibutyl phthalates metabotlites mixtures OR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.04, 4.22). CONCLUSION Some phthalate biomarkershad trimester-specific associations with glycemic outcomes, with long and short term health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamarra James-Todd
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02120, USA.
| | - Marta Ponzano
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrea Bellavia
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Paige L Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David E Cantonwine
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marlee R Quinn
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ellen W Seely
- Division of Endocrine, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas F McElrath
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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28
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Frederiksen H, Upners EN, Ljubicic ML, Fischer MB, Busch AS, Hagen CP, Juul A, Andersson AM. Exposure to 15 phthalates and two substitutes (DEHTP and DINCH) assessed in trios of infants and their parents as well as longitudinally in infants exclusively breastfed and after the introduction of a mixed diet. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 161:107107. [PMID: 35091377 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Several phthalates have been restricted/banned due to their adverse endocrine disrupting properties. The use of other phthalates and substitutes has increased. Here we examine the current exposure to phthalates in family trios comprised of infants and their parents and in infants exclusive breastfed and following introduction to a mixed diet. METHODS Metabolites of 15 phthalates and two substitutes, di(2-ethylhexyl)-teraphthalate (DEHTP) and diisononyl-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), were measured in urine samples collected from >100 infants and their parents and in paired urine samples collected from 67 infants, while they were exclusively breastfed and when they got mixed diet. RESULTS Among infants and their parents, metabolites of nine out of 15 phthalates and both substitutes were detected in >74% of all samples. Estimated daily intake (DI) calculated as µg/kg/day, showed similar exposure levels among infants and their parents for several of the substances, and infants were more exposed to DEHTP than their mothers. Significantly higher estimated DIs were observed for some low-molecular phthalates in infants exclusively breastfed. In contrast, comparable estimated DIs were observed for many other phthalates and DEHTP regardless of feeding status. For most of the substances, the within-family variation, was lower than the between-family variation. Likewise, the within-infant variation on exclusively breast vs. mixed diet was lower than the between-infant variation. Independent of food status, some infants were concurrently exposed to almost all the measured phthalates and substitutes in higher amounts than others. CONCLUSION Surprisingly, irrespective of diet status infants were exposed to several phthalates and substitutes some of which have been regulated for years. Exposure patterns and levels were similar in infants and their parents. Importantly, risk assessment based on new refined reference doses (RfD-AA) exceeded the safety level for anti-androgenic effects in a number of infants and parents, which is of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Frederiksen
- Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Denmark; Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Denmark.
| | - Emmie N Upners
- Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Denmark; Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Denmark
| | - Marie Lindhardt Ljubicic
- Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Denmark; Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Denmark
| | - Margit Bistrup Fischer
- Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Denmark; Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Denmark
| | - Alexander Siegfried Busch
- Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Denmark; Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Denmark
| | - Casper P Hagen
- Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Denmark; Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Denmark; Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Denmark; University of Copenhagen, Department of Clinical Medicine, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Denmark; Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Denmark
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29
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Skakkebæk NE, Lindahl-Jacobsen R, Levine H, Andersson AM, Jørgensen N, Main KM, Lidegaard Ø, Priskorn L, Holmboe SA, Bräuner EV, Almstrup K, Franca LR, Znaor A, Kortenkamp A, Hart RJ, Juul A. Environmental factors in declining human fertility. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022; 18:139-157. [PMID: 34912078 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-021-00598-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A severe decline in child births has occurred over the past half century, which will lead to considerable population declines, particularly in industrialized regions. A crucial question is whether this decline can be explained by economic and behavioural factors alone, as suggested by demographic reports, or to what degree biological factors are also involved. Here, we discuss data suggesting that human reproductive health is deteriorating in industrialized regions. Widespread infertility and the need for assisted reproduction due to poor semen quality and/or oocyte failure are now major health issues. Other indicators of declining reproductive health include a worldwide increasing incidence in testicular cancer among young men and alterations in twinning frequency. There is also evidence of a parallel decline in rates of legal abortions, revealing a deterioration in total conception rates. Subtle alterations in fertility rates were already visible around 1900, and most industrialized regions now have rates below levels required to sustain their populations. We hypothesize that these reproductive health problems are partially linked to increasing human exposures to chemicals originating directly or indirectly from fossil fuels. If the current infertility epidemic is indeed linked to such exposures, decisive regulatory action underpinned by unconventional, interdisciplinary research collaborations will be needed to reverse the trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels E Skakkebæk
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | - Hagai Levine
- School of Public Health, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katharina M Main
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Øjvind Lidegaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stine A Holmboe
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elvira V Bräuner
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luiz R Franca
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ariana Znaor
- Cancer Surveillance Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Division of Environmental Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Roger J Hart
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Okpara KE, Phoungthong K, Agbozu I, Edwin-Isotu E, Techato K. Phthalate Esters in Tap Water, Southern Thailand: Daily Exposure and Cumulative Health Risk in Infants, Lactating Mothers, Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:2187. [PMID: 35206375 PMCID: PMC8871872 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to phthalate esters (PAEs) via drinking water has generated public health concerns due to their endocrine disruptive abilities. This study reports on the occurrence and fate of six PAEs in raw and tap water samples collected from provincial waterworks located in Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand. In addition, the daily exposure and cumulative health risk of susceptible populations due to drinking tap water were evaluated by using four different reference dose (RfDs) sources. The maximum concentrations of PAEs in raw water were between 1.68 and 4.84 and 0.52 and 1.24 µg/L in tap water. Moreover, the levels of PAEs in the tap water samples indicated the poor PAEs removal efficiency of the conventional treatment process (59.9-69.1%). The contribution of water to the daily intake of PAEs did not exceed 0.37% in all the groups. Furthermore, both the individual and cumulative risk assessment showed negligible noncarcinogenic and antiandrogenic risk for all the groups. Nevertheless, the cumulative risk showed an increasing trend in the order of infants > lactating mothers > pregnant women > nonpregnant women, suggesting that infants are more vulnerable. In additional, the newly proposed RfDAA yielded higher hazard quotient and hazard index estimates, which indicates it is a more sensitive tool than other RfDs for the assessment of the individual and mixture risk of pollutants. The carcinogenic risk of DEHP was acceptable in every group. However, we recommend a future cumulative risk assessment of vulnerable groups considering their simultaneous exposure to all chemicals that have antiandrogenic effects via tap water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kingsley Ezechukwu Okpara
- Environmental Assessment and Technology for Hazardous Waste Management Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; (K.E.O.); (K.T.)
| | - Khamphe Phoungthong
- Environmental Assessment and Technology for Hazardous Waste Management Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; (K.E.O.); (K.T.)
| | - Iwekumo Agbozu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Africa, Toru-Orua 561101, Nigeria;
| | - Edeh Edwin-Isotu
- Centre for Environmental Management and Control, University of Nigeria, Enugu 400001, Nigeria;
| | - Kuaanan Techato
- Environmental Assessment and Technology for Hazardous Waste Management Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; (K.E.O.); (K.T.)
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Conley JM, Lambright CS, Evans N, Medlock-Kakaley E, Hill D, McCord J, Strynar MJ, Wehmas LC, Hester S, MacMillan DK, Gray LE. Developmental toxicity of Nafion byproduct 2 (NBP2) in the Sprague-Dawley rat with comparisons to hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA or GenX) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 160:107056. [PMID: 34952357 PMCID: PMC8821375 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Nafion byproduct 2 (NBP2) is a polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acid that was recently detected in surface water, drinking water, and human serum samples from monitoring studies in North Carolina, USA. We orally exposed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats to NBP2 from gestation day (GD) 14-18 (0.1-30 mg/kg/d), GD17-21, and GD8 to postnatal day (PND) 2 (0.3-30 mg/kg/d) to characterize maternal, fetal, and postnatal effects. GD14-18 exposures were also conducted with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) for comparison to NBP2, as well as data previously published for hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA or GenX). NBP2 produced stillbirth (30 mg/kg), reduced pup survival shortly after birth (10 mg/kg), and reduced pup body weight (10 mg/kg). Histopathological evaluation identified reduced glycogen stores in newborn pup livers and hepatocyte hypertrophy in maternal livers at ≥ 10 mg/kg. Exposure to NBP2 from GD14-18 reduced maternal serum total T3 and cholesterol concentrations (30 mg/kg). Maternal, fetal, and neonatal liver gene expression was investigated using RT-qPCR pathway arrays, while maternal and fetal livers were also analyzed using TempO-Seq transcriptomic profiling. Overall, there was limited alteration of genes in maternal or F1 livers from NBP2 exposure with significant changes mostly occurring in the top dose group (30 mg/kg) associated with lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Metabolomic profiling indicated elevated maternal bile acids for NBP2, but not HFPO-DA or PFOS, while all three reduced 3-indolepropionic acid. Maternal and fetal serum and liver NBP2 concentrations were similar to PFOS, but ∼10-30-fold greater than HFPO-DA concentrations at a given maternal oral dose. NBP2 is a developmental toxicant in the rat, producing neonatal mortality, reduced pup body weight, reduced pup liver glycogen, reduced maternal thyroid hormones, and altered maternal and offspring lipid and carbohydrate metabolism similar to other studied PFAS, with oral toxicity for pup loss that is slightly less potent than PFOS but more potent than HFPO-DA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Conley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Christy S Lambright
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Nicola Evans
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Medlock-Kakaley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Donna Hill
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - James McCord
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Mark J Strynar
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Leah C Wehmas
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Susan Hester
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Denise K MacMillan
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - L Earl Gray
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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Proficiency and Interlaboratory Variability in the Determination of Phthalate and DINCH Biomarkers in Human Urine: Results from the HBM4EU Project. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10020057. [PMID: 35202244 PMCID: PMC8878211 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10020057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
A quality assurance/quality control program was implemented in the framework of the EU project HBM4EU to assess and improve the comparability of biomarker analysis and to build a network of competent laboratories. Four rounds of proficiency tests were organized for 15 phthalate and two DINCH urinary biomarkers (0.2–138 ng/mL) over a period of 18 months, with the involvement of 28 laboratories. A substantial improvement in performance was observed after the first round in particular, and by the end of the program, an average satisfactory performance rate of 90% was achieved. The interlaboratory reproducibility as derived from the participants’ results varied for the various biomarkers and rounds, with an average of 24% for the biomarkers of eight single-isomer phthalates (e.g., DnBP and DEHP) and 43% for the more challenging biomarkers of the mixed-isomer phthalates (DiNP, DiDP) and DINCH. When the reproducibility was based only on the laboratories that consistently achieved a satisfactory performance, this improved to 17% and 26%, respectively, clearly demonstrating the success of the QA/QC efforts. The program thus aided in building capacity and the establishment of a network of competent laboratories able to generate comparable and accurate HBM data for phthalate and DINCH biomarkers in 14 EU countries. In addition, global comparability was ensured by including external expert laboratories.
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Pedersen EB, Christiansen S, Svingen T. AOP key event relationship report: Linking androgen receptor antagonism with nipple retention. Curr Res Toxicol 2022; 3:100085. [PMID: 36090961 PMCID: PMC9459418 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2022.100085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
A full AOP KER description linking AR antagonism with nipple retention in rodents. Described KER 2133 is a non-adjacent KER of an intended AOP delineating anti-androgenicity as a mode for nipple retention. A case study for developing and publishing independent units of information under the AOP framework.
In rat developmental and reproductive toxicity studies, nipple/areola retention (NR) in male offspring is a biomarker for reduced androgen signaling during development. This is because nipples normally regress in male rats in response to androgen signaling during critical stages of development. NR is thus included as a mandatory endpoint in several OECD test guidelines for assessment of chemicals, particularly as a readout for anti-androgenic effects relevant for reproductive toxicity. With the growing interest in developing Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) to aid in chemical risk assessment, a more pragmatic approach has been proposed, whereby essential units of knowledge could be developed independently of complete AOPs, not least emergent key event relationships (KERs). Herein, we have developed a KER linking “androgen receptor antagonism” and “increased areola/nipple retention”. The KER is based on a literature review conducted in a transparent semi-systematic manner in peer-reviewed databases with pre-defined inclusion criteria. Twenty-seven papers were included for development of the KER. The results support a qualitative relationship between the two key events (KEs) with a high weight of evidence; i.e., a causal relationship between androgen receptor (AR) antagonism and nipple retention in male rats exists.
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Tran-Guzman A, Moradian R, Cui H, Culty M. In vitro impact of genistein and mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on the eicosanoid pathway in spermatogonial stem cells. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 107:150-165. [PMID: 34942354 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) alter the male reproductive system. Infants are exposed to genistein (GEN) through soy-based formula, and to Mono(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (MEHP), metabolite of the plasticizer DEHP. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are formed in infancy and their integrity is essential for spermatogenesis. Thus, understanding the impact of EDCs on SSCs is critical. Prostaglandins (PGs) are inflammatory mediators synthesized via the eicosanoid pathway starting with cyclooxygenases (Coxs), that regulate physiological and pathological processes. Our goal was to study the eicosanoid pathway in SSCs and examine whether it was disrupted by GEN and MEHP, potentially contributing to their adverse effects. The mouse C18-4 cell line used as SSC model expressed high levels of Cox1 and Cox2 genes and proteins, and eicosanoid pathway genes similarly to levels measured in primary rat spermatogonia. Treatments with GEN and MEHP at 10 and 100 μM decreased Cox1 gene and protein expression, whereas Cox2, phospholipase A2, prostaglandin synthases transcripts, PGE2, PGF2a and PGD2 were upregulated. Simultaneously, the transcript levels of spermatogonia progenitor markers Foxo1 and Mcam and differentiated spermatogonial markers cKit and Stra8 were increased. Foxo1 was also increased by EDCs in primary rat spermatogonia. This study shows that the eicosanoid pathway is altered during SSC differentiation and that exposure to GEN and MEHP disrupts this process, mainly driven by GEN effects on Cox2 pathway, while MEHP acts through an alternative mechanism. Thus, understanding the role of Cox enzymes in SSCs and how GEN and MEHP exposures alter their differentiation warrants further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Tran-Guzman
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Renita Moradian
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Haoyi Cui
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Martine Culty
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Merrill AK, Anderson T, Conrad K, Marvin E, James-Todd T, Cory-Slechta DA, Sobolewski M. Protracted Impairment of Maternal Metabolic Health in Mouse Dams Following Pregnancy Exposure to a Mixture of Low Dose Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals, a Pilot Study. TOXICS 2021; 9:346. [PMID: 34941779 PMCID: PMC8706199 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9120346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy, a period of increased metabolic demands coordinated by fluctuating steroid hormones, is an understudied critical window of disease susceptibility for later-life maternal metabolic health. Epidemiological studies have identified associations between exposures to various endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes. Whether such adverse outcomes would be heightened by concurrent exposures to multiple EDCs during pregnancy, consistent with the reality that human exposures are to EDC mixtures, was examined in the current pilot study. Mouse dams were orally exposed to relatively low doses of four EDCs: (atrazine (10 mg/kg), bisphenol-A (50 µg/kg), perfluorooctanoic acid (0.1 mg/kg), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (0.036 µg/kg)), or the combination (MIX), from gestational day 7 until birth or for an equivalent 12 days in non-pregnant females. Glucose intolerance, serum lipids, weight, and visceral adiposity were assessed six months later. MIX-exposed dams exhibited hyperglycemia with a persistent elevation in blood glucose two hours after glucose administration in a glucose tolerance test, whereas no such effects were observed in MIX-exposed non-pregnant females. Correspondingly, MIX dams showed elevated serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL). There were no statistically significant differences in weight or visceral adipose; MIX dams showed an average visceral adipose volume to body volume ratio of 0.09, while the vehicle dams had an average ratio of 0.07. Collectively, these findings provide biological plausibility for the epidemiological associations observed between EDC exposures during pregnancy and subsequent maternal metabolic dyshomeostasis, and proof of concept data that highlight the importance of considering complex EDC mixtures based of off common health outcomes, e.g., for increased risk for later-life maternal metabolic effects following pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa K. Merrill
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (A.K.M.); (T.A.); (K.C.); (E.M.); (D.A.C.-S.)
| | - Timothy Anderson
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (A.K.M.); (T.A.); (K.C.); (E.M.); (D.A.C.-S.)
| | - Katherine Conrad
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (A.K.M.); (T.A.); (K.C.); (E.M.); (D.A.C.-S.)
| | - Elena Marvin
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (A.K.M.); (T.A.); (K.C.); (E.M.); (D.A.C.-S.)
| | - Tamarra James-Todd
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Deborah A. Cory-Slechta
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (A.K.M.); (T.A.); (K.C.); (E.M.); (D.A.C.-S.)
| | - Marissa Sobolewski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (A.K.M.); (T.A.); (K.C.); (E.M.); (D.A.C.-S.)
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Conley JM, Lambright CS, Evans N, Cardon M, Medlock-Kakaley E, Wilson VS, Gray LE. A mixture of 15 phthalates and pesticides below individual chemical no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) produces reproductive tract malformations in the male rat. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 156:106615. [PMID: 34000504 PMCID: PMC8380680 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Humans carry residues of multiple synthetic chemicals at any given point in time. Research has demonstrated that compounds with varying molecular initiating events (MIE) that disrupt common key events can act in concert to produce cumulative adverse effects. Congenital defects of the male reproductive tract are some of the most frequently diagnosed malformations in humans and chemical exposures in utero can produce these effects in laboratory animals and humans. Here, we hypothesized that in utero exposure to a mixture of pesticides and phthalates, each of which produce male reproductive tract defects individually, would produce cumulative effects even when each chemical is present at a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) specific for male reproductive effects. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed via oral gavage to a fixed-ratio dilution mixture of 5 pesticides (vinclozolin, linuron, procymidone, prochloraz, pyrifluquinazon), 1 pesticide metabolite (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE)), and 9 phthalates (dipentyl, dicyclohexyl, di-2-ethylhexyl, dibutyl, benzyl butyl, diisobutyl, diisoheptyl, dihexyl, and diheptyl) during the critical window of rat fetal masculinization (gestation day 14-18). The top dose (100% dose) contained each compound at a concentration 2-fold greater than the individual chemical NOAEL followed by a dilution series that represented each chemical at NOAEL, NOAEL/2, NOAEL/4, NOAEL/8, NOAEL/15, NOAEL/100, NOAEL/1000. Reduced fetal testis gene expression occurred at NOAEL/15, reduced fetal testis testosterone production occurred at NOAEL/8, reduced anogenital distance, increased nipple retention, and delayed puberty occurred at NOAEL/4, and severe effects including genital malformations and weight reductions in numerous reproductive tissues occurred at NOAEL/2. This study demonstrates that these phthalates and pesticides acted cumulatively to produce adverse effects at doses below which any individual chemical had been shown to produce an effect alone and even though they have different MIEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Conley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment/Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States.
| | - Christy S Lambright
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment/Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States.
| | - Nicola Evans
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment/Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States.
| | - Mary Cardon
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment/Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States.
| | - Elizabeth Medlock-Kakaley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment/Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States.
| | - Vickie S Wilson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment/Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States.
| | - L Earl Gray
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment/Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States.
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Francis CE, Allee L, Nguyen H, Grindstaff RD, Miller CN, Rayalam S. Endocrine disrupting chemicals: Friend or foe to brown and beige adipose tissue? Toxicology 2021; 463:152972. [PMID: 34606950 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) on the current obesity epidemic is a growing field of interest. Numerous EDCs have shown the potential to alter energy metabolism, which may increase the risk of obesity, in part, through direct actions on adipose tissue. While white adipose tissue has historically been the primary focus of this work, evidence of the EDC-induced disruption of brown and beige adipose tissues continues to build. Both brown and beige fat are thermogenic adipose depots rich in mitochondria that dispense heat when activated. Due to these properties, brown and beige fat are implicated in metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cachexia. This review delves into the current literature of different EDCs, including bisphenols, dioxins, air pollutants, phthalates, and phytochemicals. The possible implications that these EDCs have on thermogenic adipose tissues are covered. This review also introduces the possibility of using brown and beige fat as a therapeutic target organ by taking advantage of some of the properties of EDCs. Collectively, we provide a comprehensive discussion of the evidence of EDC disruption in white, brown, and beige fat and highlight gaps worthy of further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Logan Allee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Georgia Campus, Suwanee, GA, USA
| | - Helen Nguyen
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Rachel D Grindstaff
- Neuroendocrine Toxicology Brach, Public Health and Integrative Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Colette N Miller
- Cardiopulmonary Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrative Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Srujana Rayalam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Georgia Campus, Suwanee, GA, USA.
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Sprinkle RH, Payne-Sturges DC. Mixture toxicity, cumulative risk, and environmental justice in United States federal policy, 1980-2016 : Why, with much known, was little done? Environ Health 2021; 20:104. [PMID: 34535123 PMCID: PMC8449500 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00764-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Toxic chemicals - "toxicants" - have been studied and regulated as single entities, and, carcinogens aside, almost all toxicants, single or mixed and however altered, have been thought harmless in very low doses or very weak concentrations. Yet much work in recent decades has shown that toxicants can injure wildlife, laboratory animals, and humans following exposures previously expected to be harmless. Additional work has shown that toxicants can act not only individually and cumulatively but also collectively and even synergistically and that they affect disadvantaged communities inordinately - and therefore, as argued by reformers, unjustly. As late as December 2016, the last full month before the inauguration of a president promising to rescind major environmental regulations, the United States federal environmental-health establishment, as led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), had not developed coherent strategies to mitigate such risks, to alert the public to their plausibility, or to advise leadership in government and industry about their implications. To understand why, we examined archival materials, reviewed online databases, read internal industry communications, and interviewed experts. We confirmed that external constraints, statutory and judicial, had been in place prior to EPA's earliest interest in mixture toxicity, but we found no overt effort, certainly no successful effort, to loosen those constraints. We also found internal constraints: concerns that fully committing to the study of complex mixtures involving numerous toxicants would lead to methodological drift within the toxicological community and that trying to act on insights from such study could lead only to regulatory futility. Interaction of these constraints, external and internal, shielded the EPA by circumscribing its responsibilities and by impeding movement toward paradigmatic adjustment, but it also perpetuated scientifically dubious policies, such as those limiting the evaluation of commercial chemical formulations, including pesticide formulations, to only those ingredients said by their manufacturers to be active. In this context, regulators' disregard of synergism contrasted irreconcilably with biocide manufacturers' understanding that synergism enhanced lethality and patentability. In the end, an effective national response to mixture toxicity, cumulative risk, and environmental injustice did not emerge. In parallel, though, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which was less constrained, pursued with scientific investigation what the EPA had not pursued with regulatory action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Devon C Payne-Sturges
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
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Repouskou A, Stamatakis A, Kitraki E. In utero exposure to phthalates and reproductive toxicity in rodents. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 35:101512. [PMID: 34266749 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2021.101512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Phthalates, widely used as plasticizers, are contained in many everyday products. Human biomonitoring studies detect their presence in biological fluids of a large part of the population worldwide. Maternal exposure during pregnancy has been related with aberrations in the reproductive growth of male infants. Rodent studies show that gestational exposure to single phthalates elicits reproductive toxicity in both sexes. Early aberrations include inhibition of gonadal sex determining gene expression and steroidogenesis, histopathology, and disturbed gametogenesis, leading later in life to dysfunctions in sperm production and oocyte reserves. Animal studies of in utero exposure to mixtures of phthalates, better mimicking human exposures, revealed analogous reproductive dysfunctions with the single compounds, but also indicated the combined actions and cumulative effects exerted by these chemicals. Further understanding the underlying mechanisms and the species differences in phthalate-induced reproductive toxicity will help to improve the risk assessment for human exposure to these toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Repouskou
- Basic Sciences Lab, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Antonios Stamatakis
- Biology- Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Efthymia Kitraki
- Basic Sciences Lab, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Development of a putative adverse outcome pathway network for male rat reproductive tract abnormalities with specific considerations for the androgen sensitive window of development. Curr Res Toxicol 2021; 2:254-271. [PMID: 34401750 PMCID: PMC8350458 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Structured approaches like the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework offer great potential for depicting complex toxicological processes in a manner that can facilitate informed integration of mechanistic information in regulatory decisions. While this concept provides a structure for organizing evidence and facilitates consistency in evidence integration; the process, inputs, and manner in which AOPs and AOP networks are developed is still evolving. Following the OECD guiding principles of AOP development, we propose three AOPs for male reproductive tract abnormalities and derive a putative AOP network. The AOPs were developed using a fundamental understanding of the developmental biology of the organs of interest, paying close attention to the gestational timing of key events (KEs) to very specifically inform the domain of life stage applicability for the key event relationships (KERs). Chemical stressor data primarily from studies on low molecular weight phthalates (LMWPs) served to 'bound' the pathways of focus in this dynamic period of development and were integrated with the developmental biology data through an iterative process to define KEs and conclude on the extent of evidence in support of the KERs. The AOPs developed describe the linkage between 1) a decrease in Insl3 gene expression and cryptorchidism, 2) the sustained expression of Coup-tfII and hypospadias and 3) the sustained expression of Coup-tfII and altered Wolffian duct development/ epididymal agenesis. A putative AOP network linking AOP2 and AOP3 through decreased steroidogenic biosynthetic protein expression and converging of all AOPS at the population level impaired fertility adverse outcome is proposed. The network depiction specifies and displays the KEs aligned with their occurrence in gestational time. The pathways and network described herein are intended to catalyze collaborative initiatives for expansion into a larger network to enable effective data collection and inform alternative approaches for identifying stressors impacting this sensitive period of male reproductive tract development.
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Key Words
- AGD, Anogenital distance
- AO, Adverse Outcome
- AOP, Adverse Outcome Pathway
- Adverse outcome pathway
- Adverse outcome pathway network
- DBP, Dibutyl phthalate
- DEHP, Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
- DHT, 5α-dihydrotestosterone
- DPP, Dipentyl phthalate
- E, Embryonic day (ED1=GD1 gestational day 1)
- GD, Gestational day (GD1=ED1 embryonic day 1)
- KE, Key event
- KER, Key event relationship
- LMWP, low molecular weight phthalate straight chain length of the esterified alcohols between 3 and 6 carbon atoms
- MPW, male programming window
- Male programming window
- Phthalate
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Gray LE, Lambright CS, Conley JM, Evans N, Furr JR, Hannas BR, Wilson VS, Sampson H, Foster PMD. Genomic and Hormonal Biomarkers of Phthalate-Induced Male Rat Reproductive Developmental Toxicity Part II: A Targeted RT-qPCR Array Approach That Defines a Unique Adverse Outcome Pathway. Toxicol Sci 2021; 182:195-214. [PMID: 33983380 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we demonstrated that exposure to some diortho-phthalate esters during sexual differentiation disrupts male reproductive development by reducing fetal rat testis testosterone production (T Prod) and gene expression in a dose-related manner. The objectives of the current project were to expand the number of test compounds that might reduce fetal T Prod, including phthalates, phthalate alternatives, pesticides, and drugs, and to compare reductions in T Prod with altered testis mRNA expression. We found that PEs that disrupt T Prod also reduced expression of a unique "cluster" of mRNAs for about 35 genes related to sterol transport, testosterone and insulin-like hormone 3 hormone syntheses, and lipoprotein signaling and cholesterol synthesis. However, phthalates had little or no effect on mRNA expression of genes in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathways in the fetal liver, whereas the 3 PPAR agonists induced the expression of mRNA for multiple fetal liver PPAR pathway genes without reducing testis T Prod. In summary, phthalates that disrupt T Prod act via a novel adverse outcome pathway including down regulation of mRNA for genes involved in fetal endocrine function and cholesterol synthesis and metabolism. This profile was not displayed by PEs that did not reduce T Prod, PPAR agonists or the other chemicals. Reductions in fetal testis gene expression and T Prod in utero can be used to establish relative potency factors that can be used quantitatively to predict the doses of individual PEs and mixtures of phthalates that produce adverse reproductive tract effects in male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Earl Gray
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Branch, PHITD, CPHEA, ORD, US Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Christy S Lambright
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Branch, PHITD, CPHEA, ORD, US Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Justin M Conley
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Branch, PHITD, CPHEA, ORD, US Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Nicola Evans
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Branch, PHITD, CPHEA, ORD, US Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | | | - Bethany R Hannas
- Corteva, Agriscience, Haskell R&D Center, Newark, Delaware 19711, USA
| | - Vickie S Wilson
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Branch, PHITD, CPHEA, ORD, US Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Hunter Sampson
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Branch, PHITD, CPHEA, ORD, US Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina 27711, USA
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Androgens and the masculinization programming window: human-rodent differences. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 48:1725-1735. [PMID: 32779695 PMCID: PMC7458408 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Human male reproductive disorders are common and may have a fetal origin - the testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) hypothesis. In rats, experimentally induced TDS disorders result from disruption of fetal androgen production/action specifically in the masculinization programming window (MPW). MPW androgen action also programs longer anogenital distance (AGD) in male versus female rats; shorter male AGD is correlated with risk and severity of induced TDS disorders. AGD thus provides a lifelong, calibrated readout of MPW androgen exposure and predicts likelihood of reproductive dysfunction. Pregnant rat exposure to environmental chemicals, notably certain phthalates (e.g. diethyl hexl phthalate, DEHP; dibutyl phthalate, DBP), pesticides or paracetamol, can reduce fetal testis testosterone and AGD and induce TDS disorders, provided exposure includes the MPW. In humans, AGD is longer in males than females and the presumptive MPW is 8-14 weeks' gestation. Some, but not all, epidemiological studies of maternal DEHP (or pesticides) exposure reported shorter AGD in sons, but this occurred at DEHP exposure levels several thousand-fold lower than are effective in rats. In fetal human testis culture/xenografts, DEHP/DBP do not reduce testosterone production, whereas therapeutic paracetamol exposure does. In humans, androgen production in the MPW is controlled differently (human chorionic gonadotrophin-driven) than in rats (paracrine controlled), and other organs (placenta, liver, adrenals) contribute to MPW androgens, essential for normal masculinization, via the 'backdoor pathway'. Consequently, early placental dysfunction, which is affected by maternal lifestyle and diet, and maternal painkiller use, may be more important than environmental chemical exposures in the origin of TDS in humans.
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Bastiaensen M, Gys C, Colles A, Malarvannan G, Verheyen V, Koppen G, Govarts E, Bruckers L, Morrens B, Franken C, Den Hond E, Schoeters G, Covaci A. Biomarkers of phthalates and alternative plasticizers in the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS IV): Time trends and exposure assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 276:116724. [PMID: 33631684 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Restrictions on the use of legacy phthalate esters (PEs) as plasticizer chemicals in several consumer products has led to the increased use of alternative plasticizers (APs), such as di-(iso-nonyl)-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP). In the fourth cycle of the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS IV, 2016-2020), we monitored exposure to seven PEs (diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP, di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), and di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP))and three APs (DINCH, DEHTP, and di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA)) by measuring multiple biomarkers in urine of 416 adolescents from Flanders, Belgium (14-15 years old). The reference values show that exposure to PEs is still widespread, although levels of several PE metabolites (e.g., sum of DEHP metabolites, mono-normal-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP)) have decreased significantly compared to previous human biomonitoring cycles (2003-2018). On the other hand, metabolites of DINCH and DEHTP were detected in practically every participant. Concentrations of AP exposure biomarkers in urine were generally lower than PE metabolites, but calculations of estimated daily intakes (EDIs) showed that exposure to DINCH and DEHTP can be considerable. However, preliminary risk assessment showed that none of the EDI or urinary exposure levels of APs exceeded the available health-based guidance values, while a very low number of participants had levels of MiBP and MnBP exceeding the HBM value. Several significant determinants of exposure could be identified from multiple regression models: the presence of building materials containing PVC, ventilation habits, socio-economic status and season were all associated with PE and AP biomarker levels. Cumulatively, the results of FLEHS IV show that adolescents in Flanders, Belgium, are exposed to a wide range of plasticizer chemicals. Close monitoring over the last decade showed that the exposure levels of restricted PEs have decreased, while newer APs are now frequently detected in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Bastiaensen
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Celine Gys
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Ann Colles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Govindan Malarvannan
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Veerle Verheyen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Bruckers
- BioStat, Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Bert Morrens
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carmen Franken
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Walker C, Garza S, Papadopoulos V, Culty M. Impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on steroidogenesis and consequences on testicular function. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 527:111215. [PMID: 33657436 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Testicular steroidogenesis is a tightly regulated process that produces the androgens important for the development, maintenance and function of the male reproductive system. These androgens are also essential for overall health, and well-being. Disruptions in the ability of the testis to form steroids can result in developmental abnormalities, dysfunction, and infertility. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can interfere with the intricate signaling and metabolizing networks that produce androgens and promote their dysfunction. These chemicals are found ubiquitously in our environment, as they are integral components of products that are used every day. The effects of EDCs, such as bisphenols, phthalates, and alkyl chemicals, have been studied independently, revealing deleterious effects; but the combined influence of these structures on steroidogenesis has yet to be completely elucidated. This manuscript presents an updated review on EDC mixtures and their impact on testicular function and fertility, highlighting new findings that illustrate the anti-androgenic capabilities of EDC mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casandra Walker
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Samuel Garza
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vassilios Papadopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Martine Culty
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Al-Saleh I, Elkhatib R, Alrushud N, Alnuwaysir H, Alnemer M, Aldhalaan H, Shoukri M, McWalter P, Alkhenizan A. Potential health risks of maternal phthalate exposure during the first trimester - The Saudi Early Autism and Environment Study (SEAES). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110882. [PMID: 33621597 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are the most ubiquitous contaminants that we are exposed to daily due to their wide use as plasticizers in various consumer products. A few studies have suggested that in utero exposure to phthalates can disturb fetal growth and development in humans, because phthalates can interfere with endocrine function. We collected spot urine samples from 291 pregnant women in their first trimester (9.8 ± 2.3 gestational weeks) recruited in an ongoing prospective cohort study in Saudi Arabia. A second urine sample was collected within 1-7 d after enrollment. The aims of this study were to: (1) assess the extent of exposure to phthalates during the first trimester and (2) estimate the risk from single and cumulative exposures to phthalates. Most phthalate metabolites' urinary levels were high, several-fold higher than those reported in relevant studies from other countries. The highest median levels of monoethyl phthalate, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP), and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) in μg/l (μg/g creatinine) were 245.62 (197.23), 114.26 (99.45), 39.59 (34.02), and 23.51 (19.92), respectively. The MEHP levels were highest among three di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites. %MEHP4, the ratio of MEHP to four di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (∑4DEHP), was 44%, indicating interindividual differences in metabolism and excretion. The hazard quotient (HQ) of individual phthalates estimated based on the reference dose (RfD) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicated that 58% (volume-based) and 37% (creatinine-based) of the women were at risk of exposure to ∑4DEHP (HQ > 1). Based on the tolerable daily intake (TDI) from the European Food Safety Authority, 35/12% (volume-/creatinine-based data) of the women were at risk of exposure to two dibutyl phthalate (∑DBP) metabolites (MiBP and MnBP). The cumulative risk was assessed using the hazard index (HI), the sum of HQs of all phthalates. The percentages of women (volume-/creatinine-based data) at health risks with an HI > 1 were 64/40% and 42/22% based on RfD and TDI, respectively. In view of these indices for assessing risk, our results for the anti-androgenic effects of exposing pregnant women to ∑4DEHP and ∑DBP early during pregnancy are alarming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al-Saleh
- Environmental Health Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O.Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Rola Elkhatib
- Environmental Health Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O.Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nujud Alrushud
- Environmental Health Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O.Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hissah Alnuwaysir
- Environmental Health Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O.Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha Alnemer
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O.Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hesham Aldhalaan
- Center for Autism Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O.Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Shoukri
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patricia McWalter
- Family Medicine and Polyclinics Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O.Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Alkhenizan
- Family Medicine and Polyclinics Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O.Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
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Rider CV, McHale CM, Webster TF, Lowe L, Goodson WH, La Merrill MA, Rice G, Zeise L, Zhang L, Smith MT. Using the Key Characteristics of Carcinogens to Develop Research on Chemical Mixtures and Cancer. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:35003. [PMID: 33784186 PMCID: PMC8009606 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People are exposed to numerous chemicals throughout their lifetimes. Many of these chemicals display one or more of the key characteristics of carcinogens or interact with processes described in the hallmarks of cancer. Therefore, evaluating the effects of chemical mixtures on cancer development is an important pursuit. Challenges involved in designing research studies to evaluate the joint action of chemicals on cancer risk include the time taken to perform the experiments because of the long latency and choosing an appropriate experimental design. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this work are to present the case for developing a research program on mixtures of environmental chemicals and cancer risk and describe recommended approaches. METHODS A working group comprising the coauthors focused attention on the design of mixtures studies to inform cancer risk assessment as part of a larger effort to refine the key characteristics of carcinogens and explore their application. Working group members reviewed the key characteristics of carcinogens, hallmarks of cancer, and mixtures research for other disease end points. The group discussed options for developing tractable projects to evaluate the joint effects of environmental chemicals on cancer development. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Three approaches for developing a research program to evaluate the effects of mixtures on cancer development were proposed: a chemical screening approach, a transgenic model-based approach, and a disease-centered approach. Advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8525.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia V. Rider
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cliona M. McHale
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Thomas F. Webster
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leroy Lowe
- Getting to Know Cancer (NGO), Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - William H. Goodson
- Department of Surgery, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michele A. La Merrill
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Glenn Rice
- Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Lauren Zeise
- Office of the Director, Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Luoping Zhang
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Martyn T. Smith
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, California, USA
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Ottenbros I, Govarts E, Lebret E, Vermeulen R, Schoeters G, Vlaanderen J. Network Analysis to Identify Communities Among Multiple Exposure Biomarkers Measured at Birth in Three Flemish General Population Samples. Front Public Health 2021; 9:590038. [PMID: 33643986 PMCID: PMC7902692 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.590038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Humans are exposed to multiple environmental chemicals via different sources resulting in complex real-life exposure patterns. Insight into these patterns is important for applications such as linkage to health effects and (mixture) risk assessment. By providing internal exposure levels of (metabolites of) chemicals, biomonitoring studies can provide snapshots of exposure patterns and factors that drive them. Presentation of biomonitoring data in networks facilitates the detection of such exposure patterns and allows for the systematic comparison of observed exposure patterns between datasets and strata within datasets. Methods: We demonstrate the use of network techniques in human biomonitoring data from cord blood samples collected in three campaigns of the Flemish Environment and Health Studies (FLEHS) (sampling years resp. 2002-2004, 2008-2009, and 2013-2014). Measured biomarkers were multiple organochlorine compounds, PFAS and metals. Comparative network analysis (CNA) was conducted to systematically compare networks between sampling campaigns, smoking status during pregnancy, and maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. Results: Network techniques offered an intuitive approach to visualize complex correlation structures within human biomonitoring data. The identification of groups of highly connected biomarkers, "communities," within these networks highlighted which biomarkers should be considered collectively in the analysis and interpretation of epidemiological studies or in the design of toxicological mixture studies. Network analyses demonstrated in our example to which extent biomarker networks and its communities changed across the sampling campaigns, smoking status during pregnancy, and maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. Conclusion: Network analysis is a data-driven and intuitive screening method when dealing with multiple exposure biomarkers, which can easily be upscaled to high dimensional HBM datasets, and can inform mixture risk assessment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Ottenbros
- Center for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands.,Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Erik Lebret
- Center for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands.,Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jelle Vlaanderen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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48
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Dai XY, Li XW, Zhu SY, Li MZ, Zhao Y, Talukder M, Li YH, Li JL. Lycopene Ameliorates Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate-Induced Pyroptosis in Spleen via Suppression of Classic Caspase-1/NLRP3 Pathway. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:1291-1299. [PMID: 33475360 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c06534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lycopene (Lyc) as a natural antioxidant has attracted widespread attention. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) can cause serious spleen injury in animals via the environment and food chain. For investigation of whether Lyc could alleviate DEHP-exerted pyroptosis in spleen through inhibiting the Caspase-1/NLRP3 pathway activation, 140 male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups: control group, vehicle control group, Lyc group (5 mg/kg BW/day), DEHP-exposed group (500 or 1000 mg/kg BW/day, respectively), and DEHP + Lyc groups by daily administration for 28 days. Pathological results showed that the supplementation of Lyc alleviated DEHP-induced inflammatory infiltration. Moreover, the addition of Lyc inhibited DEHP-induced Caspase-1, NLRP3, ASC, NF-κB, IL-1β, and IL-18 overexpression and GSDMD down-expression. These results indicate that Lyc could inhibit DEHP-induced Caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis and the inflammatory response. Taken together, the study provided new evidence that Lyc may be a strategy to mitigate spleen injury induced by DEHP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Milton Talukder
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal 8210, Bangladesh
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49
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Vinggaard AM, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Jensen TK, Fernandez MF, Rosenmai AK, Taxvig C, Rodriguez-Carrillo A, Wielsøe M, Long M, Olea N, Antignac JP, Hamers T, Lamoree M. Receptor-based in vitro activities to assess human exposure to chemical mixtures and related health impacts. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106191. [PMID: 33068852 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to a large number of chemicals from sources such as the environment, food, and consumer products. There is growing concern that human exposure to chemical mixtures, especially during critical periods of development, increases the risk of adverse health effects in newborns or later in life. Historically, the one-chemical-at-a-time approach has been applied both for exposure assessment and hazard characterisation, leading to insufficient knowledge about human health effects caused by exposure to mixtures of chemicals that have the same target. To circumvent this challenge researchers can apply in vitro assays to analyse both exposure to and human health effects of chemical mixtures in biological samples. The advantages of using in vitro assays are: (i) that an integrated effect is measured, taking combined mixture effects into account and (ii) that in vitro assays can reduce complexity in identification of Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CECs) in human tissues. We have reviewed the state-of-the-art on the use of receptor-based in vitro assays to assess human exposure to chemical mixtures and related health impacts. A total of 43 studies were identified, in which endpoints for the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR), the estrogen receptor (ER), and the androgen receptor (AR) were used. The majority of studies reported biological activities that could be associated with breast cancer incidence, male reproductive health effects, developmental toxicities, human demographic characteristics or lifestyle factors such as dietary patterns. A few studies used the bioactivities to check the coverage of the chemical analyses of the human samples, whereas in vitro assays have so far not regularly been used for identifying CECs in human samples, but rather in environmental matrices or food packaging materials. A huge field of novel applications using receptor-based in vitro assays for mixture toxicity assessment on human samples and effect-directed analysis (EDA) using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for identification of toxic compounds waits for exploration. In the future this could lead to a paradigm shift in the way we unravel adverse human health effects caused by chemical mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marie Vinggaard
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark; Greenland's Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Dep of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- School of Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Anna Kjerstine Rosenmai
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Camilla Taxvig
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Nicolas Olea
- School of Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | | | - Timo Hamers
- Vrije Universiteit, Department Environment & Health, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marja Lamoree
- Vrije Universiteit, Department Environment & Health, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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50
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Bastiaensen M, Malarvannan G, Gys C, Ait Bamai Y, Araki A, Covaci A. Between- and within-individual variability of urinary phthalate and alternative plasticizer metabolites in spot, morning void and 24-h pooled urine samples. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110248. [PMID: 32980307 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Due to international regulations, commonly used phthalates such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are being replaced by other phthalates, such as di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), and di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and by alternative plasticizers (APs) with similar chemical characteristics, like di(isononyl)cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP), or di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA). Urinary concentrations of metabolites are frequently used in the exposure assessment of non-persistent chemicals and for biomonitoring purposes, the intra- and inter-day variability of the metabolites should be known. However, the short-term variability of AP and several phthalate biomarkers has not been investigated yet. In this study, we collected all spot samples from 10 healthy adults for 5 consecutive days and 24h pooled urine on one additional day to investigate the short-term variability of 22 biomarkers of phthalates and APs. Metabolites of DEP, DEHP, DiBP, DnBP, DBzP, DINP and DIDP were found in high detection frequencies, while metabolites of most APs were found in approximately 50% of the samples. The short-term reproducibility of metabolites with diet as primary source (DEHP, DINP, DIDP) was poor (intraclass correlation coefficient - ICC < 0.4), whereas biomarkers of DEP, DnBP, DiBP and BBzP showed good consistency, most likely due to more continuous sources resulting in less between-day variance. ICC values of AP metabolites were similar to those of DEHP, but more studies are required to confirm these findings. Overall, reproducibility improved considerably when values were corrected for urinary dilution and when only morning voids samples were considered. Levels in morning voids samples were consistent for 5 days and comparable to 24-h pooled urine for all metabolites except for OH-MEHTP, sum DINP and sum DIDP, which supports the use of morning voids in human biomonitoring studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Bastiaensen
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Govindan Malarvannan
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Celine Gys
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Yu Ait Bamai
- Hokkaido University Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Atsuko Araki
- Hokkaido University Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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