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Oh J, Schweitzer JB, Buckley JP, Upadhyaya S, Kannan K, Herbstman JB, Ghassabian A, Schmidt RJ, Hertz-Picciotto I, Bennett DH. Early childhood exposures to phthalates in association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder behaviors in middle childhood and adolescence in the ReCHARGE study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 259:114377. [PMID: 38692176 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114377] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early-life exposure to phthalates alters behaviors in animals. However, epidemiological evidence on childhood phthalate exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) behaviors is limited. METHODS This study included 243 children from the ReCHARGE (Revisiting Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment) study, who were previously classified as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay, other early concerns, and typical development in the CHARGE case-control study. Twenty phthalate metabolites were measured in spot urine samples collected from children aged 2-5 years. Parents reported on children's ADHD symptoms at ages 8-18 years using Conners-3 Parent Rating Scale. Covariate-adjusted negative binomial generalized linear models were used to investigate associations between individual phthalate metabolite concentrations and raw scores. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression with repeated holdout validation was used to examine mixture effects of phthalate metabolites on behavioral scores. Effect modification by child sex was evaluated. RESULTS Among 12 phthalate metabolites detected in >75% of the samples, higher mono-2-heptyl phthalate (MHPP) was associated with higher scores on Inattentive (β per doubling = 0.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02, 0.08) and Hyperactive/Impulsive scales (β = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.07), especially among children with ASD. Higher mono-carboxy isooctyl phthalate (MCiOP) was associated with higher Hyperactivity/Impulsivity scores (β = 0.07, 95% CI: -0.01, 0.15), especially among typically developing children. The associations of the molar sum of high molecular weight (HMW) phthalate metabolites and a phthalate metabolite mixture with Hyperactivity/Impulsivity scores were modified by sex, showing more pronounced adverse associations among females. CONCLUSION Exposure to phthalates during early childhood may impact ADHD behaviors in middle childhood and adolescence, particularly among females. Although our findings may not be broadly generalizable due to the diverse diagnostic profiles within our study population, our robust findings on sex-specific associations warrant further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Julie B Schweitzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jessie P Buckley
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sudhi Upadhyaya
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Julie B Herbstman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Akhgar Ghassabian
- Department of Pediatrics and Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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Eleiwa NZH, Elsayed ASF, Said EN, Metwally MMM, Abd-Elhakim YM. Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate alters neurobehavioral responses and oxidative status, architecture, and GFAP and BDNF signaling in juvenile rat's brain: Protective role of Coenzyme10. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 184:114372. [PMID: 38113957 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114372] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a phthalate plasticizer, is widely spread in the environment, presenting hazards to human health and food safety. Hence, this study examined the probable preventive role of coenzyme10 (CQ10) (10 mg/kg.b.wt) against DEHP (500 mg/kg.wt) - induced neurotoxic and neurobehavioral impacts in juvenile (34 ± 1.01g and 3 weeks old) male Sprague Dawley rats in 35-days oral dosing trial. The results indicated that CQ10 significantly protected against DEHP-induced memory impairment, anxiety, depression, spatial learning disorders, and repetitive/stereotypic-like behavior. Besides, the DEHP-induced depletion in dopamine and gamma amino butyric acid levels was significantly restored by CQ10. Moreover, CQ10 significantly protected against the exhaustion of CAT, GPx, SOD, GSH, and GSH/GSSG ratio, as well as the increase in malondialdehyde, Caspas-3, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha brain content accompanying with DEHP exposure. Furthermore, CQ10 significantly protected the brain from the DEHP-induced neurodegenerative alterations. Also, the increased immunoexpression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, not glial fibrillary acidic protein, in the cerebral, hippocampal, and cerebellar brain tissues due to DEHP exposure was alleviated with CQ10. This study's findings provide conclusive evidence that CQ10 has the potential to be used as an efficient natural protective agent against the neurobehavioral and neurotoxic consequences of DEHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naglaa Z H Eleiwa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Alaa S F Elsayed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Enas N Said
- Department of Behaviour and Management of Animal, Poultry and Aquatic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M M Metwally
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, King Salman International University, Ras Sudr, Egypt; Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Yasmina M Abd-Elhakim
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt.
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Barrett ES, Day DB, Szpiro A, Peng J, Loftus CT, Ziausyte U, Kannan K, Trasande L, Zhao Q, Nguyen RHN, Swan S, Karr CJ, LeWinn KZ, Sathyanarayana S, Bush NR. Prenatal exposures to phthalates and life events stressors in relation to child behavior at age 4-6: A combined cohort analysis. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108425. [PMID: 38199129 PMCID: PMC10863744 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108425] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal exposures to chemical and psychosocial stressors can impact the developing brain, but few studies have examined their joint effects. We examined associations between prenatal phthalate exposures and child behavior, hypothesizing that prenatal stressful life events (PSLEs) may exacerbate risks. To do so, we harmonized data from three U.S. pregnancy cohorts comprising the ECHO-PATHWAYS consortium. Phthalate metabolites were measured in single mid-pregnancy urine samples. When children were ages 4-6 years, mothers completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), from which a Total Problems score was calculated. Mothers additionally provided recall on their exposure to 14 PSLEs during pregnancy. Primary models examined problem behaviors in relation to: (1) phthalate mixtures calculated through weighted quantile sums regression with permutation test-derived p-values; and (2) joint exposure to phthalate mixtures and PSLEs (counts) using interaction terms. We subsequently refitted models stratified by child sex. Secondarily, we fit linear and logistic regression models examining individual phthalate metabolites. In our main, fully adjusted models (n = 1536 mother-child dyads), we observed some evidence of weak main effects of phthalate mixtures on problem behaviors in the full cohort and stratified by child sex. Interaction models revealed unexpected relationships whereby greater gestational exposure to PSLEs predicted reduced associations between some phthalates (e.g., the metabolites of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, di-iso-nonyl phthalate) and problem behaviors, particularly in males. Few associations were observed in females. Additional research is needed to replicate results and examine potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - Drew B Day
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Adam Szpiro
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - James Peng
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Christine T Loftus
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ugne Ziausyte
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | | | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Ruby H N Nguyen
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
| | - Shanna Swan
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Catherine J Karr
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Kaja Z LeWinn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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James AA, OShaughnessy KL. Environmental chemical exposures and mental health outcomes in children: a narrative review of recent literature. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 5:1290119. [PMID: 38098750 PMCID: PMC10720725 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1290119] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Mental health is an important factor for children's overall wellbeing. National health statistics show that millions of children are diagnosed with mental health disorders every year, and evidence from studies on chemical pollutants like lead and bisphenols indicate that environmental exposures are linked to mental health illnesses in youth. However, the relationship between children's mental health and the environment is not well understood. This paper aims to review recent literature on prenatal and/or childhood environmental chemical exposures and mental health problems related to mood, anxiety, and behavior. This work also identifies areas of insufficient data and proposes suggestions to fill the data gaps. Methods: A narrative review was performed by searching Google Scholar and PubMed for literature published in the last 6 years (2017-2022), using search terms related to children, mental health, and environmental chemical exposure. Additional relevant studies were identified by screening the references in these papers. Results: A total of 29 studies are included in this review and results are summarized by chemical category: heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and pesticides. The majority of studies reported positive and significant associations between chemical exposures and child mental health outcomes including internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that there is a growing body of literature that suggests developmental exposure to some environmental chemicals increases a child's risk of mood, anxiety, and behavior problems. Future research should expand on these findings to understand cumulative impacts, chemical mixtures, neurotoxic mechanisms, sex differences, and windows of vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A. James
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Children’s Health Protection, Regulatory Support and Science Policy Division, Washington, DC, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Katherine L. OShaughnessy
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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Cohen-Eliraz L, Ornoy A, Ein-Mor E, Bar-Nitsan M, Pilowsky Peleg T, Calderon-Margalit R. Prenatal exposure to phthalates and emotional/behavioral development in young children. Neurotoxicology 2023; 98:39-47. [PMID: 37536470 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.07.006] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates, found in our daily environment, are nowadays suggested to be associated with adverse outcomes. Prenatal exposure was found associated with neurodevelopmental complications such as behavioral difficulties in school age children. AIM To explore the association between intrauterine exposure to phthalates and emotional/behavioral development of 24 months old toddlers. METHODS Women were recruited at 11-18 weeks of gestation and provided spot urine samples, analyzed for phthalate metabolites (DEHP, DiNP, MBzBP). Offspring were examined at 24 months of age, using standard maternal report, regarding developmental and behavioral problems (CBCL, ASQ-3, HOME questionnaires) (N = 158). To explore the associations between metabolite levels and developmental outcomes, multivariate GLM analysis (General Linear Model) was used according to tertiles and developmental scores on each developmental outcome. RESULTS Associations of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) maternal exposure with behavioral-developmental outcomes were found only in boys. Compared with boys with lower DEHP maternal exposure, boys with high DEHP maternal exposure had lower developmental score in personal social abilities in the ASQ-3 questionnaire (50.68 + 8.06 and 44.14 + 11.02, high and low DEHP, respectively, p = 0.03), and more internalizing problems (for example, emotionally reactive score in high and low DEHP: 53.77 + 7.41 and 50.50 + 1.19, respectively, p = 0.029; anxious or depressed score: 53.38 + 5.01 and 50.75 + 1.34, respectively, p = 0.009; and somatic complaints scores 64.03 + 10.1 and 55.84 + 7.84, respectively, p = 0.003), and externalizing problems (49.28 + 8.59 and 43.33 + 9.11, respectively, p = 0.039). No differences were found in the development and behavior problems between high and low DEHP maternal exposure level in girls. CONCLUSION Maternal DEHP metabolite concentrations measured in first trimester urine was associated with children's emotional/behavioral developmental problems in 24-months old boys, supporting accumulating evidence of DEHP as a potentially harming chemical and call for environmental attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Cohen-Eliraz
- Psychology Department Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Asher Ornoy
- Department of Medical Neurobiology Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eliana Ein-Mor
- Hadassah-Hebrew University, Braun School of Public Health, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Moriah Bar-Nitsan
- Psychology Department Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tammy Pilowsky Peleg
- Psychology Department Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; The Neuropsychological Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Ronit Calderon-Margalit
- Hadassah-Hebrew University, Braun School of Public Health, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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Mustieles V, Rolland M, Pin I, Thomsen C, Sakhi AK, Sabaredzovic A, Muckle G, Guichardet K, Slama R, Philippat C. Early-Life Exposure to a Mixture of Phenols and Phthalates in Relation to Child Social Behavior: Applying an Evidence-Based Prioritization to a Cohort with Improved Exposure Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:87006. [PMID: 37556305 PMCID: PMC10411634 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies aiming at relating exposure to phenols and phthalates with child social behavior characterized exposure using one or a few spot urine samples, resulting in substantial exposure misclassification. Moreover, early infancy exposure was rarely studied. OBJECTIVES We aimed to examine the associations of phthalates and phenols with child social behavior in a cohort with improved exposure assessment and to a priori identify the chemicals supported by a higher weight of evidence. METHODS Among 406 mother-child pairs from the French Assessment of Air Pollution exposure during Pregnancy and Effect on Health (SEPAGES) cohort, 25 phenols/phthalate metabolites were measured in within-subject pools of repeated urine samples collected at the second and third pregnancy trimesters (∼ 21 samples/trimester) and at 2 months and 1-year of age (∼ 7 samples/period). Social behavior was parent-reported at 3 years of age of the child using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). A structured literature review of the animal and human evidence was performed to prioritize the measured phthalates/phenols based on their likelihood to affect social behavior. Both adjusted linear regression and Bayesian Weighted Quantile Sum (BWQS) regression models were fitted. False discovery rate (FDR) correction was applied only to nonprioritized chemicals. RESULTS Prioritized compounds included bisphenol A, bisphenol S, triclosan (TCS), diethyl-hexyl phthalate (Σ DEHP ), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n -butyl phthalate (MnBP), and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP). With the exception of bisphenols, which showed a mixed pattern of positive and negative associations in pregnant mothers and neonates, few prenatal associations were observed. Most associations were observed with prioritized chemicals measured in 1-y-old infants: Each doubling in urinary TCS (β = 0.78 ; 95% CI: 0.00, 1.55) and MEP (β = 0.92 ; 95% CI: - 0.11 , 1.96) concentrations were associated with worse total SRS scores, whereas MnBP and Σ DEHP were associated with worse Social Awareness (β = 0.25 ; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.50) and Social Communication (β = 0.43 ; 95% CI: - 0.02 , 0.89) scores, respectively. BWQS also suggested worse total SRS [Beta 1 = 1.38 ; 95% credible interval (CrI): - 0.18 , 2.97], Social Awareness (Beta 1 = 0.37 ; 95% CrI: 0.06, 0.70), and Social Communication (Beta 1 = 0.91 ; 95% CrI: 0.31, 1.53) scores per quartile increase in the mixture of prioritized compounds assessed in 1-y-old infants. The few associations observed with nonprioritized chemicals did not remain after FDR correction, with the exception of benzophenone-3 exposure in 1-y-old infants, which was suggestively associated with worse Social Communication scores (corrected p = 0.07 ). DISCUSSION The literature search allowed us to adapt our statistical analysis according to the weight of evidence and create a corpus of experimental and epidemiological knowledge to better interpret our findings. Early infancy appears to be a sensitive exposure window that should be further investigated. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11798.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Mustieles
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Matthieu Rolland
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Pin
- Pediatric Department, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, La Tronche, France
| | | | | | | | - Gina Muckle
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - Université Laval Research Center, Québec City, Canada
| | - Karine Guichardet
- Pediatric Department, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, La Tronche, France
| | - Rémy Slama
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Claire Philippat
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
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Tsai TL, Hsieh CJ, Wu MT, Chen ML, Kuo PH, Wang SL. Co-exposure to toxic metals and phthalates in pregnant women and their children's mental health problems aged four years - Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 173:107804. [PMID: 36842379 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood and adolescent mental health problems may increase the global burden of disease. Neurotoxic metals are associated with inflammation and cytotoxicity in the brain. In addition, prenatal phthalate ester (PAE) exposure is associated with cognitive function deficits. However, the effect of co-exposure to toxic metals, PAEs, and their association with child behavior is less well studied. Hence, we aimed to investigate prenatal co-exposure to the metals and PAEs and the consequent behavioral outcomes in early childhood. METHODS We followed pregnant women and their newborns from the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study between 2015 and 2017, with a focus on women from the central, southern, and eastern areas of Taiwan. We quantified maternal urinary concentrations of metals and metabolites of PAEs as surrogates of prenatal exposure. We recorded the Child Behavior Checklist scores according to caregiver reports at 4 years of age, and identified Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)-oriented problems. RESULTS Ultimately, 408 children were included in the statistical analysis. Maternal urinary copper levels were significantly associated with depressive problems (odds ratio [OR] = 2.13) in children. Maternal urinary concentrations of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) were also significantly associated with depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.51 and 1.53, respectively). Further analysis considering prenatal co-exposure to metals and PAEs showed that co-exposure to these materials was significantly associated with autism spectrum problems (OR = 3.11). CONCLUSIONS We observed that prenatal single exposure or co-exposure to metals and PAEs may play a role in some DSM-5-oriented problems in children at 4 years of age. Reduction of exposure to toxic metals and PAEs in pregnancy is suggested to prevent increased mental health problems in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Lin Tsai
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsiu Kuo
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Life Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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8
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Oh J, Kim K, Kannan K, Parsons PJ, Mlodnicka A, Schmidt RJ, Schweitzer JB, Hertz-Picciotto I, Bennett DH. Early childhood exposure to environmental phenols and parabens, phthalates, organophosphate pesticides, and trace elements in association with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in the CHARGE study. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2565914. [PMID: 36798220 PMCID: PMC9934759 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2565914/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Background Agrowing body of literature investigated childhood exposure to environmental chemicals in association with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, but limited studies considered urinary mixtures of multiple chemical classes. This study examined associations of concurrent exposure to non-persistent chemicals with ADHD symptoms in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay, and typical development. Methods A total of 574 children aged 2-5 years from the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) case-control study was administered the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). This study focused on the Hyperactivity subscale and its two subdomains (hyperactivity/impulsivity, inattention). Sixty-two chemicals from four classes (phenols/parabens, phthalates, organophosphate pesticides, trace elements) were quantified in child urine samples, and 43 chemicals detected in >70% samples were used in statistical analyses. Weighted quantile sum regression for negative binomial outcomes with repeated holdout validation was performed to investigate covariate-adjusted associations between mixtures and ABC scores in 574 children. The mixture analyses were further restricted to 232 children with ASD. Results Phthalate metabolite mixtures, weighted for mono-n-butylphthalate (MNBP), mono-2-heptyl phthalate, and mono-carboxy isononyl phthalate, were associated with the Hyperactivity subscale (mean incidence rate ratio [mIRR] = 1.11; 2.5th, 97.5th percentile: 1.00, 1.23), especially the hyperactivity/impulsivity subdomain (mIRR = 1.14; 2.5th, 97.5th percentile: 1.06, 1.26). These associations remained similar after restricting to children with ASD. The inattention subdomain was associated with a phenols/parabens mixture, weighted for several parabens and bisphenols (mIRR = 1.13; 2.5th, 97.5th percentile: 1.00, 1.28) and a total mixture, weighted for 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid, MNBR and mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (mIRR = 1.11; 2.5th, 97.5th percentile: 1.01,1.25) only among children with ASD. Conclusions Concurrent exposure to phthalate mixtures was associated with hyperactivity in early childhood. Though causal inference cannot be made based on our cross-sectional findings, this study warrants further research on mixtures of larger number of chemicals from multiple classes in association with ADHD-related behaviors in young children.
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Chen CC, Wang YH, Wu CF, Hsieh CJ, Wang SL, Chen ML, Tsai HJ, Li SS, Liu CC, Tsai YC, Hsieh TJ, Wu MT. Benchmark dose in the presence of coexposure to melamine and diethylhexyl phthalate and urinary renal injury markers in pregnant women. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114187. [PMID: 36037918 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Environmental exposures to mixtures of toxic chemicals have potential interaction effects that may lead to hazard index values exceeding one. However, current regulation levels, such as tolerable daily intake (TDI), are mostly based on experimental studies conducted with a single chemical compound. In this study, we assessed the relationships between melamine and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure and their coexposure with the early renal injury markers N-acetyl -D-glucosaminidase (NAG), albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), and microalbuminuria in 1236 pregnant women. Various generalized linear models with interaction terms and Bayesian kernel machine regression models were used for the (co-)exposure response associations. We derived the benchmark dose (BMD) and the corresponding one-sided 95% confidence bound BMDL based on the estimated (covariate-adjusted) average daily intake of melamine and DEHP metabolites measured in spot urine of the women collected during the third trimester. Given a benchmark response of 0.1, the BMDL level of melamine (DEHP) exposure on NAG (ACR, microalbuminuria) was 2.67 (11.20, 4.45) μg/kg_bw/day, and it decreased to as low as 1.46 (3.83, 2.73) μg/kg_bw/day when considering coexposure to DEHP (melamine) up to the 90th percentile. Both the exposure threshold levels of melamine and DEHP for early renal injuries in pregnant women were several-fold to one order lower than the current recommended TDIs by the WHO and the US FDA and EPA and were even lower considering coexposure. Because of concurrent exposures in real-world environments, more stringent regulation levels are recommended in susceptible populations, such as pregnant women, due to potential synergistic mixture effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu-Chih Chen
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan; Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan.
| | - Yin-Han Wang
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; International Master Program of Translational Medicine, National United University, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Environmental Health Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ju Tsai
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sih-Syuan Li
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chu Liu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Tsai
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tusty-Jiuan Hsieh
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, College of Marine Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 804201, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan.
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10
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Zhao YX, Tang YX, Sun XH, Zhu SY, Dai XY, Li XN, Li JL. Gap Junction Protein Connexin 43 as a Target Is Internalized in Astrocyte Neurotoxicity Caused by Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:5921-5931. [PMID: 35446567 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c01635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is widely used as a plasticizer in plastic products, consumer products, and packaging materials. It is of great health concern in both animals and humans as it released into the environment and entered into the body from plastic products over time, thereby resulting in neurotoxicity. As a pivotal regulator of the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes, are crucial for maintaining brain homeostasis. Nevertheless, the underlying reason for astrocyte neurotoxicity due to DEHP exposure remains incompletely understood. Here, using an in vivo model of neurotoxicity in quail, this study summarizes that Cx43 is internalized by phosphorylation and translocated to the nucleus as a consequence of DEHP exposure in astrocytes. This study further demonstrated that astrocytes transformed to pro-inflammatory status and induced the formation of autophagosomes. Of note, integrated immunofluorescent codetection approaches revealed an overexpression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and down-expression of Cx43 in astrocytes. Therefore, in terms of neurotoxicity, this experiment in vivo models directly linked Cx43 internalization to autophagy and neuroinflammation and ultimately locked these changes to the astrocytes of the brain. These findings unveil a potential approach targeting Cx43 internalization for the treatment of neurodegeneration caused by DEHP exposure in astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Xin Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Xi Tang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Han Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Shi-Yong Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Xue-Yan Dai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Xue-Nan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Jin-Long Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
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11
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Yoon H, Kim TH, Lee BC, Lee B, Kim P, Shin BS, Choi J. Comparison of the exposure assessment of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate between the PBPK model-based reverse dosimetry and scenario-based analysis: A Korean general population study. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 294:133549. [PMID: 35066077 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133549] [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: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), classified as a reproductive toxicant, is a ubiquitous pollutant in foodstuffs, dust, and commercial products. In this study, to provide a useful cross-check on the accuracy of the exposure assessment, the estimated daily intake of DEHP was compared using reverse dosimetry with a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model and a scenario-based probabilistic estimation model for six subpopulations in Korea. For reverse dosimetry analysis, the concentrations of urinary DEHP metabolites, namely mono (2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and mono (2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate (MEOHP), from three human biomonitoring program datasets were used. For the scenario-based model, we evaluated the various exposure sources of DEHP, including diet, air, indoor dust, soil, and personal care products (PCPs), and also determined its levels based on the literature review and measurements of indoor dust. The DEHP exposure doses using both exposure assessment approaches were similar in all cases, except for the 95th percentile exposure doses in toddlers (1-2 years) and young children (3-6 years). The PBPK-reverse dosimetry estimated daily intakes at the 95th percentile ranged between 22.53 and 29.90 μg/kg/day for toddlers and young children. These exceeded the reference dose (RfD) of 20 μg/kg bw/day of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) based on the increased relative liver weight. Although, food was considered the primary source of DEHP, contributing to a total exposure of 50.8-75.1%, the effect of exposure to indoor dust should not be overlooked. The occurrence of high levels of DEHP in indoor dust collected from Korean homes suggests the use of a wide variety of consumer products containing DEHP. Furthermore, more attention should be paid to the high exposure levels of DEHP, especially in young children. Therefore, it is necessary to perform continuous monitoring of the indoor dust, consumer products, and the body burden of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojung Yoon
- Environmental Health Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea; School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hwan Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Daegu, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Cheun Lee
- Environmental Health Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeongwoo Lee
- Environmental Health Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Pilje Kim
- Environmental Health Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom Soo Shin
- College of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhee Choi
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Qu J, Xia W, Qian X, Wu Y, Li J, Wen S, Xu S. Geographic distribution and time trend of human exposure of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate among different age groups based on global biomonitoring data. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132115. [PMID: 34826892 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132115] [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] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite being restricted by many authorities, di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is still widely detected in the environment and biospecimens. To indentify populations of high risk and evaluate the effects of DEHP restrictions, we elucidated the geographic distribution of DEHP exposure levels among pregnant women and different age groups, and compared the time trend of exposure levels with the time course of productions/restrictions. The estimated daily intake (EDI) was calculated based on biomonitoring data in published epidemiological studies, and then the group EDI (EDIG) was calculated for one particular population, region, or period by weighting EDIs by sample sizes. Overall, 144,965 samples from 45 nations were included, with the sampling time ranging from 1982 to 2017. Children had the highest exposure level (5.50 μg/kg bw/day) worldwide, while infants and pregnant women had low levels (2.13 and 1.89 μg/kg bw/day, respectively). The EDIGs varied considerably between countries, and the majority of corresponding hazard quotients were less than 1; however, the risk behind can not be ignored. In the general population, the DEHP exposure level showed a downtrend from 4.40 μg/kg bw/day before 2000 to 2.23 μg/kg bw/day in 2015-2017. In the European Union, the annual trend of DEHP EDIGs of children and adults fitted the production and consumption volume, and the EDIGs decreased more sharply in children. The EDIGs of children decreased with a delay along with the regulations on the use of DEHP. Cutting productions/consumptions and restrictions are effective to reduce DEHP exposure, but current efforts are far from enough on a worldwide scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Qu
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Xia
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Qian
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongning Wu
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science Research Unit (2019RU014), NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, 100022, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingguang Li
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science Research Unit (2019RU014), NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, 100022, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Wen
- Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Shunqing Xu
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Wang J, Li X, Wang C, Li Y, Wang J, Fang R, Wang J, Chen J, Dong J. Exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate reduces secretion of GDNF via interfering with estrogen pathway and downregulating ERK/c-fos signaling pathway in astrocytes. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 158:112592. [PMID: 34624416 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112592] [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] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a typical endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) that can increase the risk of central nervous system disease. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of DEHP exposure on GDNF secretion and the underlying mechanisms. Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups and administered 0, 30, 300, or 750 mg/kg DEHP daily by oral gavage. In addition, primary astrocytes were exposed to mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), the main metabolite of DEHP. Our results showed that DEHP exposure reduced GDNF levels and downregulated the ERK/c-fos signaling pathway in the cerebral cortex of male, but not female, offspring. Moreover, exogenous estrogen could overcome the decreased GDNF levels in astrocytes caused by MEHP exposure. MEHP also decreased p300 levels and downregulated the ERK/c-fos signaling pathway in primary astrocytes. Honokiol restored GDNF levels following MEHP exposure by activating the ERK/c-fos signaling pathway, while the inhibitor U0126 further reduced the GDNF levels. These results suggested that DEHP exposure could interfere with the normal effects of estrogen in the brain and downregulate the ERK/c-fos signaling pathway to decrease the GDNF secretion from astrocytes in the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, PR China
| | - Xudong Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, PR China
| | - Chaonan Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, PR China
| | - Jinmiao Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, PR China
| | - Rui Fang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, PR China
| | - Jingsi Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, PR China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, PR China.
| | - Jing Dong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, PR China.
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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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15
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Xu H, Sheng J, Wu X, Zhan K, Tao S, Wen X, Liu W, Cudjoe O, Tao F. Moderating effects of plastic packaged food on association of urinary phthalate metabolites with emotional symptoms in Chinese adolescents. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 216:112171. [PMID: 33812210 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Previous research reports that diet is the main source of phthalate exposure to adolescents, and phthalate is associated with adolescent mental and behavioral problems. However, no study has explored the moderating effects of eating behavior in this association. This study aimed to analyze the moderating effects of plastic packaged food consumption in the longitudinal association between phthalate metabolite concentration and emotional symptoms in adolescents. This school-based survey was carried out among adolescents in two Chinese provinces. We conducted a baseline and follow-up surveys for 893 freshmen using the purposive sampling method from December 2018 to November 2019. We used food frequency questionnaire to assess eating behavior. The Chinese version of 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales was used to assess emotional symptoms, and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the concentration of six urine phthalate metabolites. The results of latent moderation model indicated that plastic packaged food consumption moderated the association of low molecular weight phthalate (LMWP) with depressive symptoms (β = 0.27, P = 0.002), anxiety symptoms (β = 0.89, P < 0.01), and stress symptoms (β = 0.23, P = 0.019). The moderating effects were significant at the higher scores (β = 0.14-0.35, P < 0.05) and/or the lower scores (β = -0.35 to -0.12, P < 0.05) of plastic packaged food consumption. The results suggest that plastic packaged food consumption to some extent moderates the longitudinal association of phthalate exposure with emotional symptoms in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglv Xu
- School of Medicine, Kunming University, 2 Puxin Road, Kunming 650214, Yunnan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Jie Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Kai Zhan
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Product Safety Engineering, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Science, Hefei 230031, Anhui, PR China
| | - Shuman Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Xing Wen
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Wenwen Liu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China
| | - Obed Cudjoe
- University of Cape Coast, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast, Ghana; Department and the Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, PR China.
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Minatoya M, Kishi R. A Review of Recent Studies on Bisphenol A and Phthalate Exposures and Child Neurodevelopment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18073585. [PMID: 33808331 PMCID: PMC8036555 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review: Bisphenol A and phthalate have been found in the environment, as well as in humans. In this narrative review pre- and postnatal bisphenol A and phthalate exposures, their relationship to neurodevelopment, and the behavioral outcomes of children are elucidated, focusing in particular on the recent case-control, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies. This review also introduces some of the possible mechanisms behind the observed associations between exposures and outcomes. Recent Findings: Although bisphenol A and phthalate exposure have been reported to influence neurobehavioral development in children, there are various kinds of test batteries for child neurodevelopmental assessment at different ages whose findings have been inconsistent among studies. In addition, the timing and number of exposure assessments have varied. Summary: Overall, this review suggests that prenatal exposure to bisphenol A and phthalates may contribute to neurobehavioral outcomes in children. The evidence is still limited; however, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms, especially among boys, constantly suggested association with both prenatal and concurrent exposure to bisphenol A. Although there is limited evidence on the adverse effects of prenatal and postnatal bisphenol A and phthalate exposures provided, pregnant women and young children should be protected from exposure based on a precautionary approach.
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Ma T, Zhou W, Chen L, Li Y, Luo Y, Wu P. Phthalate esters contamination in vegetable-soil system of facility greenhouses in Jingmen, central China and the assessment of health risk. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2020; 42:2703-2721. [PMID: 31907782 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-019-00504-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Residual levels of six priority phthalate esters (PAEs) compounds in top soils and vegetables of 40 selected greenhouses in two typical facility vegetable greenhouse production areas of Jingmen (Hubei, central China) were determined. Total concentrations of six target PAEs (Σ6PAEs) in 72 vegetable and 40 soil samples ranged from 862 ± 209 to 4260 ± 385 µg kg-1 (dry weight, DW), and from 1122 ± 156 to 4134 ± 272 µg kg-1 (DW), respectively. Di-n-butyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are the two most frequently and massively detected in all samples. The highest Σ6PAEs appeared in leaf samples of Tuanlin, vegetable fruits of Zhongxiang and soils of Tuanlin. No carcinogenic risk was posed based on the results of health risk assessment, but non-carcinogenic risk of DEHP to children less than 6 years old in Tuanlin (all 24 sampling sites) and Zhongxiang (4/16 sampling sites) and people older than 6 years old in Tuanlin (19/24 sampling sites) were achieved from hazard quotient values. The contamination risk problem of PAEs in Tuanlin deserves greatest concern in Jingmen. Combined with the results of our former study, the health risks of target pollutants were clarified and the lack of survey data on PAE concentrations in facility vegetable greenhouses of central China was filled in. Due to high residuals and significant non-carcinogenic risk values, DEHP should be nominated as priority PAEs in China. Our study suggested better regulation for PAEs control in intensively managed greenhouses and references for revision of Chinese environmental standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ma
- Institute of Hanjiang, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, 441053, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, 441053, Hubei, China.
| | - Like Chen
- Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yuqi Li
- School of Food Science and Technology and School of Chemical Engineering, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, 441053, Hubei, China
| | - Yongming Luo
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Jiangsu Rainfine Environmental Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Nanjing, 210000, China
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England-Mason G, Grohs MN, Reynolds JE, MacDonald A, Kinniburgh D, Liu J, Martin JW, Lebel C, Dewey D. White matter microstructure mediates the association between prenatal exposure to phthalates and behavior problems in preschool children. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 182:109093. [PMID: 32069753 PMCID: PMC7050961 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research reports associations between prenatal exposure to phthalates and childhood behavior problems; however, the neural mechanisms that may underlie these associations are relatively unexplored. OBJECTIVE This study examined microstructural white matter as a possible mediator of the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and behavior problems in preschool-aged children. METHODS Data are from a subsample of a prospective pregnancy cohort, the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study (n = 76). Mother-child pairs were included if mothers provided a second trimester urine sample, if the child completed a successful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at age 3-5 years, and if the Child Behavior Checklist was completed within 6 months of the MRI scan. Molar sums of high (HMWP) and low molecular weight phthalates (LMWP) were calculated from levels in urine samples. Associations between prenatal phthalate concentrations, fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) in 10 major white matter tracts, and preschool behavior problems were investigated. RESULTS Maternal prenatal phthalate concentrations were associated with MD of the right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFO), right pyramidal fibers, left and right uncinate fasciculus (UF), and FA of the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF). Mediation analyses showed that prenatal exposure to HMWP was indirectly associated with Internalizing (path ab = 0.09, CI.95 = 0.02, 0.20) and Externalizing Problems (path ab = 0.09, CI.95 = 0.01, 0.19) through MD of the right IFO, and to Internalizing Problems (path ab = 0.11, CI.95 = 0.01, 0.23) through MD of the right pyramidal fibers. DISCUSSION This study provides the first evidence of childhood neural correlates of prenatal phthalate exposure. Results suggest that prenatal phthalate exposure may be related to microstructural white matter in the IFO, pyramidal fibers, UF, and ILF. Further, MD of the right IFO and pyramidal fibers may transmit childhood risk for behavioral problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian England-Mason
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Melody N Grohs
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jess E Reynolds
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Canada
| | - Amy MacDonald
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - David Kinniburgh
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jiaying Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Jonathan W Martin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catherine Lebel
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Canada
| | - Deborah Dewey
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
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