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Wells EM, Herbstman JB, Lin YH, Hibbeln JR, Halden RU, Witter FR, Goldman LR. Methyl mercury, but not inorganic mercury, associated with higher blood pressure during pregnancy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 154:247-252. [PMID: 28110211 PMCID: PMC5328834 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies addressing associations between mercury and blood pressure have produced inconsistent findings; some of this may result from measuring total instead of speciated mercury. This cross-sectional study of 263 pregnant women assessed total mercury, speciated mercury, selenium, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in umbilical cord blood and blood pressure during labor and delivery. Models with a) total mercury or b) methyl and inorganic mercury were evaluated. Regression models adjusted for maternal age, race/ethnicity, prepregnancy body mass index, neighborhood income, parity, smoking, n-3 fatty acids and selenium. Geometric mean total, methyl, and inorganic mercury concentrations were 1.40µg/L (95% confidence interval: 1.29, 1.52); 0.95µg/L (0.84, 1.07); and 0.13µg/L (0.10, 0.17), respectively. Elevated systolic BP, diastolic BP, and pulse pressure were found, respectively, in 11.4%, 6.8%, and 19.8% of mothers. In adjusted multivariable models, a one-tertile increase of methyl mercury was associated with 2.83mmHg (0.17, 5.50) higher systolic blood pressure and 2.99mmHg (0.91, 5.08) higher pulse pressure. In the same models, an increase of one tertile of inorganic mercury was associated with -1.18mmHg (-3.72, 1.35) lower systolic blood pressure and -2.51mmHg (-4.49, -0.53) lower pulse pressure. No associations were observed with diastolic pressure. There was a non-significant trend of higher total mercury with higher systolic blood pressure. We observed a significant association of higher methyl mercury with higher systolic and pulse pressure, yet higher inorganic mercury was significantly associated with lower pulse pressure. These results should be confirmed with larger, longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M Wells
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Julie B Herbstman
- Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yu Hong Lin
- National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Joseph R Hibbeln
- National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Center for Environmental Security, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Frank R Witter
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lynn R Goldman
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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Bakulski KM, Feinberg JI, Andrews SV, Yang J, Brown S, L McKenney S, Witter F, Walston J, Feinberg AP, Fallin MD. DNA methylation of cord blood cell types: Applications for mixed cell birth studies. Epigenetics 2016; 11:354-62. [PMID: 27019159 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2016.1161875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenome-wide association studies of disease widely use DNA methylation measured in blood as a surrogate tissue. Cell proportions can vary between people and confound associations of exposure or outcome. An adequate reference panel for estimating cell proportions from adult whole blood for DNA methylation studies is available, but an analogous cord blood cell reference panel is not yet available. Cord blood has unique cell types and the epigenetic signatures of standard cell types may not be consistent throughout the life course. Using magnetic bead sorting, we isolated cord blood cell types (nucleated red blood cells, granulocytes, monocytes, natural killer cells, B cells, CD4(+)T cells, and CD8(+)T cells) from 17 live births at Johns Hopkins Hospital. We confirmed enrichment of the cell types using fluorescence assisted cell sorting and ran DNA from the separated cell types on the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array. After filtering, the final analysis was on 104 samples at 429,794 probes. We compared cell type specific signatures in cord to each other and methylation at 49.2% of CpG sites on the array differed by cell type (F-test P < 10(-8)). Differences between nucleated red blood cells and the remainder of the cell types were most pronounced (36.9% of CpG sites at P < 10(-8)) and 99.5% of these sites were hypomethylated relative to the other cell types. We also compared the mean-centered sorted cord profiles to the available adult reference panel and observed high correlation between the overlapping cell types for granulocytes and monocytes (both r=0.74), and poor correlation for CD8(+)T cells and NK cells (both r=0.08). We further provide an algorithm for estimating cell proportions in cord blood using the newly developed cord reference panel, which estimates biologically plausible cell proportions in whole cord blood samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Bakulski
- a Department of Epidemiology , Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.,b Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.,c Department of Epidemiology , University of Michigan School of Public Health , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Jason I Feinberg
- b Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.,d Department of Mental Health , Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Shan V Andrews
- a Department of Epidemiology , Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Jack Yang
- e Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Shannon Brown
- a Department of Epidemiology , Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.,f Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Stephanie L McKenney
- g Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Frank Witter
- h Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.,i Department of International Health , Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Jeremy Walston
- e Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Andrew P Feinberg
- b Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.,d Department of Mental Health , Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- b Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.,d Department of Mental Health , Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.,f Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
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Wells EM, Herbstman JB, Lin YH, Jarrett J, Verdon CP, Ward C, Caldwell KL, Hibbeln JR, Witter FR, Halden RU, Goldman LR. Cord Blood Methylmercury and Fetal Growth Outcomes in Baltimore Newborns: Potential Confounding and Effect Modification by Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Selenium, and Sex. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2016; 124:373-9. [PMID: 26115160 PMCID: PMC4786979 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1408596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methylmercury (MeHg) may affect fetal growth; however, prior research often lacked assessment of mercury speciation, confounders, and interactions. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to assess the relationship between MeHg and fetal growth as well as the potential for confounding or interaction of this relationship from speciated mercury, fatty acids, selenium, and sex. METHODS This cross-sectional study includes 271 singletons born in Baltimore, Maryland, 2004-2005. Umbilical cord blood was analyzed for speciated mercury, serum omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs), and selenium. Multivariable linear regression models controlled for gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, parity, prepregnancy body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, selenium, n-3 HUFAs, and inorganic mercury (IHg). RESULTS Geometric mean cord blood MeHg was 0.94 μg/L (95% CI: 0.84, 1.07). In adjusted models for ponderal index, βln(MeHg) = -0.045 (g/cm(3)) × 100 (95% CI: -0.084, -0.005). There was no evidence of a MeHg × sex interaction with ponderal index. Contrastingly, there was evidence of a MeHg × n-3 HUFAs interaction with birth length [among low n-3 HUFAs, βln(MeHg) = 0.40 cm, 95% CI: -0.02, 0.81; among high n-3 HUFAs, βln(MeHg) = -0.15, 95% CI: -0.54, 0.25; p-interaction = 0.048] and head circumference [among low n-3 HUFAs, βln(MeHg) = 0.01 cm, 95% CI: -0.27, 0.29; among high n-3 HUFAs, βln(MeHg) = -0.37, 95% CI: -0.63, -0.10; p-interaction = 0.042]. The association of MeHg with birth weight and ponderal index was affected by n-3 HUFAs, selenium, and IHg. For birth weight, βln(MeHg) without these variables was -16.8 g (95% CI: -75.0, 41.3) versus -29.7 (95% CI: -93.9, 34.6) with all covariates. Corresponding values for ponderal index were -0.030 (g/cm(3)) × 100 (95% CI: -0.065, 0.005) and -0.045 (95% CI: -0.084, -0005). CONCLUSION We observed an association of increased MeHg with decreased ponderal index. There is evidence for interaction between MeHg and n-3 HUFAs; infants with higher MeHg and n-3 HUFAs had lower birth length and head circumference. These results should be verified with additional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M. Wells
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Address correspondence to E.M. Wells, Purdue University, School of Health Sciences; Hampton Hall of Civil Engineering 1269; 550 Stadium Mall Dr.; West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA. Telephone: (765) 496-3535. E-mail:
| | - Julie B. Herbstman
- Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yu Hong Lin
- Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffery Jarrett
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Carl P. Verdon
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Cynthia Ward
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kathleen L. Caldwell
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joseph R. Hibbeln
- Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Frank R. Witter
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rolf U. Halden
- Center for Environmental Security, Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Lynn R. Goldman
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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Hansmeier N, Chao TC, Goldman LR, Witter FR, Halden RU. Prioritization of biomarker targets in human umbilical cord blood: identification of proteins in infant blood serving as validated biomarkers in adults. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2012; 120:764-769. [PMID: 22538116 PMCID: PMC3346780 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1104190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early diagnosis represents one of the best lines of defense in the fight against a wide array of human diseases. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is one of the first easily available diagnostic biofluids and can inform about the health status of newborns. However, compared with adult blood, its diagnostic potential remains largely untapped. OBJECTIVES Our goal was to accelerate biomarker research on UCB by exploring its detectable protein content and providing a priority list of potential biomarkers based on known proteins involved in disease pathways. METHODS We explored cord blood serum proteins by profiling a UCB pool of 12 neonates with different backgrounds using a combination of isoelectric focusing and liquid chromatography coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS/MS) and by comparing results with information contained in metabolic and disease databases available for adult blood. RESULTS A total of 1,210 UCB proteins were identified with a protein-level false discovery rate of ~ 5% as estimated by naïve target-decoy and MAYU approaches, signifying a 6-fold increase in the number of UCB proteins described to date. Identified proteins correspond to 138 different metabolic and disease pathways and provide a platform of mechanistically linked biomarker candidates for tracking disruptions in cellular processes. Moreover, among the identified proteins, 38 were found to be approved biomarkers for adult blood. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study advance current knowledge of the human cord blood serum proteome. They showcase the potential of UCB as a diagnostic medium for assessing infant health by detection and identification of candidate biomarkers for known disease pathways using a global, nontargeted approach. These biomarkers may inform about mechanisms of exposure-disease relationships. Furthermore, biomarkers approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for screening in adult blood were detected in UCB and represent high-priority targets for immediate validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Hansmeier
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
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Wells EM, Goldman LR, Jarrett JM, Apelberg BJ, Herbstman JB, Caldwell KL, Halden RU, Witter FR. Selenium and maternal blood pressure during childbirth. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2012; 22:191-7. [PMID: 22108761 PMCID: PMC3661205 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2011.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 06/14/2011] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests selenium concentrations outside the nutritional range may worsen cardiovascular health. This paper examines the relationship between selenium and maternal blood pressure (BP) among 270 deliveries using umbilical cord serum as a proxy for maternal exposure levels. Multivariable models used linear splines for selenium and controlled for gestational age, maternal age, race, median household income, parity, smoking, and prepregnancy body mass index. Non-parametric analysis of this dataset was used to select spline knots for selenium at 70 and 90 μg/l. When selenium was <70 μg/l, increasing selenium levels were related to a non-statistically significant decrease in BP. For selenium 70-90 μg/l, a 1 μg/l increase was related to a 0.37 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.005, 0.73) change in systolic and a 0.35 mm Hg (0.07, 0.64) change in diastolic BP. There were very few selenium values >90 μg/l. Other studies indicate that the maternal/cord selenium ratio is 1.46 (95% CI: 1.28, 1.65). This u-shaped relationship between selenium and BP is consistent with a dual role of selenium as an essential micronutrient that is nonetheless a toxicant at higher concentrations; however, this needs to be studied further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M. Wells
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine; Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Lynn R. Goldman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services; Washington D.C., USA
| | - Jeffery M. Jarrett
- Inorganic and Radiation Analytical Toxicology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Apelberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie B. Herbstman
- The Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health; New York, New York, USA
| | - Kathleen L. Caldwell
- Inorganic and Radiation Analytical Toxicology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rolf U. Halden
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University; Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Frank R. Witter
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Wells EM, Navas-Acien A, Herbstman JB, Apelberg BJ, Silbergeld EK, Caldwell KL, Jones RL, Halden RU, Witter FR, Goldman LR. Low-level lead exposure and elevations in blood pressure during pregnancy. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2011; 119:664-9. [PMID: 21292600 PMCID: PMC3094418 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1002666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead exposure is associated with elevated blood pressure during pregnancy; however, the magnitude of this relationship at low exposure levels is unclear. OBJECTIVES Our goal was to determine the association between low-level lead exposure and blood pressure during late pregnancy. METHODS We collected admission and maximum (based on systolic) blood pressures during labor and delivery among 285 women in Baltimore, Maryland. We measured umbilical cord blood lead using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, race, median household income, parity, smoking during pregnancy, prepregnancy body mass index, and anemia. These models were used to calculate benchmark dose values. RESULTS Geometric mean cord blood lead was 0.66 μg/dL (95% confidence interval, 0.61-0.70). Comparing blood pressure measurements between those in the highest and those in the lowest quartile of lead exposure, we observed a 6.87-mmHg (1.51-12.21 mmHg) increase in admission systolic blood pressure and a 4.40-mmHg (0.21-8.59 mmHg) increase in admission diastolic blood pressure after adjustment for confounders. Corresponding values for maximum blood pressure increase were 7.72 (1.83-13.60) and 8.33 (1.14-15.53) mmHg. Benchmark dose lower limit values for a 1-SD increase in blood pressure were < 2 μg/dL blood lead for all blood pressure end points. CONCLUSIONS A significant association between low-level lead exposures and elevations in maternal blood pressure during labor and delivery can be observed at umbilical blood lead levels < 2 μg/dL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M. Wells
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie B. Herbstman
- Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Apelberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ellen K. Silbergeld
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen L. Caldwell
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Robert L. Jones
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rolf U. Halden
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Frank R. Witter
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lynn R. Goldman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, DC, USA
- Address correspondence to L.R. Goldman, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, 2300 Eye St. NW, Suite 106, Washington, DC 20037 USA. Telephone: (202) 994-7270. Fax: (202) 994-3773. E-mail:
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Neta G, Goldman LR, Barr D, Apelberg BJ, Witter FR, Halden RU. Fetal exposure to chlordane and permethrin mixtures in relation to inflammatory cytokines and birth outcomes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:1680-7. [PMID: 21235202 PMCID: PMC3085719 DOI: 10.1021/es103417j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We sought to characterize the relationships between cord serum concentrations of chlordane and permethrin pesticides, inflammatory cytokines, gestational age, and size at birth. Umbilical cord serum levels of trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, cis- and trans-permethrin, piperonyl butoxide, and cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, GMCSF) were quantified in 300 newborns at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD (2004-2005). Principal component analyses were used to quantitate chlordane and permethrin mixtures and to identify independent cytokine components. Five cytokine components described 87% of the variance in cord serum cytokine levels; these (and predominant loadings) were as follows: (1) all 9 cytokines; (2) acute phase (IL-1β, IL-6); (3) anti-inflammatory (IL-10); (4) TNF-α; and (5) IL-1β. Of these, the TNF-α component was significantly associated with a 2-day decrease in gestational age. Chlordane was associated with lower levels of the pro-inflammatory IL-1β [β: -0.11 (-0.20, -0.02)]. Permethrin was negatively associated with the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 [β: -0.14 (-0.22, -0.05)]. Neither pesticides nor cytokines were significantly associated with birthweight, length, or head circumference, and pesticides were not associated with gestational age. Our findings suggest that chlordane and permethrin concentrations in cord blood may be associated with levels of inflammatory cytokines in the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gila Neta
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute , 6120 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20852, USA.
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Neta G, Goldman LR, Barr D, Sjödin A, Apelberg BJ, Witter FR, Halden RU. Distribution and determinants of pesticide mixtures in cord serum using principal component analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2010; 44:5641-5648. [PMID: 20550184 DOI: 10.1021/es1009778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
We characterized the distribution and determinants of fetal exposures to pesticide mixtures using a cross-sectional study of 297 singletons delivered at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD (2004-2005). Concentrations of nine persistent and twelve nonpersistent pesticides were measured in cord serum. Mixtures were identified using principal components analysis. Associations between mixtures and maternal and infant characteristics were evaluated using multivariate analysis. p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, bendiocarb, propoxur, and trans- and cis-permethrin were detected in 100, 90, 93, 84, 73, 55, 52, and 41% of serum samples, respectively. There were four independent pesticide components: DDT (p,p'-DDT + p,p'-DDE), chlordane (trans-nonachlor + oxychlordane), permethrin (trans- and cis-permethrins + PBUT), and carbamate (bendiocarb + propoxur). DDT and chlordane were 6.1 (95%CI: 2.4, 15.5) and 2.1 (95%CI: 1.0, 4.2) times higher for infants of women >35, and 1.8 (95%CI: 1.2, 2.9) and 1.5 (95%CI: 1.1, 2.1) times higher in smoking mothers. DDT and carbamate were 15 (95%CI: 7, 30) and 2 (95%CI: 1, 4) times higher for infants of Asian compared with Caucasian mothers. No significant differences were observed for permethrin. Fetal exposures to pesticides are widespread, occur as mixtures, and differ by maternal race, age, and smoking status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gila Neta
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
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Colquhoun DR, Goldman LR, Cole RN, Gucek M, Mansharamani M, Witter FR, Apelberg BJ, Halden RU. Global screening of human cord blood proteomes for biomarkers of toxic exposure and effect. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2009; 117:832-8. [PMID: 19478969 PMCID: PMC2685849 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.11816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2008] [Accepted: 12/02/2008] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposures of pregnant women to natural and manmade chemicals can lead to negative health effects in the baby, ranging from low birth weight to developmental defects. In some cases, diseases were postulated to have their basis in toxic exposure in utero or in early childhood. Therefore, an understanding of fetal responses to environmental exposures is essential. To that end, cord blood is a readily accessible biofluid whose proteomic makeup remains mostly unexplored when compared with that of adults. OBJECTIVES Our goal was an initial global assessment of the fetal serum proteome and for the identification of protein biomarkers indicative of toxic in utero exposures related to maternal cigarette smoking. METHODS Drawing from a repository of 300 samples, we selected umbilical cord blood sera from 12 babies born to six smokers and six nonsmokers and analyzed both sample pools by tandem mass spectrometry in conjunction with isobaric tags (iTRAQ) for protein quantification. RESULTS We identified 203 proteins, 17 of which were differentially expressed between the cigarette smoke-exposed and control populations. Most of the identified candidate biomarkers were biologically plausible, thereby underscoring the feasibility of screening neonates with global proteomic techniques for biomarkers of exposure and early biological effects triggered by in utero chemical exposures. CONCLUSIONS This validation study provides an initial view of the proteome of human cord blood sera; it demonstrates the feasibility of identifying therein by use of proteomics, biomarkers of environmental, toxic exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Colquhoun
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lynn R. Goldman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert N. Cole
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences and
| | - Marjan Gucek
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences and
| | - Malini Mansharamani
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences and
| | - Frank R. Witter
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Apelberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rolf U. Halden
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Address correspondence to R. Halden, Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave., Mail Stop 875701, Tempe, AZ 85287-5701 USA. Telephone: (480) 727-0893. Fax: (480) 727-0889. E-mail:
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Herbstman JB, Sjödin A, Apelberg BJ, Witter FR, Patterson DG, Halden RU, Jones RS, Park A, Zhang Y, Heidler J, Needham LL, Goldman LR. Determinants of prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in an urban population. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2007; 115:1794-800. [PMID: 18087602 PMCID: PMC2137116 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.10333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2007] [Accepted: 09/26/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have reported blood levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the U.S. population. Information about neonatal levels and about the relationship to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposures is limited. OBJECTIVES The objective was to characterize levels and determinants of fetal exposure to PBDEs and PCBs among newborns from Baltimore, Maryland. METHODS We analyzed umbilical cord blood for eight PBDEs and 35 PCBs from infants delivered at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Maternal and infant characteristics were abstracted from medical records. RESULTS Ninety-four percent of cord serum samples had quantifiable levels of at least one PBDE congener, and > 99% had at least one detectable PCB congener. PBDE concentrations in cord blood were similar to those reported in other studies from North America. Strong correlations were observed within but not across PCB and PBDE classes. Multivariate models showed that many factors independently predicted exposure to BDE-47, BDE-100, and BDE-153 and CB-118, CB-138/158, CB-153, and CB-180. Generally, infants of Asian mothers had lower PBDE and PCB levels, and infants of smokers had higher levels. Increased maternal body mass index was associated with lower levels of PCBs but not PBDEs. Levels of PCBs but not PBDEs were lower in births from married and multiparous mothers. Increased maternal age was associated with higher PCB levels but lower PBDE levels. CONCLUSIONS Although many of the factors we investigated were independent predictors of both PBDE and PCB levels, in some cases the direction of associations was different. More research is needed to better understand the sources and pathways of PBDE exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie B. Herbstman
- Columbia Children’s Center for Environmental Health, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Apelberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Frank R. Witter
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Donald G. Patterson
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rolf U. Halden
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard S. Jones
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Annie Park
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yalin Zhang
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jochen Heidler
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Larry L. Needham
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lynn R. Goldman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Address correspondence to L. Goldman, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St., Rm. E6636, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA. Telephone: (410) 614-9301. Fax: (410) 287-7075.
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Apelberg BJ, Witter FR, Herbstman JB, Calafat AM, Halden RU, Needham LL, Goldman LR. Cord serum concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in relation to weight and size at birth. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2007; 115:1670-6. [PMID: 18008002 PMCID: PMC2072847 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.10334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 448] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2007] [Accepted: 07/30/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have reported developmental toxicity among rodents dosed with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA). OBJECTIVES We examined the relationship between concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in cord serum (surrogates for in utero exposures) and gestational age, birth weight, and birth size in humans. METHODS We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional epidemiologic study of singleton deliveries in Baltimore, Maryland. Cord serum samples (n = 293) were analyzed for PFOS and PFOA by online solid-phase extraction, coupled with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Maternal characteristics and anthropometric measures were obtained from medical charts. RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounders, both PFOS and PFOA were negatively associated with birth weight [per ln-unit: beta = -69 g, 95% confidence interval (CI), -149 to 10 for PFOS; beta = -104 g, 95% CI, -213 to 5 for PFOA], ponderal index (per ln-unit: beta = -0.074 g/cm(3) x 100, 95% CI, -0.123 to -0.025 for PFOS; beta = -0.070 g/cm(3) x 100, 95% CI, -0.138 to -0.001 for PFOA), and head circumference (per ln-unit: beta = -0.32 cm, 95% CI, -0.56 to -0.07 for PFOS; beta = -0.41 cm, 95% CI, -0.76 to -0.07 for PFOA). No associations were observed between either PFOS or PFOA concentrations and newborn length or gestational age. All associations were independent of cord serum lipid concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Despite relatively low cord serum concentrations, we observed small negative associations between both PFOS and PFOA concentrations and birth weight and size. Future studies should attempt to replicate these findings in other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Apelberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Frank R. Witter
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie B. Herbstman
- Columbia Children’s Center for Environmental Health, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Antonia M. Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rolf U. Halden
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Larry L. Needham
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lynn R. Goldman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Address correspondence to L.R. Goldman, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St., Rm. E6636, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA. Telephone: (410) 614-9301. Fax: (443) 287-7375. E-mail:
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Apelberg BJ, Goldman LR, Calafat AM, Herbstman JB, Kuklenyik Z, Heidler J, Needham LL, Halden RU, Witter FR. Determinants of fetal exposure to polyfluoroalkyl compounds in Baltimore, Maryland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2007; 41:3891-7. [PMID: 17612165 DOI: 10.1021/es0700911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs), such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), are ubiquitous, man-made chemicals. Human data suggest that in utero exposures to these chemicals occur and some evidence of developmental toxicity in animals exists. To assess the distribution and determinants of fetal exposure to PFCs, we analyzed cord serum samples from 299 singleton newborns delivered between 2004 and 2005 in Baltimore, MD for 10 PFCs by employing on-line solid-phase extraction coupled with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. PFOS and PFOA were detected in 99 and 100% of umbilical cord sera, with geometric mean concentrations of 4.9 and 1.6 ng/mL, respectively. PFOS and PFOA concentrations were highly correlated (Pearson's r = 0.64 after natural log transformation, p < 0.01). Eight other PFCs were detected less frequently and at lower concentrations than PFOS and PFOA. Geometric mean concentrations of PFOS for Asians (6.0 ng/mL) and Blacks (5.1 ng/mL) were higher than those for Whites (4.2 ng/mL), while PFOA levels were more evenly distributed by race. Other maternal demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, including age, education, marital status, and living in the city limits were not significantly associated with cord concentrations. Our findings suggest that in utero exposure to PFOS and PFOA is ubiquitous in a population of babies born in Baltimore, MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Apelberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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