Prenatal phthalate exposure and early childhood wheeze in the SELMA study

Association of exposure to phthalates and phthalate alternatives with dyslexia in Chinese primary school children

Previous studies have shown associations between children's exposure to phthalates and neurodevelopmental disorders. Whereas the impact of exposure to phthalate alternatives is understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the association of exposure to phthalates/their alternatives with the risk of dyslexia. We recruited 745 children (355 dyslexia and 390 non-dyslexia) via the Tongji Reading Environment and Dyslexia Research Project, and their urine samples were collected. A total of 26 metabolites of phthalates/their alternatives were measured. Multivariate logistic regression and quantile-based g-computation were used to estimate the associations of exposure to the phthalates/their alternatives with dyslexia. More than 80% of the children had 17 related metabolites detected in their urine samples. After adjustment, the association between mono-2-(propyl-6-hydroxy-heptyl) phthalate (OH-MPHP) with the risk of dyslexia was observed. Compared with the lowest quartile of OH-MPHP levels, the odds of dyslexia for the third quartile was 1.93 (95% CI 1.06, 3.57). Regarding mixture analyses, it was found that OH-MPHP contributed the most to the association. Further analyses stratified by sex revealed that this association was only observed in boys. Our results suggested a significantly adverse association of di-2-propylheptyl phthalate exposure with children's language abilities. It highlights the necessity to prioritize the protection of children's neurodevelopment by minimizing their exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like di-2-propylheptyl phthalate.

Phthalate exposure and lung disease: the epidemiological evidences, plausible mechanism and advocacy of interventions

Phthalates are a kind of synthetic plasticizers, which extensively used as plastic productions to improve their plasticity and flexibility. However, exposure to phthalates has been proved an increased risk of respiratory disease, because by they affect the development and functions of the lung and immune system. Here, we attempt to review respiratory health of phthalate exposure. Firstly, we describe the relationship between phthalates and lung function and airway inflammation. Then, the role of phthalates in asthma, lung cancer, rhinitis, and respiratory tract infections and the possible mechanisms of action are discussed. Finally, possible effective measures to reduce exposure to phthalates are proposed, and health care workers are called upon to provide educational resources and advocate for informed public health policies. Overall, the evidence for association between phthalate exposure and respiratory disease is weak and inconsistent. Therefore, thorough implementation in large populations is needed to produce more consistent and robust results and to enhance the overall understanding of the potential respiratory health risks of phthalate in long-term exposure.

The IL-31/TRPV1 pathway mediates allergic asthma exacerbated by DINP dermal exposure in OVA-sensitized Balb/c mice

BACKGROUND

The potential role of dermal exposure diisononyl phthalate (DINP) as an adjuvant in allergic inflammation and asthma has been suggested. However, the current findings do not provide enough evidence to support this claim.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the impact and mechanisms of allergic asthma exacerbation through the dermal exposure to DINP.

METHODS

The study was undertaken using OVA-sensitized mice. Lung histopathology and airway hyperreactivity (AHR) were assessed. Expression levels of immunoglobulins (t-IgE, OVA-IgE and OVA-IgG1), cytokines (IL-31, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13 and INF-γ), and TRPV1 were measured. To investigate the mechanism by which allergic asthma worsens due to dermal exposure to DINP, the blockade analysis using the IL-31 antagonist SB-431542 and the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine (CZP) were performed.

RESULTS

The findings of the study revealed that the simultaneous exposure to DINP and OVA resulted in an increase in inspiratory resistance (Ri) and expiratory resistance (Re), a decrease in the minimum value of lung dynamic compliance (Cldyn), and worsened airway remodeling. Additionally, it was found that this exposure led to an increase in the levels of IL-31 and TRPV1, which are biomarkers of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-13), as well as immunoglobulins (Total IgE, OVA-lgE, and OVA-IgG1), while decreasing the biomarker of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ). However, these impairments showed improvement after the administration of SB-431542 or CZP.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this research indicate that the IL-31/TRPV1 pathway plays a moderating function in OVA-induced allergic asthma worsened by dermal exposure to DINP.

Phthalate esters and nonylphenol concentrations correspond with microplastic distribution in anthropogenically polluted river sediments

This paper presents the phthalate esters (PAEs), nonylphenol (NPs), and microplastics (MPs) in river sediments. Results showed that sediments near residential areas were mainly composed of fine particles, potentially influencing the adsorption of PAEs and NPs in the area. The concentrations of Σ10 PAEs in the sediments ranged between 2448 and 63,457 μg/kg dw, dominated by DEHP and DnOP. Microplastics were detected in all samples, with higher abundances found in sediments near residential areas dominated by polypropylene. Toxicological risk assessment indicated potential risks to sensitive aquatic organisms exposed to the sediments. Correlations between MPs, PAEs, and NPs suggest that MPs may serve as possible sources of PAEs in the sediments. Principal component analysis explained 95.4 % of the pollutant variability in the sediments. Overall, this study emphasizes the significance of monitoring and understanding the presence and interactions of PAEs and MPs in river sediments to assess their potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

An insight into the critical role of gut microbiota in triggering the phthalate-induced toxicity and its mitigation using probiotics

Exposure to phthalates, a major food safety concern, has been implicated in various chronic human disorders. As dietary exposure serves as a primary exposure route for phthalate exposure, understanding the detrimental impact on the gastrointestinal tract and resident gut microbiota is indispensable for better managing public health risks. Various reports have explored the intricate interplay between phthalate exposure, gut microbiota dysbiosis and host pathophysiology. For instance, oral exposure of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) affected the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and abundance of Akkermansia and Prevotella, ensuing impaired lipid metabolism and reproductive toxicity. In some cases, DEHP exposure altered the levels of gut microbial metabolites, namely short-chain fatty acids, branched-chain amino acids or p-cresol, resulting in cholesterol imbalance or neurodevelopmental disorders. Conversely, supplementation of gut-modulating probiotics like Lactococcus or Lactobacillus sp. averted the phthalate-induced hepatic or testicular toxicity through host gene regulation, gut microbial modulation or elimination of DEHP or DBP in faeces. Overall, the current review revealed the critical role of the gut microbiota in initiating or exacerbating phthalate-induced toxicity, which could be averted or mitigated by probiotics supplementation. Future studies should focus on identifying high-efficiency probiotic strains that could help reduce the exposure of phthalates in animals and humans.

Association between urinary phthalate metabolites and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease incidence in US adults: results from NHANES 2007-2018

Despite associations between urinary phthalates and respiratory symptoms and disorders have been investigated, knowledge about their impact on COPD incidence remains limited. Using data of 8242 adults (aged 20-80 years) from the 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the association of mixed urinary phthalate metabolites with COPD incidence was evaluated. Among them, 789 were COPD patients, and the rest were non-COPD participants. In the single-pollutant models, a variety of phthalate metabolites were identified as independent positive factors for COPD incidence, including mono-(carboxynonyl) phthalate (MCNP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-(3-carboxylpropyl) phthalate (MCPP), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP). Multi-pollutant models, including weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, quantile-based g computation (qgcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) approaches consistently revealed the positive association between phthalates co-exposure and COPD incidence, and MCPP was recognized as the dominant positive driver. The positive association was more evident in the youth group and the male group. The interactions between certain phthalate metabolites in COPD were also observed. Given the limitations of the cross-sectional design of NHANES study, well-designed longitudinal studies are needed to verify or disprove these findings.

The effect of phthalates exposure during pregnancy on asthma in infants aged 0 to 36 months: a birth cohort study

This cohort study sought to investigate the effects of phthalates exposure during pregnancy on offspring asthma and its association with placental stress and inflammatory factor mRNA expression levels. A total of 3474 pregnant women from the China Ma'anshan birth cohort participated in this study. Seven phthalate metabolites were detected in urine samples during pregnancy by solid phase extraction-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Placenta stress and inflammation mRNA expression were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Early pregnancy may be the critical period when phthalates exposure increases the risk of asthma in infants and young children, and there is a certain gender difference in the risk of asthma in infants and young children. Moreover, through the placenta stress and inflammatory factor associated with infant asthma found anti-inflammatory factor of interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA expression will reduce the risk of 36-month-old male infant asthma. The expression of interleukin-4(IL-4) and macrophage (M2) biomarker cluster of differentiation 206(CD206) mRNA reduced the risk of asthma in 18-month-old female infants. Placental stress and inflammatory response were analyzed using mediating effects. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) showed a complete mediating effect between mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) exposure in early pregnancy and asthma in 12-month-old males, and IL-10 also showed a complete mediating effect between mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) exposure in early and late pregnancy and asthma in 36-month-old males. In summary, exposure to phthalates during pregnancy may contribute to the development of asthma in infants, which may be associated with placental stress and inflammation.

Occurrence and distribution of phthalate esters and microplastics in wastewater treatment plants in Taiwan and their toxicological risks

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are fat soluble synthetic chemicals, usually regarded as plasticizers for being added in numerous plastic products. Thus, environmental and health hazards of PAEs are associated with increasing plastic pollution. In this study, PAEs from sludge samples collected from water, sewage, and industrial treatment plants (N = 17) were analyzed using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. Microplastics (MPs) were also quantified and correlated with PAEs. Results showed the highest average PAE concentrations in sewage treatment plants. The greatest ΣPAEs concentration were found in sewage treatment plant (STP4) with 32,414 μg/kg dw, while the lowest found in water treatment plant (WTP3) with 2062 μg/kg dw. Among different PAEs, di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) contributes the highest. Similarly, DEHP, di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) significantly correlated with the total PAEs indicating their large contribution to sludge contamination. The abundance of microplastics in sludge ranged between 1 and 7 MP/g, highest at ITP6, but not detected in some stations. While microplastics may potentially increase PAEs, there was no significant relationship between ΣPAEs and MP abundance. The estimated human daily intake of DEHP and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) when contaminated sludge be used showed low toxicological risks to exposed adults. This research presents the sludge characteristics, PAEs, and microplastic concentrations in different wastewater treatment plants in Taiwan. PAE contamination was highly contributed by domestic and industrial wastes shown by their significant amounts in STP and ITP. Results further provide evidence for potential sludge recycling (WTP sludge) and application to soil.

The Association between Daily Dietary Intake of Riboflavin and Lung Function Impairment Related with Dibutyl Phthalate Exposure and the Possible Mechanism

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the daily dietary intake of riboflavin (DDIR) and impaired lung function associated with dibutyl phthalate (DBP) exposure. Data of 4631 adults in this national cross-sectional survey were included. Urinary mono-benzyl phthalate (MBP) was used to evaluate the level of DBP exposure. The ln-transformed urinary creatinine-corrected MBP (ln(MBP/UCr)) level was used in the statistical models. High DDIR was defined as the DDIR ≥1.8 mg per day. The results of lung function impairment and high monocytes were significantly higher in the highest MBP group compared with the lowest MBP group. A significant interaction between ln(MBP/UCr) and DDIR (P_interaction = 0.029) was detected for the risk of lung function impairment. The risk of lung function impairment (OR_{quartiles4 vs. 1} 1.85, 95% CI, 1.27–2.71; P_trend = 0.018) and high neutrophils (OR_{quartiles4 vs. 1} 1.45, 95% CI, 1.06–1.97; P_trend = 0.018) was significantly higher in the highest vs. the lowest quartile of MBP in participants with low/normal DDIR but not in in participants with high DDIR. The results of this study showed that high DDIR was associated with less lung function impairment related with DBP exposure, and the inhibiting of the neutrophil recruitment might be the potential mechanism.