Urinary Paraben Concentration and Its Association with Serum Triglyceride Concentration in 2013-2014 NHANES Participants: A Cross-Sectional Study

Association of exposure to nonpersistent endocrine disruptors with sex hormones and metabolic health in US females

Endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs) are considered as the potential attributes for the increasing trend in obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS) through disruption of sex hormones, particularly in women. We evaluated the association of understudied EDC compounds with total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), obesity, and MS. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey datasets collected during the years 2013-2016. Women of age ≥15 years with urinary measurements of nonpersistent EDCs, including bisphenol, triclosan, triclocarban, dichlorophenol, and paraben compounds were included in this study. Data were analyzed using the modified Poisson models to estimate the adjusted relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The associations were also validated by considering TT and SHBG concentrations as the outcomes. The study included 1974 women with 11% high TT, 10.5% low SHBG, 40% obesity, and 46.2% MS. A medium to high exposure to bisphenol-A (RR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.35, p = 0.009), bisphenol-F (RR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.35, 2.49, p < 0.001), bisphenol-S (RR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.35, 2.49, p = 0.041) and 2, 4- dichlorophenol (RR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.45, p = 0.026) were associated with low SHBG but not with high TT. In addition, high exposure to triclosan was also inversely associated with SHBG concentrations (regression coefficient = -0.09; 95% CI: -0.15, -0.02, p = 0.013). However, these EDCs were found to be associated with SHBG, obesity, and MS according to menopausal status. High exposure to certain nonpersistent EDCs was associated with low SHBG, obesity, and MS according to menopausal status.

Cardiovascular disrupting effects of bisphenols, phthalates, and parabens related to endothelial dysfunction: Review of toxicological and pharmacological mechanisms

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. CVDs are promoted by the accumulation of lipids and immune cells in the endothelial space resulting in endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial cells are important components of the vascular endothelium, that regulate the vascular flow. The imbalance in the production of vasoactive substances results in the loss of vascular homeostasis, leading the endothelial dysfunction. Thus, endothelial dysfunction plays an essential role in the development of atherosclerosis and can be triggered by different cardiovascular risk factors. On the other hand, the 17β-estradiol (E2) hormone has been related to the regulation of vascular tone through different mechanisms. Several compounds can elicit estrogenic actions similar to those of E2. For these reasons, they have been called endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). This review aims to provide up-to-date information about how different EDCs affect endothelial function and their mechanistic roles in the context of CVDs.

Parabens Promote Protumorigenic Effects in Luminal Breast Cancer Cell Lines With Diverse Genetic Ancestry

Context

One in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Yet, the burden of disease is greater in Black women. Black women have a 40% higher mortality rate than White women, and a higher incidence of breast cancer at age 40 and younger. While the underlying cause of this disparity is multifactorial, exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in hair and other personal care products has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Parabens are known EDCs that are commonly used as preservatives in hair and other personal care products, and Black women are disproportionately exposed to products containing parabens.

Objective

Studies have shown that parabens impact breast cancer cell proliferation, death, migration/invasion, and metabolism, as well as gene expression in vitro. However, these studies were conducted using cell lines of European ancestry; to date, no studies have utilized breast cancer cell lines of West African ancestry to examine the effects of parabens on breast cancer progression. Like breast cancer cell lines with European ancestry, we hypothesize that parabens promote protumorigenic effects in breast cancer cell lines of West African ancestry.

Methods

Luminal breast cancer cell lines with West African ancestry (HCC1500) and European ancestry (MCF-7) were treated with biologically relevant doses of methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.

Results

Following treatment, estrogen receptor target gene expression and cell viability were examined. We observed altered estrogen receptor target gene expression and cell viability that was paraben and cell line specific.

Conclusion

This study provides greater insight into the tumorigenic role of parabens in the progression of breast cancer in Black women.

Association between parabens concentrations in human amniotic fluid and the offspring birth size: A Sub-study of the PERSIAN birth cohort

OBJECTIVE

Parabens are extensively used, and cause widespread exposure of the general population including pregnant women and developing fetuses to these pollutants. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the maternal exposure of parabens to study their transfer passed through the placental barrier to amniotic fluid; the second objective was to determine the association of paraben concentration in the amniotic fluid with the offspring birth size.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2019 to March 2021 in Isfahan, Iran. Samples of amniotic fluid were collected as set from 128 pregnant women at Cesarean section. The amniotic fluid concentrations of four parabens including methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), propylparaben (PP), and butylparaben (BP) were determined using gas chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (GC-Mass).

RESULTS

The pointed parabens were extracted from yielded clear supernatant using a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) method. Four paraben derivatives including MP (normal: 0.68 ± 0.7; overweight: 1.40 ± 1.76; obese: 0.30 ± 0.26; p-value: 0.275), EP (normal: 0.14 ± 0.09; overweight: 0.72 ± 0.72; obese: 0.38 ± 0.05; p-value: 0.434), PP (normal: 0.05 ± 0.05; overweight: 0.06 ± 0.06; obese: 0.20 ± 0.17; p-value: 0.770), and BP (normal: 2.89 ± 1.80; overweight: 3.89 ± 6.48; obese: 5.80 ± 7.56; p-value: 0.341) were simultaneously detected in samples of maternal amniotic fluid using GC-MS. In 92.2% (n = 118) of pregnant women, the paraben derivatives (MP, EP, PP, BP) were detected. We found that considerable levels of MP, EP, PP, and BP existed in 22.6% (n = 29), 21.9% (n = 28), 29.7% (n = 38), and 85.2% (n = 109) of samples, respectively. In addition, the correlation between paraben concentrations in amniotic fluid and birth size was investigated. The results showed that an inverse significant association between MP and head circumference, chest, hip, and arm circumference. While a positive correlation between MP and height of newborn was observed. Similar correlations were observed for EP and weight, height, head circumference, chest, hip, and arm.

CONCLUSION

The current study indicated that parabens have been detected in amniotic fluid samples and a strong/possible correlation between exposure of pregnant women to parabens and the birth size of newborns.

Measurement of Urinary Triclocarban and 2,4-Dichlorophenol Concentration and Their Relationship with Obesity and Predictors of Cardiovascular Diseases among Children and Adolescents in Kerman, Iran

Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) at an early age can lead to chronic diseases. 2,4-Dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and Triclocarban (TCC) are among EDCs that disrupt the endocrine system and alter the body's metabolism. In the present study, the hypothesis that exposure to 2,4-DCP and TCC affects obesity and predictors of cardiovascular diseases was investigated. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL (tests were performed on 79 children and adolescents. Also, blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), and BMI z-score were measured to examine the hypothesis. Urinary concentrations of TCC and 2,4-DCP were measured by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Mean concentrations of TCC and 2,4-DCP (µg/L) were higher in obese individuals (5.50 ± 2.35, 0.29 ± 0.13, respectively). After adjusting for possible confounding factors, the results showed an increase in TCC concentration among girls and a decrease in 2,4-DCP among boys with increasing age. The 2,4-DCP concentration among girls increased by 0.007 and 0.01 units with a one-unit increase in Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) and FBS, respectively. There was a significant relationship between TCC and TG (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.02, $p$ -value = 0.007), LDL (OR = 1.05, $p$ -value = 0.003), and HDL (OR = 0.88, $p$ -value = 0.002). There was also a significant relationship between 2,4-DCP and TG (OR = 1.02, $p$ -value = 0.002), LDL (OR = 1.12, $p$ -value = 0.007), and HDL (OR = 0.92, $p$ -value = 0.02). Exposure to TCC and 2,4-DCP can increase some heart risk factors and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and obesity. However, to confirm the results of the present study, it is necessary to conduct further studies, such as cohort and case-control studies, with a larger sample size to examine the causal relationships.

Assessing the Public Health Implications of the Food Preservative Propylparaben: Has This Chemical Been Safely Used for Decades

PURPOSE

Parabens are chemicals containing alkyl-esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, which give them antimicrobial, antifungal, and preservative properties. Propylparaben (PP) is one paraben that has been widely used in personal care products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food. In this review, we address the ongoing controversy over the safety of parabens, and PP specifically. These chemicals have received significant public attention after studies published almost 20 years ago suggested plausible associations between PP exposures and breast cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Here, we use key characteristics, a systematic approach to evaluate the endocrine disrupting properties of PP based on features of "known" endocrine disruptors, and consider whether its classification as a "weak" estrogen should alleviate public health concerns over human exposures. We also review the available evidence from rodent and human studies to illustrate how the large data gaps that exist in hazard assessments raise concerns about current evaluations by regulatory agencies that PP use is safe. Finally, we address the circular logic that is used to suggest that because PP has been used for several decades, it must be safe. We conclude that inadequate evidence has been provided for the safe use of PP in food, cosmetics, and consumer products.