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Berger K, Bradshaw PT, Poon V, Kharrazi M, Eyles D, Ashwood P, Lyall K, Volk HE, Ames J, Croen LA, Windham GC, Pearl M. Mixture of air pollution, brominated flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and organochlorine pesticides in relation to vitamin D concentrations in pregnancy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122808. [PMID: 37923052 PMCID: PMC10841600 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Over two-thirds of pregnant women in the U.S. have insufficient 25(OH)D (Vitamin D) concentrations, which can adversely impact fetal health. Several pollutants have been associated with 25(OH)D, but have not been considered in the context of chemical co-exposures. We aimed to determine associations between a broad mixture of prenatal environmental chemical exposures and 25(OH)D concentrations in mid-pregnancy. Stored mid-pregnancy serum samples were assayed from 421 women delivering live births in Southern California in 2000-2003. 25(OH)D, six BFRs, eleven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and two organochlorine pesticides were detected in ≥60% of specimens. Gestational exposures to airborne particulate matter ≤ 10 μm (PM10) and ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone concentrations were derived from monitoring station data. Bayesian Hierarchical Modeling (BHM) and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) analyses estimated overall mixture and individual chemical associations accounting for co-exposures and covariates with mean 25(OH)D levels, and BHM was used to estimate associations with insufficient (<75 nMol/L) 25(OH)D levels. Non-mixture associations for each chemical were estimated with linear and logistic models. PM10 [BHM estimate: -0.133 nmol/l 95% Credible Interval (-0.240, -0.026)] was associated with lower 25(OH)D in BHM and BKMR. Higher quantiles of combined exposures were associated with lower 25(OH)D, though with wide credible intervals. In non-mixture models, PM10, PM2.5, NO, and NO2 were associated with lower concentrations, while O3 and PBDE153 were associated with higher 25(OH)D and/or lower insufficiency. While some chemicals were associated with increased and others with decreased 25(OH)D concentrations, the overall mixture was associated with lower concentrations. Mixture analyses differed from non-mixture regressions, highlighting the importance of mixtures approaches for estimating real-world associations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick T Bradshaw
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Darryl Eyles
- Queensland Brain Institute and the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Heather E Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jenn Ames
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Gayle C Windham
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Pearl
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
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2
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Desalegn AA, van der Ent W, Lenters V, Iszatt N, Stigum H, Lyche JL, Berg V, Kirstein-Smardzewska KJ, Esguerra CV, Eggesbø M. Perinatal exposure to potential endocrine disrupting chemicals and autism spectrum disorder: From Norwegian birth cohort to zebrafish studies. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108271. [PMID: 37879205 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108271] [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: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is multifactorial, involving genetic and environmental contributors such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between perinatal exposure to 27 potential EDCs and ASD among Norwegian children, and to further examine the neurodevelopmental toxicity of associated chemicals using zebrafish embryos and larvae. METHOD 1,199 mothers enrolled in the prospective birth-cohort (HUMIS, 2002-2009) study. Breastmilk levels of 27 chemicals were measured: polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and perfluoroalkyl substances as a proxy for perinatal exposure. We employed multivariable logistic regression to determine association, utilized elastic net logistic regression as variable selection method, and conducted an in vivo study with zebrafish larvae to confirm the neurodevelopmental effect. RESULTS A total of 20 children had specialist confirmed diagnosis of autism among 1,199 mother-child pairs in this study. β-Hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) was the only chemical associated with ASD, after adjusting for 26 other chemicals. Mothers with the highest levels of β-HCH in their milk had a significant increased risk of having a child with ASD (OR = 1.82, 95 % CI: 1.20, 2.77 for an interquartile range increase in ln-transformed β-HCH concentration). The median concentration of β-HCH in breast milk was 4.37 ng/g lipid (interquartile range: 2.92-6.47), and the estimated daily intake (EDI) for Norwegian children through breastfeeding was 0.03 µg/kg of body weight. The neurodevelopmental and social behavioral effects of β-HCH were established in zebrafish embryos and larvae across various concentrations, with further analysis suggesting that perturbation of dopaminergic neuron development may underlie the neurotoxicity associated with β-HCH. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to β-HCH was associated with an increased risk of specialist-confirmed diagnoses of ASD among Norwegian children, and the EDI surpasses the established threshold. Zebrafish experiments confirm β-HCH neurotoxicity, suggesting dopaminergic neuron disruption as a potential underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anteneh Assefa Desalegn
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway; Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wietske van der Ent
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Virissa Lenters
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Iszatt
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hein Stigum
- Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Ludvig Lyche
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 369 Sentrum, NO-0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vidar Berg
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 369 Sentrum, NO-0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karolina J Kirstein-Smardzewska
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Camila Vicencio Esguerra
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Merete Eggesbø
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
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Xu K, Li Z, Qiao J, Wang S, Xie P, Zong Z, Hu C. Persistent organic pollutants exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122439. [PMID: 37619697 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating number of epidemiological studies has recently proposed that improvement in the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is associated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) exposure. However, evidence from current researches is limited and inconsistent. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the potential associations comprehensively. We systematically and extensively searched two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) from inception to July 3, 2022 and an updated search was performed before submission. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from stratified random-effects meta-analyses by type of exposure and outcome. We also tested the potential heterogeneity across studies, conducted sensitivity analysis and evaluated publication bias. A total of 20 studies were finally included in our study. Meta-analytical effect estimates indicated a positive association between prenatal exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-170 and an increased risk of ASD, with OR of 1.89 (95% CI = 1.21-2.95, I2 = 0%), 1.61 (95% CI = 1.05-2.47, I2 = 0%) and 1.46 (95% CI = 1.03-2.06, I2 = 0%) respectively. In contrast, PFDA was found inversely associated with the risk of ASD (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.52-0.94, I2 = 0%). The level of evidence supporting a link between ASD risk and exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153, PCB-170, and PFDA was respectively categorized as low, low, moderate, and low. In summary, this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-170 correlates with a heightened risk of ASD, with evidence levels rated as "low", "low", and "moderate", respectively. In contrast, PFDA exposure appears to be inversely associated with ASD risk, with a "low" level of supporting evidence. However, due to the limited number of studies available for each exposure and outcome pairing, these results should be interpreted with caution. Sufficiently powered studies are needed to validate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zhuoyan Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jianchao Qiao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Senzheng Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Pinpeng Xie
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zong
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Chengyang Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China; Department of Humanistic Medicine, School of Humanistic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China.
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Ames JL, Burjak M, Avalos LA, Braun JM, Bulka CM, Croen LA, Dunlop AL, Ferrara A, Fry RC, Hedderson MM, Karagas MR, Liang D, Lin PID, Lyall K, Moore B, Morello-Frosch R, O’Connor TG, Oh J, Padula AM, Woodruff TJ, Zhu Y, Hamra GB. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Childhood Autism-related Outcomes. Epidemiology 2023; 34:450-459. [PMID: 36630444 PMCID: PMC10074577 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiologic evidence linking prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with altered neurodevelopment is inconclusive, and few large studies have focused on autism-related outcomes. We investigated whether blood concentrations of PFAS in pregnancy are associated with child autism-related outcomes. METHODS We included 10 cohorts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program (n = 1,429). We measured 14 PFAS analytes in maternal blood collected during pregnancy; eight analytes met detection criteria for analysis. We assessed quantitative autism-related traits in children via parent report on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). In multivariable linear models, we examined relationships of each PFAS (natural log-transformed) with SRS scores. We further modeled PFAS as a complex mixture using Bayesian methods and examined modification of these relationships by child sex. RESULTS Most PFAS in maternal blood were not associated with child SRS T-scores. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) showed the strongest and most consistent association: each 1-unit increase in ln-transformed PFNA was associated with greater autism-related traits (adjusted β [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.5 [-0.1, 3.0]). The summed mixture, which included six PFAS detected in >70% of participants, was not associated with SRS T-scores (adjusted β [95% highest posterior density interval] = 0.7 [-1.4, 3.0]). We did not observe consistent evidence of sex differences. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal blood concentrations of PFNA may be associated with modest increases in child autism-related traits. Future work should continue to examine the relationship between exposures to both legacy and emerging PFAS and additional dimensional, quantitative measures of childhood autism-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Ames
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | | | - Lyndsay A. Avalos
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Joseph M. Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI USA
| | | | - Lisa A. Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Anne L. Dunlop
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Assiamira Ferrara
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Rebecca C. Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | | | | | - Donghai Liang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Pi-I D. Lin
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse (CoRAL), Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Brianna Moore
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis CA, USA
| | - Amy M. Padula
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Tracey J. Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Yeyi Zhu
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
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5
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Yao H, Fu Y, Weng X, Zeng Z, Tan Y, Wu X, Zeng H, Yang Z, Li Y, Liang H, Wu Y, Wen L, Jing C. The Association between Prenatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Exposure and Neurobehavioral Problems in Offspring: A Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20031668. [PMID: 36767045 PMCID: PMC9914055 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy has been suggested to be associated with neurobehavioral problems in offspring. However, current epidemiological studies on the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and neurobehavioral problems among offspring, especially attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to study the relationship between PFAS exposure during pregnancy and ADHD and ASD in offspring based on meta-analyses. Online databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, were searched comprehensively for eligible studies conducted before July 2021. Eleven studies (up to 8493 participants) were included in this analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that exposure to perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) was positively associated with ADHD in the highest quartile group. Negative associations were observed between perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and ADHD/ASD, including between perfluorononanoate (PFNA) and ASD. There were no associations found between total PFAS concentration groups and neurobehavioral problems. The trial sequential analyses showed unstable results. Our findings indicated that PFOA and PFOS exposure during pregnancy might be associated with ADHD in offspring and that prenatal PFOS and PFNA exposure might be associated with ASD in offspring. According to the limited evidence obtained for most associations, additional studies are required to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huojie Yao
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yingyin Fu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xueqiong Weng
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510440, China
| | - Zurui Zeng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yuxuan Tan
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaomei Wu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Huixian Zeng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhiyu Yang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yexin Li
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Huanzhu Liang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yingying Wu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lin Wen
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chunxia Jing
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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Keil-Stietz K, Lein PJ. Gene×environment interactions in autism spectrum disorders. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:221-284. [PMID: 36707213 PMCID: PMC10496028 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There is credible evidence that environmental factors influence individual risk and/or severity of autism spectrum disorders (hereafter referred to as autism). While it is likely that environmental chemicals contribute to the etiology of autism via multiple mechanisms, identifying specific environmental factors that confer risk for autism and understanding how they contribute to the etiology of autism has been challenging, in part because the influence of environmental chemicals likely varies depending on the genetic substrate of the exposed individual. Current research efforts are focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which environmental chemicals interact with autism genetic susceptibilities to adversely impact neurodevelopment. The goal is to not only generate insights regarding the pathophysiology of autism, but also inform the development of screening platforms to identify specific environmental factors and gene×environment (G×E) interactions that modify autism risk. Data from such studies are needed to support development of intervention strategies for mitigating the burden of this neurodevelopmental condition on individuals, their families and society. In this review, we discuss environmental chemicals identified as putative autism risk factors and proposed mechanisms by which G×E interactions influence autism risk and/or severity using polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Keil-Stietz
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.
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Shin HM, Oh J, J. Schmidt R, N. Pearce E. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Maternal Thyroid Dysfunction, and Child Autism Spectrum Disorder. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2022; 37:819-829. [PMID: 36415960 PMCID: PMC9816503 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2022.1598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with its high economic and societal costs, is a growing public health concern whose prevalence has risen steadily over the last two decades. Although actual increased incidence versus improved diagnosis remains controversial, the increased prevalence of ASD suggests non-inherited factors as likely contributors. There is increasing epidemiologic evidence that abnormal maternal thyroid function during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of child ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is known to disrupt thyroid function and can affect early brain development; thus, thyroid dysfunction is hypothesized to mediate this relationship. The concept of a potential pathway from prenatal PFAS exposure through thyroid dysfunction to ASD etiology is not new; however, the extant literature on this topic is scant. The aim of this review is to evaluate and summarize reports with regard to potential mechanisms in this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
- Corresponding author: Hyeong-Moo Shin. Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA Tel: +1-254-710-7627, Fax: +1-254-710-3409 E-mail:
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca J. Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth N. Pearce
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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8
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Oh J, Shin HM, Kannan K, Busgang SA, Schmidt RJ, Schweitzer JB, Hertz-Picciotto I, Bennett DH. Childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and neurodevelopment in the CHARGE case-control study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114322. [PMID: 36108719 PMCID: PMC9976729 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are shown to have neurotoxic effects on animals, but epidemiological evidence for associations between childhood PFAS exposure and neurodevelopment is inconclusive. We examined if childhood PFAS concentrations are associated with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay (DD), and other early concerns (OEC) in development. METHODS We included 551 children 2-5 years old from the CHildhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) case-control study. Children were clinically diagnosed and classified as having ASD, DD, OEC, and typical development (TD). Fourteen PFAS were quantified in child serum samples collected when diagnostic assessments were performed. We used multinomial logistic regression models to investigate the cross-sectional associations of individual PFAS concentrations with neurodevelopmental outcomes and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models with repeated holdout validation to investigate the associations with PFAS mixtures. RESULTS Childhood perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was associated with increased odds of ASD (odds ratio [OR] per ln ng/mL increase: 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20, 3.29) and DD (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.84) versus TD. Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) was associated with increased odds of ASD (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.13). However, perfluroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) was associated with decreased odds of ASD (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.69). From mixture analyses, the WQS index was associated with increased odds of ASD (average OR: 1.57, 5th and 95th percentile: 1.16, 2.13). Child's sex and homeownership modified associations of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) with DD and ASD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this case-control study, childhood PFOA, PFHpA, and a PFAS mixture was associated with increased odds of ASD, while PFUnDA was associated with decreased odds of ASD. Because we used concurrent measurements of PFAS, our results do not imply causal relationships and thus need to be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 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; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stefanie A Busgang
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Julie B Schweitzer
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC 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 at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA
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9
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Xie Z, Tan J, Fang G, Ji H, Miao M, Tian Y, Hu H, Cao W, Liang H, Yuan W. Associations between prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and neurobehavioral development in early childhood: A prospective cohort study. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113818. [PMID: 35777342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Findings from epidemiological studies on the associations between prenatal perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure and children's neurodevelopment were inconclusive, and most studies did not account for the co-exposure to multiple PFASs with strong inter-correlations. The present study aimed to assess the effects of prenatal multiple PFAS exposure on children's neurobehavioral development based on 614 mother-infant pairs in the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study. Eight PFAS concentrations were measured in maternal plasma at 12-16 weeks of gestation. Children's neurobehavioral development at 2 and 4 years of age was assessed by the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5. In Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) analyses that could address the inter-correlations between multiple PFASs, PFAS mixture appeared to be associated with fewer Somatic Complaints and more Externalizing Problems in boys, but more Somatic Complaints and Sleep Problems in girls. There were suggestive associations of PFNA and PFOS with decreased risk of Somatic Complaints and of PFUdA and PFTrDA with increased risk of Externalizing Problems in boys; trends of increased risk in girls were observed between PFUdA and Somatic Complaints and between PFTrDA and Sleep Problems. Overall, we found no clear evidence that prenatal exposure to PFASs had negative effects on neurobehavioral development in children. However, the modest associations still suggested the potential developmental neurotoxicity of prenatal PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Xie
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jing Tan
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanghong Fang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglei Ji
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Health Management, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Channing Division of Network Medicine, USA
| | - Wencheng Cao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Hong Liang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Wei Yuan
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
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Gao Y, Luo J, Zhang Y, Pan C, Ren Y, Zhang J, Tian Y. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Child Growth Trajectories in the First Two Years. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:37006. [PMID: 35285689 PMCID: PMC8919954 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women are ubiquitously exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Prenatal exposure to PFAS has been associated with lower birth weight but also with excess adiposity and higher weight in childhood. These mixed findings warrant investigation of the relationship between PFAS and dynamic offspring growth. OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and early-life growth trajectories during the first 2 y. METHODS Pregnant women (n=3,426) were recruited from 2013 to 2016 from the Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC) Study, and their children were followed up from birth to 2 y of age. Seven PFAS congeners were quantified in pregnant women's serum during the first trimester. Our study population was restricted to 1,350 children who had five repeated measurements for at least one anthropometric measure. Four anthropometric measures, including weight, length/height, weight-for-length, and head circumference, were evaluated at birth, 42 d, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months, and standardized into z-scores using the World Health Organization reference. Trajectories of each measure were classified into five groups using group-based trajectory modeling. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for trajectory groups according to log2-transformed PFAS concentrations, and the moderate-stable group was selected as the reference group for all measures. RESULTS Higher prenatal exposure to PFAS was associated with elevated odds for the low-rising weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) trajectory, and the high-rising length-for-age z-score (LAZ) trajectory. Meanwhile, PFAS levels were associated with decreased odds for the low-rising and high-rising weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) trajectories. In addition, the associations of PFAS with growth trajectory groups differed by sex, where males had greater odds for the low-rising and low-stable WAZ trajectories and for the high-stable and low-rising WLZ trajectories. In contrast, inverse associations were consistently observed with trajectories of the high-stable, low-stable, and low-rising head-circumference-for-age z-score (HCZ) in relation to most individual PFAS congeners. PFAS mixtures analysis further confirmed the above findings. DISCUSSION Trajectory analysis approach provided insight into the complex associations between PFAS exposure and offspring growth. Future studies are warranted to confirm the present findings with trajectory modeling strategies and understand the clinical significance of these trajectory groups. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9875.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gao
- Ministry of Education – Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajun Luo
- Institute for Population and Precision Health, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengyu Pan
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunjie Ren
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education – Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Tian
- Ministry of Education – Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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11
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Luo J, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Kesmodel US, Xiao J, Vasiliou V, Deziel NC, Zhang Y, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Facial Features at 5 Years of Age: A Study from the Danish National Birth Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:17006. [PMID: 35080464 PMCID: PMC8791068 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread persistent pollutants. Evidence regarding neurodevelopmental effects of PFAS have been mixed. The relation between PFAS exposure and anatomical markers that have been suggested to correlate with fetal brain development have not been studied. OBJECTIVES We investigated the association between prenatal PFAS exposures and three craniofacial features in children measured at 5 years of age. METHODS Measures of palpebral fissure length (PFL), philtrum groove, and upper-lip thickness were generated from standardized digital facial photographs from 656 children in the Danish National Birth Cohort. PFL was classified into two groups (shorter; normal), and the philtrum (grooved; smooth; normal) and upper-lip (thick; thin; normal) measures into three groups each. Six PFAS were measured in maternal plasma (median=8 gestational wk). Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each facial feature using the normal group as the reference according to log2-PFAS concentration (in nanograms per milliliter) or PFAS tertiles, adjusting for potential confounders, including maternal alcohol intake and smoking. Stratified analyses by maternal alcohol intake or child's sex were performed. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to each PFAS was associated with elevated odds for a shorter PFL, with the strongest association observed for perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; per doubling OR=2.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.70). Some nonlinear associations were found for philtrum measures: the second tertile of PFDA and perfluorononanoic acid were associated with grooved philtrum, whereas the second tertile of perfluoroheptane sulfonate with smooth philtrum. The associations between PFAS exposure and a shorter PFL were stronger among mothers who consumed alcohol in the first trimester, some sex-specific associations were noted for philtrum and upper-lip measures. DISCUSSION Prenatal PFAS exposures might influence fetal craniofacial development. A larger study is needed to replicate the potential modifying effects observed for alcohol exposure and to clarify whether associations of craniofacial markers observed reflect specific neurologic deficits. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9478.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Luo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jingyuan Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nicole C. Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yawei Zhang
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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12
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Ninomiya A, Mshaty A, Haijima A, Yajima H, Kokubo M, Khairinisa MA, Ariyani W, Fujiwara Y, Ishii S, Hosoi N, Hirai H, Amano I, Koibuchi N. The neurotoxic effect of lactational PFOS exposure on cerebellar functional development in male mice. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 159:112751. [PMID: 34871666 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies showed a possible association between perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and developmental disabilities. We previously found the specific effects of PFOS exposure on learning and memory, however, its effect on the other developmental disabilities such as motor and social deficits remains unclear. We examined the effect of early lactational PFOS exposure on motor coordination, social activity, and anxiety in male mice. We orally administered a PFOS solution to dams from postnatal day 1-14. At 10 weeks old, we conducted a behavior test battery to evaluate motor performance, social activity, and anxiety, followed by electrophysiology and Western blot analysis. PFOS-exposed mice displayed impaired motor coordination. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from Purkinje cells revealed that the short-term and long-term plasticity at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses are affected by PFOS exposure. Western blot analysis indicated that PFOS exposure increased syntaxin binding protein 1 (Munc18-1) and glutamate metabotropic receptor 1 (mGluR1) protein levels, which may be associated with the change in neurotransmitter release from parallel fibers and the level of long-term depression, respectively. The present study demonstrates that lactational PFOS exposure may have disrupted the pre- and postsynaptic plasticity at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses, causing profound, long-lasting abnormal effects on the cerebellar function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayane Ninomiya
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Abdallah Mshaty
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Asahi Haijima
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan; Laboratory for Environmental Brain Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-1192, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yajima
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Michifumi Kokubo
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Miski Aghnia Khairinisa
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan; Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Raya Bandung Sumedang KM.21, Hegarmanah, Jatinangor, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia
| | - Winda Ariyani
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Yuki Fujiwara
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Sumiyasu Ishii
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Nobutake Hosoi
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neural Repair, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Hirai
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neural Repair, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Izuki Amano
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan.
| | - Noriyuki Koibuchi
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, 371-8511, Japan.
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13
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Skogheim TS, Weyde KVF, Aase H, Engel SM, Surén P, Øie MG, Biele G, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Brantsæter AL, Haug LS, Sabaredzovic A, Auyeung B, Villanger GD. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and associations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111692. [PMID: 34293314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be a risk factor for neurodevelopmental deficits and disorders, but evidence is inconsistent. OBJECTIVES We investigated whether prenatal exposure to PFAS were associated with childhood diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS This study was based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study and included n = 821 ADHD cases, n = 400 ASD cases and n = 980 controls. Diagnostic cases were identified by linkage with the Norwegian Patient Registry. In addition, we used data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. The study included the following PFAS measured in maternal plasma sampled mid-pregnancy: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Relationships between individual PFAS and ADHD or ASD diagnoses were examined using multivariable adjusted logistic regression models. We also tested for possible non-linear exposure-outcome associations. Further, we investigated the PFAS mixture associations with ASD and ADHD diagnoses using a quantile-based g-computation approach. RESULTS Odds of ASD was significantly elevated in PFOA quartile 2 [OR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.45)] compared to quartile 1, and PFOA appeared to have a non-linear, inverted U-shaped dose-response relationship with ASD. PFOA was also associated with increased odds of ADHD, mainly in quartile 2 [OR = 1.54 (95% CI: 1.16, 2.04)] compared to quartile 1, and displayed a non-linear relationship in the restricted cubic spline model. Several PFAS (PFUnDA, PFDA, and PFOS) were inversely associated with odds of ADHD and/or ASD. Some of the associations were modified by child sex and maternal education. The overall PFAS mixture was inversely associated with ASD [OR = 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.90)] as well as the carboxylate mixture [OR = 0.79 (95% CI: 0.68, 0.93)] and the sulfonate mixture [OR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.96)]. CONCLUSION Prenatal exposure to PFOA was associated with increased risk of ASD and ADHD in children. For some PFAS, as well as their mixtures, there were inverse associations with ASD and/or ADHD. However, the inverse associations reported herein should not be interpreted as protective effects, but rather that there could be some unresolved confounding for these relationships. The epidemiologic literature linking PFAS exposures with neurodevelopmental outcomes is still inconclusive, suggesting the need for more research to elucidate the neurotoxicological potential of PFAS during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea S Skogheim
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kjell Vegard F Weyde
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heidi Aase
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephanie M Engel
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Campus Box 7435, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7435, USA
| | - Pål Surén
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Merete G Øie
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, PO Box 1094, Blindern, N-0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guido Biele
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1171, Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line S Haug
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Azemira Sabaredzovic
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bonnie Auyeung
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Psychiatry, Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, UK
| | - Gro D Villanger
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
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14
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Naidu R, Biswas B, Willett IR, Cribb J, Kumar Singh B, Paul Nathanail C, Coulon F, Semple KT, Jones KC, Barclay A, Aitken RJ. Chemical pollution: A growing peril and potential catastrophic risk to humanity. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 156:106616. [PMID: 33989840 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic chemical pollution has the potential to pose one of the largest environmental threats to humanity, but global understanding of the issue remains fragmented. This article presents a comprehensive perspective of the threat of chemical pollution to humanity, emphasising male fertility, cognitive health and food security. There are serious gaps in our understanding of the scale of the threat and the risks posed by the dispersal, mixture and recombination of chemicals in the wider environment. Although some pollution control measures exist they are often not being adopted at the rate needed to avoid chronic and acute effects on human health now and in coming decades. There is an urgent need for enhanced global awareness and scientific scrutiny of the overall scale of risk posed by chemical usage, dispersal and disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, ATC Building, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Bhabananda Biswas
- Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Future Industries Institute, UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Ian R Willett
- School of Agriculture & Food Systems, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Julian Cribb
- Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (as an adjunct), Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia
| | - Brajesh Kumar Singh
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2753, Australia
| | | | - Frederic Coulon
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Kirk T Semple
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin C Jones
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Barclay
- Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Robert John Aitken
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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15
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Chang CJ, Ryan PB, Smarr MM, Kannan K, Panuwet P, Dunlop AL, Corwin EJ, Barr DB. Serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations and predictors of exposure among pregnant African American women in the Atlanta area, Georgia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 198:110445. [PMID: 33186575 PMCID: PMC8107192 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with adverse health outcomes, especially when exposure occurs within sensitive time windows such as the pre- and post-natal periods and early childhood. However, few studies have focused on PFAS exposure distribution and predictors in pregnant women, especially among African American women. We quantified serum concentrations of the four most common PFAS collected in all 453 participants and an additional 10 PFAS in 356 participants who were pregnant African American women enrolled from 2014 to 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia, and investigated the sociodemographic predictors of exposure. Additional home environment and behavior predictors were also examined in 130 participants. Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were detected in >95% of the samples with PFOS having the highest concentrations (geometric mean (GM) 2.03 ng/mL). N-Methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (NMeFOSAA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) were found in 40-50% of the samples, whereas the detection frequencies for the other six PFAS were below 15%. When compared to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants matching sex, race, and age with this study, our results showed similar concentrations of most PFAS, but higher concentrations of PFHxS (GM 0.99 ng/mL in this study; 0.63 and 0.4 ng/mL in NHANES, 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 cycles). A decline in concentrations over the study period was found for most PFAS but not PFPeA. In adjusted models, education, sampling year, parity, BMI, tobacco and marijuana use, age of house, drinking water source, and cosmetic use were significantly associated with serum PFAS concentrations. Our study reports the first PFAS exposure data among pregnant African American women in the Atlanta area, Georgia. The identified predictors will facilitate the setting of research priorities and enable development of exposure mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che-Jung Chang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - P Barry Ryan
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Melissa M Smarr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Parinya Panuwet
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anne L Dunlop
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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16
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Vecchione R, Vigna C, Whitman C, Kauffman EM, Braun JM, Chen A, Xu Y, Hamra GB, Lanphear BP, Yolton K, Croen LA, Fallin MD, Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Newschaffer CJ, Lyall K. The Association Between Maternal Prenatal Fish Intake and Child Autism-Related Traits in the EARLI and HOME Studies. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:487-500. [PMID: 32519188 PMCID: PMC7725860 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04546-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We examined the association between prenatal fish intake and child autism-related traits according to Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and cognitive development scores in two US prospective pregnancy cohorts. In adjusted linear regression analyses, higher maternal fish intake in the second half of pregnancy was associated with increased child autism traits (higher raw SRS scores; ß = 5.60, 95%CI 1.76, 12.97). Differences by fish type were suggested; shellfish and large fish species were associated with increases, and salmon with decreases, in child SRS scores. Clear patterns with cognitive scores in the two cohorts were not observed. Future work should further evaluate potential critical windows of prenatal fish intake, and the role of different fish types in association with child autism-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Vecchione
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chelsea Vigna
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Casey Whitman
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Kauffman
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-3734, USA
| | - Joseph M Braun
- School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yingying Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ghassan B Hamra
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children's Hospital, British Columbia, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Craig J Newschaffer
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-3734, USA.,College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. .,AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-3734, USA.
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Lyall K, Ames JL, Pearl M, Traglia M, Weiss LA, Windham GC, Kharrazi M, Yoshida CK, Yolken R, Volk HE, Ashwood P, Van de Water J, Croen LA. A profile and review of findings from the Early Markers for Autism study: unique contributions from a population-based case-control study in California. Mol Autism 2021; 12:24. [PMID: 33736683 PMCID: PMC7977191 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00429-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Early Markers for Autism (EMA) study is a population-based case-control study designed to learn more about early biologic processes involved in ASD. METHODS Participants were drawn from Southern California births from 2000 to 2003 with archived prenatal and neonatal screening specimens. Across two phases, children with ASD (n = 629) and intellectual disability without ASD (ID, n = 230) were ascertained from the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), with diagnoses confirmed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria based on expert clinical review of abstracted records. General population controls (GP, n = 599) were randomly sampled from birth certificate files and matched to ASD cases by sex, birth month and year after excluding individuals with DDS records. EMA has published over 20 papers examining immune markers, endogenous hormones, environmental chemicals, and genetic factors in association with ASD and ID. This review summarizes the results across these studies, as well as the EMA study design and future directions. RESULTS EMA enabled several key contributions to the literature, including the examination of biomarker levels in biospecimens prospectively collected during critical windows of neurodevelopment. Key findings from EMA include demonstration of elevated cytokine and chemokine levels in maternal mid-pregnancy serum samples in association with ASD, as well as aberrations in other immune marker levels; suggestions of increased odds of ASD with prenatal exposure to certain endocrine disrupting chemicals, though not in mixture analyses; and demonstration of maternal and fetal genetic influence on prenatal chemical, and maternal and neonatal immune marker and vitamin D levels. We also observed an overall lack of association with ASD and measured maternal and neonatal vitamin D, mercury, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. LIMITATIONS Covariate and outcome data were limited to information in Vital Statistics and DDS records. As a study based in Southern California, generalizability for certain environmental exposures may be reduced. CONCLUSIONS Results across EMA studies support the importance of the prenatal and neonatal periods in ASD etiology, and provide evidence for the role of the maternal immune response during pregnancy. Future directions for EMA, and the field of ASD in general, include interrogation of mechanistic pathways and examination of combined effects of exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Suite 560, 3020 Market St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Jennifer L Ames
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Pearl
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Michela Traglia
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren A Weiss
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gayle C Windham
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Martin Kharrazi
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Cathleen K Yoshida
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Robert Yolken
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heather E Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Paul Ashwood
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
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18
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Oh J, Bennett DH, Calafat AM, Tancredi D, Roa DL, Schmidt RJ, Hertz-Picciotto I, Shin HM. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in association with autism spectrum disorder in the MARBLES study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 147:106328. [PMID: 33387879 PMCID: PMC7856021 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has shown potential to adversely affect child brain development, but epidemiologic evidence remains inconsistent. We examined whether prenatal exposure to PFAS was associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS Participants were 173 mother-child pairs from MARBLES (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies - Learning Early Signs), a high-risk ASD cohort. At 3 years old, children were clinically confirmed for ASD and classified into ASD (n = 57) and typical development (TD, n = 116). We quantified nine PFAS in maternal serum collected during pregnancy. We examined associations of ASD with individual PFAS as well as the combined effect of PFAS on ASD using scores of the first principal component (PC-1) accounting for the largest variance. RESULTS Prenatal perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) showed positive associations (per 2 nanogram per milliliter increase: relative risk (RR) = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.90, 1.61 [PFOA]; RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.69 [PFNA]), while perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) showed a negative association (RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.77, 1.01) with ASD risk. When examining associations of ASD with untransformed PFAS concentrations, PFOA, PFNA, and PC-1 were associated with increased ASD risk (per nanogram per milliliter increase: RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.65; RR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.85; RR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.25, respectively), while the RR of PFHxS moved toward the null. CONCLUSIONS From this high-risk ASD cohort, we observed increased risk of ASD in children exposed to PFOA and PFNA. Further studies should be conducted in the general population because this population may have a larger fraction of cases resulting from genetic sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Oh
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Daniel Tancredi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Dorcas L Roa
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, 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, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, TX, USA.
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19
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Luo J, Xiao J, Gao Y, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Toft G, Li J, Obel C, Andersen SL, Deziel NC, Tseng WL, Inoue K, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and behavioral difficulties in childhood at 7 and 11 years. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110111. [PMID: 32846178 PMCID: PMC7657987 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are suggested to interfere with thyroid hormone during pregnancy and influence fetal neurodevelopment. Epidemiological evidence regarding behavioral difficulties in childhood associated with prenatal PFAS exposure has been inconclusive. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and behavioral difficulties at 7 and 11 years, and investigated the potential mediating role of maternal thyroid hormones. METHODS Using pooled samples in the Danish National Birth Cohort established between 1996 and 2002, we estimated the associations between concentrations of six types of PFAS in maternal plasma (median, 8 gestational weeks) and child behavioral assessments from the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), reported by parents at 7 years (n = 2421), and by parents (n = 2070) and children at 11 years (n = 2071). Behavioral difficulties were defined as having a composite SDQ score above the 90th percentile for total difficulties and externalizing or internalizing behaviors. We used logistic regression to estimate the adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) by doubling increase of prenatal PFAS (ng/ml). The possible mediating effect of maternal thyroid function classified based on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) levels were evaluated. RESULTS Prenatal perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was consistently associated with total and externalizing behavioral difficulties in all three SDQ measures reported by parents (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.14-1.73 for age 7; OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05-1.53 for age 11) or children (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.11-1.58) while no consistent associations were observed for other types of PFAS. A small magnitude of natural indirect effects via maternal thyroid dysfunction (ORs ranged from 1.01 to 1.03) of several PFAS were observed for parent-reported total and externalizing behaviors at 7 years only. DISCUSSION Prenatal PFNA exposure was associated with externalizing behavioral difficulties in childhood in repeated SDQ measures at 7 and 11 years. The slight mediating effects of maternal thyroid hormones in early gestation warrant further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Luo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Jingyuan Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | | | - Gunnar Toft
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jiong Li
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Carsten Obel
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Stine Linding Andersen
- Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Wan-Ling Tseng
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Kosuke Inoue
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
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Steenland K, Fletcher T, Stein CR, Bartell SM, Darrow L, Lopez-Espinosa MJ, Barry Ryan P, Savitz DA. Review: Evolution of evidence on PFOA and health following the assessments of the C8 Science Panel. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 145:106125. [PMID: 32950793 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The C8 Science Panel was composed of three epidemiologists charged with studying the possible health effects of PFOA in a highly exposed population in the mid-Ohio Valley. The Panel determined in 2012 there was a 'probable link' (i.e., more probable than not based on the weight of the available scientific evidence) between PFOA and high cholesterol, thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and ulcerative colitis. OBJECTIVE Here, former C8 Science Panel members and collaborators comment on the PFOA literature regarding thyroid disorders, cancer, immune and auto-immune disorders, liver disease, hypercholesterolemia, reproductive outcomes, neurotoxicity, and kidney disease. We also discuss developments regarding fate and transport, and pharmacokinetic models, and discuss causality assessment in cross-sectional associations among low-exposed populations. DISCUSSION For cancer, the epidemiologic evidence remains supportive but not definitive for kidney and testicular cancers. There is consistent evidence of a positive association between PFOA and cholesterol, but no evidence of an association with heart disease. There is evidence for an association with ulcerative colitis, but not for other auto-immune diseases. There is good evidence that PFOA is associated with immune response, but uneven evidence for an association with infectious disease. The evidence for an association between PFOA and thyroid and kidney disease is suggestive but uneven. There is evidence of an association with liver enzymes, but not with liver disease. There is little evidence of an association with neurotoxicity. Suggested reductions in birthweight may be due to reverse causality and/or confounding. Fate and transport models and pharmacokinetic models remain central to estimating past exposure for new cohorts, but are difficult to develop without good historical data on emissions of PFOA into the environment. CONCLUSION Overall, the epidemiologic evidence remains limited. For a few outcomes there has been some replication of our earlier findings. More longitudinal research is needed in large populations with large exposure contrasts. Additional cross-sectional studies of low exposed populations may be less informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Steenland
- 1518 Clifton Rd, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory U., Atlanta, GA 30324, United States.
| | - Tony Fletcher
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cheryl R Stein
- Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, NY, NY, United States
| | - Scott M Bartell
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, Irvine, Cal, United States
| | | | - Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO, Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - P Barry Ryan
- 1518 Clifton Rd, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory U., Atlanta, GA 30324, United States
| | - David A Savitz
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
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Schantz SL, Eskenazi B, Buckley JP, Braun JM, Sprowles JN, Bennett DH, Cordero J, Frazier JA, Lewis J, Hertz-Picciotto I, Lyall K, Nozadi SS, Sagiv S, Stroustrup A, Volk HE, Watkins DJ. A framework for assessing the impact of chemical exposures on neurodevelopment in ECHO: Opportunities and challenges. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 188:109709. [PMID: 32526495 PMCID: PMC7483364 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program is a research initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health that capitalizes on existing cohort studies to investigate the impact of early life environmental factors on child health and development from infancy through adolescence. In the initial stage of the program, extant data from 70 existing cohort studies are being uploaded to a database that will be publicly available to researchers. This new database will represent an unprecedented opportunity for researchers to combine data across existing cohorts to address associations between prenatal chemical exposures and child neurodevelopment. Data elements collected by ECHO cohorts were determined via a series of surveys administered by the ECHO Data Analysis Center. The most common chemical classes quantified in multiple cohorts include organophosphate pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, environmental phenols (including bisphenol A), phthalates, and metals. For each of these chemicals, at least four ECHO cohorts also collected behavioral data during infancy/early childhood using the Child Behavior Checklist. For these chemicals and this neurodevelopmental assessment (as an example), existing data from multiple ECHO cohorts could be pooled to address research questions requiring larger sample sizes than previously available. In addition to summarizing the data that will be available, the article also describes some of the challenges inherent in combining existing data across cohorts, as well as the gaps that could be filled by the additional data collection in the ECHO Program going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Schantz
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Jessie P Buckley
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Jenna N Sprowles
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Jose Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Jean A Frazier
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Johnnye Lewis
- Community Environmental Health Program and Center for Native Environmental Health Equity Research, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | | | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Sara S Nozadi
- Community Environmental Health Program and Center for Native Environmental Health Equity Research, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | - Sharon Sagiv
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - AnneMarie Stroustrup
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Heather E Volk
- Departments of Mental Health and Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Shin HM, Bennett DH, Calafat AM, Tancredi D, Hertz-Picciotto I. Modeled prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in association with child autism spectrum disorder: A case-control study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 186:109514. [PMID: 32353786 PMCID: PMC7363534 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) display neurobehavioral toxicity in laboratory animal studies. We examined associations of modeled prenatal maternal exposure to PFAS with child diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS Participants were 453 mother-child pairs from CHARGE (CHildhood Autism Risk from Genetics and Environment), a population-based case-control study. Children underwent psychometric testing and were clinically confirmed for ASD (n = 239) or typical development (TD, n = 214). At the end of the clinic visit, maternal blood specimens were collected. We quantified nine PFAS in maternal serum samples collected when their child was 2-5 years old. As surrogate in utero exposure, we used a model built from external prospective data in pregnancy and 24 months post-partum and then reconstructed maternal PFAS serum concentrations during pregnancy in this case-control sample. We used logistic regression to evaluate associations of modeled prenatal maternal PFAS concentrations with child ASD. RESULTS Modeled prenatal maternal perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were borderline associated with increased odds of child diagnosis of ASD (per nanogram per milliliter increase: odds ratio [OR] = 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98, 2.18 for PFHxS, OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.08 for PFOS). When compared to the lowest quartile (reference category), the highest quartile of modeled prenatal maternal PFHxS was associated with increased odds of child diagnosis of ASD (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.72). CONCLUSIONS In analyses where modeled prenatal maternal PFAS serum concentrations served as in utero exposure, we observed that prenatal PFHxS and PFOS exposure, but not other PFAS, were borderline associated with increased odds of child diagnosis of ASD. Further studies in which PFAS concentrations are prospectively measured in mothers and children at a range of developmental stages are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, TX, USA.
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Daniel Tancredi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
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23
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Gaballah S, Swank A, Sobus JR, Howey XM, Schmid J, Catron T, McCord J, Hines E, Strynar M, Tal T. Evaluation of Developmental Toxicity, Developmental Neurotoxicity, and Tissue Dose in Zebrafish Exposed to GenX and Other PFAS. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:47005. [PMID: 32271623 PMCID: PMC7228129 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of industrial chemicals with widespread environmental occurrence. Exposure to long-chain PFAS is associated with developmental toxicity, prompting their replacement with short-chain and fluoroether compounds. There is growing public concern over the safety of replacement PFAS. OBJECTIVE We aimed to group PFAS based on shared toxicity phenotypes. METHODS Zebrafish were developmentally exposed to 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoate (ADONA), perfluoro-2-propoxypropanoic acid (GenX Free Acid), perfluoro-3,6-dioxa-4-methyl-7-octene-1-sulfonic acid (PFESA1), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoro-n-octanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), or 0.4% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) daily from 0-5 d post fertilization (dpf). At 6 dpf, developmental toxicity and developmental neurotoxicity assays were performed, and targeted analytical chemistry was used to measure media and tissue doses. To test whether aliphatic sulfonic acid PFAS cause the same toxicity phenotypes, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS; 4-carbon), perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS; 5-carbon), PFHxS (6-carbon), perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS; 7-carbon), and PFOS (8-carbon) were evaluated. RESULTS PFHxS or PFOS exposure caused failed swim bladder inflation, abnormal ventroflexion of the tail, and hyperactivity at nonteratogenic concentrations. Exposure to PFHxA resulted in a unique hyperactivity signature. ADONA, PFESA1, or PFOA exposure resulted in detectable levels of parent compound in larval tissue but yielded negative toxicity results. GenX was unstable in DMSO, but stable and negative for toxicity when diluted in deionized water. Exposure to PFPeS, PFHxS, PFHpS, or PFOS resulted in a shared toxicity phenotype characterized by body axis and swim bladder defects and hyperactivity. CONCLUSIONS All emerging fluoroether PFAS tested were negative for evaluated outcomes. Two unique toxicity signatures were identified arising from structurally dissimilar PFAS. Among sulfonic acid aliphatic PFAS, chemical potencies were correlated with increasing carbon chain length for developmental neurotoxicity, but not developmental toxicity. This study identified relationships between chemical structures and in vivo phenotypes that may arise from shared mechanisms of PFAS toxicity. These data suggest that developmental neurotoxicity is an important end point to consider for this class of widely occurring environmental chemicals. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5843.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaza Gaballah
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Integrated Systems Toxicology Division (ISTD), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Office of Research and Development (ORD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Adam Swank
- Research Cores Unit, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jon R. Sobus
- Exposure Methods and Measurement Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xia Meng Howey
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Integrated Systems Toxicology Division (ISTD), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Office of Research and Development (ORD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Judith Schmid
- Toxicology Assessment Division, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tara Catron
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Integrated Systems Toxicology Division (ISTD), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Office of Research and Development (ORD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - James McCord
- Exposure Methods and Measurement Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erin Hines
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mark Strynar
- Exposure Methods and Measurement Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tamara Tal
- ISTD, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Coperchini F, Croce L, Ricci G, Magri F, Rotondi M, Imbriani M, Chiovato L. Thyroid Disrupting Effects of Old and New Generation PFAS. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:612320. [PMID: 33542707 PMCID: PMC7851056 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.612320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a group of synthetic compounds widely used in industry plants due to their low grade of degradation, surfactant properties, thermic and flame resistance. These characteristics are useful for the industrial production, however they are also potentially dangerous for human health and for the environment. PFAS are persistent pollutants accumulating in waters and soil and recoverable in foods due to their release by food packaging. Humans are daily exposed to PFAS because these compounds are ubiquitous and, when assimilated, they are difficult to be eliminated, persisting for years both in humans and animals. Due to their persistence and potential danger to health, some old generation PFAS have been replaced by newly synthesized PFAS with the aim to use alternative compounds presumably safer for humans and the environment. Yet, the environmental pollution with PFAS remains a matter of concern worldwide and led to large-scale epidemiological studies both on plants' workers and on exposed people in the general population. In this context, strong concern emerged concerning the potential adverse effects of PFAS on the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones play a critical role in the regulation of metabolism, and thyroid function is related to cardiovascular disease, fertility, and fetal neurodevelopment. In vitro, ex vivo data, and epidemiological studies suggested that PFASs may disrupt the thyroid hormone system in humans, with possible negative repercussions on the outcome of pregnancy and fetal-child development. However, data on the thyroid disrupting effect of PFAS remain controversial, as well as their impact on human health in different ages of life. Aim of the present paper is to review recent data on the effects of old and new generation PFAS on thyroid homeostasis. To this purpose we collected information from in vitro studies, animal models, and in vivo data on exposed workers, general population, and pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Coperchini
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Croce
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ricci
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Magri
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marcello Imbriani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Chiovato
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Luca Chiovato,
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Prenatal Exposure to Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals in Relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. Epidemiology 2019; 30:418-426. [PMID: 30789431 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000000983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to endocrine disruptors is unavoidable. Many such compounds are suspected to impact neurologic development of children, but most studies conducted have considered effects of individual chemicals in isolation. Because exposures co-occur, it is important to consider their health impacts in a single regression framework. METHODS We applied Bayesian statistical tools (including shared mean and mixture priors for 25 unique chemicals) to study independent associations of endocrine disruptor biomarkers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (n = 491) and intellectual disability (n = 155), compared with 373 general population controls, in the Early Markers for Autism study. We measured biomarkers in maternal serum collected and stored from midpregnancy and considered them individually or as a class (i.e., summed polychlorinated biphenyls). We adjusted all models for original matching factors (child sex and month and year of birth), maternal age, maternal race/ethnicity, parity, and maternal education at the time samples were collected. We estimated the change in the odds of ASD or intellectual disability per 1 SD increase in the z-score of measured biomarker concentration for each chemical. RESULTS Odds of ASD and intellectual disability did not change with increasing concentration for any specific endocrine disruptor. The effect estimates for each chemical were centered on or near an odds ratio of 1.00 in both models where we applied a shared mean or a mixture prior. CONCLUSION Our mixtures analyses do not suggest an independent relationship with ASD or intellectual disability with any of the 25 chemicals examined together in this mixtures analysis.
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Role of astrocytes-derived d-serine in PFOS-induced neurotoxicity through NMDARs in the rat primary hippocampal neurons. Toxicology 2019; 422:14-24. [PMID: 31004706 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is one of the perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and has been used in industrial and consumer products. It has already been shown that PFOS could be detected in the environmental media and biological species including humans, due to its resistance to environmental degradation. PFOS is known to induce a series of adverse impacts on human health, e.g., as a potential neurotoxic substance. Recent studies suggest that astrocytes act as the mediator in PFOS-induced neurotoxicity; however, the underlying molecular mechanism needs further investigation. Under the physiological condition, astrocytes play an important role in maintaining brain functions through releasing and up-taking of neurotransmitters between astrocytes and neurons. In the present study, astrocytes-derived d-serine was shown to be involved in PFOS-induced apoptosis and death in the rat primary hippocampal neurons. Significant alterations in d-serine were found in astrocytes, mediated by the molecules in d-serine synthesis (serine racemase), metabolism (d-amino acid oxidase) and delivery (calcium, vacuolar type H+-ATPase, alanine-serine-cysteine transporter and connexin 43 hemichannels). Meanwhile, the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits (NR1, NR2 A and NR2B) gene and protein expressions were significantly increased in the hippocampal neurons exposed to the PFOS-activated astrocytes-conditional medium (ACM). Further, the adverse effects of PFOS could be attenuated by the fluorocitrate (an inhibitor for d-serine up-taken by the glial cells) application. Our data indicated that astrocytes-derived d-serine was involved in PFOS-induced neurotoxicity through the NMDARs in the rat primary hippocampal neurons.
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