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Li Z, Zhang J, Miao W, Qi X, Dai Y, Wang Z, Guo J, Chang X, Wu C, Zhou Z. Associations of cord serum polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) mixture with birth outcomes and mediating role of thyroid function: Evidence from the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118605. [PMID: 38458587 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a series of worldwide applied flame retardants, may influence fetal growth and interfere with thyroid function. The study intended to explore the relationship between in-utero exposure to PBDE mixture and newborn anthropometric indexes and to further examine the potential mediating role of thyroid function. METHODS Demographics and laboratory measures of 924 mother-infant pairs were obtained from the database of the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study. We applied gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay to measure nine PBDE congeners and seven thyroid function parameters in umbilical cord serum samples, respectively. We fitted generalized linear models and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to evaluate associations of lipid-adjusted cord serum PBDEs, as individuals and as a mixture, with newborn anthropometric and cord serum thyroid function parameters. We applied causal mediation analysis to test our hypothesis that thyroid function parameters act as a mediator between PBDEs and birth outcomes. RESULTS The molarity of cord serum ∑9PBDE had a median value of 31.23 nmol/g lipid (IQR 19.14 nmol/g lipid, 54.77 nmol/g lipid). BDE-209 was the most dominant congener. Birth length was positively associated with both single exposure to BDE-28 and cumulative exposure to PBDEs. Correspondingly, ponderal index (PI) was negatively associated with BDE-28 and the total effects of PBDE mixture. Free triiodothyronine had a negative trend with BDE-209 and PBDE mixture. In the sex-stratified analysis, BDE-153 concentrations were positively correlated with PI among males (β = 0.03; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.05; P = 0.01) but not among females. Cord serum thyrotropin mediated 14.92% of the estimated effect of BDE-153 on PI. CONCLUSIONS In-utero mixture exposure to PBDEs was associated with birth outcomes and thyroid function. Thyroid function might act as a mediator in the process in which PBDEs impact the growth of the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Li
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wenbin Miao
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaojuan Qi
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China; Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No.3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Yiming Dai
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jianqiu Guo
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiuli Chang
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chunhua Wu
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhijun Zhou
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Hartmann C, Kaiser AM, Moche W, Weiss S, Raffesberg W, Scharf S, Graf-Rohrmeister K, Thanhaeuser M, Haiden N, Uhl M. Persistent Organic Pollutants in Austrian Human Breast Milk Collected between 2013 and 2016. J Xenobiot 2024; 14:247-266. [PMID: 38390995 PMCID: PMC10885091 DOI: 10.3390/jox14010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast milk holds an immense nutritional value as it contains health-promoting substances in a unique, optimal form. Additionally, breast milk's significance extends to health and environmental protection, as it serves as an indicator of both maternal and infant exposure. In this study, breast milk samples collected in 2013 and in 2014-2016 from mothers in Vienna (Austria) were analysed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as well as further substances which have been listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) due to their persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties. The total concentration of the PBDE congeners in the samples (n = 18, sampled 2013) ranged from 0.055 to 52 ng/g lipid, and from 0.002 to 2.5 ng/g breast milk. In the pooled sample, the sum of PBDEs was detected at a level of 4.4 ng/g lipid. Based on the 2014-2016 study population, certain PFAS were detected in all samples (n = 40). Exposure to the sum of four specific PFAS including perfluorooctanesulphonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonate (PFHxS) ranged between 0.014 and 0.12 ng/L breast milk. In the pooled sample, PFOS and PFOA were found in concentrations of 0.025 ng/g and of 0.045 ng/g, respectively. In addition, the first generation of POPs, mainly organochlorine compounds, was measured in a pooled sample of breast milk from participants sampled in 2014-2016 as part of the WHO/UNEP breast milk monitoring program and compared to the POPs measured in pooled samples collected in 1987/1988 and 1992/1993, respectively. Therefore, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention on POPs by comparing the Austrian results from the WHO/UNEP global breast milk study from 1987 to 2016. However, the data also show that, despite these reductions, health-relevant levels are still being reached, particularly in terms of children's health when the presence of the new generation of POPs, such as PBDEs and PFAS, in human breast milk is taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wolfgang Moche
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Weiss
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Sigrid Scharf
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Margarita Thanhaeuser
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadja Haiden
- Department of Neonatology, Kepler University Hospital, Krankenhausstraße 26-30, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, (Ron) Hoogenboom L, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Schwerdtle T, Wallace H, Benford D, Fürst P, Hart A, Rose M, Schroeder H, Vrijheid M, Ioannidou S, Nikolič M, Bordajandi LR, Vleminckx C. Update of the risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8497. [PMID: 38269035 PMCID: PMC10807361 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food, focusing on 10 congeners: BDE-28, -47, -49, -99, -100, -138, -153, -154, -183 and ‑209. The CONTAM Panel concluded that the neurodevelopmental effects on behaviour and reproductive/developmental effects are the critical effects in rodent studies. For four congeners (BDE-47, -99, -153, -209) the Panel derived Reference Points, i.e. benchmark doses and corresponding lower 95% confidence limits (BMDLs), for endpoint-specific benchmark responses. Since repeated exposure to PBDEs results in accumulation of these chemicals in the body, the Panel estimated the body burden at the BMDL in rodents, and the chronic intake that would lead to the same body burden in humans. For the remaining six congeners no studies were available to identify Reference Points. The Panel concluded that there is scientific basis for inclusion of all 10 congeners in a common assessment group and performed a combined risk assessment. The Panel concluded that the combined margin of exposure (MOET) approach was the most appropriate risk metric and applied a tiered approach to the risk characterisation. Over 84,000 analytical results for the 10 congeners in food were used to estimate the exposure across dietary surveys and age groups of the European population. The most important contributors to the chronic dietary Lower Bound exposure to PBDEs were meat and meat products and fish and seafood. Taking into account the uncertainties affecting the assessment, the Panel concluded that it is likely that current dietary exposure to PBDEs in the European population raises a health concern.
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Puche-Juarez M, Toledano JM, Moreno-Fernandez J, Gálvez-Ontiveros Y, Rivas A, Diaz-Castro J, Ochoa JJ. The Role of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Gestation and Pregnancy Outcomes. Nutrients 2023; 15:4657. [PMID: 37960310 PMCID: PMC10648368 DOI: 10.3390/nu15214657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances widely disseminated both in the environment and in daily-life products which can interfere with the regulation and function of the endocrine system. These substances have gradually entered the food chain, being frequently found in human blood and urine samples. This becomes a particularly serious issue when they reach vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, whose hormones are more unstable and vulnerable to EDCs. The proper formation and activity of the placenta, and therefore embryonic development, may get seriously affected by the presence of these chemicals, augmenting the risk of several pregnancy complications, including intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus, among others. Additionally, some of them also exert a detrimental impact on fertility, thus hindering the reproductive process from the beginning. In several cases, EDCs even induce cross-generational effects, inherited by future generations through epigenetic mechanisms. These are the reasons why a proper understanding of the reproductive and gestational alterations derived from these substances is needed, along with efforts to establish regulations and preventive measures in order to avoid exposition (especially during this particular stage of life).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Puche-Juarez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.P.-J.); (J.J.O.)
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Ph.D. Program, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan M. Toledano
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.P.-J.); (J.J.O.)
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Ph.D. Program, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Jorge Moreno-Fernandez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.P.-J.); (J.J.O.)
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain;
| | - Yolanda Gálvez-Ontiveros
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Rivas
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Diaz-Castro
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.P.-J.); (J.J.O.)
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain;
| | - Julio J. Ochoa
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.P.-J.); (J.J.O.)
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain;
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Seewoo BJ, Goodes LM, Mofflin L, Mulders YR, Wong EV, Toshniwal P, Brunner M, Alex J, Johnston B, Elagali A, Gozt A, Lyle G, Choudhury O, Solomons T, Symeonides C, Dunlop SA. The plastic health map: A systematic evidence map of human health studies on plastic-associated chemicals. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108225. [PMID: 37948868 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global production and use of plastic materials has increased dramatically since the 1960s and there is increasing evidence of human health impacts related to exposure to plastic-associated chemicals. There is, however, no comprehensive, regulatory, post-market monitoring for human health effects of plastic-associated chemicals or particles and it is unclear how many of these have been investigated for effects in humans, and therefore what the knowledge gaps are. OBJECTIVE To create a systematic evidence map of peer-reviewed human studies investigating the potential effects of exposure to plastic-associated particles/chemicals on health to identify research gaps and provide recommendations for future research and regulation policy. METHODS Medline and Embase databases were used to identify peer-reviewed primary human studies published in English from Jan 1960 - Jan 2022 that investigated relationships between exposures to included plastic-associated particles/chemicals measured and detected in bio-samples and human health outcomes. Plastic-associated particles/chemicals included are: micro and nanoplastics, due to their widespread occurrence and potential for human exposure; polymers, the main building blocks of plastic; plasticizers and flame retardants, the two most common types of plastic additives with the highest concentration ranges in plastic materials; and bisphenols and per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, two chemical classes of known health concern that are common in plastics. We extracted metadata on the population and study characteristics (country, intergenerational, sex, age, general/special exposure risk status, study design), exposure (plastic-associated particle/chemical, multiple exposures), and health outcome measures (biochemical, physiological, and/or clinical), from which we produced the interactive database 'Plastic Health Map' and a narrative summary. RESULTS We identified 100,949 unique articles, of which 3,587 met our inclusion criteria and were used to create a systematic evidence map. The Plastic Health Map with extracted metadata from included studies are freely available at https://osf.io/fhw7d/ and summary tables, plots and overall observations are included in this report. CONCLUSIONS We present the first evidence map compiling human health research on a wide range of plastic-associated chemicals from several different chemical classes, in order to provide stakeholders, including researchers, regulators, and concerned individuals, with an efficient way to access published literature on the matter and determine knowledge gaps. We also provide examples of data clusters to facilitate systematic reviews and research gaps to help direct future research efforts. Extensive gaps are identified in the breadth of populations, exposures and outcomes addressed in studies of potential human health effects of plastic-associated chemicals. No studies of the human health effects of micro and/or nanoplastics were found, and no studies were found for 26/1,202 additives included in our search that are of known hazard concern and confirmed to be in active production. Few studies have addressed recent "substitution" chemicals for restricted additives such as organophosphate flame retardants, phthalate substitutes, and bisphenol analogues. We call for a paradigm shift in chemical regulation whereby new plastic chemicals are rigorously tested for safety before being introduced in consumer products, with ongoing post-introduction biomonitoring of their levels in humans and health effects throughout individuals' life span, including in old age and across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhedita J Seewoo
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Louise M Goodes
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Louise Mofflin
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Yannick R Mulders
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Enoch Vs Wong
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Priyanka Toshniwal
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Manuel Brunner
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jennifer Alex
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Brady Johnston
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ahmed Elagali
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Aleksandra Gozt
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Greg Lyle
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley WA 6102, Australia
| | - Omrik Choudhury
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Terena Solomons
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; Health and Medical Sciences (Library), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Christos Symeonides
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sarah A Dunlop
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
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Vilcins D, Lee WR, Pham C, Tanner S, Knibbs LD, Burgner D, Blake TL, Mansell T, Ponsonby AL, Sly PD. Association of maternal air pollution exposure and infant lung function is modified by genetic propensity to oxidative stress. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.10.13.23296994. [PMID: 37873073 PMCID: PMC10592989 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.13.23296994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Introduction The association between air pollution and poor respiratory health outcomes is well established, however less is known about the biological mechanisms, especially in early life. Children are particularly at risk from air pollution, especially during the prenatal period as their organs and systems are still undergoing crucial development. Therefore, our study aims to investigate if maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is associated with oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation in pregnancy or infant lung function at 4 weeks of age, and the extent to which the association is modified by an infant's genetic risk of OS. Methods The Barwon Infant Study (BIS) is a longitudinal study of Australian children from the region of Geelong, Victoria. A total of 314 infants had available lung function and maternal OS markers. Exposure to annual air pollutants (NO 2 and PM 2.5 ) were estimated using validated, satellite-based, land-use regression models. Infant lung function was measured by multiple-breath washout, and the ratio of peak tidal expiratory flow over expiratory time was calculated at 4 weeks of age. An inflammation biomarker, glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), was measured in maternal (36 weeks) and cord blood, and oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers, 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHGua) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured in maternal urine at 28 weeks. A genetic pathway score for OS (gPFS ox ) was calculated for each infant participant in the BIS cohort, and high risk defined as score >8. Linear regression was used to explore the association of maternal air pollution exposure with infant lung function, and potential modification by OS genotype was tested through use of interaction terms and other methods. Results There was no evidence of a relationship between maternal exposure to air pollution and infant lung function in the whole population. We did not find an association between air pollution and GlycA or OS during pregnancy. We found evidence of an association between NO 2 and lower in functional residual capacity (FRC) for children with a high genetic risk of OS (β=-5.3 mls, 95% CI (-9.3, -1.3), p=0.01). We also found that when NO 2 was considered in tertiles, the highest tertile of NO 2 was associated with increase in lung clearance index (LCI) (β=0.46 turnovers, (95% CI 0.10, 0.82), p=0.01) in children with a genetic propensity to OS. Conclusion Our study found that high prenatal levels of exposure to ambient NO 2 levels is associated with lower FRC and higher LCI in infants with a genetic propensity to oxidative stress. There was no relationship between maternal exposure to air pollution with maternal and cord blood inflammation or OS biomarkers.
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Robledo DAR, Prudente MS, Aguja SE, Iwata H. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies on the hepatoxicity induced by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in rats and mice. Curr Res Toxicol 2023; 5:100131. [PMID: 37841056 PMCID: PMC10570958 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2023.100131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Several toxicological studies were conducted to evaluate the hepatoxicity of PBDEs using different animal models, congeners, duration of exposure, and other parameters. These variations in different animal models and conditions might have an impact on extrapolating experimental results to humans. Hence, by the meta-analysis, we aimed to clarify and elucidate the species differences in hepatoxicity induced by PBDE exposure in rats and mice across different conditions and moderators. Fourteen in vivo studies that utilized rats and mice models were identified, and data such as author names, year of publication, type of PBDE congeners, rodent species, life stage of exposure, dosage, duration, and hepatoxicity indicators were extracted. The pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to evaluate the association between hepatoxicity and PBDE exposure across multiple approaches of measurement. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and interaction analysis were utilized to elucidate the species-related differences among the results of the involved studies. The pooled SMD of hepatoxicity of PBDE exposure in the involved in vivo studies was 1.82 (p = 0.016), indicating exposure to PBDE congeners and mixtures is associated with a significant increase in liver toxicity in rodents. Moreover, findings showed that rats were more sensitive to PBDEs than mice with the BDE-209 had the highest SMD value. Among the life stages of exposure, embryonic stage was found to be the most sensitive to hepatoxicity induced by PBDE congeners. Positive relationships were found between the incidence of hepatoxicity with dosage and duration of exposure to PBDE. Interaction analyses showed significant interactions between rodent species (rats or mice), dosage, length of exposure, and hepatotoxicity endpoints. Rats demonstrated an increased susceptibility to variations in organ weight, histopathological changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress markers. Conversely, mice showed pronounced lipid accumulation and modifications in liver enzyme expression levels. However, significant differences were not found in terms of endoplasmic reticular stress as a mechanistic endpoint for hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, this meta-analysis showed that there might be some species-related differences in hepatoxicity induced by PBDE exposure in rats and mice depending on the parameters used. This study highlights the importance of cross-species extrapolation of results from animal models to accurately assess the potential risks to human health from exposure to PBDEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dave Arthur R. Robledo
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies, Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 2-5, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan
| | | | | | - Hisato Iwata
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies, Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho 2-5, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan
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Grossklaus R, Liesenkötter KP, Doubek K, Völzke H, Gaertner R. Iodine Deficiency, Maternal Hypothyroxinemia and Endocrine Disrupters Affecting Fetal Brain Development: A Scoping Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15102249. [PMID: 37242131 DOI: 10.3390/nu15102249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This scoping review critically discusses the publications of the last 30 years on the impact of mild to moderate iodine deficiency and the additional impact of endocrine disrupters during pregnancy on embryonal/fetal brain development. An asymptomatic mild to moderate iodine deficiency and/or isolated maternal hypothyroxinemia might affect the development of the embryonal/fetal brain. There is sufficient evidence underlining the importance of an adequate iodine supply for all women of childbearing age in order to prevent negative mental and social consequences for their children. An additional threat to the thyroid hormone system is the ubiquitous exposure to endocrine disrupters, which might exacerbate the effects of iodine deficiency in pregnant women on the neurocognitive development of their offspring. Ensuring adequate iodine intake is therefore essential not only for healthy fetal and neonatal development in general, but it might also extenuate the effects of endocrine disruptors. Individual iodine supplementation of women of childbearing age living in areas with mild to moderate iodine deficiency is mandatory as long as worldwide universal salt iodization does not guarantee an adequate iodine supply. There is an urgent need for detailed strategies to identify and reduce exposure to endocrine disrupters according to the "precautional principle".
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Grossklaus
- Department of Food Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, D-10589 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Klaus Doubek
- Professional Association of Gynecologists, D-80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Henry Völzke
- Study of Health in Pomerania/Clinical-Epidemiological Research, Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, D-17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Roland Gaertner
- Medical Clinic IV, University of Munich, D-80336 Munich, Germany
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Yang W, Braun JM, Vuong AM, Percy Z, Xu Y, Xie C, Deka R, Calafat AM, Ospina M, Burris HH, Yolton K, Cecil KM, Lanphear BP, Chen A. Gestational exposure to organophosphate esters and infant anthropometric measures in the first 4 weeks after birth. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159322. [PMID: 36220473 PMCID: PMC9883112 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have examined whether gestational exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs), widely used chemicals with potential endocrine-disrupting potency and developmental toxicity, is associated with impaired infant growth. METHODS We analyzed data from 329 mother-infant pairs in the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study (2003-2006, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA). We quantified concentrations of four OPE metabolites in maternal urine collected at 16 and 26 weeks of gestation, and at delivery. We calculated z-scores using 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) child growth standards for the 4-week anthropometric measures (weight, length, and head circumference), the ponderal index, and weekly growth rates. We used multiple informant models to examine window-specific associations between individual OPE metabolites and anthropometric outcomes. We further modeled OPEs as a mixture for window-specific associations with 4-week anthropometric outcomes using mean field variational Bayesian inference procedure for lagged kernel machine regression (MFVB-LKMR). We stratified the models by infant sex. RESULTS Diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) in mothers at 16 weeks, and bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (BCEP) and bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP) at delivery were positively associated with z-scores of weight, length, and head circumference in all infants at 4 weeks of age. After stratifying by infant sex, positive associations were only observed in males for DPHP at 16 weeks and BCEP at delivery and in females for BDCIPP at delivery. Negative associations not present in all infants were observed in males for di-n-butyl phosphate (DNBP) at 26 weeks of gestation with weight z-score and DPHP at delivery with head circumference z-score. Results were generally similar using MFVB-LKMR models with more conservative 95 % credible intervals. We did not identify consistent associations of gestational OPE metabolite concentrations with the ponderal index and weekly growth rates. CONCLUSION In this cohort, exposure to OPEs during gestation was associated with altered infant anthropometry at 4 weeks after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weili Yang
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ann M Vuong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Zana Percy
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yingying Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Changchun Xie
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ranjan Deka
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maria Ospina
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Heather H Burris
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kim M Cecil
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Reddam A, Sjödin A, Cowell W, Jones R, Wang S, Perera F, Herbstman JB, Kupsco A. Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and birth outcomes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114830. [PMID: 36400221 PMCID: PMC9729424 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were used as flame retardants and from their end-use products they can be released to accumulate within indoor environments. This may result in exposures to pregnant women with potential adverse effects on the developing fetus. While studies have shown associations between prenatal PBDE exposure and poor birth outcomes, research has mainly focused on birth weight and gestational age and may miss important indicators of newborn size. METHODS The sample included a cohort of Dominican and African American mother-child pairs from New York City recruited from 1998 to 2006. PBDE congeners (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, and BDE-153) were measured in cord serum at birth and dichotomized into low (<80th percentile) and high (>80th percentile) categories. Weight, length, head circumference, and gestational age were measured at birth and the ponderal index (birth weight/length x 100), size for gestational age, and population-based z-scores were calculated (n = 305). Separate regression analyses were conducted to estimate associations between PBDEs or PBDE sum (ng/g lipid) and birth outcomes. Quantile g-computation was performed to estimate the effect of total PBDE mixture. We also assessed effect modification by sex and ethnicity. RESULTS Adjusting for relevant covariates, the high exposure category of BDE-153 was associated with lower birth weight z-score (-0.25, 95% CI: -0.5, 0.0) and longer gestation (0.43 weeks, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.79). The high exposure category of BDE-99 was associated with lower birth length z-score (-0.55, 95% CI: -0.98, -0.12). There was a negative association between the overall PBDE mixture and birth length z-score (-0.10, 95% CI: -0.21, 0.00) per 1 quintile increase in PBDEs. There was no effect modification by sex or ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that prenatal exposures to BDE-153, BDE-99, and total PBDE mixture are associated with birth outcomes in a cohort of Dominican and African American newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aalekhya Reddam
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Whitney Cowell
- Division of Environmental Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard Jones
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shuang Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frederica Perera
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julie B Herbstman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Allison Kupsco
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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11
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Hu Y, Lu Q, Huang C, Gao Y, Tian Y, Fan L, Liu S. Associations between prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and physical growth in a seven year cohort study. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 303:135049. [PMID: 35618052 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although evidence suggests that prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) alter offspring's physical growth, most studies rely upon physical growth at a single timepoint, and little is known regarding their longitudinal effects over time. In the current study, we determined the associations between prenatal PBDEs exposure and child physical growth by following up 207 mother-child pairs from the Laizhou Wan Birth Cohort (LWBC) from pregnancy until the children were seven years old. Child physical growth including weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) was assessed at birth, and at one, two and seven years of age. Prenatal exposure to PBDEs was quantified by measuring eight PBDE congeners (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-85, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, and BDE-183) in maternal serum samples collected upon hospital admission for delivery. Linear mixed models were applied to examine the associations between prenatal PBDEs exposure and repeated measures of child physical growth, and to determine whether these associations were modified by child's sex. Our findings indicated that BDE-28, BDE-85, BDE-153, BDE-183, and Σ7PBDEs were positively associated with child weight z-score; and that BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-85, BDE-99, BDE-153, and Σ7PBDEs were positively associated with child height z-score. In addition, these associations were modified by the child's sex as reflected by pronounced positive associations among boys, while negative associations were noted among girls. In conclusion, our findings indicated the sex-specific associations between prenatal PBDE exposures and child physical growth during the first seven years of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China; Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Lu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuican Huang
- Department of Child Health Care, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China.
| | - Lichun Fan
- Department of Child Health Care, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China.
| | - Shijian Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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12
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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in early pregnancy and preterm birth: Findings from the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2022; 243:113978. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.113978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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13
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Symeonides C, Brunner M, Mulders Y, Toshniwal P, Cantrell M, Mofflin L, Dunlop S. Buy-now-pay-later: Hazards to human and planetary health from plastics production, use and waste. J Paediatr Child Health 2021; 57:1795-1804. [PMID: 34792231 PMCID: PMC9299614 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
More than 8 billion tonnes of plastic were produced between 1950 and 2015, that is 1 tonne for every man, woman and child on our planet. Global plastic production has been growing exponentially with an annual growth rate of 8.4% since 1950, equating to approximately 380 million tonnes per annum. A further 50 kg of plastic is now being produced for each person every year with production continuing to accelerate. Here, we discuss the human and planetary health hazards of all that plastic. We consider each step in the journey of these complex and pervasive industrial materials: from their synthesis predominantly from fossil fuel feedstocks, through an often-brief consumer use as plastic products, and onto waste streams as fuel, permanent landfill or as unmanaged waste in our environment, food, air and bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Symeonides
- Plastics & Human HealthThe Minderoo FoundationPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia,Murdoch Children's Research InstituteRoyal Children's HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Manuel Brunner
- Plastics & Human HealthThe Minderoo FoundationPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Yannick Mulders
- Plastics & Human HealthThe Minderoo FoundationPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Priyanka Toshniwal
- Plastics & Human HealthThe Minderoo FoundationPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Matthew Cantrell
- Plastics & Human HealthThe Minderoo FoundationPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Louise Mofflin
- Plastics & Human HealthThe Minderoo FoundationPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Sarah Dunlop
- Plastics & Human HealthThe Minderoo FoundationPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia,School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
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14
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Chen Y, Miao M, Liang H, Chen Y, Ji H, Ren Y, Liu X, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Yuan W. Effects of prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) on the second to fourth digit ratio in children aged 4 years. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 231:113639. [PMID: 33130430 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is assumed to be a biomarker of prenatal sex steroid exposure, correlating negatively with prenatal testosterone and positively with prenatal estrogen. The ratio has been suggested to be influenced by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). However, evidence regarding effects of prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) on 2D:4D of children was sparse. OBJECTIVES We investigated the associations between prenatal exposure to PBDEs and 2D:4D of children aged 4 years. METHODS Participants were mother-child pairs from the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study (S-MBCS) which enrolled pregnant women at 12-16 weeks of gestation from April to December 2012. Nine PBDE congeners in venous umbilical cord plasma of 340 children were measured. Digit lengths were measured using a vernier caliper in children aged 4 years and 2D:4D for left and right hands and average 2D:4D value of both hands were calculated. A total of 281 children (160 boys and 121 girls) who had data on both 2D:4D and PBDE concentrations were included in the final analysis. Associations between prenatal PBDE exposures and 2D:4D were investigated using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS Among the nine congeners, BDE-47 had the highest detection rate of 86.12% with the highest median concentration of 0.20 ng/ml lipid. Five PBDE congeners with detection rates greater than or close to 50% (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100 and -153) and Σ5PBDEs (the sum of them) were included in final analysis. For girls, a consistent pattern for the positive associations between prenatal PBDE exposures and 2D:4D of children was observed mainly for the left hand, where those in the highest exposure groups had higher 2D:4D compared to the lowest exposure groups (a feminizing effect), with statistically significant associations observed for BDE-47 (β = 0.0247, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0017, 0.0477), -100 (β = 0.0264, 95% CI: 0.0087, 0.0441) and Σ5PBDEs (β = 0.0201, 95% CI: 0.0027, 0.0374). For boys, compared with the lowest exposure groups, statistically significantly higher (feminized) 2D:4D for both hands was observed in those with the highest exposure levels of BDE-100 (β = 0.0147, 95% CI: 0.0005, 0.0289 for the left hand; β = 0.0182, 95% CI: 0.0046, 0.0318 for the right hand) and those with the middle and the highest exposure levels of BDE-153 (middle vs. undetected, β = 0.0215, 95% CI: 0.0072, 0.0358 for the left hand; β = 0.0155, 95% CI: 0.0015, 0.0295 for the right hand; highest vs. undetected, β = 0.0162, 95% CI: 0.0017, 0.0307 for the left hand; β = 0.0152, 95% CI: 0.0011, 0.0294 for the right hand). CONCLUSIONS Our study provides preliminary evidence that prenatal exposure to PBDEs might be associated with higher 2D:4D in boys and girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Chen
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, China
| | - Hong Liang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, China
| | - Yao Chen
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, China
| | - Honglei Ji
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, China
| | - Yanfeng Ren
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Weifang Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziliang Wang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, China.
| | - Wei Yuan
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, China
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15
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Eick SM, Hom Thepaksorn EK, Izano MA, Cushing LJ, Wang Y, Smith SC, Gao S, Park JS, Padula AM, DeMicco E, Valeri L, Woodruff TJ, Morello-Frosch R. Associations between prenatal maternal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and birth outcomes among pregnant women in San Francisco. Environ Health 2020; 19:100. [PMID: 32938446 PMCID: PMC7495899 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00654-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used in consumer products for their water repellent and flame retardant properties, respectively. However, there is widespread prenatal exposure and concern about their potential harm to the developing fetus. Here, we utilized data from a demographically diverse cohort of women in San Francisco, CA to examine associations between prenatal exposure to PFAS and PBDEs with gestational age and birth weight for gestational age z-scores. METHODS Women included in this analysis were enrolled in the Chemicals in our Bodies (CIOB) cohort study (N = 506). PFAS and PBDEs were measured in serum obtained during the second trimester of pregnancy. Linear regression models were used to calculate crude and adjusted β coefficients for the association between PFAS and PBDE concentrations in tertiles and gestational age and birth weight z-scores. Individual PFAS and PBDE concentrations, as well as their sums, were examined in separate models. RESULTS The highest compared to lowest tertile of BDE-47 was associated with shorter gestational age (β = - 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] = - 0.95, - 0.02). Additionally, exposure to BDE-47 and BDE-99 in the middle tertile was also associated with a reduction in birth weight z-scores (β = - 0.26, 95% CI = -0.48, - 0.04; β = - 0.25, 95% CI = -0.47, - 0.04, respectively) compared to those in the lowest tertile of exposure. No consistent associations were observed between increasing PFAS concentrations and gestational age or birth weight z-scores. DISCUSSION Among a diverse group of pregnant women in the San Francisco Bay Area, we found non-linear associations between prenatal exposure to PBDEs during the second trimester of pregnancy and birth weight z-scores. However, most PFAS congeners were not associated with adverse birth outcomes. PFAS and PBDE concentrations were lower in our cohort relative to other studies. Future research should assess the effects of emerging and persistent PFAS and PBDEs on birth outcomes, as some congeners are being phased out and replaced by chemically similar structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Eick
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Elizabeth K. Hom Thepaksorn
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Monika A. Izano
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Lara J. Cushing
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Yunzhu Wang
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Sabrina Crispo Smith
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Songmei Gao
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - June-Soo Park
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, Berkeley, 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
| | - Erin DeMicco
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Linda Valeri
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 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
| | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management and School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
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16
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Varshavsky JR, Sen S, Robinson JF, Smith SC, Frankenfield J, Wang Y, Yeh G, Park JS, Fisher SJ, Woodruff TJ. Racial/ethnic and geographic differences in polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels across maternal, placental, and fetal tissues during mid-gestation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12247. [PMID: 32699379 PMCID: PMC7376153 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69067-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposures are a public health concern due to their persistence and potential for reproductive and developmental harm. However, we have little information about the extent of fetal exposures during critical developmental periods and the variation in exposures for groups that may be more highly exposed, such as communities of color and lower socioeconomic status (SES). To characterize maternal-fetal PBDE exposures among potentially vulnerable groups, PBDE levels were examined in the largest sample of matched maternal serum, placenta, and fetal liver tissues during mid-gestation among a geographically, racially/ethnically, and socially diverse population of pregnant women from Northern California and the Central Valley (n = 180; 2014-16). Maternal-fetal PBDE levels were compared to population characteristics using censored Kendall's tau correlation and linear regression. PBDEs were commonly detected in all biomatrices. Before lipid adjustment, wet-weight levels of all four PBDE congeners were highest in the fetal liver (p < 0.001), whereas median PBDE levels were significantly higher in maternal serum than in the fetal liver or placenta after lipid-adjustment (p < 0.001). We also found evidence of racial/ethnic disparities in PBDE exposures (Non-Hispanic Black > Latina/Hispanic > Non-Hispanic White > Asian/Pacific Islander/Other; p < 0.01), with higher levels of BDE-100 and BDE-153 among non-Hispanic Black women compared to the referent group (Latina/Hispanic women). In addition, participants living in Fresno/South Central Valley had 34% (95% CI: - 2.4 to 84%, p = 0.07) higher wet-weight levels of BDE-47 than residents living in the San Francisco Bay Area. PBDEs are widely detected and differentially distributed in maternal-fetal compartments. Non-Hispanic Black pregnant women and women from Southern Central Valley geographical populations may be more highly exposed to PBDEs. Further research is needed to identify sources that may be contributing to differential exposures and associated health risks among these vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Varshavsky
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Mailstop 0132, 550 16th Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Saunak Sen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 66 North Pauline St, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Joshua F Robinson
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Mailstop 0132, 550 16th Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Sabrina Crispo Smith
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, 700 Heinz Ave # 200, Berkeley, CA, 94710, USA
| | - Julie Frankenfield
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, 700 Heinz Ave # 200, Berkeley, CA, 94710, USA
| | - Yunzhu Wang
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, 700 Heinz Ave # 200, Berkeley, CA, 94710, USA
| | - Greg Yeh
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, 700 Heinz Ave # 200, Berkeley, CA, 94710, USA
| | - June-Soo Park
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, 700 Heinz Ave # 200, Berkeley, CA, 94710, USA
| | - Susan J Fisher
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Tracey J Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Mailstop 0132, 550 16th Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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17
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Jin Y, Li J, Deng X, Xia B, Song Q, Zhao Y, He X, Li Y, Xu Z, Xie A, Lin J, Zhang Y, Chen S. Association between fetal growth restriction and maternal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 198:110623. [PMID: 32361490 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) via ingestion of food, dust inhalation, and dermal absorption. Exposure to PBDEs via the placenta and breast milk is a special and important pathway in infants. This nested case-control study aimed to investigate the levels of PBDEs in maternal serum and colostrum, and to assess the association between the occurrence of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and prenatal exposure to PBDEs. We recruited 293 mother-newborn pairs, including 98 FGR cases and 195 healthy controls in Wenzhou, China. Maternal serum and colostrum samples were collected during pregnancy and after delivery, respectively, and the levels of PBDEs were measured by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The total levels of PBDEs in maternal serum and colostrum were found to be in equilibrium, but congener profiles of PBDEs in these matrices were different. Increased BDE-207, BDE-209, ∑BDE196-209 and ∑PBDEs levels in maternal serum and BDE-99, ∑BDE17-154 and ∑PBDEs levels in colostrum were correlated with decreased birth weight Z score. Increased concentrations of higher brominated BDEs in maternal serum (odds ratio (OR) = 1.010, 95%CI = 1.003-1.018) and low-to moderately brominated BDEs in colostrum (OR = 1.004, 95%CI = 1.000-1.009) were associated with increased risk of FGR, which showed an exposure-response relationship. In addition, infants with FGR were more exposed to PBDEs in colostrum after birth than healthy infants. Longitudinal birth cohort studies are needed to determine the prolonged effect of PBDEs exposure on the growth of FGR infants in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Jin
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China; Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310052, China
| | - Jialin Li
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaokai Deng
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Bin Xia
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qi Song
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yingya Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaoxiao He
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yimei Li
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Zhangye Xu
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Ailan Xie
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China; Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Shangqin Chen
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
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Gingrich J, Ticiani E, Veiga-Lopez A. Placenta Disrupted: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Pregnancy. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2020; 31:508-524. [PMID: 32249015 PMCID: PMC7395962 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals that can interfere with normal endocrine signals. Human exposure to EDCs is particularly concerning during vulnerable periods of life, such as pregnancy. However, often overlooked is the effect that EDCs may pose to the placenta. The abundance of hormone receptors makes the placenta highly sensitive to EDCs. We have reviewed the most recent advances in our understanding of EDC exposures on the development and function of the placenta such as steroidogenesis, spiral artery remodeling, drug-transporter expression, implantation and cellular invasion, fusion, and proliferation. EDCs reviewed include those ubiquitous in the environment with available human biomonitoring data. This review also identifies critical gaps in knowledge to drive future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Gingrich
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Elvis Ticiani
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Almudena Veiga-Lopez
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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19
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Varshavsky JR, Robinson JF, Zhou Y, Puckett KA, Kwan E, Buarpung S, Aburajab R, Gaw SL, Sen S, Smith SC, Frankenfield J, Park JS, Fisher SJ, Woodruff TJ. Association of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels with biomarkers of placental development and disease during mid-gestation. Environ Health 2020; 19:61. [PMID: 32493340 PMCID: PMC7268484 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00617-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposures have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. A hypothesized mechanism is via alterations in placental development and function. However, we lack biomarkers that can be used as early indicators of maternal/fetal response to PBDE exposures and/or perturbations in placental development or function. METHODS To evaluate the relationship between PBDE levels and placental biomarkers during mid-gestation of human pregnancy (n = 62), we immunolocalized three molecules that play key roles in cytotrophoblast (CTB) differentiation and interstitial/endovascular uterine invasion-integrin alpha-1 (ITGA1), vascular endothelial-cadherin (CDH5), and metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1)-and assessed three morphological parameters as potential indicators of pathological alterations using H&E-stained tissues-leukocyte infiltration, fibrinoid deposition, and CTB endovascular invasion. We evaluated associations between placental PBDE levels and of biomarkers of placental development and disease using censored Kendall's tau correlation and linear regression methods. RESULTS PBDEs were detected in all placental samples. We observed substantial variation in antigen expression and morphological endpoints across placental regions. We observed an association between PBDE concentrations and immunoreactivity of endovascular CTB staining with anti-ITGA1 (inverse) or interstitial CTBs staining with anti-CDH5 (positive). CONCLUSIONS We found several molecular markers that may be sensitive placental indicators of PBDE exposure. Further, this indicates that placental biomarkers of development and disease could be useful barometers of exposure to PBDEs, a paradigm that could be extended to other environmental chemicals and placental stage-specific antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Varshavsky
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, Mailstop 0132, 550 16th Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Joshua F Robinson
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, Mailstop 0132, 550 16th Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Yan Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Kenisha A Puckett
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Elaine Kwan
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Sirirak Buarpung
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Rayyan Aburajab
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Stephanie L Gaw
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 550 16th Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Saunak Sen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 66 North Pauline St, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Sabrina Crispo Smith
- California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, 700 Heinz Ave # 200, Berkeley, CA, 94710, USA
| | - Julie Frankenfield
- California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, 700 Heinz Ave # 200, Berkeley, CA, 94710, USA
| | - June-Soo Park
- California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, 700 Heinz Ave # 200, Berkeley, CA, 94710, USA
| | - Susan J Fisher
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Tracey J Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, Mailstop 0132, 550 16th Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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20
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Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Human Fetal Growth. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041430. [PMID: 32093249 PMCID: PMC7073082 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth is regulated by a complex interaction of maternal, placental, and fetal factors. The effects and outcomes that chemicals, widely distributed in the environment, may have on the health status of both the mother and the fetus are not yet well defined. Mainly mixtures of chemical substances are found in the mothers and placenta. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can be associated with fetal growth retardation, thyroid dysfunction, and neurological disorders. EDCs mostly interfere with insulin, glucocorticoid, estrogenic, and thyroid pathways, with subsequent effects on normal endocrine and metabolic functions, which cause changes in the epigenome and state of inflammation with life-long effects and consequences. International scientific societies recommend the implementation of research and of all possible preventive measures. This review briefly summarizes all these aspects.
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21
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Ruis MT, Rock KD, Hall SM, Horman B, Patisaul HB, Stapleton HM. PBDEs Concentrate in the Fetal Portion of the Placenta: Implications for Thyroid Hormone Dysregulation. Endocrinology 2019; 160:2748-2758. [PMID: 31555822 PMCID: PMC6821203 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the supply of thyroid hormone (TH) to the fetus is critically important for fetal growth, neural development, metabolism, and maintenance of pregnancy. Additionally, in cases where maternal and placental TH regulation is significantly altered, there is an increased risk of several adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is unclear what may be disrupting placental TH regulation; however, studies suggest that environmental contaminants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), could be playing a role. In this study, Wistar rats were gestationally exposed to a mixture of PBDEs for 10 days. THs and PBDEs were quantified in paired maternal serum, dissected placenta, and fetuses, and mRNA expression of transporters in the placenta was assessed. Significantly higher concentrations of PBDEs were observed in the fetal portion of the placenta compared with the maternal side, suggesting that PBDEs are actively transported across the interface. PBDEs were also quantified in 10 recently collected human maternal and fetal placental tissues; trends paralleled observations in the rat model. We also observed an effect of PBDEs on T3 levels in dam serum, as well as suggestive changes in the T3 levels of the placenta and fetus that varied by fetal sex. mRNA expression in the placenta also significantly varied by fetal sex and dose. These observations suggest the placenta is a significant modifier of fetal exposures, and that PBDEs are impacting TH regulation in a sex-specific manner during this critical window of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Ruis
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Levine Science Research Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kylie D Rock
- Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Samantha M Hall
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Levine Science Research Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Brian Horman
- Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Heather M Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Levine Science Research Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Children’s Health Discovery Initiative, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Correspondence: Heather M. Stapleton, PhD, 9 Circuit Drive, Box 90328, Durham, North Carolina 27708. E-mail:
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22
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Luan M, Liang H, Yang F, Yuan W, Chen A, Liu X, Ji H, Wen S, Miao M. Prenatal polybrominated diphenyl ethers exposure and anogenital distance in boys from a Shanghai birth cohort. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 222:513-523. [PMID: 30713057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are major brominated flame retardant (BFR) chemicals with endocrine-disrupting properties. One small-scale study on humans has suggested that prenatal exposure to PBDEs is adversely related to anogenital distance (AGD) a sensitive marker for prenatal androgen exposure. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between prenatal exposure to PBDEs and AGD among boys 0-4 years of age in a cohort study. METHODS In the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study (S-MBCS), nine PBDE congeners were measured in cord plasma of 192 male infants. We measured anopenile distance (AGDAP) and anoscrotal distance (AGDAS) at birth, 6 months, 12 months, and 48 months of age. A total of 190 boys with neonatal concentrations of PBDEs (ng/g lipid) who had at-least one AGD measurement were included in our study. Information on potential confounding variables were collected through in-person interviews. Multiple linear regression models and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to evaluate the associations between prenatal PBDEs concentrations and AGD. RESULTS Among the nine congeners, BDE-47 had the highest detection rate (83.68%) and the highest median concentration (0.18 ng/g lipid). Boys who had neonatal concentration of BDE-47 or Σ4PBDEs (sum of BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, and BDE-153) in the higher quartile generally had shorter AGDAP and AGDAS than those in the first quartile. Significant inverse associations were found between AGDAS and fourth quartile BDE-47 levels among boys 12 months and 48 months of age (β = -5.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): -9.89, -1.25 for 12 month of age; β = -4.32, 95% CI: -8.18, -0.46 for 48 month of age). Inverse associations were also observed between AGDAS and fourth quartile Σ4PBDEs levels among boys 12 months of age (β = -5.13, 95% CI: -9.89, -1.25). In GEE models, similar patterns of association were also observed between BDE-47 and AGDAS. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide preliminary evidence that prenatal exposure to BDE-47 and Σ4PBDEs, even at low environmental levels, may be associated with shorter AGD in boys. This data suggest that prenatal exposure to PBDEs may have adverse effects on male reproductive development. Further studies should be conducted to validate these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Luan
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Liang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fen Yang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Aimin Chen
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Xiao Liu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Honglei Ji
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng Wen
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China.
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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