Associations of lifestyle factors with phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A, parabens, and triclosan concentrations in breast milk of Korean mothers

Analysis of key circRNA events in the AOP framework of TCS acting on zebrafish based on the data-driven

Triclosan (TCS) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used in various personal care products. Research has found that exposure to TCS can cause toxic effects on organisms including neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, disorders of lipid metabolism, and abnormal vascular development, and the corresponding toxic mechanisms are gradually delving into the level of abnormal expression of miRNA regulating gene expression. Although the downstream mechanism of TCS targeting miRNA abnormal expression to induce toxicity is gradually improving, its upstream mechanism is still in a fog. Starting from the abnormal expression data of circRNA in zebrafish larvae induced by TCS, this study conducted a hierarchical analysis of the expression levels of all circRNAs, differential circRNAs, and trend circRNAs, and identified 29 key circRNA events regulating miRNA abnormal expression. In combination with GO and KEGG, the effects of TCS exposure were analyzed from the function and signaling pathway of the corresponding circRNA host gene. Furthermore, based on existing literature evidence about the biological toxicity induced by TCS targeting miRNA as data support, a competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network characterizing the regulatory relationship between circRNA and miRNA was constructed and optimized. Finally, a comprehensive Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework of multiple levels of events including circRNA, miRNA, mRNA, pathway, and toxicity endpoints was established to systematically elucidate the toxic mechanism of TCS. Moreover, the rationality of the AOP framework was verified from the expression level of miRNA and adverse outcomes such as neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response by knockdown of circRNA48. This paper not only provides the key circRNA events for exploring the upstream mechanism of miRNA regulating gene expression but also provides an AOP framework for comprehensively demonstrating the toxicity mechanism of TCS on zebrafish, which is a theoretical basis for subsequent hazard assessment and prevention and control of TCS.

Assessment of Phthalate Esters and Physiological Biomarkers in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Killer Whales (Orcinus orca)

There is growing concern about the potential adverse health effects of phthalates (PAEs) on human health and the environment due to their extensive use as plasticizers and additives in commercial and consumer products. In this study, we assessed PAE concentrations in serum samples from aquarium-based delphinids (Tursiops truncatus, n = 36; Orcinus orca, n = 42) from California, Florida, and Texas, USA. To better understand the physiological effects of phthalates on delphinids, we also explored potential correlations between phthalates and the biomarkers aldosterone, cortisol, corticosterone, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde while accounting for sex, age, and reproductive stage. All PAEs were detected in at least one of the individuals. ΣPAE ranges were 5.995-2743 ng·mL-1 in bottlenose dolphins and 5.372-88,675 ng·mL-1 in killer whales. Both species displayed higher mean concentrations of DEP and DEHP. PAEs were detected in newborn delphinids, indicating transference via placenta and/or lactation. Linear mixed model results indicated significant correlations between aldosterone, month, location, status, and ΣPAEs in killer whales, suggesting that aldosterone concentrations are likely affected by the cumulative effects of these variables. This study expands on the knowledge of delphinid physiological responses to PAEs and may influence management and conservation decisions on contamination discharge regulations near these species.

Estimated exposure to bisphenol A in breastfed and breastfed plus formula-fed infants in Turkey: a comparison study

This study aimed to estimate and compare dietary exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in exclusively breastfed (EBF) and breastfed plus formula-fed (BF + FF) infants. A total of 70 mothers and their 0-6 month-old infants (40 in the EBF group and 30 in BF + FF group) were included in the study. After the questionnaire form was applied to the mothers, maternal breast milk, infant formula, and infant urine were collected from mother-infant dyads. Total BPA levels in breast milk, infant formula, and infant urine samples were analyzed by the high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). While BPA was detected in 92.5% of the breast milk samples in the EBF group (mean ± SD = 0.59 ± 0.29 ng/mL), BPA was detected in all of the breast milk samples in the BF + FF group (mean ± SD= 0.72 ± 0.37 ng/mL) (p < 0.05). Similarly, 100% of the infant formula samples in the BF + FF group had detectable levels of BPA (mean ± SD = 7.54 ± 1.77 ng/g formula). The mean urinary BPA levels in the EBF infants (4.33 ± 1.89 µg/g creatinine) were not statistically different from the BF + FF infants (5.81 ± 0.11 µg/g creatinine) (p > 0.05). The average daily BPA intake in EBF infants (0.18 ± 0.13 µg/kg body weight (bw)/day) was found to be significantly higher than in BF + FF infants (0.12 ± 0.09 µg/kg bw/day) (p < 0.05). The estimated dietary intakes of BPA for infants in both groups were below the temporary tolerable daily intake (t-TDI) (4 µg/kg bw/day). Consequently, BPA intake of EBF and BF + FF infants were within safe daily limits during the first six months of life.

8-OHdG mediates the association of co-exposure to fifty-five typical endocrine-disrupting chemicals with renal function: a cross-section investigation in Southern Chinese adults

Individual typical endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including organophosphate triesters (OPEs), parabens, triclosan (TCS), bisphenols, benzophenones (BPs), phthalates (PAEs), and synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs), are associated with renal dysfunction. However, the combined effects and underlying mechanisms of mixed EDC exposure on renal function remain unclear. Two hundred ninety-nine adult participants were enrolled in the cross-sectional survey conducted in Guangzhou, China. Urinary levels of 7 OPEs, 6 parabens, TCS, 14 bisphenols, 8 BPs, 15 PAEs, 4 SPAs, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were determined, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was served as the outcome index. We found elevated levels of diphenyl phosphate (DPP), bisphenol A (BPA), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono-butyl phthalate (MBP) showed dose-responsive associations with eGFR decline, However, nonlinear associations were observed for bis(2-butoxyethyl) hydrogen phosphate (BBOEP), TCS, 4-hydroxybenzophenone (HBP), mono-n-pentyl phthalate (MnPP), and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP). The quantile-based g-computation model demonstrated that a quartile increase in the EDC mixture corresponded to a 0.383-SD decrease (95% CI - 0.658 ~  - 0.108, P = 0.007) in eGFR. Notably, BPA was identified as the primary contributor to this effect. Moreover, 8-OHdG mediated the eGFR decline associated with EDC mixtures with a mediation proportion of 25.49%. A sex-modified effect was also observed (P = 0.004), indicating that exposure to the mixture of EDC was linked to more pronounced renal dysfunction in females. Our novel findings suggest that exposure to a typical mixture of EDCs is associated with renal dysfunction in the general adult population of Southern China. Furthermore, 8-OHdG may play a role in the pathogenesis of EDC mixture-related renal dysfunction.

Determination of parabens in breast milk using stir bar sorptive extraction coupled with UHPLC-UV

We developed an analytical method based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection, using a stir bar coated with amino/hydroxyl bifunctional microporous organic network (B-MON), for the analysis of parabens in breast milk samples. B-MON demonstrated superior performance with maximal methylparaben adsorption of 112.15 mg/g. Kinetic fitting revealed that outer diffusion was the key limiting step, and the adsorption was chemisorption. The thermodynamic analysis demonstrated that increased methylparaben adsorption was found at higher temperatures in spontaneous processes. The developed approach showed excellent linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9964) and a low detection limit (0.01 μg/L). Recoveries ranged from 85.8 to 105.5 % and the relative standard deviation was lower than 9.2 %. Based on the daily exposure assessment, these pollutants do not pose unacceptable health hazards to babies. However, the high detection frequencies (41.9%-93.5 %) suggest that breast milk still should be monitored.

Effects of pharmaceutical and personal care products on pubertal development: Evidence from human and animal studies

Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) include a wide range of drugs, personal care products and household chemicals that are produced and used in significant quantities. The safety of PPCPs has become a growing concern in recent decades due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and potential risks to human health. PPCPs have been detected in various human biological samples, including those from children and adolescents, at concentrations ranging from several ng/L to several thousand μg/L. Epidemiological studies have shown associations between exposure to PPCPs and changes in the timing of puberty in children and adolescents. Animal studies have shown that exposure to PPCPs results in advanced or delayed pubertal onset. Mechanisms by which PPCPs regulate pubertal development include alteration of the hypothalamic kisspeptin and GnRH networks, disruption of steroid hormones, and modulation of metabolic function and epigenetics. Gaps in knowledge and further research needs include the assessment of environmental exposure to pharmaceuticals in children and adolescents, low-dose and long-term effects of exposure to PPCPs, and the modes of action of PPCPs on pubertal development. In summary, this comprehensive review examines the potential effects of exposure to PPCPs on pubertal development based on evidence from human and animal studies.

Association of serum bisphenols, parabens, and triclosan concentrations with Sjögren Syndrome in the Hangzhou, China population

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been linked to various immune deficiency disorders, including autoimmune diseases like Sjögren Syndrome (SjS). However, the detrimental effects of exposure to EDCs, including bisphenols, parabens, and triclosan (TCS), on SjS have been inadequately documented. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional study that included both healthy individuals (controls) and patients with SjS (cases). We assessed serum concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), methyl parabens (MeP), ethyl parabens (EtP), and TCS. The relationship between the five EDCs levels and the risk of SjS was also explored. Additionally, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the collective influence of these EDCs mixtures on SjS, employing a weighted quantile sum regression model. Out of the five EDCs analyzed, EtP displayed the highest mean concentration (2.80 ng/mL), followed by BPA (2.66 ng/mL) and MeP (1.99 ng/mL), with TCS registering the lowest level (0.36 ng/mL). Notably, BPS exposure was significantly positively associated with the risk of being diagnosed with SjS (with an odds ratio [OR] of 1.17, p = 0.042). No statistically significant associations with SjS were observed for BPA, MeP, EtP, and TCS (p > 0.05). And we did not observe any significant effects of the EDCs mixture on SjS. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to suggest that BPS may potentially increase the risk of SjS. Although no significant effects were observed between other EDCs and SjS risk, we cannot disregard the potential harm of EDCs due to their non-monotonic dose response.

Phthalate metabolites in breast milk from mothers in Southern China: Occurrence, temporal trends, daily intake, and risk assessment

The extensive production and use of phthalates means that these compounds are now ubiquitous in the environment and various biota, which raises concerns about potential harmful health effects. In this study, phthalate metabolites (mPAEs) were measured in breast milk (n = 100) collected from mothers of southern China between 2014 - 2022. Of the nine target mPAEs, five were detected in all of the samples, including mono-methyl phthalate (MMP), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP). The total levels of mPAEs in breast milk ranged from 4.76 to 51.6 ng/mL, with MiBP and MnBP being the predominant isomers (MiBP + MnBP > 48.3%). Increasing trends were observed in MMP (5.7%/year) and MEHP (7.1%/year) levels during the study period, while a decreasing trend were observed in MiBP (-6.6%/year); no clear temporal trends were found for the other metabolites and total mPAE levels. The results indicate that exposure to phthalates is still prevalent in southern China. Breastfeeding was found to contribute to estimated daily phthalate intakes of 0.383-6.95 μg/kg-bw/day, suggesting insignificant health risks to infants based on dietary exposure. However, the increasing exposure to MMP and MEHP calls for more research into the possible sources and potential risks.

Phthalate metabolites in urine and follicular fluid in relation to menstrual cycle characteristics in women seeking fertility assistance

BACKGROUND

Phthalates have been shown to disrupt the estrous cycle in animal studies. However, epidemiological research investigating their associations with menstrual cycle characteristics is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationships between phthalate exposure and menstrual cycle characteristics among women seeking fertility assistance.

METHODS

We determined the levels of eight phthalate metabolites in both follicular fluid (FF) and urine specimens collected from 441 women in the Tongji Reproductive and Environmental (TREE) cohort, using high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Information about menstrual cycle parameters was obtained through a questionnaire. The impacts of individual and joint exposure to phthalates on menstrual cycle characteristics were assessed using multivariable linear regression, Poisson regression, and quantile g-computation approaches.

RESULTS

After adjusting for relevant covariates, we found that per log10-unit increase in mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) level in urine specimens was associated with a decrease of 0.20 days (95 % CI: -0.37, -0.03) in bleeding duration. We also observed that mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) and the sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites (∑DEHP) concentrations in FF samples were inversely related to cycle length [β = -1.92 (95 % CI: -3.10, -0.75) and -1.87 (95 % CI: -3.56, -0.19), respectively]. However, we generally observed null associations between phthalate metabolites and irregular cycle, dysmenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, or cycle length variation. Furthermore, we also found that phthalate metabolite mixtures in FF and urine were generally unrelated to menstrual cycle characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that some DEHP metabolites in FF and urine are inversely associated with menstrual cycle length and menstrual bleeding duration in women attending a fertility center.

Triclosan induces earlier puberty onset in female mice via interfering with L-type calcium channels and activating Pik3cd

Triclosan (TCS) is a broad-spectrum antibacterial chemical widely presents in people's daily lives. Epidemiological studies have revealed that TCS exposure may affect female puberty development. However, the developmental toxicity after low-dose TCS continuous exposure remains to be confirmed. In our study, 8-week-old ICR female mice were continuously exposed to TCS (30, 300, 3000 μg/kg/day) or vehicle (corn oil) from 2 weeks before mating to postnatal day 21 (PND 21) of F1 female mice, while F1 female mice were treated with TCS intragastric administration from PND 22 until PND 56. Vaginal opening (VO) observation, hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis related hormones and genes detection, and ovarian transcriptome analysis were carried out to investigate the effects of TCS exposure on puberty onset. Meanwhile, human granulosa-like tumor cell lines (KGN cells) were exposed to TCS to further explore the biological mechanism of the ovary in vitro. The results showed that long-term exposure to low-dose TCS led to approximately a 3-day earlier puberty onset in F1 female mice. Moreover, TCS up-regulated the secretion of estradiol (E2) and the expression of ovarian steroidogenesis genes. Notably, ovarian transcriptomes analysis as well as bidirectional validation in KGN cells suggested that L-type calcium channels and Pik3cd were involved in TCS-induced up-regulation of ovarian-related hormones and genes. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that TCS interfered with L-type calcium channels and activated Pik3cd to up-regulate the expression of ovarian steroidogenesis and related genes, thereby inducing the earlier puberty onset in F1 female mice.

In vitro metabolism of triclosan and chemoprevention against its cytotoxicity

Triclosan (TCS), a broad-spectrum antibacterial chemical, has been extensively used in personal daily care items, household commodities, and clinical medications; therefore, humans are at risk of being exposed to TCS in their daily lives. This chemical also accumulated in food chains, and potential risks were associated with its metabolism in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in metabolic profile of TCS by hepatic P450 enzymes and extrahepatic P450s, and also identify chemical structures of its metabolites. The results showed that RLM mediated the hydroxylation and cleavage of the ether moiety of TCS, resulting in phenolic metabolites that are more polar than the parent compound, including 4-chlorocatechol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and monohydroxylated triclosan. The major metabolite of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 mediated TCS metabolism is 4-chlorochol. We also performed molecular docking experiments to investigate possible binding modes of TCS in the active sites of human CYP1B1, CYP1A1, and CYP3A4. In addition to in vitro experiments, we further examined the cytotoxic effects of TCS on HepG2 cells expressing hepatic P450 and MCF-7/1B1 cells expressing CYP1B1. It exhibited significant cytotoxicity on HepG2, MCF-10A and MCF-7/1B1 cells, with IC50 values of 70 ± 10 μM, 20 ± 10 μM and 60 ± 20 μM, respectively. The co-incubation of TCS with glutathione (GSH) as a chemopreventive agent could reduce the cytotoxicity of TCS in vitro. The chemopreventive effects of GSH might be ascribed to the promotion of TCS efflux mediated by membrane transporter MRP1 and also its antioxidant property, which partially neutralized the oxidative stress of TCS on mammalian cells. This study contributed to our understanding of the relationship between the P450 metabolism and the toxicity of TCS. It also had implications for the use of specific chemopreventive agents against the toxicity of TCS.

Effects of postnatal exposure to phthalate, bisphenol a, triclosan, parabens, and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances on maternal postpartum depression and infant neurodevelopment: a korean mother-infant pair cohort study

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can promote infant neurodevelopmental impairment and maternal postpartum depression (PPD). However, the associations between lactation exposure to EDCs, maternal PPD, and infant neurodevelopment are unclear. Hence, we investigated these relationships in infants aged 36-42 months. We recruited 221 Korean mothers and analyzed 29 EDCs. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess maternal PPD. Bayley scales of infant development; the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham rating scale (SNAP); and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) were used to assess neurodevelopment in infants exposed to the top 30% of EDC over three years. Multiple regression analyses were adjusted for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, education, income, employment, residence, and infant age and sex. The rates of infants with clinically abnormal diagnoses on neurologic developmental tests (Balyey, SNAP, and CBCL scales) ranged from 7.7 to 38.5% in this study, with the motor and hyperactivity/impulsivity areas scoring the highest among 65 boys and girls. Mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) and mono-isononyl phthalate (MiNP) levels in breast milk significantly correlated with infant inattention and hyperactivity. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS) levels correlated significantly with motor development of BSID-III and total CBCL score which mean infant might have lower developmental status. EDC concentrations in breast milk were not associated with maternal PPD. Overall, lactational exposure to EDCs during the postpartum period can exert a negative effect on maternal PPD and infant neurodevelopment.

Current knowledge on the effects of environmental contaminants in early life nutrition

Breast milk represents the optimal source of feeding for newborns, in terms of nutritional compounds and as it provides immunological, metabolic, organic, and neurological well-being. As a complex biological fluid, it consists not only of nutritional compounds but also contains environmental contaminants. Formulas through production, contact with bottles and cups, and complementary feeding can also be contaminated. The current review focuses on endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and made-man xenoestrogens present in the environment and both commonly present in food sources, agricultural practices, packaging, consumer products, industry, and medical care. These contaminants are transferred by passive diffusion to breast milk and are delivered during breastfeeding. They mainly act by activating or antagonizing hormonal receptors. We summarize the effects on the immune system, gut microbiota, and metabolism. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and indirect food additives may induce tissue inflammation and polarize lymphocytes, increase proinflammatory cytokines, promote allergic sensitization, and microbial dysbiosis, activate nuclear receptors and increase the incidence of allergic, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases. Breast milk is the most important optimal source in early life. This mini-review summarizes current knowledge on environmental contaminants and paves the way for strategies to prevent milk contamination and limit maternal and infant exposure during pregnancy and the first months of life.

Comparison between pollutants found in breast milk and infant formula in the last decade: A review

Since ancient times, breastfeeding has been the fundamental way of nurturing the newborn. The benefits of breast milk are widely known, as it is a source of essential nutrients and provides immunological protection, as well as developmental benefits, among others. However, when breastfeeding is not possible, infant formula is the most appropriate alternative. Its composition meets the nutritional requirements of the infant, and its quality is subject to strict control by the authorities. Nonetheless, the presence of different pollutants has been detected in both matrices. Thus, the aim of the present review is to make a comparison between the findings in both breast milk and infant formula in terms of contaminants in the last decade, in order to choose the most convenient option depending on the environmental conditions. For that, the emerging pollutants including metals, chemical compounds derived from heat treatment, pharmaceutical drugs, mycotoxins, pesticides, packaging materials, and other contaminants were described. While in breast milk the most concerning contaminants found were metals and pesticides, in infant formula pollutants such as metals, mycotoxins, and packaging materials were the most outstanding. In conclusion, the convenience of using a feeding diet based on breast milk or either infant formula depends on the maternal environmental circumstances. However, it is important to take into account the immunological benefits of the breast milk compared to the infant formula, and the possibility of using breast milk in combination with infant formula when the nutritional requirements are not fulfilled only with the intake of breast milk. Therefore, more attention should be paid in terms of analyzing these conditions in each case to be able to make a proper decision, as it will vary depending on the maternal and newborn environment.

Infant exposure to parabens, triclosan, and triclocarban via breastfeeding and formula supplementing in southern China

Parabens, triclosan (TCS), and triclocarban (TCC) are antimicrobial additives that are widely used in personal care products (PCPs) and may dysregulate infant gut microbiota and induce a series of chronic diseases. Dietary intake may be an underestimated exposure route of such antimicrobial additives in infants, but relevant data remain scarce. Therefore, this study determined five common preservatives, including methyl- (MeP), ethyl- (EtP), propyl- (PrP), butyl- (BuP), and benzyl-paraben (BeP), and two antimicrobials TCS and TCC, in major infant food sources (breastmilk, milk-based infant formula [MIF], and cereal-based complementary food [CCF]) in southern China. The health risks associated with dietary exposure among infants across different months of age were also evaluated. The results demonstrated a high incidence of MeP, EtP, PrP, and BeP in processed infant food products, while TCS and TCC were mainly detected in maternal breastmilk. Notably, MeP and EtP were found in all of the MIFs tested, while MeP, EtP, and BeP were detected in 85.6 %-100 % of the CCFs. By incorporating the human equivalent dose and an additional 10-fold margin of safety for infants into the health risk assessment, the 95th percentile hazard quotient of PrP via the ingestion of breastmilk among neonates exceeded 1. For the first time, the results showed that exposure to PrP via breastmilk intake may pose a considerable health risk to urban neonates in southern China. The health risks caused by antimicrobial exposure via ingesting MIF and CCF among infants were negligible. Thus, we recommend breastfeeding women reduce their consumption of PCPs and processed food, especially during the first month after delivery.

Time-course trend and influencing factors for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the breast milk of Korean mothers

Many studies have reported that neonates and infants are exposed to several per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) via breastfeeding; however, these studies have had small sample sizes. This study aimed to determine the concentrations and time-course trend of PFASs in breast milk and identify influencing factors governing PFAS concentrations. Between July and September (2018), 207 low-risk primiparous women were recruited from a lactation counseling clinic in Korea and their breast milk samples were tested for 14 PFASs, including four perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids. A questionnaire survey, comprising 84 questions covering the women's demographic, obstetrical, dietary, lifestyle, behavioral, and neonatal information, was conducted to investigate associations. Twelve of the 14 PFASs were detectable in breast milk samples. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorodecanoic acid were detected in 100% of the samples, followed by perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (detection rate: 87%), perfluorononanoic acid (87%), and perfluorohexanoic acid (73%); the median concentrations were 0.05, 0.10, 0.031, 0.007, and 0.033 ng/mL, respectively. The PFAS concentrations in breast milk measured in our study were higher than those reported in other studies or countries. In 12 years, from 2007 to 18, the mean concentration of PFOA in breast milk increased by approximately three times (278%). The major factors associated with PFAS concentrations in the bivariate association analysis were body mass index; living area (non-metropolitan); neonatal age; and frequency of fish, ice cream, and canned food consumption. In the multiple regression model, fish consumption significantly influenced the PFOS concentrations in breast milk (β = 0.88, p = 0.033). Frequently, fish consumption has been analyzed as the main dietary factor related to PFOS concentration. Our findings suggest the need for a comprehensive cohort study on PFAS exposure and its association with infant health.

Polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogel sorbent for extraction of parabens in human milk samples by in-tube SPME–LC–UV

In this work, we developed an in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) device consisting of a fused silica capillary modified with a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) hydrogel. Methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben were determined in human milk samples by using the in-tube SPME device coupled with liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection in the ultraviolet region (LC-UV). The inner surface of the fused silica capillary was silanized to allow covalent modification with the PVOH-hydrogel, using glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent. The developed device was used up to 250 times with no reduction in the analytes' peak areas or carryover effect, besides having a low production cost. The human milk samples showed a significant matrix effect for parabens with higher logKo/w. Low limits of quantification (LLOQ) between 10.0 and 15.0 ng mL-1 were obtained with RSD values in the range of 1.18 to 18.3%. For the intra- and inter-day assays, RSD values from 5.6 to 16.5% and accuracy from 74.5 to 128.8% were achieved. The PVOH-based hydrogel sorbent allowed the use of water as desorption solvent, eliminating the use of organic solvents, which follows the principles of green chemistry. The results showed a great application potential of the PVOH-based hydrogel sorbent for the extraction of organic compounds from high-complexity samples.

Long-term stability of several endocrine disruptors in the first morning urine samples and their associations with lifestyle characteristics

Parabens, triclosan (TCS), bisphenols, benzophenones, and phthalates are typical endocrine disruptors (EDs) with short half-lives in the human body. The concentration levels of those EDs in a spot urine sample are frequently used in exposure assessment studies, and the reproducibility of urinary levels of these nonpersistent EDs should be considered. In the present study, we consecutively collected 45-day first morning void (FMV) urine samples, as well as daily questionnaires, in six recruited participants and measured the urinary concentrations of six parabens, TCS, nine bisphenols, five benzophenones, and ten phthalate metabolites by using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. MeP, EtP, PrP, TCS, BPA, BPS, BPF, and most phthalate metabolites were frequently detected (over 62 % of samples). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for ED concentrations in FMV urine samples ranged from fair to excellent for MeP (0.683), EtP (0.702), BPA (0.505), BPS (0.908), BPF (0.887), BP-3 (0.712), mMP (0.661), mEP (0.523), mBP (0.500), miBP (0.724), mBzP (0.961) and all metabolites of DEHP (0.867-0.957), whereas they were low for PrP (0.321) and TCS (0.306). After creatinine adjustment, the values of ICCs for most target EDs were increased with mild to significant improvement. The stability of ED concentrations was affected by daily diet (MeP, TCS, BPA, mMP, miBP, mBP and mBzP), food containers (PrP and mECPP), use of personal care products (HMWP metabolites), pharmaceuticals (EtP) and recorded activities (BPS, mEHP, mBzP, mEHHP and mEOHP), as confirmed by a general linear mixed model. Furthermore, extending the FMV sampling period improved the probability of acceptable reproducibility (ICCs > 0.40) of MeP, EtP, BP-3 and mEP concentrations. For BPS, BPF and HMWP metabolite concentrations showed high probabilities (>80 %) of acceptable reproducibility in the last three days, and the increasing sample size slowly improved the ability to discriminate the subjects. The results were exactly the opposite for BPA concentrations.

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

OBJECTIVE

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSION

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

Biomonitoring bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones in breast milk from a human milk bank in Southern Spain

BACKGROUND

Human breast milk is considered the optimal source of nutrition for infants. Milk from breast milk banks offers an alternative to infant formulas for vulnerable hospitalized neonates most likely to benefit from exclusive human milk feeding. However, breast milk can also be a source of exposure to environmental contaminants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

AIM

To evaluate concentrations of phenolic EDCs, including bisphenols, parabens (PBs), and benzophenones (BPs), in samples from a human milk bank in Granada, Southern Spain and to explore sociodemographic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors related to their concentrations in the milk.

METHODS

Concentrations of three bisphenols [bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), and bisphenol S (BPS)], four PBs [methyl- (MeP), ethyl- (EtP), propyl- (n-PrP), and butyl-paraben (n-BuP)], and six BPs [BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, BP-6, BP-8, and 4-hydroxy-BP] were determined in milk samples from 83 donors. Information on potential explanatory variables was gathered using the milk bank donor form and an ad hoc questionnaire. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were fitted.

RESULTS

Detectable concentrations were found of at least one of the analyzed compounds in all donor breast milk samples and at least five compounds in one-fifth of them. The most frequently detected compounds were MeP (90.5%), BP-3 (75.0%), EtP (51.2%), n-PrP (46.4%), and BPA (41.7%). Median concentrations ranged between <0.10 ng/mL (n-PrP, n-BuP, BP-1) and 0.59 ng/mL (BP-3). No sample contained detectable concentrations of BPF, BPS, or most BPs (BP-2, BP-6, BP-8, and 4- hydroxy-BP). Breast milk phenol concentrations were associated with parity, the utilization of deodorants, mouthwash, skin care products, and cosmetics, and the intake of nutritional supplements.

CONCLUSIONS

Results reveal the widespread presence of BPA, PBs, and BP-3 in donor breast milk samples, highlighting the need for preventive measures to enhance the benefits of breast milk from milk banks and from breastfeeding women in general.

Di-n-butyl phthalate promotes monocyte recruitment via miR-137-3p-SP1-MCP-1 pathway

Since non-covalent bound character and widespread application in numerous products, people are exposed to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) at low levels through various ways. Epidemiological studies suggested an association between DBP exposure and atherosclerosis (AS). Still, molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of DBP on monocyte recruitment, a key and initial step of AS. EA.hy926 cells were treated with DBP (10-9-10-5 M) or DMSO as control. Chemotaxis assay was applied to investigate THP-1 recruitment. Expression of mRNA /miRNAs and proteins were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Levels of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) in supernatant were detected by ELISA assay. Receptor internalization assay was performed to confirm C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) subcellular localization in THP-1 cells and the binding between CCR2 and MCP-1. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the combination between miR-137-3p and specificity protein 1 (SP1), as well as SP1 and MCP-1. Results showed that number of recruited THP-1 cells after EA.hy926 cells treated by DBP was significantly higher than that in the control group due to promoted MCP-1 expression. In addition, expression of MCP-1 was regulated through miR-137-3p-SP1 cascade. Besides, overexpression of miR-137-3p reversed the increased number of recruited THP-1 cells. Our results implied that DBP might promote THP-1 recruitment by targeting miR-137-3p-SP1-MCP-1 in EA.hy926 cells.

Urinary parabens and their derivatives associated with oxidative stress biomarkers in children from South and Central China: Repeated measures

Previous studies implied that elevated exposure to parabens may result in increased oxidative stress. However, the association between exposure to paraben derivatives and oxidative stress biomarkers in children has been rarely studied. This study examined the associations between exposure to paraben derivatives and oxidative stress biomarkers in Chinese children. Nine targeted compounds of parabens and their derivatives including methyl paraben (MeP), ethyl paraben (EtP), propyl paraben (PrP), butyl paraben (BuP), p-hydrox4ybenzoic acid (p-HB), 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid (3,4-DHB), benzoic acid, methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (rOH-MeP), and ethyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (rOH-EtP) were detected in urine collected from 139 children from South and Central China. Additionally, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG), and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal mercapturic acid (HNE-MA) were measured as oxidative stress biomarkers. All targeted compounds (except for BuP) were frequently detected in urine (detection frequencies ranged 80.8%-100%). Linear mixed effects model revealed that all targeted compounds (with detection frequencies >50%), except for EtP, were significantly associated with an increase in 8-OHdG. rOH-EtP was found to be significantly associated with 8-OHG (β = 0.12; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.08, 0.16) positively. In addition, PrP and benzoic acid were associated with elevated levels of HNE-MA. Weighted quantile sum regression revealed that co-exposure to the targeted compounds was positively associated with 8-OHdG (β = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.22), 8-OHG (β = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.18), and HNE-MA (β = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.59); rOH-EtP and benzoic acid were the major contributors for the combined effects on oxidative stress of nucleic acids and lipid, respectively. Our findings provide new evidence for the effects of exposure to paraben derivatives on nucleic acid oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation in children.

The Presence of Triclosan in Human Hair Samples in Poland-A Pilot Study

Triclosan (TCS) is an organic substance showing antibacterial action, which is commonly used in many branches of industry, including, among others, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and the food industry. TCS may penetrate into living organisms and negatively affect the health of humans and animals. The majority of previous investigations on TCS biomonitoring in humans have been performed on urine, but currently, studies on hair samples are becoming increasingly important. The aim of this study was to evaluate TCS concentration levels in residents of Olsztyn, a city in northeastern Poland, using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. The presence of TCS was observed in 96.7% of samples tested, with concentration levels from 37.9 pg/mg to 3386.5 pg/mg. The mean concentration level of TCS in the present study was 402.6 (±803.6) pg/mg, and the median value was 103.3 pg/mg. Although there were some differences in TCS concentration levels between males and females, humans of various ages and humans with colored and natural hair had no statistically significant differences in TCS concentration levels. The obtained results have clearly indicated that people living in northeastern Poland are exposed to TCS to a large degree, and hair analysis, despite some limitations, is a suitable method for TCS biomonitoring in humans.

Exposure to 15 phthalates and two substitutes (DEHTP and DINCH) assessed in trios of infants and their parents as well as longitudinally in infants exclusively breastfed and after the introduction of a mixed diet

OBJECTIVE

Several phthalates have been restricted/banned due to their adverse endocrine disrupting properties. The use of other phthalates and substitutes has increased. Here we examine the current exposure to phthalates in family trios comprised of infants and their parents and in infants exclusive breastfed and following introduction to a mixed diet.

METHODS

Metabolites of 15 phthalates and two substitutes, di(2-ethylhexyl)-teraphthalate (DEHTP) and diisononyl-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), were measured in urine samples collected from >100 infants and their parents and in paired urine samples collected from 67 infants, while they were exclusively breastfed and when they got mixed diet.

RESULTS

Among infants and their parents, metabolites of nine out of 15 phthalates and both substitutes were detected in >74% of all samples. Estimated daily intake (DI) calculated as µg/kg/day, showed similar exposure levels among infants and their parents for several of the substances, and infants were more exposed to DEHTP than their mothers. Significantly higher estimated DIs were observed for some low-molecular phthalates in infants exclusively breastfed. In contrast, comparable estimated DIs were observed for many other phthalates and DEHTP regardless of feeding status. For most of the substances, the within-family variation, was lower than the between-family variation. Likewise, the within-infant variation on exclusively breast vs. mixed diet was lower than the between-infant variation. Independent of food status, some infants were concurrently exposed to almost all the measured phthalates and substitutes in higher amounts than others.

CONCLUSION

Surprisingly, irrespective of diet status infants were exposed to several phthalates and substitutes some of which have been regulated for years. Exposure patterns and levels were similar in infants and their parents. Importantly, risk assessment based on new refined reference doses (RfD-AA) exceeded the safety level for anti-androgenic effects in a number of infants and parents, which is of concern.

Nursing Exposure to Bisphenols as a Cause of Male Idiopathic Infertility

Idiopathic infertility is a serious problem, which can be caused and explained by exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenols. In our study, we studied transactional exposure to bisphenol and its effects on newborn male mice throughout their reproductive life. Newborn male mice were exposed to bisphenol S and bisphenol F through maternal milk from post-natal day 0 to post-natal day 15 at concentrations of 0.1 ng.g/bw/day and 10 ng.g/bw/day, respectively. Although there were minimal differences between the control and experimental groups in testicular tissue quality and spermatozoa quality, we discovered an interesting influence on early embryonic development. Moderate doses of bisphenol negatively affected cleavage of the early embryo and subsequently, the blastocyst rate, as well as the number of blastomeres per blastocyst. In our study, we focused on correlations between particular stages from spermatogenesis to blastocyst development. We followed epigenetic changes such as dimethylation of histone H3 and phosphorylation of histone H2 from germ cells to blastocysts; we discovered the transfer of DNA double-strand breaks through the paternal pronucleus from spermatozoa to blastomeres in the blastocyst. We elucidated the impact of sperm DNA damage on early embryonic development, and our results indicate that idiopathic infertility in adulthood may have causes related to the perinatal period.

Concentrations of bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones in human breast milk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Breast milk is the main source of nutrition for infants but may be responsible for their exposure to environmental chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

AIM

To review available evidence on the presence and concentrations of bisphenols, parabens (PBs), and benzophenones (BPs) in human milk and to explore factors related to exposure levels.

METHODS

A systematic review was carried out using Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, conducting a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed original articles published during the period 2000-2020, including epidemiological and methodological studies. Inclusion criteria were met by 50 studies, which were compiled by calculating weighted detection frequencies and arithmetic mean concentrations of the chemicals. Their risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I checklist.

RESULTS

Among the 50 reviewed studies, concentrations of bisphenols were assessed by 37 (74.0%), PBs by 21 (42.0%), and BPs by 10 (20.0%). Weighted detection frequencies were 63.6% for bisphenol-A (BPA), 27.9-63.4% for PBs, and 39.5% for benzophenone-3 (BP-3). Weighted mean concentrations were 1.4 ng/mL for BPA, 0.2-14.2 ng/mL for PBs, and 24.4 ng/mL for BP-3. Mean concentrations ranged among studies from 0.1 to 3.9 ng/mL for BPA, 0.1 to 1063.6 ng/mL for PBs, and 0.5 to 72.4 ng/mL for BP-3. The highest concentrations of BPA and PBs were reported in samples from Asia (versus America and Europe). Higher BPA and lower methyl-paraben concentrations were observed in samples collected after 2010. Elevated concentrations of these chemicals were associated with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors in eight studies (16.0%). Two epidemiological studies showed moderate/serious risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review contributes the first overview of the widespread presence and concentrations of bisphenols, PBs, and BPs in human breast milk, revealing geographical and temporal variations. The methodological heterogeneity of published studies underscores the need for well-conducted studies to assess the magnitude of exposure to these chemicals from human milk.

Phthalate metabolites: Characterization, toxicities, global distribution, and exposure assessment

Phthalates are plasticizers in various products and regarded as endocrine disruptors due to their anti-androgen effects. Environmental occurrence and toxicities of parent phthalates have been widely reported, while the current state of knowledge on their metabolites is rarely summarized. Based on the available literature, the present review mainly aims to 1) characterize the potential metabolites of phthalates (mPAEs) using the pharmacokinetics evidences acquired via animal or human models; 2) examine the molecular and cellular mechanism involved in toxicity for mPAEs; 3) investigate the exposure levels of mPAEs in different human specimens (e.g., urine, blood, seminal fluid, breast milk, amniotic fluid and others) across the globe; 4) discuss the models and related parameters for phthalate exposure assessment. We suggest there is subtle difference in toxic mechanisms for mPAEs compared to their parent phthalates due to their alternative chemical structures. Human monitoring studies performed in Asia, America and Europe have provided the population exposure baseline levels for typical phthalates in different regions. Urine is the preferred matrix than other specimens for phthalate exposure study. Among ten urinary mPAEs, the largest proportions of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites (40%), monoethyl phthalate (mEP) (43%) and DEHP metabolites/mEP (both 29%) were observed in Asia, America and Europe respectively, and mono-5-carboxy-2-ethypentyl phthalate was the most abundant compounds among DEHP metabolites. Daily intakes of phthalates can be accurately calculated via urinary mPAEs if the proper exposure parameters were determined. Further work should focus on combining epidemiological and biological evidences to establish links between phthalates exposure and biological phenotypes. More accurate molar fractions (F_UE) of the urinary excreted monoester related to the ingested diesters should be collected in epidemiological or pharmacokinetic studies for different population.

Exploring personal chemical exposures in China with wearable air pollutant monitors: A repeated-measure study in healthy older adults in Jinan, China

The health impact of airborne contaminants has been challenging to assess due to current limitations in measurement technologies. The emergence of wearable passive samplers coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) chemical analysis has enabled comprehensive characterization of personal exposures. We conducted a repeated-measure study among 84 older adults in Jinan, China, as part of the Biomarkers for Air Pollutants Exposure (China BAPE) study. Study objectives were: 1) to characterize the occurrence, magnitude, and distribution of personal exposure to airborne contaminants; 2) to evaluate the temporal variation of chemical exposures across the study population; and 3) to identify behavioral and environmental factors that influence the observed variance in chemical exposures. The FreshAir wristband was worn by participants for three consecutive days each month from September 2018 to January 2019 and collected with paired time-activity logs. Passive air samplers were also deployed in parallel at a local outdoor air monitoring station. Spearman's Rho trend test and trajectory cluster analysis were used to identify exposure trends and variation patterns, respectively. Out of the 70 airborne compounds of potential concern screened, 26 compounds from 10 chemical classes were found to be above detection thresholds across >70% of the study population. Personal exposures were predominantly characterized by nine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), four phthalates, three nitroaromatics, and two volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Phthalate personal exposures were positively correlated with outdoor temperatures while the inverse relationship was observed for certain PAHs (p < 0.05). Specifically, dimethyl phthalate (r_s = 0.31) decreased as temperatures declined, while nitrobenzene (r_s = -0.35) and naphthalene (r_s = -0.40) increased as temperatures decreased. Compared to levels measured at the outdoor air monitoring site, personal exposure of phthalates was elevated (p < 0.05) and hexachlorobutadiene was lower across participants (p < 0.01). Personal exposure of these chemicals was further found to be weakly associated with daily duration participants spent outdoors. Individuals formed distinct clusters based on trajectories of chemical exposures across the sampling period (September to January), potentially suggestive of distinct emission sources. In conclusion, we demonstrate the feasibility of characterizing the occurrence and magnitude of personal exposure to airborne chemical contaminants using passive wristband samplers. The temporal variability of these personal exposure profiles was highlighted and with distinct trends identified across different groups of individuals. Future studies will integrate this data with other omics datasets collected from this population of Chinese older adults to investigate associations between exposure profiles and health relevant biomarkers, to provide evidence in feasibility of disease prevention through environmental improvements.

Pharmacophore based in silico study with laboratory verification-environmental explanation of prostate cancer recurrence

The prediction of harmful effects can guide research on the health hazards of environmental pollutants. The development of a computer-aided drug design in pharmacological technology and omics database remarkably facilitates the prediction of the possible harmful effects of hazardous substances. In this study, the pharmacophore target database based on molecular structure served as a bridge between pollutants and genes and combined with the omics database and molecular pathway enrichment technology to predict the potential prostatic cancer-promoting effect of dibutyl phthalate. Cell experiments and gene expression were carried out to verify the previous prediction, and the characteristics of harmful effects were further explored. Low concentrations of dibutyl phthalate may have androgen-independent prostate cancer-promoting effects, which may put patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy in danger. This study suggests the potential negative effects of phthalates on prostate cancer and a method for predicting harmful effects on the basis of pharmacology technology.

Estimation of lactating mothers' daily intakes of bisphenol A using breast milk

Breast milk is a unique biological sample that reflects the exposure levels of both lactating mothers and infants. The exposure levels of BPA due to breast milk consumption for infants can be estimated easily, but the method to estimate the total daily intake (TDI) of lactating mothers from breast milk has not yet been established. In this study, BPA concentrations were detected in breast milk samples from 149 lactating mothers from Hunan, China. The median concentration of BPA in breast milk was 0.053 μg/L with a range of 0.001-2.535 μg/L, and a temporal decline trend was found for BPA concentrations in breast milk (p < 0.05). The median intake of BPA via breast milk was 26.8 ng/kg bw/day for 0-3-month-old infants and 7.0 ng/kg bw/day for 4-12-month-old infants. Based on the predicted concentrations of BPA in urine and blood via the conversion coefficients from breast milk, the TDIs of lactating mothers were estimated. The TDIs estimated from the simulated urine concentration were 84.0 ± 175.2 ng/kg bw/day for 0-3-month-old infants' mothers and 36.9 ± 80.8 ng/kg bw/day for 4-12-month-old infants' mothers. The dietary daily intakes estimated from the simulated blood concentration were 579.6 ± 370.8 ng/kg bw/day for 0-3-month-old infants' mothers and 280.1 ± 195.2 ng/kg bw/day for 4-12-month-old infants' mothers. When assuming the dietary daily intakes in Hunan of the fifth total diet study (TDS) as the "true" total dietary intake of our population, the contribution of diet was estimated to be 63.7%, which suggested that non-dietary BPA exposure may be underestimated.

Co-exposure to BPA and DEHP enhances susceptibility of mammary tumors via up-regulating Esr1/HDAC6 pathway in female rats

Breast cancer (BrCa) as one of the major malignancies threatening women's health worldwide occurs due to the genetic and environmental interactions. Epidemiological studies have suggested that exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can elevate the risk of breast cancer. Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) and bisphenol A (BPA) are known as two typical EDCs. Although several studies have implied that there appear to have adverse effects of exposure to BPA or DEHP alone on breast development, no study to date has demonstrated the exact toxic effect of combined exposure to DEHP and BPA on breast tumorigenesis. In the present study, we performed an in vivo experiment including 160 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, in which 80 rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups including control group given to normal diet, DEHP (150 mg/kg body weight/day), BPA (20 mg/kg body weight/day), and DEHP (150 mg/kg body weight/day) combined with BPA (20 mg/kg body weight/day) by gavage for 30 weeks. Additionally, a DEN/MNU/DHPN (DMD)-induced carcinogenesis animal model was also established to assess their effect on tumor promotion. Namely, the other 80 SD rats were separated into another 4 groups: in addition to DMD initiation each group treated with vehicle, DEHP, BPA and the combination of BPA and DEHP respectively. Our data demonstrated that BPA alone or in combination with DEHP may induce hyperplasia of mammary glands, including the proliferation of ductal epithelial cells and an increase in the number of lobules and acinus after a 30-week exposure. Notably, co-exposure to DEHP and BPA increased the incidence and reduced the latency of mammary tumor, which seemed to enhance the susceptibility of carcinogens-induced tumor. Mechanistically, our results supported the hypothesis that exposure to BPA and DEHP might promote breast cancer dependent on Esr1 and HDAC6 as pivotal factors, and further lead to the activation of oncogene c-Myc. Our study suggested that BPA combined with DEHP facilitate the occurrence of mammary tumors, which contributed to advance our understanding in the complex effects of compound exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Emerging Contaminants in the Northeast Andean Foothills of Amazonia: The Case of Study of the City of Tena, Napo, Ecuador

This work is a study on the occurrence of emerging pollutants in the northeast Ecuadorian Amazon. Emerging contaminants (ECs)-caffeine, triclosan, estradiol, acetaminophen, nicotine, and ibuprofen-were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in rivers and streams of the Amazon basin near the city of Tena, Ecuador. For that, a total of 16 natural water samples were taken in 8 locations. Sampling sites included areas impacted by discharges from inefficient sewage networks in urban areas, wastes from fish farming and non-functional landfill, a stream with few threats, tap water, and treated sewage. Caffeine was found in the 38% of the samples studied while trimethoprim and acetaminophen had an occurrence of 13%. Caffeine was detected at two sites receiving untreated sewage and one site receiving treated sewage with mean concentrations that ranged between 19 and 31.5 μg L^-1. Acetaminophen (50.4 μg L^-1) and trimethoprim (2 μg L^-1) were only detected in the river receiving treated sewage effluent. This is the first assessment of emerging contaminants in the upper Ecuadorian Amazon basin, and our observations highlight the need for better sewage treatment and water quality monitoring in Amazonian cities.

Web-based behavioral intervention to reduce exposure to phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A, triclosan, and parabens in mothers with young children: A randomized controlled trial

In this study, a web-based behavioral intervention was designed, which aimed to reduce exposure to phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A, triclosan, and parabens in mothers with young children. A randomized controlled design with two groups was used to verify the effects of the intervention pre- and post-test. In total, 51 mothers participated in the study, categorizing 26 and 25 in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The web-based behavioral intervention focused on changes in diet, personal care products, and health behavior and reinforced behavior through encouragement. This program included an educational video, a game for locating endocrine disruptors at home, a method for locating facilities potentially emitting endocrine disruptors, resources, and a questions and answers mode. Data were collected from May 18 to June 30, 2020. Participants allocated to the intervention group were provided access to the behavioral intervention website via a computer or smartphone. Participants allocated to the control group were sent written information about endocrine disruptors via mail. For both the intervention and control groups, questionnaire results and maternal urine samples were assessed at baseline, during the intervention, and after one month. After the intervention, the urinary concentrations of mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono (2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), bisphenol A (BPA), methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), and propylparaben (PP) were found to be significantly decreased in the intervention group. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significantly decreased urinary geometric mean values of MEHP, MEOHP, BPA, MP, and PP after one month compared with those during the intervention (3.8%, 16.3%, 28.4%, 9.2%, and 24.4%, respectively). Hence, the web-based behavioral intervention was effective at reducing the exposure to endocrine disruptors in mothers with young children.

A critical review on human internal exposure of phthalate metabolites and the associated health risks

Phthalates (PAEs) are popular synthetic chemicals used as plasticizers and solvents for various products, such as polyvinyl chloride or personal care products. Human exposure to PAEs is associated with various diseases, resulting in PAE biomonitoring in humans. Inhalation, dietary ingestion, and dermal absorption are the major human exposure routes. However, estimating the actual exposure dose of PAEs via an external route is difficult. As a result, estimation by internal exposure has become the popular analytical methods to determine the concentrations of phthalate metabolites (mPAEs) in human matrices (such as urine, serum, breast milk, hair, and nails). The various exposure sources and patterns result in different composition profiles of PAEs in biomatrices, which vary from country to country. Nevertheless, the mPAEs of diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are predominant in the urine. These mPAEs have greater potential health risks for humans. Children have been observed to exhibit higher exposure risks to several mPAEs than adults. Besides age, other influencing factors for phthalate exposure are gender, jobs, and residential areas. Although many studies have reported biological monitoring of PAEs, only a few reviews that adequately summarized the reports are available. The current review appraised available studies on mPAE quantitation in human biomatrices and estimated the dose and health risks of phthalate exposure. While some countries lack biomonitoring data, some countries' data do not reflect the current PAE exposure. Thence, future studies should involve frequent PAE biomonitoring to accurately estimate human exposure to PAEs, which will contribute to health risk assessments of human exposure to PAEs. Such would aid the formulation of corresponding regulations and restrictions by the government.

Occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern in surface waters from Paraopeba River Basin in Brazil: seasonal changes and risk assessment

This study describes the application of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to evaluate the occurrence of 12 CECs-contaminants of emerging concern (bisphenol A, diclofenac, 17β-estradiol, estriol, estrone, 17α-ethinylestradiol, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, naproxen, 4-nonylphenol, 4-octylphenol, and acetaminophen) in surface waters from Paraopeba River Basin, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The analytical procedure was validated and applied to 60 surface water samples collected across four sampling campaigns along the upper and middle watershed. Methods for CECs determination involved sample filtration, and solid-phase extraction (SPE) with subsequent derivatization of the target compounds prior to their analysis by GC-MS. The LOQ varied from 3.6 to 14.4 ng/L and extraction recoveries ranged from 46.1 to 107.1% for the lowest spiked concentration level (10 ng/L). The results showed a profile of spatial distribution of compounds, as well as the influence of rainfall. Ibuprofen (1683.9 ng/L), bisphenol (1587.7 ng/L), and naproxen (938.4 ng/L) occurred in higher concentrations during the rainy season, whereas during the dry season, the concentrations of bisphenol (1057.7 ng/L), estriol (991.0 ng/L), and estrone (978.4 ng/L) were highlighted. The risk assessment of human exposure shows that for most contaminants, the concentration is well below the estimated thresholds for chronic toxicity from water intake. However, estradiol and 17α-ethinylestradiol showed concentrations in the same order of magnitude as the guide values estimated for babies.

Impact of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Breast Milk on Postpartum Depression in Korean Mothers

Previous human and animal studies have reported an association between endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and anxiety/depression. This study aimed to determine how the concentrations of phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A, triclosan, and parabens in breast milk are associated with the risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD) in Korean mothers. We recruited 221 mothers who were receiving lactation coaching at breastfeeding clinics between July and September 2018. The breast milk samples were collected along with responses to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The multivariable logistic regression results revealed that the phthalate, bisphenol A, parabens, and triclosan levels in the breast milk were not significantly associated with the risk of PPD. This study was the first attempt to analyze the association between the levels of EDCs in breast milk and the risk of PPD. Considering that PPD is a condition that affects not only the women diagnosed with it, but also their children and families, the results of this study may have great relevance to populations in environmentally sensitive periods.

Concentration and Variability of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites, Bisphenol A, Triclosan, and Parabens in Korean Mother–Infant Pairs

Concentrations of toxic chemicals in mothers highly correlate with those in their children; moreover, the levels are higher in children than in mothers. Non-persistent chemicals with a short half-life including phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), and parabens are metabolized and excreted through urine. Therefore, we assessed the urine concentrations of phthalate metabolites, BPA, TCS, and parabens; correlated the concentrations with exposure levels; and assessed the within-individual variability of these chemicals in mothers and their infants. We collected 225 and 71 samples from 45 mothers and 36 infants, respectively. For the variability analysis, 189 and 42 samples were collected from nine mothers and their infants, respectively. The median concentrations of phthalate metabolites in the mothers and infants were 0.53–26.2 and 0.81–61.8 μg/L, respectively, and those of BPA, TCS, and parabens were 0.24–76.3 and 2.06–12.5 μg/L, respectively. The concentrations of monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-N-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), and BPA in the mothers were positively correlated with those in infants (0.45, 0.62, and 0.89, respectively; p < 0.05), whereas toxic chemical concentrations in infants were higher than those in the mothers. With respect to the within-individual intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the first morning void (FMV) of the mothers had high ICCs for all chemicals (range: 0.72–0.99), except for BPA, monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and monocarboxyoctyl phthalate (MCOP). The ICC values of most chemicals were moderate to high (range: 0.34–0.99) in the first morning void. However, there were different patterns of ICCs in the infants. These findings indicate the importance of mother–infant pair studies and the necessity of research in infants, as they have different exposure sources and pathways from adults.

Synthesis of Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sorbents for Isolation of Parabens from Breast Milk

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) are an invaluable asset in the development of many methods in analytical chemistry, particularly sample preparation. Novel adsorbents based on MMIPs are characterized by high selectivity towards a specific analyte due to the presence of a specific cavity on their polymer surface, enabling the lock-key model interactions to occur. In addition, the magnetic core provides superparamagnetic properties that allow rapid separation of the sorbent from the sample solution. Such a combination of imprinted polymers with a magnetic core has an innovative influence on the development of separation techniques. Hence, the present study describes the synthesis of MMIPs with 17β-estradiol used as a template molecule in the production of imprinted polymers. The as-prepared sorbent was used for a sorption/desorption study of five parabens from breast milk samples. The obtained results were characterized by sorption efficiency exceeding 92%, which shows the high affinity of the analytes to the functional groups on the sorbent. The final determination of the selected analytes was done with high-performance liquid chromatography using a fluorometric detector. The determined linearity ranges for selected parabens were characterized by high determination coefficients (r² from 0.9992 to 0.9999), and the calculated limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for the identified compounds were low (LOD from 1.1-2.7 ng mL^-1; LOQ from 3.6-8.1 ng mL^-1), which makes their quantitative analysis in real samples feasible.

Characterization of triclosan and triclocarban in indoor dust from home micro-environments in Vietnam and relevance of non-dietary exposure

Contamination status, spatial variability, and exposure risk of triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) in indoor dusts from different micro-environments were evaluated for the first time in Vietnam as well as in Southeast Asian region. TCS and TCC were measured in 89 dust samples collected from bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens of private houses in four northern cities including Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Nam Dinh, by means of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Concentrations of TCS and TCC ranged from <5 to 1090 (median 33.2) and from <3 to 531 (median 19.3) ng g^-1, respectively. Concentrations of TCS and TCC in the kitchen and bedroom dusts were markedly higher than levels found in the living room samples, probably due to their applications in kitchen utensils, household cleaning reagents, and personal care products. A strong positive correlation between TCS and TCC concentrations was detected in the whole dataset (R² = 0.810, p < 0.001). For samples in which both TCS and TCC were quantified, TCS/TCC ratios ranged from 0.3 to 12 with a median value of 1.8, and did not show big differences between micro-environments. Human exposures to TCS and TCC through dust ingestion were estimated for various age groups with 95% CI daily intake doses ranging from (0.032-0.070) to (0.340-0.740) and from (0.017-0.033) to (0.175-0.345) ng kg-bw^-1 d^-1 for adults and infants respectively. Although our derived values were much lower than reference doses, more comprehensive risk assessment considering multiple exposure pathways of TCS and TCC is needed.

Real-Time Measurement of Indoor PM Concentrations on Daily Change of Endocrine Disruptors in Urine Samples of New Mothers

The recent innovation of IoT-based sensor technologies facilitates real-time monitoring of indoor air pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM), but its dynamic impacts on the level of endocrine disruptors in human body remain understudied. This feasibility study analyzed if the constant measurements of indoor PM concentrations collected at every five minutes are meaningfully associated with the levels of 15 types of endocrine disruptors in urine samples collected three times a day from nine new breastfeeding mothers in Seoul, Korea. Some promising results are observed in terms of detecting cumulative effects of PM10 and PM2.5 on some phthalate metabolites (MnBP, MiBP, MiNP, MCOP, MEOHP and MEHHP), BPA and TCS, at least for some participants. The findings from this study are expected to provide valuable directions for guiding future studies that discover potential associations between indoor PM concentrations and exposure to endocrine disruptors, which is still far from the consensus in the literature. Such efforts should offer empirical and scientific evidences for designing technology-based early warning/alarm services and evidence-based interventions to mitigate the level of exposure to PM and endocrine disruptors in their living environments.