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Sharpe RM. Endocrine disruption and male reproductive disorders: unanswered questions. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:1879-1888. [PMID: 38926156 PMCID: PMC11373384 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Maternal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in human pregnancy is widely considered as an important cause of adverse changes in male reproductive health due to impaired foetal androgen production/action. However, the epidemiological evidence supporting this view is equivocal, except for certain phthalates, notably diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP). Maternal phthalate exposure levels associated with adverse reproductive changes in epidemiological studies are several thousand-fold lower than those needed to suppress foetal androgen production in rats, and direct studies using human foetal testis tissue show no effect of high phthalate exposure on androgen production. This conundrum is unexplained and raises fundamental questions. Human DEHP exposure is predominantly via food with highest exposure associated with consumption of a Western style (unhealthy) diet. This diet is also associated with increased exposure to the most common EDCs, whether persistent (chlorinated or fluorinated chemicals) or non-persistent (phthalates, bisphenols) compounds, which are found at highest levels in fatty and processed foods. Consequently, epidemiological studies associating EDC exposure and male reproductive health disorders are confounded by potential dietary effects, and vice versa. A Western diet/lifestyle in young adulthood is also associated with low sperm counts. Disentangling EDC and dietary effects in epidemiological studies is challenging. In pregnancy, a Western diet, EDC exposure, and maternal living in proximity to industrial sites are all associated with impaired foetal growth/development due to placental dysfunction, which predisposes to congenital male reproductive disorders (cryptorchidism, hypospadias). While the latter are considered to reflect impaired foetal androgen production, effects resulting from foetal growth impairment (FGI) are likely indirect. As FGI has numerous life-long health consequences, and is affected by maternal lifestyle, research into the origins of male reproductive disorders should take more account of this. Additionally, potential effects on foetal growth/foetal testis from the increasing use of medications in pregnancy deserves more research attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Sharpe
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Institute for Regeneration & Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Chang CW, Hsu JY, Hsiao PZ, Sung PS, Liao PC. Optimized analytical strategy based on high-resolution mass spectrometry for unveiling associations between long-term chemical exposome in hair and Alzheimer's disease. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 284:116955. [PMID: 39213755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 08/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental pollutants or contaminants is correlated with detrimental effects on human health, such as neurodegenerative diseases. Adopting hair as a biological matrix for biomonitoring is a significant innovation, since it can reflect the long-term chemical exposome, spanning months to years. However, only a limited number of studies have developed analytical strategies for profiling the chemical exposome in this heterogeneous biological matrix. In this study, a systematic investigation of the chemical extraction procedure from human hair was conducted, using a design of experiments and a high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based suspect screening approach. The PlackettBurman (PB) design was applied to identify the significant variables influencing the number of detected features. Then, a central composite design was implemented to optimize the levels of each identified significant variable. Under the optimal conditions-15-minute pulverization, 25 mg of hair weight, 40 min of sonication, and a sonication temperature of 35 °C-approximately 32,000 and 15,000 aligned features were detected in positive and negative ion modes, respectively. This optimized analytical procedure was applied to hair samples from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and individuals with normal cognitive function. Overall, 307 chemicals were identified using the suspect screening approach, with 37 chemicals differentiating patients with AD from controls. This study not only optimized an analytical procedure for characterizing the long-term chemical exposome in human hair but also explored the associations between AD and environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wei Chang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Yi Hsu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Zu Hsiao
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Pi-Shan Sung
- Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Chi Liao
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan.
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Pan J, Li X, Ding P, Luo H, Cai S, Ge Q, Zhang L, Hu G. Levels, sources, and health risk assessment of phthalate acid esters in indoor dust of various microenvironments in university. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143182. [PMID: 39182730 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Phthalate acid esters (PAEs), as a common group of plasticizers, are widely present in indoor environments and pose a risk to human health. Indoor dust samples collected from dormitory, classroom, laboratory, and office in several universities in China, were analyzed for seven types of PAEs. The total concentrations of seven PAEs (Σ7PAEs) ranged from 4.87 to 360 μg/g, with a median concentration of 51 μg/g, which is lower than that reported by other studies. Using the median concentration of Σ7PAEs as a metric, we assessed the levels of contamination in different microenvironments, resulting in the following ranking: dormitory > classroom > laboratory > office. There are significant differences in the levels of individual PAEs in different microenvironments. Radiation from sunlight, ventilation rates, cleaning frequency, and sprays were influential factors for the concentrations of individual PAEs in indoor dust. The indoor environmental conditions and consumption patterns profoundly affect PAEs levels. The sources of PAEs in classroom and office were more complex than in dormitory and laboratory. Daily intakes of PAEs were used to calculate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human risk for males and females, indicating a low health risk to humans. This is the first study to assess the risk of PAEs in university microenvironments and provides a valuable reference for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Pan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China; School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing, 404130, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Ping Ding
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Haojie Luo
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Sha Cai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China; School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing, 404130, China
| | - Qing Ge
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Liuyi Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing, 404130, China
| | - Guocheng Hu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China; School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing, 404130, China.
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4
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Rocabois A, Sanchez M, Philippat C, Crépet A, Vrijheid M, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Slama R. Chemical exposome and children health: Identification of dose-response relationships from meta-analyses and epidemiological studies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 262:119811. [PMID: 39159775 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health impact assessment studies quantifying the impact of the chemical exposome on children's health generally consider a small fraction of the exposome. Synthetizing available dose-response relationships is an essential step to fill this gap. We reviewed the literature for dose-response relationships relating the chemical exposome with children health. METHOD We focused on 78 substance-outcome pairs for which the level of evidence had previously been classified as 'likely' or 'very likely'. We searched for dose-response relationships for these pairs from meta-analyses and, if none was available, from single epidemiological studies, from which we conducted meta-analyses whenever possible. RESULTS We identified dose-response relationships for 50 of the 78 prioritized substance-outcome pairs (64%). Dose-response relationships stemmed from meta-analyses for 21 pairs, from de novo meta-analyses for 1 pair and single studies for 28 pairs. Dose-response relationships were available for tobacco (fetal and infant death, congenital heart defects, birth outcomes, orofacial clefts, respiratory health), lead (asthma, cognition, delayed puberty onset and iron deficiency anaemia), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) (cognition, respiratory infections and birth outcomes), bisphenol A (cognition), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) (respiratory health), Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (neurodevelopment), DDT (hypospadias, cryptorchidism, miscarriage), pesticides (neurodevelopment), methylmercury (cognition), PFAS (immune system, birth weight, behavior, miscarriage), arsenic (cognition, birth weight, death, respiratory health), cadmium (cognition, birth weight), manganese (behavior), sodium (blood pressure) and thallium (birth weight). For 28 of the 78 substance-outcome pairs (36%), no dose-response relationship was available from epidemiological studies in children. CONCLUSIONS We identified dose-response relationships for 50 substance-outcome pairs, corresponding to 20 chemicals and 17 health outcomes. These can be used to perform more comprehensive quantitative health impact assessment of the exposome on child health. We also identified 28 substance-outcome pairs corresponding to 'likely' or 'very likely' effects for which research generating dose-response functions in children would be relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Rocabois
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France.
| | - Margaux Sanchez
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Risk Assessment Department, Methodology and Studies Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Claire Philippat
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Amélie Crépet
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Risk Assessment Department, Methodology and Studies Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rémy Slama
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France.
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Liu S, Li J, Wang W, Zhang Y, Li S, Li T, Jiang J, Zhao F. Prenatal exposure to dibutyl phthalate contributes to erectile dysfunction in offspring male rats by activating the RhoA/ROCK signalling pathway. Toxicology 2024; 508:153925. [PMID: 39151608 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153925] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) has been reported to cause erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult offspring rats. However, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Previously, we found that DBP activates the RhoA/ROCK pathway in the male reproductive system. This study investigated how prenatal exposure to DBP activates the RhoA/ROCK signalling pathway, leading to ED in male rat offspring. Pregnant rats were stratified into DBP-exposed and NC groups, with the exposed group receiving 750 milligrams per kilogram per day (mg/kg/day) of DBP through gavage from days 14-18 of gestation. DBP exposure activated the RhoA/ROCK pathway in the penile corpus cavernosum (CC) of descendants, causing smooth muscle cell contraction, fibrosis, and apoptosis, all of which contribute to ED. In vitro experiments confirmed that DBP induces apoptosis and RhoA/ROCK pathway activation in CC smooth muscle cells. Treatment of DBP-exposed offspring with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 for 8 weeks significantly improved smooth muscle cell condition, erectile function, and reduced fibrosis. Thus, prenatal DBP exposure induces ED in offspring through RhoA/ROCK pathway activation, and the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 shows potential as an effective treatment for DBP-induced ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Liu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Jianying Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Wenhao Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yijun Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Shufeng Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Tiewen Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Juntao Jiang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.
| | - Fujun Zhao
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.
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Li Z, Wang Q, Wang Y, Chen J, Lei X, Jiu R, Liu H, Bai T, Liu J. Degradation of Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalic acid plasticizer in baijiu by a foam titanium flow reactor attached with hairpin-like structured peptide enzyme mimics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 474:134596. [PMID: 38820744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134596] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Because of the significant environmental and health hazards imposed by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a common plasticizer, developing safe and green techniques to degrade DEHP plasticizer is of huge scientific significance. It has been observed that environmental contamination of DEHP may also induce serious food safety problems because crops raised in plasticizers contaminated soils would transfer the plasticizer into foods, such as Baijiu. Additionally, when plastic packaging or vessels are used during Baijiu fermentation and processing, plasticizer compounds frequently migrate and contaminate the product. In this study, hairpin-like structured peptides with catalytically active sites containing serine, histidine and aspartic acid were found to degrade DEHP. Furthermore, after incorporating caffeic acid molecules at the N-terminus, the peptides could be attached onto foam titanium (Ti) surfaces via enediol-metal interactions to create an enzyme-mimicking flow reactor for the degradation of DEHP in Baijiu. The structure and catalytic activity of peptides, their interaction with DEHP substrate and the hydrolysis mechanism of DEHP were discussed in this work. The stability and reusability of the peptide-modified foam Ti flow reactor were also investigated. This approach provides an effective technique for the degradation of plasticizer compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongda Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Healthy of Tianjin, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Qiuying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Healthy of Tianjin, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Yunyao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Healthy of Tianjin, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Jianan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Healthy of Tianjin, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Xiangmin Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Healthy of Tianjin, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Ruiqing Jiu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Healthy of Tianjin, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Haochi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Healthy of Tianjin, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Tianhou Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Healthy of Tianjin, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China
| | - Jifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Healthy of Tianjin, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China.
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Bellingham M, Evans N. IMPACT OF REAL-LIFE ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES ON REPRODUCTION: Biosolids and male reproduction. Reproduction 2024; 168:e240119. [PMID: 38847770 PMCID: PMC11286255 DOI: 10.1530/rep-24-0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Over the past 50 years, there has been a concerning decline in male reproductive health and an increase in male infertility which is now recognised as a major health concern globally. While male infertility can be linked to some genetic and lifestyle factors, these do not fully explain the rate of declining male reproductive health. Increasing evidence from human and animal studies suggests that exposure to chemicals found ubiquitously in the environment may in part play a role. Many studies on chemical exposure, however, have assessed the effects of exposure to individual environmental chemicals (ECs), usually at levels not relevant to everyday human exposure. There is a need for study models which reflect the 'real-life' nature of EC exposure. One such model is the biosolids-treated pasture (BTP) sheep model which utilises biosolids application to agricultural land to examine the effects of exposure to low-level mixtures of chemicals. Biosolids are the by-product of the treatment of wastewater from industrial and domestic sources and so their composition is reflective of the ECs to which humans are exposed. Over the last 20 years, the BTP sheep model has published multiple effects on offspring physiology including consistent effects on the male reproductive system in fetal, neonatal, juvenile, and adult offspring. This review focuses on the evidence from these studies which strongly suggests that low-level EC exposure during gestation can alter several components of the male reproductive system and highlights the BTP model as a more relevant model to study real-life EC exposure effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Bellingham
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Neil Evans
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Kim SM, Kim YH, Han GU, Kim SG, Kim BJ, Moon SH, Shin SH, Ryu BY. Elucidating the mechanisms and mitigation strategies for six-phthalate-induced toxicity in male germ cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1398176. [PMID: 39050888 PMCID: PMC11266291 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1398176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Phthalate esters (PAEs) are primary plasticizers and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are extensively used in numerous everyday consumer products. Although the adverse effects of single PAEs have been studied, our understanding of the effect of multiple phthalate exposure on male germ cell vitality remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the collective effects of a mixture of PAEs (MP) comprising diethyl-, bis (2-ethylhexyl)-, dibutyl-, diisononyl-, diisobutyl-, and benzyl butyl-phthalates in the proportions of 35, 21, 15, 15, 8, and 5%, respectively, on differentiated male germ cells using GC-1 spermatogonia (spg) cells. As a mixture, MP substantially hindered GC-1 spg cell proliferation at 3.13 μg/mL, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 16.9 μg/mL. Treatment with 25 μg/mL MP significantly induced reactive oxygen species generation and promoted apoptosis. Furthermore, MP activated autophagy and suppressed phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, protein kinase B, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The triple inhibitor combination treatment comprising parthenolide, N-acetylcysteine, and 3-methyladenine effectively reversed MP-induced GC-1 spg cell proliferation inhibition, mitigated apoptosis and autophagy, and restored mTOR phosphorylation. This study is the first to elucidate the mechanism underlying MP-induced male germ cell toxicity and the restoration of male germ cell proliferation mediated by chemical inhibitors. Therefore, it provides valuable insights into the existing literature by proposing a combinatorial toxicity mitigation strategy to counteract male germ cell toxicity induced by various EDCs exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok-Man Kim
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Hee Kim
- AttisLab Inc., Anyang-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Gil Un Han
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seul Gi Kim
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Bang-Jin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sung-Hwan Moon
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hee Shin
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Buom-Yong Ryu
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
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9
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Ozcagli E, Kubickova B, Jacobs MN. Addressing chemically-induced obesogenic metabolic disruption: selection of chemicals for in vitro human PPARα, PPARγ transactivation, and adipogenesis test methods. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1401120. [PMID: 39040675 PMCID: PMC11260640 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1401120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Whilst western diet and sedentary lifestyles heavily contribute to the global obesity epidemic, it is likely that chemical exposure may also contribute. A substantial body of literature implicates a variety of suspected environmental chemicals in metabolic disruption and obesogenic mechanisms. Chemically induced obesogenic metabolic disruption is not yet considered in regulatory testing paradigms or regulations, but this is an internationally recognised human health regulatory development need. An early step in the development of relevant regulatory test methods is to derive appropriate minimum chemical selection lists for the target endpoint and its key mechanisms, such that the test method can be suitably optimised and validated. Independently collated and reviewed reference and proficiency chemicals relevant for the regulatory chemical universe that they are intended to serve, assist regulatory test method development and validation, particularly in relation to the OECD Test Guidelines Programme. To address obesogenic mechanisms and modes of action for chemical hazard assessment, key initiating mechanisms include molecular-level Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) α and γ agonism and the tissue/organ-level key event of perturbation of the adipogenesis process that may lead to excess white adipose tissue. Here we present a critical literature review, analysis and evaluation of chemicals suitable for the development, optimisation and validation of human PPARα and PPARγ agonism and human white adipose tissue adipogenesis test methods. The chemical lists have been derived with consideration of essential criteria needed for understanding the strengths and limitations of the test methods. With a weight of evidence approach, this has been combined with practical and applied aspects required for the integration and combination of relevant candidate test methods into test batteries, as part of an Integrated Approach to Testing and Assessment for metabolic disruption. The proposed proficiency and reference chemical list includes a long list of negatives and positives (20 chemicals for PPARα, 21 for PPARγ, and 11 for adipogenesis) from which a (pre-)validation proficiency chemicals list has been derived.
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10
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Tian X, Qin B, Yang L, Li H, Zhou W. Association of phthalate exposure with reproductive outcomes among infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization: A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118825. [PMID: 38609072 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118825] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Human fertility is impacted by changes in lifestyle and environmental deterioration. To increase human fertility, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been extensively used around the globe. As early as 2009, the Endocrine Society released its first scientific statement on the potential adverse effects of environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on human health and disease development. Chemicals known as phthalates, frequently employed as plasticizers and additives, are common EDCs. Numerous studies have shown that phthalate metabolites in vivo exert estrogen-like or anti-androgenic effects in both humans and animals. They are associated with the progression of a range of diseases, most notably interference with the reproductive process, damage to the placenta, and the initiation of chronic diseases in adulthood. Phthalates are ingested by infertile couples in a variety of ways, including household products, diet, medical treatment, etc. Exposure to phthalates may exacerbate their infertility or poor ART outcomes, however, the available data on phthalate exposure and ART pregnancy outcomes are sparse and contradictory. Therefore, this review conducted a systematic evaluation of 16 papers related to phthalate exposure and ART pregnancy outcomes, to provide more aggregated results, and deepen our understanding of reproductive outcomes in infertile populations with phthalate exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangming Tian
- Medical Center for Human Reproduction, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Boyi Qin
- Medical Center for Human Reproduction, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Yang
- Medical Center for Human Reproduction, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanhuan Li
- Medical Center for Human Reproduction, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhui Zhou
- Medical Center for Human Reproduction, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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11
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Ihn Y, Cho Y, Lee Y, Seok H, Oh JS, Moon HB, Choi K. Thyroid and sex hormone disrupting effects of DEHTP at different life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio). CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142105. [PMID: 38657690 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142105] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP) is an alternative plasticizer widely used in numerous consumer products, replacing di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Hence, DEHTP has been frequently detected in the environment and humans. As a structural isomer and functional analog of DEHP, DEHTP is a suspected endocrine disruptor. Here, we evaluated thyroid-disrupting effects of DEHTP using embryo-larval and adult male zebrafish. We also investigated its sex hormone disruption potential in the adult zebrafish. After 5- and 7-days of exposure to DEHTP, significant increases in whole-body thyroid hormonal levels were observed in the larval fish. Down-regulation of several thyroid-regulating genes, including trh, tshβ, nis, and dio2, was observed, but only after 5-day exposure. Following a 21-day exposure, the adult male zebrafish exhibited a significant decrease in total triiodothyronine and an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormones. Potential changes in the deiodination of thyroid hormones, supported by the up-regulation of two deiodinases, dio1 and dio3a, along with the down-regulation of dio2, could explain the thyroid hormone changes in the adult zebrafish. Moreover, significant trends of decrease in estradiol and 11-ketotestosterone, along with increase of testosterone (T), were observed in the adult zebrafish. Up-regulation of several steroidogenic genes may explain elevated T, while exact mechanisms of action warrant further investigation. Our results demonstrate that DEHTP can cause disruptions of thyroid and sex hormones at different life stages in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchul Ihn
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yoojin Cho
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yura Lee
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyesun Seok
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jin-Su Oh
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, 15588, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyo-Bang Moon
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, 15588, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kyungho Choi
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Panagiotou EM, Damdimopoulos A, Li T, Moussaud-Lamodière E, Pedersen M, Lebre F, Pettersson K, Arnelo C, Papaikonomou K, Alfaro-Moreno E, Lindskog C, Svingen T, Damdimopoulou P. Exposure to the phthalate metabolite MEHP impacts survival and growth of human ovarian follicles in vitro. Toxicology 2024; 505:153815. [PMID: 38685446 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Phthalates are found in everyday items like plastics and personal care products. There is an increasing concern that continuous exposure can adversely affect female fertility. However, experimental data are lacking to establish causal links between exposure and disease in humans. To address this gap, we tested the effects of a common phthalate metabolite, mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), on adult human ovaries in vitro using an epidemiologically determined human-relevant concentration range (2.05 nM - 20.51 mM). Histomorphological assessments, steroid and cytokine measurements were performed on human ovarian tissue exposed to MEHP for 7 days in vitro. Cell viability and gene expression profile were investigated following 7 days of MEHP exposure using the human granulosa cancer cell lines KGN, and COV434, the germline tumor cell line PA-1, and human ovarian primary cells. Selected differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence in human ovarian tissue. MEHP exposure reduced follicular growth (20.51 nM) and increased follicular degeneration (20.51 mM) in ovarian tissue, while not affecting steroid and cytokine production. Out of the 691 unique DEGs identified across all the cell types and concentrations, CSRP2 involved in cytoskeleton organization and YWHAE as well as CTNNB1 involved in the Hippo pathway, were chosen for further validation. CSRP2 was upregulated and CTNNB1 downregulated in both ovarian tissue and cells, whereas YWHAE was downregulated in cells only. In summary, one-week MEHP exposure of human ovarian tissue can perturb the development and survival of human follicles through mechanisms likely involving dysregulation of cytoskeleton organization and Hippo pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftheria Maria Panagiotou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 14186, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden.
| | - Anastasios Damdimopoulos
- Bioinformatics and Expression Analysis Core Facility, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 14186, Sweden
| | - Tianyi Li
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 14186, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Moussaud-Lamodière
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 14186, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
| | - Mikael Pedersen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Filipa Lebre
- Nanosafety Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Karin Pettersson
- Department of Pregnancy and Delivery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catarina Arnelo
- Department of Pregnancy and Delivery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kiriaki Papaikonomou
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
| | | | - Cecilia Lindskog
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Cancer Precision Medicine, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Terje Svingen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 14186, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
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13
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Aldegunde-Louzao N, Lolo-Aira M, Herrero-Latorre C. Phthalate esters in clothing: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 108:104457. [PMID: 38677495 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104457] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used as plasticizers to enhance the flexibility and durability of different consumer products, including clothing. However, concerns have been raised about the potential adverse health effects associated with the presence of phthalates in textiles, such as endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity and potential carcinogenicity. Based on examination of more than 120 published articles, this paper presents a comprehensive review of studies concerning the phthalate content in clothing and other textile products, with special emphasis on those conducted in the last decade (2014-2023). The types and role of PAEs as plasticizers, the relevant legislation in different countries (emphasizing the importance of monitoring PAE levels in clothing to protect consumer health) and the analytical methods used for PAE determination are critically evaluated. The review also discusses the models used to evaluate exposure to PAEs and the associated health risks. Finally, the study limitations and challenges related to determining the phthalate contents of textile products are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Aldegunde-Louzao
- Research Institute on Chemical and Biological Analysis, Analytical Chemistry Nutrition and Bromatology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Terra, Lugo 27002, Spain.
| | - Manuel Lolo-Aira
- Applied Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (AMSlab), Avda. Benigno Rivera, 56, Lugo 27003, Spain.
| | - Carlos Herrero-Latorre
- Research Institute on Chemical and Biological Analysis, Analytical Chemistry Nutrition and Bromatology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Terra, Lugo 27002, Spain.
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14
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Salvi NB, Ghassabian A, Brubaker SG, Liu H, Kahn LG, Trasande L, Mehta-Lee SS. Prenatal phthalate exposure and fetal penile length and width. Pediatr Res 2024; 95:1587-1595. [PMID: 38057576 PMCID: PMC11127776 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02939-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals with anti-androgenic qualities and studies reported associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and infant genitalia. This study investigated whether increased prenatal phthalate exposure is associated with decreased fetal penile measures. METHODS Data was from the New York University Children's Health and Environment Study (2016-2019). Maternal urinary concentrations of 16 phthalate metabolites were quantified at <18 weeks gestation as a proxy for fetal exposure (n = 334 male pregnancies). We retrospectively measured penile length and width using ultrasounds conducted 18-24 weeks gestation (n = 173 fetuses). Associations of maternal urinary levels of phthalates with fetal penile length and width were determined using linear regression models. RESULTS 57.2% of women were Hispanic, 31.8% Non-Hispanic White, 6.4% Asian, 2.3% Non-Hispanic Black, and 2.3% multiple races. Mean maternal age was 32 years (standard deviation [SD] = 5.7). Mean penile length was 7.13 mm (SD = 1.47) and width was 6.16 mm (SD = 0.87). An inverse relationship was observed between maternal levels of mono-ethyl phthalate and fetal penile length, and mono-(7-carboxy-n-heptyl) phthalate and penile width, though estimates were small and not significant when considering correction for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS In our cohort we found no clinically meaningful associations between early pregnancy phthalate exposure and fetal penile length or width. IMPACT First-trimester phthalate metabolites were assessed in pregnant women in New York City. Penile length and width were retrospectively measured on clinically assessed ultrasounds conducted ≥18 weeks and <24 weeks of gestation. In this cohort, no clinically meaningful associations were observed between first-trimester prenatal phthalate exposure and fetal penile length. This study contributes to the limited but growing research on the impact of prenatal phthalate exposure on male fetal genital development. The results emphasize that there may not be a clear association between prenatal phthalate exposure and fetal penile length and width, and further research on this topic may be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole B. Salvi
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Akhgar Ghassabian
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Sara G. Brubaker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Hongxiu Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Linda G. Kahn
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Shilpi S. Mehta-Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
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15
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Meng X, Huang A, Li Y, Dong X, You T. Highly sensitive and selective photoelectrochemical detection of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate on broad-spectrum responsive and interfacial electronic interaction induced p-n BiOI/ZnO nanoarrays heterojunction. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 251:116121. [PMID: 38373373 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), an endocrine disruptor, shows carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic and estrogenic effects. It is easy to release from plastic materials and migrate to soil environment, causing serious pollution and posing a great threat to human health. In our work, a photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform for DEHP detection was constructed using BiOI/ZnO nanoarrays (NRs) as the transducer species and the DEHP aptamers as the biological recognition elements. ZnO NRs with three-dimensional and large diameter area were prepared by hydrothermal method to increase the light absorption capacity. Coupling BiOI in a narrow band gap with ZnO NRs strengthened visible-light absorption, while promoting charge carrier separation and transportation. This was attributed to the generation of an internal electric field between BiOI and ZnO NRs, exhibiting obvious photocurrent response. The as-developed PEC sensing platform demonstrated great sensing performance for detection of DEHP. Furthermore, the photocurrent varied and the logarithm of DEHP concentration showed a linear relationship from 1.0 × 10-11 to 5.0 × 10-7 mol/L, and the limit of detection was estimated to be 3.8 × 10-12 mol/L. In the meantime, while evaluating its usage in real soil samples, satisfying outcomes were realized. Thus, the as-proposed PEC sensing platform provided a potential device to monitor DEHP in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangle Meng
- Key Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Equipment and Technology (Jiangsu University), Ministry of Education, School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
| | - Ao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Equipment and Technology (Jiangsu University), Ministry of Education, School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
| | - Yuye Li
- Key Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Equipment and Technology (Jiangsu University), Ministry of Education, School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
| | - Xiuxiu Dong
- Key Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Equipment and Technology (Jiangsu University), Ministry of Education, School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
| | - Tianyan You
- Key Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Equipment and Technology (Jiangsu University), Ministry of Education, School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China; College of Agricultural Equipment Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, 471003, China.
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16
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Zhu YT, Wang XJ, Liu SL, Lai JH, Li JL, Li Q, Hu KD, Liu AP, Yang Y, He L, Chen SJ, Ao XL, Zou LK. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum RS20D Alleviates Male Reproductive Toxicity Induced by Pubertal Exposure to Di-n-butyl Phthalate and Mono-n-butyl Phthalate. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024:10.1007/s12602-024-10276-6. [PMID: 38683273 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-024-10276-6] [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] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) and their metabolites, such as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), are known to cause male reproductive damage. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum RS20D has demonstrated the ability to remove both DBP and MBP in vitro, suggesting its potential as a detoxifying agent against these compounds. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of RS20D on DBP or MBP-induced male reproductive toxicity in adolescent rats. Oral administration of RS20D significantly mitigated the histological damage to the testes caused by MBP or DBP, restored sperm concentration, morphological abnormalities, and the proliferation index in MBP-exposed rats, and partially reversed spermatogenic damage in DBP-exposed rats. Furthermore, RS20D restored serum levels of estradiol (E2) and testosterone, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in DBP-exposed rats, significantly increased testosterone levels in MBP-exposed rats, and restored copper (Cu) concentrations in the testes after exposure to DBP or MBP. Additionally, RS20D effectively modulated the intestinal microbiota in DBP-exposed rats and partially ameliorated dysbiosis induced by MBP, which may be associated with the alleviation of reproductive toxic effects induced by DBP or MBP. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that RS20D administration can alleviate male reproductive toxicity and gut dysbacteriosis induced by DBP or MBP exposure, providing a dietary strategy for the bioremediation of PAEs and their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Ting Zhu
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Jie Wang
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Liang Liu
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jing-Hui Lai
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Long Li
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Li
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai-di Hu
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Ai-Ping Liu
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Yang
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Li He
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Juan Chen
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Lin Ao
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan, 625014, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Kou Zou
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, People's Republic of China
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17
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Lee WJ, Hwang JM, Jo JH, Jang SI, Jung EJ, Bae JW, Ha JJ, Kim DH, Kwon WS. Adverse Effects of Avobenzone on Boar Sperm Function: Disruption of Protein Kinase A Activity and Tyrosine Phosphorylation. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 125:108559. [PMID: 38378073 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Avobenzone (AVO), an ultraviolet (UV) filter, is frequently used as an ingredient in personal cosmetics. This UV filter has been found to be easily exposed in swimming pools and beaches, and it has been detected in human urine and blood. Moreover, numerous studies have demonstrated that AVO exhibits endocrine-disrupting properties. Nevertheless, the effects of AVO on male fertility have not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of AVO on various sperm functions during capacitation. First, boar spermatozoa were treated with various AVO concentrations. After treatment, sperm motility and kinetic characteristics, capacitation status, intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and sperm viability were evaluated. Moreover, Western blot analysis w.as conducted to evaluate protein kinase A (PKA) activity and tyrosine phosphorylation. As a result, AVO treatment significantly decreased total motility, progressive motility, and several kinetic characteristics at high concentrations (50 and 100 μM). Furthermore, the capacitation status dose-dependently decreased. Conversely, no significant differences in acrosome reaction, cell viability, and intracellular ATP levels were observed. However, the intracellular ATP level tended to decrease. In addition, AVO dose-dependently induced abnormal changes in PKA activity and tyrosine phosphorylation. Although AVO did not directly exert a toxic effect on cell viability, it ultimately negatively affected sperm functions through abnormal alterations in PKA activity and tyrosine phosphorylation. Thus, the potential implications on male fertility must be considered when contemplating the safe utilization of AVO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Jin Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Mi Hwang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Jo
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ik Jang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ju Jung
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Won Bae
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Jung Ha
- Gyeongbuk Livestock Research Institute, Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 36052, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyun Kim
- Department of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Woo-Sung Kwon
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea; Department of Animal Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea; Research Institute for Innovative Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Kim MR, Jung MK, Jee HM, Ha EK, Lee S, Han MY, Yoo EG. The association between phthalate exposure and pubertal development. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:1675-1682. [PMID: 38206396 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05416-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Antiandrogenic effect of phthalates have been reported; however, results regarding the effect of phthalate exposure in pubertal children have been inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the relationship between phthalate exposure and pubertal development, especially whether high molecular weight phthalates (HMWP) and low molecular weight phthalates (LMWP) are differently associated in boys and girls. Urinary phthalate metabolites (4 HMWPs and 3 LMWPs) in Korean children (236 boys and 202 girls, aged 10 to 12 years) were measured. The association between phthalate levels and pubertal development (pubertal stages self-reported by parents and sex steroid levels) was analyzed by generalized linear regression after adjusting for age, body mass index z score, and premature birth and/or low birth weight. Both the highest quartile of HMWP (Q4 vs Q1, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.238; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.090-0.627; p = 0.004) and LMWP (Q4 vs Q1, adjusted OR, 0.373; 95% CI, 0.151-0.918; p = 0.032) were inversely associated with pubertal stages in boys, whereas the highest quartile of LMWP (Q4 vs Q1, adjusted OR, 2.431; 95% CI, 1.024-5.768; p = 0.044) was significantly related to advanced pubertal stages in girls. Testosterone levels in boys were significantly lower at the highest quartile of HMWP (adjusted β = - 0.251; 95% CI, - 0.476 to - 0.027; p = 0.028). However, in girls, we could not find any significant relationship between HMWP or LMWP and estradiol levels. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that phthalate exposure, especially exposure to the HMWP, may have inverse association with male pubertal development. Further investigation is required to verify the relationship of phthalate exposure and pubertal development in girls. WHAT IS KNOWN • Exposure to phthalates may have antiandrogenic effects. • Studies on the association between phthalates and pubertal development have yielded inconsistent results. WHAT IS NEW • Phthalate levels were inversely associated with self-reported pubertal stages in boys. • Exposure to phthalates might have a negative influence on male pubertal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Ra Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Ilsan Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Mo Kyung Jung
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Hye Mi Jee
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Eun Kyo Ha
- Department of Pediatrics, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sanghoo Lee
- Center for Companion Biomarker, Seoul Clinical Laboratories Healthcare, Yongin, Korea
| | - Man Yong Han
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
| | - Eun-Gyong Yoo
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
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19
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Lu CL, Wen HJ, Chen ML, Sun CW, Hsieh CJ, Wu MT, Wang SL. Prenatal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormones in newborns: Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297631. [PMID: 38483929 PMCID: PMC10939196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Newborn anogenital distance (AGD) has been associated with prenatal exposure of phthalates. The association between prenatal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormones in newborns is unclear. OBJECT This study aimed to examine whether cord-blood sex hormone levels were associated with prenatal phthalate exposure and newborn anogenital distance (AGD). METHODS In the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study, we recruited 1,676 pregnant women in their third trimester in 2012-2015 in Taiwan. We determined 11 urinary phthalate metabolites in pregnant women, three maternal and five cord-blood steroid sex-hormone concentrations. Five hundred and sixty-five mother-infant pairs with sufficient data were included. Trained neonatologists measured 263 newborns' AGD. We examined the associations of prenatal phthalate metabolite levels with AGD and hormones using linear regression models and evaluated correlations between maternal and cord-blood sex hormone levels and AGD. RESULTS Compared with the male newborns exposed to maternal phthalate metabolites at the first tertile, AGD was -3.75, -3.43, and -3.53 mm shorter among those exposed at the median tertile of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and monomethyl phthalate (MMP), respectively. Compared with those who had exposed at the first tertile, cord-blood follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased among male newborns exposed at higher levels of MMP, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), MBzP and DEHP, and among female newborns exposed at higher levels of MMP, MBzP and mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate. However, we did not observe significant correlations of maternal or cord-blood sex steroid hormones with newborns' AGDs. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in cord-blood sex steroid hormone levels were associated with prenatal phthalate exposures, particularly in male newborns. Women aspiring to be pregnant should be alerted of the need of reducing phthalate exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Li Lu
- Graduate Institute of Food Safety, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ju Wen
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wen Sun
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan
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Wei Z, Fang R, Wang Y, Dong J. Maternal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate impaired the social interaction via activating microglia in male pups. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 272:116069. [PMID: 38340601 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116069] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a common endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), is widely used in daily articles, early exposure to DEHP is associated with many behavioral changes in pups. This study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of maternal exposure to DEHP on the impaired social interaction in pups. Pregnant rats were administered 0, 30, 300, or 750 mg/kg/d DEHP daily by oral gavage. Highly aggressive proliferating immortalized (HAPI) cells were treated with mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and tyrosine phosphorylation inhibitor (AG490). Our results showed that DEHP exposure induced the activation of microglias (MGs) via activating the janus kinase 2 / signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway, and increased the level of pro-inflammatory factors, then impaired the social behavior in male pups, but not female pups. Moreover, MEHP exposure could also activate HAPI via activating this signaling pathway, and AG490 could inhibit the activation of this signaling pathway caused by MEHP. Therefore, we indicated that maternal exposure to DEHP could cause the gender-specific impaired social interaction in pups that might be related to the activation of MGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixia Wei
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Rui Fang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, 110004 Shenyang, China.
| | - Jing Dong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 11012, China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang 110122, China.
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21
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Wang X, Li D, Zheng X, Hong Y, Zhao J, Deng W, Wang M, Shen L, Long C, Wei G, Wu S. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate induces ferroptosis in prepubertal mouse testes via the lipid metabolism pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:1747-1758. [PMID: 38050670 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a widely used plasticizer, has been shown to cause reproductive toxicity, but the precise mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the possible molecular mechanism of DEHP-induced testicular damage. In vivo study, we administered different doses of DEHP (0, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day) to male C57BL/6 mice from 22 and 35 days after birth. We found that DEHP exposure induced histopathological alterations in prepubertal testes, and testicular lipidomics indicated notable alterations in lipid metabolism and significant enrichment of ferroptosis. Further tests showed that ferrous iron (Fe2+ ) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly increased after DEHP exposure. Western blotting revealed that DEHP exposure reduced glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression, and elevated acyl coenzyme A synthetase long-chain member 4 (ACSL4) and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3) expression. The in vitro results were consistent with the in vivo results. When Leydig cells and Sertoli cells were treated with ferrostatin-1 and monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), MEHP-induced increases in Fe2+ and MDA levels, accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species, downregulation of GPX4, and upregulation of ACSL4 and LPCAT3 were reversed. Collectively, our findings suggested that aberrant lipid metabolism and ferroptosis may be involved in prepubertal DEHP exposure-induced testicular damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Dinggang Li
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiangqin Zheng
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Yifan Hong
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Deng
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingxin Wang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Lianju Shen
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunlan Long
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Guanghui Wei
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Shengde Wu
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
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Liu Y, Xiao M, Huang K, Cui J, Liu H, Yu Y, Ma S, Liu X, Lin M. Phthalate metabolites in breast milk from mothers in Southern China: Occurrence, temporal trends, daily intake, and risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 464:132895. [PMID: 37976856 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Liu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Minhua Xiao
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, PR China
| | - Kaiqin Huang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Juntao Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
| | - Hongli Liu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shengtao Ma
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, PR China
| | - Xihong Liu
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, PR China.
| | - Meiqing Lin
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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Traore K, Zirkin B. Use of in vitro methodology to investigate phthalate effects on the differentiation of seminiferous tubule-associated stem cells to form Leydig cells and on the Leydig cells derived from the stem cells. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1352294. [PMID: 38362108 PMCID: PMC10867263 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1352294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Leydig cells isolated from the testis are able to sustain high levels of testosterone production in vitro, but only for up to 3 days. Such cells are valuable for addressing the acute effects of chemicals on steroidogenic function, but not for repeated or chronic effects. Methodology is now available by which adult Leydig cells can be derived in vitro from seminiferous tubule-associated stem cells. In contrast to isolated Leydig cells, the Leydig cells derived in this way can synthesize and secrete high levels of testosterone for months. Herein, we asked whether this system might be used to address the effect of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) exposure on the formation of Leydig cells from tubule-associated stem cells, and on the Leydig cells after their formation. Methods: Adult Brown Norway rats received an intraperitoneal injection of ethane dimethanesulfonate (EDS) to eliminate the existing Leydig cells. Seminiferous tubules then were isolated and cultured in medium containing Insulin-Transferrin- Selenium (ITS), Smoothened Agonist (SAG), and luteinizing hormone (LH). Results: Culture of the tubules for 8 weeks resulted in the formation of cells on the surfaces of the tubules that stained for CYP11A1 and STAR and produced high levels of testosterone. When the tubules were cultured in medium containing increasing concentrations of MEHP, concentration-dependent effects on Leydig cell formation occurred. To determine the effect of MEHP on newly produced Leydig cells, tubules were cultured for 8 weeks in the absence of MEHP, resulting in the formation of adult Leydig cells, and then in medium containing increasing concentrations of MEHP. Concentration-dependent decreases in testosterone production by the adult Leydig cells were seen, and these decreases proved to be reversible. Discussion: The use of this new system should make it possible to determine the mechanisms by which acute, repeated, or chronic exposures to increasing concentrations of MEHP and/or exposure to other chemicals affect the formation of Leydig cells from stem cells, as well as the steroidogenic function of adult Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassim Traore
- Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Lillington, NC, United States
- Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Barry Zirkin
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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24
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Brennan E, Butler AE, Nandakumar M, Thompson K, Sathyapalan T, Atkin SL. Relationship between endocrine disrupting chemicals (phthalate metabolites, triclosan and bisphenols) and vitamin D in female subjects: An exploratory pilot study. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140894. [PMID: 38070612 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140894] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evidence suggests that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), commonly used in plastics and personal care products, may be associated with reduced levels of vitamin D. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between phthalate metabolites, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (triclosan; TCS) and bisphenols (BPs) with vitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) and active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), and their relationship to calcium homeostasis. METHODS 57 female participants (age 31.8 ± 4.6 years; BMI 25.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2) were analyzed for urinary levels of phthalate metabolites, TCS and BPs, and serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3, determined by isotope-dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Serum calcium/calmodulin-dependent (CaM) associated proteins were determined by Slow Off-rate Modified Aptamer (SOMA)-scan. RESULTS In the study cohort, 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 levels were 22.9 ± 11.2 ng/mL and 0.05 ± 0.02 ng/mL, respectively: mono-3-carboxypropyl-phthalate (MCPP) correlated negatively with 25(OH)D3 (ρ = -0.53, p = 0.01). 28 of the 57 women recruited were 25(OH)D3 deficient, <20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L): in this group, mono-iso-butylphthalate (MiBP) and mono-butylphthalate (MBP) negatively correlated with 25(OH)D3; (ρ = -0.47, p = 0.049) and (ρ = -0.64, p = 0.005), respectively. EDCs did not correlate with 1,25(OH)2D3, measures of renal function or CaM proteins. CONCLUSION These putative data indicate that MCPP is related to 25(OH)D3, while MiBP and MBP were related to vitamin D deficiency; however, no correlations were observed with TCS and BPs. No phthalate metabolites correlated with 1,25(OH)2D3, CaM associated proteins or renal function, suggesting that effects occur earlier in the vitamin D pathway and not through modulation of cellular calcium flux. The observed correlations are surprisingly strong compared to other predictors of 25(OH)D3, and larger studies adjusting for potential confounders are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwina Brennan
- School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen, Bahrain.
| | - Alexandra E Butler
- School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen, Bahrain.
| | - Manjula Nandakumar
- School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen, Bahrain.
| | - Kristie Thompson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia.
| | | | - Stephen L Atkin
- School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen, Bahrain.
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25
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Wang MH, Chen CF, Albarico FPJB, Lin SL, Chen CW, Dong CD. Phthalate esters and nonylphenol concentrations correspond with microplastic distribution in anthropogenically polluted river sediments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:116031. [PMID: 38237245 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116031] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
This paper presents the phthalate esters (PAEs), nonylphenol (NPs), and microplastics (MPs) in river sediments. Results showed that sediments near residential areas were mainly composed of fine particles, potentially influencing the adsorption of PAEs and NPs in the area. The concentrations of Σ10 PAEs in the sediments ranged between 2448 and 63,457 μg/kg dw, dominated by DEHP and DnOP. Microplastics were detected in all samples, with higher abundances found in sediments near residential areas dominated by polypropylene. Toxicological risk assessment indicated potential risks to sensitive aquatic organisms exposed to the sediments. Correlations between MPs, PAEs, and NPs suggest that MPs may serve as possible sources of PAEs in the sediments. Principal component analysis explained 95.4 % of the pollutant variability in the sediments. Overall, this study emphasizes the significance of monitoring and understanding the presence and interactions of PAEs and MPs in river sediments to assess their potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Huang Wang
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan; Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Feng Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
| | - Frank Paolo Jay B Albarico
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan; Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Lu Lin
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Wen Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Di Dong
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan; Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
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26
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Shirke AV, Radke EG, Lin C, Blain R, Vetter N, Lemeris C, Hartman P, Hubbard H, Angrish M, Arzuaga X, Congleton J, Davis A, Dishaw LV, Jones R, Judson R, Kaiser JP, Kraft A, Lizarraga L, Noyes PD, Patlewicz G, Taylor M, Williams AJ, Thayer KA, Carlson LM. Expanded Systematic Evidence Map for Hundreds of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Comprehensive PFAS Human Health Dashboard. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:26001. [PMID: 38319881 PMCID: PMC10846678 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass a class of chemically and structurally diverse compounds that are extensively used in industry and detected in the environment. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap describes national research plans to address the challenge of PFAS. OBJECTIVES Systematic Evidence Map (SEM) methods were used to survey and summarize available epidemiological and mammalian bioassay evidence that could inform human health hazard identification for a set of 345 PFAS that were identified by the US EPA's Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE) for in vitro toxicity and toxicokinetic assay testing and through interagency discussions on PFAS of interest. This work builds from the 2022 evidence map that collated evidence on a separate set of ∼ 150 PFAS. Like our previous work, this SEM does not include PFAS that are the subject of ongoing or completed assessments at the US EPA. METHODS SEM methods were used to search, screen, and inventory mammalian bioassay and epidemiological literature from peer-reviewed and gray literature sources using manual review and machine-learning software. For each included study, study design details and health end points examined were summarized in interactive web-based literature inventories. Some included studies also underwent study evaluation and detailed extraction of health end point data. All underlying data is publicly available online as interactive visuals with downloadable metadata. RESULTS More than 13,000 studies were identified from scientific databases. Screening processes identified 121 mammalian bioassay and 111 epidemiological studies that met screening criteria. Epidemiological evidence (available for 12 PFAS) mostly assessed the reproductive, endocrine, developmental, metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune systems. Mammalian bioassay evidence (available for 30 PFAS) commonly assessed effects in the reproductive, whole-body, nervous, and hepatic systems. Overall, 41 PFAS had evidence across mammalian bioassay and epidemiology data streams (roughly 11% of searched chemicals). DISCUSSION No epidemiological and/or mammalian bioassay evidence were identified for most of the PFAS included in our search. Results from this SEM, our 2022 SEM on ∼ 150 PFAS, and other PFAS assessment products from the US EPA are compiled into a comprehensive PFAS dashboard that provides researchers and regulators an overview of the current PFAS human health landscape including data gaps and can serve as a scoping tool to facilitate prioritization of PFAS-related research and/or risk assessment activities. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13423.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avanti V. Shirke
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Chemical & Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elizabeth G. Radke
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Chemical & Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xabier Arzuaga
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Chemical & Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Johanna Congleton
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Chemical & Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Allen Davis
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Chemical & Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Ryan Jones
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Health & Environmental Effects Assessment Division (HEEAD), US EPA, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Richard Judson
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), US EPA, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Andrew Kraft
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Chemical & Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Pamela D. Noyes
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Chemical & Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Grace Patlewicz
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), US EPA, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Antony J. Williams
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), US EPA, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Laura M. Carlson
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Health & Environmental Effects Assessment Division (HEEAD), US EPA, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Yun K, Jeon H, Lee J, Kho Y, Ji K. Effects of two alternative plasticizers on the growth hormone-related endocrine system, neurodevelopment, and oxidative stress of zebrafish larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122947. [PMID: 37977359 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122947] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
In response to the restriction of phthalate plasticizers, acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) and acetyl triethyl citrate (ATEC) have been used in medical devices and food packaging. In the present study, the effects of ATBC and ATEC on the development, behavior, growth hormone (GH)-related endocrine system, neurotransmitters, and oxidative stress of zebrafish embryo or larvae were investigated. After exposure of zebrafish to ATBC and ATEC (0, 0.03, 0.3, 3, 30, and 300 μg/L) for 96 h, developmental toxicity, behavioral changes under light/dark condition, changes in hormones and genes involved in GH/insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) axis, changes in hormone, enzyme, and genes related to neurodevelopment, antioxidant enzymes activities were determined. Larvae exposed to 30 or 300 μg/L ATBC showed significant reductions in body length and moving distance and speed, whereas no significant effects on development and locomotor behavior were observed in larvae exposed to ATEC. The contents of GH and IGF-I were significantly reduced in larvae exposed to 3, 30, and 300 μg/L ATBC. Hormonal changes in fish exposed to ATBC are well supported by regulation of genes related to GH (gh1) and the activity of IGF-I (igf1). In fish exposed to ATBC, reduced acetylcholinesterase activity and down-regulation of genes related to the central nervous system development (ache, gap43, mbpa, and syn21) were observed. ATBC increased the production of reactive oxygen species and the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Notably, pre-treatment with the classic antioxidant N-acetylcysteine alleviated ATBC-induced GH-related endocrine disruption and neurotoxicity. Our observations showed that exposure to low levels of ATBC could disturb the regulatory systems of GH/IGFs axis and neurobehavior, ultimately leading to developmental inhibition and hypoactivity, and that increased oxidative stress plays a major role in these toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kijeong Yun
- Department of Environmental Health, Graduate School at Yongin University, Yongin, 17092, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeri Jeon
- Department of Health, Environment and Safety, Eulji University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, 13135, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyun Lee
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yongin University, Yongin, 17092, Republic of Korea
| | - Younglim Kho
- Department of Health, Environment and Safety, Eulji University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, 13135, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyunghee Ji
- Department of Environmental Health, Graduate School at Yongin University, Yongin, 17092, Republic of Korea; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yongin University, Yongin, 17092, Republic of Korea.
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Zheng Y, Liu C, Chen J, Tang J, Luo J, Zou D, Tang Z, He J, Bai J. Integrated transcriptomic and biochemical characterization of the mechanisms governing stress responses in soil-dwelling invertebrate (Folsomia candida) upon exposure to dibutyl phthalate. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 462:132644. [PMID: 37820532 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132644] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the most commonly utilized plasticizers and a frequently detected phthalic acid ester (PAE) compound in soil samples. However, the toxicological effects of DBP on soil-dwelling organisms remain poorly understood. This study employed a multi-biomarker approach to investigate the impact of DBP exposure on Folsomia candida's survival, reproduction, enzyme activity levels, and transcriptional profiles. Analyses of antioxidant biomarkers, including catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), as well as detoxifying enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Cytochrome P450 (CYP450), and lipid peroxidation (LPO), revealed significant increases in CAT activity, GST levels, and CYP450 expression following treatment with various doses of DBP for 2, 4, 7, or 14 days. Additionally, LPO induction was observed along with significant AChE inhibition. In total, 3175 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified following DBP treatment that were enriched in six Gene Ontology (GO) terms and 144 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, including 85 upregulated and 59 downregulated primarily associated with lipid metabolism, signal transduction, DNA repair, and cell growth and death. Overall these results provide foundational insights for further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying responses of soil invertebrates to DBP exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zheng
- Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan 417000, China; Hunan Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Field Weeds Control, Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan 417000, China.
| | - Can Liu
- Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan 417000, China
| | - Jiayi Chen
- Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan 417000, China
| | - Jianquan Tang
- Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan 417000, China
| | - Jiali Luo
- Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan 417000, China
| | - Di Zou
- Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan 417000, China
| | - Zhen Tang
- Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan 417000, China
| | - Jiali He
- Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan 417000, China
| | - Jing Bai
- Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan 417000, China.
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Liu J, Song J, Gao D, Li Y, Guo T, Yuan W, Chen M, Chen L, Zhang Y, Ma Q, Cui M, Song X, Wang R, Jiang J, Zou Z, Dong Y, Ma J. Exploring the associations between phthalate exposure and cardiometabolic risk factors clustering among children: The potential mediating role of insulin-resistant-related genes DNA methylation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132578. [PMID: 37741207 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132578] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between childhood phthalates (PAEs) exposure, DNA methylation, and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors is not well understood. Children were included from a longitudinal cohort 2018-2020 in Xiamen, China. A nest case-control study was additionally conducted, and methylation in lysyl oxidase-like 3 (LOXL3) and solute Carrier Family 6 Member 19 (SLC6A19) were measured. Generalized linear models were used to estimate the associations between PAEs exposure and CMR factors, and mediation analyses of DNA methylation were conducted. The longitudinal study included 835 children aged 7-11 years, and the nest case-control study included 120 cases and 120 controls. Exposure to higher PAEs was correlated with increased CMR scores at baseline (β = 0.299, 95 %CI = 0.114, 0.485) and the final visit (β = 0.202, 95 %CI = 0.008, 0.397). In nest case-control study, higher mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) exposure was related with elevated triglycerides (TG) (β = 0.283, 95 %CI = 0.025, 0.540). A decrement of methylation of CpG 33.34 of LOXL3 was found in response to MnBP exposure (β = -0.014, 95 %CI = -0.027, -0.001). Furthermore, increased methylation of LOXL3_CpG 33.34 and SLC6A19_CpG 11.12 was related to reduced TG. De-methylation of LOXL3_CpG 33.34 and SLC6A19_CpG 11.12 could mediate MnBP-TG pathways. Childhood exposure to PAEs was associated with increased CMR scores, and mediation of PAE exposure on childhood cardiometabolic health by LOXL3 and SLC6A19 de-methylation was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyu Liu
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Jieyun Song
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Di Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Li
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tongjun Guo
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Yuan
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Manman Chen
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Li Chen
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Ma
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Mengjie Cui
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Xinli Song
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Ruolin Wang
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Jianuo Jiang
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyong Zou
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Dong
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China.
| | - Jun Ma
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China.
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Kortenkamp A, Martin O, Iacovidou E, Scholze M. Drivers of divergent assessments of bisphenol-A hazards to semen quality by various European agencies, regulators and scientists. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 255:114293. [PMID: 37976583 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The downward revision of the bisphenol A (BPA) Health-based Guidance Value (HBGV) by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has led to disagreements with other regulatory agencies, among them the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). The BfR has recently published an alternative Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI), 1000-times higher than the EFSA HBGV of 0.2 ng/kg/d. While the EFSA value is defined in relation to immunotoxicity, the BfR alternative TDI is based on declines in sperm counts resulting from exposures in adulthood. Earlier, we had used semen quality deteriorations to estimate a BPA Reference Dose (RfD) of 3 ng/kg/d for use in mixture risk assessments of male reproductive health. We derived this estimate from animal studies of gestational BPA exposures which both EFSA and BfR viewed as irrelevant for human hazard characterisations. Here, we identify factors that drive these diverging views. We find that the fragmented, endpoint-oriented study evaluation system used by EFSA and BfR, with its emphasis on data that can support dose-response analyses, has obscured the overall BPA effect pattern relevant to male reproductive effects. This has led to a disregard for the effects of gestational BPA exposures. We also identify problems with the study evaluation schemes used by EFSA and BfR which leads to the omission of entire streams of evidence from consideration. The main driver of the diverging views of EFSA and BfR is the refusal by BfR to accept immunotoxic effects as the basis for establishing an HBGV. We find that switching from immunotoxicity to declines in semen quality as the basis for deriving a BPA TDI by deterministic or probabilistic approaches produces values in the range of 2.4-6.6 ng/kg/d, closer to the present EFSA HBGV of 0.2 ng/kg/d than the BfR TDI of 200 ng/kg/d. The proposed alternative BfR value is the result of value judgements which erred on the side of disregarding evidence that could have supported a lower TDI. The choices made in terms of selecting key studies and methods for dose-response analyses produced a TDI that comes close to doses shown to produce effects on semen quality in animal studies and in human studies of adult BPA exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kortenkamp
- Brunel University London, Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom.
| | - Olwenn Martin
- University College London, Department of Arts and Science, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Iacovidou
- Brunel University London, Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Scholze
- Brunel University London, Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
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Li Y, Liu C, Yang H, He W, Li B, Zhu X, Liu S, Jia S, Li R, Tang KHD. Leaching of chemicals from microplastics: A review of chemical types, leaching mechanisms and influencing factors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167666. [PMID: 37820817 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167666] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
It is widely known that microplastics are present everywhere and they pose certain risks to the ecosystem and humans which are partly attributed to the leaching of additives and chemicals from them. However, the leaching mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. This review paper aims to comprehensively and critically illustrate the leaching mechanisms in biotic and abiotic environments. It analyzes and synthesizes the factors influencing the leaching processes. It achieves the aims by reviewing >165 relevant scholarly papers published mainly in the past 10 years. According to this review, flame retardants, plasticizers and antioxidants are the three main groups of additives in microplastics with the potentials to disrupt endocrine functions, reproduction, brain development and kidney functions. Upon ingestion, the MPs are exposed to digestive fluids containing enzymes and acids which facilitate their degradation and leaching of chemicals. Fats and oils in the digestive tracts also aid the leaching and transport of these chemicals particularly the fat-soluble ones. Leaching is highly variable depending on chemical properties and bisphenols leach to a larger extent than other endocrine disrupting chemicals. However, the rates of leaching remain poorly understood, owing probably to multiple factors at play. Diffusion and partitioning are two main mechanisms of leaching in biotic and abiotic environments. Photodegradation is more predominant in the latter, generating reactive oxygen species which cause microplastic aging and leaching with minimal destruction of the chemicals leached. Effects of microplastic sizes on leaching are governed by Sherwood number, thickness of aqueous boundary layer and desorption half-life. This review contributes to better understanding of leaching of chemicals from microplastics which affect their ecotoxicities and human toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yage Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Chen Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Haotian Yang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Wenhui He
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Beibei Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Xinyi Zhu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Shuyan Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Shihao Jia
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Ronghua Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Kuok Ho Daniel Tang
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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32
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Yu EX, Braun JM, Lyall K, Hertz-Picciotto I, Fallin MD, Croen LA, Chen A, Xu Y, Yolton K, Newschaffer CJ, Hamra GB. A Mixture of Urinary Phthalate Metabolite Concentrations During Pregnancy and Offspring Social Responsiveness Scale Scores. Epidemiology 2024; 35:84-93. [PMID: 37820223 PMCID: PMC10842958 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates are a group of chemicals with ubiquitous exposure worldwide. Exposures to phthalates during pregnancy may play a role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) etiology by disrupting hormone levels or directly impacting fetal neurodevelopment. However, there is little research quantifying the aggregate effect of phthalates on child ASD-related behaviors. METHODS We used data from two prospective pregnancy and birth cohorts-the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) and the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI). HOME is a general population cohort while participants in EARLI were at higher familial risk for ASD. Using quantile g-computation and linear regression models, we assessed the joint and individual associations of a mixture of six phthalate metabolites during pregnancy with child ASD-related traits measured by Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores at ages 3-8 years. RESULTS Our analyses included 271 participants from HOME and 166 participants from EARLI. There were imprecise associations between the phthalate mixture and SRS total raw scores in HOME (difference in SRS scores per decile increase in every phthalate = 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.2, 2.8) and EARLI (difference in SRS scores per decile increase in every phthalate = -0.9; 95% CI = -3.5, 1.7). CONCLUSIONS The cohort-specific effect sizes of the pthalates-SRS associations were small and CIs were imprecise. These results suggest that if there are associations between phthalate metabolites during pregnancy and child SRS scores, they may differ across populations with different familial liabilities. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma X. Yu
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joseph M. Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences and The MIND Institute, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Lisa A. Croen
- Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Aimin Chen
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yingying Xu
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Craig J. Newschaffer
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Ghassan B. Hamra
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Mínguez-Alarcón L, Gaskins AJ, Meeker JD, Braun JM, Chavarro JE. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and male reproductive health. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:1138-1149. [PMID: 37827483 PMCID: PMC10841502 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Modifiable factors, such as environmental exposures, can impact human fertility. The objective of this review is to summarize the potential effects of exposure to important endocrine-disrupting chemicals on male reproductive health. Most experimental and animal data demonstrate strong evidence for the negative effects of exposure to phenols, phthalates, pesticides, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances on male reproductive health. Although evidence of negative associations in humans was overall strong for phthalates and pesticides, limited and inconclusive relationships were found for the other examined chemical biomarkers. Reasons for the discrepancies in results include but are not limited to, differences in study populations, exposure concentrations, number of samples collected, sample sizes, study design, and residual confounding. Additional studies are needed, particularly for newer phenols and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, given the scarce literature on the topic and increasing exposures over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Audrey J Gaskins
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - John D Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Jorge E Chavarro
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Chen Y, Kong H, Giesy JP, Liu H. Isomers are more likely to cause collapse of Daphnia magna populations than Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 265:106757. [PMID: 37979496 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106757] [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: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most commonly used phthalate and is ubiquitous in surface water. Based on its well-established toxicological profile, many countries and regions have adopted specific environmental quality standard (EQS) for DEHP. In China, the EQS value for DEHP is 8 μg/L. However, information on isomers structurally similar to DEHP is limited. Among the isomers of DEHP, di-isooctyl phthalate (DIOP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) have received limited attention. The goal of this paper was to study effects and toxic potencies of DEHP, DIOP, and DnOP to individuals and predict effects on populations of female Daphnia magna (cladoceran crustacea) in media containing environmentally relevant concentrations of single PAEs for three consecutive generations (21 days for every generation). Exposure to all three PAEs resulted in reduced survival and reproduction and cause collapse of populations at the highest concentrations. DnOP was the most potent for causing adverse effects followed by DIOP, while DEHP was the least potent. 8 μg DnOP/L were found to reduce the population size by 37 % in the F2 generation. These findings demonstrate that PAE isomers other than DEHP can cause adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Haoyue Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Department of Environmental Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, United States
| | - Hongling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
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Le TM, Le Quang H, Tran AH, Quang MB, Vu ND, Thi HN, Khanh HV, Kannan K, Tran TM. Co-occurrence of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMSs) in fine particulate matter (PM 0.5 and PM 0.1) collected from an industrial area in Vietnam. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:117018. [PMID: 37657605 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Distribution patterns of 10 phthalic acid diesters (PAEs) and four cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMSs) were investigated in fine particulate matter (PM0.1 and PM0.5) collected from Bac Ninh, an industrial province in Vietnam during September-October in 2021. Total concentrations of PAEs found in PM0.1 and PM0.5 were in the ranges of 1.76-372 (median: 34.0 ng/m3) and 2.23-895 ng/m3 (median: 15.4 ng/m3), respectively. Among PAEs, di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) was the most abundant compound found in PM0.1, whereas, di-2-(ethyl)hexyl phthalate (DEHP) was measured at the highest concentration in PM0.5. Total concentrations of cVMSs measured in PM0.1 and PM0.5 were in the ranges of method quantification limit (MQL)-203 (median: 2.10 ng/m3) and MQL-537 ng/m3 (median: 0.389 ng/m3), respectively. Among cVMSs, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) was found at the highest concentration in both PM0.1 and PM0.5 fractions of particulate matter. The concentration ratios between PAEs and cVMSs in PM0.1/PM0.5 were greater than 1 (except di-n-octyl phthalate: DnOP), suggesting that these chemicals tend to sorb to PM0.1 more preferentially than PM0.5. Among sampling locations, high concentrations of PAEs and cVMSs were found at traffic intersections (Que Vo district) and a craft village (Tu Son city). Relatively stronger correlations existed between cVMSs pairs in PM0.1 and PM0.5 (correlation coefficient: 0.73-1) than those of PAEs (-0.83-0.90). The human exposure doses to PAEs and cVMSs through inhalation of particulate matter were estimated based on the measured concentrations in PM0.1 and PM0.5 fractions. The estimated exposure doses of PAEs and cVMSs for infants (7.1 ng/kg-bw/d and 2.5 ng/kg-bw/d) were higher than those for adults (2.6 ng/kg-bw/d and 0.9 ng/kg-bw/d).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Minh Le
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 19 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Viet Nam; Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Viet Nam
| | - Huong Le Quang
- Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Viet Nam
| | - Anh Hai Tran
- Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Viet Nam
| | - Minh Bui Quang
- Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Viet Nam
| | - Nam Duc Vu
- Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Viet Nam
| | - Huong Nguyen Thi
- Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Viet Nam
| | - Hoa Vu Khanh
- Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Viet Nam
| | | | - Tri Manh Tran
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 19 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Viet Nam.
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Virtanen HE, Rodprasert W, Toppari J. Deteriorating Semen Quality: The Role of the Environment. Semin Reprod Med 2023; 41:226-240. [PMID: 38499038 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1782151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Since the end of the last century, several reports have suggested that semen quality is declining, especially in Western countries. Furthermore, cross-sectional studies using similar protocols have suggested regional differences in semen quality of young and fertile men. Reasons for these regional differences and local adverse trends in semen quality are unknown, but environmental factors are suspected to have a role. Besides adulthood environmental exposures, those occurring during testicular development may also affect semen quality. Longitudinal follow-up studies and mixture risk analyses are needed to study the effect of fetal, childhood, and adult life environment on semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena E Virtanen
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Wiwat Rodprasert
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Gaggi G, Di Credico A, Barbagallo F, Ghinassi B, Di Baldassarre A. Bisphenols and perfluoroalkyls alter human stem cells integrity: A possible link with infertility. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 235:116487. [PMID: 37419196 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenols and Perfluoroalkyls are chemical compounds widely used in industry known to be endocrine disruptors (EDs). Once ingested through contaminated aliments, they mimic the activity of endogenous hormones leading to a broad spectrum of diseases. Due to the extensive use of plastic in human life, particular attention should be paid to antenatal exposure to Bisphenols and Perfluoroalkyls since they cross the placental barrier and accumulates in developing embryo. Here we investigated the effects of Bisphenol-A (BPA), Bisphenol-S (BPS), perfluorooctane-sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic-acid (PFOA), alone or combined, on human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that share several biological features with the stem cells of blastocysts. Our data show that these EDs affect hiPSC inducing a great mitotoxicity and dramatic changes in genes involved in the maintenance of pluripotency, germline specification, and epigenetic regulation. We also evidenced that these chemicals, when combined, may have additive, synergistic but also negative effects. All these data suggest that antenatal exposure to these EDs may affect the integrity of stem cells in the developing embryos, interfering with critical stages of early human development that might be determinant for fertility. The observation that the effects of exposure to a combination of these chemicals are not easily foreseeable further highlights the need for wider awareness of the complexity of the EDs effects on human health and of the social and economic burden attributable to these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Gaggi
- Reprogramming and Cell Differentiation Lab, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), 66100, Chieti, Italy; Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" , University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy; UdA -TechLab, "G. D'Annunzio", University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Credico
- Reprogramming and Cell Differentiation Lab, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), 66100, Chieti, Italy; Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" , University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy; UdA -TechLab, "G. D'Annunzio", University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Ghinassi
- Reprogramming and Cell Differentiation Lab, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), 66100, Chieti, Italy; Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" , University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy; UdA -TechLab, "G. D'Annunzio", University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Angela Di Baldassarre
- Reprogramming and Cell Differentiation Lab, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), 66100, Chieti, Italy; Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" , University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy; UdA -TechLab, "G. D'Annunzio", University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
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Mohanty G, Tourzani DA, Gervasi MG, Houle E, Oluwayiose O, Suvorov A, Richard Pilsner J, Visconti PE. Effects of preconception exposure to phthalates on mouse sperm capacitation parameters. Andrology 2023; 11:1484-1494. [PMID: 36891737 PMCID: PMC11004914 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates have been linked to adverse male reproductive health, including poor sperm quality and embryo quality as well as a longer time to pregnancy (months of unprotected intercourse before conception occurs). The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of preconception exposure to two ubiquitous phthalate chemicals, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and their mixture on sperm function, fertilization, and embryo development in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adult male C57BL/6J mice aged 8-9 weeks were exposed to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, or their mixture (di-n-butyl phthalate + di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) at 2.5 mg/kg/day or vehicle for 40 days (equivalent to one spermatogenic cycle) via surgically implanted osmotic pumps. Caudal epididymal spermatozoa were extracted and analyzed for motility using computer-assisted sperm analyses. Sperm phosphorylation of protein kinase A substrates and tyrosine phosphorylation, markers of early and late capacitation events, respectively, were analyzed by Western blots. In vitro fertilization was used to evaluate the sperm fertilizing capacity. RESULTS While the study did not reveal any significant differences in sperm motility and fertilization potential, abnormal sperm morphology was observed in all phthalate exposures, particularly in the phthalate mixture group. In addition, the study revealed significant differences in sperm concentration between control and exposed groups. Moreover, protein phosphorylation of protein kinase A substrates was decreased in the di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and mixture exposure groups, while no significant changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation were observed in any of the groups. Assessment of the reproductive functionality did not reveal significant effects on in vitro fertilization and early embryo development rates but showed wide variability in the phthalate mixture group. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that preconception phthalate exposure affects sperm numbers and phosphorylation of protein kinase A substrates involved in capacitation. Future research is warranted to examine the associations between phthalate exposure and capacitation in human spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayatri Mohanty
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
| | - Darya A. Tourzani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
| | - María G. Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
| | - Emily Houle
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Oladele Oluwayiose
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Alexander Suvorov
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
| | - J. Richard Pilsner
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Pablo E. Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
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Sheng N, Wang J, Xing F, Duan X, Xiang Z. Associations between exposure to phthalates and rheumatoid arthritis risk among adults in NHANES, 2007-2016. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 338:139472. [PMID: 37459933 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is multifactorial, encompassing genetics and environment. Despite the widespread use of phthalates as chemical additives, their potential impact on RA has received limited investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the potential associations between exposure to phthalates and rheumatoid arthritis risk among adults. METHODS Participants ≥20 years were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2016. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between exposure to phthalates and RA in two models. Additionally, subgroup analyses stratified by gender and age were also performed. The nonlinear relationship between RA and phthalates was characterized by smooth curve fittings and generalized additive models. RESULTS Ultimately, 9322 participants (RA: 601, without RA: 8632) were analyzed. The prevalence of RA increased with higher quantiles of MECPP (Q4, OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.07-1.91), MBP (Q2, OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.67), MEHHP (Q3, OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.07-1.81; Q4, OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02-1.87) and MEOP (Q2, OR:1.35, 95% CI: 1.03-1.76) compared to the lowest quartile. A nonlinear relationship positive association was also observed between MECPP (P for non-linearity = 0.0074)) and MEHHP (P for non-linearity = 0.0046)) levels and RA. Subgroup analysis showed the association between phthalate levels and RA was mainly present in males or participants aged more than 60 years. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that exposure to phthalates is associated with an increased prevalence of RA among adults. Notably, such associations appear to be more pronounced in males and older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Sheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Fei Xing
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Xing Duan
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Zhou Xiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Li L, Xia Y, Chen J, Han X, Hao L, Li D, Liu Y. DBP exposure induces thyroid inflammatory impairment through activating AKT/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 264:115385. [PMID: 37625334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115385] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies exhibited reproductive and neurodevelopmental toxicity in rats exposed to Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP). However, the effects of DBP exposure on the other endocrine organ are still unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of DBP exposure on the thyroid of male rats and the associated mechanisms. Here, rats were respectively treated with DBP at 0 (control), 50 (low dose), 250 (medium dose), or 500 (high dose) mg/kg/day dissolved in 1 ml quantity of corn oil by intragastrical administration for two weeks. The results demonstrated that the proliferation and inflammatory response changes were significantly different compared to the control. In vivo DBP is mainly converted to mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), an active form producing untoward reactions of DBP exposure. Therefore, for in vitro experiments, we treated the thyroid follicular epithelial cell line (Nthy-ori 3-1) in a temporal gradient using 1 mM MBP. Further in vitro studies showed that MBP exposure upregulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by activating AKT/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling. Meanwhile, we detected that Pellino2 (Peli2) played an essential role in promoting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Briefly speaking, this study confirmed that DBP exposure caused impaired thyroid structure and thyroid inflammation in male rats, which offered new views into the harm of DBP exposure on the endocrine organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Endocrinology Department, Yancheng No.1 People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224001, China
| | - Yunhui Xia
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Junhan Chen
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Xiaodong Han
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Lanxiang Hao
- Endocrinology Department, Yancheng No.1 People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224001, China.
| | - Dongmei Li
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China.
| | - Yanmei Liu
- Endocrinology Department, Yancheng No.1 People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224001, China.
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Muncke J, Andersson AM, Backhaus T, Belcher SM, Boucher JM, Carney Almroth B, Collins TJ, Geueke B, Groh KJ, Heindel JJ, von Hippel FA, Legler J, Maffini MV, Martin OV, Peterson Myers J, Nadal A, Nerin C, Soto AM, Trasande L, Vandenberg LN, Wagner M, Zimmermann L, Thomas Zoeller R, Scheringer M. A vision for safer food contact materials: Public health concerns as drivers for improved testing. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 180:108161. [PMID: 37758599 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108161] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Food contact materials (FCMs) and food contact articles are ubiquitous in today's globalized food system. Chemicals migrate from FCMs into foodstuffs, so called food contact chemicals (FCCs), but current regulatory requirements do not sufficiently protect public health from hazardous FCCs because only individual substances used to make FCMs are tested and mostly only for genotoxicity while endocrine disruption and other hazard properties are disregarded. Indeed, FCMs are a known source of a wide range of hazardous chemicals, and they likely contribute to highly prevalent non-communicable diseases. FCMs can also include non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), which often are unknown and therefore not subject to risk assessment. To address these important shortcomings, we outline how the safety of FCMs may be improved by (1) testing the overall migrate, including (unknown) NIAS, of finished food contact articles, and (2) expanding toxicological testing beyond genotoxicity to multiple endpoints associated with non-communicable diseases relevant to human health. To identify mechanistic endpoints for testing, we group chronic health outcomes associated with chemical exposure into Six Clusters of Disease (SCOD) and we propose that finished food contact articles should be tested for their impacts on these SCOD. Research should focus on developing robust, relevant, and sensitive in-vitro assays based on mechanistic information linked to the SCOD, e.g., through Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) or Key Characteristics of Toxicants. Implementing this vision will improve prevention of chronic diseases that are associated with hazardous chemical exposures, including from FCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet and Centre for Research and Research Training in Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Dept of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Scott M Belcher
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Birgit Geueke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ksenia J Groh
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jerrold J Heindel
- Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Frank A von Hippel
- Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Juliette Legler
- Dept. of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Olwenn V Martin
- Plastic Waste Innovation Hub, Department of Arts and Science, University College London, UK
| | - John Peterson Myers
- Dept. of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Environmental Health Sciences, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Angel Nadal
- IDiBE and CIBERDEM, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Cristina Nerin
- Dept. of Analytical Chemistry, I3A, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana M Soto
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Centre Cavaillès, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- College of Global Public Health and Grossman School of Medicine and Wagner School of Public Service, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Wagner
- Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - R Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Scheringer
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
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Nazzari M, Romitti M, Hauser D, Carvalho DJ, Giselbrecht S, Moroni L, Costagliola S, Caiment F. Investigation of the effects of phthalates on in vitro thyroid models with RNA-Seq and ATAC-Seq. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1200211. [PMID: 37810885 PMCID: PMC10556862 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1200211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Phthalates are a class of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been shown to negatively correlate with thyroid hormone serum levels in humans and to cause a state of hyperactivity in the thyroid. However, their mechanism of action is not well described at the molecular level. Methods We analyzed the response of mouse thyroid organoids to the exposure to a biologically relevant dose range of the phthalates bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-iso-decylphthalate (DIDP), di-iso-nonylphthalate (DINP), and di-n-octylphthalate (DnOP) for 24 h and simultaneously analyzed mRNA and miRNA expression via RNA sequencing. Using the expression data, we performed differential expression and gene set enrichment analysis. We also exposed the human thyroid follicular epithelial cell line Nthy-ori 3-1 to 1 µM of DEHP or DINP for 5 days and analyzed changes in chromatin accessibility via ATAC-Seq. Results Dose-series analysis showed how the expression of several genes increased or decreased at the highest dose tested. As expected with the low dosing scheme, the compounds induced a modest response on the transcriptome, as we identified changes in only mmu-miR-143-3p after DINP treatment and very few differentially expressed genes. No effect was observed on thyroid markers. Ing5, a component of histones H3 and H4 acetylation complexes, was consistently upregulated in three out of four conditions compared to control, and we observed a partial overlap among the genes differentially expressed by the treatments. Gene set enrichment analysis showed enrichment in the treatment samples of the fatty acid metabolism pathway and in the control of pathways related to the receptor signalling and extracellular matrix organization. ATAC-Seq analysis showed a general increase in accessibility compared to the control, however we did not identify significant changes in accessibility in the identified regions. Discussion With this work, we showed that despite having only a few differentially expressed genes, diverse analysis methods could be applied to retrieve relevant information on phthalates, showing the potential of in vitro thyroid-relevant systems for the analysis of endocrine disruptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Nazzari
- Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Mírian Romitti
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research in Molecular Human Biology (IRIBHM), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Duncan Hauser
- Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Daniel J. Carvalho
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Stefan Giselbrecht
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Sabine Costagliola
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research in Molecular Human Biology (IRIBHM), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Florian Caiment
- Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Burns JS, Bather JR, Sergeyev O, Lee MM, Korrick SA, Sokolov S, Kovalev S, Koch HM, Lebedev AT, Mínguez-Alarcón L, Hauser R, Williams PL. Longitudinal association of prepubertal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with pubertal progression among a cohort of boys. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 233:116330. [PMID: 37348639 PMCID: PMC10575624 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have reported associations of anti-androgenic phthalate metabolite concentrations with later onset of male puberty, but few have assessed associations with progression. OBJECTIVES We examined the association of prepubertal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with trajectories of pubertal progression among Russian boys. METHODS At enrollment (ages 8-9 years), medical history, dietary, and demographic information were collected. At entry and annually to age 19 years, physical examinations including testicular volume (TV) were performed and spot urines collected. Each boy's prepubertal urine samples were pooled, and 15 phthalate metabolites were quantified by isotope dilution LC-MS/MS at Moscow State University. Metabolites of anti-androgenic parent phthalates were included: butylbenzyl (BBzP), di-n-butyl (DnBP), diisobutyl (DiBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP) and diisononyl (DiNP) phthalates. We calculated the molar sums of DEHP, DiNP, and all AAP metabolites. We used group-based trajectory models (GBTMs) to identify subgroups of boys who followed similar pubertal trajectories from ages 8-19 years based on annual TV. We used multinomial and ordinal regression models to evaluate whether prepubertal log-transformed phthalate metabolite concentrations were associated with slower or faster pubertal progression trajectories, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS 304 boys contributed a total of 752 prepubertal urine samples (median 2, range: 1-6) for creation of individual pools. The median length of follow-up was 10.0 years; 79% of boys were followed beyond age 15. We identified three pubertal progression groups: slower (34%), moderate (43%), and faster (23%) progression. A standard deviation increase in urinary log-monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) concentrations was associated with higher adjusted odds of being in the slow versus faster pubertal progression trajectory (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06-2.04). None of the other phthalate metabolites were associated with pubertal progression. CONCLUSIONS On average, boys with higher concentrations of prepubertal urinary MBzP had a slower tempo of pubertal progression, perhaps attributable to the disruption of androgen-dependent biological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Burns
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - J R Bather
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 2, 4th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - O Sergeyev
- Group of Epigenetic Epidemiology, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskye Gory, House 1, Building 40, Room 322, 119992, Moscow, Russia
| | - M M Lee
- Nemours Children's Health/Sidney Kimmel Medical School, Jefferson University, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - S A Korrick
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, 3rd Floor West, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - S Sokolov
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russia
| | - S Kovalev
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russia
| | - H M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - A T Lebedev
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russia
| | - L Mínguez-Alarcón
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, 3rd Floor West, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - R Hauser
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Kresge Building, 9th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - P L Williams
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 2, 4th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Kresge Building, 9th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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Krithivasan R, Miller GZ, Belliveau M, Gearhart J, Krishnamoorthi V, Lee S, Kannan K. Analysis of ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers in select organic and conventional foods in the United States. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:778-786. [PMID: 37726506 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00596-0] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers impart flexibility to plastics in food production, processing, and packaging; food consumption is a dominant plasticizer exposure pathway. Lower molecular weight ortho-phthalates are being replaced in plastic products due to toxicity concerns, but toxic hazards of and exposures to replacement ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE We measured 12 ortho-phthalates and 9 other plasticizers in conventional and organic U.S. food products to assess magnitude and profiles of contamination. METHODS We measured plasticizers in 34 vegetable oils, 10 milks, 18 infant formulas, and 9 cheese powders from macaroni kits using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We analyzed plastic packaging composition using FTIR spectroscopy. RESULTS We detected eight ortho-phthalates and three alternatives ((1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH), diethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT), and diisobutyl adipate (DIBA). Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was measured in all 71 products. DEHT had the highest concentration of any plasticizer (>10,000 ng/g in three oils). Oils had the highest total plasticizer (median = 770 ng/g, max = 14,900 ng/g) and milk the lowest (median = 88 ng/g, max = 120 ng/g). Organic milk and refined oils had higher median plasticizer levels than conventional. Refined oils had significantly lower concentrations than unrefined oils. Maximum contributors for every category were non-ortho-phthalates: DEHT (powdered infant formula and oils) and DIBA (cheese powder, milk and liquid formula). Plasticizers were not detected in packaging except epoxidized soybean oil in liquid formula lids. IMPACT STATEMENT Human exposure to plasticizers is a significant public health concern. Nevertheless, sources of such exposures are poorly characterized. This study adds valuable information for estimating legacy and alternative plasticizer exposures from foods. The method developed for measuring DINCH, DINP and DIDP broadens the range of plasticizers other researchers may analyze in future work. The profiles of plasticizer contamination varied depending on the food type. We also document that food processing may be a source of plasticizer contamination in foods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sunmi Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, 12201, USA
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Cox B, Wauters N, Rodríguez-Carrillo A, Portengen L, Gerofke A, Kolossa-Gehring M, Lignell S, Lindroos AK, Fabelova L, Murinova LP, Desalegn A, Iszatt N, Schillemans T, Åkesson A, Colles A, Den Hond E, Koppen G, Van Larebeke N, Schoeters G, Govarts E, Remy S. PFAS and Phthalate/DINCH Exposure in Association with Age at Menarche in Teenagers of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. TOXICS 2023; 11:711. [PMID: 37624216 PMCID: PMC10459167 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11080711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Early puberty has been found to be associated with adverse health outcomes such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and hormone-dependent cancers. The decrease in age at menarche observed during the past decades has been linked to an increased exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Evidence for the association between PFAS and phthalate exposure and menarche onset, however, is inconsistent. We studied the association between PFAS and phthalate/DINCH exposure and age at menarche using data of 514 teenagers (12 to 18 years) from four aligned studies of the Human Biomonitoring for Europe initiative (HBM4EU): Riksmaten Adolescents 2016-2017 (Sweden), PCB cohort (follow-up; Slovakia), GerES V-sub (Germany), and FLEHS IV (Belgium). PFAS concentrations were measured in blood, and phthalate/DINCH concentrations in urine. We assessed the role of each individual pollutant within the context of the others, by using different multi-pollutant approaches, adjusting for age, age- and sex-standardized body mass index z-score and household educational level. Exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), especially mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (5OH-MEHP), was associated with an earlier age at menarche, with estimates per interquartile fold change in 5OH-MEHP ranging from -0.34 to -0.12 years in the different models. Findings from this study indicated associations between age at menarche and some specific EDCs at concentrations detected in the general European population, but due to the study design (menarche onset preceded the chemical measurements), caution is needed in the interpretation of causality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Cox
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (N.W.); (A.R.-C.); (A.C.); (G.K.); (G.S.); (E.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Natasha Wauters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (N.W.); (A.R.-C.); (A.C.); (G.K.); (G.S.); (E.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Andrea Rodríguez-Carrillo
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (N.W.); (A.R.-C.); (A.C.); (G.K.); (G.S.); (E.G.); (S.R.)
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein, 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Lützen Portengen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Antje Gerofke
- German Environment Agency, Umweltbundesamt (UBA), 14195 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); (M.K.-G.)
| | - Marike Kolossa-Gehring
- German Environment Agency, Umweltbundesamt (UBA), 14195 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); (M.K.-G.)
| | - Sanna Lignell
- Swedish Food Agency, 751 26 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.L.); (A.K.L.)
| | | | - Lucia Fabelova
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Slovak Medical University, 831 01 Bratislava, Slovakia; (L.F.); (L.P.M.)
| | - Lubica Palkovicova Murinova
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Slovak Medical University, 831 01 Bratislava, Slovakia; (L.F.); (L.P.M.)
| | - Anteneh Desalegn
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456 Oslo, Norway; (A.D.); (N.I.)
| | - Nina Iszatt
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456 Oslo, Norway; (A.D.); (N.I.)
| | - Tessa Schillemans
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (A.Å.)
| | - Agneta Åkesson
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.S.); (A.Å.)
| | - Ann Colles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (N.W.); (A.R.-C.); (A.C.); (G.K.); (G.S.); (E.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Provincial Research Centre for Environment and Health, 2023 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (N.W.); (A.R.-C.); (A.C.); (G.K.); (G.S.); (E.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Nicolas Van Larebeke
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (N.W.); (A.R.-C.); (A.C.); (G.K.); (G.S.); (E.G.); (S.R.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (N.W.); (A.R.-C.); (A.C.); (G.K.); (G.S.); (E.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Sylvie Remy
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (N.W.); (A.R.-C.); (A.C.); (G.K.); (G.S.); (E.G.); (S.R.)
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Khodasevich D, Holland N, Hubbard A, Harley K, Deardorff J, Eskenazi B, Cardenas A. Associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and childhood epigenetic age acceleration. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116067. [PMID: 37149020 PMCID: PMC10330458 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates, a group of pervasive endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and personal care products, have been associated with a wide range of developmental and health outcomes. However, their impact on biomarkers of aging has not been characterized. We tested associations between prenatal exposure to 11 phthalate metabolites on epigenetic aging in children at birth, 7, 9, and 14 years of age. We hypothesized that prenatal phthalate exposure will be associated with epigenetic age acceleration measures at birth and in early childhood, with patterns dependent on sex and timing of DNAm measurement. METHODS Among 385 mother-child pairs from the CHAMACOS cohort, we measured DNAm at birth, 7, 9, and 14 years of age, and utilized adjusted linear regression to assess the association between prenatal phthalate exposure and Bohlin's Gestational Age Acceleration (GAA) at birth and Intrinsic Epigenetic Age Acceleration (IEAA) throughout childhood. Additionally, quantile g-computation was utilized to assess the effect of the phthalate mixture on GAA at birth and IEAA throughout childhood. RESULTS We found a negative association between prenatal di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure and IEAA among males at age 7 (-0.62 years; 95% CI:-1.06 to -0.18), and a marginal negative association between the whole phthalate mixture and GAA among males at birth (-1.54 days, 95% CI: -2.79 to -0.28), while most other associations were nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to certain phthalates is associated with epigenetic aging in children. Additionally, our findings suggest that the influence of prenatal exposures on epigenetic age may only manifest during specific periods of child development, and studies relying on DNAm measurements solely from cord blood or single time points may overlook potential relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Khodasevich
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nina Holland
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Alan Hubbard
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Kim Harley
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Julianna Deardorff
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Pumarega J, Buscà O, Gasull M, Porta M. Supporting legislative action: Urinary levels of phthalates and phenols among influencers in the 'Plastics in the spotlight' advocacy initiative. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116205. [PMID: 37217124 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116205] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Society-wide initiatives to prevent human exposure to plastic residues include laws and policies. Such measures require citizens' support, which can be increased by honest advocacy and pedagogic projects. These efforts must have a scientific basis. OBJECTIVE To assist the 'Plastics in the spotlight' advocacy initiative raise awareness among the general public of the presence of plastic residues in the human body, and to increase citizens' support for legislation on plastic control in the European Union. METHODS Spot urine samples of 69 volunteers with cultural and political influence from Spain, Portugal, Latvia, Slovenia, Belgium, and Bulgaria were collected. Concentrations of 30 phthalate metabolites and phenols were determined through a high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. RESULTS At least 18 compounds were detected in all urine samples. The maximum number of compounds detected per participant was 23, and the mean, 20.5. Phthalates were detected more frequently than phenols. Median concentrations were highest for monoethyl phthalate (41.6 ng/mL, adjusted for specific gravity), and maximum concentrations were highest for mono-iso-butyl phthalate (1345.1 ng/mL), oxybenzone (1915.1 ng/mL), and triclosan (949.6 ng/mL). Most reference values were not exceeded. Women had higher concentrations of the 14 phthalate metabolites and oxybenzone than men. Urinary concentrations were not correlated with age. DISCUSSION The study had three main limitations: method of subject selection (volunteers), small sample size, and limited data on determinants of exposure. Studies on volunteers do not pretend to be representative of the general population and are no substitute for biomonitoring studies in representative samples of the populations of interest. Studies as ours can only illustrate the existence and some aspects of the problem, and can raise awareness among citizens concerned by the evidence that the studies provide in a group of subjects who are humanly appealing. CONCLUSIONS The results illustrate that human exposure to phthalates and phenols is widespread. All countries appeared to be similarly exposed to these contaminants, with higher levels in females. Most concentrations did not exceed reference values. The effects of this study on the objectives of the 'Plastics in the spotlight' advocacy initiative deserve a specific analysis from policy science.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pumarega
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Hospital Del Mar Institute of Medical Research (IMIM), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Oriol Buscà
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Hospital Del Mar Institute of Medical Research (IMIM), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Magda Gasull
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Hospital Del Mar Institute of Medical Research (IMIM), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Miquel Porta
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Hospital Del Mar Institute of Medical Research (IMIM), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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Mustieles V, Rolland M, Pin I, Thomsen C, Sakhi AK, Sabaredzovic A, Muckle G, Guichardet K, Slama R, Philippat C. Early-Life Exposure to a Mixture of Phenols and Phthalates in Relation to Child Social Behavior: Applying an Evidence-Based Prioritization to a Cohort with Improved Exposure Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:87006. [PMID: 37556305 PMCID: PMC10411634 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies aiming at relating exposure to phenols and phthalates with child social behavior characterized exposure using one or a few spot urine samples, resulting in substantial exposure misclassification. Moreover, early infancy exposure was rarely studied. OBJECTIVES We aimed to examine the associations of phthalates and phenols with child social behavior in a cohort with improved exposure assessment and to a priori identify the chemicals supported by a higher weight of evidence. METHODS Among 406 mother-child pairs from the French Assessment of Air Pollution exposure during Pregnancy and Effect on Health (SEPAGES) cohort, 25 phenols/phthalate metabolites were measured in within-subject pools of repeated urine samples collected at the second and third pregnancy trimesters (∼ 21 samples/trimester) and at 2 months and 1-year of age (∼ 7 samples/period). Social behavior was parent-reported at 3 years of age of the child using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). A structured literature review of the animal and human evidence was performed to prioritize the measured phthalates/phenols based on their likelihood to affect social behavior. Both adjusted linear regression and Bayesian Weighted Quantile Sum (BWQS) regression models were fitted. False discovery rate (FDR) correction was applied only to nonprioritized chemicals. RESULTS Prioritized compounds included bisphenol A, bisphenol S, triclosan (TCS), diethyl-hexyl phthalate (Σ DEHP ), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n -butyl phthalate (MnBP), and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP). With the exception of bisphenols, which showed a mixed pattern of positive and negative associations in pregnant mothers and neonates, few prenatal associations were observed. Most associations were observed with prioritized chemicals measured in 1-y-old infants: Each doubling in urinary TCS (β = 0.78 ; 95% CI: 0.00, 1.55) and MEP (β = 0.92 ; 95% CI: - 0.11 , 1.96) concentrations were associated with worse total SRS scores, whereas MnBP and Σ DEHP were associated with worse Social Awareness (β = 0.25 ; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.50) and Social Communication (β = 0.43 ; 95% CI: - 0.02 , 0.89) scores, respectively. BWQS also suggested worse total SRS [Beta 1 = 1.38 ; 95% credible interval (CrI): - 0.18 , 2.97], Social Awareness (Beta 1 = 0.37 ; 95% CrI: 0.06, 0.70), and Social Communication (Beta 1 = 0.91 ; 95% CrI: 0.31, 1.53) scores per quartile increase in the mixture of prioritized compounds assessed in 1-y-old infants. The few associations observed with nonprioritized chemicals did not remain after FDR correction, with the exception of benzophenone-3 exposure in 1-y-old infants, which was suggestively associated with worse Social Communication scores (corrected p = 0.07 ). DISCUSSION The literature search allowed us to adapt our statistical analysis according to the weight of evidence and create a corpus of experimental and epidemiological knowledge to better interpret our findings. Early infancy appears to be a sensitive exposure window that should be further investigated. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11798.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Mustieles
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Matthieu Rolland
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Pin
- Pediatric Department, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, La Tronche, France
| | | | | | | | - Gina Muckle
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - Université Laval Research Center, Québec City, Canada
| | - Karine Guichardet
- Pediatric Department, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, La Tronche, France
| | - Rémy Slama
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Claire Philippat
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
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Özel F, Stratmann M, Lindh C, Gennings C, Bornehag CG, Rüegg J. Prenatal exposure to phthalates and gender-specific play behavior at seven years of age in the SELMA study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108029. [PMID: 37331180 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of evidence shows that prenatal exposure to phthalates affects child development. Since many phthalates have been shown to alter endocrine signaling, they may influence reproductive development, neurodevelopment, and child behavior. Indeed, a few studies reported associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and gender-specific play behavior. However, evidence for this relationship is limited, and previous findings are based on single phthalates, while human exposure entails mixtures of chemicals. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the associations between prenatal exposure to single phthalates, as well as a phthalate mixture, and gender-specific play behavior. METHODS A total of 715 mother-child pairs from the Swedish Environmental Longitudinal, Mother and Child, Asthma and Allergy (SELMA) study were included. In the median week 10 of pregnancy, phthalate metabolites were measured in urine. Gender-specific play behavior was measured with Preschool Activities Inventory at the age of seven years. Linear and weighted quantile sum regressions were used; data was stratified by sex. Models were adjusted for child and maternal age, maternal education, parental attitudes toward play behavior, and urinary creatinine concentration. RESULTS For boys, single compound analyses revealed negative associations of prenatal exposure to di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) concentrations with masculine (β = -1.44; 95% CI = -2.72, -0.16) and composite (β = -1.43; 95% CI = -2.72, -0.13) scores. Suggestive associations were also observed with a mixture approach identifying DINP as the main contributor of the association of decreased masculine play. Among girls, higher urinary concentrations of 2,4-methyl-7-oxyooctyl-oxycarbonyl-cyclohexane carboxylic acid (MOiNCH) was associated with decreased feminine (β = -1.59; 95% CI = -2.62, -0.57) and masculine scores (β = -1.22; 95% CI = -2.14, -0.29), whereas the mixture analyses did not yield conclusive results for girls. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest associations of prenatal exposure to DINP with decreased masculine play behavior in boys while the results for girls were not fully conclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Özel
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Centre for Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan - Womher, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
| | - Marlene Stratmann
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Christian Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Chris Gennings
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden; Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
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Oluwayiose OA, Houle E, Whitcomb BW, Suvorov A, Rahil T, Sites CK, Krawetz SA, Visconti PE, Pilsner JR. Urinary phthalate metabolites and small non-coding RNAs from seminal plasma extracellular vesicles among men undergoing infertility treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 329:121529. [PMID: 37003585 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) cargo of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the male reproductive tract play critical roles in semen quality and emerging evidence suggests their susceptibility to environmental factors. Male phthalate exposures have been linked to poor semen quality, sperm DNA methylation profiles and embryo development; however, there is limited evidence on their potential impact on EV ncRNAs profiles. We evaluated the association between urinary phthalate metabolites and small ncRNAs (sncRNAs) of seminal plasma EVs (spEV) among men receiving clinical infertility care. We conducted sncRNA sequencing of EVs in 96 seminal plasma samples collected from the Sperm Environmental Epigenetics and Development Study (SEEDS). Sequencing reads were mapped to human transcriptome databases using STAR. Urinary metabolite concentrations of thirteen phthalates and two DiNCH, a phthalate alternative, were measured via tandem mass spectrometry. Associations with normalized counts were assessed using EdgeR (FDR<0.05) adjusting for urinary dilution via specific gravity, age, BMI, batch, and biotype-specific total counts. Select metabolites, MEOHP, MECPP, ∑DEHP, MCPP, MCNP, MCOP, were negatively (p < 0.05) correlated with miRNA relative abundance. Similarly, nine metabolites including MEOHP, MECPP, MEHP, MCPP, MHBP, MHiNCH, MiBP, MEHHP, MCOP and ∑DEHP were associated (q < 0.05) with normalized counts from 23 unique ncRNA transcripts (7 miRNAs (pre & mature); 6 tRFs; and 10 piRNAs), most (78%) of which displayed increased expression patterns. miRNA and tRFs gene targets were enriched in vesicle-mediated transport and developmental-related ontology terms, such as tyrosine kinase, head development, and cell morphogenesis. Six genes (MAPK1, BMPR1A/2, PTEN, TGFBR2, TP53 and APP) were present in all the ontology terms and predicted to form protein association networks. piRNAs were annotated to pseudogenes of genes important in EV cargo transfer and embryonic development. This is the first study to associate phthalate exposures to altered spEV sncRNA profiles. Future studies are needed to determine their impact on reproductive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oladele A Oluwayiose
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Emily Houle
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Brian W Whitcomb
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 715 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Suvorov
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 686 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Tayyab Rahil
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMass Chan-Baystate, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - Cynthia K Sites
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMass Chan-Baystate, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - Stephen A Krawetz
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA; Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State School of Medicine, USA
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 661 N. Pleasant St, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - J Richard Pilsner
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA; Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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