Early lead exposure and pubertal development in a Mexico City population

A comprehensive analysis of children's blood lead levels in Latin America and the Caribbean over the last eight years: Progress and recommendations

In 2017 we published a review on blood lead levels (BLL) in children from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) for data available up to 14th of March 2014 and recommended the identification and control of "lead hot spots". In the present study, an evaluation of progress toward reducing BLL in the region was carried out. A systematic review of the latest literature on lead exposure in the LAC region held on the PubMed, Web of Science and LILACS databases (January 2014 to March 2022) was conducted using the PRISMA methodology. Only original papers published in peer-reviewed English, Spanish, or Portuguese journals were eligible. A total of 558 papers were retrieved, 77 of which met the selection criteria and 31 (40.25 %) were carried out in Mexico. The prevalence of children with BLL above 10 μg. dL-1 was 22.08 % in the previous review versus 6.78 % in the current study. In the present review, the prevalence of children with BLL above 5 μg. dL-1 was 29.62 %, and only one study reported a BLL prevalence rate between 3.3 and 5 μg. dL-1. The highest BLLs were associated with well-known sources or occupational exposures. The number of countries (n = 13) that published data on BLL in children was lower compared to the previous review (n = 16). Most studies were conducted in areas with known lead exposure sources, similar to the earlier review. The percentage of children at risk of lead poisoning in the region remains unknown because few studies have published data on environmental exposure levels and most samples were relatively small. The recommendation to identify and control sources of lead exposure was maintained, while further suggestions for establishing a systematic public health surveillance system for lead were proposed to help reduce the knowledge gap and inform public health policy-making in LAC.

Association of blood metal exposure with age at menarche in Korean women: KNHANES (2008-2017)

Humans are exposed to metals in their daily lives and this metal exposure is responsible for various adverse health effects. Delayed pubertal development has been suggested as an adverse outcome of metal exposure; however, evidence in nationally representative populations, especially in Asia, is limited. We evaluated the association of blood cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) levels with the age at menarche in Korean females whose blood heavy metals were measured as part of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2017. Among the females 16 years of age or older, all measured heavy metals in blood, i.e., Cd, Pb, and Hg, were positively associated with age at menarche. These associations remained significant in a model adjusted for age, survey year, income, education, body mass index, smoking history, and menopausal status as covariates (β: 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03-0.18 for Cd; β: 0.17, 95%CI: 0.06-0.27 for Pb; β: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.05-0.19 for Hg). When the population was separated by age group at the time of the survey, the significance between heavy metal levels and age at menarche became inconsistent, but the general trends were similar. Among those in their 20s and 40s, blood Cd showed a significant association, while Pb was significant among those in their 40s and 50s. A similar trend was observed in the sensitivity analysis in the girls aged 10-15 years at the time of the survey. Blood Cd levels were associated with decreased odds of precocious menarche (OR: 0.57, 95%CI: 0.31-1.03). Delayed menarche is a risk factor for cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases in later life; hence, public health implication of heavy metal exposure warrants a public health attention.

Associations of prenatal and childhood Pb exposure with allostatic load in adolescence: Findings from the ELEMENT cohort study

The biological pathways which link lead (Pb) and long-term outcomes are unclear, though rodent models and a few human studies suggest Pb may alter the body's stress response systems, which over time, can elicit dysregulated stress responses with cumulative impacts. This study examined associations between prenatal and early childhood Pb exposure and adolescent allostatic load, an index of an individual's body burden of stress in multiple biological systems, and further examined sex-based associations. Among 391 (51% male) participants in the ELEMENT birth cohort, we related trimester-specific maternal blood Pb, 1-month postpartum maternal tibia and patella Pb, and child blood Pb at 12-24 months to an allostatic load index in adolescence comprised of biomarkers of cardiovascular, metabolic, neuroendocrine, and immune function. The results were overall mixed, with prenatal exposure, particularly maternal bone Pb, being positively associated with allostatic load, and early childhood Pb showing mixed results for males and females. In adjusted Poisson regression models, 1 mcg/g increase in tibia Pb was associated with a 1% change in expected allostatic load (IRR = 1.01; 95%CI 0.99, 1.02). We found a significant Pb × sex interaction (IRR = 1.05; 95%CI 1.01, 1.10); where males saw an increasing percent change in allostatic load as 12 month Pb levels increased compared to females who saw a decreasing allostatic load. Further examination of allostatic load will facilitate the determination of potential mechanistic pathways between developmental toxicant exposures and later-in-life cardiometabolic outcomes.

Associations of prenatal and postnatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances with pubertal development and reproductive hormones in females and males: The HOME study

BACKGROUND

Prenatal and childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be associated with lower reproductive hormones and later puberty, but epidemiological studies evaluating these associations are scarce.

OBJECTIVES

We examined associations of PFAS concentrations assessed from pregnancy to adolescence with pubertal development and reproductive hormones at age 12 years.

METHODS

We studied 200 mother-child pairs from the HOME Study in Cincinnati, OH (enrolled: 2003-2006). We quantified serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) in pregnant women and their children at age 3, 8 and 12 years. At age 12 years, children self-assessed pubertal development using Tanner staging of pubic hair growth (males and females) and breast growth (females), and age at menarche. We quantified serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in both sexes; estradiol in females; testosterone in males. We estimated associations of PFAS with pubertal outcomes and reproductive hormones using a combination of ordinal regression, Cox proportional-hazard regression, and linear regression. Quantile-based g-computation was used for PFAS mixture.

RESULTS

In females, adolescent PFAS concentrations and their mixture were associated with later pubic hair growth, breast maturation, and age at menarche, but there was no pattern for prenatal or other postnatal concentrations. For instance, in females, each doubling in adolescent PFAS concentrations was associated with 79 % (PFOA), 63 % (PFOS), 56 % (PFNA), and 47 % (PFHxS) lower odds of attaining a higher stage for breast growth. In addition, adolescent PFAS concentrations were consistently associated with lower estradiol concentrations in females. No pattern was observed for associations of PFAS concentrations with pubic hair growth or reproductive hormones in males.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed associations between PFAS concentrations in adolescence and later pubertal development in females, but this could be due to reverse causation induced by excretion of PFAS through menstrual fluid.

Sodium para-aminosalicylic acid ameliorates brain neuroinflammation and behavioral deficits in juvenile lead-exposed rats by modulating MAPK signaling pathway and alpha-synuclein

Lead (Pb) is a developmental neurotoxin that can disrupt brain development and damage the brain regions responsible for executive function, behavioral regulation and fine motor control. Sodium para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that can cross the blood-brain barrier. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of juvenile rat Pb exposure on behavioral changes and brain inflammation, and the efficacy of PAS-Na in ameliorating these effects. The results showed that Pb exposure during the juvenile period (from weaning to adult period) delayed rats' growth development and impaired their motor learning. Pb exposure not only increased Pb concentrations in several brain regions (including hippocampus, striatum and substantia nigra), but also disrupted metal-homeostasis in the brain, as higher levels of iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) were observed in the substantia nigra. Moreover, Pb activated the MAPK pathway and increased levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 in the hippocampus, striatum and substantia nigra. Furthermore, Pb increased the levels of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in these brain sites. PAS-Na improved the motor deficits and brain inflammation in the Pb-exposed rats. Moreover, the elevated Pb, Fe and Ca concentrations in the brain were significantly reduced by PAS-Na, which contains amino, carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups, suggesting that it may act as a chelator of brain metals. In addition, PAS-Na inhibited the Pb-induced MAPK pathway activation and α-syn accumulation in the same brain regions. Taken together, our novel study suggest that PAS-Na shows efficacy in improving the Pb-induced behavioral changes in rats by inhibiting MAPK-dependent inflammatory pathways and reducing α-syn accumulation.

Environmental impact of metal halide perovskite solar cells and potential mitigation strategies: A critical review

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained extensive attention in the field of solar photovoltaic technology over the past few years. Despite being a remarkable alternative to fossil fuels, solar cells may have detrimental effects on the environment and human health owing to the use of toxic materials during manufacturing. Although modern metal-halide-based PSCs are stable and have encapsulation to prevent the release of potentially toxic materials into the environment, their destruction due to strong winds, hail, snow, landslides, fires, or waste disposal can result in the exposure of these materials to the environment. This may lead to the contamination of soil and groundwater, and uptake of potentially toxic elements by plants, subsequently affecting humans and other living organisms via food chain contamination. Despite worldwide concern, the environmental and ecotoxicological impacts of metal-halide-based PSCs have not been comprehensively surveyed. This review summarizes and critically evaluates the current status of metal-halide-based PSC production and its impact on environmental sustainability, food security, and human health. Furthermore, safe handling and disposal methods for the waste generated from metal-halide-based PSCs are proposed, with a focus on recycling and reuse. Although some studies have suggested that the amount of lead released from metal halide PSCs is far below the maximum permissible levels in most soils, a clear conclusion cannot be reached until real contamination scenarios are assessed under field conditions. Precautions must be taken to minimize environmental contamination throughout the lifecycle of PSCs until nontoxic and similarly performing alternative solar photovoltaic products are developed.

Early Life Environmental Exposure to Cadmium, Lead, and Arsenic and Age at Menarche: A Longitudinal Mother-Child Cohort Study in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Several metals act as endocrine disruptors, but there are few large longitudinal studies about associations with puberty onset.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated whether early life cadmium, lead, and arsenic exposure was associated with timing of menarche.

METHODS

In a mother-child cohort in rural Bangladesh (n=935), the exposure was assessed by concentrations in maternal erythrocytes in early pregnancy and in girls' urine at 5 and 10 years of age using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The girls were interviewed twice, at average ages 13.3 [standard deviation (SD)=0.43] and 13.8 (SD=0.43) y, and the date of menarche, if present, was recorded. Associations were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable-adjusted Cox regression.

RESULTS

In total, 77% of the girls (n=717) had reached menarche by the second follow-up. The median age of menarche among all girls was 13.0 y (25th-75th percentiles: 12.4-13.7 y). At 10 years of age, median urinary cadmium was 0.25μg/L (5th-95th percentiles: 0.087-0.72μg/L), lead 1.6μg/L (0.70-4.2μg/L), and arsenic 54μg/L (19-395μg/L). Given the same age, girls in the highest quartile of urinary cadmium at 5 and 10 years of age had a lower rate of menarche than girls in the lowest quartile, with an adjusted hazard ratio of (HR) 0.80 (95% CI: 0.62, 1.01) at 5 years of age, and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.60, 0.98) at 10 years of age. This implies that girls in the highest cadmium exposure quartile during childhood had a higher age at menarche. Comparing girls in the highest to the lowest quartile of urinary lead at 10 years of age, the former had a higher rate of menarche [adjusted HR = 1.23 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.56)], implying lower age at menarche, whereas there was no association with urinary lead at 5 years of age. Girls born to mothers in the highest quartile of erythrocyte arsenic during pregnancy were less likely to have attained menarche than girls born to mothers in the lowest quartile [adjusted HR= 0.79 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.99)]. No association was found with girls' urinary arsenic exposure.

DISCUSSION

Long-term childhood cadmium exposure was associated with later menarche, whereas the associations with child lead exposure were inconclusive. Maternal exposure to arsenic, but not cadmium or lead, was associated with later menarche. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11121.

Oxidative stress in the ovaries of mice chronically exposed to a low lead concentration: A generational approach

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that alters the oxidation-reduction balance, affecting reproductive health and transfer during pregnancy and lactation. However, the multigenerational impact of exposure to low concentrations of Pb on mammalian ovaries has not been assessed. This study evaluated general parameters, histology, redox state (RS), protein carbonylation (PC), lipid peroxidation (LP), and hormone concentrations in the ovaries of mice (CD1® ICR) of three successive generations with both unigenerational (E1) and multigenerational (E2) exposure to 0.2 ppm lead acetate through the drinking water and a control group. Body weight, food consumption, the number of born pups, and their weight after weaning were not significantly affected by Pb exposure in E1 and E2. However, the ovaries of three successive generations of the E1 group, in which only the F0 was exposed, showed alterations in the ovarian histoarchitecture, increase in follicular atresia, decrease in the number of available follicles, and a significant RS and PC elevation that were surprisingly similar to those observed in the E2 group. LP increased in the second generation of E1 and E2, while hormone concentration was not altered. This is the first demonstration that exposure to low concentration of Pb induces multigenerational histological alterations and oxidative stress in mouse ovaries, that the termination of this exposure does not ensure the safety of later generations and that the lack of modifications in general parameters may facilitate the silent development of pathologies that affect ovarian health.

A global perspective of correlation between maternal blood lead levels and risks of preeclampsia: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Preeclampsia (PE) is a specific hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that affects women's reproductive health. However, it is unclear whether lead exposure during can predispose maternal risk of developing preeclampsia. This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to explore the association.

Methods

We searched studies from three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase). Only case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies reporting maternal blood lead levels (BLL) and PE were included from database inception to 31st July 2022. Pregnant women with blood lead levels measured were eligible. Those healthy pregnant women who did not develop preeclampsia were assessed as comparators. Letters, comments, case reports, and reviews were excluded. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and its adaptive form were applied for assessment. The random-effects method (REM) was applied to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Stata 16.0 and RevMan 5.3 were the software used for data extraction and analysis.

Results

25 studies out of 1,808 articles made the finalist for systematic reviews, of which 21 underwent further quantity analysis. A total of 1,533 preeclamptic women and 10,998 healthy pregnant controls were included in the meta-analysis. The overall result revealed that maternal lead exposure was significantly higher in women with preeclampsia (SMD: 1.06, 95% CI 0.69, 1.43); (I ² = 96.40%; P = 0.000).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that maternal lead exposure is associated with preeclampsia during pregnancy. The association is present even in low blood lead levels. The conclusion should be taken seriously and women should avoid unexpected exposure to a lead-containing environment as much as possible.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=347220, identifier: CRD42022347220.

Chronic lead exposure exacerbates hepatic glucolipid metabolism disorder and gut microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat-diet mice

Lead (Pb) and obesity are co-occurring risk factors for metabolic disorders. However, there is still a lack of study on the combined effects of both stressors on metabolism. C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 200 mg/L Pb or/and HFD for 24 weeks and were used to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of chronic Pb exposure on obese mice. The results showed that Pb significantly increased body weight, visceral obesity, fasting blood glucose levels, and insulin resistance, and aggravated liver damage, hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis in HFD-fed mice. Further analysis showed that Pb significantly inhibited insulin signaling pathway PI3K/AKT and fatty acid β-oxidation, and accelerated fatty acid synthesis. Moreover, Pb exacerbated HFD-induced disruption of gut microbiota homeostasis, manifested by increased proportions of pathogenic genera such as Desulfovibrio, Alistipes and Helicobacter, and decreased proportions of beneficial microbes Akkermansia and Barnesiella, which were negatively associated with obesity. These results indicated that Pb exposure exacerbated the disruption of liver glucolipid metabolism in HFD mice possibly by disrupting gut microbiota.

Manganese and Lead Exposure and Early Puberty Onset in Children Living near a Ferromanganese Alloy Plant

Manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) have been associated with the deregulation of the neuroendocrine system, which could potentially favor the appearance of precocious puberty (PP) in environmentally exposed children. This study aims to evaluate the exposure to Mn and Pb and their potential effects in anticipating puberty in school-aged children living near a ferromanganese alloy plant in Bahia, Brazil. Toenail, occipital hair and blood samples were collected from 225 school-aged children. Tanner’s scale was used for pubertal staging. Mn in blood (MnB), toenail (MnTn) and hair (MnH) and blood lead (PbB) levels were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Puberty-related hormone concentrations were determined by chemiluminescence. The age at which girls’ breasts began to develop was inversely correlated with weight-for-age, height-for-age and BMI-for-age Z-scores (p < 0.05); pubarche also had similar results. Mn biomarker levels did not present differences among pubertal classification nor among children with potential PP or not. Furthermore, Mn exposure was not associated with the age of onset of sexual characteristics for either girls or boys. However, PbB levels were positively correlated with boys’ pubic hair stages (rho = 0.258; p = 0.009) and associated with the age of onset of girls’ pubarche (β = 0.299, 95%CI = 0.055−0.542; p = 0.017). Testosterone and LH concentrations were statistically higher in boys with an increased PbB (p = 0.09 and p = 0.02, respectively). Prospective studies are needed to better assess the association between exposure to Mn and Pb and the early onset of puberty.

Age at Menarche in Urban Girls Exposed to Lead in the Copper Basin, Poland

Lead negatively affects human growth and development. In this research, we aimed to assess the effect of elevated blood lead level on age at menarche (AM), controlling for body mass index (BMI) and estimated fatness. The sample included 490 girls aged 7−16 examined in Polkowice town (Copper Basin, Poland) in 2008. Measurements included height, weight, skinfold thicknesses and estimated percentage of body fat. AM was assessed using the status quo method. Blood samples were taken for lead level assessment. Two groups were defined based on the median blood lead level for the total sample of children (3.7 µg/dL). Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between AM and independent variables. The results indicated that menarche in the higher blood lead level group was significantly later compared to the lower blood lead level group (p < 0.01). This relationship remained only marginally significant when BMI (p < 0.10), sum of skinfolds (p < 0.09) or percentage of fat (p < 0.08) were controlled. The results revealed that a lower blood lead level (3.7 µg/dL) than the currently acceptable threshold (5 µg/dL) is related to a later AM; however, this relationship is moderated by body fatness, which may decrease its significance.

Sex differences in the association of measures of sexual maturation to common toxicants: Lead, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene (DDE), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Many studies of human toxicant exposure examine the hypothesis that human sexual maturation can be affected through endocrine disruption. Within this body of literature there is significant variation in the findings. Variation may be related to the differential effects by toxicants between males and females as well as variation in sample size, toxicant levels, and the timing of exposure. We review sexual maturation outcomes between males and females when exposed to lead, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using a systematic process to gather peer-reviewed studies published from January 1994 through December 2019 on the NCBI website's PubMed search engine. The review includes 34 studies, some comprised of multiple analyses, to compare effects on sexual maturation by sex. The analysis shows that both boys and girls have delayed sexual maturation in relation to lead exposure. There are differences in the direction of effects associated with DDE/DDT and PCB exposure in boys and girls. PCBs exist as congeners of many structural forms, and that variation is considered in this review. Dioxin-like and non-dioxin-like PCBs exposure directionality differed between boys and girls as well. Future investigations into the basis of sex variation in DDE/DDT and PCB relationships to sexual maturation are warranted.

Lead exposure and serum metabolite profiles in pregnant women in Mexico City

BACKGROUND

Lead (Pb) exposure is a global health hazard causing a wide range of adverse health outcomes. Yet, the mechanisms of Pb toxicology remain incompletely understood, especially during pregnancy. To uncover biological pathways impacted by Pb exposure, this study investigated serum metabolomic profiles during the third trimester of pregnancy that are associated with blood Pb and bone Pb.

METHODS

We used data and specimens from 99 women enrolled in the Programming Research in Obesity, Growth, Environment, and Social Stressors birth cohort in Mexico City. Maternal Pb exposure was measured in whole blood samples from the third trimester of pregnancy and in the tibia and patella bones at 1 month postpartum. Third-trimester serum samples underwent metabolomic analysis; metabolites were identified based on matching to an in-house analytical standard library. A metabolome-wide association study was performed using multiple linear regression models. Class- and pathway-based enrichment analyses were also conducted.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range) blood Pb concentration was 2.9 (2.6) µg/dL. Median bone Pb, measured in the tibia and patella, were 2.5 (7.3) µg/g and 3.6 (9.5) µg/g, respectively. Of 215 total metabolites identified in serum, 31 were associated with blood Pb (p < 0.05). Class enrichment analysis identified significant overrepresentation of metabolites classified as fatty acids and conjugates, amino acids and peptides, and purines. Tibia and patella Pb were associated with 14 and 8 metabolites, respectively (p < 0.05). Comparing results from bone and blood Pb, glycochenodeoxycholic acid, glycocholic acid, and 1-arachidonoylglycerol were positively associated with blood Pb and tibia Pb, and 7-methylguanine was negatively associated with blood Pb and patella Pb. One metabolite, 5-aminopentanoic acid, was negatively associated with all three Pb measures.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified serum metabolites in pregnant women associated with Pb measured in blood and bone. These findings provide insights on the metabolic profile around Pb exposure in pregnancy and information to guide mechanistic studies of toxicological effects for mothers and children.

Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Adiposity at Age 12 Years: Evaluating Periods of Susceptibility

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure may increase adiposity and obesity risk in children. However, no studies have extended these findings into adolescence or identified periods of heightened susceptibility. We estimated associations of repeated pre- and postnatal serum PFAS concentrations with adolescent adiposity and risk of overweight/obesity. We studied 212 mother-offspring pairs from the HOME Study. We quantified serum concentrations of four PFAS in mothers at ∼16 week gestation and their children at birth and ages 3, 8, and 12 years. We assessed adiposity at 12 years using anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Using multiple informant models, we estimated covariate-adjusted associations of an interquartile range (IQR) increase in log2-transformed PFAS for each time period with adiposity measures and tested differences in these associations. Serum perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) concentrations during pregnancy were associated with modest increases in central adiposity and risk of overweight/obesity, but there was no consistent pattern for postnatal concentrations. We observed nonlinear associations between PFOA in pregnancy and some measures of adiposity. Overall, we observed a pattern of modest positive associations of gestational PFOA and PFHxS concentrations with central adiposity and the risk of obesity in adolescents, while no pattern was observed for postnatal PFAS concentrations.

In utero and peripubertal metals exposure in relation to reproductive hormones and sexual maturation and progression among boys in Mexico City

BACKGROUND

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as metals have been reported to alter circulating reproductive hormone concentrations and pubertal development in animals. However, the relationship has rarely been investigated among humans, with the exception of heavy metals, such as Pb and Cd. Our aim was to investigate measures of in utero and peripubertal metal exposure in relation to reproductive hormone concentrations and sexual maturation and progression among boys from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) cohorts.

METHODS

Our analysis included 118 pregnant women and their male children from the ELEMENT study. Essential and non-essential metals were measured in urine collected from the mothers during the third trimester of pregnancy and their male children at 8-14 years. Reproductive hormone concentrations [serum testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), inhibin B, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)] were measured in blood samples from the children at 8-14 years. We also assessed Tanner stages for sexual maturation (genital, pubic hair development, and testicular volume), at two time points (8-14, 10-18 years). We used linear regression to independently examine urinary metal concentrations in relation to each peripubertal reproductive hormones adjusting for child age and BMI. Generalized estimation equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the association of in utero and peripubertal metal exposures with sexual maturation and progression during follow-up based on Tanner staging and testicular volume.

RESULTS

In utero and prepubertal concentrations of some urinary metals were associated with increased concentrations of peripubertal reproductive hormones, especially non-essential metal(loid)s As and Cd (in utero), and Ba (peripubertal) as well as essential metal Mo (in utero) in association with testosterone. More advanced pubic hair developmental stage and higher testicular volume at the early teen visit was observed for boys with higher non-essential metal concentrations, including in utero Al and peripubertal Ba, and essential metal Zn concentration (peripubertal). These metals were also associated with slower pubertal progression between the two visits.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that male reproductive development may be associated with both essential and non-essential metal exposure during in utero and peripubertal windows.

The Effect of Whole Blood Lead (Pb-B) Levels on Changes in Peripheral Blood Morphology and Selected Biochemical Parameters, and the Severity of Depression in Peri-Menopausal Women at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome or with Metabolic Syndrome

The aim of our study was to assess the impact of whole blood lead (Pb-B) levels on changes in peripheral blood morphology and selected biochemical parameters, and the severity of depression in peri-menopausal women at risk of metabolic syndrome (pre-MetS) or with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The study involved 233 women from the general population of the West Pomeranian Province (Poland) aged 44–65 years. The intensity of menopausal symptoms and the severity of depression was examined using the Blatt–Kupperman Index (KI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin, glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride levels (TG), cortisol, morphology of blood cells and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and Pb-B was measured. Women with MetS had higher levels of glucose, HbA1C, HDL, LDL, TG, cortisol, insulin and higher HOMA-IR. No significant differences in Pb-B were observed between pre-MetS and the control group, and between pre-MetS and the MetS group. A significant correlation was noticed between Pb-B vs. the percentage of monocytes in blood, and blood cortisol levels in women with MetS; Pb-B vs. lymphocyte count and HbA1C in the pre-MetS group, as well as in the BDI scores between the MetS and pre-MetS group. We cannot clearly state that exposure to Pb is an environmental factor that can be considered as a risk factor for MetS in this studied group.

Association between fluoride exposure and cardiometabolic risk in peripubertal Mexican children

BACKGROUND

Several animal studies have suggested that fluoride exposure may increase the levels of cardiometabolic risk factors, but little is known about whether fluoride exposure is associated with such risk in humans.

OBJECTIVES

We examined the cross-sectional association between peripubertal exposure to fluoride and markers of cardiometabolic risk in 280 girls and 256 boys at age 10-18 years living in Mexico City.

METHODS

We measured plasma fluoride concentration using a microdiffusion method. We collected data on anthropometry including BMI, waist circumference (WC) and trunk fat percentage. We measured serum markers of cardiometabolic risk, including fasting glucose, insulin and lipids. All the indicators of outcome were converted to age- and sex-specific z-scores. We also calculated a summary cardiometabolic risk score for each participant. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine these associations.

RESULTS

The geometric mean (95% confidence interval (CI)) of plasma fluoride was 0.21 μmol/L (0.20, 0.23 μmol/L) in the total sample. In girls, plasma fluoride concentrations were associated with higher z-scores for all the individual markers (except for lipids) and for the combined cardiometabolic risk score (risk score: β = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.57-2.00, p-sex interaction = 0.02)), adjusting for covariates. No associations were found in boys.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that higher peripubertal fluoride exposure at the levels observed in this study population was significantly associated with increased levels of cardiometabolic risk factors in Mexican girls but not boys. Future studies with a longitudinal design are needed to confirm our findings and further elucidate the role of fluoride in cardiometabolic risk.

Prenatal Lead Exposure, Type 2 Diabetes, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Mexican Children at Age 10-18 Years

CONTEXT

Several cross-sectional studies have assessed the association of lead exposure with type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults; however, studies of such associations in childhood are rare.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the prospective associations of prenatal exposure to lead with type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic risk factors in children.

DESIGN

The Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants is a birth cohort study of pregnant women and their offspring.

SETTING

Public hospitals in Mexico City.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Women were recruited during pregnancy; their offspring were recruited for a follow-up visit at age 10 to 18 years (n = 369).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We measured fasting serum markers of type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic risk factors in children, including fasting glucose, insulin, and lipids. The index of insulin resistance was calculated.

RESULTS

The geometric mean of maternal blood lead levels (BLLs) during pregnancy was 4.3 µg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI]): 4.0-4.6 µg/dL) in the entire sample. In boys, those with maternal BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL (compared with those with BLLs < 5 µg/dL) had significantly lower z scores for total cholesterol (β = -0.41, 95% CI: -0.71, -0.12), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = -0.32, 95% CI: -0.59, -0.05), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = -0.52, 95% CI: -0.81, -0.22), adjusting for covariates. No associations were detected in girls.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, we found that higher prenatal exposure to lead was associated with lower levels of cholesterol in children following a sex-specific pattern. Further studies with a larger sample size that examine whether sex is a potential modifier are needed to confirm our findings.

In utero and peripubertal metals exposure in relation to reproductive hormones and sexual maturation and progression among girls in Mexico City

There is increasing evidence that several metals are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In utero development and adolescence are critical windows of susceptibility to EDC exposure. With the exception of a few heavy metals, few human studies have evaluated the impact of metal exposure on pubertal development. Our aim was to investigate measures of in utero and peripubertal metal exposure in relation to reproductive hormone levels and sexual maturation and progression among girls from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) cohorts. We measured urinary concentrations of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) in samples collected from women during their third trimester of pregnancy and from their female children at 8-13 years (n = 132). We measured serum testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), inhibin B, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) at age 8-13, and assessed Tanner stages for sexual maturation (breast, pubic hair development, and menarche status), at two time points (8-13, 14-18 years). We used linear regression to independently examine in utero and peripubertal metal concentrations as predictors of peripubertal hormones. In a longitudinal analysis using generalized estimation equations, we evaluated Tanner stage and menarche progression in relation to individual in utero and peripubertal metal concentrations. We found that higher in utero Zn was associated with increased inhibin B. Several metals at 8-13 years were associated with higher DHEA-S and estradiol, while Ni was positively but Cu was negatively associated with testosterone. In utero Ni, Al, and Cd were associated with slower progression of breast development after adjustment for child age and BMI z-score. For example, an IQR increase in in utero Al exposure was associated with 0.82 times lower odds of progressing to a higher Tanner stage for breast development per year (95% CI: 0.68, 0.99). Peripubertal concentrations of Ba and Al were also associated with being at a higher pubic hair Tanner stage and menarche at 8-13, but lower odds of progressing to the next stage at 14-18 years. We used Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to model the joint effect of multiple metals while accounting for correlated exposures, as well as potential non-linear relationships between metals and outcomes of interest, which yielded results similar to individual analyses. These findings suggest that female reproductive development may be vulnerable to the effects of metal exposure, and using both Tanner stages and hormone levels may provide clues about underlying mechanisms in two sensitive periods of development.

Dietary Intake of Selenium in Relation to Pubertal Development in Mexican Children

Alterations in pubertal timing have been associated with long-term health outcomes. While a few reports have shown that dietary intake of selenium is associated with fertility and testosterone levels in men, no human studies have considered the association between selenium and pubertal development in children. We examined the cross-sectional association of childhood dietary intake of selenium with pubertal development among 274 girls and 245 boys aged 10–18 years in Mexico City. Multiple logistic and ordinal regression models were used to capture the association between energy-adjusted selenium intake (below Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) vs. above RDA) and stages of sexual maturity in children, adjusted for covariates. We found that boys with consumption of selenium below the RDA had lower odds of a higher stage for pubic hair growth (odds ratio (OR) = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.27–0.97) and genital development (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.28–0.99) as well as a lower probability of having matured testicular volume (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.15–0.88) compared with boys who had adequate daily dietary intake of selenium (above RDA). No associations were found in girls. According to our results, it is possible that inadequate consumption of selenium may be associated with later pubertal development in boys, suggesting a sex-specific pattern. Future work with a larger sample size and measures of selenium biomarkers is needed to confirm our findings and improve understanding of the role of this mineral in children’s sexual development.

Early lead exposure and childhood adiposity in Mexico city

BACKGROUND

Prenatal and early childhood lead exposures have been associated with reduced weight in infants and young children, while studies that have examined such associations in children during peripubescence are rare.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the associations of prenatal and early-life exposure to lead with indices of adiposity in peripubertal children living in Mexico City.

METHODS

Maternal bone lead (as a proxy for cumulative fetal exposure) was assessed at 1 month postpartum. Blood samples were obtained from children annually from 1 to 4 years. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association between each lead biomarker and BMI z-score, waist circumference, sum of skinfolds and body fat percentage in 248 children aged 8-16 years.

RESULTS

After adjusting for covariates, maternal patella lead was associated with lower child BMI z-score (β = -0.02, 95% CI: 0.03, -0.01, p = 0.004), waist circumference (β = -0.12 cm, 95% CI: 0.22, -0.03, p = 0.01), sum of skinfolds (β = -0.29 mm, 95% CI: 0.50, -0.08, p = 0.007) and body fat percentage (β = -0.09%, 95% CI: 0.17, -0.01, p = 0.03). No significant associations were detected from the postnatal exposure period.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a significant and inverse association of prenatal lead exposure with body composition in Mexican children, suggesting the potential role of early lead exposure in the fetal programming of child growth. Further research on the biological mechanisms underlying these associations is needed.

Fluoride exposure and pubertal development in children living in Mexico City

BACKGROUND

Previous animal and ecological studies have provided evidence for an earlier sexual maturation in females in relation to fluoride exposure; however, no epidemiological studies have examined the association between fluoride exposure and pubertal development in both boys and girls using individual-level biomarkers of fluoride. Capitalizing on an ongoing Mexican birth cohort study, we examined the association between concurrent urinary fluoride levels and physical markers of pubertal development in children.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 157 boys and 176 girls at age 10-17 years living in Mexico City. We used ion-selective electrode-based diffusion methods to assess fluoride levels in urine, adjusting for urinary specific gravity. Pubertal stages were evaluated by a trained physician. Associations of fluoride with pubertal stages and age at menarche were studied using ordinal regression and Cox proportional-hazard regression, respectively.

RESULTS

In the entire sample, the geometric mean and interquartile range (IQR) of urinary fluoride (specific gravity adjusted) were 0.59 mg/L and 0.31 mg/L, respectively. In boys, our analysis showed that a one-IQR increase in urinary fluoride was associated with later pubic hair growth (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.51-0.98, p = 0.03) and genital development (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53-0.95, p = 0.02). No significant associations were found in girls, although the direction was negative.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood fluoride exposure, at the levels observed in our study, was associated with later pubertal development among Mexican boys at age 10-17 years. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.