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Halabicky OM, Giang CW, Miller AL, Peterson KE. Lead exposure, glucocorticoids, and physiological stress across the life course: A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 345:123329. [PMID: 38281572 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123329] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The biological pathways linking lead exposure to adverse outcomes are beginning to be understood. Rodent models suggest lead exposure induces dysfunction within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and glucocorticoid regulation, a primary physiological stress response system. Over time, HPA axis and glucocorticoid dysfunction has been associated with adverse neurocognitive and cardiometabolic health, much like lead exposure. This systematic review utilized PRISMA guidelines to synthesize the literature regarding associations between lead exposure and downstream effector hormones of the HPA axis, including cortisol, a glucocorticoid, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a glucocorticoid antagonist. We additionally determined the state of the evidence regarding lead exposure and allostatic load, a measure of cumulative body burden resultant of HPA axis and glucocorticoid dysfunction. A total of 18 articles were included in the review: 16 assessed cortisol or DHEA and 3 assessed allostatic load. Generally, the few available child studies suggest a significant association between early life lead exposure and altered cortisol, potentially suggesting the impact of developmental exposure. In adulthood, only cross sectional studies were available. These reported significant associations between lead and reduced cortisol awakening response and increased cortisol reactivity, but few associations with fasting serum cortisol. Two studies reported significant associations between increasing lead exposure and allostatic load in adults and another between early life lead exposure and adolescent allostatic load. The paucity of studies examining associations between lead exposure and allostatic load or DHEA and overall heterogeneity of allostatic load measurements limit conclusions. However, these findings cautiously suggest associations between lead and dysregulation of physiological stress pathways (i.e., glucocorticoids) as seen through cortisol measurement in children and adults. Future research would help to elucidate these associations and could further examine the physiological stress pathway as a mediator between lead exposure and detrimental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- O M Halabicky
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - C W Giang
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - A L Miller
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - K E Peterson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Zhang H, Yan J, Nie G, Xie D, Luo B, Niu J, Wang H, Li X. Effects of cadmium and lead co-exposure on glucocorticoid levels in rural residents of northwest China. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 317:137783. [PMID: 36638928 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137783] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are important environmental endocrine disruptors that are associated with adverse health problems. However, the effects of co-exposure to Cd and Pb on glucocorticoids (GCs) in the body at environmental levels are limited. A total of 468 subjects from the Dongdagou-Xinglong cohort (DDG-XL) were included in this study. We measured the serum levels of two representative endogenous GCs [cortisol (CRL) and cortisone (CRN)], and whole blood levels of Cd and Pb. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to explore the associations of single or combined Cd and Pb exposure with serum CRL and CRN levels. The interactive effects of Cd and Pb on GCs were further assessed using mediation analysis and moderation analysis. Single-heavy metal exposure analysis with adjustment for potential confounders showed that the serum CRL level decreased when the blood Cd or Pb concentration gradually increased (P trend <0.01). Additionally, subjects with high Cd or Pb exposure (Q4) had significantly reduced serum CRN levels compared to those with low Cd or Pb exposure (Q1) (P < 0.05). In Cd and Pb co-exposure analysis, significant negative dose-response relationships were observed between co-exposure to Cd and Pb and serum CRL and CRN levels. Furthermore, mediation analysis showed that Cd completely mediated the relationship between Pb and GCs, and moderation analysis suggested that Pb might weaken the negative relationship between Cd and GCs. These findings suggest that single or combined exposure to Cd and Pb interferes with the homeostasis of serum CRL and CRN levels. Furthermore, we innovatively propose that Cd and Pb may have interactive effects on GCs levels, and Pb can antagonize the negative relationship between Cd and GCs, which may provide clues for further studies on endocrine and metabolic disorders related to these heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglong Zhang
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Yan
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China; Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China; Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Institute of Gansu Province, Medical College Cancer Center of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Guole Nie
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Danna Xie
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Luo
- Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingping Niu
- Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiping Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China; Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China; Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Institute of Gansu Province, Medical College Cancer Center of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xun Li
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China; Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China; Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Institute of Gansu Province, Medical College Cancer Center of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China.
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Dolan LC, Flannery BM, Hoffman-Pennesi D, Gavelek A, Jones OE, Kanwal R, Wolpert B, Gensheimer K, Dennis S, Fitzpatrick S. A review of the evidence to support interim reference level for dietary lead exposure in adults. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 111:104579. [PMID: 31945454 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
FDA developed the interim reference level (IRL) for lead of 3 μg/day in children and 12.5 μg/day in women of childbearing age (WOCBA) to better protect the fetus from lead toxicity. These IRLs correspond to a blood lead level (BLL) of 0.5 μg/dL in both populations. The current investigation was performed to determine if the IRL for WOCBA should apply to the general population of adults. A literature review of epidemiological studies was conducted to determine whether a BLL of 0.5 μg/dL is associated with adverse effects in adults. Some studies reported adverse effects over a wide range of BLLs that included 0.5 μg/dL adding uncertainty to conclusions about effects at 0.5 μg/dL; however, no studies clearly identified this BLL as an adverse effect level. Results also showed that the previously developed PTTDI for adults of 75 μg/day lead may not be health protective, supporting use of a lower reference value for lead toxicity in this population group. Use of the 12.5 μg/day IRL as a benchmark for dietary lead intake is one way FDA will ensure that dietary lead intake in adults is reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie C Dolan
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Brenna M Flannery
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - Dana Hoffman-Pennesi
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Alexandra Gavelek
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Olivia E Jones
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Richard Kanwal
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Beverly Wolpert
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kathleen Gensheimer
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Sherri Dennis
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Suzanne Fitzpatrick
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA
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