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Toledano JM, Puche-Juarez M, Moreno-Fernandez J, Gonzalez-Palacios P, Rivas A, Ochoa JJ, Diaz-Castro J. Implications of Prenatal Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Offspring Development: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2024; 16:1556. [PMID: 38892490 PMCID: PMC11173790 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111556] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
During the last decades, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have attracted the attention of the scientific community, as a result of a deepened understanding of their effects on human health. These compounds, which can reach populations through the food chain and a number of daily life products, are known to modify the activity of the endocrine system. Regarding vulnerable groups like pregnant mothers, the potential damage they can cause increases their importance, since it is the health of two lives that is at risk. EDCs can affect the gestation process, altering fetal development, and eventually inducing the appearance of many disorders in their childhood and/or adulthood. Because of this, several of these substances have been studied to clarify the influence of their prenatal exposure on the cognitive and psychomotor development of the newborn, together with the appearance of non-communicable diseases and other disorders. The most novel research on the subject has been gathered in this narrative review, with the aim of clarifying the current knowledge on the subject. EDCs have shown, through different studies involving both animal and human investigation, a detrimental effect on the development of children exposed to the during pregnancy, sometimes with sex-specific outcomes. However, some other studies have failed to find these associations, which highlights the need for deeper and more rigorous research, that will provide an even more solid foundation for the establishment of policies against the extended use of these chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M. Toledano
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (J.M.T.); (J.J.O.); (J.D.-C.)
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Ph.D. Program, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maria Puche-Juarez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (J.M.T.); (J.J.O.); (J.D.-C.)
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Ph.D. Program, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Jorge Moreno-Fernandez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (J.M.T.); (J.J.O.); (J.D.-C.)
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain;
| | - Patricia Gonzalez-Palacios
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Rivas
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Julio J. Ochoa
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (J.M.T.); (J.J.O.); (J.D.-C.)
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain;
| | - Javier Diaz-Castro
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (J.M.T.); (J.J.O.); (J.D.-C.)
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain;
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Du Y, Li Q, Zhou G, Cai Z, Man Q, Wang WC. Early-life perfluorooctanoic acid exposure disrupts the function of dopamine transporter protein with glycosylation changes implicating the links between decreased dopamine levels and disruptive behaviors in larval zebrafish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170408. [PMID: 38281643 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170408] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) during early embryonic development is associated with the increased risk of developmental neurotoxicity and neurobehavioral disorders in children. In our previous study, we demonstrated that exposure to PFOA affected locomotor activity and disrupted dopamine-related gene expression in zebrafish larvae. Consequently, we continue to study the dopaminergic system with a focus on dopamine levels and dopamine's effect on behaviors in relation to PFOA exposure. In the present study, we found a decrease in dopamine levels in larval zebrafish. We studied the dopamine transporter (DAT) protein, which is responsible for regulating dopamine levels through the reuptake of dopamine in neuronal cells. We demonstrated that exposure to PFOA disrupted the glycosylation process of DAT, inhibited its uptake function, and induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in dopaminergic cells. Besides, we conducted a light-dark preference test on larval zebrafish and observed anxiety/depressive-like behavioral changes following exposure to PFOA. Dopamine is one of the most prominent neurotransmitters that significantly influences human behavior, with low dopamine levels being associated with impairments such as anxiety and depression. The anxiety-like response in zebrafish larvae exposure to PFOA implies the link with the reduced dopamine levels. Taken together, we can deduce that glycosylation changes in DAT lead to dysfunction of DAT to regulate dopamine levels, which in turn alters behavior in larval zebrafish. Therefore, alternation in dopamine levels may play a pivotal role in the development of anxiety/depressive-like behavioral changes induced by PFOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yatao Du
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200292, China
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Guangdi Zhou
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200292, China
| | - Zhenzhen Cai
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200292, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Qiuhong Man
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China.
| | - Weiye Charles Wang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200292, China.
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Hmila I, Hill J, Shalaby KE, Ouararhni K, Abedsselem H, Modaresi SMS, Bihaqi SW, Marques E, Sondhi A, Slitt AL, Zawia NH. Perinatal exposure to PFOS and sustained high-fat diet promote neurodevelopmental disorders via genomic reprogramming of pathways associated with neuromotor development. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 272:116070. [PMID: 38340603 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116070] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a neurotoxic widespread organic contaminant which affects several brain functions including memory, motor coordination and social activity. PFOS has the ability to traverse the placenta and the blood brain barrier (BBB) and cause weight gain in female mice. It's also known that obesity and consumption of a high fat diet have negative effects on the brain, impairs cognition and increases the risk for the development of dementia. The combination effect of developmental exposure to PFOS and the intake of a high-fat diet (HFD) has not been explored. This study investigates the effect of PFOS and /or HFD on weight gain, behavior and transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of adult brain mice. We found that female mice exposed to PFOS alone showed an increase in weight, while HFD expectedly increased body weight. The combination of HFD and PFOS exacerbated generalized behavior such as time spent in the center and rearing, while PFOS alone impacted the distance travelled. These results suggest that PFOS exposure may promote hyperactivity. The combination of PFOS and HFD alter social behavior such as rearing and withdrawal. Although HFD interfered with memory retrieval, biomarkers of dementia did not change except for total Tau and phosphorylated Tau. Tau was impacted by either or both PFOS exposure and HFD. Consistent with behavioral observations, global cerebral transcriptomic analysis showed that PFOS exposure affects calcium signaling, MAPK pathways, ion transmembrane transport, and developmental processes. The combination of HFD with PFOS enhances the effect of PFOS in the brain and affects pathways related to ER stress, axon guidance and extension, and neural migration. Proteomic analysis showed that HFD enhances the impact of PFOS on inflammatory pathways, regulation of cell migration and proliferation, and MAPK signaling pathways. Overall, these data show that PFOS combined with HFD may reprogram the genome and modulate neuromotor development and may promote symptoms linked to attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Future work will be needed to confirm these connections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issam Hmila
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jaunetta Hill
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Karim E Shalaby
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khalid Ouararhni
- Genomics Core Facility, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Houari Abedsselem
- Proteomic Core Facility, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Seyed Mohamad Sadegh Modaresi
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Syed Waseem Bihaqi
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Emily Marques
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Anya Sondhi
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Angela L Slitt
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Nasser H Zawia
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA; George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
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Eick SM, Ortlund K, Aguiar A, Merced-Nieves FM, Woodbury ML, Milne GL, Schantz SL. Associations between oxidative stress biomarkers during pregnancy and infant cognition at 7.5 months. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22457. [PMID: 38388194 PMCID: PMC10901445 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22457] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been identified as an important biological pathway leading to neurodevelopmental delay. However, studies assessing the effects of oxidative stress on cognitive outcomes during infancy, a critical period of neurodevelopment, are limited. Our analysis included a subset of those enrolled in the Illinois Kids Development Study (N = 144). Four oxidative stress biomarkers (8-isoprostane-PGF2α , 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-8-iso-PGF2α , 2,3-dinor-8-iso-PGF2α , and prostaglandin-F2α ) were measured in second and third trimesters urine and were averaged. Infant cognition was measured using a visual recognition memory task consisting of five blocks, each with one familiarization trial (two identical stimuli) and two test trials (one familiar and one novel stimulus). Outcomes measured included average run duration (a measure of information processing speed), novelty preference (a measure of recognition memory), time to reach familiarization, and shift rate (measures of attention). Linear regression was used to estimate associations between individual oxidative stress biomarkers and each outcome. Increasing 8-isoprostane-PGF2α , 2,3-dinor-8-iso-PGF2α , and prostaglandin-F2α were associated with a decrease in novelty preference (β = -0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.03, 0.00; β = -0.02, 95% CI = -0.04, 0.00; β = -0.01, 95% CI = -0.02, 0.00, respectively), as well as a modest increase in shift rate. These findings suggest that oxidative stress may be associated with poorer recognition memory in early infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Eick
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kaegan Ortlund
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andréa Aguiar
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Francheska M Merced-Nieves
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Megan L Woodbury
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ginger L Milne
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Susan L Schantz
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
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Liu D, Yan S, Liu Y, Chen Q, Ren S. Association of prenatal exposure to perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances with childhood neurodevelopment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 271:115939. [PMID: 38211513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.115939] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although previous studies have shown an association between prenatal exposure to perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, the results have been inconsistent. We summarize studies on the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and neurodevelopment in children in order to better understand the relationship. OBJECTIVE We conducted a meta-analysis of prenatal PFAS exposure and developmental outcomes associated with intellectual, executive function and behavioral difficulty in children to explore the relationship between prenatal exposure to perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. METHODS We searched for articles published up to August 3, 2023, included and quantified original studies on PFAS and child Intelligence Quotient (IQ), executive function and behavioral difficulty during pregnancy, and systematically summarized articles that could not be quantified. CONCLUSION There is evidence of sex-specific relationship between PFAS exposure and children's PIQ. We found that PFOS [β = -1.56, 95% CI = -2.96, - 0.07; exposure = per 1 ln (ng/ml) increase], PFOA [β = -1.87, 95% CI = -3.29, - 0.46; exposure = per 1 ln (ng/ml) increase], PFHxS [β = -2.02, 95% CI = -3.23, - 0.81; exposure = per 1 ln (ng/ml) increase] decreased performance IQ in boys, but PFOS [β = 1.56, 95% CI = 0.06, 3.06; exposure = per 1 ln (ng/ml) increase] increased performance IQ in girls. PFAS are associated with executive function impairments in children, but not related to behavioral difficulty in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongge Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shuqi Yan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanping Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qianqian Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shuping Ren
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Stübner C, Nielsen C, Jakobsson K, Gillberg C, Miniscalco C. Early-Life Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Child Language and Communication Development: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7170. [PMID: 38131721 PMCID: PMC10742458 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20247170] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Language development starts during the fetal period when the brain is sensitive to endocrine disruptions from environmental contaminants. This systematic review aims to systematically summarize the existing literature on early-life exposure to PFAS and children's language and communication development, which is an indicator of neurocognitive development. A structured literature search was conducted using three databases, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL, last updated in April 2023. The population was defined as children and young adults. PFAS exposure was assessed pre- or postnatally. The outcome was defined as a language and communication ability assessed with validated instruments, parental self-reports, or clinical language disorder diagnoses. In total, 15 studies were identified for subsequent analyses. Thirteen were performed in background-exposed populations and two in highly exposed populations. There were some indications of potential adverse effects; however, these were not consistent across child sex, age of assessment, or PFAS exposure levels. No systematic effect of early-life PFAS exposure on language and communication development was found. These inconclusive findings may partly be explained by the use of general test instruments with limited validity as to children's language and communication development. Further studies over a wider exposure range using specific language test instruments are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Stübner
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden; (C.G.); (C.M.)
- Department of Pediatric Speech and Language Pathology, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 416 50 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christel Nielsen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden;
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden;
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christopher Gillberg
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden; (C.G.); (C.M.)
- Department of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 416 50 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carmela Miniscalco
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden; (C.G.); (C.M.)
- Department of Pediatric Speech and Language Pathology, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 416 50 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 416 50 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Gao XX, Zuo QL, Fu XH, Song LL, Cen MQ, Wu J. Association between prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and neurodevelopment in children: Evidence based on birth cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116812. [PMID: 37536558 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although numerous studies have examined the effect of prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure on neurodevelopment in children, findings have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVE To better understand the effects of PFAS exposure during pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment, we conducted a systematic review of prenatal exposure to different types of PFAS and neurodevelopment in children. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE electronic databases up to March 2023. Only birth cohort studies that report a specific association between PFAS exposure during pregnancy and neurodevelopment were included in this review. RESULTS 31 birth cohort studies that met the inclusion criteria were qualitatively integrated. Among these, 14 studies investigated the impact of PFAS exposure during pregnancy on cognition, 13 on neurobehavior, and 4 on both cognition and neurobehavior. Additionally, 4 studies explored the influence of PFAS on children's comprehensive development. CONCLUSION Prenatal PFAS exposure was associated with poor neurodevelopment in children, including psychomotor development, externalizing behavior, and comprehensive development. However, conclusive evidence regarding its effects on other neurological outcomes remains limited. In addition, sex-specific effects on social behavior and sleep problems were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Xin Gao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qian-Lin Zuo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xi-Hang Fu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ling-Ling Song
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Man-Qiu Cen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Xu K, Li Z, Qiao J, Wang S, Xie P, Zong Z, Hu C. Persistent organic pollutants exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122439. [PMID: 37619697 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating number of epidemiological studies has recently proposed that improvement in the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is associated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) exposure. However, evidence from current researches is limited and inconsistent. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the potential associations comprehensively. We systematically and extensively searched two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) from inception to July 3, 2022 and an updated search was performed before submission. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from stratified random-effects meta-analyses by type of exposure and outcome. We also tested the potential heterogeneity across studies, conducted sensitivity analysis and evaluated publication bias. A total of 20 studies were finally included in our study. Meta-analytical effect estimates indicated a positive association between prenatal exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-170 and an increased risk of ASD, with OR of 1.89 (95% CI = 1.21-2.95, I2 = 0%), 1.61 (95% CI = 1.05-2.47, I2 = 0%) and 1.46 (95% CI = 1.03-2.06, I2 = 0%) respectively. In contrast, PFDA was found inversely associated with the risk of ASD (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.52-0.94, I2 = 0%). The level of evidence supporting a link between ASD risk and exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153, PCB-170, and PFDA was respectively categorized as low, low, moderate, and low. In summary, this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-170 correlates with a heightened risk of ASD, with evidence levels rated as "low", "low", and "moderate", respectively. In contrast, PFDA exposure appears to be inversely associated with ASD risk, with a "low" level of supporting evidence. However, due to the limited number of studies available for each exposure and outcome pairing, these results should be interpreted with caution. Sufficiently powered studies are needed to validate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zhuoyan Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jianchao Qiao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Senzheng Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Pinpeng Xie
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zong
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Chengyang Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China; Department of Humanistic Medicine, School of Humanistic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China.
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Beck IH, Bilenberg N, Möller S, Nielsen F, Grandjean P, Højsager FD, Halldorsson TI, Nielsen C, Jensen TK. Association Between Prenatal and Early Postnatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and IQ Score in 7-Year-Old Children From the Odense Child Cohort. Am J Epidemiol 2023; 192:1522-1535. [PMID: 37119029 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwad110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent chemicals capable of crossing the placenta and passing into breast milk. Evidence suggests that PFAS exposure may affect brain development. We investigated whether prenatal or early postnatal PFAS exposure was associated with intelligence quotient (IQ) scores in schoolchildren from the Odense Child Cohort (Denmark, 2010-2020). We assessed concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) in maternal serum collected during the first trimester of pregnancy and in child serum at age 18 months. At 7 years of age, children completed an abbreviated version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition, from which Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) and Verbal Comprehension Index scores were estimated. In multiple linear regression analyses conducted among 967 mother-child pairs, a doubling in maternal PFOS and PFNA concentrations was associated with a lower FSIQ score, while no significant associations were observed for PFOA, PFHxS, or PFDA. PFAS concentrations at age 18 months and duration of breastfeeding were strongly correlated, and even in structural equation models it was not possible to differentiate between the opposite effects of PFAS exposure and duration of breastfeeding on FSIQ. PFAS exposure is ubiquitous; therefore, an association with even a small reduction in IQ is of public health concern.
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Rosen Vollmar AK, Lin EZ, Nason SL, Santiago K, Johnson CH, Ma X, Godri Pollitt KJ, Deziel NC. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and thyroid hormone measurements in dried blood spots and neonatal characteristics: a pilot study. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:737-747. [PMID: 37730931 PMCID: PMC10541328 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00603-4] [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: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric thyroid diseases have been increasing in recent years. Environmental risk factors such as exposures to chemical contaminants may play a role but are largely unexplored. Archived neonatal dried blood spots (DBS) offer an innovative approach to investigate environmental exposures and effects. OBJECTIVE In this pilot study, we applied a new method for quantifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to 18 archived DBS from babies born in California from 1985-2018 and acquired thyroid hormone measurements from newborn screening tests. Leveraging these novel data, we evaluated (1) changes in the concentrations of eight PFAS over time and (2) the relationship between PFAS concentrations, thyroid hormone concentrations, and neonatal characteristics to inform future research. METHODS PFAS concentrations in DBS were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Summary statistics and non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to evaluate temporal changes in PFAS concentrations and relationships between PFAS concentrations, thyroid hormone concentrations, and neonatal characteristics. RESULTS The concentration and detection frequencies of several PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, and PFOSA) declined over the assessment period. We observed that the timing of specimen collection in hours after birth was related to thyroid hormone but not PFAS concentrations, and that thyroid hormones were related to some PFAS concentrations (PFOA and PFOS). IMPACT STATEMENT This pilot study examines the relationship between concentrations of eight per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), thyroid hormone levels, and neonatal characteristics in newborn dried blood spots (DBS) collected over a period of 33 years. To our knowledge, 6 of the 22 PFAS we attempted to measure have not been quantified previously in neonatal DBS, and this is the first study to examine both PFAS and thyroid hormone concentrations using DBS. This research demonstrates the feasibility of using newborn DBS for quantifying PFAS exposures in population-based studies, highlights methodological considerations in the use of thyroid hormone data for future studies using newborn DBS, and indicates potential relationships between PFAS concentrations and thyroid hormones for follow-up in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana K Rosen Vollmar
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elizabeth Z Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sara L Nason
- Departments of Environmental Science and Forestry and Analytical Chemistry, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Katerina Santiago
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Caroline H Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xiaomei Ma
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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11
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Girardi P, Lupo A, Mastromatteo LY, Scrimin S. Behavioral outcomes and exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances among children aged 6-13 years: The TEDDY child study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116049. [PMID: 37207732 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116049] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although some studies report that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy and early life stages of a child could adversely impact neurodevelopment, literature shows mixed evidence. OBJECTIVES Using an ecological framework for human development, we assessed the association of risk factors for environmental PFAS exposure and childhood PFAS concentrations with behavioral difficulties among school-age children exposed to PFAS from birth, while also controlling for the important influence of the parenting and familial environment. METHODS The study participants included 331 school-age children (6-13 years) born in a PFAS-contaminated area in the Veneto Region (Italy). We study the associations between environmental risk factors of maternal PFAS exposure (residential time, consumption of tap water, residence in Red zone A or B), and breastfeeding duration with parent assessments of children's behavioral problems (using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire [SDQ]), adjusting for socio-demographic, parenting and familial variables. The direct relationships between serum blood PFAS concentrations and SDQ scores was evaluated in a subset of children (n = 79), both with single PFAS and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regressions. RESULTS Poisson regression models reported positive associations between high consumption of tap water and externalizing SDQ scores (Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR]: 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.32) and total difficulty scores (IRR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02-1.26). Childhood perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) were associated with higher internalizing SDQ scores (4th vs. 1st quartile, PFOS IRR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.06-2.25), externalizing scores (4th vs. 1st quartile, PFHxS IRR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.09-2.32), and total difficulty scores (4th vs. 1st quartile, PFOS IRR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.05-1.71; PFHxS IRR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.09-1.90). The WQS regressions confirmed the associations reported by single-PFAS analyses. CONCLUSIONS We observed cross-sectional associations of tap water consumption and childhood PFOS, and PFHxS concentrations with greater behavioral difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Girardi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Venezia-Mestre, Italy.
| | - Alice Lupo
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Italy.
| | | | - Sara Scrimin
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Italy.
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12
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Płotka-Wasylka J, Mulkiewicz E, Lis H, Godlewska K, Kurowska-Susdorf A, Sajid M, Lambropoulou D, Jatkowska N. Endocrine disrupting compounds in the baby's world - A harmful environment to the health of babies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 881:163350. [PMID: 37023800 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Globally, there has been a significant increase in awareness of the adverse effects of chemicals with known or suspected endocrine-acting properties on human health. Human exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) mainly occurs by ingestion and to some extent by inhalation and dermal uptake. Although it is difficult to assess the full impact of human exposure to EDCs, it is well known that timing of exposure is of importance and therefore infants are more vulnerable to EDCs and are at greater risk compared to adults. In this regard, infant safety and assessment of associations between prenatal exposure to EDCs and growth during infancy and childhood has been received considerable attention in the last years. Hence, the purpose of this review is to provide a current update on the evidence from biomonitoring studies on the exposure of infants to EDCs and a comprehensive view of the uptake, the mechanisms of action and biotransformation in baby/human body. Analytical methods used and concentration levels of EDCs in different biological matrices (e.g., placenta, cord plasma, amniotic fluid, breast milk, urine, and blood of pregnant women) are also discussed. Finally, key issues and recommendations were provided to avoid hazardous exposure to these chemicals, taking into account family and lifestyle factors related to this exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Płotka-Wasylka
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 G. Narutowicza St., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; BioTechMed Center, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 G. Narutowicza St., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Ewa Mulkiewicz
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 63 Wita Stwosza Street, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Hanna Lis
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 63 Wita Stwosza Street, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Klaudia Godlewska
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 63 Wita Stwosza Street, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Muhammad Sajid
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dimitra Lambropoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, Thessaloniki GR-57001, Greece
| | - Natalia Jatkowska
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 G. Narutowicza St., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland.
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Goodman CV, Till C, Green R, El-Sabbagh J, Arbuckle TE, Hornung R, Lanphear B, Seguin JR, Booij L, Fisher M, Muckle G, Bouchard MF, Ashley-Martin J. Prenatal exposure to legacy PFAS and neurodevelopment in preschool-aged Canadian children: The MIREC cohort. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 98:107181. [PMID: 37178772 PMCID: PMC10979774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been shown to be neurotoxic in experimental studies, but epidemiological evidence linking prenatal PFAS exposure to child neurodevelopment is equivocal and scarce. OBJECTIVE To quantify associations between prenatal exposure to legacy PFAS and children's intelligence (IQ) and executive functioning (EF) in a Canadian pregnancy and birth cohort and to determine if these associations differ by child sex. METHODS We measured first-trimester plasma concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study and assessed children's full-scale (n = 522), performance (n = 517), and verbal (n = 519) IQ using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III). Children's working memory (n = 513) and ability to plan and organize (n = 514) were assessed using a parent-reported questionnaire, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Preschool Version (BRIEF-P). We quantified associations between individual log2-transformed PFAS exposure and children's IQ and EF using multiple linear regression analyses and evaluated effect modification by child sex. We also used Repeated Holdout Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression models with effect modification by child sex to quantify the effect of combined exposure to all three PFAS chemicals on IQ and EF. All models were adjusted for key sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Geometric mean plasma concentrations (IQR) for PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS were 1.68 (1.10-2.50), 4.97 (3.20-6.20) and 1.09 (0.67-1.60) μg/L respectively. We found evidence of effect modification by child sex in all models examining performance IQ (p < .01). Specifically, every doubling of PFOA, PFOS, and or PFHxS was inversely associated with performance IQ, but only in males (PFOA: B = -2.80, 95% CI: -4.92, -0.68; PFOS: B = -2.64, 95% CI: -4.77, -0.52; PFHxS: B = -2.92, 95% CI: -4.72, -1.12). Similarly, every quartile increase in the WQS index was associated with poorer performance IQ in males (B = -3.16, 95% CI: -4.90, -1.43), with PFHxS contributing the largest weight to the index. In contrast, no significant association was found for females (B = 0.63, 95% CI: -0.99, 2.26). No significant associations were found for EF in either males or females. CONCLUSIONS Higher prenatal PFAS exposure was associated with lower performance IQ in males, suggesting that this association may be sex- and domain-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly V Goodman
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christine Till
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Rivka Green
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jana El-Sabbagh
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tye E Arbuckle
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Richard Hornung
- Pediatrics and Environmental Health, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (retired), United States
| | - Bruce Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Jean R Seguin
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre and Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre and Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mandy Fisher
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gina Muckle
- École de psychologie, Université Laval, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maryse F Bouchard
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre and Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Université du Quebec, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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14
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Enright EA, Eick SM, Morello-Frosch R, Aguiar A, Woodbury ML, Sprowles JLN, Geiger SD, Trowbridge J, Andrade A, Smith S, Park JS, DeMicco E, Padula AM, Woodruff TJ, Schantz SL. Associations of prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with measures of cognition in 7.5-month-old infants: An exploratory study. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 98:107182. [PMID: 37172619 PMCID: PMC10762627 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to a wide array of adverse maternal and child health outcomes. However, studies examining PFAS in relation to offspring cognition have been inconclusive. OBJECTIVE We examined whether prenatal exposure to a mixture of PFAS was related to cognition in 7.5-month-old infants. METHODS Our analytic sample included participants enrolled in the Chemicals in Our Bodies (CIOB) and Illinois Kids Development Study (IKIDS) cohorts (N = 163). Seven PFAS were measured in 2nd trimester maternal serum samples and were detected in >65% of participants. Infant cognition was measured with a visual recognition memory task using an infrared eye tracker when infants were 7.5 months old. This task included familiarization trials where each infant was shown two identical faces and test trials where each infant was shown the familiar face paired with a novel face. In familiarization, we assessed average run duration (time looking at familiarization stimuli before looking away) as a measure of information processing speed, in addition to time to familiarization (time to reach 20 s of looking at stimuli) and shift rate (the number of times infants looked between stimuli), both as measures of attention. In test trials, we assessed novelty preference (proportion of time looking to the novel face) to measure recognition memory. Linear regression was used to estimate associations of individual PFAS with cognitive outcomes, while Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used to estimate mixture effects. RESULTS In adjusted single-PFAS linear regression models, an interquartile range increase in PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFDeA, and PFUdA was associated with an increase in shift rate, reflecting better visual attention. Using BKMR, increasing quartiles of the PFAS mixture was similarly associated with a modest increase in shift rate. There were no significant associations between PFAS exposure and time to reach familiarization (another measure of attention), average run duration (information processing speed), or novelty preference (visual recognition memory). CONCLUSION In our study population, prenatal PFAS exposure was modestly associated with an increase in shift rate and was not strongly associated with any adverse cognitive outcomes in 7.5-month-old infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Enright
- Department of Psychology, St. Mary's College of Maryland, St. Mary's City, MD, USA.
| | - Stephanie M Eick
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management and School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andréa Aguiar
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Megan L Woodbury
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA; College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jenna L N Sprowles
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA; ICF, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sarah Dee Geiger
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA; Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Jessica Trowbridge
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aileen Andrade
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sabrina Smith
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - June-Soo Park
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Erin DeMicco
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amy M Padula
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tracey J Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Susan L Schantz
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
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15
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Xie Z, Liang H, Miao M, Wang Z, Chen Y, Yang L, Zhou Y, Cao W, Yuan W. Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Cognitive and Neurobehavioral Development in Children at 6 Years of Age. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37216669 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence regarding the effects of prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on neurodevelopment in children is inconclusive. In 449 mother-child pairs from the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study, we measured the concentrations of 11 PFASs in maternal plasma samples obtained at 12-16 weeks of gestation. We assessed children's neurodevelopment at 6 years of age by the fourth edition of the Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and Child Behavior Checklist for ages 6-18. We evaluated the association between prenatal exposure to PFASs and children's neurodevelopment and the effect modification of maternal dietary factors during pregnancy and the child's sex. We found that prenatal exposure to multiple PFASs was associated with increased scores for attention problems, and the individual effect of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was statistically significant. However, no statistically significant association between PFASs and cognitive development was observed. Additionally, we found the effect modification of maternal nut intake and child's sex. In conclusion, this study suggests that prenatal exposure to PFASs was associated with more attention problems, and maternal nut intake during pregnancy may alter the potential effect of PFASs. However, these findings were exploratory because of multiple testing and the relatively small sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hong Liang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ziliang Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yao Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Lan Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Wencheng Cao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
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16
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Wang H, Luo F, Zhang Y, Yang X, Zhang S, Zhang J, Tian Y, Zheng L. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and child intelligence quotient: Evidence from the Shanghai birth cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107912. [PMID: 37023630 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Epidemiological evidence on the association between prenatal exposure to Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and child cognition remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether prenatal exposure to PFAS is associated with intelligence quotient (IQ) in offspring. METHOD This study population included 2031 mother-child pairs in the Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC) enrolled during 2013-2016. Ten PFAS were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS) in maternal plasma samples collected in early gestation between 9 and 16 weeks of gestation. Child IQ was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) at 4 years of age. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between individual PFAS concentrations (as a continuous variable or categorized into tertiles) and child IQ. A quantile g-computation approach was used to evaluate the joint and independent effects of PFAS on IQ. We also examined whether the associations varied by child sex. RESULTS We found no significant associations between ln-transformed nine individual PFAS and child full scale IQ (FSIQ) or subscale IQ after adjusting for potential confounders. The observed associations were not modified by child sex. PFAS in tertiles showed the same pattern. Results from quantile g-computation showed that PFAS mixture was not associated with child IQ; perfluorobutane sulfonate was negatively associated with FSIQ (β, -0.81; 95 % CI: -1.55, -0.07), and perfluorooctane sulfonate was also associated with lower fluid reasoning index scores (β, -1.61; 95 % CI: -3.07, -0.16) while adjusting for the other PFAS. CONCLUSION PFAS mixture during early pregnancy was not associated with child IQ. For certain individual PFAS, there were inverse associations with FSIQ or subscale IQ. Considering the evidence is still inconsistent, further research is needed to confirm or refute these results in other populations and to elucidate the potential neurotoxicology of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fei Luo
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuchen Yang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanyu Zhang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Tian
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqiang Zheng
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Petroff RL, Cavalcante RG, Langen ES, Dolinoy DC, Padmanabhan V, Goodrich JM. Mediation effects of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation on birth outcomes after prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure in the Michigan mother-infant Pairs cohort. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:49. [PMID: 36964604 PMCID: PMC10037903 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01461-5] [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: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals that are resistant to degradation and ubiquitous in our environments. PFAS may impact the developing epigenome, but current human evidence is limited to assessments of total DNA methylation. We assessed associations between first trimester PFAS exposures with newborn DNA methylation, including 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC). DNA methylation mediation of associations between PFAS and birth outcomes were explored in the Michigan Mother Infant Pairs cohort. Nine PFAS were measured in maternal first trimester blood. Seven were highly detected and included for analysis: PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, and MeFOSAA. Bisulfite-converted cord blood DNA (n = 141) and oxidative-bisulfite-converted cord blood (n = 70) were assayed on Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChips to measure total DNA methylation (5-mC + 5-hmC) and 5-mC/5-hmC. Correcting for multiple comparisons, beta regressions were used to assess associations between levels of PFAS and total methylation, 5-mC, or 5-hmC. Nonlinear mediation analyses were used to assess the epigenetic meditation effect between PFAS and birth outcomes. RESULTS PFAS was significantly associated with total methylation (q < 0.05: PFHxS-12 sites; PFOS-19 sites; PFOA-2 sites; PFNA-3 sites; PFDA-4 sites). In 72 female infants and 69 male infants, there were sex-specific associations between five PFAS and DNA methylation. 5-mC and 5-hmC were each significantly associated with thousands of sites for PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, and MeFOSAA (q < 0.05). Clusters of 5-mC and 5-hmC sites were significant mediators between PFNA and PFUnDA and decreased gestational age (q < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the mediation role of specific types of DNA methylation on the relationship between PFAS exposure and birth outcomes. These results suggest that 5-mC and 5-hmC may be more sensitive to the developmental impacts of PFAS than total DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah L Petroff
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Raymond G Cavalcante
- Epigenomics Core, Biomedical Research Core Facilities, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Langen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Epigenomics Core, Biomedical Research Core Facilities, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vasantha Padmanabhan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jaclyn M Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Zhou Y, Li Q, Wang P, Li J, Zhao W, Zhang L, Wang H, Cheng Y, Shi H, Li J, Zhang Y. Associations of prenatal PFAS exposure and early childhood neurodevelopment: Evidence from the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 173:107850. [PMID: 36857906 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological data on the effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on infant neurodevelopment trajectories are far from being sufficiently addressed. In this study, 1285 mother-child pairs were recruited during 2016-2017. A high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was used to measure 16 PFAS levels in cord serum. Ages and Stages Questionnaires were used to examine children's neurodevelopment at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months of age. Group-based trajectory models were applied to derive the neurodevelopmental trajectories. Children with relatively low scores from 2 to 24 months were classified into a low-score group and were used as a risk group in each domain. Multiple linear regression, logistic regression, and quantile-based g-computation were performed to assess associations of single or mixture PFAS exposures with neurodevelopment and trajectories. Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorooctane ether sulfonate (6:2Cl-PFESA) were detected in over 90 % samples. PFOA had the highest concentration (median: 4.61 μg/L). Each ln-unit (μg/L) increase of PFAS (e.g., PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, 6:2Cl-PFESA) was associated with poor scores of communication domain at 6 months, with the effect size ranging from -0.69 to -0.44. PFOS (OR: 1.14, (1.03, 1.26), PFDA (OR:1.08, (1.02, 1.15)), PFHxS (OR:1.31, (1.12, 1.56)), and 6:2Cl-PFESA (OR:1.08, (1.00, 1.16)) were associated with an increased risk of being in the low-score group in the early childhood communication domain's trajectory. Each mixture quartile increment was associated with a 1.60 (-2.76, -0.45) decrease in communication domain scores of 6-month-old infants, and the mixture effect was mainly attributed to PFOS. Each mixture quartile increase was associated with a 1.23-fold (1.03, 1.46) risk of being in the low-score group of the communication domain, and the mixture effect was mainly attributed to PFOS. In conclusion, PFAS and their mixtures might adversely affect childhood neurodevelopment. The gender-specific associations existed in the above associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Zhou
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Putuo District Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Shanghai 200333, China
| | - Pengpeng Wang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jinhong Li
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenxuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Liyi Zhang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hang Wang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yukai Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Huijing Shi
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiufeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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19
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Zhang B, Wang Z, Zhang J, Dai Y, Feng C, Lin Y, Zhang L, Guo J, Qi X, Chang X, Lu D, Wu C, Zhou Z. Prenatal perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and neurodevelopment in toddlers: Findings from SMBCS. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137587. [PMID: 36535498 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure has been reported to affect offspring neurodevelopment, while epidemiological evidences were limited and inconsistent. OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the associations between cord serum PFAS concentrations and neurodevelopment in toddlers from 1 to 3 years of age. METHODS A total of 716 children from Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study (SMBCS) were included in this study. 12 PFAS concentrations were quantified in cord serum. Neurodevelopment was assessed using the Developmental Screen Test for Children Aged 0-6 Years at 1 year and the Gesell Developmental Schedules (GDS) at 2 and 3 years, respectively. Development quotient (DQ) z-score was standardized from DQ to eliminate the difference caused by two methods. We used generalized linear model (GLM) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to explore the associations of single or mixture PFAS exposure with neurodevelopment measurements at each time point. Associations between PFAS exposure and longitudinal changes in DQ z-score were investigated through generalized estimating equation (GEE) and trajectory analysis. RESULTS In general, prenatal PFAS concentrations showed negative associations with neurodevelopment measurements at specific age. When accounting for longitudinal changes from 1 to 3 years of age, PFOA was negatively associated with DQ z-score (β = -0.212, 95% CI: -0.422, -0.003), the association was only found significant in boys after stratified by gender (β = -0.327, 95% CI: -0.616, -0.038). Meanwhile, increased PFBS (OR = 2.159, 95% CI: 1.177, 3.959) and PFHpA (OR = 1.700, 95% CI: 1.016, 2.846) exposure was associated with elevated odds for the low-score trajectory group. The results of mixture of PFAS further confirmed above findings. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggested that prenatal PFAS exposure may be associated with adverse neurodevelopment effects in the first 3 years of life. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boya Zhang
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yiming Dai
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chao Feng
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, No. 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Yuanjie Lin
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, No. 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jianqiu Guo
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaojuan Qi
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China; Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Xiuli Chang
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Dasheng Lu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, No. 1380 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Chunhua Wu
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhijun Zhou
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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20
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Oh J, Shin HM, Kannan K, Busgang SA, Schmidt RJ, Schweitzer JB, Hertz-Picciotto I, Bennett DH. Childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and neurodevelopment in the CHARGE case-control study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114322. [PMID: 36108719 PMCID: PMC9976729 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are shown to have neurotoxic effects on animals, but epidemiological evidence for associations between childhood PFAS exposure and neurodevelopment is inconclusive. We examined if childhood PFAS concentrations are associated with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay (DD), and other early concerns (OEC) in development. METHODS We included 551 children 2-5 years old from the CHildhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) case-control study. Children were clinically diagnosed and classified as having ASD, DD, OEC, and typical development (TD). Fourteen PFAS were quantified in child serum samples collected when diagnostic assessments were performed. We used multinomial logistic regression models to investigate the cross-sectional associations of individual PFAS concentrations with neurodevelopmental outcomes and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models with repeated holdout validation to investigate the associations with PFAS mixtures. RESULTS Childhood perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was associated with increased odds of ASD (odds ratio [OR] per ln ng/mL increase: 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20, 3.29) and DD (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.84) versus TD. Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) was associated with increased odds of ASD (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.13). However, perfluroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) was associated with decreased odds of ASD (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.69). From mixture analyses, the WQS index was associated with increased odds of ASD (average OR: 1.57, 5th and 95th percentile: 1.16, 2.13). Child's sex and homeownership modified associations of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) with DD and ASD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this case-control study, childhood PFOA, PFHpA, and a PFAS mixture was associated with increased odds of ASD, while PFUnDA was associated with decreased odds of ASD. Because we used concurrent measurements of PFAS, our results do not imply causal relationships and thus need to be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stefanie A Busgang
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Julie B Schweitzer
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA
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21
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Xie Z, Tan J, Fang G, Ji H, Miao M, Tian Y, Hu H, Cao W, Liang H, Yuan W. Associations between prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and neurobehavioral development in early childhood: A prospective cohort study. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113818. [PMID: 35777342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Findings from epidemiological studies on the associations between prenatal perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure and children's neurodevelopment were inconclusive, and most studies did not account for the co-exposure to multiple PFASs with strong inter-correlations. The present study aimed to assess the effects of prenatal multiple PFAS exposure on children's neurobehavioral development based on 614 mother-infant pairs in the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study. Eight PFAS concentrations were measured in maternal plasma at 12-16 weeks of gestation. Children's neurobehavioral development at 2 and 4 years of age was assessed by the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5. In Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) analyses that could address the inter-correlations between multiple PFASs, PFAS mixture appeared to be associated with fewer Somatic Complaints and more Externalizing Problems in boys, but more Somatic Complaints and Sleep Problems in girls. There were suggestive associations of PFNA and PFOS with decreased risk of Somatic Complaints and of PFUdA and PFTrDA with increased risk of Externalizing Problems in boys; trends of increased risk in girls were observed between PFUdA and Somatic Complaints and between PFTrDA and Sleep Problems. Overall, we found no clear evidence that prenatal exposure to PFASs had negative effects on neurobehavioral development in children. However, the modest associations still suggested the potential developmental neurotoxicity of prenatal PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Xie
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jing Tan
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanghong Fang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglei Ji
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Health Management, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Channing Division of Network Medicine, USA
| | - Wencheng Cao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Hong Liang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Wei Yuan
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
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22
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Weng X, Liang H, Tan Y, Chen J, Fei Q, Liu S, Guo X, Wen L, Wu Y, Jing C. Mixed effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure on cognitive function among people over 60 years old from NHANES. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:32093-32104. [PMID: 35013956 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17789-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and cognitive function are inconsistent, and the mixed effects of PFAS on cognitive function are still unclear. We aimed to evaluate the joint effects of PFAS on cognitive function assessed using four tests as follows: the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Immediate Recall Test (IRT), Delayed Recall Test (DRT), the Animal Fluency Test (AFT), and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) in the US elderly. A total of 777 individuals aged ≥ 60 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 were included in this study. Multivariable logistic regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were constructed to estimate the overall and the individual effects of PFAS exposure on cognitive function. There were 21.36%, 22.65%, 21.62%, and 21.24% participants with cognitive decline in IRT, DRT, AFT, and DSST, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was inversely associated with cognitive decline in IRT, DRT, and AFT, while no significant association was observed between any other PFAS and cognitive decline. Compared with the lowest quartile, the adjusted odds ratio of cognitive decline with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for the highest quartile of PFOA was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.15-0.69) in IRT, 0.50 (0.26-0.96) in DRT, and 0.45 (0.21-0.95) in AFT. In BKMR analysis, the overall effect of mixtures was significantly protective on cognitive decline in IRT, of which PFOA made the greatest contribution. The consistent protective effect in DRT and DSST was observed when all the chemicals were at their 50th percentile or below it. No significant interaction was observed among PFAS for cognitive function. These findings suggested that PFAS mixture at a low level of current exposure of the US population may have a protective effect on cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqiong Weng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Huanzhu Liang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuxuan Tan
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingmin Chen
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiaoyuan Fei
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinrong Guo
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Wen
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingying Wu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunxia Jing
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
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23
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Liu C, Chu J, Cápiro NL, Fortner JD, Pennell KD. In-situ sequestration of perfluoroalkyl substances using polymer-stabilized ion exchange resin. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 422:126960. [PMID: 34449348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Remediation of groundwater impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is challenging due to the strength of the carbon-fluorine bond and the need to achieve nanogram per liter drinking water targets. Previous studies have shown that ion exchange resins can serve as effective sorbents for the removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in conventional water treatment systems. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the in situ delivery and PFAS sorption capacity of a polymer-stabilized ion exchange resin (S-IXR) consisting of Amberlite® IRA910 beads and Pluronic® F-127 in a quartz sand. At concentrations below 100 µg/L, individual and mixed PFAS adsorption on resin beads exhibited linear isotherms with no apparent competitive effects. However, at concentrations up to 100 mg/L, PFAS adsorption isotherms were non-linear and a mixture of six PFAS exhibited strong competitive effects. In columns packed with 40-50 mesh Ottawa sand, injection of the S-IXR suspension created a uniform sorptive zone that increased PFOA or PFOS retention by more than five orders-of-magnitude compared to untreated control columns. Multi-solute column studies revealed earlier breakthrough of shorter-chain length PFAS, which was consistent with the mixed PFAS adsorption data. These findings indicate that injectable ion exchange resins could provide an effective in situ remediation strategy for PFAS-impacted groundwater plumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liu
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States
| | - Jenna Chu
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States
| | - Natalie L Cápiro
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36830, United States
| | - John D Fortner
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Kurt D Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
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Ramírez V, Gálvez-Ontiveros Y, González-Domenech PJ, Baca MÁ, Rodrigo L, Rivas A. Role of endocrine disrupting chemicals in children's neurodevelopment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111890. [PMID: 34418446 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Environmental stressors, like endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC), are considered important contributors to the increased rates of neurodevelopmental dysfunctions. Considering the cumulative research on adverse neurodevelopmental effects associated with prenatal exposure to EDC, the purpose of this study was to review the available limited literature about the effects of postnatal exposure to EDC on child neurodevelopment and behaviour. Despite widespread children's exposure to EDC, there are a limited number of epidemiological studies on the association of this exposure with neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular in the postnatal period. The available research suggests that postnatal EDC exposure is related to adverse neurobehavioral outcomes in children; however the underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. Timing of exposure is a key factor determining potential neurodevelopmental consequences, hence studying the impact of multiple EDC co-exposure in different vulnerable life periods could guide the identification of sensitive subpopulations. Most of the reviewed studies did not take into account sex differences in the EDC effects on children neurodevelopment. We believe that the inclusion of sex in the study design should be considered as the role of EDC on children neurodevelopment are likely sex-specific and should be taken into consideration when determining susceptibility and potential mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Ramírez
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Yolanda Gálvez-Ontiveros
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Pablo José González-Domenech
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Granada, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Lourdes Rodrigo
- Department of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Ana Rivas
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Granada, Spain
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Luo J, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Kesmodel US, Xiao J, Vasiliou V, Deziel NC, Zhang Y, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Facial Features at 5 Years of Age: A Study from the Danish National Birth Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:17006. [PMID: 35080464 PMCID: PMC8791068 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread persistent pollutants. Evidence regarding neurodevelopmental effects of PFAS have been mixed. The relation between PFAS exposure and anatomical markers that have been suggested to correlate with fetal brain development have not been studied. OBJECTIVES We investigated the association between prenatal PFAS exposures and three craniofacial features in children measured at 5 years of age. METHODS Measures of palpebral fissure length (PFL), philtrum groove, and upper-lip thickness were generated from standardized digital facial photographs from 656 children in the Danish National Birth Cohort. PFL was classified into two groups (shorter; normal), and the philtrum (grooved; smooth; normal) and upper-lip (thick; thin; normal) measures into three groups each. Six PFAS were measured in maternal plasma (median=8 gestational wk). Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each facial feature using the normal group as the reference according to log2-PFAS concentration (in nanograms per milliliter) or PFAS tertiles, adjusting for potential confounders, including maternal alcohol intake and smoking. Stratified analyses by maternal alcohol intake or child's sex were performed. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to each PFAS was associated with elevated odds for a shorter PFL, with the strongest association observed for perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; per doubling OR=2.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.70). Some nonlinear associations were found for philtrum measures: the second tertile of PFDA and perfluorononanoic acid were associated with grooved philtrum, whereas the second tertile of perfluoroheptane sulfonate with smooth philtrum. The associations between PFAS exposure and a shorter PFL were stronger among mothers who consumed alcohol in the first trimester, some sex-specific associations were noted for philtrum and upper-lip measures. DISCUSSION Prenatal PFAS exposures might influence fetal craniofacial development. A larger study is needed to replicate the potential modifying effects observed for alcohol exposure and to clarify whether associations of craniofacial markers observed reflect specific neurologic deficits. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9478.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Luo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jingyuan Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nicole C. Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yawei Zhang
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Cao Y, Ng C. Absorption, distribution, and toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the brain: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:1623-1640. [PMID: 34533150 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00228g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals colloquially known as "forever chemicals" because of their high persistence. PFAS have been detected in the blood, liver, kidney, heart, muscle and brain of various species. Although brain is not a dominant tissue for PFAS accumulation compared to blood and liver, adverse effects of PFAS on brain functions have been identified. Here, we review studies related to the absorption, accumulation, distribution and toxicity of PFAS in the brain. We summarize evidence on two potential mechanisms of PFAS entering the brain: initiating blood-brain barrier (BBB) disassembly through disrupting tight junctions and relying on transporters located at the BBB. PFAS with diverse structures and properties enter and accumulate in the brain with varying efficiencies. Compared to long-chain PFAS, short-chain PFAS may not cross cerebral barriers effectively. According to biomonitoring studies and PFAS exposure experiments, PFAS can accumulate in the brain of humans and wildlife species. With respect to the distribution of PFAS in specific brain regions, the brain stem, hippocampus, hypothalamus, pons/medulla and thalamus are dominant for PFAS accumulation. The accumulation and distribution of PFAS in the brain may lead to toxic effects in the central nervous system (CNS), including PFAS-induced behavioral and cognitive disorders. The specific mechanisms underlying such PFAS-induced neurotoxicity remain to be explored, but two major potential mechanisms based on current understanding are PFAS effects on calcium homeostasis and neurotransmitter alterations in neurons. Based on the information available about PFAS uptake, accumulation, distribution and impacts on the brain, PFAS have the potential to enter and accumulate in the brain at varying levels. The balance of existing studies shows there is some indication of risk in animals, while the human evidence is mixed and warrants further scrutiny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexin Cao
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Carla Ng
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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Skogheim TS, Weyde KVF, Aase H, Engel SM, Surén P, Øie MG, Biele G, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Brantsæter AL, Haug LS, Sabaredzovic A, Auyeung B, Villanger GD. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and associations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111692. [PMID: 34293314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be a risk factor for neurodevelopmental deficits and disorders, but evidence is inconsistent. OBJECTIVES We investigated whether prenatal exposure to PFAS were associated with childhood diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS This study was based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study and included n = 821 ADHD cases, n = 400 ASD cases and n = 980 controls. Diagnostic cases were identified by linkage with the Norwegian Patient Registry. In addition, we used data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. The study included the following PFAS measured in maternal plasma sampled mid-pregnancy: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Relationships between individual PFAS and ADHD or ASD diagnoses were examined using multivariable adjusted logistic regression models. We also tested for possible non-linear exposure-outcome associations. Further, we investigated the PFAS mixture associations with ASD and ADHD diagnoses using a quantile-based g-computation approach. RESULTS Odds of ASD was significantly elevated in PFOA quartile 2 [OR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.45)] compared to quartile 1, and PFOA appeared to have a non-linear, inverted U-shaped dose-response relationship with ASD. PFOA was also associated with increased odds of ADHD, mainly in quartile 2 [OR = 1.54 (95% CI: 1.16, 2.04)] compared to quartile 1, and displayed a non-linear relationship in the restricted cubic spline model. Several PFAS (PFUnDA, PFDA, and PFOS) were inversely associated with odds of ADHD and/or ASD. Some of the associations were modified by child sex and maternal education. The overall PFAS mixture was inversely associated with ASD [OR = 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.90)] as well as the carboxylate mixture [OR = 0.79 (95% CI: 0.68, 0.93)] and the sulfonate mixture [OR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.96)]. CONCLUSION Prenatal exposure to PFOA was associated with increased risk of ASD and ADHD in children. For some PFAS, as well as their mixtures, there were inverse associations with ASD and/or ADHD. However, the inverse associations reported herein should not be interpreted as protective effects, but rather that there could be some unresolved confounding for these relationships. The epidemiologic literature linking PFAS exposures with neurodevelopmental outcomes is still inconclusive, suggesting the need for more research to elucidate the neurotoxicological potential of PFAS during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea S Skogheim
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kjell Vegard F Weyde
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heidi Aase
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephanie M Engel
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Campus Box 7435, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7435, USA
| | - Pål Surén
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Merete G Øie
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, PO Box 1094, Blindern, N-0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guido Biele
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1171, Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line S Haug
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Azemira Sabaredzovic
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bonnie Auyeung
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Psychiatry, Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, UK
| | - Gro D Villanger
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
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Carrizosa C, Murcia M, Ballesteros V, Costa O, Manzano-Salgado CB, Ibarluzea J, Iñiguez C, Casas M, Andiarena A, Llop S, Lertxundi A, Schettgen T, Sunyer J, Ballester F, Vrijheid M, Lopez-Espinosa MJ. Prenatal perfluoroalkyl substance exposure and neuropsychological development throughout childhood: The INMA Project. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 416:125185. [PMID: 33882389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been related to neurodevelopmental toxicity in animals. However, human studies are inconclusive. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and neuropsychological development during childhood. METHODS 1240 mother-child pairs from the Spanish INMA Project were analyzed. Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were measured in first-trimester maternal plasma. Neuropsychological development was assessed at 14 months, 4-5 and 7 years covering four domains: general cognitive, general motor, attention, and working memory. Associations were studied by means of multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA medians were: 0.6, 2.4, 6.1, and 0.7 ng/mL. Higher PFAS prenatal exposure was associated with worse motor development at 14 months, especially in the case of PFHxS (β[95%CI]: -1.49[-2.73, -0.24]) and to a lesser extent PFOS (-1.25[-2.62, 0.12]). There was also a marginal positive association between general cognitive development at 4-5 years and PFOS (1.17[-0.10, 2.43]) and PFNA (0.99[-0.13, 2.12]). No clear associations for other neuropsychological outcomes or any sex differences were found. DISCUSSION This study shows no clear-cut evidence of an association between prenatal PFAS exposure and adverse neuropsychological development in children up to the age of 7 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Carrizosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Health Information Systems Analysis Service, Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Virginia Ballesteros
- Andalusian Health and Environment Observatory (OSMAN), Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain
| | - Olga Costa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Cyntia B Manzano-Salgado
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesus Ibarluzea
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Basque Government, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Carmen Iñiguez
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Department of Statistics and Computational Research, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maribel Casas
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ainara Andiarena
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aitana Lertxundi
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Biodonostia, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Preventive Medicine and Public Health Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Ballester
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
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Yu T, Zhou G, Cai Z, Liang W, Du Y, Wang W. Behavioral effects of early-life exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid might synthetically link to multiple aspects of dopaminergic neuron development and dopamine functions in zebrafish larvae. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 238:105926. [PMID: 34340000 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is known as an environmental endocrine disruptor and has developmental neurotoxicity that could be associated with behavior changes in human and animal studies. Previous studies have shown that PFOA might affect the dopaminergic nervous system. However, the mode of action underlying the effects of PFOA remains poorly understood. Our study used zebrafish as an animal model to investigate the effects of early-life PFOA exposure on dopaminergic neuron development and dopamine functions in zebrafish larvae. Zebrafish fertilized eggs were exposed to different concentrations of PFOA (0, 10, 100, 1000 μg/L). After exposure to PFOA for 7 days, the locomotor activity of zebrafish was decreased; the mRNA levels of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group a member 2b (nr4a2b), paired box 2 and 5 (pax2, pax5), tyrosine hydroxylase 1/2 (th1/th2) and dopamine transporter (dat) were increased; mRNA and protein level of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (manf) were decreased. Neural cell proliferation in the preoptic area of hypothalamus was increased. In conclusion, dopaminergic neuron development might be one of the targets of early-life PFOA exposure. The neurobehavior changes induced by PFOA exposure might link to multiple aspects of dopaminergic neuron development and dopamine functions in zebrafish larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200292, China
| | - Guangdi Zhou
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200292, China
| | - Zhenzhen Cai
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200292, China
| | - Wei Liang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200292, China
| | - Yatao Du
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200292, China.
| | - Weiye Wang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200292, China.
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30
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Serrano L, Iribarne-Durán LM, Suárez B, Artacho-Cordón F, Vela-Soria F, Peña-Caballero M, Hurtado JA, Olea N, Fernández MF, Freire C. Concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances in donor breast milk in Southern Spain and their potential determinants. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 236:113796. [PMID: 34192647 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast milk is considered to offer the best nutrition to infants; however, it may be a source of exposure to environmental chemicals such as perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) for breastfeeding infants. PFAS are a complex group of synthetic chemicals whose high stability has led to their ubiquitous contamination of the environment. OBJECTIVE To assess the concentrations and profiles of PFAS in breast milk from donors to a human milk bank and explore factors potentially related to this exposure. METHODS Pooled milk samples were collected from 82 donors to the Human Milk Bank of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital (Granada, Spain). Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was applied to determine milk concentrations of 11 PFAS, including long-chain and short-chain compounds. A questionnaire was used to collect information on donors' socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, diet, and use of personal care products (PCPs). Factors related to individual and total PFAS concentrations were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS PFAS were detected in 24-100% of breast milk samples. PFHpA was detected in 100% of samples, followed by PFOA (84%), PFNA (71%), PFHxA (66%), and PFTrDA (62%). Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was detected in only 34% of donors. The median concentrations ranged from <0.66 ng/dL (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid [PFHxS]) to 19.39 ng/L (PFHpA). The median of the sum of PFAS concentrations was 87.67 ng/L and was higher for short-chain than long-chain PFAS. Factors most frequently associated with increased PFAS concentrations included intake of creatin animal food items and use of PCPs such as skin care and makeup products. CONCLUSIONS Several PFAS, including short-chain compounds, are detected in pooled donor milk samples. Breast milk may be an important pathway for the PFAS exposure of breastfed infants, including preterm infants in NICUs. Despite the reduced sample size, these data suggest that various lifestyle factors influence PFAS concentrations, highlighting the use of PCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Serrano
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, 18012, Granada, Spain.
| | - Luz Mª Iribarne-Durán
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Suárez
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Francisco Artacho-Cordón
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain; Radiology and Physical Medicine Department, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Fernando Vela-Soria
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain.
| | - Manuela Peña-Caballero
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, 18012, Granada, Spain; Human Milk Bank of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, 18012, Granada, Spain.
| | - Jose A Hurtado
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, 18012, Granada, Spain.
| | - Nicolás Olea
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain; Radiology and Physical Medicine Department, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; Nuclear Medicine Unit, San Cecilio University Hospital, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Mariana F Fernández
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain; Radiology and Physical Medicine Department, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Carmen Freire
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
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Dixit F, Dutta R, Barbeau B, Berube P, Mohseni M. PFAS removal by ion exchange resins: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 272:129777. [PMID: 33582507 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a large family of anthropogenic organic compounds with a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. PFAS have become a global concern due to their toxicity and bio-accumulative properties. PFAS species have been ubiquitously detected in natural waters, wastewaters, sludge, and aquatic and terrestrial species which are anionic, zwitterionic and neutral. The ion exchange (IX) process for PFAS removal is an efficient technology for the remediation of PFAS-laden surface, ground and effluent wastewaters. This approach is more effective towards eliminating emerging short-chain PFAS which are not removed by carbon-based adsorption processes. This article presents a state-of-the-art review of PFAS removal from water via IX process. The evaluation and comparison of various IX resins in terms of kinetics and isotherms is presented. Literature data indicates that IX isotherm uptake capacity for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) can range up to 5 mmol/g on commercially available IX resins such as IRA 958 and IRA 67. The mechanism involved in the PFAS uptake process, such as diffusion, electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic effects are discussed. The effects of the eluent variability on the regeneration efficacy are also highlighted and the effect of single-use vs reuse for newly developed PFAS-specific IX resins are also examined based on the reviewed literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuhar Dixit
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Rahul Dutta
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Benoit Barbeau
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pierre Berube
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Madjid Mohseni
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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Kalloo G, Wellenius GA, McCandless L, Calafat AM, Sjodin A, Sullivan AJ, Romano ME, Karagas MR, Chen A, Yolton K, Lanphear BP, Braun JM. Chemical mixture exposures during pregnancy and cognitive abilities in school-aged children. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 197:111027. [PMID: 33744271 PMCID: PMC9022783 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gestational exposure to chemical mixtures, which is prevalent among pregnant women, may be associated with adverse childhood neurodevelopment. However, few studies have examined relations between gestational chemical mixture exposure and children's cognitive abilities. METHODS In a cohort of 253 pregnant women and their children from Cincinnati, OH (enrolled 2003-2006), we quantified biomarker concentrations of 43 metals, phthalates, phenols, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, organophosphate and organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkyl substances, and environmental tobacco smoke in blood or urine. Using k-means clustering and principal component (PC) analysis, we characterized chemical mixtures among pregnant women. We assessed children's cognitive abilities using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-III and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV at ages 5 and 8 years, respectively. We estimated covariate-adjusted differences in children's cognitive ability scores ]=cross clusters, and with increasing PC scores and individual biomarker concentrations. RESULTS Geometric mean biomarker concentrations were generally highest, intermediate, and lowest among women in clusters 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Children born to women in clusters 1 and 2 had 5.1 (95% CI: 9.4,-0.8) and 2.0 (95% CI: 5.5, 1,4) lower performance IQ scores compared to children in cluster 3, respectively. PC scores and individual chemical biomarker concentrations were not associated with cognitive abilities. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort, combined prenatal exposure to phenols, certain phthalates, pesticides, and perfluoroalkyl substances was inversely associated with children's cognition, but some individual chemical biomarker concentrations were not. Additional studies should determine if the aggregate impact of these chemicals on cognition is different from their individual effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetika Kalloo
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Andreas Sjodin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adam J Sullivan
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Megan E Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | | | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada; Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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Yu G, Luo F, Nian M, Li S, Liu B, Feng L, Zhang J. Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances During Pregnancy and Fetal BDNF Level: A Prospective Cohort Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:653095. [PMID: 34140927 PMCID: PMC8204808 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.653095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans are widely exposed to environmental perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which may affect fetal neurodevelopment. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important factor in neurodevelopment, but its role in PFAS-induced neurotoxicity is unclear. We investigated the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and fetal BDNF level in the umbilical cord blood in a large prospective cohort. METHODS A total of 725 pregnant women who participated in the Shanghai Birth Cohort were included. 10 PFAS were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS) in the plasma samples of early pregnancy. The BDNF level was determined by ELISA. The concentration of total mercury (Hg) in the umbilical cord blood was tested by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and included as a main confounder, along with other covariates. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the associations between PFAS concentrations and BDNF level. Quantile-based g-computation was applied to explore the joint and independent effects of PFAS on BDNF level. RESULTS The mean BDNF level in the total population was 10797 (±4713) pg/ml. Male fetuses had a higher level than female fetuses (P<0.001). A significant positive association was observed between PFHxS and BDNF level after adjusting for potential confounders [β=1285 (95% CI: 453, 2118, P=0.003)]. No association was observed between other PFAS congeners and BDNF level. Results of the mixed exposure model showed that the joint effects of PFAS mixture were not associated with BDNF [β=447 (95% CI: -83, 978, P=0.10)], while the positive association with PFHxS exposure remained significant after controlling for other PFAS [β=592 (95% CI: 226, 958, P=0.002)]. The above associations were more prominent in male [β=773 (95% CI: 25, 1520, P= 0.04)] than female fetuses [β=105 (95% CI: -791, 1002, P= 0.82)] for the mixed effects. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to PFHxS was associated with an increased BDNF level in the umbilical blood, especially in male fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqi Yu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Luo
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Nian
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuman Li
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Jun Zhang, ; Liping Feng,
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Zhang, ; Liping Feng,
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Li J, Quan XJ, Chen G, Hong JW, Wang Q, Xu LL, Wang BH, Yu ZH, Yu HM. PFOS-induced placental cell growth inhibition is partially mediated by lncRNA H19 through interacting with miR-19a and miR-19b. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 261:127640. [PMID: 32738709 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a persistent environmental pollutant, has been associated with decreased birth weight. The dysregulation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 has been implicated in pregnancy complications such as intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR), preeclampsia (PE), however, the expression and function of H19 in PFOS-exerted detrimental effects in the placenta remains to be unveiled. Here, we explored the role of H19 in PFOS-induced placental toxicity. Results showed that PFOS caused decreased cell growth in human HTR-8/SVneo cells. Expression of H19 was increased, while miR-19a and miR-19b expression were decreased in mice placenta tissues and in HTR-8/SVneo cells exposed to PFOS. A significant hypomethylation was observed at the H19 promoter in the placentas of mice that were gestational exposed to high dose of PFOS. H19 was confirmed to bind with miR-19a and miR-19b, targeting SMAD4. Furthermore, H19 appeared to partially improve the cell growth of HTR-8/SVneo cells exposed to PFOS via upregulation of miR-19a and miR-19b. In summary, our findings revealed that H19/miR-19a and miR-19b/SMAD4 axis exerted important functions in PFOS-induced placenta cell toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical College, 209 Tong-Shan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China.
| | - Xiao-Jie Quan
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical College, 209 Tong-Shan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China.
| | - Gang Chen
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical College, 209 Tong-Shan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China.
| | - Jia-Wei Hong
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical College, 209 Tong-Shan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China.
| | - Qi Wang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical College, 209 Tong-Shan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China.
| | - Lin-Lin Xu
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical College, 209 Tong-Shan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China.
| | - Bing-Hua Wang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical College, 209 Tong-Shan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China.
| | - Ze-Hua Yu
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical College, 209 Tong-Shan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China.
| | - Hong-Min Yu
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical College, 209 Tong-Shan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China.
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Luo J, Xiao J, Gao Y, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Toft G, Li J, Obel C, Andersen SL, Deziel NC, Tseng WL, Inoue K, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and behavioral difficulties in childhood at 7 and 11 years. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110111. [PMID: 32846178 PMCID: PMC7657987 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are suggested to interfere with thyroid hormone during pregnancy and influence fetal neurodevelopment. Epidemiological evidence regarding behavioral difficulties in childhood associated with prenatal PFAS exposure has been inconclusive. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and behavioral difficulties at 7 and 11 years, and investigated the potential mediating role of maternal thyroid hormones. METHODS Using pooled samples in the Danish National Birth Cohort established between 1996 and 2002, we estimated the associations between concentrations of six types of PFAS in maternal plasma (median, 8 gestational weeks) and child behavioral assessments from the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), reported by parents at 7 years (n = 2421), and by parents (n = 2070) and children at 11 years (n = 2071). Behavioral difficulties were defined as having a composite SDQ score above the 90th percentile for total difficulties and externalizing or internalizing behaviors. We used logistic regression to estimate the adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) by doubling increase of prenatal PFAS (ng/ml). The possible mediating effect of maternal thyroid function classified based on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) levels were evaluated. RESULTS Prenatal perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was consistently associated with total and externalizing behavioral difficulties in all three SDQ measures reported by parents (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.14-1.73 for age 7; OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05-1.53 for age 11) or children (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.11-1.58) while no consistent associations were observed for other types of PFAS. A small magnitude of natural indirect effects via maternal thyroid dysfunction (ORs ranged from 1.01 to 1.03) of several PFAS were observed for parent-reported total and externalizing behaviors at 7 years only. DISCUSSION Prenatal PFNA exposure was associated with externalizing behavioral difficulties in childhood in repeated SDQ measures at 7 and 11 years. The slight mediating effects of maternal thyroid hormones in early gestation warrant further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Luo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Jingyuan Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | | | - Gunnar Toft
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jiong Li
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Carsten Obel
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Stine Linding Andersen
- Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Wan-Ling Tseng
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Kosuke Inoue
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
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World Trade Center Health Program: First Decade of Research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17197290. [PMID: 33036199 PMCID: PMC7579473 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17197290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 placed nearly a half million people at increased risk of adverse health. Health effects research began shortly after and continues today, now mostly as a coordinated effort under the federally mandated World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program (WTCHP). Established in 2011, the WTCHP provides medical monitoring and treatment of covered health conditions for responders and survivors and maintains a research program aimed to improve the care and well-being of the affected population. By 2020, funds in excess of USD 127 M had been awarded for health effects research. This review describes research findings and provides an overview of the WTCHP and its future directions. The literature was systematically searched for relevant articles published from 11 September 2001 through 30 June 2020. Synthesis was limited to broad categories of mental health, cancer, respiratory disease, vulnerable populations, and emerging conditions. In total, 944 WTC articles were published, including peer-reviewed articles funded by the WTCHP (n = 291) and other sources. Research has focused on characterizing the burden and etiology of WTC-related health conditions. As the program moves forward, translational research that directly enhances the care of individuals with chronic mental and physical health conditions is needed.
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Spratlen MJ, Perera FP, Lederman SA, Rauh VA, Robinson M, Kannan K, Trasande L, Herbstman J. The association between prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and childhood neurodevelopment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 263:114444. [PMID: 32272335 PMCID: PMC7362877 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were among various persistent organic pollutants suspected to have been released during the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) on 9/11. Evidence on the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and child neurodevelopment is limited and inconsistent. This study evaluated the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and child cognitive outcomes measured at 5 different time points in a population prenatally exposed to the WTC disaster. The study population included 302 pregnant women in the Columbia University WTC birth cohort enrolled between December 13, 2001 and June 26, 2002 at three hospitals located near the WTC site: Beth Israel, St. Vincent's, and New York University Downtown. We evaluated the association between prenatal exposure to four PFAS (perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)) and child neurodevelopment measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-II) at approximately 1, 2 and 3 years of age and using The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) at approximately 4 and 6 years of age. Geometric mean (range) concentrations of PFAS were 6.03 (1.05, 33.7), 2.31 (0.18, 8.14), 0.43 (<LOQ, 10.3) and 0.67 (<LOQ, 15.8) ng/mL for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS, respectively. Several PFAS were associated with increases in cognitive outcomes in females and overall (males and females combined). Child sex modified the association between PFOS and the mental development index measured using BSID-II, with the observed relationship being positive for females and negative for males. Through principal component analyses, we observed a negative relationship between PFNA and the psychomotor development index measured using BSID-II and the verbal IQ measured using WPPSI. Our results suggest a sex- and compound-specific relationship between prenatal PFAS exposures and childhood neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda J Spratlen
- Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Frederica P Perera
- Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sally Ann Lederman
- Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Virginia A Rauh
- Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Morgan Robinson
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julie Herbstman
- Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
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Skogheim TS, Villanger GD, Weyde KVF, Engel SM, Surén P, Øie MG, Skogan AH, Biele G, Zeiner P, Øvergaard KR, Haug LS, Sabaredzovic A, Aase H. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and associations with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and cognitive functions in preschool children. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 223:80-92. [PMID: 31653559 PMCID: PMC6922090 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent organic pollutants that are suspected to be neurodevelopmental toxicants, but epidemiological evidence on neurodevelopmental effects of PFAS exposure is inconsistent. We investigated the associations between prenatal exposure to PFASs and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cognitive functioning (language skills, estimated IQ and working memory) in preschool children, as well as effect modification by child sex. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 944 mother-child pairs enrolled in a longitudinal prospective study of ADHD symptoms (the ADHD Study), with participants recruited from The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Boys and girls aged three and a half years, participated in extensive clinical assessments using well-validated tools; The Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment interview, Child Development Inventory and Stanford-Binet (5th revision). Prenatal levels of 19 PFASs were measured in maternal blood at week 17 of gestation. Multivariable adjusted regression models were used to examine exposure-outcome associations with two principal components extracted from the seven detected PFASs. Based on these results, we performed regression analyses of individual PFASs categorized into quintiles. RESULTS PFAS component 1 was mainly explained by perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFAS component 2 was mainly explained by perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). Regression models showed a negative association between PFAS component 1 and nonverbal working memory [β = -0.08 (CI: -0.12, -0.03)] and a positive association between PFAS component 2 and verbal working memory [β = 0.07 (CI: 0.01, 0.12)]. There were no associations with ADHD symptoms, language skills or IQ. For verbal working memory and PFAS component 2, we found evidence for effect modification by child sex, with associations only for boys. The results of quintile models with individual PFASs, showed the same pattern for working memory as the results in the component regression analyses. There were negative associations between nonverbal working memory and quintiles of PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, PFHpS and PFOS and positive associations between verbal working memory and quintiles of PFOA, PFNA, PFDA and PFUnDA, with significant relationships mainly in the highest concentration groups. CONCLUSIONS Based on our results, we did not find consistent evidence to conclude that prenatal exposure to PFASs are associated with ADHD symptoms or cognitive dysfunctions in preschool children aged three and a half years, which is in line with the majority of studies in this area. Our results showed some associations between PFASs and working memory, particularly negative relationships with nonverbal working memory, but also positive relationships with verbal working memory. The relationships were weak, as well as both positive and negative, which suggest no clear association - and need for replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea S Skogheim
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Gro D Villanger
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Stephanie M Engel
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2104C McGavran-Greenberg Hall CB 7435, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Pål Surén
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Merete G Øie
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, PO Box 1094, Blindern, N-0317, Oslo, Norway; Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, PO Box 104, N-2381, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Annette H Skogan
- The National Centre for Epilepsy, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, N-0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guido Biele
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål Zeiner
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, N-0424, Oslo, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1171, N-0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin R Øvergaard
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, N-0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line S Haug
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Heidi Aase
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
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Coperchini F, Croce L, Ricci G, Magri F, Rotondi M, Imbriani M, Chiovato L. Thyroid Disrupting Effects of Old and New Generation PFAS. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:612320. [PMID: 33542707 PMCID: PMC7851056 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.612320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a group of synthetic compounds widely used in industry plants due to their low grade of degradation, surfactant properties, thermic and flame resistance. These characteristics are useful for the industrial production, however they are also potentially dangerous for human health and for the environment. PFAS are persistent pollutants accumulating in waters and soil and recoverable in foods due to their release by food packaging. Humans are daily exposed to PFAS because these compounds are ubiquitous and, when assimilated, they are difficult to be eliminated, persisting for years both in humans and animals. Due to their persistence and potential danger to health, some old generation PFAS have been replaced by newly synthesized PFAS with the aim to use alternative compounds presumably safer for humans and the environment. Yet, the environmental pollution with PFAS remains a matter of concern worldwide and led to large-scale epidemiological studies both on plants' workers and on exposed people in the general population. In this context, strong concern emerged concerning the potential adverse effects of PFAS on the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones play a critical role in the regulation of metabolism, and thyroid function is related to cardiovascular disease, fertility, and fetal neurodevelopment. In vitro, ex vivo data, and epidemiological studies suggested that PFASs may disrupt the thyroid hormone system in humans, with possible negative repercussions on the outcome of pregnancy and fetal-child development. However, data on the thyroid disrupting effect of PFAS remain controversial, as well as their impact on human health in different ages of life. Aim of the present paper is to review recent data on the effects of old and new generation PFAS on thyroid homeostasis. To this purpose we collected information from in vitro studies, animal models, and in vivo data on exposed workers, general population, and pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Coperchini
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Croce
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ricci
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Magri
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marcello Imbriani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Chiovato
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Luca Chiovato,
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Tanner EM, Hallerbäck MU, Wikström S, Lindh C, Kiviranta H, Gennings C, Bornehag CG. Early prenatal exposure to suspected endocrine disruptor mixtures is associated with lower IQ at age seven. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 134:105185. [PMID: 31668669 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are xenobiotics with the ability to interfere with hormone action, even at low levels. Prior environmental epidemiology studies link numerous suspected EDCs, including phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, results for some chemicals were inconsistent and most assessed one chemical at a time. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the overall impact of prenatal exposure to an EDC mixture on neurodevelopment in school-aged children, and identify chemicals of concern while accounting for co-exposures. METHODS Among 718 mother-child pairs from the Swedish Environmental Longitudinal, Mother and child, Asthma and allergy study (SELMA) study, we used Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression to assess the association between 26 EDCs measured in 1st trimester urine or blood, with Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (IV) Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores at age 7 years. Models were adjusted for child sex, gestational age, mother's education, mother's IQ (RAVEN), weight, and smoking status. To evaluate generalizability, we conducted repeated holdout validation, a machine learning technique. RESULTS Using repeated holdout validation, IQ scores were 1.9-points (CI = -3.6, -0.2) lower among boys for an inter-quartile-range (IQR) change in the WQS index. BPF made the largest contribution to the index with a weight of 14%. Other chemicals of concern and their weights included PBA (9%), TCP (9%), MEP (6%), MBzP (4%), PFOA (6%), PFOS (5%), PFHxS (4%), Triclosan (5%), and BPA (4%). While we did observe an inverse association between EDCs and IQ among all children when training and testing the WQS index estimate on the full dataset, these results were not robust to repeated holdout validation. CONCLUSION Among boys, early prenatal exposure to EDCs was associated with lower intellectual functioning at age 7. We identified bisphenol F as the primary chemical of concern, suggesting that the BPA replacement compound may not be any safer for children. Future studies are needed to confirm the potential neurotoxicity of replacement analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Tanner
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Sverre Wikström
- Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden; School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Christian Lindh
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hannu Kiviranta
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Chris Gennings
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
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Sonkar R, Kay MK, Choudhury M. PFOS Modulates Interactive Epigenetic Regulation in First-Trimester Human Trophoblast Cell Line HTR-8/SV neo. Chem Res Toxicol 2019; 32:2016-2027. [PMID: 31508952 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Organic compounds have been linked to adverse pregnancy complications. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), a man-made fluorosurfactant and global pollutant, has been shown to induce oxidative stress in various cell types. Oxidative stress plays a key role in leading several placental diseases including preeclampsia (PE), gestational diabetes, spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, and intrauterine growth restriction. Recently, epigenetic regulation such as histone modifications, DNA methylation, and microRNAs (miRNAs), are shown to be associated with oxidative stress as well as pregnancy complications such as PE. However, whether PFOS exerts its detrimental effects in the placenta through epigenetics remains to be unveiled. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of PFOS-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in first trimester human trophoblast cell line (HTR-8/SVneo) and whether epigenetic regulation is involved in this process. When treated with a range of PFOS doses at 24 and 48 h, even at 10 μM, it significantly increased the ROS production and decreased gene and protein expression, respectively, of the DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 (p < 0.001; p < 0.05), DNMT3A (p < 0.001; p < 0.05), and DNMT3B (p < 0.01; p < 0.01) and the sirtuins, for example, SIRT1 (p < 0.001; p < 0.001) and SIRT3 (p < 0.001; p < 0.05), while reducing global DNA methylation (p < 0.01) and increasing protein lysine acetylation (p < 0.001) as compared to vehicle controls. Interestingly, PFOS (10 μM) significantly increased miR29-b (p < 0.01), which has been previously reported to be associated with PE. The observed epigenetic effects were shown to be dependent on the expression of miR-29b, as knockdown of miR-29b significantly alters the gene and protein expression of DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, SIRT1, and SIRT3 and ROS production as well as global DNA methylation and protein acetylation. This study provides for the first time a novel insight into PFOS-induced ROS generation via regulation of sets of the interactive epigenetic circuit in the placenta, which may lead to pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Sonkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy , Texas A&M Health Science Center , 312 REYN, MS 1114 , College Station , Texas 77843 , United States
| | - Matthew K Kay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy , Texas A&M Health Science Center , 312 REYN, MS 1114 , College Station , Texas 77843 , United States
| | - Mahua Choudhury
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy , Texas A&M Health Science Center , 312 REYN, MS 1114 , College Station , Texas 77843 , United States
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