Phthalates in the diet of Mexican children of school age. Risk analysis

Diethyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate disrupt sirtuins expression in the HepG2 cells

Background

Phthalates are additives used as plasticizers among other uses, classified as endocrine disruptors and may contribute to some metabolic disorders. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of the exposure of diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as the regulation of sirloins in HepG2 cells.

Methods

HepG2 cells were exposed to DEP or DBP at 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg/mL, and after 48 or 72 h the gene and protein expression of sirtuins was quantified by qRT-PCR and Western-Blot, respectively.

Results

Results showed that even at a low concentration of 0.1 μg/mL DEP affected the expression of Sirt3 and Sirt4, whereas DBP at 0.1 μg/mL affected Sirt3 and Sirt5 gene expression. Protein analysis showed a reduction in Sirt1 levels at a DEP concentration of 1 μg/mL and higher, while DBP at higher dose (100 μg/mL) decreased Sirt3 protein levels. Cell viability decreased by 20% only at higher dose (100 μg/mL) and ROS production increased at 10 and 100 μg/mL for both phthalates.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that exposure to low concentrations (0.1 μg/mL) of DEP or DBP can negatively influence the expression of some sirtuins.

Adsorption Characterization of Lactobacillus sp. for Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the widely detected plasticizer in foods whose exposure is associated with a myriad of human disorders. The present study focused on identifying Lactobacillus strains with high adsorption potential towards DEHP and further elucidating the mechanism of binding using HPLC, FTIR and SEM. Two strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 25,433, were found to rapidly adsorb more than 85% of DEHP in 2 h. Binding potential remained unaffected by heat treatment. Moreover, acid pre-treatment enhanced the DEHP adsorption. Chemical pre-treatments, such as NaIO4, pronase E or lipase, caused reduction in DEHP adsorption to 46% (LGG), 49% (MTCC 25,433) and 62% (MTCC 25,433), respectively, attributing it to cell wall polysaccharides, proteins and lipids. This was also corroborated by stretching vibrations of C = O, N-H, C-N and C-O functional groups. Furthermore, SDS and urea pre-treatment, demonstrated the crucial role of hydrophobic interactions in DEHP adsorption. The extracted peptidoglycan from LGG and MTCC 25,433 adsorbed 45% and 68% of DEHP, respectively, revealing the imperative role of peptidoglycan and its integrity in DEHP adsorption. These findings indicated that DEHP removal was based on physico-chemical adsorption and cell wall proteins, polysaccharides or peptidoglycan played a primary role in its adsorption. Owing to the high binding efficiency, L. rhamnosus GG and L. plantarum MTCC 25,433 were considered to be a potential detoxification strategy to mitigate the risk associated with the consumption of DEHP-contaminated foods.

An insight into the critical role of gut microbiota in triggering the phthalate-induced toxicity and its mitigation using probiotics

Exposure to phthalates, a major food safety concern, has been implicated in various chronic human disorders. As dietary exposure serves as a primary exposure route for phthalate exposure, understanding the detrimental impact on the gastrointestinal tract and resident gut microbiota is indispensable for better managing public health risks. Various reports have explored the intricate interplay between phthalate exposure, gut microbiota dysbiosis and host pathophysiology. For instance, oral exposure of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) affected the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and abundance of Akkermansia and Prevotella, ensuing impaired lipid metabolism and reproductive toxicity. In some cases, DEHP exposure altered the levels of gut microbial metabolites, namely short-chain fatty acids, branched-chain amino acids or p-cresol, resulting in cholesterol imbalance or neurodevelopmental disorders. Conversely, supplementation of gut-modulating probiotics like Lactococcus or Lactobacillus sp. averted the phthalate-induced hepatic or testicular toxicity through host gene regulation, gut microbial modulation or elimination of DEHP or DBP in faeces. Overall, the current review revealed the critical role of the gut microbiota in initiating or exacerbating phthalate-induced toxicity, which could be averted or mitigated by probiotics supplementation. Future studies should focus on identifying high-efficiency probiotic strains that could help reduce the exposure of phthalates in animals and humans.

DBP induced autophagy and necrotic apoptosis in HepG2 cells via the mitochondrial damage pathway

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely present in human tissues and pose significant health risks. In this study, HepG2 cells were treated with 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mM Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) for 48 h to investigate mitochondrial toxicity. The results showed that DBP caused mitochondrial damage, autophagy, apoptosis and necroptosis; Transcriptomics analysis identified that MAPK and PI3K were significant factors in the cytotoxic changes induced by DBP; N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), SIRT1 activator, ERK inhibitor, p38 inhibitor and ERK siRNA treatments counteracted the changes of SIRT1/PGC-1α and Nrf2 pathway-related proteins, autophagy and necroptotic apoptosis proteins induced by DBP. While PI3K and Nrf2 inhibitors exacerbated the changes in SIRT1/PGC-1α, Nrf2-associated proteins and autophagy and necroptosis proteins induced by DBP. In addition, the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA alleviated the increase in DBP-induced necroptosis proteins. These results suggested that DBP-induced oxidative stress activated the MAPK pathway, inhibited the PI3K pathway, which in turn inhibited the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway and Nrf2 pathway, thereby causing cell autophagy and necroptosis.

Predictors of urinary biomarker concentrations of phthalates and some of their replacements in children in the Project Viva cohort

BACKGROUND

Some phthalates are still widely used in food packaging, toys, and personal care products, and links to adverse health have motivated substitution with replacement chemicals. Few studies have examined patterns and predictors of phthalate replacement biomarkers in children.

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations of sociodemographic, dietary, and urine collection characteristics with urinary concentrations of biomarkers of select phthalates and their replacements in mid-childhood.

METHODS

We studied 830 children ages 6-10 years in 2007-2010 in a Boston-area cohort. We quantified urinary metabolites and summed their concentrations to calculate biomarkers of the concentrations of ten parent phthalates/replacements. We used linear regression to examine mutually adjusted associations of each predictor with each phthalate biomarker. We used logistic regression to examine predictors of 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, diisononyl ester (DINCH) biomarker detectability.

RESULTS

Predictor characteristics explained 25-48% of urinary biomarker variability. Di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP) biomarker was higher in females (18.7% [95% CI: 0.7, 39.9]), children who consumed more meat and dairy, and samples collected from later years. DINCH biomarker was more detectable in females (odds ratio [OR] 2.1 [95% CI: 1.5, 3.0]) and samples from later years.

SIGNIFICANCE

Populations of children with increased urinary concentrations of phthalate and replacement biomarkers can be targeted for future study of sources of exposure, and identifying dietary predictors of biomarkers will directly guide future interventions.

IMPACT

Our study uses data from a large cohort that is one of the first to measure DINCH, DEHTP, and metabolites of di-isononyl phthalate and di-isodecyl phthalate. Additionally, we evaluate predictors during mid-childhood when biomarkers might be highest. As the use of replacement phthalates increases, our study is one of the first to examine biomarker patterns and predictors among children.

Particulate plastics in drinking water and potential human health effects: Current knowledge for management of freshwater plastic materials in Africa

Plastic materials have contributed to the release of environmentally relevant particulate plastics which can be found almost everywhere and may be present in drinking water. Human exposure to these materials is diverse and our understanding of their internalization in the human body is incipient. This review discusses the state of knowledge of particulate plastics exposure in drinking water and the potential risks of adverse health in the human body. Particulate plastics have problematized water systems worldwide, and about 4,000,000 fine plastics may be ingested from drinking water annually by an individual. Testing methods for these materials in environmental media are presently inconsistent and standard protocols do not exist. Their potential ecotoxicological consequences are recognised to be linked to their physicochemical diversity, biological transpositions, and cytological tolerance in living organisms. It is observed that toxicological endpoints are varied and lack properly defined modes of action. In particular, fine particulate plastics have been observed to translocate into body tissues and cells where they are capable of provoking endocrine disruption, genetic mutations, and cancer responses. We propose a reclassification of particulate plastics to cater for their biological deposition and attributable risks of adverse health. Environmental management of particulate plastics in many developing countries is weak and their potential releases into drinking water have received limited research. Given that large populations are exposed to fresh surface water and plastic packaged drinking water worldwide, and that the risk assessment pathways are unvalidated at the moment, we argue for developing countries to increase their capacity for the environmental monitoring and circular management of plastic materials. Large-scale epidemiological cohort studies and surrogate assessment pathways are also recommended to provide a better understanding of the hazard characterization of particulate plastics exposure.

Phthalate acid esters and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations with their determining factors among Chinese pregnant women: A focus on dietary patterns

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women are susceptible to adverse health effects associated with phthalate acid esters (PAEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and diet is a significant exposure source. Little is known about the contributions of dietary patterns during pregnancy to the exposure variability of these environmental contaminants.

OBJECTIVES

To identify dietary patterns in relation to PAEs and PAHs exposure in the Chinese pregnant population.

METHODS

Dietary data and urinary concentrations of environmental pollutants were obtained from 1190 pregnant women in the Tongji Birth Cohort (TJBC). PAEs and PAHs were measured in spot urine samples. Food intake was assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were constructed by principal component analysis (PCA). Through PCA, we also extracted three chemical mixture scores that represent different co-exposure patterns of PAEs and PAHs. Multiple linear regression models were adopted to identify predictors of PAEs and PAHs exposure.

RESULTS

Four dietary patterns were identified by PCA that explained 44.9 % of the total variance of food intake. We found egg-dairy products pattern, whole grain-tuber crop pattern, and meat-aquatic products pattern were positively associated with specific pollutants exposure. In contrast, fruit-nut-vegetable pattern was negatively correlated with PAEs and PAHs exposure. Every SD increase in this pattern score was associated with 14.36 % reduced mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) (95 % CI: -24.50 ~ -2.96, p-trend = 0.01), 10.86 % reduced 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-OHNap) (95 % CI: -20.07 ~ -0.60, p-trend = 0.04), 19.35 % reduced 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPhe) (95 % CI: -34.49 ~ -0.70, p-trend = 0.01), and 8.33 % reduced scores of PAHs group (95 % CI: -15.97 ~ -0.10, p-trend = 0.02). In addition, disposable tableware usage and passive smoking were suggested as potentially modifiable sources of PAEs and PAHs exposure, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Adhering to egg-dairy products pattern, whole grain-tuber crop pattern, and meat-aquatic products pattern may be related to increased PAEs and PAHs exposure, while following fruit-nut-vegetable pattern seems to correlate with a lower burden of such exposure.

Legacy and emerging pollutants in Latin America: A critical review of occurrence and levels in environmental and food samples

The increase and indiscriminate use of personal care products, food products, fertilizers, pesticides, and health products, among others, have resulted/are resulting in extensive environmental contamination. Most of these products contain traces of widespread chemicals, usually known as emerging pollutants (EPs) or pollutants of emerging concern (PEC). The Latin American (LA) region comprises 20 countries with different social and cultural aspects, with 81 % of the population living in urban areas. The LA region has some countries on the top list of users/consumers of EPs, from pesticides and fertilizers to personal care products. However, there is a gap in information related to the distribution of EPs in the environment of this region, with very few existing review texts exploring this issue. Therefore, this present paper advances this approach. An exhaustive literature review, with the selection of 176 documents, provided unique up-to-date information on the presence/distribution of 17 classes of legacy or emerging pollutants in different food and environmental matrices (soil, sediment, water, and air). The study shows that the wide distribution and recorded levels of these pollutants in the continental environment are potential risks to human health, mainly through food and drinking water ingestion. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are pollutants of deep public concern since they show carcinogenic properties. Several classes of pollutants, like endocrine disruptors, have caused harmful effects on humans and the environment. Besides that, pharmaceutical products and pesticides are compounds of high consumption worldwide, being environmental contamination a real and ongoing possibility. Finally, gaps and future research needs are deeply pointed out.

Sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum alleviates liver injury induced by DBP and BaP co-exposure in rat

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) are ubiquitous contaminants in environment and foodstuffs, which increase the chance of their combined exposure to humans in daily life. However, the combined effects of DBP and BaP on liver and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we explored the combined effects of DBP and BaP on liver and the potential mechanisms in a rat model. We found that DBP and BaP co-exposure activated the MyD88/NF-κB pathway through increasing TLR4 acetylation (TLR4ac) level, leading to the imbalance of pro-inflammatory factors (CXCL-13, IL-6 and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10), ultimately resulting in liver tissue damage and functional changes. Sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum (SSGL) had strong alleviating effects on liver injury induced by DBP and BaP co-exposure. Our study found that SSGL suppressed TLR4ac-regulated MyD88/NF-κB signaling to reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors, and promote the secretion of IL-10, thus alleviating liver injury caused by DBP and BaP co-exposure. In conclusion, SSGL contributed to liver protection against DBP and BaP-induced liver injury in rats via suppressing the TLR4ac-regulated MyD88/NF-κB signaling.

Evaluation of plastic packaged water quality using health risk indices: A case study of sachet and bottled water in Accra, Ghana

Plastic packaged water is the drinking water of choice for urban populations across Africa but its quality remains questionable in most developing countries. Six hundred (600) packages, consisting of sachet and bottled water, were sampled from two high-end companies in Accra (Ghana) and stored through their shelf lives under an average room temperature of 30 °C. The samples were tested for physicochemical quality and the presence of bacteria and phthalate esters at 2ⁿ × 3 periods, where n is the sampled batch number. The data were described and modelled with embedded Bayesian and Machine Learning algorithms in JASP0.16.0.0 and Argo-4.1.3. The results reported lower than regulated levels of electrical conductivity (163.66 μS/cm), alkalinity (39.67 mg/L), and residual chlorine (<0.01 mg/L) while the pH was generally within specification (6.5-7.7). All samples showed progressive biological contamination following the third week (sachet samples) and the sixth week (bottled water) of incubation. Initial samples, including raw water, processed bulk water and packaged water did not present detectable microbial growth. The total microbial load in sachet samples grew at 0.936 cfu/week and 1.006 cfu/week for the bottled samples although the results did not exceed 1000 cfu/L (0-976 cfu/100 mL). Modelled mean probability of infection was 1.196 × 10^-4 in 67% of the samples. Raw and processed water samples did not show detectable levels of phthalate contaminants. The mean hazard index calculated on the individual hazard quotients of phthalates was 7.41 × 10^-3 ± 8.20 × 10^-4, suggesting lower acute risk potential. Mean integrated lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) was determined to be 1.53 × 10^-3 ± 1.71 × 10^-4 within a range of 2.86 × 10^-4 and 7.18 × 10^-3. Mean child ILCR was about 70% of adult ILCR and increased from 4.16 × 10^-4 to 2.41 × 10^-3 for sachet and 4.93 × 10^-4 to 7.18 × 10^-3 for bottled water. For adult ILCR, sachet water presented 2.86 × 10^-4 to 1.65 × 10^-3, and 3.38 × 10^-4 to 4.93 × 10^-3 for bottled water. This study confirmed the presence of phthalates and pathogenic bacteria in the samples, at-risk levels that require mitigation.

Phthalate and novel plasticizer concentrations in food items from U.S. fast food chains: a preliminary analysis

BACKGROUND

Fast food consumption is associated with biomarkers of ortho-phthalates exposures. However, the chemical content of fast food is unknown; certain ortho-phthalates (i.e., di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) have been phased out and replaced with other plasticizers (e.g., dioctyl terephthalate (DEHT)).

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a preliminary study to examine ortho-phthalate and replacement plasticizer concentrations in foods and food handling gloves from U.S. fast food restaurants.

METHODS

We obtained hamburgers, fries, chicken nuggets, chicken burritos, cheese pizza (n = 64 food samples) and gloves (n = 3) from restaurants and analyzed them for 11 chemicals using gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

We found DEHT at the highest concentrations in both foods (n = 19; median = 2510 µg/kg; max = 12,400 µg/kg) and gloves (n = 3; range: 28-37% by weight). We detected DnBP and DEHP in 81% and 70% of food samples, respectively. Median DEHT concentrations were significantly higher in burritos than hamburgers (6000 µg/kg vs. 2200 µg/kg; p < 0.0001); DEHT was not detected in fries. Cheese pizza had the lowest levels of most chemicals.

SIGNIFICANCE

To our knowledge, these are the first measurements of DEHT in food. Our preliminary findings suggest that ortho-phthalates remain ubiquitous and replacement plasticizers may be abundant in fast food meals.

IMPACT STATEMENT

A selection of popular fast food items sampled in this study contain detectable levels of replacement plasticizers and concerning ortho-phthalates. In addition, food handling gloves contain replacement plasticizers, which may be a source of food contamination. These results, if confirmed, may inform individual and regulatory exposure reduction strategies.

Phthalate's multiple hormonal effects and their supplementary dietary regulation scheme of health risks for children

Four common phthalic acid esters (PAEs), namely, butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) that are known to affect children upon exposure, were selected, and the hormone effects were explored during different supplementary food intakes by using methods such as factorial design experiment, molecular docking, and dynamics simulation techniques. A supplementary diet regulation scheme to prevent health risks of PAEs was constructed to avoid or mitigate the hormonal effects in children exposed to PAEs. Firstly, the MM/PBSA binding energy of PAEs with single hormone receptors and multiple hormone receptor complexes was calculated. In addition, 10 foods were selected as external interference conditions to carry out dynamic simulation, which showed that kiwi fruit and broccoli can effectively alleviate the PAEs' hormone effects. Furthermore, inference of the metabolic process of DEHP found that the supplementary diets could effectively promote the metabolism of PAEs. Finally, based on the mechanism analysis, it was confirmed that the selected supplementary diets could inhibit the binding process. This study aims to explore the role of supplementary diets in regulating various PAEs' hormone effects and thereby provide theoretical support for slowing down hormonal effects in children.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals used as common plastic additives: Levels, profiles, and human dietary exposure from the Indian food basket

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and bisphenol A (BPA) are the most widely used plastic additives in polymeric materials. These EDCs are ubiquitously distributed in the environment. Hence selected PAEs and BPA were investigated in twenty-five food types and drinking water (supply and packaged) from the metropolitan city, Delhi, and the peri-urban areas of a non-metropolitan city, Dehradun. Except cabbage and orange, the sum of thirteen PAEs (∑₁₃PAEs) and BPA in all the other food types were significantly higher in Delhi over Dehradun (p < 0.01). Highest mean ∑₁₃PAEs (665 ng/g) and BPA (73 ng/g) were observed in cottage cheese and potatoes, respectively followed by fish (PAEs - 477 ng/g, BPA - 16 ng/g). Supply water from the west zone of Delhi was found to contain the highest concentration of BPA (309 ng/L) and ∑₁₃PAEs (5765 ng/L) with the dominance of diethyl phthalate (DEP). Based on the compositional profile and compound-wise principal component analysis, environmental contamination and food processing were attributed as significant sources of most priority PAEs in food samples. Di-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) was over 100-fold higher in the bottled water from local brands than composite bottled water samples. Packaging material was identified as a source for di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) in packaged food. This study observed the highest estimated daily dietary intake (EDI) in the high-fat-containing food products viz., cottage cheese, and fish from north Delhi. High bioaccumulation of BPA can be a possible reason for elevated EDI in vegetables and local fish of Delhi. Unlike Dehradun, EDI for ∑₁₃PAEs and BPA was slightly higher for the non-vegetarian adult when compared to the vegetarian adult. DEHP and DnBP exhibited the highest estimated estrogenic potential for bottled water from local brands. Dietary exposure due to six priority PAEs contamination in food stuffs was two to four-fold higher in Delhi than Dehradun for adult man and woman.

Bisphenol and Phthalate Migration Test from Mexican Meat Packaging Using HPLC-DAD Technique

The objective of this work was to analyze the bisphenols’ and phthalates’ (PAEs) migration from meat packages (of sausages, Winnies, and ham found in Mexican markets) to a water simulant. The determination of these compounds was realized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and diode array detection (DAD) at a wavelength of 254 nm. The mobile phase utilized was a mixture of acetonitrile:H2O (70 : 30). Elution was performed isocratically at a temperature of 25°C and at a flow rate of 1 mL min−1. The LOQs obtained for BPA, DEP, BADGE, DBP, BisDMA, DHP, DOP, and PA in µg mL−1 were 0.53, 2.09, 0.85, 1.45, 5.81, 1.03, 3.12, and 29.6, respectively. Calibration curves exhibited an adequate determination coefficient for all compounds (R2 >0.999). Excellent accuracy and precision in measurements (% RSD) were achieved. The recovery study showed good applicability of the method (percentage recovery 80% to 106%). The BPA, BADGE, DBP, and DOP concentrations found in samples exceeded the simulant migration limits (SMLs) established by the European Union. The contribution of the current investigation was to provide information related to the presence of bisphenols and PAEs in the package of meat products, highlighting the health risks associated with their exposure.

Impact of Contaminants on Microbiota: Linking the Gut-Brain Axis with Neurotoxicity

Over the last years, research has focused on microbiota to establish a missing link between neuronal health and intestine imbalance. Many studies have considered microbiota as critical regulators of the gut–brain axis. The crosstalk between microbiota and the central nervous system is mainly explained through three different pathways: the neural, endocrine, and immune pathways, intricately interconnected with each other. In day-to-day life, human beings are exposed to a wide variety of contaminants that affect our intestinal microbiota and alter the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain, causing neuronal disorders. The interplay between xenobiotics, microbiota and neurotoxicity is still not fully explored, especially for susceptible populations such as pregnant women, neonates, and developing children. Precisely, early exposure to contaminants can trigger neurodevelopmental toxicity and long-term diseases. There is growing but limited research on the specific mechanisms of the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA), making it challenging to understand the effect of environmental pollutants. In this review, we discuss the biological interplay between microbiota–gut–brain and analyse the role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals: Bisphenol A (BPA), Chlorpyrifos (CPF), Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in MGBA perturbations and subsequent neurotoxicity. The complexity of the MGBA and the changing nature of the gut microbiota pose significant challenges for future research. However, emerging in-silico models able to analyse and interpret meta-omics data are a promising option for understanding the processes in this axis and can help prevent neurotoxicity.