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Bai CL, Wang D, Luan YL, Huang SN, Liu LY, Guo Y. A review on micro- and nanoplastics in humans: Implication for their translocation of barriers and potential health effects. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142424. [PMID: 38795915 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
As emerging contaminants, micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) can absorb and leach various toxic chemicals and ultimately endanger the health of the ecological environment and humans. With extensive research on MNPs, knowledge about MNPs in humans, especially their translocation of barriers and potential health effects, is of utmost importance. In this review, we collected literature published from 2000 to 2023, focusing on MNPs on their occurrence in humans, penetrating characteristics in the placental, blood-brain, and blood-testis barriers, and exposure effects on mammalian health. The characteristics and distributions of MNPs in human samples were analyzed, and the results demonstrated that MNPs were ubiquitous in most human samples, except for kidneys and cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, the phenomenon of MNPs crossing barriers and their underlying mechanisms were discussed. We also summarized the potential factors that may affect the barrier crossing and health effects of MNPs, including characteristics of MNPs, exposure doses, administration routes, exposure durations, co-exposure to other pollutants, and genetic predisposition. Exposure to MNPs may cause cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and developmental and reproductive toxicity in mammals. People are encouraged to reduce their exposure to MNPs to prevent these adverse health effects. Finally, we discussed the shortcomings of current research on MNPs in humans, providing a valuable reference for understanding and evaluating the potential health risks from MNP exposure in mammals, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Lan Bai
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, 572022, China
| | - Yu-Ling Luan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Si-Nan Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Liang-Ying Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ying Guo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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2
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Borghese MM, Ward A, MacPherson S, Manz KE, Atlas E, Fisher M, Arbuckle TE, Braun JM, Bouchard MF, Ashley-Martin J. Serum concentrations of legacy, alternative, and precursor per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: a descriptive analysis of adult female participants in the MIREC-ENDO study. Environ Health 2024; 23:55. [PMID: 38858670 PMCID: PMC11163811 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-024-01085-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been regulated around the world. There is growing concern over the proliferation of alternative PFAS, as well as PFAS precursors. Biomonitoring data for PFAS are critical for assessing exposure and human health risk. METHODS We collected serum samples from 289 adult female participants in a 2018-2021 follow-up study of the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Canadian pregnancy cohort. Samples were analyzed for 40 PFAS using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. For those compounds with > 50% detection, as well as the sum of these compounds, we describe serum concentrations and patterns of exposure according to sociodemographic and obstetrical history characteristics. RESULTS 17 out of 40 PFAS were detected in > 50% of samples with 7 of these detected in > 97% of samples. Median [95th percentile] concentrations (µg/L) were highest for PFOS (1.62 [4.56]), PFOA (0.69 [1.52]), PFNA (0.38 [0.81]), and PFHxS (0.33 [0.92]). Geometric mean concentrations of PFOA and PFHxS were approximately 2-fold lower among those with more children (≥ 3 vs. 1), greater number of children breastfed (≥ 3 vs. ≤ 1), longer lifetime duration of breastfeeding (> 4 years vs. ≤ 9 months), and shorter time since last pregnancy (≤ 4 years vs. > 8 years). We observed similar patterns for PFOS, PFHpS, and the sum of 17 PFAS, though the differences between groups were smaller. Concentrations of PFOA were higher among "White" participants, while concentrations of N-MeFOSE, N-EtFOSE, 7:3 FTCA, and 4:2 FTS were slightly higher among participants reporting a race or ethnicity other than "White". Concentrations of legacy, alternative, and precursor PFAS were generally similar across levels of age, education, household income, body mass index, and menopausal status. CONCLUSIONS We report the first Canadian biomonitoring data for several alternative and precursor PFAS. Our findings suggest that exposure to PFAS, including several emerging alternatives, may be widespread. Our results are consistent with previous studies showing that pregnancy and breastfeeding are excretion pathways for PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Borghese
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - A Ward
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - S MacPherson
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - K E Manz
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - E Atlas
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - M Fisher
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - T E Arbuckle
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - J M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - M F Bouchard
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - J Ashley-Martin
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Liang HW, Koistinen H, Barrett ES, Xun X, Yin Q, Kannan K, Moog NK, Ng C, O’Connor TG, Miller R, Adibi JJ. Associations of Serum Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Placental Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Early Pregnancy, Measured in the UPSIDE Study in Rochester, New York. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:47008. [PMID: 38625811 PMCID: PMC11020022 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely detected in pregnant women and associated with adverse outcomes related to impaired placental function. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a dimeric glycoprotein hormone that can indicate placental toxicity. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to quantify the association of serum PFAS with placental hCG, measured as an intact molecule (hCG), as free alpha-(hCG α ) and beta-subunits (hCG β ), and as a hyperglycosylated form (h-hCG), and evaluate effect measure modification by social determinants and by fetal sex. METHODS Data were collected from 326 pregnant women enrolled from 2015 to 2019 in the UPSIDE study in Rochester, New York. hCG forms were normalized for gestational age at the time of blood draw in the first trimester [multiple of the median (MoM)]. Seven PFAS were measured in second-trimester maternal serum. Multivariate imputation by chained equations and inverse probability weighting were used to evaluate robustness of linear associations. PFAS mixture effects were estimated by Bayesian kernel machine regression. RESULTS Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) [hCG β : 0.29 log MoM units per log PFHxS; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08, 0.51] and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) (hCG: - 0.09 ; 95% CI: - 0.16 , - 0.02 ) were associated with hCG in the single chemical and mixture analyses. The PFAS mixture was negatively associated with hCG α and positively with hCG β . Subgroup analyses revealed that PFAS associations with hCG differed by maternal race/ethnicity and education. Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) was associated with hCG β only in Black participants (- 0.23 ; 95% CI: - 0.37 , - 0.09 ) and in participants with high school education or less (- 0.14 ; 95% CI: - 0.26 , - 0.02 ); conversely, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was negatively associated with hCG α only in White participants (- 0.15 ; 95% CI: - 0.27 , - 0.03 ) and with hCG β only in participants with a college education or greater (- 0.19 ; 95% CI: - 0.36 , - 0.01 ). These findings were robust to testing for selection bias, confounding bias, and left truncation bias where PFAS detection frequency was < 100 % . Two associations were negative in male (and null in female) pregnancies: Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) with hCG α , and PFNA with h-hCG. CONCLUSIONS Evidence was strongest for the association between PFHxS and PFDA with hCG in all participants and for PFPeA and PFNA within subgroups defined by social determinants and fetal sex. PFAS mixture associations with hCG α and hCG β differed, suggesting subunit-specific types of toxicity and/or regulation. Future studies will evaluate the biological, clinical and public health significance of these findings. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12950.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Wei Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hannu Koistinen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emily S. Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Xiaoshuang Xun
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Qing Yin
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University, New York, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Nora K. Moog
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carla Ng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Thomas G. O’Connor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Rich Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer J. Adibi
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Reimann B, Remy S, Koppen G, Schoeters G, Den Hond E, Nelen V, Franken C, Covaci A, Bruckers L, Baeyens W, Loots I, van Larebeke N, Voorspoels S, De Henauw S, Nawrot TS, Plusquin M. Prenatal exposure to mixtures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and organochlorines affects cognition in adolescence independent of postnatal exposure. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 257:114346. [PMID: 38447259 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on cognitive and neurodevelopmental outcomes have shown inconsistent results regarding the association with prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) and organochlorines. Assessment of mixture effects of correlated chemical exposures that persist in later life may contribute to the unbiased evaluation and understanding of dose-response associations in real-life exposures. METHODS For a subset of the 4th Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS), concentrations of four PFAS and six organochlorines were measured in respectively 99 and 153-160 cord plasma samples and 15 years later in adolescents' peripheral serum by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Sustained and selective attention were measured at 14-15 years with the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Stroop Test as indicators of potential neurodevelopmental deficits. Quantile g-computation was applied to assess the joint associations between prenatal exposure to separate and combined groups of PFAS and organochlorines and performance in the CPT and Stroop Test at adolescence. Subsequently, individual effects of each chemical compound were analyzed in mixed effects models with two sets of covariates. Analytical data at birth and at the time of cognitive assessment allowed for off-setting postnatal exposure. RESULTS In mixtures analysis, a simultaneous one-quantile increase in the natural log-transformed values of PFAS and organochlorines combined was associated with a decrease in the mean reaction time (RT) and the reaction time variability (RTV) in the CPT (β = -15.54, 95% CI:-29.64, -1.45, and β = -7.82, 95% CI: -14.97, -0.67 respectively) and for the mixture of PFAS alone with RT (β = -11.94, 95% CI: -23.29, -0.60). In the single pollutant models, these results were confirmed for the association between perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) with RT (β = -17.95, 95% CI = -33.35, -2.69) and hexachlorobenzene with RTV in the CPT (β = -5.78, 95% CI: -10.39, -0.76). Furthermore, the participants with prenatal exposure above the limit of quantification for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) had a significantly shorter RT and RTV in the CPT (β = -23.38, 95% CI: -41.55, -5.94, and β = -9.54, 95% CI: -19.75, -0.43, respectively). CONCLUSION Higher prenatal exposure to a PFAS mixture and a mixture of PFAS and organochlorines combined was associated with better sustained and selective attention during adolescence. The associations seemed to be driven by PFHxS and were not linked to exposure levels at the time of assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Reimann
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Remy
- Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO), Environmental Toxicology Unit, Mol, Belgium
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO), Environmental Toxicology Unit, Mol, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium; Family Medicine and Population Health (FAMPOP), University of Antwerp, Gouverneur Kingsbergencentrum, Doornstraat 331, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Vera Nelen
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carmen Franken
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Bruckers
- Data Science Institute, Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Willy Baeyens
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Elsene, Belgium
| | - Ilse Loots
- University of Antwerp, Department of Sociology (CRESC and IMDO), Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nicolas van Larebeke
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Elsene, Belgium; Study Centre for Carcinogenesis and Primary Prevention of Cancer, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Voorspoels
- Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO), Environmental Toxicology Unit, Mol, Belgium
| | - Stefaan De Henauw
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium; School of Public Health, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Leuven University, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
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5
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Zhang Y, Mustieles V, Martin L, Sun Y, Hillcoat A, Fang X, Bibi Z, Torres N, Coburn-Sanderson A, First O, Irene S, Petrozza JC, Botelho JC, Calafat AM, Wang YX, Messerlian C. Maternal and Paternal Preconception Serum Concentrations of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Relation to Birth Outcomes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2683-2692. [PMID: 38290209 PMCID: PMC10924800 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07954] [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] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure is associated with adverse birth outcomes. There is an absence of evidence on the relationship between maternal and paternal preconception PFAS exposure and birth outcomes. This study included 312 mothers and 145 fathers with a singleton live birth from a preconception cohort of subfertile couples seeking fertility treatment at a U.S. clinic. PFAS were quantified in serum samples collected before conception. Gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW) were abstracted from delivery records. We also assessed low birthweight (BW < 2500 g) and preterm birth (GA < 37 completed weeks). We utilized multivariable linear regression, logistic regression, and quantile-based g computation to examine maternal or paternal serum concentrations of individual PFAS and mixture with birth outcomes. Maternal serum concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), and the total PFAS mixture were inversely associated with birthweight. Maternal PFOS concentration was associated with a higher risk of low birthweight. Conversely, paternal PFOS and PFHxS concentrations were imprecisely associated with higher birthweight. No associations were found for gestational age or preterm birth. The findings have important implications for preconception care. Future research with larger sample sizes would assist in validating these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Spain. Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs GRANADA, Spain. Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Leah Martin
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra Hillcoat
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xin Fang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zainab Bibi
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole Torres
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ayanna Coburn-Sanderson
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olivia First
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Souter Irene
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John C. Petrozza
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julianne C. Botelho
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Antonia M. Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yi-Xin Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carmen Messerlian
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, Boston, MA, USA
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Li J, Ma D, Qian C, Guo B, Guan R, Liu C, Luo Y, He A, Li Z, Zhao C, Wang Y, Jiang G. Assessment of Fetal Exposure and Elimination of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: New Evidence from Paired Serum, Placenta, and Meconium Samples. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2260-2270. [PMID: 38252093 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Multiple pieces of evidence have shown that prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is closely related to adverse birth outcomes for infants. However, difficult access to human samples limits our understanding of PFASs transport and metabolism across the human placental barrier, as well as the accurate assessment of fetal PFASs exposure. Herein, we assess fetal exposure to 28 PFASs based on paired serum, placenta, and meconium samples. Overall, 21 PFASs were identified first to be exposed to the fetus prenatally and to be metabolized and excreted by the fetus. In meconium samples, 25 PFASs were detected, with perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid being the dominant congeners, suggesting the metabolism and excretion of PFASs through meconium. Perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids might be more easily eliminated through the meconium than perfluorinated carboxylic acids. Importantly, based on molecular docking, MRP1, OATP2B1, ASCT1, and P-gp were identified as crucial transporters in the dynamic placental transfer of PFASs between the mother and the fetus. ATSC5p and PubchemFP679 were recognized as critical structural features that affect the metabolism and secretion of PFASs through meconium. With increasing carbon chain length, both the transplacental transfer efficiency and meconium excretion efficiency of PFASs showed a structure-dependent manner. This study reports, for the first time, that meconium, which is a noninvasive and stable biological matrix, can be strong evidence of prenatal PFASs exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Donghui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Chenge Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Binbin Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ruining Guan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yadan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Anen He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Zhao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Chunyan Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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Breton C, Kessel K, Robinson A, Altaf K, Luth ES. Sublethal perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid delay C. elegans larval development and population growth but do not alter egg hatching. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2024; 87:22-32. [PMID: 37818790 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2023.2265419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used as surface coatings in manufacturing. Exposure to PFAS was shown to be correlated with infertility, low birth weight, and delayed aspects of pubertal development in mammals. Despite many correlational studies, there have been few direct investigations examining the link between PFAS exposure and early animal development. The aim of this study was to (1) examine the effects of PFOA on development and reproduction using the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, a model with a high predictive value for human reproductive toxicity and (2) compare observations to exposure to PFOS. PFAS exposure did not markedly alter egg hatching but delayed population growth, in part due to slower larval development. PFAS-exposed worms took longer to progress through larval stages to reach reproductive maturity, and this was not attributed to PFOA-induced toxicity to their food. Our results provide a robust benchmark for testing developmental and reproductive toxicity for other PFAS and PFAS-alternatives which continue to be used in manufacturing and released into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Breton
- Department of Biology, Simmons University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Kessel
- Department of Biology, Simmons University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ariel Robinson
- Department of Biology, Simmons University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kainat Altaf
- Department of Biology, Simmons University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Luth
- Department of Biology, Simmons University, Boston, MA, USA
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8
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Iwata H, Kobayashi S, Itoh M, Itoh S, Mesfin Ketema R, Tamura N, Miyashita C, Yamaguchi T, Yamazaki K, Masuda H, Ait Bamai Y, Saijo Y, Ito Y, Nakayama SF, Kamijima M, Kishi R. The association between prenatal per-and polyfluoroalkyl substance levels and Kawasaki disease among children of up to 4 years of age: A prospective birth cohort of the Japan Environment and Children's study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108321. [PMID: 38061246 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Kawasaki disease (KD) is common among pediatric patients and is associated with an increased risk of later cardiovascular complications, though the precise pathophysiology of KD remains unknown. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have gathered notoriety as the causal pathogens of numerous diseases as well as for their immunosuppressive effects. The present epidemiological study aims to assess whether PFAS may affect KD risk. We evaluated research participants included in the ongoing prospective nationwide birth cohort of the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS). Among the over 100,000 pregnant women enrolled in the JECS study, 28 types of PFAS were measured in pregnancy in a subset of participants (N = 25,040). The JECS followed their children born between 2011 and 2014 (n total infants = 25,256; n Kawasaki disease infants = 271), up to age four. Among the 28 types of PFAS, those which were detected in >60 % of participants at levels above the method reporting limit (MRL) were eligible for analyses. Multivariable logistic regressions were implemented on the seven eligible PFAS, adjusting for multiple comparison effects. Finally, we conducted Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the effects of the PFAS mixture on KD. Therefore, we ran the BKMR model using kernel mechanical regression equations to examine PFAS exposure and the outcomes of KD. Upon analysis, the adjusted multivariable regression results did not reach statistical significance for the seven eligible substances on KD, while odds ratios were all under 1.0. WQS regression was used to estimate the mixture effect of the seven eligible PFAS, revealing a negative correlation with KD incidence; similarly, BKMR implied an inverse association between the PFAS mixture effect and KD incidence. In conclusion, PFAS exposure was not associated with increased KD incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyoshi Iwata
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Sumitaka Kobayashi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; Division of Epidemiological Research for Chemical Disorders, Research Center for Chemical Information and Management, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 6-21-1, Nagao, Tama-ku, Kawasaki 214-8585, Japan
| | - Mariko Itoh
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Sachiko Itoh
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Rahel Mesfin Ketema
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Naomi Tamura
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Chihiro Miyashita
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamaguchi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Keiko Yamazaki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Masuda
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Musashino University, 1-1-20 Shinmachi, Nishitokyo, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan
| | - Yu Ait Bamai
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, University Square 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Yasuaki Saijo
- Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, 1-1-1 Midorigaoka-higashi-2-jo, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Ito
- Faculty of Nursing, Japanese Red Cross Hokkaido College of Nursing, 664-1 Akebono-cho, Kitami 090-0011, Japan
| | - Shoji F Nakayama
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba 305-8506, Japan
| | - Michihiro Kamijima
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
| | - Reiko Kishi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North-12, West-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
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Chen LW, Ng S, Tint MT, Michael N, Sadananthan SA, Ong YY, Yuan WL, Chen ZY, Chen CY, Godfrey KM, Tan KH, Gluckman PD, Chong YS, Eriksson JG, Yap F, Lee YS, Fortier MV, Velan SS, Chan SY. Associations of cord plasma per- and polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS) with neonatal and child body composition and adiposity: The GUSTO study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108340. [PMID: 38043321 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of prenatal exposure to per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on birth size and offspring adiposity is unclear, especially for the newer, shorter-chained replacement PFAS. METHODS In the GUSTO multi-ethnic Singaporean mother-offspring cohort, 12 PFAS were measured in 783 cord plasma samples using ultra-performance-liquid chromatography-tandem-mass-spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). Outcomes included offspring anthropometry, other indicators of body composition/metabolic health, and MRI-derived abdominal adiposity (subset) at birth and 6 years of age. PFAS were modeled individually, in categories of long-chain and short-chain PFAS, and as scores of three principal components (PC) derived using PC analysis (PC1, PC2, and PC3 reflect predominant exposure patterns to "very-long-PFAS", "long-PFAS", and "short-PFAS", respectively). Associations with outcomes were assessed using multivariable linear regressions, adjusted for important covariates such as maternal sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. RESULTS Overall, cord PFAS levels showed either no or positive associations (mostly for long-chain PFAS) with birth weight, length and head circumference. In general, PFAS were associated with higher neonatal abdominal adiposity, driven by shorter-chain PFAS. Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) was associated with higher volumes of superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue (sSAT) (3.75 [1.13, 6.37] mL per SD increase in PFAS) and internal adipose tissue (IAT) (1.39 [0.41, 2.38] mL). Higher levels of perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), short-chain PFAS, and PC3 were associated with higher IAT volume (β range 1.22-1.41 mL/SD, all P < 0.02), especially in girls. Higher PC3 score was additionally associated with higher sSAT (3.12 [0.45, 5.80] mL) volume. At age 6 years, most observed associations did not persist. No consistent associations were observed between PFAS and whole-body adiposity measures. CONCLUSIONS Fetal exposure to emerging short-chain PFAS was associated with higher abdominal adiposity at birth but not at age 6 years. Further research is needed to replicate the findings and to determine if these effects may reappear beyond early childhood. Population exposure to newer PFAS and consequent health impact must be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Wei Chen
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei 10055, Taiwan; Master of Public Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei 10055, Taiwan; Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore
| | - Sharon Ng
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore
| | - Mya-Thway Tint
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore; Human Potential Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Navin Michael
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore
| | - Suresh Anand Sadananthan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore
| | - Yi Ying Ong
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wen Lun Yuan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore; Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), F-75004 Paris, France
| | - Ze-Ying Chen
- Institute of Food Safety and Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei 10055, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yang Chen
- Institute of Food Safety and Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei 10055, Taiwan
| | - Keith M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre & NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton & University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
| | - Kok Hian Tan
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore; Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peter D Gluckman
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore; Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, 85 Park Rd, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Yap-Seng Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore
| | - Johan G Eriksson
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore; Human Potential Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore; Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliusgatan 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fabian Yap
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore; Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, 229899, Singapore
| | - Yung Seng Lee
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore; Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore
| | - Marielle V Fortier
- Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Imaging, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, 229899, Singapore
| | - Sendhil S Velan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore
| | - Shiao-Yng Chan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 30 Medical Drive, 117609, Singapore; Human Potential Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore.
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Feng QJ, Luo XJ, Ye MX, Hu KQ, Zeng YH, Mai BX. Bioaccumulation, tissue distributions, and maternal transfer of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) in laying hens. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167008. [PMID: 37704139 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167008] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Laying hens were exposed to feeds spiked with a series of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) ranging from perfluorobutanoic acid (C4) to perfluorooctadecanoic acid (C18) to investigate their bioaccumulation, tissue distribution, and maternal transfer. We found that PFCAs with longer carbon chains (>8) were more efficiently absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract than those with shorter chains (≤8), and that the rate of depuration varied inversely with the carbon chain length in a U-shaped pattern. Moreover, bioaccumulation potential increased with increasing carbon-chain length, except for C4. Distinct affinities were observed for specific carbon-chain PFCAs across various tissues, evident from their differential accumulation during both uptake and depuration phases. Specifically, C9 showed a higher affinity for serum and liver, C12 was more prevalent in yolk, C14 was notably abundant in the brain, and C18 was predominant in other tissues. Furthermore, the egg-maternal ratio (EMR) increased with increasing carbon-chain length from C7 to C11 and reached a plateau phase for C12 to C18. Our study also confirmed the key role of phospholipids in the tissue distribution and maternal transfer of long-chain PFCAs. This study sheds light on the interaction between PFCAs and biological tissues and reveals the toxicokinetic factors that influence the bioaccumulation of PFCAs. Further research is needed to identify the specific proteins or components that mediate the tissue-specific affinity for different carbon-chain lengths of PFCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun-Jie Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Resources Utilization and Protection, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Resources Utilization and Protection, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| | - Mei-Xia Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Resources Utilization and Protection, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ke-Qi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Resources Utilization and Protection, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yan-Hong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Resources Utilization and Protection, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Resources Utilization and Protection, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, China
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11
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Xiao CH, Meng XZ, Li BX, Gao HW. A systematic review and meta-analysis of pollutants in environmental media. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:113205-113217. [PMID: 37858014 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30347-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollutants are ubiquitous in our environmental media, resulting in detrimental impacts on both humans and the environment. An evidence-based review, particularly a systematic review and meta-analysis, performs a crucial function in assessing the pollution status of pollutants in environmental media at national and global scales. We selected and thoroughly investigated 76 papers focusing on systematic reviews and meta-analyses of contaminants in environmental media. The need to broaden the scope of studies was observed with an increase in the total number of publications, and there were greater focuses on food safety, water pollution, biological pollution, and environmental risks. Furthermore, this review outlined the fundamental procedures involved in a systematic review and meta-analysis, including literature searching, screening of articles, study quality analysis, data extraction and synthesis, and meta-analysis. A meta-analysis typically comprises fixed- and/or random-effects meta-analysis, identifying and measuring heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, publication bias, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression. We specifically explored the application of meta-analysis to assess the presence of contaminants in environmental media based on two different pollutant categories, namely, non-biological and biological pollutants. The mean value is commonly utilized to assess the pooled concentration of non-biological pollutants, while the prevalence serves as the effect size of biological pollutants. Additionally, we summarized the innovative applications, frequent misuses, and problems encountered in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Finally, we proposed several suggestions for future research endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiang-Zhou Meng
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- Jiaxing-Tongji Environmental Research Institute, 1994 Linggongtang Road, Jiaxing, 314051, Zhejiang Province, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Ben-Xiang Li
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Hong-Wen Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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12
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Xu Z, Du B, Wang H, Li Z, Wu Y, Wang Q, Niu Y, Zhang Q, Sun K, Wang J, Chen S. Perfluoroalkyl substances in umbilical cord blood and blood pressure in offspring: a prospective cohort study. Environ Health 2023; 22:72. [PMID: 37858165 PMCID: PMC10585876 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01023-5] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans are widely exposed to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been found to be associated with various adverse birth outcomes. As blood pressure (BP) is an important parameter reflecting cardiovascular health in early life, it is necessary to investigate the association of PFAS exposure during early lifetime and BP in childhood. Therefore, we investigated the potential association between PFAS levels in umbilical cord blood and BP of the offspring at 4 years of age in a prospective cohort study. METHODS PFAS in umbilical cord blood samples after birth were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry in the Shanghai Birth Cohort. BP was measured at 4 years of age in the offspring. Multiple linear regression model was used to investigate the association between individual PFAS level and BP of the offspring. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used to analyze the relationship between the PFAS mixture and BP of the offspring, while weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression was utilized for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS A total of 129 mother-child pairs were included in our analysis. In multiple linear regressions, we observed that long-chain PFAS, mainly including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA), was negatively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). BKMR showed that an increase in umbilical cord blood PFAS mixture levels was significantly associated with a decrease in SBP, DBP and MAP [Estimated differences (SD): -0.433 (0.161); -0.437 (0.176); -0.382 (0.179), respectively]. The most important component in the association with SBP, DBP, and MAP was PFUA. PFDoA was found to be positively associated with SBP, DBP and MAP in both models. Sensitivity analysis with WQS regression showed consistent results. CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that umbilical blood PFAS exposure was negatively associated with BP in offspring at 4 years of age, including SBP, DBP, and MAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikang Xu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bowen Du
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Hualin Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zhuoyan Li
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yujian Wu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Qianchuo Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yiwei Niu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Qianlong Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Sun
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Sun Chen
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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13
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Ogunsuyi OM, Fasakin PT, Ajibiye OP, Ogunsuyi OI, Adekoya KO. Perfluoroundecanoic acid induces DNA damage, reproductive and pathophysiological dysfunctions via oxidative stress in male Swiss mice. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 338:139491. [PMID: 37453524 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) is an eleven carbon-chain compound that belongs to the perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid family. It has been detected in the human blood, effluents, and surface/ground waters, but its toxic effects to the DNA and reproductive system remain unclear. This study was aimed at exploring the toxicity of PFUnA on the hepatic DNA, organ-system and reproductive system in orally treated male Swiss mice. In this present study, administration of PFUnA for 28 days with five doses (0.1, 0.3, 05, 0.7 and 1.0 mg kg-1 b.w./d) in male Swiss mice induced significant hepatic DNA damage which was observed using the alkaline comet assay and equally altered hematological and clinical biochemical parameters. In addition to testicular atrophy, sperm count and sperm motility significantly decreased while sperm abnormalities increased after 35 days exposure. Serum LH and FSH levels were remarkably increased while serum testosterone levels were strikingly reduced. Histopathology revealed the liver, kidney, and testis as potential targets of PFUnA toxicity. Increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as levels of glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH), with consistent reduction of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the liver and testis induced oxidative stress. In conclusion, PFUnA exhibited both genotoxicity and reproductive toxicity via oxidative stress induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Opeoluwa M Ogunsuyi
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
| | - Peter T Fasakin
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Oluwatobi P Ajibiye
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Olusegun I Ogunsuyi
- Department of Biological Science, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Mountain Top University, Ibafo, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Khalid O Adekoya
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
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14
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Peterson AK, Zhu Y, Fuller S, Feng J, Alexeeff S, Mitro SD, Kannan K, Robinson M, Padula A, Ferrara A. PFAS concentrations in early and mid-pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in a nested case-control study within the ethnically and racially diverse PETALS cohort. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:657. [PMID: 37704943 PMCID: PMC10500777 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05953-3] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals and are commonly found in everyday items. PFAS have been linked to disrupting glucose homeostasis, however, whether they are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk remains inconclusive. We examined prospective associations of PFAS concentrations measured twice in pregnancy with GDM risk. METHODS In the PETALS pregnancy cohort, a nested case-control study which included 41 GDM cases and 87 controls was conducted. PFAS analytes were measured in blood serum collected in both early and mid-pregnancy (mean [SD]: 13.9 [2.2] and 20.2 [2.2] gestational weeks, respectively), with cumulative exposure calculated by the area-under-the-curve (AUC) to integrate both the PFAS concentration and the timing of the exposure. Individual adjusted weighted unconditional logistic regression models examined seven PFAS in association with GDM risk. P-values were corrected using the false-discovery-rate (FDR). Mixture models were analyzed with Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). RESULTS PFDA, PFNA and PFOA were individually associated with higher GDM risk per interquartile range (IQR) in early pregnancy (OR [95% CI]: 1.23 [1.09, 1.38]), 1.40 [1.24, 1.58]), and 1.15 [1.04, 1.27], respectively), mid-pregnancy (1.28 [1.15, 1.43], 1.16 [1.05, 1.28], and 1.20 [1.09, 1.33], respectively), and with cumulative exposure (1.23 [1.09, 1.38], 1.21 [1.07, 1.37], and 1.19 [1.09, 1.31], respectively). PFOS in mid-pregnancy and with cumulative exposure was associated with increased GDM risk (1.41 [1.17, 1.71] and 1.33 [1.06, 1.58], respectively). PFUnDA in early pregnancy was associated with lower GDM risk (0.79 [0.64, 0.98]), whereas mid-pregnancy levels were associated with higher risk (1.49 [1.18, 1.89]). PFHxS was associated with decreased GDM risk in early and mid-pregnancy (0.48 [0.38, 0.60] and 0.48 [0.37, 0.63], respectively) and with cumulative exposure (0.49 [0.38,0.63]). PFPeA was not associated with GDM. Similar conclusions were observed in BKMR models; however, overall associations in these models were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Higher risk of GDM was consistently observed in association with PFDA, PFNA, and PFOA exposure in both early and mid-pregnancy. Results should be corroborated in larger population-based cohorts and individuals of reproductive age should potentially avoid known sources of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K Peterson
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA.
- Center for Upstream Prevention of Adiposity and Diabetes Mellitus (UPSTREAM), Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA.
| | - Yeyi Zhu
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA
- Center for Upstream Prevention of Adiposity and Diabetes Mellitus (UPSTREAM), Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA
| | - Sophia Fuller
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA
| | - Juanran Feng
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA
| | - Stacey Alexeeff
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA
| | - Susanna D Mitro
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA
- Center for Upstream Prevention of Adiposity and Diabetes Mellitus (UPSTREAM), Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, 145 East 32 Street, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Morgan Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, 145 East 32 Street, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Amy Padula
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, San Francisco, 94143 CA, USA
| | - Assiamira Ferrara
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA
- Center for Upstream Prevention of Adiposity and Diabetes Mellitus (UPSTREAM), Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA
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Wielsøe M, Molina-Molina JM, Rodríguez-Carrillo A, Mustieles V, Olea N, Fernandez MF, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Xeno-estrogenic activity of real-life mixtures of perfluoroalkylated substances in human placenta homogenates. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 120:108444. [PMID: 37473930 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108444] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Humans are simultaneously exposed to complex chemical mixtures, and its combined effect can affect human health. As part of the HBM4EU project, the actual mixture of perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) in 25 human placenta samples was extracted by chromatographic methods and assessed for xeno-estrogenic activity using two in-vitro bioassays: the estrogen receptor transactivity and the E-Screen assay. Most of the PFAS extracts displayed xeno-estrogenic activity, in one or both assays. The xeno-estrogenic activities in the two bioassays were not correlated, but both assays showed an overall negative correlation with placenta concentrations of single PFAS. Xeno-estrogenic activities were significantly related to maternal characteristics; being higher in young, smokers and primiparous women, but not with fetal growth (birth weight, birth length, head circumference, gestational age, placenta weight). The presented extraction method can be used to study the combined effect of real-life mixtures of PFAS in relation to health outcomes in large-scale human biomonitoring studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jose-Manuel Molina-Molina
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Andrea Rodríguez-Carrillo
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), E-28029, Spain
| | - Nicolas Olea
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), E-28029, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), E-28029, Spain
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, GRL-3905 Nuussuaq, Greenland
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16
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Friedman C, Dabelea D, Keil AP, Adgate JL, Glueck DH, Calafat AM, Starling AP. Maternal serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances during pregnancy and breastfeeding duration. Environ Epidemiol 2023; 7:e260. [PMID: 37545807 PMCID: PMC10402953 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that may affect breastfeeding duration. We examined associations between maternal PFAS concentrations during pregnancy and breastfeeding cessation. We investigated potential effect modification by parity status. Methods Among 555 women enrolled in the Healthy Start study (2009-2014), we quantified maternal serum concentrations of 5 PFAS during mid- to late-pregnancy (mean 27 weeks of gestation). Participants self-reported their breastfeeding practices through 18-24 months postnatally. Among all participants and stratified by parity, we estimated associations between maternal PFAS concentrations and breastfeeding discontinuation by 3 and 6 months, using Poisson regression, and breastfeeding duration, using Cox regression. Results Median PFAS concentrations were similar to those in the general US population. Associations between PFAS and breastfeeding duration differed by parity status. After adjusting for covariates, among primiparous women, associations between PFAS and breastfeeding cessation by 3 and 6 months were generally null, with some inverse associations. Among multiparous women, there were positive associations between perfluorohexane sulfonate, perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorononanoate and breastfeeding cessation by 3 and 6 months. For example, per ln-ng/mL increase in PFOA, the risk ratio for breastfeeding discontinuation by 6 months was 1.45 (95% confidence interval, 1.18, 1.78). Hazard ratios reflected similar patterns between PFAS and breastfeeding duration. Conclusions Among primiparous women, we did not find evidence for associations between PFAS concentrations and breastfeeding duration. In contrast, among multiparous women, PFAS serum concentrations were generally inversely associated with breastfeeding duration, though estimates may be biased due to confounding by unmeasured previous breastfeeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Friedman
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Alexander P. Keil
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - John L. Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Deborah H. Glueck
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Antonia M. Calafat
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anne P. Starling
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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17
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Sonne C, Desforges JP, Gustavson K, Bossi R, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Long M, Rigét FF, Dietz R. Assessment of exposure to perfluorinated industrial substances and risk of immune suppression in Greenland and its global context: a mixed-methods study. Lancet Planet Health 2023; 7:e570-e579. [PMID: 37437998 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(23)00106-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous global contaminants that do not readily biodegrade and are therefore routinely found worldwide in wildlife, humans, and the environment. There is a paucity of global assessments to understand regional and continental differences in exposure to PFASs and the associated health risks, including those for Indigenous Arctic communities who consume high trophic marine diets. We aimed to estimate the long-term exposure of dietary PFASs from consumption of polar bear and ringed seal meat and establish its association with blood serum concentrations of PFASs in Inuit in Ittoqoortoormiit (Scoresby Sound), East Greenland. We also aimed to assess the risk of immune suppression on the basis of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) thresholds for weekly intake and blood serum concentrations of PFASs. Last, we conducted a worldwide risk assessment based on blood concentrations of PFASs emphasising Arctic exposure in a global context. METHODS In this mixed-methods study, we conducted interviews to compare dietary exposure of PFASs in anonymous, non-pregnant, Inuit adults (aged ≥18 years) from full-time or part-time hunter families in Ittoqoortoormiit, East Greenland with ESFA toxic threshold values for tolerable weekly intake of the four most immunotoxic PFASs (∑4PFAS; perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, and perfluorooctane sulfonate). Independent hospital staff from the local hospital randomly selected participants using simple randomisation using a telephone directory. Blood serum concentrations were then compared with EFSA risk categories: low (0·7-9·5 ng/mL), moderate (>9·5-17·5 ng/mL), high (>17·5-31·9 ng/mL), and severe (>31·9 ng/mL). We also reviewed the available scientific literature of ∑4PFAS concentrations in human blood to place the Inuit dataset in a broader global context. FINDINGS Between Sept 21, and Oct 2, 2015, 22 participants were enrolled in the study, of which 12 were male and ten were female. Sex data were obtained from personal social security numbers and options were male or female. As a result of a subsistence diet high in marine mammal muscle, 322 (92%) of 350 people in the Ittoqoortoormiit cohort exceeded the established immunotoxic thresholds of ∑4PFASs set by EFSA's tolerable weekly intake of 4·4 ng/kg, and 301 (86%) were in the most severe risk category (>31·9 ng/mL) based on blood serum concentrations. This Inuit cohort had the highest non-occupational long-term exposure to PFASs worldwide despite their remote location relative to industrial sources. Using country-wide average values across global studies, we found that blood serum concentrations of PFASs in populations from European countries, North America, the Arctic, and Australia were generally higher than those in South America, Africa, and mainland Asia, with the highest concentrations found in people from USA, Canada, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the UK, Spain, Poland, and Australia. These high exposure countries all fall within the EFSA moderate-risk and high-risk categories. INTERPRETATION PFAS contamination of the environment and human populations occurs worldwide. This pollution not only poses substantial risks for immune system adverse events but also cardiovascular, cancerous, and reproductive endpoints. Data on such PFAS exposure is scarce in numerous countries. Therefore, it is important to also map out the exposure in these countries to enable a thorough global assessment of exposure and risks. FUNDING Danish Cooperation for Environment in the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark; Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Jean-Pierre Desforges
- Department of Environmental Studies and Science, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Kim Gustavson
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rossana Bossi
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Eva C Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Department of Public Health, Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Manhai Long
- Department of Public Health, Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Frank F Rigét
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
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18
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Forthun IH, Roelants M, Haug LS, Knutsen HK, Schell LM, Jugessur A, Bjerknes R, Sabaredzovic A, Bruserud IS, Juliusson PB. Levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Norwegian children stratified by age and sex - Data from the Bergen Growth Study 2. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 252:114199. [PMID: 37295275 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Due to the persistence, bioaccumulation and potential adverse health effects, there have been restrictions and phase out in the production of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) since the early 2000s. Published serum levels of PFAS during childhood are variable and may reflect the impact of age, sex, sampling year and exposure history. Surveying the concentrations of PFAS in children is vital to provide information regarding exposure during this critical time of development. The aim of the current study was therefore to evaluate serum concentrations of PFAS in Norwegian schoolchildren according to age and sex. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum samples from 1094 children (645 girls and 449 boys) aged 6-16 years, attending schools in Bergen, Norway, were analyzed for 19 PFAS. The samples were collected in 2016 as part of the Bergen Growth Study 2. Statistical analyses included Student t-test, one-way ANOVA and Spearman's correlation analysis of log-transformed data. RESULTS Of the 19 PFAS examined, 11 were detected in the serum samples. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorononaoic acid (PFNA) were present in all samples with geometric means of 2.67, 1.35, 0.47 and 0.68 ng/mL, respectively. In total, 203 children (19%) had PFAS levels above the safety limits set by the German Human Biomonitoring Commission. Significantly higher serum concentrations were found in boys compared to girls for PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS and perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS). Furthermore, serum concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFHpS were significantly higher in children under the age of 12 years than in older children. CONCLUSIONS PFAS exposure was widespread in the sample population of Norwegian children analyzed in this study. Approximately one out of five children had PFAS levels above safety limits, indicating a potential risk of negative health effects. The majority of the analyzed PFAS showed higher levels in boys than in girls and decreased serum concentrations with age, which may be explained by changes related to growth and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingvild Halsør Forthun
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Mathieu Roelants
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Line Småstuen Haug
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Center for Sustainable Diets, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helle Katrine Knutsen
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Center for Sustainable Diets, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lawrence M Schell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Astanand Jugessur
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Robert Bjerknes
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Ingvild Særvold Bruserud
- Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Faculty of Health, VID Specialized University, Bergen, Norway
| | - Petur Benedikt Juliusson
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Health Registry Research and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway
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19
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Zang L, Liu X, Xie X, Zhou X, Pan Y, Dai J. Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in early pregnancy, risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, potential pathways, and influencing factors in pregnant women: A nested case-control study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 326:121504. [PMID: 36965679 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Although previous studies have reported an association between maternal serum perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk, results have been inconsistent. Few studies have focused on the combined effects of emerging and legacy PFASs on glucose homeostasis while humans are always exposed to multiple PFASs simultaneously. Moreover, the potential pathways by which PFAS exposure induces GDM are unclear. A total of 295 GDM cases and 295 controls were enrolled from a prospective cohort of 2700 pregnant women in Shanghai, China. In total, 16 PFASs were determined in maternal spot serum samples in early pregnancy. We used conditional logistic regression, multiple linear regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to examine individual and joint effects of PFAS exposure on GDM risk and oral glucose tolerance test outcomes. The mediating effects of maternal serum biochemical parameters, including thyroid and liver function were further assessed. Maternal perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposure was associated with an increased risk of GDM (odds ratio (OR) = 1.68; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.10, 2.57), consistent with higher concentrations in GDM cases than controls. Based on mediation analysis, an increase in the free triiodothyronine to free thyroxine ratio partially explained the effect of this association. For continuous glycemic outcomes, positive associations were observed between several PFASs and 1-h and 2-h glucose levels. In BKMR, PFAS mixture exposure showed a positive trend with GDM incidence, although the CIs were wide. These associations were more pronounced among women with normal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). Mixed PFAS congeners may affect glucose homeostasis by increasing 1-h glucose levels, with perfluorononanoic acid found to be a main contributor. Exposure to PFASs was associated with increased risk of GDM and disturbance in glucose homeostasis, especially in normal weight women. The PFAS-associated disruption of maternal thyroid function may alter glucose homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiaorui Liu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xianjing Xie
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xuming Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yitao Pan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jiayin Dai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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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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Kaiser AM, Forsthuber M, Widhalm R, Granitzer S, Weiss S, Zeisler H, Foessleitner P, Salzer H, Grasl-Kraupp B, Moshammer H, Hartmann C, Uhl M, Gundacker C. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and pregnancy outcome in Austria. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 259:115006. [PMID: 37182303 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of persistent industrial chemicals that can harm reproductive health. PFAS levels were analysed to determine the current sources of exposure and possible associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and adverse pregnancy outcome. Samples from 136 mother-newborn pairs recruited between 2017 and 2019 were analysed for the presence of 31 target PFAS in maternal serum, umbilical cord serum, and placental tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer. Questionnaires and medical records were used to survey sources of exposure and pregnancy outcome, including small for gestational age (SGA), fetal growth restriction (FGR), preeclampsia (PE), preterm birth, large for gestational age (LGA) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Data were analysed for individual PFAS and sum4PFAS (sum of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) serum levels) in logistic regression analyses and categorical regression analyses. Compared to data from a previous Viennese study in 2010-12, sum4PFAS levels were generally lower. Sum4PFAS serum levels of three women (2.2%) exceeded 6.9 µg/L, a level that corresponds to the recently established tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of EFSA for nursing mothers aged 35 years; in the 2010/2012 study it was 13.6%. The large contribution of unidentified extractable organofluorine (EOF) fractions to total PFAS exposure is a concern. Study site, mean maternal corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), use of facial lotion, and owning upholstered furniture were significantly influencing maternal exposure. While no effect of sum4PFAS on pregnancy outcome could be detected, we found highest placental PFDA levels in SGA births. PFHxS levels in umbilical cord and placenta were highest in preterm births. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship of prenatal PFAS exposure and pregnancy outcome, in particular to confirm whether and how placental PFDA levels may contribute to an increased risk for SGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas-Marius Kaiser
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Forsthuber
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Raimund Widhalm
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Granitzer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Weiss
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Zeisler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Foessleitner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital St. Pölten, A-3100 St. Pölten, Austria
| | - Hans Salzer
- Clinic for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Tulln, A-3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Bettina Grasl-Kraupp
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hanns Moshammer
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Gundacker
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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22
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McAdam J, Bell EM. Determinants of maternal and neonatal PFAS concentrations: a review. Environ Health 2023; 22:41. [PMID: 37161484 PMCID: PMC10170754 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-00992-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used for their properties such as stain and water resistance. The substances have been associated with adverse health outcomes in both pregnant mothers and infants, including pre-eclampsia and low birthweight. A growing body of research suggests that PFAS are transferred from mother to fetus through the placenta, leading to in utero exposure. A systematic review was performed using the PubMed database to search for studies evaluating determinants of PFAS concentrations in blood matrices of pregnant mothers and neonates shortly after birth. Studies were included in this review if an observational study design was utilized, exposure to at least one PFAS analyte was measured, PFAS were measured in maternal or neonatal matrices, at least one determinant of PFAS concentrations was assessed, and results such as beta estimates were provided. We identified 35 studies for inclusion in the review and evaluated the PFAS and determinant relationships among the factors collected in these studies. Parity, breastfeeding history, maternal race and country of origin, and household income had the strongest and most consistent evidence to support their roles as determinants of certain PFAS concentrations in pregnant mothers. Reported study findings on smoking status, alcohol consumption, and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) suggest that these factors are not important determinants of PFAS concentrations in pregnant mothers or neonates. Further study into informative factors such as consumer product use, detailed dietary information, and consumed water sources as potential determinants of maternal or neonatal PFAS concentrations is needed. Research on determinants of maternal or neonatal PFAS concentrations is critical to estimate past PFAS exposure, build improved exposure models, and further our understanding on dose-response relationships, which can influence epidemiological studies and risk assessment evaluations. Given the potential for adverse outcomes in pregnant mothers and neonates exposed to PFAS, it is important to identify and understand determinants of maternal and neonatal PFAS concentrations to better implement public health interventions in these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan McAdam
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Erin M Bell
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
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23
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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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24
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Cotrina EY, Oliveira Â, Llop J, Quintana J, Biarnés X, Cardoso I, Díaz-Cruz MS, Arsequell G. Binding of common organic UV-filters to the thyroid hormone transport protein transthyretin using in vitro and in silico studies: Potential implications in health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 217:114836. [PMID: 36400222 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Several anthropogenic contaminants have been identified as competing with the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) for binding to transport proteins as transthyretin (TTR). This binding can potentially create toxicity mechanisms posing a threat to human health. Many organic UV filters (UVFs) and paraben preservatives (PBs), widely used in personal care products, are chemicals of emerging concern due to their adverse effects as potential thyroid-disrupting compounds. Recently, organic UVFs have been found in paired maternal and fetal samples and PBs have been detected in placenta, which opens the possibility of the involvement of TTR in the transfer of these chemicals across physiological barriers. We aimed to investigate a discrete set of organic UVFs and PBs to identify novel TTR binders. The binding affinities of target UVFs towards TTR were evaluated using in vitro T4 competitive binding assays. The ligand-TTR affinities were determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and compared with known TTR ligands. In parallel, computational studies were used to predict the 3-D structures of the binding modes of these chemicals to TTR. Some organic UVFs, compounds 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (BP2, Kd = 0.43 μM); 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP1, Kd = 0.60 μM); 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone (4DHB, Kd = 0.83 μM), and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4HB, Kd = 0.93 μM), were found to display a high affinity to TTR, being BP2 the strongest TTR binder (ΔH = -14.93 Kcal/mol). Finally, a correlation was found between the experimental ITC data and the TTR-ligand docking scores obtained by computational studies. The approach integrating in vitro assays and in silico methods constituted a useful tool to find TTR binders among common organic UVFs. Further studies on the involvement of the transporter protein TTR in assisting the transplacental transfer of these chemicals across physiological barriers and the long-term consequences of prenatal exposure to them should be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Y Cotrina
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC), Spanish Council of Scientific Research (IQAC-CSIC), 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ângela Oliveira
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação Em Saúde, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade Do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Llop
- CIC BiomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jordi Quintana
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF-IMIM), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xevi Biarnés
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), 08017, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação Em Saúde, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade Do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), 4050-013, Porto, Portugal.
| | - M Silvia Díaz-Cruz
- ENFOCHEM Group. Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA) Excellence Center Severo Ochoa, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC), Spanish Council of Scientific Research (IQAC-CSIC), 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
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25
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Kavusi E, Shahi Khalaf Ansar B, Ebrahimi S, Sharma R, Ghoreishi SS, Nobaharan K, Abdoli S, Dehghanian Z, Asgari Lajayer B, Senapathi V, Price GW, Astatkie T. Critical review on phytoremediation of polyfluoroalkyl substances from environmental matrices: Need for global concern. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 217:114844. [PMID: 36403653 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114844] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of emerging organic contaminants that are impervious to standard physicochemical treatments. The widespread use of PFAS poses serious environmental issues. PFAS pollution of soils and water has become a significant issue due to the harmful effects of these chemicals both on the environment and public health. Owing to their complex chemical structures and interaction with soil and water, PFAS are difficult to remove from the environment. Traditional soil remediation procedures have not been successful in reducing or removing them from the environment. Therefore, this review focuses on new phytoremediation techniques for PFAS contamination of soils and water. The bioaccumulation and dispersion of PFAS inside plant compartments has shown great potential for phytoremediation, which is a promising and unique technology that is realistic, cost-effective, and may be employed as a wide scale in situ remediation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaheh Kavusi
- Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behnaz Shahi Khalaf Ansar
- Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Samira Ebrahimi
- Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ritika Sharma
- Department of Botany, Central University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Seyede Shideh Ghoreishi
- Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sima Abdoli
- Department of Soil Science and Engineering, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Zahra Dehghanian
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behnam Asgari Lajayer
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
| | | | - G W Price
- Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada
| | - Tess Astatkie
- Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada
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26
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Bloom MS, Varde M, Newman RB. Environmental toxicants and placental function. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2022; 85:105-120. [PMID: 36274037 PMCID: PMC11184919 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2022.09.003] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a temporary endocrine organ that facilitates gas, nutrient, and waste exchange between maternal and fetal compartments, partially shielding the fetus from potentially hazardous environmental toxicants. However, rather than being "opaque", the placenta is translucent or even transparent to some potential fetal developmental hazards, including toxic trace elements (TEs), perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and environmental phenols (EPs) to which women with pregnancy are frequently exposed. These agents are both passively and actively transferred to the fetal compartment, where endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and epigenetic changes may occur. These pathologies may directly impact the fetus or deposit and accumulate in the placenta to indirectly impact fetal development. Thus, it is critical for clinicians to understand the potential placental toxicity and transfer of widely distributed environmental agents ubiquitous during pregnancy. With such knowledge, targeted interventions and clinical recommendations can be developed to limit those risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Bloom
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., MS 5B7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Meghana Varde
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., MS 5B7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Roger B Newman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Rm 634, Clinical Science Bldg., 96 Jonathan Lucas St., Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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27
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Kasten-Jolly J, Lawrence DA. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) modify in vitro mitogen- and antigen-induced human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) responses. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2022; 85:715-737. [PMID: 35611390 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2022.2075816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contaminants perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) are present in human serum at the highest concentration among all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Serum concentrations as high as 500 ng and 3000 ng PFOA/ml have been detected in individuals living near contamination sites and those occupationally exposed, respectively. Animal and human studies indicated that PFOA and PFOS at these serum concentrations perturb the immune system. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of in vitro exposure of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to 1, 10, or 100 µM PFOA or PFOS in a medium with serum (RPMI-1640 + 5% human AB serum) on the measurement of proliferation, T cell activation, generation of memory T cells, and cytokine production/secretion. In addition, these immune system parameters were assessed for PBMC in a serum-free medium (OpSFM), which was stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (2.5 µg/ml) or influenza vaccine antigen (0.625 µg/ml Flu Ag). PFOS decreased proliferation stimulated by PHA or Flu Ag. With Flu Ag stimulation, PFOA and PFOS inhibited the generation of memory T cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In OpSFM, PFOA and PFOS produced no marked change in proliferation and no inhibition of T cell activation. Cytokines measured in the media with Luminex methodology indicated decreased PBMC secretion of IFN-γ by PFOA and PFOS in medium with serum, but no alteration in OpSFM. The results indicated that changes in immune parameters due to PFOA or PFOS following Flu Ag stimulation are medium (±serum) dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David A Lawrence
- Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Albany, NY, USA
- School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
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28
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Oh J, Bennett DH, Tancredi DJ, Calafat AM, Schmidt RJ, Hertz-Picciotto I, Shin HM. Longitudinal Changes in Maternal Serum Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Pregnancy to Two Years Postpartum. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:11449-11459. [PMID: 35904360 PMCID: PMC9798824 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy and lactation is of increasing public health concern, but little is known about longitudinal changes in maternal PFAS concentrations from pregnancy to a few years postpartum. We quantified 11 PFAS in 251 serum samples prospectively collected from 42 Northern California mothers during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy and at 3, 6, and 24 months after delivery over 2009-2017. We fit separate linear mixed models during pregnancy, early postpartum, and late postpartum to estimate percent changes of PFAS for each subperiod. Among five PFAS detected in more than 99% of samples, linear and branched perfluorooctanesulfonate (n- and Sm-PFOS), linear perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA), and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) concentrations changed -4% to -3% per month during pregnancy. During early postpartum, perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and n-PFOA concentrations changed -6% and -5%, respectively, per month, and Sm-PFOS and PFNA concentrations changed -1% per month. During late postpartum, n-PFOS, Sm-PFOS, and PFNA concentrations changed -1% per month. Breastfeeding duration was the primary determinant of n-PFOA and PFNA concentrations during late postpartum, showing negative associations. Our findings might be useful for reconstructing reliable prenatal or early life PFAS exposures for offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Oh
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Deborah H. Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Daniel J. Tancredi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, California 95817, USA
| | - Antonia M. Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA
| | - Rebecca J. Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, California 95817, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, California 95817, USA
| | - Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, USA
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29
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Boyd RI, Ahmad S, Singh R, Fazal Z, Prins GS, Madak Erdogan Z, Irudayaraj J, Spinella MJ. Toward a Mechanistic Understanding of Poly- and Perfluoroalkylated Substances and Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122919. [PMID: 35740585 PMCID: PMC9220899 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are industrial chemicals found in many household products that persist in the environment. While several excellent review articles exist on the potential harmful effects of PFAS, there are few focused on cancer. This concise and streamlined mini-review focuses on summarizing molecular mechanisms related to the potential cancer-promoting properties of PFAS. This review organizes and interprets the vast primary PFAS cancer biology literature and provides a coherent, unified, and digestible model of the molecular mechanisms that potentially explains PFAS cancer promotion. Abstract Poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are chemicals that persist and bioaccumulate in the environment and are found in nearly all human populations through several routes of exposure. Human occupational and community exposure to PFAS has been associated with several cancers, including cancers of the kidney, testis, prostate, and liver. While evidence suggests that PFAS are not directly mutagenic, many diverse mechanisms of carcinogenicity have been proposed. In this mini-review, we organize these mechanisms into three major proposed pathways of PFAS action—metabolism, endocrine disruption, and epigenetic perturbation—and discuss how these distinct but interdependent pathways may explain many of the proposed pro-carcinogenic effects of the PFAS class of environmental contaminants. Notably, each of the pathways is predicted to be highly sensitive to the dose and window of exposure which may, in part, explain the variable epidemiologic and experimental evidence linking PFAS and cancer. We highlight testicular and prostate cancer as models to validate this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raya I. Boyd
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Saeed Ahmad
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (S.A.); (J.I.)
| | - Ratnakar Singh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Zeeshan Fazal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Gail S. Prins
- Departments of Urology, Pathology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Chicago Center for Health and Environment, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Zeynep Madak Erdogan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (S.A.); (J.I.)
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Michael J. Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Correspondence:
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