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Wen HJ, Su PH, Sun CW, Tsai SF, Wang SL. Maternal phthalate exposure and BMI trajectory in children-an 18-year birth cohort follow-up study. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024:10.1038/s41370-024-00696-5. [PMID: 38898267 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-024-00696-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a major health concern worldwide. Previous studies have suggested that phthalate plasticizers are obesogens. However, the relationship between early-life phthalate exposure and long-term obesity development remains unknown. OBJECTIVE We investigated the association between prenatal phthalate exposure and children's body mass index (BMI) patterns in an 18-year birth cohort follow-up study in Taiwan. METHODS Our analytical lab quantified seven phthalate metabolites in maternal urine during pregnancy using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, we calculated BMI z scores for participated children at each follow-up, utilized trajectory analysis to describe children's BMI z-score patterns at 2-18 years of age, and adopted generalized estimating equations (GEE) and multivariate logistic regression models to assess the association between prenatal phthalate exposure and BMI z scores in children. RESULTS A total of 208 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis. Maternal urinary diethyl phthalate (DEP) metabolites were associated with the increase of BMI z scores in children aged 2-18 years in the GEE model. Doubled maternal urinary ∑mDEHP (3 mono hexyl-metabolites of di-ethyl-hexyl phthalate (DEHP) increased the risk of children being in the stable-high BMI trajectory group until the age of eighteen. IMPACT STATEMENT We observed that BMI trajectories of children remained stable after the age of 5 years. During each follow-up, a higher frequency of overweight or obese was observed in children, ranging from 15.9% to 35.6% for girls and 15.2-32.0% for boys, respectively. Prenatal phthalate exposure was associated with increasing BMI z scores in children. Prenatal DEHP exposure was associated with a stable-high BMI trajectory in children up to the age of 18 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ju Wen
- Institute of Earth Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Pen-Hua Su
- Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wen Sun
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Fen Tsai
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
- Department of Public Health, National Defence Medical Centre, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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Lu CL, Wen HJ, Chen ML, Sun CW, Hsieh CJ, Wu MT, Wang SL. Prenatal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormones in newborns: Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297631. [PMID: 38483929 PMCID: PMC10939196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Newborn anogenital distance (AGD) has been associated with prenatal exposure of phthalates. The association between prenatal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormones in newborns is unclear. OBJECT This study aimed to examine whether cord-blood sex hormone levels were associated with prenatal phthalate exposure and newborn anogenital distance (AGD). METHODS In the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study, we recruited 1,676 pregnant women in their third trimester in 2012-2015 in Taiwan. We determined 11 urinary phthalate metabolites in pregnant women, three maternal and five cord-blood steroid sex-hormone concentrations. Five hundred and sixty-five mother-infant pairs with sufficient data were included. Trained neonatologists measured 263 newborns' AGD. We examined the associations of prenatal phthalate metabolite levels with AGD and hormones using linear regression models and evaluated correlations between maternal and cord-blood sex hormone levels and AGD. RESULTS Compared with the male newborns exposed to maternal phthalate metabolites at the first tertile, AGD was -3.75, -3.43, and -3.53 mm shorter among those exposed at the median tertile of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and monomethyl phthalate (MMP), respectively. Compared with those who had exposed at the first tertile, cord-blood follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased among male newborns exposed at higher levels of MMP, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), MBzP and DEHP, and among female newborns exposed at higher levels of MMP, MBzP and mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate. However, we did not observe significant correlations of maternal or cord-blood sex steroid hormones with newborns' AGDs. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in cord-blood sex steroid hormone levels were associated with prenatal phthalate exposures, particularly in male newborns. Women aspiring to be pregnant should be alerted of the need of reducing phthalate exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Li Lu
- Graduate Institute of Food Safety, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ju Wen
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wen Sun
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan
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Li SS, Chen JJ, Su MW, Lin CW, Chen CC, Wang YH, Liu CC, Tsai YC, Hsieh TJ, Wu MT, Wu CF. Sex-specific interactive effect of melamine and DEHP on a marker of early kidney damage in Taiwanese adults: A national population-based study from the Taiwan Biobank. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 263:115208. [PMID: 37413945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115208] [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: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Taiwan had the high incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. Our objective was to examine associations between daily exposure of phthalates and melamine, two common nephrotoxins, and kidney damage risk in a well-established nationwide cohort. Study subjects were from Taiwan Biobank (TWB) with existing data of questionnaire and biochemical examinations. Average daily intake (ADI) levels of melamine and seven parental phthalates, including DEHP (di-2-ethylhexylphthalate), DiBP (Dibutyl phthalate), DnBP (Di-n-butyl phthalate), BBzP (Butyl benzyl phthalate), DEP (Diethyl phthalate), and DMP (Dimethyl phthalate) were estimated using a creatinine excretion-based model from urine melamine and 10 phthalate metabolites. Urine microalbumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) was used to represent for the outcome of kidney damage. Two statistical strategies were used: First, a weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression model to select the most important exposure variables of ADI levels of phthalates and melamine associated with ACR; Second, to examine effects of those most important exposure variables on ACR in multivariable linear regression models. In total, 1153 eligible adults were left for analyses. Of them, 591 (51.3%) and 562 (48.7%) were men and women, respectively, with a median age of 49 years old. By WQS, a significant and positive association was found between ADI of melamine and phthalates and ACR (β = 0.14, p = 0.002). ADI levels of melamine had the highest weight (0.57), followed by DEHP (0.13). Next, examining the two most important exposures in association with ACR, we found that the higher the melamine and DEHP intakes, the higher the ACR levels were found. An interaction effect was also found between melamine and DEHP intakes on urine ACR (p = 0.015). This result was more prominent in men (p = 0.008) than in women (p = 0.651). Environmental co-exposure of melamine and DEHP can potentially affect ACR in the community-dwelling Taiwanese adult population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sih-Syuan Li
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Jia-Jen Chen
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Wei Su
- Taiwan Biobank, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | | | - Chu-Chih Chen
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan.
| | - Yin-Han Wang
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Chu Liu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Chun Tsai
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Tusty-Jiuan Hsieh
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Fang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; International Master Program of Translational Medicine, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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Kuo FC, Tsai ML, Wu ST, Li SS, Wu CF, Wang SL, Chan MWY, Suen JL, Wu MT, Hung CH. Maternal di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure elicits offspring IFN-λ upregulation: Insights from birth cohort, murine model, and in vitro mechanistic analysis. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 179:113993. [PMID: 37611859 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Maternal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), an environmental endocrine disruptor, may lead to developmental immunotoxicity in offspring. The causal relationship and underlying mechanism require further study. A subset of Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study data (n = 283) was analyzed and found a significant association between urinary DEHP metabolite levels from the third trimester of pregnancy and plasma levels of IL-28A and IL-29, named IFNλs, in cord blood. A trans-maternal murine model mimicking human DEHP exposure way showed that bone marrow-derived dendritic cells from maternal DEHP-exposed F1 offspring secreted higher IL-28A levels than control cells, indicating a potential causal relationship. Human bronchial epithelial cell lines treated with DEHP or its primary metabolite, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hexyl) phthalate (MEHP), expressed significantly higher levels of IFNλs mRNA or protein than controls. MEHP's effect on IFNλs expression was blocked by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and PPARγ antagonists, and inhibited by a histone acetyltransferase inhibitor or a histone methyltransferase inhibitor. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that MEHP treatment promoted histone modifications at H3 and H4 proteins at the promoter regions of Il28a and Il29 genes. These results suggest maternal DEHP exposure could result in high IFNλ expression in offspring, and the health risk of early-life exposure requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Chen Kuo
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 840, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 840, Taiwan; Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
| | - Mei-Lan Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
| | - Shin-Ting Wu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Sih-Syuan Li
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; International Master Program of Translational Medicine, National United University, Miaoli 360, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Lin Wang
- National Environmental Health Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan
| | - Michael W Y Chan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 621, Taiwan; Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 621, Taiwan
| | - Jau-Ling Suen
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; PhD Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
| | - Chih-Hsing Hung
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
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Tsai ML, Hsu SH, Wang LT, Liao WT, Lin YC, Kuo CH, Hsu YL, Feng MC, Kuo FC, Hung CH. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate mediates IL-33 production via aryl hydrocarbon receptor and is associated with childhood allergy development. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1193647. [PMID: 37545493 PMCID: PMC10401841 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1193647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Few studies assess cord blood biomarkers to predict prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on the development of allergic diseases later in childhood. IL-33 has been indicated to play an important role in allergic diseases. We evaluated the association of prenatal DEHP exposure and IL-33 in cord blood on the development of allergic diseases. We also investigated the mechanism of DEHP in human lung epithelial cells and asthma animal models. Methods 66 pregnant women were recruited, and their children followed when they were aged 3 years. Maternal urinary DEHP metabolites were determined using liquid chromatography-electrospray-ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The effect of DEHP on IL-33 production was investigated in human lung epithelial cells and club cell-specific aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) deficiency mice. ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively, measured the IL-33 cytokine concentration and mRNA expression. Results The concentrations of maternal urinary DEHP metabolites and serum IL-33 in cord blood with childhood allergy were significantly higher than those in the non-childhood allergy group. DEHP and MEHP could induce IL-33 production and reverse by AhR antagonist and flavonoids in vitro. Enhanced ovalbumin-induced IL-4 and IL-33 production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by DEHP exposure and suppressed in club cell-specific AhR null mice. Kaempferol has significantly reversed the DEHP effect in the asthma animal model. Conclusions Cord blood IL-33 level was correlated to childhood allergy and associated with maternal DEHP exposure. IL-33 might be a potential target to assess the development of DEHP-related childhood allergic disease. Flavonoids might be the natural antidotes for DEHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Lan Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hsien Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ting Wang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Liao
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Lin
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Doctoral Degree Program of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Hung Kuo
- Ta-Kuo Clinic, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ling Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chu Feng
- Department of Superintendent, High Commissioner, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chen Kuo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsing Hung
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Chen HK, Chang YH, Sun CW, Wu MT, Chen ML, Wang SL, Hsieh CJ. Associations of urinary phthalate metabolites with household environments among mothers and their preschool-age children. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 262:115162. [PMID: 37352583 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates have become a matter of public health concern due to their extensive use worldwide and negative health effects. The evaluation of potential sources of phthalate exposure is crucial to design prevention strategies, especially for vulnerable populations. This study included 528 mother-child pairs in the Taiwan Mother Infant Cohort Study who were followed up at ages 3-6 years between 2016 and 2020. Each mother was interviewed by using a structured questionnaire containing questions on demographic characteristics and household environment factors, such as the use of plastic food packaging, residential visible mold, insecticide sprays, and electric mosquito repellents. Eleven phthalate metabolites were analyzed in urine samples simultaneously collected from the mother-child pairs. The phthalate metabolite urinary concentrations were higher among the children than among their mothers, except those of mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) and mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that urine samples collected during the summer showed higher concentrations of phthalate metabolites than those collected during the winter. Family income levels had negative associations with the concentrations of MnBP and metabolites of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in children. The use of plastic food packaging was positively associated with mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and metabolites of DEHP in mothers. Residential visible mold or mold stains were significantly associated with higher MnBP and DEHP metabolite concentrations in children. The use of insecticide sprays was positively associated with MnBP concentrations in children. Significant associations between household environmental factors and phthalate exposure were mostly found in children, potentially indicating different exposure pathways between mothers and their children. Findings from this study provide additional information for the design of prevention strategies to protect the health of children and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsing-Kang Chen
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Psychiatry, Yuli Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Hsun Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC; School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chien-Wen Sun
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC.
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Tran MTMT, Kuo FC, Low JT, Chuang YM, Sultana S, Huang WL, Lin ZY, Lin GL, Wu CF, Li SS, Suen JL, Hung CH, Wu MT, Chan MWY. Prenatal DEHP exposure predicts neurological disorders via transgenerational epigenetics. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7399. [PMID: 37149698 PMCID: PMC10164151 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34661-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent experimental and observational research has suggested that childhood allergic asthma and other conditions may be the result of prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants, such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). In a previous epidemiological study, we found that ancestral exposure (F0 generation) to endocrine disruptors or the common plasticizer DEHP promoted allergic airway inflammation via transgenerational transmission in mice from generation F1 to F4. In the current study, we employed a MethylationEPIC Beadchip microarray to examine global DNA methylation in the human placenta as a function of maternal exposure to DEHP during pregnancy. Interestingly, global DNA hypomethylation was observed in placental DNA following exposure to DEHP at high concentrations. Bioinformatic analysis confirmed that DNA methylation affected genes related to neurological disorders, such as autism and dementia. These results suggest that maternal exposure to DEHP may predispose offspring to neurological diseases. Given the small sample size in this study, the potential role of DNA methylation as a biomarker to assess the risk of these diseases deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mita T M T Tran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chen Kuo
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jie-Ting Low
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ming Chuang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Sofia Sultana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Long Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Zhe-Young Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Ling Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- International Master Program of Translational Medicine, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Sih-Syuan Li
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jau-Ling Suen
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsing Hung
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- PhD Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Room 721, CS Building, No.100, Shih-Chuan 1St Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Michael W Y Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan.
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Tsai TL, Hsieh CJ, Wu MT, Chen ML, Kuo PH, Wang SL. Co-exposure to toxic metals and phthalates in pregnant women and their children's mental health problems aged four years - Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 173:107804. [PMID: 36842379 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood and adolescent mental health problems may increase the global burden of disease. Neurotoxic metals are associated with inflammation and cytotoxicity in the brain. In addition, prenatal phthalate ester (PAE) exposure is associated with cognitive function deficits. However, the effect of co-exposure to toxic metals, PAEs, and their association with child behavior is less well studied. Hence, we aimed to investigate prenatal co-exposure to the metals and PAEs and the consequent behavioral outcomes in early childhood. METHODS We followed pregnant women and their newborns from the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study between 2015 and 2017, with a focus on women from the central, southern, and eastern areas of Taiwan. We quantified maternal urinary concentrations of metals and metabolites of PAEs as surrogates of prenatal exposure. We recorded the Child Behavior Checklist scores according to caregiver reports at 4 years of age, and identified Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)-oriented problems. RESULTS Ultimately, 408 children were included in the statistical analysis. Maternal urinary copper levels were significantly associated with depressive problems (odds ratio [OR] = 2.13) in children. Maternal urinary concentrations of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) were also significantly associated with depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.51 and 1.53, respectively). Further analysis considering prenatal co-exposure to metals and PAEs showed that co-exposure to these materials was significantly associated with autism spectrum problems (OR = 3.11). CONCLUSIONS We observed that prenatal single exposure or co-exposure to metals and PAEs may play a role in some DSM-5-oriented problems in children at 4 years of age. Reduction of exposure to toxic metals and PAEs in pregnancy is suggested to prevent increased mental health problems in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Lin Tsai
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsiu Kuo
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Life Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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Chen HK, Wang SL, Chang YH, Sun CW, Wu MT, Chen ML, Lin YJ, Hsieh CJ. Associations between maternal phthalate exposure and neonatal neurobehaviors: The Taiwan maternal and infant cohort study (TMICS). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 319:120956. [PMID: 36581241 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120956] [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: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and neurobehavioral changes in children. However, few studies have focused on neonatal neurobehavioral development. This study aimed to examine the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and neonatal neurobehavioral development in the early days of life after birth. This cohort study included 283 mother-infant pairs who participated in the Taiwan Mother Infant Cohort Study during 2012-2015. Each mother was interviewed, and urine samples were collected during the third trimester of pregnancy (weeks 29-40). Eleven common phthalate metabolites in maternal urine were analyzed. The Chinese version of the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Examination was used to evaluate early infant neurobehavioral development within five days of birth. We performed multiple linear regressions to explore the associations between phthalate exposure and neonatal neurobehavioral development. Sex differences in the association between phthalate metabolites and neonatal neurobehaviors were noted. Among girls, tertiles of phthalate metabolite concentrations were associated with worse behavioral responses and tone and motor patterns in the high-molecular-weight phthalate (HMW) and low-molecular-weight phthalate (LMW) groups. Girls in the highest tertile of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) had a negative association with tone and motor patterns. Girls in the highest tertile of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and MiBP showed a negative association with behavioral responses. In contrast, tertiles of phthalate metabolite exposure were associated with improved neurobehaviors in mono-methyl phthalate (MMP) among boys. The highest tertile of MMP was positively associated with behavioral responses, primitive reflexes, and tone and motor patterns. Our findings suggest that maternal phthalate exposure affects neonatal neurobehavioral development in a sex-specific manner. Despite the relatively small sample size, our findings add to the existing research linking maternal phthalate exposure to neonatal neurobehavioral development. Additional research is needed to determine the potential long-term effects of prenatal phthalate exposure on children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsing-Kang Chen
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Yuli Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsun Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wen Sun
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jie Lin
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
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10
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Reference intervals for thyroid hormone, sex hormone, and clinical biochemical tests in cord blood from Taiwanese newborn - TMICS cohort. Clin Chim Acta 2023; 541:117247. [PMID: 36754192 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE This study aims to establish reference intervals for important biochemical parameters in cord blood of newborn male and female infants in Taiwan and to investigate their sex difference. We also examined the correlation of the same markers between maternal blood levels and neonatal cord blood levels. METHODS 2,136 pregnant women receiving regular routine prenatal health assessments in their third trimester (weeks 29-40) were recruited from nine hospitals in Taiwan between 2012 and 2015. After exclusion, we were left with 580 cord blood samples to include in this study. RESULTS Cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone was higher in males than females (p < 0.05). Males also had significantly higher sex hormone levels (estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, and sex hormone-binding globulin), while females had higher levels of luteinizing hormone. Male newborns had higher cord blood immunoglobulin E (IgE), while females had higher insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. We found a slight positive link between maternal blood and cord blood in thyroid hormones and sex hormones. CONCLUSION This study found sex differences in cord blood thyroid hormone, sex hormone, IGF-1, and IgE levels and a link between maternal blood levels of thyroid and sex hormones and those in the cord blood of their infants.
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Wang CW, Cheng PK, Ponnusamy VK, Chiang HC, Chang WT, Huang PC. Exposure Characteristics and Cumulative Risk Assessment for Phthalates in Children Living near a Petrochemical Complex. TOXICS 2023; 11:57. [PMID: 36668784 PMCID: PMC9865072 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND School-aged children living near plastics-producing factories may have higher risk of exposure to phthalates released during the manufacturing processes. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites in school-aged children living near a petrochemical complex and estimate the cumulative risk of phthalate exposure. METHODS We used a well-established cohort (Taiwan Petrochemical Complex Cohort for Children, TPE3C) of school-aged children (6-13 years old) living near polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) factories in central Taiwan from October 2013 to September 2014. A total of 257 children were included from five elementary schools: Syu-Cuo Branch (n = 58, school A, ~0.9 km), Feng-An (n = 40, school B, ~2.7 km), Ciao-Tou (n = 58, school C, ~5.5 km), Mai-Liao (n = 37, school D, ~6.9 km), and Lung-Feng (n = 57, school E, ~8.6 km). We analyzed 11 metabolites of seven phthalates (including di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP)) in urine. Daily intakes (DIs) were compared with acceptable intake levels to calculate the hazard quotient (HQ) for individual phthalates, and the cumulative risk for each child was assessed using a hazard index (HI), which was the sum of the the individual HQs. RESULTS The geometric mean and proportion of participants with HIs exceeding one for hepatic (HIhep) and reproductive (HIrep) effects were 0.33 (13.2%) and 0.24 (7.8%), respectively. The major contributors to phthalate exposure risk were DEHP, di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP) and DnBP in all children. Moreover, we observed a U shaped distribution of DEHP exposure by school distance from the PVC and VCM factories (school A: 7.48 μg/kg/day and school E: 80.44 μg/kg/day). This may be due to emissions (closest) and and being located downwind of PVC scrap incineration (farthest). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that children living near a petrochemical complex were at a greater risk of phthalate exposure than normal school-aged children and that phthalate exposure was mainly attributed to DEHP, DiBP and DnBP. In addition, inhalation may have been a risk factor for people living near to PVC and VCM factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wen Wang
- Division of Hepatobiliary, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 701, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 701, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 701, Taiwan
| | - Po-Keng Cheng
- Department of Finance and Cooperative Management, National Taipei University, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan
| | - Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 701, Taiwan
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Che Chiang
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ting Chang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chin Huang
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 701, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan
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12
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Chen CC, Wang YH, Wu CF, Hsieh CJ, Wang SL, Chen ML, Tsai HJ, Li SS, Liu CC, Tsai YC, Hsieh TJ, Wu MT. Benchmark dose in the presence of coexposure to melamine and diethylhexyl phthalate and urinary renal injury markers in pregnant women. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114187. [PMID: 36037918 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Environmental exposures to mixtures of toxic chemicals have potential interaction effects that may lead to hazard index values exceeding one. However, current regulation levels, such as tolerable daily intake (TDI), are mostly based on experimental studies conducted with a single chemical compound. In this study, we assessed the relationships between melamine and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure and their coexposure with the early renal injury markers N-acetyl -D-glucosaminidase (NAG), albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), and microalbuminuria in 1236 pregnant women. Various generalized linear models with interaction terms and Bayesian kernel machine regression models were used for the (co-)exposure response associations. We derived the benchmark dose (BMD) and the corresponding one-sided 95% confidence bound BMDL based on the estimated (covariate-adjusted) average daily intake of melamine and DEHP metabolites measured in spot urine of the women collected during the third trimester. Given a benchmark response of 0.1, the BMDL level of melamine (DEHP) exposure on NAG (ACR, microalbuminuria) was 2.67 (11.20, 4.45) μg/kg_bw/day, and it decreased to as low as 1.46 (3.83, 2.73) μg/kg_bw/day when considering coexposure to DEHP (melamine) up to the 90th percentile. Both the exposure threshold levels of melamine and DEHP for early renal injuries in pregnant women were several-fold to one order lower than the current recommended TDIs by the WHO and the US FDA and EPA and were even lower considering coexposure. Because of concurrent exposures in real-world environments, more stringent regulation levels are recommended in susceptible populations, such as pregnant women, due to potential synergistic mixture effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu-Chih Chen
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan; Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan.
| | - Yin-Han Wang
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; International Master Program of Translational Medicine, National United University, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Environmental Health Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ju Tsai
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sih-Syuan Li
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chu Liu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Tsai
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tusty-Jiuan Hsieh
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, College of Marine Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 804201, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan.
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13
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Chen HM, Wu CF, Hsieh CJ, Kuo FC, Sun CW, Wang SL, Chen ML, Wu MT. Relationship of maternal body weight and gestational diabetes mellitus with large-for-gestational-age babies at birth in Taiwan: The TMICS cohort. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 61:234-242. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2022.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Chang CH, Tsai YA, Huang YF, Tsai MS, Hou JW, Lin CL, Wang PW, Huang LW, Chen CY, Wu CF, Hsieh CJ, Wu MT, Wang SL, Chen ML. The sex-specific association of prenatal phthalate exposure with low birth weight and small for gestational age: A nationwide survey by the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:151261. [PMID: 34715222 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS) was launched with the aim to assess the effects of prenatal exposure to phthalic acid esters (PAEs) on infant health. A total of 1102 pregnant women were enrolled in this study from 2012 to 2015. All participants completed a structured questionnaire, and provided urine specimens. The urinary concentrations of PAE metabolites in the third trimester were measured using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized additive model-penalized regression splines and logistic regression models were employed to determine the risk for low birth weight (LBW) or small for gestational age (SGA) among pregnant women exposed to PAEs. After adjustments for other covariates, each incremental unit of ln-transformed mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) for pregnant women increased the odds of SGA in male neonates by 1.44 (95% CI: 0.92-2.23). An inverse association between SGA and maternal MnBP exposure level was observed in female neonates. An increase in one ln-transformed MnBP concentration unit decreased the risk of female SGA to 0.50 (95% CI: 0.24-0.97). In the penalized regression splines, increased risks of LBW/SGA in male neonates were presented while pregnant women exposed to increased MnBP levels. However, an association in the opposite direction was observed between maternal MnBP and LBW or SGA for male and female neonates. This study indicated that high maternal MnBP exposure in the third trimester was associated with LBW or SGA for male infants. Adverse effects on susceptible populations exposed to high levels of PAEs should be of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Huang Chang
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Global Health and Health Security, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-An Tsai
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Fang Huang
- Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Song Tsai
- Department of OBS & GYN, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Woei Hou
- Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ling Lin
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Wei Wang
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Taipei City Hospital, Heping Fuyou Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Wei Huang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Taipei City Hospital, Heping Fuyou Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yao Chen
- Division of Obstetrics and High Risk Pregnancy, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fang Wu
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; International Master Program of Translational Medicine, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- Division of Environmental Health & Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Duan R, Wang X, Shan S, Zhao L, Xiong J, Libuda L, Cheng G. The Chinese Adolescent Cohort Study: Design, Implementation, and Major Findings. Front Nutr 2021; 8:747088. [PMID: 34805242 PMCID: PMC8604082 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.747088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of diet quality on children's growth is being increasingly recognized. The Chinese Adolescent Cohort (CAC) is a longitudinal cohort study to comprehensively investigate the health impacts of nutritional factors on child growth. From 2013 to 2018, 6,967 children aged 6-8 years have been recruited from 23 primary schools in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Chongqing, which have been planned to be followed up annually until their age of 15 years. Regular assessments included the measurement of height, weight, waist circumference, and skinfold thicknesses; pubertal development was examined by trained investigators according to Tanner stages; dietary intake was obtained by three 24-h recalls and food frequency questionnaire; validated questionnaires were used to estimate socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. Findings from the CAC baseline and the first follow-up data suggested that higher protein intake among girls and unhealthy eating habits among children might increase the risk for childhood obesity. Also, higher intakes of grain and meat and lower overall diet quality and intakes of dietary fiber and tuber might be associated with advanced pubertal development. Those results indicated that the CAC study could contribute to the development of strategies for optimizing Chinese children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruonan Duan
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Department of Pediatrics, Center for Translational Medicine, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Department of Pediatrics, Center for Translational Medicine, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shufang Shan
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Department of Pediatrics, Center for Translational Medicine, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Healthy Food Evaluation Research Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingyuan Xiong
- Healthy Food Evaluation Research Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lars Libuda
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Nutrition, Consumption and Health, Nutrition Sciences, Paderborn University, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Guo Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Department of Pediatrics, Center for Translational Medicine, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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16
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Tsai HJ, Kuo FC, Wu CF, Sun CW, Hsieh CJ, Wang SL, Chen ML, Hsieh HM, Chuang YS, Wu MT. Association between two common environmental toxicants (phthalates and melamine) and urinary markers of renal injury in the third trimester of pregnant women: The Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS). CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 272:129925. [PMID: 35534976 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to either melamine or phthalate, two common toxicants, during pregnancy may cause adverse health effects, including kidney damage. OBJECTIVES We investigated the independent and interactive effect of exposure to melamine and phthalates, particularly di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), on markers of early renal injury in women their third trimester of pregnancy in one nationwide birth cohort, the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS). METHODS Between October, 2012 and May, 2015, participants were administered questionnaires, physical examinations, and blood and urine tests during their third trimester. One-spot overnight urine specimens were used to simultaneously measure melamine, 11 phthalate metabolites, and two markers of renal injury, microalbumin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidas (NAG). Estimated daily DEHP intake was calculated based on measurement of three urinary DEHP metabolites. Microalbuminuria was defined as having a urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) higher than 3.5 mg/mmol. RESULTS Total 1433 pregnant women were analyzed. The median value for urinary melamine was 0.63 μg/mmol Cr and estimated DEHP intake was 1.84 μg/kg/day. We found subjects in the highest quartile of estimated DEHP intake to have significantly higher urinary ACR (β = 0.095, p = 0.043) and the prevalence of microalbuminuria (adjusted OR = 1.752, 95% confidence interval = 1.118-2.746), compared to those in the lowest quartile. In addition, there was a significant interactive effect between urinary melamine and estimated DEHP intake on urinary ACR and NAG. CONCLUSION Our results suggest these two ubiquitous chemicals together may be associated with markers of early kidney injury in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ju Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chen Kuo
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fang Wu
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wen Sun
- National Environmental Health Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Environmental Health Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Min Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Shiuan Chuang
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; PhD Program of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Association between Phthalate Exposure and Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Repeated Panel Data Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041985. [PMID: 33670787 PMCID: PMC7922338 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Only a few studies have examined the impacts of environmental exposure on frailty. This study investigated the association between phthalates and frailty among community-dwelling older adults. The Korean Elderly Environmental Panel II (KEEP II) study is a repeated panel data study of 800 community-dwelling older adults in South Korea. Frailty was measured with five items defined by Fried and colleagues. Environmental pollutants in the form of two types of metabolites for Di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHPs)-Mono (2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and Mono (2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP)-were obtained from urine specimens. Analyses were performed using repeated linear mixed models. The concentration levels of both MEOHP and MEHHP in urine were significantly higher in the pre-frail or frail group than its counterparts. While adjusting for covariates, MEOHP level was positively associated with the likelihood of being pre-frail or frail in both males and females; the concentration level of MEHHP also had a positive impact on the likelihood of being pre-frail or frail in females. The DEHP metabolite concentrations were significantly lower among adults with daily fruit consumption in both males and females. DEHPs, measured by metabolite concentrations, may increase the risk of frailty among older men and women; further studies are necessary. The preventive effects of nutrition on DEHP risk should also be further investigated.
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New trimester-specific reference intervals for clinical biochemical tests in Taiwanese pregnant women-cohort of TMICS. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243761. [PMID: 33315949 PMCID: PMC7735596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Because there are no published biochemical reference intervals (RI) for pregnant Taiwanese women, we used an established islandwide birth cohort, the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study, to establish RIs for important biochemical parameters in women during their 3rd trimester in Taiwan. Additionally, we compared the differences in these biochemical parameters between early third trimester (weeks 28 to 31) and late third trimester (weeks 37 to 40) of pregnant women as well as the differences in them between the third trimester and after delivery. Methods Between 2012 and 2015, we recruited a total of 2,136 pregnant women from nine hospitals located in northern (n = 3), central (n = 3), southern (n = 2), and eastern Taiwan (n = 1) to receive regular prenatal health examinations during their third trimester (weeks 28 to 40). After exclusion, samples obtained from 993 eligible pregnant women were analyzed. Results There were increases in both lower and upper normal limits for blood neutrophil, thyroid profile (triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)), testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone and decreases for RBC, hemoglobin (Hb), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine (Cr) during their third trimesters. Women in their late third trimester (n = 378) had higher median RBC, Hb, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Cr, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone and lower median platelet and insulin, compared with those in their early third trimester (n = 490). Twenty-three of the women had both third trimester and post-pregnancy data. After delivery, the women had lower median AST, ALT, insulin, T3, T4, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone and higher median Cr, free T4, FSH, and luteinizing hormone (LH), compared to their third trimesters. Conclusions Gestation-related changes in important biochemical parameters should be considered when evaluating clinical laboratory values in pregnant women.
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A benchmark dose study of prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and behavioral problems in children. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 222:971-980. [PMID: 31221485 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been reported to be associated with adverse effects on neurodevelopment that yield behavior syndromes in young children with an estimated median exposure lower than the currently recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI) and reference dose (RfD). OBJECTIVES Our aim was to derive the benchmark dose for prenatal exposure to DEHP for the neurodevelopmental health in children. METHODS A total of 122 mother-child pairs from the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study were analyzed for the dose-response relationship between maternal exposure to DEHP and children's behavioral syndromes evaluated at 8 years (n = 122, 2009), 11 years (n = 96, 2012), and 14 years (n = 78, 2015) of age. We employed a multivariate regression model to assess the statistical associations between the estimated maternal average daily intake of DEHP and child's individual CBCL scores for boys and girls at each separate age, followed by a mixed model for all the children across three ages accounting for individual variations. We then employed structural equation models by combining the children's specific behavioral problem scores at different ages and obtained a simulated overall latent score in relation to maternal exposure. Based on the established dose-response relationship, we derived the benchmark dose (BMD) and the lower limit (BMDL). RESULTS Associations of maternal DEHP exposure (median 4.54μg/kg_bw/day) with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores were all significant, except for somatic complaints, adjusting for child's age, gender, IQ, and family income. The BMDL, given a benchmark response of 0.10 (0.05) and a background response of 0.05, was 6.01 (2.16) μg/kg_bw/dayfor an integrated CBCL score. CONCLUSIONS The current TDI (RfD) of 50 (20) μg/kg_bw/day for DEHP might not protect pregnant women for their children from behavioral problems. There remains the lack of comparable toxicological data. Further investigations are needed.
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Huang HB, Kuo PH, Su PH, Sun CW, Chen WJ, Wang SL. Prenatal and childhood exposure to phthalate diesters and neurobehavioral development in a 15-year follow-up birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 172:569-577. [PMID: 30875510 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Longitudinal studies on neurobehavioral development in relation to prenatal and postnatal exposure to phthalates in school-age children and adolescents are limited. We investigated the association of prenatal and childhood phthalate exposure with the development of behavioral syndromes in 8-14-year-old children. METHOD We recruited 430 pregnant women from 2000 to 2001 and followed their children at the ages of 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14 years, yielding 153 mother-child pairs in total. Urine samples from pregnant women in the third trimester and from children at 2-8 years of age were analyzed for the concentrations of seven urinary phthalate metabolites: monomethyl phthalate, monoethyl phthalate, monobutyl phthalate, monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and three di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, namely mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate. Behavioral syndromes in children aged 8-14 years were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist. We constructed mixed models to examine these associations after adjustments for potential covariates. RESULTS Maternal urinary MEHP levels were associated with higher scores for internalizing problems (β = 0.028, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0004, 0.055) and externalizing problems (β = 0.040, 95% CI: 0.013, 0.066). Associations of the maternal urinary sum of DEHP metabolite levels with delinquent behavior scores and externalizing problems scores were positive (β = 0.035, 95% CI: 0.013, 0.057 for delinquent behavior; β = 0.026, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.050 for externalizing problems). Furthermore, children's urinary MBzP levels were associated with higher scores for social problems (β = 0.018, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.035). Similar patterns were observed for borderline and clinical ranges. CONCLUSION Early-life exposure to phthalates may influence behavioral syndrome development in children. Future studies are needed to replicate these findings, and efforts to reduce exposures to phthalates during critical early life stages may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Bin Huang
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Po-Hsiu Kuo
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pen-Hua Su
- Department of Pediatrics, Chung-Shan Medical University Hospital, School of Medicine, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wen Sun
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Wei J Chen
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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