Association of phthalate exposure and airway dysfunction with mediation by serum periostin

Phthalate exposure and lung disease: the epidemiological evidences, plausible mechanism and advocacy of interventions

Phthalates are a kind of synthetic plasticizers, which extensively used as plastic productions to improve their plasticity and flexibility. However, exposure to phthalates has been proved an increased risk of respiratory disease, because by they affect the development and functions of the lung and immune system. Here, we attempt to review respiratory health of phthalate exposure. Firstly, we describe the relationship between phthalates and lung function and airway inflammation. Then, the role of phthalates in asthma, lung cancer, rhinitis, and respiratory tract infections and the possible mechanisms of action are discussed. Finally, possible effective measures to reduce exposure to phthalates are proposed, and health care workers are called upon to provide educational resources and advocate for informed public health policies. Overall, the evidence for association between phthalate exposure and respiratory disease is weak and inconsistent. Therefore, thorough implementation in large populations is needed to produce more consistent and robust results and to enhance the overall understanding of the potential respiratory health risks of phthalate in long-term exposure.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting plasticisers and lung function in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting plasticisers (EDPs), such as phthalates and bisphenols, has been associated with reduced lung function in children and adolescents. However, the existing literature yields conflicting results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the epidemiologic evidence investigating the association between EDP exposure and lung function in children and adolescents. A comprehensive search of five databases identified 25 relevant studies. We employed a random-effects meta-analysis on spirometry measures. The effect size of interest was the change in lung function in standard deviation (SD) units resulting from a two-fold increase in exposure levels. We found that certain phthalates marginally reduced lung function in children. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was reduced by a two-fold increase in mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) (β = -0.025 SD, 95%CI: 0.042, -0.008), mono-ethyl-oxo-hexyl phthalate (MEOHP) (β = -0.035 SD, 95%CI: 0.057, -0.014) and mono-carboxy-nonyl phthalate (MCNP) (β = -0.024 SD, 95%CI: 0.05, -0.003). Forced vital capacity (FVC) was decreased by a two-fold increase in MBzP (β = -0.022 SD, 95%CI: 0.036, -0.008) and MEOHP (β = -0.035 SD, 95%CI: 0.057, -0.014) levels. A two-fold increase in MCNP levels was associated with lower FEV1/FVC (β = -0.023 SD, 95%CI: 0.045, -0.001). Furthermore, a two-fold increase in MEOHP levels reduced forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75) (β = -0.030 SD, 95%CI: 0.055, -0.005) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) (β = -0.056 SD, 95%CI: 0.098, -0.014). Notably, associations were more pronounced in males. Given the potential for reverse causation bias, the association between childhood exposure to EDPs and lung function remains uncertain. Overall, our meta-analysis showed small reductions in lung function with higher phthalate exposure. However, future studies are warranted in younger age groups.

Associations Between Phthalate, Eosinophil, and Aeroallergen Sensitization in Schoolchildren

BACKGROUND

Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals and may cause immunological disorders in children. Therefore, according to the region, we investigated urinary phthalates and BPA levels and the relationship between urinary phthalate, aeroallergen sensitization, and eosinophil count during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

METHODS

In total, 203 schoolchildren (134 residential and 69 industrial) aged 7-10 years were enrolled between July 2021 and July 2022. The BPA, metabolites of four high-molecular-weight phthalates (Σ4HMWP) and three low-molecular-weight phthalates (Σ3LMWP), were measured in the urine samples. Total eosinophil count and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were also measured along with the skin prick test.

RESULTS

The two groups had no differences in terms of BPA. The industrial group had significantly more plastic container usage, and there was a difference in the Σ3LMWP (P < 0.001) between the two groups but no difference in the Σ4HMWP (P = 0.234). The quartiles of urinary Σ4HMWP and Σ3LMWP (P < were not associated with the total eosinophil count, vitamin D level, or TEWL. After adjusting for cofactors, the quartiles of urinary Σ4HMWP and Σ3LMWP were significantly associated with total eosinophil count (P < 0.001) but not with aeroallergen sensitization or vitamin D.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to phthalates was significantly associated with eosinophil count but not with aeroallergen sensitization or vitamin D. Therefore, reducing the use of plastic containers may effectively prevent exposure to phthalates and reduce Th2 cell-mediated inflammation in children.

Window of opportunity for respiratory oscillometry: A review of recent research

Oscillometry has been around for almost 70 years, but there are still many unknowns. The test is performed during tidal breathing and is therefore free from patient-dependent factors that could influence the results. The Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT), which requires minimal patient cooperation, is gaining ground, particularly with elderly patients and children. In pulmonology, it is a valuable tool for assessing obstructive conditions (with a distinction between central and peripheral obstruction) and restrictive disorders (intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary). Its sensitivity allows the assessment of bronchodilator and bronchoconstrictor responses. Different lung diseases show different patterns of changes in FOT, especially studied in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Because of these differences, many studies have analysed the usefulness of this technique in different areas of medicine. In this paper, the authors would like to present the basics of oscillometry with the areas of its most recent clinical applications.

The associations between endocrine disrupting chemicals and markers of inflammation and immune responses: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may lead to dysregulated inflammatory responses, however, the detailed relationship between different EDCs and inflammation remains unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the associations between four types of EDCs (bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates (PAEs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) and markers of inflammation and immune responses in humans. Three databases were searched, and 36 studies with a total of 22055 participants were included. The associations between EDCs and 26 inflammation-related acute phase proteins and cytokines were analyzed. The results demonstrated that exposure to BPA was positively associated with circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6. Exposure to PAEs was associated with elevated levels of CRP, IL-6 and IL-10. Subgroup analysis found that three PAE metabolites mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) were directly associated with a higher level of CRP, and two other PAE metabolites mono-carboxyisononyl phthalate (MCNP) and mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate (MCPP) were positively associated with IL-6. The positive associations between PAEs and CRP, IL-6 and IL-10 were significant in the high-molecular-weight phthalate (HMWP) exposure group, not the low-molecular-weight phthalate (LMWP) exposure group. Exposure to OCPs was positively associated with CRP, IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-10. No significant association was found between PCBs and inflammatory markers. These findings demonstrate that exposure to EDCs is closely linked to dysregulated inflammatory responses. More studies should be conducted in the future to get a comprehensive view of the associations between different EDCs and inflammation, and investigations on the underlying mechanisms are needed.