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Yesildemir O, Celik MN. Association between pre- and postnatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes: an extensive review. Clin Exp Pediatr 2024; 67:328-346. [PMID: 37986566 PMCID: PMC11222910 DOI: 10.3345/cep.2023.00941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or synthetic chemicals that mimic, block, or interfere with the hormones in the body. The most common and well- studied EDCs are bisphenol A, phthalates, and persistent organic pollutants including polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, other brominated flame retardants, organochlorine pesticides, dioxins, and furans. Starting in embryonic life, humans are constantly exposed to EDCs through air, diet, skin, and water. Fetuses and newborns undergo crucial developmental processes that allow adaptation to the environment throughout life. As developing organisms, they are extremely sensitive to low doses of EDCs. Many EDCs can cross the placental barrier and reach the developing fetal organs. In addition, newborns can be exposed to EDCs through breastfeeding or formula feeding. Pre- and postnatal exposure to EDCs may increase the risk of childhood diseases by disrupting the hormone-mediated processes critical for growth and development during gestation and infancy. This review discusses evidence of the relationship between pre- and postnatal exposure to several EDCs, childbirth, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Available evidence suggests that pre- and postnatal exposure to certain EDCs causes fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, low birth weight, and neurodevelopmental problems through various mechanisms of action. Given the adverse effects of EDCs on child development, further studies are required to clarify the overall associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Yesildemir
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Mensure Nur Celik
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
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Huang SN, Hu YH, Xu TT, Luan YL, Zeng LX, Zhang ZF, Guo Y. Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in lung cancer patients and their associations with clinical health indicators. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 350:123995. [PMID: 38636840 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123995] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have potential carcinogenicity, immunotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity. Research has been conducted on PFAS exposure in people to discuss their potential health effects, excluding lung cancer. In this study, we recruited participants (n = 282) with lung cancer from Heilongjiang Province, northeast China. The PFAS concentrations were measured in their serum to fill the data gap of exposure, and relationships were explored in levels between PFASs and clinical indicators of tumor, immune and liver function. Ten PFASs were found in over 80 % of samples and their total concentrations were 5.27-152 ng/mL, with the highest level for perfluorooctanesulfonate (median: 12.4 ng/mL). Long-chain PFASs were the main congeners and their median concentration (20.5 ng/mL) was nearly three times to that of short-chain PFASs (7.61 ng/mL). Significantly higher concentrations of perfluorobutanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid and perfluorohexanesulfonate were found in males than in females (p < 0.05). Serum levels of neuro-specific enolase were positively associated with perfluoropentanoic acid in all participants and were negatively associated with perfluorononanesulfonate in females (p < 0.05, multiple linear regression models). Exposure to PFAS mixture was significantly positively associated with the lymphocytic absolute value (difference: 0.224, 95% CI: 0.018, 0.470; p < 0.05, quantile g-computation models) and serum total bilirubin (difference: 2.177, 95% CI: 0.0335, 4.33; p < 0.05). Moreover, PFAS exposure can affect γ-glutamyl transpeptidase through several immune markers (p < 0.05, mediating test). Our results suggest that exposure to certain PFASs could interfere with clinical indicators in lung cancer patients. To our knowledge, this is the first study to detect serum PFAS occurrence and check their associations with clinical indicators in lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Nan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Ying-Hua Hu
- International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances, Heilongjiang Institute of Labor Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, The Second Hospital of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 100028, China
| | - Ting-Ting Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Yu-Ling Luan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Li-Xi Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Zi-Feng Zhang
- International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Ying Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
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Wang X, Yu N, Jiao Z, Li L, Yu H, Wei S. Machine learning-enhanced molecular network reveals global exposure to hundreds of unknown PFAS. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn1039. [PMID: 38781329 PMCID: PMC11114235 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn1039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Unknown forever chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are difficult to identify. Current platforms designed for metabolites and natural products cannot capture the diverse structural characteristics of PFAS. Here, we report an automatic PFAS identification platform (APP-ID) that screens for PFAS in environmental samples using an enhanced molecular network and identifies unknown PFAS structures using machine learning. Our networking algorithm, which enhances characteristic fragment matches, has lower false-positive rate (0.7%) than current algorithms (2.4 to 46%). Our support vector machine model identified unknown PFAS in test set with 58.3% accuracy, surpassing current software. Further, APP-ID detected 733 PFASs in real fluorochemical wastewater, 39 of which are previously unreported in environmental media. Retrospective screening of 126 PFASs against public data repository from 20 countries show PFAS substitutes are prevalent worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhaoyu Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Laihui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
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Maher BS, Bitsko RH, Claussen AH, O'Masta B, Cerles A, Holbrook JR, Mahmooth Z, Chen-Bowers N, Rojo ALA, Kaminski JW, Rush M. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Relationship Between Exposure to Parental Substance Use and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2024; 25:291-315. [PMID: 37976008 PMCID: PMC11098969 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01605-2] [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] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Among US children and adolescents aged 3-17 years, 9.4% have a diagnosis of ADHD. Previous research suggests possible links between parental substance use and ADHD among children. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 86 longitudinal or retrospective studies of prenatal or postnatal alcohol, tobacco, or other parental substance use and substance use disorders and childhood ADHD and its related behavioral dimensions of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Meta-analyses were grouped by drug class and pre- and postnatal periods with combined sample sizes ranging from 789 to 135,732. Prenatal exposure to alcohol or tobacco and parent substance use disorders were consistently and significantly associated with ADHD among children. Other parental drug use exposures resulted in inconsistent or non-significant findings. Prevention and treatment of parental substance use may have potential for impacts on childhood ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brion S Maher
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca H Bitsko
- Division of Human Development and Disability, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Angelika H Claussen
- Division of Human Development and Disability, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Joseph R Holbrook
- Division of Human Development and Disability, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Naomi Chen-Bowers
- Office Policy, Performance, and Evaluation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop: H 21-11, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | | | - Jennifer W Kaminski
- Office Policy, Performance, and Evaluation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop: H 21-11, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
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Yenkoyan K, Mkhitaryan M, Bjørklund G. Environmental Risk Factors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2345-2360. [PMID: 38204225 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673252471231121045529] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Existing evidence indicates that environmental factors might contribute up to 50% of the variance in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. This structured narrative review offers a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on environmental risk factors in ASD, including evaluation of conflicting evidence, exploration of underlying mechanisms, and suggestions for future research directions. Analysis of diverse epidemiological investigations indicates that certain environmental factors, including advanced parental age, preterm birth, delivery complications, and exposure to toxic metals, drugs, air pollutants, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, are linked to an increased ASD risk through various mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and its consequences, changes in neurotransmitters, disruption of signaling pathways and some others. On the other hand, pregnancy-related factors such as maternal diabetes, maternal obesity, and caesarian section show a weaker association with ASD risk. At the same time, other environmental factors, such as vaccination, maternal smoking, or alcohol consumption, are not linked to the risk of ASD. Regarding nutritional elements data are inconclusive. These findings highlight the significance of environmental factors in ASD etiology and emphasize that more focused research is needed to target the risk factors of ASD. Environmental interventions targeting modifiable risk factors might offer promising avenues for ASD prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meri Mkhitaryan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, YSMU, Yerevan, 0025, Armenia
| | - Geir Bjørklund
- Department of Research, Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
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Yang X, Zheng L, Zhang J, Wang H. Prenatal exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances and child executive function: Evidence from the Shanghai birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108437. [PMID: 38232503 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108437] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment and accumulate in humans. Toxicological studies have indicated the potential neurotoxicity of PFAS during the fetal development. However, in epidemiological studies, the association between prenatal exposure to PFAS and executive function in offspring remains unclear. OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to PFAS and executive function in offspring. METHOD This study included 1765 mother-child pairs in the Shanghai Birth Cohort, a prospective birth cohort enrolled during 2013-2016. The levels of 10 PFAS were measured in maternal plasma samples collected during early gestation. Child executive function was assessed at 4 years of age using the parent-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool version (BRIEF-P), which provided 4 composite measures: Inhibitory Self-Control Index, Flexibility Index, Emergent Metacognition Index, and Global Executive Composite. We used multivariable linear regression to examine the associations between individual PFAS and BRIEF-P scores. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was employed to evaluate the joint effects. We also investigated whether these associations were modified by sex. RESULT We found no significant associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and BRIEF-P scores when the child was 4 years old. BKMR analysis showed no joint effect of the PFAS mixture on child executive function. RCS analysis indicated that the majority of relationships between PFAS and BRIEF-P did not deviate from the linear relationship, even though there was a nonlinear association between PFUA and EMI. Additionally, the associations were not modified by sex. CONCLUSION Overall, our findings showed that there were no associations between prenatal exposure to PFAS and child executive function at 4 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuchen Yang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqiang Zheng
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Wang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Hull SD, Deen L, Petersen KU, Jensen TK, Hammer P, Wils RS, Frankel HN, Ostrowski SR, Tøttenborg SS. Time trends in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations in the Danish population: A review based on published and newly analyzed data. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:117036. [PMID: 37659637 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent chemicals used in many industries and everyday consumer products and exposure has been linked to several adverse health outcomes. Currently, no systematic monitoring of PFAS levels in the general Danish population has been conducted. OBJECTIVE To study temporal trends of PFAS concentrations in the Danish population. MATERIALS AND METHODS In August 2023, we performed a search for original peer-reviewed reports in PubMed using combinations of search terms for PFAS and Denmark. Reports were included if they comprised a Danish study population and direct measurements of PFAS in serum or plasma samples. Scatter plots of medians presented in the reports were used to visualize time-trends of PFAS concentrations among Danish individuals. RESULTS We included 29 reports based on a total of 18,231 individuals from 19 Danish study populations. A total of 24 PFAS measured in serum or plasma were presented in the reports, the most frequent being PFOS, PFOA, PFDA, PFNA, PFHpA, PFHpS, and PFHxS. Median concentrations of PFOS ranged from 4.0 ng/mL to 44.5 ng/mL, PFOA ranged from 0.8 ng/mL to 9.7 ng/mL, while lower concentrations were presented for the other PFAS. Median concentrations of PFOS and PFOA increased from 1988 until the late 1990s followed by a decrease until 2021. A less clear time-trend were observed for the other PFAS. CONCLUSION Blood concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in the Danish population have declined substantially from the late 1990s until 2021 reflecting a phase-out of the production and regulation of the use of these PFAS. Time-trends for PFDA, PFNA, PFHpA, PFHpS, and PFHxS were less evident, yet a tendency toward a decline was observed. As only some of the compounds are measured, it is not possible to determine if the decrease in some PFAS is outweighed by an increase in others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidsel Dan Hull
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - Laura Deen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Kajsa Ugelvig Petersen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute for Public Health, University of Southern, Denmark
| | - Paula Hammer
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark; Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, Holbaek University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Regitze Sølling Wils
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Hannah Nørtoft Frankel
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Sisse Rye Ostrowski
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sandra Søgaard Tøttenborg
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark; Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Desalegn AA, van der Ent W, Lenters V, Iszatt N, Stigum H, Lyche JL, Berg V, Kirstein-Smardzewska KJ, Esguerra CV, Eggesbø M. Perinatal exposure to potential endocrine disrupting chemicals and autism spectrum disorder: From Norwegian birth cohort to zebrafish studies. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108271. [PMID: 37879205 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is multifactorial, involving genetic and environmental contributors such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between perinatal exposure to 27 potential EDCs and ASD among Norwegian children, and to further examine the neurodevelopmental toxicity of associated chemicals using zebrafish embryos and larvae. METHOD 1,199 mothers enrolled in the prospective birth-cohort (HUMIS, 2002-2009) study. Breastmilk levels of 27 chemicals were measured: polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and perfluoroalkyl substances as a proxy for perinatal exposure. We employed multivariable logistic regression to determine association, utilized elastic net logistic regression as variable selection method, and conducted an in vivo study with zebrafish larvae to confirm the neurodevelopmental effect. RESULTS A total of 20 children had specialist confirmed diagnosis of autism among 1,199 mother-child pairs in this study. β-Hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) was the only chemical associated with ASD, after adjusting for 26 other chemicals. Mothers with the highest levels of β-HCH in their milk had a significant increased risk of having a child with ASD (OR = 1.82, 95 % CI: 1.20, 2.77 for an interquartile range increase in ln-transformed β-HCH concentration). The median concentration of β-HCH in breast milk was 4.37 ng/g lipid (interquartile range: 2.92-6.47), and the estimated daily intake (EDI) for Norwegian children through breastfeeding was 0.03 µg/kg of body weight. The neurodevelopmental and social behavioral effects of β-HCH were established in zebrafish embryos and larvae across various concentrations, with further analysis suggesting that perturbation of dopaminergic neuron development may underlie the neurotoxicity associated with β-HCH. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to β-HCH was associated with an increased risk of specialist-confirmed diagnoses of ASD among Norwegian children, and the EDI surpasses the established threshold. Zebrafish experiments confirm β-HCH neurotoxicity, suggesting dopaminergic neuron disruption as a potential underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anteneh Assefa Desalegn
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway; Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wietske van der Ent
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Virissa Lenters
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Iszatt
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hein Stigum
- Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Ludvig Lyche
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 369 Sentrum, NO-0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vidar Berg
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 369 Sentrum, NO-0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karolina J Kirstein-Smardzewska
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Camila Vicencio Esguerra
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Merete Eggesbø
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
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Tillaut H, Monfort C, Rouget F, Pelé F, Lainé F, Gaudreau E, Cordier S, Warembourg C, Saint-Amour D, Chevrier C. Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Child Behavior at Age 12: A PELAGIE Mother-Child Cohort Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:117009. [PMID: 37971539 PMCID: PMC10653211 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemical substances spread throughout the environment worldwide. Exposure during pregnancy represents a specific window of vulnerability for child health. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to assess the impact of prenatal exposure to multiple PFAS on emotional and behavioral functions in 12-y-old children. METHOD In the PELAGIE mother-child cohort (France), prenatal exposure to nine PFAS was measured from concentrations in cord serum samples. Behavior was assessed at age 12 y using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the self-reported Dominic Interactive for Adolescents (DIA) for 444 children. Associations were estimated using negative binomial models for each PFAS. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were performed to assess the exposure mixture effect on children's behavior. RESULTS In our study population, 73% of mothers had spent more than 12 y in education. Higher scores on SDQ externalizing subscale were observed with increasing cord-serum concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) [adjusted mean ratio ( aMR ) = 1.18 , 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.34, and aMR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.29) for every doubling of concentration, respectively]. Results for the hyperactivity score were similar [aMR = 1.20 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.40) and aMR = 1.18 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.36), respectively]. With regard to major depressive disorder and internalizing subscales, perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) was associated with higher self-reported DIA scores [aMR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.27) and aMR = 1.11 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.21), respectively]. In terms of the anxiety subscale, PFDA and PFNA were associated with higher scores [aMR = 1.11 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.21) and aMR = 1.10 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.19), respectively]. Concurrent increases in the PFAS concentrations included in the BKMR models showed no change in the SDQ externalizing and DIA internalizing subscales scores. CONCLUSION Prenatal exposure to PFNA and PFOA were associated with increasing scores for measures of externalizing behaviors, specifically hyperactivity. We also identified associations between PFNA and PFDA prenatal exposure levels and increasing scores related to internalizing behaviors (general anxiety and major depressive disorder), which adds to the as yet sparse literature examining the links between prenatal exposure to PFAS and internalizing disorders. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12540.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Tillaut
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
| | - Christine Monfort
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
| | - Florence Rouget
- Irset - UMR_S 1085, Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Rennes, France
| | - Fabienne Pelé
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
| | - Fabrice Lainé
- CIC 1414, Université de Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, Rennes, France
| | - Eric Gaudreau
- Centre de Toxicologie du Québec (CTQ), Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Sylvaine Cordier
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
| | - Charline Warembourg
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
| | - Dave Saint-Amour
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cécile Chevrier
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
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Xu K, Li Z, Qiao J, Wang S, Xie P, Zong Z, Hu C. Persistent organic pollutants exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122439. [PMID: 37619697 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating number of epidemiological studies has recently proposed that improvement in the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is associated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) exposure. However, evidence from current researches is limited and inconsistent. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the potential associations comprehensively. We systematically and extensively searched two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) from inception to July 3, 2022 and an updated search was performed before submission. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from stratified random-effects meta-analyses by type of exposure and outcome. We also tested the potential heterogeneity across studies, conducted sensitivity analysis and evaluated publication bias. A total of 20 studies were finally included in our study. Meta-analytical effect estimates indicated a positive association between prenatal exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-170 and an increased risk of ASD, with OR of 1.89 (95% CI = 1.21-2.95, I2 = 0%), 1.61 (95% CI = 1.05-2.47, I2 = 0%) and 1.46 (95% CI = 1.03-2.06, I2 = 0%) respectively. In contrast, PFDA was found inversely associated with the risk of ASD (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.52-0.94, I2 = 0%). The level of evidence supporting a link between ASD risk and exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153, PCB-170, and PFDA was respectively categorized as low, low, moderate, and low. In summary, this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-170 correlates with a heightened risk of ASD, with evidence levels rated as "low", "low", and "moderate", respectively. In contrast, PFDA exposure appears to be inversely associated with ASD risk, with a "low" level of supporting evidence. However, due to the limited number of studies available for each exposure and outcome pairing, these results should be interpreted with caution. Sufficiently powered studies are needed to validate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zhuoyan Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jianchao Qiao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Senzheng Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Pinpeng Xie
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zong
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Chengyang Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China; Department of Humanistic Medicine, School of Humanistic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China.
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11
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Paquette SE, Martin NR, Rodd A, Manz KE, Allen E, Camarillo M, Weller HI, Pennell K, Plavicki JS. Evaluation of Neural Regulation and Microglial Responses to Brain Injury in Larval Zebrafish Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:117008. [PMID: 37966802 PMCID: PMC10650473 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are biopersistent, global pollutants. Although some in vitro and epidemiological studies have explored the neurotoxic potential of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a prevalent PFAS congener, it is unknown how developmental PFOS exposure affects neuronal signaling, microglia development, and microglial-neuron communication. OBJECTIVES We sought to determine the extent to which PFOS exposure disrupts brain health, neuronal activity, and microglia-neuron communication during development. In addition, although PFOS impairs humoral immunity, its impact on innate immune cells, including resident microglia, is unclear. As such, we investigated whether microglia are cellular targets of PFOS, and, if so, whether disrupted microglial development or function could contribute to or is influenced by PFOS-induced neural dysfunction. METHODS Zebrafish were chronically exposed to either a control solution [0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)], 7 μ M PFOS, 14 μ M PFOS, 28 μ M PFOS, or 64 μ M perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). We used in vivo imaging and gene expression analysis to assess microglial populations in the developing brain and to determine shifts in the microglia state. We functionally challenged microglia state using a brain injury model and, to assess the neuronal signaling environment, performed functional neuroimaging experiments using the photoconvertible calcium indicator calcium-modulated photoactivatable ratiometric integrator (CaMPARI). These studies were paired with optogenetic manipulations of neurons and microglia, an untargeted metabolome-wide association study (MWAS), and behavioral assays. RESULTS Developmental PFOS exposure resulted in a shift away from the homeostatic microglia state, as determined by functional and morphological differences in exposed larvae, as well as up-regulation of the microglia activation gene p2ry12. PFOS-induced effects on microglia state exacerbated microglia responses to brain injury in the absence of increased cell death or inflammation. PFOS exposure also heightened neural activity, and optogenetic silencing of neurons or microglia independently was sufficient to normalize microglial responses to injury. An untargeted MWAS of larval brains revealed PFOS-exposed larvae had neurochemical signatures of excitatory-inhibitory imbalance. Behaviorally, PFOS-exposed larvae also exhibited anxiety-like thigmotaxis. To test whether the neuronal and microglial phenotypes were specific to PFOS, we exposed embryos to PFOA, a known immunotoxic PFAS. PFOA did not alter thigmotaxis, neuronal activity, or microglial responses, further supporting a role for neuronal activity as a critical modifier of microglial function following PFOS exposure. DISCUSSION Together, this study provides, to our knowledge, the first detailed account of the effects of PFOS exposure on neural cell types in the developing brain in vivo and adds neuronal hyperactivity as an important end point to assess when studying the impact of toxicant exposures on microglia function. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12861.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E. Paquette
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Nathan R. Martin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - April Rodd
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Katherine E. Manz
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Eden Allen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Manuel Camarillo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Hannah I. Weller
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kurt Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Jessica S. Plavicki
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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12
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Ren J, Jin T, Li R, Zhong YY, Xuan YX, Wang YL, Yao W, Yu SL, Yuan JT. Priority list of potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals in food chemical contaminants: a docking study and in vitro/epidemiological evidence integration. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 34:847-866. [PMID: 37920972 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2023.2269855] [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: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Diet is an important exposure route of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), but many unfiltered potential EDCs remain in food. The in silico prediction of EDCs is a popular method for preliminary screening. Potential EDCs in food were screened using Endocrine Disruptome, an open-source platform for inverse docking, to predict the binding probabilities of 587 food chemical contaminants with 18 human nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) conformations. In total, 25 contaminants were bound to multiple NHRs such as oestrogen receptor α/β and androgen receptor. These 25 compounds mainly include pesticides and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). The prediction results were validated with the in vitro data. The structural features and the crucial amino acid residues of the four NHRs were also validated based on previous literature. The findings indicate that the screening has good prediction efficiency. In addition, the epidemic evidence about endocrine interference of PFASs in food on children was further validated through this screening. This study provides preliminary screening results for EDCs in food and a priority list for in vitro and in vivo research.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ren
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - T Jin
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - R Li
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Y Y Zhong
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Y X Xuan
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Y L Wang
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - W Yao
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - S L Yu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immune-Engineering of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, P. R. China
| | - J T Yuan
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
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13
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Gao CJ, Yang F, Wu B, Liang Y, Qin YY, Guo Y. A pilot study of several environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals in children with autism spectrum disorder in south China. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:964. [PMID: 37462787 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11570-6] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a group of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders. Evidence has implied that environmental pollutants are important factors related to ASD. In this study, several environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including parabens, benzophenone-type ultraviolet filters, hydroxyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, triclosan and tetrabromobisphenol A were analyzed in blood plasma in ASD children (n = 34) and the control children (n = 28). The results showed that parabens were the most concentrated chemicals (2.18 ng/mL, median value), followed by hydroxyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (0.73 ng/mL), benzophenone-type ultraviolet filters (0.14 ng/mL), triclosan (0.13 ng/mL) and tetrabromobisphenol A (0.03 ng/mL). ASD children accumulated significantly lower 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 4-hydroxybenzophenone and triclosan but higher 2-hydroxyphenanthrene and tetrabromobisphenol A than the control children (0.02/0.09 ng/mL of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, p < 0.05; 0.04/0.07 ng/mL of 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, p < 0.05; 0.03/0.04 ng/mL of 4-hydroxybenzophenone, p < 0.05; 0.13/1.22 ng/mL of triclosan, p < 0.01; 0.03 ng/mL/not detected of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, p < 0.05; 0.03/0.004 ng/mL of tetrabromobisphenol A, p < 0.05). Gender differences in certain environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals were evident, and the differences were more inclined toward boys. Positive associations between 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone and triclosan, and tetrabromobisphenol A and 2-hydroxyphenanthrene were found in ASD boys. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the adjusted odds ratio value of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene in ASD boys was 11.0 (1.45-84.0, p < 0.05). This is the first pilot study on multiple environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals in children with ASD in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong-Jing Gao
- College of Biological and Environmental Science, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, 315100, China.
- School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Feng Yang
- Speech Therapy Department, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Binbin Wu
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- School of Resources and Environment, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Yan-Yan Qin
- School of Medical Technology and Nursing, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Ying Guo
- School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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14
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Kim JI, Kim BN, Lee YA, Shin CH, Hong YC, Døssing LD, Hildebrandt G, Lim YH. Association between early-childhood exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and ADHD symptoms: A prospective cohort study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163081. [PMID: 36972880 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence that exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Previous studies have focused on prenatal exposure to PFAS, and only few studies have examined the associations of early-childhood exposure, especially at low exposure levels. This study explored the association between early-childhood exposure to PFAS and ADHD symptoms later in childhood. In 521 children, we measured the serum levels of six PFAS in peripheral blood at the ages of 2 and 4 years, including perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluornonanoicacid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The ADHD Rating Scale IV (ARS) was utilized to measure ADHD traits at 8 years of age. We explored the relationship between PFAS and ARS scores using Poisson regression models after adjusting for potential confounders. Levels of exposure to individual PFAS and the summed value were divided into quartiles to examine possible nonlinear relationships. All six PFAS exhibited inverted U-shaped curves. Children in the 2nd and 3rd quartile levels of each PFAS showed higher ARS scores than those in the1st quartile level. Below the 3rd quartile of the summed levels of six PFAS (ΣPFAS), a doubling of the ΣPFAS was associated with an 20.0 % (95 % CI: 9.5 %, 31.5 %) increase in ADHD scores. However, at the age of 4 years, none of the evaluated PFAS exhibited linear or nonlinear associations with the ARS scores. Thus, school-aged children may be vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of exposure to PFAS at age 2 that contribute to ADHD, particularly at low to mid-levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Inhyang Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Medical Center, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seondong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Bung-Nyun Kim
- Division of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ah Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong Ho Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Lise Dalgaard Døssing
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oster Farmagsgade 5, 1014 Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Gustav Hildebrandt
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oster Farmagsgade 5, 1014 Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Youn-Hee Lim
- Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oster Farmagsgade 5, 1014 Kobenhavn, Denmark.
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15
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Cunha YGDO, do Amaral GCB, Felix AA, Blumberg B, Amato AA. Early-life exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and autistic traits in childhood and adolescence: a systematic review of epidemiological studies. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1184546. [PMID: 37361542 PMCID: PMC10289191 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1184546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during critical neurodevelopmental windows has been associated with the risk of autistic traits. This systematic review of epidemiological studies examined the association between maternal exposure to EDCs during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the offspring. Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar from inception to November 17, 2022, for studies investigating the association between prenatal exposure to EDCs and outcomes related to ASD. Two independent reviewers screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023389386). Results We included 27 observational studies assessing prenatal exposure to phthalates (8 studies), polychlorinated biphenyls (8 studies), organophosphate pesticides (8 studies), phenols (7 studies), perfluoroalkyl substances (6 studies), organochlorine pesticides (5 studies), brominated flame retardants (3 studies), dioxins (1 study), and parabens (1 study). The number of examined children ranged from 77 to 1,556, the age at the assessment of autistic traits ranged from 3 to 14 years, and most studies assessed autistic traits using the Social Responsiveness Scale. All but one study was considered to have a low risk of bias. Overall, there was no association between maternal exposure to specific ECDs during pregnancy and the occurrence of autistic traits in offspring. Conclusions Findings from the epidemiological studies evaluated here do not support an association between prenatal exposure to ECDs and the likelihood of autistic traits in later in life. These findings should not be interpreted as definitive evidence of the absence of neurodevelopment effects of EDCs affecting ASD risk, given the limitations of current studies such as representative exposure assessment, small sample sizes, inadequacy to assess sexually dimorphic effects, or the effects of EDC mixtures. Future studies should carefully address these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alana Almeida Felix
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Bruce Blumberg
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Angelica Amorim Amato
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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16
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Ames JL, Burjak M, Avalos LA, Braun JM, Bulka CM, Croen LA, Dunlop AL, Ferrara A, Fry RC, Hedderson MM, Karagas MR, Liang D, Lin PID, Lyall K, Moore B, Morello-Frosch R, O’Connor TG, Oh J, Padula AM, Woodruff TJ, Zhu Y, Hamra GB. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Childhood Autism-related Outcomes. Epidemiology 2023; 34:450-459. [PMID: 36630444 PMCID: PMC10074577 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001587] [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] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiologic evidence linking prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with altered neurodevelopment is inconclusive, and few large studies have focused on autism-related outcomes. We investigated whether blood concentrations of PFAS in pregnancy are associated with child autism-related outcomes. METHODS We included 10 cohorts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program (n = 1,429). We measured 14 PFAS analytes in maternal blood collected during pregnancy; eight analytes met detection criteria for analysis. We assessed quantitative autism-related traits in children via parent report on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). In multivariable linear models, we examined relationships of each PFAS (natural log-transformed) with SRS scores. We further modeled PFAS as a complex mixture using Bayesian methods and examined modification of these relationships by child sex. RESULTS Most PFAS in maternal blood were not associated with child SRS T-scores. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) showed the strongest and most consistent association: each 1-unit increase in ln-transformed PFNA was associated with greater autism-related traits (adjusted β [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.5 [-0.1, 3.0]). The summed mixture, which included six PFAS detected in >70% of participants, was not associated with SRS T-scores (adjusted β [95% highest posterior density interval] = 0.7 [-1.4, 3.0]). We did not observe consistent evidence of sex differences. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal blood concentrations of PFNA may be associated with modest increases in child autism-related traits. Future work should continue to examine the relationship between exposures to both legacy and emerging PFAS and additional dimensional, quantitative measures of childhood autism-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Ames
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | | | - Lyndsay A. Avalos
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Joseph M. Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI USA
| | | | - Lisa A. Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Anne L. Dunlop
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Assiamira Ferrara
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Rebecca C. Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | | | | | - Donghai Liang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Pi-I D. Lin
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse (CoRAL), Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Brianna Moore
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis CA, USA
| | - Amy M. Padula
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Tracey J. Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Yeyi Zhu
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
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17
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Wang H, Luo F, Zhang Y, Yang X, Zhang S, Zhang J, Tian Y, Zheng L. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and child intelligence quotient: Evidence from the Shanghai birth cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107912. [PMID: 37023630 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Epidemiological evidence on the association between prenatal exposure to Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and child cognition remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether prenatal exposure to PFAS is associated with intelligence quotient (IQ) in offspring. METHOD This study population included 2031 mother-child pairs in the Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC) enrolled during 2013-2016. Ten PFAS were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS) in maternal plasma samples collected in early gestation between 9 and 16 weeks of gestation. Child IQ was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) at 4 years of age. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between individual PFAS concentrations (as a continuous variable or categorized into tertiles) and child IQ. A quantile g-computation approach was used to evaluate the joint and independent effects of PFAS on IQ. We also examined whether the associations varied by child sex. RESULTS We found no significant associations between ln-transformed nine individual PFAS and child full scale IQ (FSIQ) or subscale IQ after adjusting for potential confounders. The observed associations were not modified by child sex. PFAS in tertiles showed the same pattern. Results from quantile g-computation showed that PFAS mixture was not associated with child IQ; perfluorobutane sulfonate was negatively associated with FSIQ (β, -0.81; 95 % CI: -1.55, -0.07), and perfluorooctane sulfonate was also associated with lower fluid reasoning index scores (β, -1.61; 95 % CI: -3.07, -0.16) while adjusting for the other PFAS. CONCLUSION PFAS mixture during early pregnancy was not associated with child IQ. For certain individual PFAS, there were inverse associations with FSIQ or subscale IQ. Considering the evidence is still inconsistent, further research is needed to confirm or refute these results in other populations and to elucidate the potential neurotoxicology of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fei Luo
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuchen Yang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanyu Zhang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Tian
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqiang Zheng
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Carstens KE, Freudenrich T, Wallace K, Choo S, Carpenter A, Smeltz M, Clifton MS, Henderson WM, Richard AM, Patlewicz G, Wetmore BA, Paul Friedman K, Shafer T. Evaluation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) In Vitro Toxicity Testing for Developmental Neurotoxicity. Chem Res Toxicol 2023; 36:402-419. [PMID: 36821828 PMCID: PMC10249374 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse set of commercial chemicals widely detected in humans and the environment. However, only a limited number of PFAS are associated with epidemiological or experimental data for hazard identification. To provide developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) hazard information, the work herein employed DNT new approach methods (NAMs) to generate in vitro screening data for a set of 160 PFAS. The DNT NAMs battery was comprised of the microelectrode array neuronal network formation assay (NFA) and high-content imaging (HCI) assays to evaluate proliferation, apoptosis, and neurite outgrowth. The majority of PFAS (118/160) were inactive or equivocal in the DNT NAMs, leaving 42 active PFAS that decreased measures of neural network connectivity and neurite length. Analytical quality control indicated 43/118 inactive PFAS samples and 10/42 active PFAS samples were degraded; as such, careful interpretation is required as some negatives may have been due to loss of the parent PFAS, and some actives may have resulted from a mixture of parent and/or degradants of PFAS. PFAS containing a perfluorinated carbon (C) chain length ≥8, a high C:fluorine ratio, or a carboxylic acid moiety were more likely to be bioactive in the DNT NAMs. Of the PFAS positives in DNT NAMs, 85% were also active in other EPA ToxCast assays, whereas 79% of PFAS inactives in the DNT NAMs were active in other assays. These data demonstrate that a subset of PFAS perturb neurodevelopmental processes in vitro and suggest focusing future studies of DNT on PFAS with certain structural feature descriptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Carstens
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Theresa Freudenrich
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Kathleen Wallace
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Seline Choo
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - Amy Carpenter
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - Marci Smeltz
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Matthew S Clifton
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - W Matthew Henderson
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Ann M Richard
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Grace Patlewicz
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Barbara A Wetmore
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Katie Paul Friedman
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Timothy Shafer
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
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Fábelová L, Beneito A, Casas M, Colles A, Dalsager L, Den Hond E, Dereumeaux C, Ferguson K, Gilles L, Govarts E, Irizar A, Lopez Espinosa MJ, Montazeri P, Morrens B, Patayová H, Rausová K, Richterová D, Rodriguez Martin L, Santa-Marina L, Schettgen T, Schoeters G, Haug LS, Uhl M, Villanger GD, Vrijheid M, Zaros C, Palkovičová Murínová Ľ. PFAS levels and exposure determinants in sensitive population groups. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137530. [PMID: 36509187 PMCID: PMC9846180 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants. The first exposure to PFAS occurs in utero, after birth it continues via breast milk, food intake, environment, and consumer products that contain these chemicals. Our aim was to identify determinants of PFAS concentrations in sensitive population subgroups- pregnant women and newborns. METHODS Nine European birth cohorts provided exposure data on PFAS in pregnant women (INMA-Gipuzkoa, Sabadell, Valencia, ELFE and MoBa; total N = 5897) or newborns (3xG study, FLEHS 2, FLEHS 3 and PRENATAL; total N = 940). PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA concentrations were measured in maternal or cord blood, depending on the cohort (FLEHS 2 measured only PFOS and PFOA). PFAS concentrations were analysed according to maternal characteristics (age, BMI, parity, previous breastfeeding, smoking, and food consumption during pregnancy) and parental educational level. The association between potential determinants and PFAS concentrations was evaluated using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS We observed significant variations in PFAS concentrations among cohorts. Higher PFAS concentrations were associated with higher maternal age, primipara birth, and educational level, both for maternal blood and cord blood. Higher PFAS concentrations in maternal blood were associated with higher consumption of fish and seafood, meat, offal and eggs. In cord blood, higher PFHxS concentrations were associated with daily meat consumption and higher PFNA with offal consumption. Daily milk and dairy consumption were associated with lower concentrations of PFAS in both, pregnant women and newborns. CONCLUSION High detection rates of the four most abundant PFAS demonstrate ubiquitous exposure of sensitive populations, which is of concern. This study identified several determinants of PFAS exposure in pregnant women and newborns, including dietary factors, and these findings can be used for proposing measures to reduce PFAS exposure, particularly from dietary sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fábelová
- Slovak Medical University in Bratislava, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - A Beneito
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Casas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Colles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - L Dalsager
- Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - E Den Hond
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene (PIH), Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - K Ferguson
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), North Carolina, USA
| | - L Gilles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - E Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - A Irizar
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5 28029 Madrid, Spain; Biodonostia, Epidemiology and Public Health Area, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - M J Lopez Espinosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5 28029 Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - B Morrens
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - H Patayová
- Slovak Medical University in Bratislava, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - K Rausová
- Slovak Medical University in Bratislava, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - D Richterová
- Slovak Medical University in Bratislava, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - L Rodriguez Martin
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - L Santa-Marina
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5 28029 Madrid, Spain; Biodonostia, Epidemiology and Public Health Area, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain; Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Basque Government, 20013 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - T Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - G Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - L S Haug
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway
| | - M Uhl
- Umweltbundesamt, Vienna, Austria
| | - G D Villanger
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway
| | - M Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - C Zaros
- Institut national d'études démographiques (INED), Aubervilliers, France
| | - Ľ Palkovičová Murínová
- Slovak Medical University in Bratislava, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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20
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Yao H, Fu Y, Weng X, Zeng Z, Tan Y, Wu X, Zeng H, Yang Z, Li Y, Liang H, Wu Y, Wen L, Jing C. The Association between Prenatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Exposure and Neurobehavioral Problems in Offspring: A Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20031668. [PMID: 36767045 PMCID: PMC9914055 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy has been suggested to be associated with neurobehavioral problems in offspring. However, current epidemiological studies on the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and neurobehavioral problems among offspring, especially attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to study the relationship between PFAS exposure during pregnancy and ADHD and ASD in offspring based on meta-analyses. Online databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, were searched comprehensively for eligible studies conducted before July 2021. Eleven studies (up to 8493 participants) were included in this analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that exposure to perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) was positively associated with ADHD in the highest quartile group. Negative associations were observed between perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and ADHD/ASD, including between perfluorononanoate (PFNA) and ASD. There were no associations found between total PFAS concentration groups and neurobehavioral problems. The trial sequential analyses showed unstable results. Our findings indicated that PFOA and PFOS exposure during pregnancy might be associated with ADHD in offspring and that prenatal PFOS and PFNA exposure might be associated with ASD in offspring. According to the limited evidence obtained for most associations, additional studies are required to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huojie Yao
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yingyin Fu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xueqiong Weng
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510440, China
| | - Zurui Zeng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yuxuan Tan
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaomei Wu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Huixian Zeng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhiyu Yang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yexin Li
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Huanzhu Liang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yingying Wu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lin Wen
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chunxia Jing
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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21
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Keil-Stietz K, Lein PJ. Gene×environment interactions in autism spectrum disorders. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:221-284. [PMID: 36707213 PMCID: PMC10496028 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.11.001] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There is credible evidence that environmental factors influence individual risk and/or severity of autism spectrum disorders (hereafter referred to as autism). While it is likely that environmental chemicals contribute to the etiology of autism via multiple mechanisms, identifying specific environmental factors that confer risk for autism and understanding how they contribute to the etiology of autism has been challenging, in part because the influence of environmental chemicals likely varies depending on the genetic substrate of the exposed individual. Current research efforts are focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which environmental chemicals interact with autism genetic susceptibilities to adversely impact neurodevelopment. The goal is to not only generate insights regarding the pathophysiology of autism, but also inform the development of screening platforms to identify specific environmental factors and gene×environment (G×E) interactions that modify autism risk. Data from such studies are needed to support development of intervention strategies for mitigating the burden of this neurodevelopmental condition on individuals, their families and society. In this review, we discuss environmental chemicals identified as putative autism risk factors and proposed mechanisms by which G×E interactions influence autism risk and/or severity using polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Keil-Stietz
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.
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22
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Chen Q, Yi S, Ye Q, Zhu Y, Zhong W, Zhu L. Insights into the Dermal Absorption, Deposition, and Elimination of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Rats: The Importance of Skin Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:16975-16984. [PMID: 36419387 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Humans are frequently exposed to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) via direct skin contact with personal care and consumer products containing them. Here, we used a rat model to estimate the dermal penetration efficiency of 15 representative PFASs. After 144 h post-dosing, 4.1-18.0 and 5.3-15.1% of the applied PFASs in the low (L) and high (H) groups, respectively, were absorbed into the rats. PFAS absorption and permeation were parabolically associated with the perfluorinated carbon chain length (CF), peaking for perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA). The lipid-rich stratum corneum of the skin barrier substantially suppressed the penetration of less hydrophobic short-chain PFASs, whereas the water-rich viable epidermis and dermis served as obstacles to hydrophobic long-chain PFAS permeation. However, the renal clearance (CLrenal) of the target PFAS decreased with increasing CF, suggesting that urinary excretion is crucial to eliminate less hydrophobic short-chain PFASs. Notably, the peak times of PFASs in the systemic circulation of rats (8-72 h) were remarkably longer than those after oral administration (1-24 h). These results suggest that dermal penetration can be long-lasting and contribute considerably to the body burden of PFASs, especially for those with moderate hydrophobicity due to their favorable skin permeation and unfavorable urinary excretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoying Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin300350, P. R. China
| | - Shujun Yi
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin300350, P. R. China
| | - Qingqing Ye
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin300350, P. R. China
| | - Yumin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin300350, P. R. China
| | - Wenjue Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin300350, P. R. China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin300350, P. R. China
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23
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Seizurogenic effect of perfluorooctane sulfonate in zebrafish larvae. Neurotoxicology 2022; 93:257-264. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Shin HM, Oh J, J. Schmidt R, N. Pearce E. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Maternal Thyroid Dysfunction, and Child Autism Spectrum Disorder. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2022; 37:819-829. [PMID: 36415960 PMCID: PMC9816503 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2022.1598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with its high economic and societal costs, is a growing public health concern whose prevalence has risen steadily over the last two decades. Although actual increased incidence versus improved diagnosis remains controversial, the increased prevalence of ASD suggests non-inherited factors as likely contributors. There is increasing epidemiologic evidence that abnormal maternal thyroid function during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of child ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is known to disrupt thyroid function and can affect early brain development; thus, thyroid dysfunction is hypothesized to mediate this relationship. The concept of a potential pathway from prenatal PFAS exposure through thyroid dysfunction to ASD etiology is not new; however, the extant literature on this topic is scant. The aim of this review is to evaluate and summarize reports with regard to potential mechanisms in this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
- Corresponding author: Hyeong-Moo Shin. Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA Tel: +1-254-710-7627, Fax: +1-254-710-3409 E-mail:
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca J. Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth N. Pearce
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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25
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Oh J, Shin HM, Kannan K, Busgang SA, Schmidt RJ, Schweitzer JB, Hertz-Picciotto I, Bennett DH. Childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and neurodevelopment in the CHARGE case-control study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114322. [PMID: 36108719 PMCID: PMC9976729 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are shown to have neurotoxic effects on animals, but epidemiological evidence for associations between childhood PFAS exposure and neurodevelopment is inconclusive. We examined if childhood PFAS concentrations are associated with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay (DD), and other early concerns (OEC) in development. METHODS We included 551 children 2-5 years old from the CHildhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) case-control study. Children were clinically diagnosed and classified as having ASD, DD, OEC, and typical development (TD). Fourteen PFAS were quantified in child serum samples collected when diagnostic assessments were performed. We used multinomial logistic regression models to investigate the cross-sectional associations of individual PFAS concentrations with neurodevelopmental outcomes and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models with repeated holdout validation to investigate the associations with PFAS mixtures. RESULTS Childhood perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was associated with increased odds of ASD (odds ratio [OR] per ln ng/mL increase: 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20, 3.29) and DD (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.84) versus TD. Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) was associated with increased odds of ASD (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.13). However, perfluroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) was associated with decreased odds of ASD (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.69). From mixture analyses, the WQS index was associated with increased odds of ASD (average OR: 1.57, 5th and 95th percentile: 1.16, 2.13). Child's sex and homeownership modified associations of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) with DD and ASD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this case-control study, childhood PFOA, PFHpA, and a PFAS mixture was associated with increased odds of ASD, while PFUnDA was associated with decreased odds of ASD. Because we used concurrent measurements of PFAS, our results do not imply causal relationships and thus need to be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stefanie A Busgang
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Julie B Schweitzer
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA
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26
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Bach CC, Liew Z, Matthiesen NB, Henriksen TB, Bech BH, Nøhr EA, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Olsen J. In utero exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and attention and executive function in the offspring: A study in the Danish National Birth Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113262. [PMID: 35405133 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment and accumulate in humans. PFAS are suspected to affect the neuropsychological function of children, but only few studies have evaluated the association with childhood attention and executive function. OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between intrauterine exposure to PFAS and offspring attention and executive function. METHODS A total of 1593 children from the Danish National Birth Cohort, born 1996-2003, were included. The levels of 16 PFAS were measured in maternal plasma during pregnancy. At 5 years of age, the Test of Everyday Attention for Children at Five (TEACh-5) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) were performed. TEACh-5 scores were standardized to a mean of 0 and standard deviation (SD) of 1. BRIEF scores were standardized to a mean of 50 and a SD of 10. The associations between levels of seven PFAS and TEACh-5 and BRIEF were examined by multivariable linear regression adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) was associated with poorer selective attention [standardized mean difference (95% confidence interval) -0.5 (-0.7, -0.3), highest versus lowest quartile]. Other PFAS were not clearly associated with selective attention, and we found no clear associations between PFAS exposure and sustained attention. For parent rated executive function, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) was associated with poorer scores, standardized mean difference 3.8 (95% confidence interval 1.6, 6.0), highest versus lowest quartile. Regarding other PFAS, the associations were less clear. We found no clear associations between any PFAS and executive function rated by preschool teachers. CONCLUSION Intrauterine exposure to PFOSA was associated with poorer selective attention, while PFOA was associated with poorer executive function. Given the widespread nature of PFAS exposure, these findings may have public health implications, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathrine Carlsen Bach
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark.
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Niels Bjerregård Matthiesen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tine Brink Henriksen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bodil Hammer Bech
- Research Unit for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ellen Aagaard Nøhr
- Research Unit for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Research Unit for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Brown-Leung JM, Cannon JR. Neurotransmission Targets of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Neurotoxicity: Mechanisms and Potential Implications for Adverse Neurological Outcomes. Chem Res Toxicol 2022; 35:1312-1333. [PMID: 35921496 PMCID: PMC10446502 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of persistent environmental pollutants that are ubiquitously found in the environment and virtually in all living organisms, including humans. PFAS cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain. Thus, PFAS are a likely risk for neurotoxicity. Studies that measured PFAS levels in the brains of humans, polar bears, and rats have demonstrated that some areas of the brain accumulate greater amounts of PFAS. Moreover, in humans, there is evidence that PFAS exposure is associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and an increased cause of death from Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease in elderly populations. Given possible links to neurological disease, critical analyses of possible mechanisms of neurotoxic action are necessary to advance the field. This paper critically reviews studies that investigated potential mechanistic causes for neurotoxicity including (1) a change in neurotransmitter levels, (2) dysfunction of synaptic calcium homeostasis, and (3) alteration of synaptic and neuronal protein expression and function. We found growing evidence that PFAS exposure causes neurotoxicity through the disruption of neurotransmission, particularly the dopamine and glutamate systems, which are implicated in age-related psychiatric illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases. Evaluated research has shown there are highly reproduced increased glutamate levels in the hippocampus and catecholamine levels in the hypothalamus and decreased dopamine in the whole brain after PFAS exposure. There are significant gaps in the literature relative to the assessment of the nigrostriatal system (striatum and ventral midbrain) among other regions associated with PFAS-associated neurologic dysfunction observed in humans. In conclusion, evidence suggests that PFAS may be neurotoxic and associated with chronic and age-related psychiatric illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, it is imperative that future mechanistic studies assess the impact of PFAS and PFAS mixtures on the mechanism of neurotransmission and the consequential functional effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine M Brown-Leung
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neurosciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jason R Cannon
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neurosciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Xie Z, Tan J, Fang G, Ji H, Miao M, Tian Y, Hu H, Cao W, Liang H, Yuan W. Associations between prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and neurobehavioral development in early childhood: A prospective cohort study. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113818. [PMID: 35777342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Findings from epidemiological studies on the associations between prenatal perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure and children's neurodevelopment were inconclusive, and most studies did not account for the co-exposure to multiple PFASs with strong inter-correlations. The present study aimed to assess the effects of prenatal multiple PFAS exposure on children's neurobehavioral development based on 614 mother-infant pairs in the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study. Eight PFAS concentrations were measured in maternal plasma at 12-16 weeks of gestation. Children's neurobehavioral development at 2 and 4 years of age was assessed by the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5. In Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) analyses that could address the inter-correlations between multiple PFASs, PFAS mixture appeared to be associated with fewer Somatic Complaints and more Externalizing Problems in boys, but more Somatic Complaints and Sleep Problems in girls. There were suggestive associations of PFNA and PFOS with decreased risk of Somatic Complaints and of PFUdA and PFTrDA with increased risk of Externalizing Problems in boys; trends of increased risk in girls were observed between PFUdA and Somatic Complaints and between PFTrDA and Sleep Problems. Overall, we found no clear evidence that prenatal exposure to PFASs had negative effects on neurobehavioral development in children. However, the modest associations still suggested the potential developmental neurotoxicity of prenatal PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Xie
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jing Tan
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanghong Fang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglei Ji
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Health Management, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Channing Division of Network Medicine, USA
| | - Wencheng Cao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Hong Liang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Wei Yuan
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
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Yang D, Zhu J, Zhou X, Pan D, Nan S, Yin R, Lei Q, Ma N, Zhu H, Chen J, Han L, Ding M, Ding Y. Polystyrene micro- and nano-particle coexposure injures fetal thalamus by inducing ROS-mediated cell apoptosis. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 166:107362. [PMID: 35749991 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The adverse effects of plastic on adult animal and human health have been receiving increasing attention. However, its potential toxicity to fetuses has not been fully elucidated. Herein, biodistribution of polystyrene (PS) particles was determined after the maternal mice were orally given PS micro- and/or nano-particles with and without surface modifications during gestational days 1 to 17. The results showed that PS microplastics (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) mainly emerged in the alimentary tract, brain, uterus, and placenta in maternal mice, and only the latter infiltrated into the fetal thalamus. PS NPs and carboxyl-modified NPs induced differentially expressed genes mainly enriched in oxidative phosphorylation and GABAergic synapse. Maternal administration of PS particles during gestation led to anxiety-like behavior of the progenies and their γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) reduction in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala at Week 8. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, alleviated PS particles-induced oxidative injury in the fetal brain and rescued the anxiety-like behavior of the progenies. Additionally, PS nanoparticles caused excessive ROS and apoptosis in neuronal cell lines, which were prevented by glutathione supplementation. These results suggested that PS particles produced a negative effect on fetuses by inducing oxidative injury and suppressing GABA synthesis in their brain. The findings contribute to estimating the risk for PS particles to human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diqi Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jiandi Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiaoshu Zhou
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Di Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Sha Nan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ruiling Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qianghui Lei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ning Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hongmei Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jianguo Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Li Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Mingxing Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yi Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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Reuben A, Manczak EM, Cabrera LY, Alegria M, Bucher ML, Freeman EC, Miller GW, Solomon GM, Perry MJ. The Interplay of Environmental Exposures and Mental Health: Setting an Agenda. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:25001. [PMID: 35171017 PMCID: PMC8848757 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, health-effects research on environmental stressors has rarely focused on behavioral and mental health outcomes. That lack of research is beginning to change. Science and policy experts in the environmental and behavioral health sciences are coming together to explore converging evidence on the relationship-harmful or beneficial-between environmental factors and mental health. OBJECTIVES To organize evidence and catalyze new findings, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) hosted a workshop 2-3 February 2021 on the interplay of environmental exposures and mental health outcomes. METHODS This commentary provides a nonsystematic, expert-guided conceptual review and interdisciplinary perspective on the convergence of environmental and mental health, drawing from hypotheses, findings, and research gaps presented and discussed at the workshop. Featured is an overview of what is known about the intersection of the environment and mental health, focusing on the effects of neurotoxic pollutants, threats related to climate change, and the importance of health promoting environments, such as urban green spaces. DISCUSSION We describe what can be gained by bridging environmental and psychological research disciplines and present a synthesis of what is needed to advance interdisciplinary investigations. We also consider the implications of the current evidence for a) foundational knowledge of the etiology of mental health and illness, b) toxicant policy and regulation, c) definitions of climate adaptation and community resilience, d) interventions targeting marginalized communities, and e) the future of research training and funding. We include a call to action for environmental and mental health researchers, focusing on the environmental contributions to mental health to unlock primary prevention strategies at the population level and open equitable paths for preventing mental disorders and achieving optimal mental health for all. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9889.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Reuben
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erika M. Manczak
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Laura Y. Cabrera
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Margarita Alegria
- Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Disparities Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meghan L. Bucher
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Gary W. Miller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gina M. Solomon
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA
| | - Melissa J. Perry
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Colombia, USA
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Itoh S, Yamazaki K, Suyama S, Ikeda-Araki A, Miyashita C, Ait Bamai Y, Kobayashi S, Masuda H, Yamaguchi T, Goudarzi H, Okada E, Kashino I, Saito T, Kishi R. The association between prenatal perfluoroalkyl substance exposure and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in 8-year-old children and the mediating role of thyroid hormones in the Hokkaido study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 159:107026. [PMID: 34890903 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruption of thyroid hormone (TH) levels during pregnancy contributes to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during gestation may affect levels of maternal and neonatal TH; however, little is known about the effect of PFAS on ADHD mediated by TH. OBJECTIVES We investigated the impact of maternal PFAS exposure on children's ADHD symptoms with the mediating effect of TH. METHODS In a prospective birth cohort (the Hokkaido study), we included 770 mother-child pairs recruited between 2002 and 2005 for whom both prenatal maternal and cord blood samples were available. Eleven PFAS were measured in maternal serum obtained at 28-32 weeks of gestation using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. TH and thyroid antibody, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) were measured in maternal blood during early pregnancy (median 11 gestational weeks) and in cord blood at birth. ADHD symptoms in the children at 8 years of age were rated by their parents using the ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS). The cut-off value was set at the 80th percentile for each sex. RESULTS Significant inverse associations were found between some PFAS in maternal serum and ADHD symptoms among first-born children. Assuming causality, we found only one significant association: maternal FT4 mediated 17.6% of the estimated effect of perfluoroundecanoic acid exposure on hyperactivity-impulsivity among first-born children. DISCUSSION Higher PFAS levels in maternal serum during pregnancy were associated with lower risks of ADHD symptoms at 8 years of age. The association was stronger among first-born children in relation to hyperactivity-impulsivity than with regard to inattention. There was little mediating role of TH during pregnancy in the association between maternal exposure to PFAS and reduced ADHD symptoms at 8 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachiko Itoh
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Keiko Yamazaki
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Suyama
- Funded Research Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Atsuko Ikeda-Araki
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Chihiro Miyashita
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yu Ait Bamai
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sumitaka Kobayashi
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Masuda
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamaguchi
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Houman Goudarzi
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Center for Medical Education and International Relations, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Emiko Okada
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ikuko Kashino
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takuya Saito
- Funded Research Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Reiko Kishi
- Center for Environmental Health and Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
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Luo J, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Kesmodel US, Xiao J, Vasiliou V, Deziel NC, Zhang Y, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Facial Features at 5 Years of Age: A Study from the Danish National Birth Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:17006. [PMID: 35080464 PMCID: PMC8791068 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread persistent pollutants. Evidence regarding neurodevelopmental effects of PFAS have been mixed. The relation between PFAS exposure and anatomical markers that have been suggested to correlate with fetal brain development have not been studied. OBJECTIVES We investigated the association between prenatal PFAS exposures and three craniofacial features in children measured at 5 years of age. METHODS Measures of palpebral fissure length (PFL), philtrum groove, and upper-lip thickness were generated from standardized digital facial photographs from 656 children in the Danish National Birth Cohort. PFL was classified into two groups (shorter; normal), and the philtrum (grooved; smooth; normal) and upper-lip (thick; thin; normal) measures into three groups each. Six PFAS were measured in maternal plasma (median=8 gestational wk). Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each facial feature using the normal group as the reference according to log2-PFAS concentration (in nanograms per milliliter) or PFAS tertiles, adjusting for potential confounders, including maternal alcohol intake and smoking. Stratified analyses by maternal alcohol intake or child's sex were performed. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to each PFAS was associated with elevated odds for a shorter PFL, with the strongest association observed for perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; per doubling OR=2.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.70). Some nonlinear associations were found for philtrum measures: the second tertile of PFDA and perfluorononanoic acid were associated with grooved philtrum, whereas the second tertile of perfluoroheptane sulfonate with smooth philtrum. The associations between PFAS exposure and a shorter PFL were stronger among mothers who consumed alcohol in the first trimester, some sex-specific associations were noted for philtrum and upper-lip measures. DISCUSSION Prenatal PFAS exposures might influence fetal craniofacial development. A larger study is needed to replicate the potential modifying effects observed for alcohol exposure and to clarify whether associations of craniofacial markers observed reflect specific neurologic deficits. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9478.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Luo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jingyuan Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nicole C. Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yawei Zhang
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Marí-Bauset S, Peraita-Costa I, Donat-Vargas C, Llopis-González A, Marí-Sanchis A, Llopis-Morales J, Morales Suárez-Varela M. Systematic review of prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and autism spectrum disorder in offspring. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 26:6-32. [PMID: 34412519 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211039950] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Autism spectrum disorders comprise a complex group with many subtypes of behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental abnormalities in two core areas: deficits in social communication and fixated, restricted, repetitive, or stereotyped behaviors and interests each with potential unique risk factors and characteristics. The underlying mechanisms and the possible causes of autism spectrum disorder remain elusive and while increased prevalence is undoubtable, it is unclear if it is a reflection of diagnostic improvement or emerging risk factors such as endocrine disrupting chemicals. Epidemiological studies, which are used to study the relation between endocrine disrupting chemicals and autism spectrum disorder, can have inherent methodological challenges that limit the quality and strength of their findings. The objective of this work is to systematically review the treatment of these challenges and assess the quality and strength of the findings in the currently available literature. The overall quality and strength were "moderate" and "limited," respectively. Risk of bias due to the exclusion of potential confounding factors and the lack of accuracy of exposure assessment methods were the most prevalent. The omnipresence of endocrine disrupting chemicals and the biological plausibility of the association between prenatal exposure and later development of autism spectrum disorder highlight the need to carry out well-designed epidemiological studies that overcome the methodological challenges observed in the currently available literature in order to be able to inform public policy to prevent exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals and aid in the establishment of predictor variables to facilitate early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and improve long-term outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Marí-Bauset
- Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Isabel Peraita-Costa
- Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
- CIBER in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Spain
| | | | - Agustín Llopis-González
- Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
- CIBER in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Spain
| | | | - Juan Llopis-Morales
- Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - María Morales Suárez-Varela
- Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
- CIBER in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Spain
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Qu A, Cao T, Li Z, Wang W, Liu R, Wang X, Nie Y, Sun S, Liu X, Zhang X. The association between maternal perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and early attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:67066-67081. [PMID: 34244930 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15136-2] [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: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Some studies have shown that maternal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may be associated with early attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to verify this association by reviewing existing studies and to provide a strong basis for preventing ADHD. The researchers searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Embase for all studies published before October 2020. Finally, we included nine articles for analysis. Our meta-analysis showed that maternal exposure to PFASs was not significantly associated with the prevalence rate of early childhood ADHD (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), odds ratio (OR) = 1.00, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.75-1.25; perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.88-1.14; perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.80-1.09; perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.99-1.28; perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.15-2.32). Due to significant heterogeneity, we subsequently performed subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis. Through subgroup analysis, we found that PFOS concentration of children's blood and the prevalence rate of early childhood ADHD were statistically positively correlated, and there was also a positive correlation between PFOS exposure and the prevalence rate of early childhood ADHD in the America. Moreover, there was also a statistically positive correlation between PFNA concentration in maternal blood and the prevalence rate of early childhood ADHD. Sensitivity analysis showed that the final results did not change much, the sensitivity was low, and the results were relatively stable. In conclusion, a causal relationship between maternal PFASs exposure and ADHD in children was unlikely. Among them, PFOS, PFNA, and ADHD might have positive associations worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aibin Qu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Zhongshan East Road 361, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Tengrui Cao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Zhongshan East Road 361, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixuan Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Zhongshan East Road 361, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Zhongshan East Road 361, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ran Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Zhongshan East Road 361, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Zhongshan East Road 361, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaxiong Nie
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Zhongshan East Road 361, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Suju Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Hygienic Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Zhongshan East Road 361, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuehui Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Hygienic Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Zhongshan East Road 361, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaolin Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Zhongshan East Road 361, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
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Skogheim TS, Weyde KVF, Aase H, Engel SM, Surén P, Øie MG, Biele G, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Brantsæter AL, Haug LS, Sabaredzovic A, Auyeung B, Villanger GD. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and associations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111692. [PMID: 34293314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be a risk factor for neurodevelopmental deficits and disorders, but evidence is inconsistent. OBJECTIVES We investigated whether prenatal exposure to PFAS were associated with childhood diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS This study was based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study and included n = 821 ADHD cases, n = 400 ASD cases and n = 980 controls. Diagnostic cases were identified by linkage with the Norwegian Patient Registry. In addition, we used data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. The study included the following PFAS measured in maternal plasma sampled mid-pregnancy: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Relationships between individual PFAS and ADHD or ASD diagnoses were examined using multivariable adjusted logistic regression models. We also tested for possible non-linear exposure-outcome associations. Further, we investigated the PFAS mixture associations with ASD and ADHD diagnoses using a quantile-based g-computation approach. RESULTS Odds of ASD was significantly elevated in PFOA quartile 2 [OR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.45)] compared to quartile 1, and PFOA appeared to have a non-linear, inverted U-shaped dose-response relationship with ASD. PFOA was also associated with increased odds of ADHD, mainly in quartile 2 [OR = 1.54 (95% CI: 1.16, 2.04)] compared to quartile 1, and displayed a non-linear relationship in the restricted cubic spline model. Several PFAS (PFUnDA, PFDA, and PFOS) were inversely associated with odds of ADHD and/or ASD. Some of the associations were modified by child sex and maternal education. The overall PFAS mixture was inversely associated with ASD [OR = 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.90)] as well as the carboxylate mixture [OR = 0.79 (95% CI: 0.68, 0.93)] and the sulfonate mixture [OR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.96)]. CONCLUSION Prenatal exposure to PFOA was associated with increased risk of ASD and ADHD in children. For some PFAS, as well as their mixtures, there were inverse associations with ASD and/or ADHD. However, the inverse associations reported herein should not be interpreted as protective effects, but rather that there could be some unresolved confounding for these relationships. The epidemiologic literature linking PFAS exposures with neurodevelopmental outcomes is still inconclusive, suggesting the need for more research to elucidate the neurotoxicological potential of PFAS during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea S Skogheim
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kjell Vegard F Weyde
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heidi Aase
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephanie M Engel
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Campus Box 7435, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7435, USA
| | - Pål Surén
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Merete G Øie
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, PO Box 1094, Blindern, N-0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guido Biele
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1171, Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line S Haug
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Azemira Sabaredzovic
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bonnie Auyeung
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Psychiatry, Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, UK
| | - Gro D Villanger
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
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Harris MH, Oken E, Rifas-Shiman SL, Calafat AM, Bellinger DC, Webster TF, White RF, Sagiv SK. Prenatal and childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and child executive function and behavioral problems. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111621. [PMID: 34237332 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Early life exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may adversely impact neurodevelopment, but epidemiological findings are inconsistent. In the Project Viva pre-birth cohort, we examined associations of prenatal and childhood PFAS plasma concentrations with parent and teacher assessments of children's behavior problems [Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)] and executive function abilities [Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)] at age 6-10 years (sample sizes 485-933). PFAS concentrations in pregnant Project Viva mothers (in 1999-2002) and children at ages 6-10 (in 2007-10) were similar to concentrations at similar time points in women and children in the nationally representative U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We observed no consistent associations of prenatal PFAS concentrations with behavior or executive function. Childhood concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoate (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoate (PFDA) were associated with higher parent-rated SDQ Total Difficulties scores (mean = 6.7, standard deviation (SD) = 4.9), suggesting greater behavioral problems (top (Q4) versus bottom (Q1) quartile PFOA: 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.3, 2.7; PFOS: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.3, 2.5; PFHxS: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.1, 2.3; PFNA: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.1, 2.2; PFDA: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.0, 1.1); teacher-rated SDQ scores did not show associations. Higher childhood PFOS was associated with higher (indicating more problems) parent-rated BRIEF General Executive Composite (GEC) scores (standardized to mean = 50, SD = 10) (Q4 vs. Q1: 2.4, 95% CI: 0.2, 4.6), while teacher BRIEF GEC scores indicated more problems among children with higher PFHxS (Q4 vs. Q1: 3.5, 95% CI: -0.8, 6.3). There were no consistent patterns of sexual dimorphism in associations. In a cohort of U.S. children, we observed cross-sectional associations of childhood PFAS concentrations with greater behavioral and executive function problems, but no consistent associations with prenatal PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria H Harris
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David C Bellinger
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas F Webster
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roberta F White
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sharon K Sagiv
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA, USA; Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Dalsager L, Jensen TK, Nielsen F, Grandjean P, Bilenberg N, Andersen HR. No association between maternal and child PFAS concentrations and repeated measures of ADHD symptoms at age 2½ and 5 years in children from the Odense Child Cohort. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2021; 88:107031. [PMID: 34563660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2021.107031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The potential impact of exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on childhood Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD) is unclear and deserves scrutiny. The majority of previously conducted longitudinal studies found no association between maternal serum-PFAS concentrations and ADHD symptoms in the offspring, but some studies observed possible associations with postnatal PFAS exposures, mainly in girls. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between maternal and child serum concentrations of five PFAS and symptoms of ADHD at ages 2½ and 5 years. METHODS In the Odense Child Cohort (OCC) women were recruited in early pregnancy in 2010-12 and their children are being prospectively followed. Mothers donated serum samples in the first trimester and children at age 18 months to be analyzed for perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). Parents completed the Child Behavior Check List for ages 1.5-5 years (CBCL/1½-5), including a 6-item ADHD symptom scale at age 2½ years and again at 5 years. Negative binomial and logistic regression models taking account of repeated measures were used to investigate the association between maternal and child serum-PFAS concentrations and the ADHD symptom score. Effect modification by child sex was investigated as well. RESULTS A total of 1138 mother-child pairs were included. At age 2½ years, 17.4% of the children had an ADHD scale score ≥ 5 (equivalent to the 90th percentile), whereas the proportion was 15.8% at age 5. We found no association between either maternal or child PFAS concentrations in serum and symptoms of ADHD at age 2½ or 5 years, and no evidence of effect modification by sex. CONCLUSION We found no evidence of an association between early-life PFAS exposure and the risk of developing symptoms of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Dalsager
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Odense Patient data Explorative Network (OPEN), Odense, Denmark
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Niels Bilenberg
- Research center in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (FOCUS), Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Odense, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Helle Raun Andersen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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O'Shaughnessy KL, Fischer F, Zenclussen AC. Perinatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and neurodevelopment: How articles of daily use influence the development of our children. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 35:101568. [PMID: 34565681 PMCID: PMC10111869 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2021.101568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Substances that interfere with the body's hormonal balance or their function are called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Many EDCs are ubiquitous in the environment and are an unavoidable aspect of daily life, including during early embryogenesis. Developmental exposure to these chemicals is of critical relevance, as EDCs can permanently alter developmental programs, including those that pattern and wire the brain. Of emerging interest is how these chemicals may also affect the immune response, given the cross-talk between the endocrine and immune systems. As brain development is strongly dependent on hormones including thyroid, androgens, and estrogens, and can also be affected by immunomodulation, this complicated interplay may have long-lasting neurodevelopmental consequences. This review focuses on data available from human cohorts, in vivo models, and in vitro assays regarding the impact of EDCs after a gestational and/or lactational exposure, and how they may impact the immune system and/or neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L O'Shaughnessy
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Florence Fischer
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ana C Zenclussen
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany.
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39
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Salazar P, Villaseca P, Cisternas P, Inestrosa NC. Neurodevelopmental impact of the offspring by thyroid hormone system-disrupting environmental chemicals during pregnancy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 200:111345. [PMID: 34087190 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Everyday use chemicals have been demonstrated to be endocrine disruptors. Since normal thyroid function during pregnancy is transcendental for the neurodevelopment of the offspring, knowledge of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) is of main importance. The aim of our study is to recognize and describe EDC actions in pregnant women and focus on neurodevelopmental processes that can lead to neurotransmitter imbalance and cognitive impairment, and the possible clinical outcomes in the newborn and child. We searched PubMed databases for animal studies and clinical trials evaluating chemicals recognized as thyroid disruptors -perchlorate, phthalates, bisphenol A-, as well as chemicals with potential thyroid disruption activity -parabens, pesticides and persistent organic pollutants, on thyroid hormones (THs) levels and their bioavailability during pregnancy, and the outcome in newborns, infants and children. We also exhibit evidence from worldwide cohort studies to this regard. The publications reviewed show: 1) known endocrine disruptors have an association with hormonal thyroid levels, where an effect of increase or decrease in TH concentrations has been reported depending on the chemical exposed 2) associations between TH, EDCs and neurocognitive disorders have been addressed, such as ADHD, though no conclusive impact on potential related disorders as autism has been established, 3) perchlorate has demonstrated effects on thyroid levels on iodine uptake. In conclusion, detrimental risks and long-term consequences after in-utero exposure to EDCs are being reported in several cohort studies and further research must be conducted to establish a well-known cause-effect association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Salazar
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE-UC), Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulina Villaseca
- Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Pedro Cisternas
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE-UC), Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de O'Higgins, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Nibaldo C Inestrosa
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE-UC), Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.
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Hagstrom AL, Anastas P, Boissevain A, Borrel A, Deziel NC, Fenton SE, Fields C, Fortner JD, Franceschi-Hofmann N, Frigon R, Jin L, Kim JH, Kleinstreuer NC, Koelmel J, Lei Y, Liew Z, Ma X, Mathieu L, Nason SL, Organtini K, Oulhote Y, Pociu S, Godri Pollitt KJ, Saiers J, Thompson DC, Toal B, Weiner EJ, Whirledge S, Zhang Y, Vasiliou V. Yale School of Public Health Symposium: An overview of the challenges and opportunities associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 778:146192. [PMID: 33714836 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
On December 13, 2019, the Yale School of Public Health hosted a symposium titled "Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Challenges and Opportunities" in New Haven, Connecticut. The meeting focused on the current state of the science on these chemicals, highlighted the challenges unique to PFAS, and explored promising opportunities for addressing them. It brought together participants from Yale University, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of Connecticut, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Connecticut Departments of Public Health and Energy and Environmental Protection, and the public and private sectors. Presentations during the symposium centered around several primary themes. The first reviewed the current state of the science on the health effects associated with PFAS exposure and noted key areas that warranted future research. As research in this field relies on specialized laboratory analyses, the second theme considered commercially available methods for PFAS analysis as well as several emerging analytical approaches that support health studies and facilitate the investigation of a broader range of PFAS. Since mitigation of PFAS exposure requires prevention and cleanup of contamination, the third theme highlighted new nanotechnology-enabled PFAS remediation technologies and explored the potential of green chemistry to develop safer alternatives to PFAS. The fourth theme covered collaborative efforts to assess the vulnerability of in-state private wells and small public water supplies to PFAS contamination by adjacent landfills, and the fifth focused on strategies that promote successful community engagement. This symposium supported a unique interdisciplinary coalition established during the development of Connecticut's PFAS Action Plan, and discussions occurring throughout the symposium revealed opportunities for collaborations among Connecticut scientists, state and local officials, and community advocates. In doing so, it bolstered the State of Connecticut's efforts to implement the ambitious initiatives that its PFAS Action Plan recommends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Hagstrom
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford, CT, USA; Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Rocky Hill, CT, USA
| | - Paul Anastas
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale School of the Environment, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrea Boissevain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Stratford Health Department, Stratford, CT, USA
| | - Alexandre Borrel
- NIH/NIEHS/DIR Biostatistics & Computational Biology Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Suzanne E Fenton
- NIH/NIEHS Division of the National Toxicology Program, NTP Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Cheryl Fields
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - John D Fortner
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Raymond Frigon
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Lan Jin
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jae-Hong Kim
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nicole C Kleinstreuer
- NIH/NIEHS/DIR Biostatistics & Computational Biology Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; NIH/NIEHS Division of the National Toxicology Program, NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jeremy Koelmel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xiuqi Ma
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lori Mathieu
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Sara L Nason
- Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Youssef Oulhote
- School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Shannon Pociu
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - James Saiers
- Yale School of the Environment, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David C Thompson
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brian Toal
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Eric J Weiner
- Clean Water Task Force at Windsor Climate Action, Windsor, CT, USA
| | - Shannon Whirledge
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yawei Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Omoike OE, Pack RP, Mamudu HM, Liu Y, Strasser S, Zheng S, Okoro J, Wang L. Association between per and polyfluoroalkyl substances and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110361. [PMID: 33131681 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the association of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and markers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. METHODS Using data (n = 6652) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2012, generalized linear models were used to examine the association between PFAS and inflammatory (ferritin, alkaline phosphatase, C-reactive protein, absolute neutrophil count and lymphocyte count) and oxidative stress (serum bilirubin, albumin and iron) per unit exposure to PFAS while adjusting for covariates. Study participants were those ≥20 years of age. Outcome variables were markers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress and exposure variables were PFAS. RESULLTS Percentage change in Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) were all significantly associated with percentage increases in lymphocyte counts, beta (95% confidence interval); 0.04(0.02,0.05), 0.04(0.02,0.05), 0.05(0.03, 0.07), 0.04(0.03,0.05), 0.03(0.13,1.23) and with percentage increases in serum iron 0.07(0.05,0.09), 0.04(0.02,0.07), 0.10(0.07,0.12), 0.05(0.03,0.07), 0.04(0.02,0.06) and increased serum albumin 0.02(0.02,0.02), 0.02(0.02,0.03), 0.03(0.03,0.04), 0.02(0.017, 0.025), 0.01 (0.01, 0.05). Only PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA and PFOS were associated with percentage increases in serum total bilirubin 0.04(0.03,0.05), 0.02(0.00,0.03), 0.06(0.04,0.08), 0.03(0.02,0.05). Similar results were obtained for categorical quintile analysis with PFOA showing a significant trend (P < 0.001) with lymphocyte count, serum iron, serum total bilirubin and serum albumin. Trend for neutrophil count was not significant (p = 0.183). CONCLUSION Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances are associated with markers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Increased exposure leads to increase in serum concentration of these markers meaning these chemicals are associated with both chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ogbebor Enaholo Omoike
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA.
| | - Robert P Pack
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Hadii M Mamudu
- Department of Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Sheryl Strasser
- School of Public Health/Partnership for Urban Health Research, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shimin Zheng
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Joy Okoro
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Liang Wang
- Baylor University, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, USA
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Vuong AM, Webster GM, Yolton K, Calafat AM, Muckle G, Lanphear BP, Chen A. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neurobehavior in US children through 8 years of age: The HOME study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110825. [PMID: 33545124 PMCID: PMC7987860 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behaviors in children are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES To examine associations between maternal serum PFAS concentrations and child behavior in 241 mother-child dyads within the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study. METHODS We quantified perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) in maternal serum collected during pregnancy or at delivery. We evaluated a total of 17 outcomes of child behavior using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2) at 5 and 8 years (n = 240) and ADHD diagnostic symptoms and criteria with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Young Child (DISC-YC) at 5 years (n = 190). We used linear mixed models and logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to assess associations between PFAS and continuous or dichotomous "at risk" BASC-2 scores; negative binomial regression to calculate incident rate ratios for counts of ADHD symptoms; and Poisson regression with robust standard errors to calculate relative risks of meeting ADHD diagnostic criteria. RESULTS Each ln-unit increase in PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA was associated with higher BASC-2 scores and increased odds of "at-risk" scores for externalizing behaviors, including hyperactivity (PFOS: odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2, 5.9; PFHxS: OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5, 4.3; PFNA: OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3, 8.0). PFHxS was also associated with internalizing problems (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1, 3.4) and somatization (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2, 4.0). PFOS and PFNA were significantly associated with 50-80% more DISC-YC symptoms and diagnostic criteria related to hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD. Prenatal PFNA was associated with increased risk of any-type ADHD. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal PFOS and PFNA were consistently associated with measures related to hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD across two validated assessment instruments. PFHxS was associated with increased problems with both externalizing and internalizing behaviors. No associations were noted between PFOA and child neurobehavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Vuong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - Glenys M Webster
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Gina Muckle
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Leung M, Kioumourtzoglou MA, Raz R, Weisskopf MG. Bias due to Selection on Live Births in Studies of Environmental Exposures during Pregnancy: A Simulation Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:47001. [PMID: 33793300 PMCID: PMC8043129 DOI: 10.1289/ehp7961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of the effects of prenatal environmental exposures on postnatal outcomes are particularly vulnerable to live birth bias; i.e., the bias that arises from the necessary restriction of the analysis to live births when that is influenced by both the exposure under study A and unmeasured factors U that also affect the outcome. OBJECTIVES In the context of a recent publication of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that found an odds ratio (OR) of 0.77 per 5.85 ppb NO2 during pregnancy, we aimed to examine what parameters would be needed to account for this protective association through live birth bias. METHODS We simulated the magnitude of bias under two selection mechanisms and when both mechanisms co-occur, assuming a true null effect. Simulation input parameters were based on characteristics of the original study and a range of plausible values for the prevalence of unmeasured factor U and the ORs for the selection effects (i.e., the effects of NO2 and U on loss and of U on ASD). Each scenario was simulated 1,000 times. RESULTS We found that the magnitude of bias was small when NO2 and U independently influenced pregnancy loss (collider-stratification without interaction), was stronger when NO2-induced loss preferentially occurred in U=1 (depletion of susceptibles), and was strongest when both mechanisms worked together. For example, ORs of 3.0 for NO2-loss, U-loss, U-ASD, and U prevalence=0.75 yielded NO2-ASD ORs per 5.85 ppb NO2 of 0.95, 0.89, and 0.75 for the three scenarios, respectively. The bias is amplified with multiple Us, yielding ORs as low as 0.51. DISCUSSION Our simulations illustrate that live birth bias may lead to exposure-outcome associations that are biased downward, where the extent of the bias depends on the fetal selection mechanism, the strength of that selection, and the prevalence of U. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7961.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Leung
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Raanan Raz
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Marc G. Weisskopf
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Lyall K, Ames JL, Pearl M, Traglia M, Weiss LA, Windham GC, Kharrazi M, Yoshida CK, Yolken R, Volk HE, Ashwood P, Van de Water J, Croen LA. A profile and review of findings from the Early Markers for Autism study: unique contributions from a population-based case-control study in California. Mol Autism 2021; 12:24. [PMID: 33736683 PMCID: PMC7977191 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00429-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Early Markers for Autism (EMA) study is a population-based case-control study designed to learn more about early biologic processes involved in ASD. METHODS Participants were drawn from Southern California births from 2000 to 2003 with archived prenatal and neonatal screening specimens. Across two phases, children with ASD (n = 629) and intellectual disability without ASD (ID, n = 230) were ascertained from the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), with diagnoses confirmed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria based on expert clinical review of abstracted records. General population controls (GP, n = 599) were randomly sampled from birth certificate files and matched to ASD cases by sex, birth month and year after excluding individuals with DDS records. EMA has published over 20 papers examining immune markers, endogenous hormones, environmental chemicals, and genetic factors in association with ASD and ID. This review summarizes the results across these studies, as well as the EMA study design and future directions. RESULTS EMA enabled several key contributions to the literature, including the examination of biomarker levels in biospecimens prospectively collected during critical windows of neurodevelopment. Key findings from EMA include demonstration of elevated cytokine and chemokine levels in maternal mid-pregnancy serum samples in association with ASD, as well as aberrations in other immune marker levels; suggestions of increased odds of ASD with prenatal exposure to certain endocrine disrupting chemicals, though not in mixture analyses; and demonstration of maternal and fetal genetic influence on prenatal chemical, and maternal and neonatal immune marker and vitamin D levels. We also observed an overall lack of association with ASD and measured maternal and neonatal vitamin D, mercury, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. LIMITATIONS Covariate and outcome data were limited to information in Vital Statistics and DDS records. As a study based in Southern California, generalizability for certain environmental exposures may be reduced. CONCLUSIONS Results across EMA studies support the importance of the prenatal and neonatal periods in ASD etiology, and provide evidence for the role of the maternal immune response during pregnancy. Future directions for EMA, and the field of ASD in general, include interrogation of mechanistic pathways and examination of combined effects of exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Suite 560, 3020 Market St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Jennifer L Ames
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Pearl
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Michela Traglia
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren A Weiss
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gayle C Windham
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Martin Kharrazi
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Cathleen K Yoshida
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Robert Yolken
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heather E Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Paul Ashwood
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
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Mokra K. Endocrine Disruptor Potential of Short- and Long-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)-A Synthesis of Current Knowledge with Proposal of Molecular Mechanism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2148. [PMID: 33670069 PMCID: PMC7926449 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disruptors are a group of chemical compounds that, even in low concentrations, cause a hormonal imbalance in the body, contributing to the development of various harmful health disorders. Many industry compounds, due to their important commercial value and numerous applications, are produced on a global scale, while the mechanism of their endocrine action has not been fully understood. In recent years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have gained the interest of major international health organizations, and thus more and more studies have been aimed to explain the toxicity of these compounds. PFASs were firstly synthesized in the 1950s and broadly used in the industry in the production of firefighting agents, cosmetics and herbicides. The numerous industrial applications of PFASs, combined with the exceptionally long half-life of these substances in the human body and extreme environmental persistence, result in a common and chronic exposure of the general population to their action. Available data have suggested that human exposure to PFASs can occur during different stages of development and may cause short- or/and long-term health effects. This paper synthetizes the current literature reports on the presence, bioaccumulation and, particularly, endocrine toxicity of selected long- and short-chain PFASs, with a special emphasis on the mechanisms underlying their endocrine actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Mokra
- Department of Environmental Pollution Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143 St., 90-236 Lodz, Poland
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Oh J, Bennett DH, Calafat AM, Tancredi D, Roa DL, Schmidt RJ, Hertz-Picciotto I, Shin HM. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in association with autism spectrum disorder in the MARBLES study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 147:106328. [PMID: 33387879 PMCID: PMC7856021 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has shown potential to adversely affect child brain development, but epidemiologic evidence remains inconsistent. We examined whether prenatal exposure to PFAS was associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS Participants were 173 mother-child pairs from MARBLES (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies - Learning Early Signs), a high-risk ASD cohort. At 3 years old, children were clinically confirmed for ASD and classified into ASD (n = 57) and typical development (TD, n = 116). We quantified nine PFAS in maternal serum collected during pregnancy. We examined associations of ASD with individual PFAS as well as the combined effect of PFAS on ASD using scores of the first principal component (PC-1) accounting for the largest variance. RESULTS Prenatal perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) showed positive associations (per 2 nanogram per milliliter increase: relative risk (RR) = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.90, 1.61 [PFOA]; RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.69 [PFNA]), while perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) showed a negative association (RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.77, 1.01) with ASD risk. When examining associations of ASD with untransformed PFAS concentrations, PFOA, PFNA, and PC-1 were associated with increased ASD risk (per nanogram per milliliter increase: RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.65; RR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.85; RR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.25, respectively), while the RR of PFHxS moved toward the null. CONCLUSIONS From this high-risk ASD cohort, we observed increased risk of ASD in children exposed to PFOA and PFNA. Further studies should be conducted in the general population because this population may have a larger fraction of cases resulting from genetic sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Oh
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Daniel Tancredi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Dorcas L Roa
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, TX, USA.
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Yu G, Luo F, Nian M, Li S, Liu B, Feng L, Zhang J. Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances During Pregnancy and Fetal BDNF Level: A Prospective Cohort Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:653095. [PMID: 34140927 PMCID: PMC8204808 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.653095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans are widely exposed to environmental perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which may affect fetal neurodevelopment. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important factor in neurodevelopment, but its role in PFAS-induced neurotoxicity is unclear. We investigated the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and fetal BDNF level in the umbilical cord blood in a large prospective cohort. METHODS A total of 725 pregnant women who participated in the Shanghai Birth Cohort were included. 10 PFAS were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS) in the plasma samples of early pregnancy. The BDNF level was determined by ELISA. The concentration of total mercury (Hg) in the umbilical cord blood was tested by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and included as a main confounder, along with other covariates. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the associations between PFAS concentrations and BDNF level. Quantile-based g-computation was applied to explore the joint and independent effects of PFAS on BDNF level. RESULTS The mean BDNF level in the total population was 10797 (±4713) pg/ml. Male fetuses had a higher level than female fetuses (P<0.001). A significant positive association was observed between PFHxS and BDNF level after adjusting for potential confounders [β=1285 (95% CI: 453, 2118, P=0.003)]. No association was observed between other PFAS congeners and BDNF level. Results of the mixed exposure model showed that the joint effects of PFAS mixture were not associated with BDNF [β=447 (95% CI: -83, 978, P=0.10)], while the positive association with PFHxS exposure remained significant after controlling for other PFAS [β=592 (95% CI: 226, 958, P=0.002)]. The above associations were more prominent in male [β=773 (95% CI: 25, 1520, P= 0.04)] than female fetuses [β=105 (95% CI: -791, 1002, P= 0.82)] for the mixed effects. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to PFHxS was associated with an increased BDNF level in the umbilical blood, especially in male fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqi Yu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Luo
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Nian
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuman Li
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Jun Zhang, ; Liping Feng,
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Zhang, ; Liping Feng,
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Luo J, Xiao J, Gao Y, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Toft G, Li J, Obel C, Andersen SL, Deziel NC, Tseng WL, Inoue K, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and behavioral difficulties in childhood at 7 and 11 years. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110111. [PMID: 32846178 PMCID: PMC7657987 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are suggested to interfere with thyroid hormone during pregnancy and influence fetal neurodevelopment. Epidemiological evidence regarding behavioral difficulties in childhood associated with prenatal PFAS exposure has been inconclusive. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and behavioral difficulties at 7 and 11 years, and investigated the potential mediating role of maternal thyroid hormones. METHODS Using pooled samples in the Danish National Birth Cohort established between 1996 and 2002, we estimated the associations between concentrations of six types of PFAS in maternal plasma (median, 8 gestational weeks) and child behavioral assessments from the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), reported by parents at 7 years (n = 2421), and by parents (n = 2070) and children at 11 years (n = 2071). Behavioral difficulties were defined as having a composite SDQ score above the 90th percentile for total difficulties and externalizing or internalizing behaviors. We used logistic regression to estimate the adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) by doubling increase of prenatal PFAS (ng/ml). The possible mediating effect of maternal thyroid function classified based on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) levels were evaluated. RESULTS Prenatal perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was consistently associated with total and externalizing behavioral difficulties in all three SDQ measures reported by parents (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.14-1.73 for age 7; OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05-1.53 for age 11) or children (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.11-1.58) while no consistent associations were observed for other types of PFAS. A small magnitude of natural indirect effects via maternal thyroid dysfunction (ORs ranged from 1.01 to 1.03) of several PFAS were observed for parent-reported total and externalizing behaviors at 7 years only. DISCUSSION Prenatal PFNA exposure was associated with externalizing behavioral difficulties in childhood in repeated SDQ measures at 7 and 11 years. The slight mediating effects of maternal thyroid hormones in early gestation warrant further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Luo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Jingyuan Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | | | - Gunnar Toft
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jiong Li
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Carsten Obel
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Stine Linding Andersen
- Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Wan-Ling Tseng
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Kosuke Inoue
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
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Steenland K, Fletcher T, Stein CR, Bartell SM, Darrow L, Lopez-Espinosa MJ, Barry Ryan P, Savitz DA. Review: Evolution of evidence on PFOA and health following the assessments of the C8 Science Panel. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 145:106125. [PMID: 32950793 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The C8 Science Panel was composed of three epidemiologists charged with studying the possible health effects of PFOA in a highly exposed population in the mid-Ohio Valley. The Panel determined in 2012 there was a 'probable link' (i.e., more probable than not based on the weight of the available scientific evidence) between PFOA and high cholesterol, thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and ulcerative colitis. OBJECTIVE Here, former C8 Science Panel members and collaborators comment on the PFOA literature regarding thyroid disorders, cancer, immune and auto-immune disorders, liver disease, hypercholesterolemia, reproductive outcomes, neurotoxicity, and kidney disease. We also discuss developments regarding fate and transport, and pharmacokinetic models, and discuss causality assessment in cross-sectional associations among low-exposed populations. DISCUSSION For cancer, the epidemiologic evidence remains supportive but not definitive for kidney and testicular cancers. There is consistent evidence of a positive association between PFOA and cholesterol, but no evidence of an association with heart disease. There is evidence for an association with ulcerative colitis, but not for other auto-immune diseases. There is good evidence that PFOA is associated with immune response, but uneven evidence for an association with infectious disease. The evidence for an association between PFOA and thyroid and kidney disease is suggestive but uneven. There is evidence of an association with liver enzymes, but not with liver disease. There is little evidence of an association with neurotoxicity. Suggested reductions in birthweight may be due to reverse causality and/or confounding. Fate and transport models and pharmacokinetic models remain central to estimating past exposure for new cohorts, but are difficult to develop without good historical data on emissions of PFOA into the environment. CONCLUSION Overall, the epidemiologic evidence remains limited. For a few outcomes there has been some replication of our earlier findings. More longitudinal research is needed in large populations with large exposure contrasts. Additional cross-sectional studies of low exposed populations may be less informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Steenland
- 1518 Clifton Rd, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory U., Atlanta, GA 30324, United States.
| | - Tony Fletcher
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cheryl R Stein
- Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, NY, NY, United States
| | - Scott M Bartell
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, Irvine, Cal, United States
| | | | - Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO, Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - P Barry Ryan
- 1518 Clifton Rd, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory U., Atlanta, GA 30324, United States
| | - David A Savitz
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
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Cheroni C, Caporale N, Testa G. Autism spectrum disorder at the crossroad between genes and environment: contributions, convergences, and interactions in ASD developmental pathophysiology. Mol Autism 2020; 11:69. [PMID: 32912338 PMCID: PMC7488083 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00370-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder encompasses interactions between genetic and environmental factors. On the one hand, hundreds of genes, converging at the functional level on selective biological domains such as epigenetic regulation and synaptic function, have been identified to be either causative or risk factors of autism. On the other hand, exposure to chemicals that are widespread in the environment, such as endocrine disruptors, has been associated with adverse effects on human health, including neurodevelopmental disorders. Interestingly, experimental results suggest an overlap in the regulatory pathways perturbed by genetic mutations and environmental factors, depicting convergences and complex interplays between genetic susceptibility and toxic insults. The pervasive nature of chemical exposure poses pivotal challenges for neurotoxicological studies, regulatory agencies, and policy makers. This highlights an emerging need of developing new integrative models, including biomonitoring, epidemiology, experimental, and computational tools, able to capture real-life scenarios encompassing the interaction between chronic exposure to mixture of substances and individuals' genetic backgrounds. In this review, we address the intertwined roles of genetic lesions and environmental insults. Specifically, we outline the transformative potential of stem cell models, coupled with omics analytical approaches at increasingly single cell resolution, as converging tools to experimentally dissect the pathogenic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as to improve developmental neurotoxicology risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cheroni
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Nicolò Caporale
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Human Technopole, Via Cristina Belgioioso 171, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Human Technopole, Via Cristina Belgioioso 171, Milan, Italy.
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