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Ladeira C. The use of effect biomarkers in chemical mixtures risk assessment - Are they still important? MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2024; 896:503768. [PMID: 38821670 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2024.503768] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Human epidemiological studies with biomarkers of effect play an invaluable role in identifying health effects with chemical exposures and in disease prevention. Effect biomarkers that measure genetic damage are potent tools to address the carcinogenic and/or mutagenic potential of chemical exposures, increasing confidence in regulatory risk assessment decision-making processes. The micronucleus (MN) test is recognized as one of the most successful and reliable assays to assess genotoxic events, which are associated with exposures that may cause cancer. To move towards the next generation risk assessment is crucial to establish bridges between standard approaches, new approach methodologies (NAMs) and tools for increase the mechanistically-based biological plausibility in human studies, such as the adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) framework. This paper aims to highlight the still active role of MN as biomarker of effect in the evolution and applicability of new methods and approaches in human risk assessment, with the positive consequence, that the new methods provide a deeper knowledge of the mechanistically-based biology of these endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Ladeira
- H&TRC, Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon 1990-096, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisbon, Portugal.
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2
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Qin XD, Zhou Y, Bloom MS, Qian Z(M, Geiger SD, Vaughn MG, Chu C, Li QQ, Yang BY, Hu LW, Yu Y, Zeng XW, Dong GH. Prenatal Exposure to PFAS, Associations with Preterm Birth and Modification by Maternal Estrogen Levels: The Maoming Birth Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:117006. [PMID: 37962440 PMCID: PMC10644897 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estrogens play a critical role in parturition, and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have estrogenic effects, have been associated with preterm birth. However, the impact of estrogens on the association between PFAS and preterm birth is unknown. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to investigate if estrogens modified the association between PFAS and preterm birth, using a nested case-control study design. METHODS A total of 371 preterm births and 508 controls were selected from a birth cohort study in China between 2016 and 2018. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and its branched isomer, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and its branched isomer, and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were quantified in maternal serum (mean gestational age of 32 wk). Estradiol and estriol were quantified in cord serum. Preterm birth was defined as live delivery at < 37 gestational weeks. Causal mediation analysis was used to estimate the mediation and interaction effects of estrogen on the association between PFAS and preterm birth. Latent profile analysis was used to identify important estrogen profiles. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate associations between PFAS and preterm birth and interactions between PFAS and estrogens on preterm birth. RESULTS Overall, higher odds ratios (ORs) of preterm birth were associated with each 1 ln-unit PFAS increase: PFBA [1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14, 1.26], PFNA (1.30, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.39), PFOA (1.98, 95% CI: 1.54, 2.55), and PFOS (1.91, 95% CI: 1.76, 2.07) and its branched isomer (1.91, 95% CI: 1.90, 1.92). We detected statistically significant interactions between cord estradiol and PFAS on preterm birth, while no mediation effects of cord estrogen were observed. The ORs of PFOS (4.29, 95% CI: 1.31, 8.25), its branched isomer (6.71, 95% CI: 1.06, 11.91), and preterm birth were greater for participants with high cord estrogen levels than for participants with low cord estrogen levels. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that estrogen modified the association between maternal PFAS exposure and preterm birth. Further studies on maternal PFAS exposure and preterm birth, taking interaction effects of cord estrogens into account, are warranted. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11377.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Di Qin
- Institute for Chemical Carcinogenesis, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou, China
| | - Michael S. Bloom
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Zhengmin (Min) Qian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sarah Dee Geiger
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Michael G. Vaughn
- School of Social Work, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Chu Chu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Qing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo-Yi Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Wen Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunjiang Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Currie SD, Doherty JP, Xue KS, Wang JS, Tang L. The stage-specific toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122429. [PMID: 37619695 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of industrial chemicals that have been used for decades in industrial and commercial applications. Due to their widespread usages, persistence in the environment, and bioaccumulation in animals and humans, great public health concerns have been raised on adverse health risks of PFAS. In this study, ten PFAS were selected according to their occurrence in different water bodies. The wild-type worms were exposed to individual PFAS at 0, 0.1, 1,10, 100, and 200 μM, and the toxic effects of PFAS on growth, development, fecundity, and behavior at different life stages were investigated using a high-throughput screening (HTS) platform. Our results showed that perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA), perfluorobutanesulfonic (PFBS), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) exhibited significant inhibitive effects on the growth in the L4 larva and later stages of worms with concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 200 μmol/L. PFOS and PFBS significantly decreased the brood size of worms across all tested concentrations (p < 0.05), and the most potent PFAS is PFOS with BMC of 0.02013 μM (BMCL, 1.6e-06 μM). During adulthood, all PFAS induced a significant reduction in motility (p < 0.01), while only PFOS can significantly induce behavior alteration at the early larvae stage. Furthermore, the adverse effects occurred in larval stages were found to be the most susceptible to the PFAS exposure. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential adverse effects associated with PFAS exposure and show the importance of considering developmental stages in toxicity assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth D Currie
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA; Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Joseph Patrick Doherty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Kathy S Xue
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jia-Sheng Wang
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA; Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Lili Tang
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA; Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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Long M, Wielsøe M, Bech BH, Henriksen TB, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Maternal serum dioxin-like activity and gestational age at birth and indices of foetal growth: The Aarhus birth cohort. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 897:165286. [PMID: 37422229 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to lipophilic persistent organic pollutants (lipPOP) is ubiquitous and life-long, beginning during foetal development. Exposure to lipPOP elicits a number of species and tissue specific responses including dioxin-like activity which involve the activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). This study aims i) to describe the combined dioxin-like activity in serum from Danish pregnant women collected during 2011-2013; ii) to assess the association between maternal serum dioxin-like activity, gestational age at birth and foetal growth indices. The serum lipPOP fraction was extracted using Solid Phase Extraction and cleaned-up on Supelco multi-layer silica and florisil columns. The combined dioxin-like activity of the extract was determined using the AhR reporter gene bioassay, expressed as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) toxic equivalent (TEQ) [AhR-TEQ (pg/g lipid)]. The associations of AhR-TEQ and foetal growth indices (birth weight, birth length and head circumference) and gestational age were assessed by linear regression models. We detected AhR-TEQ in 93.9 % of maternal first trimester serum samples, with a median level of 185 pg/g lipid. Each ln-unit increase in AhR-TEQ was associated with an increase in birth weight of 36 g (95 % CI: 5; 68), birth length of 0.2 cm (95 % CI: 0.01; 0.3) and pregnancy duration of 1 day (95 % CI: 0; 1.5). In women who never smoked, higher AhR-TEQ values were associated with higher birth weight and longer duration of gestation, while in smokers the association was the opposite. Mediation analyses suggested that gestational age may mediate the association of AhR-TEQ with foetal growth indices. We conclude that AhR activating substances are present in the bloodstream of almost all pregnant women in Denmark and the AhR-TEQ level was around four times higher than previously reported. The AhR-TEQ was associated with slightly longer gestational duration and thereby higher birth weight and birth length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark.
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark.
| | - Bodil Hammer Bech
- Research unit for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Tine Brink Henriksen
- Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark; Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.
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Wielsøe M, Molina-Molina JM, Rodríguez-Carrillo A, Mustieles V, Olea N, Fernandez MF, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Xeno-estrogenic activity of real-life mixtures of perfluoroalkylated substances in human placenta homogenates. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 120:108444. [PMID: 37473930 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Humans are simultaneously exposed to complex chemical mixtures, and its combined effect can affect human health. As part of the HBM4EU project, the actual mixture of perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) in 25 human placenta samples was extracted by chromatographic methods and assessed for xeno-estrogenic activity using two in-vitro bioassays: the estrogen receptor transactivity and the E-Screen assay. Most of the PFAS extracts displayed xeno-estrogenic activity, in one or both assays. The xeno-estrogenic activities in the two bioassays were not correlated, but both assays showed an overall negative correlation with placenta concentrations of single PFAS. Xeno-estrogenic activities were significantly related to maternal characteristics; being higher in young, smokers and primiparous women, but not with fetal growth (birth weight, birth length, head circumference, gestational age, placenta weight). The presented extraction method can be used to study the combined effect of real-life mixtures of PFAS in relation to health outcomes in large-scale human biomonitoring studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jose-Manuel Molina-Molina
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Andrea Rodríguez-Carrillo
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), E-28029, Spain
| | - Nicolas Olea
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), E-28029, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), E-18012 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), E-28029, Spain
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, GRL-3905 Nuussuaq, Greenland
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Wu Y, Bao J, Liu Y, Wang X, Qu W. A Review on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Pregnant Women: Maternal Exposure, Placental Transfer, and Relevant Model Simulation. TOXICS 2023; 11:430. [PMID: 37235245 PMCID: PMC10224256 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are important and ubiquitous environmental contaminants worldwide. These novel contaminants can enter human bodies via various pathways, subsequently posing risks to the ecosystem and human health. The exposure of pregnant women to PFASs might pose risks to the health of mothers and the growth and development of fetuses. However, little information is available about the placental transfer of PFASs from mothers to fetuses and the related mechanisms through model simulation. In the present study, based upon a review of previously published literature, we initially summarized the exposure pathways of PFASs in pregnant women, factors affecting the efficiency of placental transfer, and mechanisms associated with placental transfer; outlined simulation analysis approaches using molecular docking and machine learning to reveal the mechanisms of placental transfer; and finally highlighted future research emphases that need to be focused on. Consequently, it was notable that the binding of PFASs to proteins during placental transfer could be simulated by molecular docking and that the placental transfer efficiency of PFASs could also be predicted by machine learning. Therefore, future research on the maternal-fetal transfer mechanisms of PFASs with the benefit of simulation analysis approaches is warranted to provide a scientific basis for the health effects of PFASs on newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jia Bao
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, China
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Rodríguez-Carrillo A, Mustieles V, Salamanca-Fernández E, Olivas-Martínez A, Suárez B, Bajard L, Baken K, Blaha L, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Couderq S, D'Cruz SC, Fini JB, Govarts E, Gundacker C, Hernández AF, Lacasaña M, Laguzzi F, Linderman B, Long M, Louro H, Neophytou C, Oberemn A, Remy S, Rosenmai AK, Saber AT, Schoeters G, Silva MJ, Smagulova F, Uhl M, Vinggaard AM, Vogel U, Wielsøe M, Olea N, Fernández MF. Implementation of effect biomarkers in human biomonitoring studies: A systematic approach synergizing toxicological and epidemiological knowledge. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 249:114140. [PMID: 36841007 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) studies have highlighted widespread daily exposure to environmental chemicals. Some of these are suspected to contribute to adverse health outcomes such as reproductive, neurological, and metabolic disorders, among other developmental and chronic impairments. One of the objectives of the H2020 European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) was the development of informative effect biomarkers for application in a more systematic and harmonized way in large-scale European HBM studies. The inclusion of effect biomarkers would complement exposure data with mechanistically-based information on early and late adverse effects. For this purpose, a stepwise strategy was developed to identify and implement a panel of validated effect biomarkers in European HBM studies. This work offers an overview of the complete procedure followed, from comprehensive literature search strategies, selection of criteria for effect biomarkers and their classification and prioritization, based on toxicological data and adverse outcomes, to pilot studies for their analytical, physiological, and epidemiological validation. We present the example of one study that demonstrated the mediating role of the effect biomarker status of brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF in the longitudinal association between infant bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and behavioral function in adolescence. A panel of effect biomarkers has been implemented in the HBM4EU Aligned Studies as main outcomes, including traditional oxidative stress, reproductive, and thyroid hormone biomarkers. Novel biomarkers of effect, such as DNA methylation status of BDNF and kisspeptin (KISS) genes were also evaluated as molecular markers of neurological and reproductive health, respectively. A panel of effect biomarkers has also been applied in HBM4EU occupational studies, such as micronucleus analysis in lymphocytes and reticulocytes, whole blood comet assay, and malondialdehyde, 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine and untargeted metabolomic profile in urine, to investigate, for example, biological changes in response to hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) exposure. The use of effect biomarkers in HBM4EU has demonstrated their ability to detect early biological effects of chemical exposure and to identify subgroups that are at higher risk. The roadmap developed in HBM4EU confirms the utility of effect biomarkers, and support one of the main objectives of HBM research, which is to link exposure biomarkers to mechanistically validated effect and susceptibility biomarkers in order to better understand the public health implications of human exposure to environmental chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rodríguez-Carrillo
- Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Elena Salamanca-Fernández
- Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Alicia Olivas-Martínez
- Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain
| | - Beatriz Suárez
- Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain
| | - Lola Bajard
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kirsten Baken
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Ludek Blaha
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Aarhus University, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Stephan Couderq
- Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Département "Adaptation du Vivant", UMR 7221 MNHN/CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Shereen Cynthia D'Cruz
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Fini
- Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Département "Adaptation du Vivant", UMR 7221 MNHN/CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Claudia Gundacker
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 10, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Antonio F Hernández
- Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Department of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, University of Granada School of Medicine, Granada, Spain
| | - Marina Lacasaña
- Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Department of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, University of Granada School of Medicine, Granada, Spain
| | - Federica Laguzzi
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Birgitte Linderman
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Aarhus University, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Human Genetics Department, Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), NOVA Medical School/FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Axel Oberemn
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sylvie Remy
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | | | | | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maria Joao Silva
- National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Human Genetics Department, Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), NOVA Medical School/FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fatima Smagulova
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria (EAA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Anne Marie Vinggaard
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ulla Vogel
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark; The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Nicolás Olea
- Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernández
- Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
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Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Boesen SAH, Wielsøe M, Henriksen TB, Bech BH, Halldórsson ÞI, Long M. Exposure to persistent organic pollutants in Danish pregnant women: Hormone levels and fetal growth indices. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 99:104108. [PMID: 36921699 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study examines possible associations of maternal Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) exposure during pregnancy, maternal hormone levels and fetal growth indices (FGI). During 1st trimester, we measured maternal thyroids, androgens and estrogens, lipophilic POP and perfluorinated-alkyl-acid (PFAA) levels in serum from nulliparous women. Adjusted multivariate-linear regression models assessed associations between exposure and outcomes. Maternal characteristics and POP exposures associated with maternal hormone levels. Lipophilic POP elicited inverse association with androgen and estrogen levels but no strong association with thyroids. Higher level of PFAA was associated with higher thyroid and androgen levels. The PFAA did not associate with estrogens. Higher thyroid-peroxidase-antibody (TPO-Ab) and estradiol level associated with higher birth weight and length in sons. For daughters, the TPO-Ab associations were the opposite being inversely associated with birth weight and length, and higher TPO-Ab and estradiol associated with lower gestational age. Mediation analyses suggested that TPO-Ab mediates the association of PFAA with FGI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.
| | - Sophie Amalie H Boesen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Tine Brink Henriksen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Perinatal Research Unit, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bodil Hammer Bech
- Research Unit for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
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9
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Rivera-Núñez Z, Kinkade CW, Khoury L, Brunner J, Murphy H, Wang C, Kannan K, Miller RK, O'Connor TG, Barrett ES. Prenatal perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and maternal sex steroid hormones across pregnancy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:115233. [PMID: 36621543 PMCID: PMC9977559 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants that may act as endocrine disruptors in utero, but the specific endocrine pathways are unknown. OBJECTIVE We examined associations between maternal serum PFAS and sex steroid hormones at three time points during pregnancy. METHODS Pregnant women participating in the Understanding Pregnancy Signals and Infant Development (UPSIDE) study contributed biospecimens, questionnaire, and medical record data in each trimester (n = 285). PFAS (including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)) were analyzed in second-trimester serum samples by high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Total testosterone [TT], free testosterone [fT], estrone [E1], estradiol [E2], and estriol [E3]) were measured by LC-MS/MS in serum samples from each trimester. Linear mixed models with random intercepts were used to examine associations between log-transformed PFAS concentrations and hormone levels, adjusting for covariates, and stratifying by fetal sex. Results are presented as the mean percentage difference (Δ%) in hormone levels per ln-unit increase in PFAS concentration. RESULTS In adjusted models, PFHxS was associated with higher TT (%Δ = 20.0, 95%CI: 1.7, 41.6), particularly among women carrying male fetuses (%Δ = 15.3, 95%CI: 1.2, 30.7); this association strengthened as the pregnancy progressed. PFNA (%Δ = 7.9, 95%CI: 3.4, 12.5) and PFDA (%Δ = 7.2, 95%CI: 4.9, 9.7) were associated with higher fT, with associations again observed only in women carrying male fetuses. PFHxS was associated with higher levels of E2 and E3 in women carrying female fetuses (%Δ = 13.2, 95%CI: 0.5, 29.1; %Δ = 17.9, 95%CI: 3.2, 34.8, respectively). No associations were observed for PFOS and PFOA. CONCLUSION PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA may disrupt androgenic and estrogenic pathways in pregnancy in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorimar Rivera-Núñez
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Carolyn W Kinkade
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Leena Khoury
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, Neuroscience, University of Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jessica Brunner
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, Neuroscience, University of Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Hannah Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Christina Wang
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, The Lundquist Institute at Harbor -UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics, And Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University, Grossman School of Medicine, NY, NY, USA
| | - Richard K Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Thomas G O'Connor
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, Neuroscience, University of Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Emily S Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
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10
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Pierozan P, Kosnik M, Karlsson O. High-content analysis shows synergistic effects of low perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOA) mixture concentrations on human breast epithelial cell carcinogenesis. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 172:107746. [PMID: 36731186 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107746] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been associated with cancer, but the potential underlying mechanisms need to be further elucidated and include studies of PFAS mixtures. This mechanistic study revealed that very low concentrations (500 pM) of the binary PFOS and PFOA mixture induced synergistic effects on human epithelial breast cell (MCF-10A) proliferation. The cell proliferation was mediated by pregnane X receptor (PXR) activation, an increase in cyclin D1 and CDK6/4 levels, decrease in p21 and p53 levels, and by regulation of phosphor-Akt and β-catenin. The PFAS mixture also altered histone modifications, epigenetic mechanisms implicated in tumorigenesis, and promoted cell migration and invasion by reducing the levels of occludin. High-content screening using the cell painting assay, revealed that hundreds of cell features were affected by the PFAS mixture even at the lowest concentration tested (100 pM). The detailed phenotype profiling further demonstrated that the PFAS mixture altered cell morphology, mostly in parameters related to intensity and texture associated with mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and nucleoli. Exposure to higher concentrations (≥50 µM) of the PFOS and PFOA mixture caused cell death through synergistic interactions that induced oxidative stress, DNA/RNA damage, and lipid peroxidation, illustrating the complexity of mixture toxicology. Increased knowledge about mixture-induced effects is important for better understanding of PFAS' possible role in cancer etiology, and may impact the risk assessment of these and other compounds. This study shows the potential of image-based multiplexed fluorescence assays and high-content screening for development of new approach methodologies in toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Pierozan
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm 114 18, Sweden
| | - Marissa Kosnik
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm 114 18, Sweden
| | - Oskar Karlsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm 114 18, Sweden.
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11
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Bajard L, Adamovsky O, Audouze K, Baken K, Barouki R, Beltman JB, Beronius A, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Cano-Sancho G, de Baat ML, Di Tillio F, Fernández MF, FitzGerald RE, Gundacker C, Hernández AF, Hilscherova K, Karakitsios S, Kuchovska E, Long M, Luijten M, Majid S, Marx-Stoelting P, Mustieles V, Negi CK, Sarigiannis D, Scholz S, Sovadinova I, Stierum R, Tanabe S, Tollefsen KE, van den Brand AD, Vogs C, Wielsøe M, Wittwehr C, Blaha L. Application of AOPs to assist regulatory assessment of chemical risks - Case studies, needs and recommendations. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 217:114650. [PMID: 36309218 PMCID: PMC9850416 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
While human regulatory risk assessment (RA) still largely relies on animal studies, new approach methodologies (NAMs) based on in vitro, in silico or non-mammalian alternative models are increasingly used to evaluate chemical hazards. Moreover, human epidemiological studies with biomarkers of effect (BoE) also play an invaluable role in identifying health effects associated with chemical exposures. To move towards the next generation risk assessment (NGRA), it is therefore crucial to establish bridges between NAMs and standard approaches, and to establish processes for increasing mechanistically-based biological plausibility in human studies. The Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework constitutes an important tool to address these needs but, despite a significant increase in knowledge and awareness, the use of AOPs in chemical RA remains limited. The objective of this paper is to address issues related to using AOPs in a regulatory context from various perspectives as it was discussed in a workshop organized within the European Union partnerships HBM4EU and PARC in spring 2022. The paper presents examples where the AOP framework has been proven useful for the human RA process, particularly in hazard prioritization and characterization, in integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATA), and in the identification and validation of BoE in epidemiological studies. Nevertheless, several limitations were identified that hinder the optimal usability and acceptance of AOPs by the regulatory community including the lack of quantitative information on response-response relationships and of efficient ways to map chemical data (exposure and toxicity) onto AOPs. The paper summarizes suggestions, ongoing initiatives and third-party tools that may help to overcome these obstacles and thus assure better implementation of AOPs in the NGRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Bajard
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Adamovsky
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karine Audouze
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, Inserm UMR S-1124, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Kirsten Baken
- Unit Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO NV), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Robert Barouki
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, Inserm UMR S-1124, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Joost B Beltman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anna Beronius
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 13, Solna, Sweden
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905 Nuussuaq, Greenland
| | | | - Milo L de Baat
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Filippo Di Tillio
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Mariana F Fernández
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rex E FitzGerald
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology SCAHT, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Gundacker
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Antonio F Hernández
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Department of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, University of Granada School of Medicine, Avda. de la Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
| | - Klara Hilscherova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Spyros Karakitsios
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; HERACLES Research Centre on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eliska Kuchovska
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mirjam Luijten
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Sanah Majid
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Philip Marx-Stoelting
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Dept. Pesticides Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM) & School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Chander K Negi
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dimosthenis Sarigiannis
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; HERACLES Research Centre on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stefan Scholz
- UFZ Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Dept Bioanalyt Ecotoxicol, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Iva Sovadinova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rob Stierum
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, Risk Analysis for Products in Development, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Shihori Tanabe
- Division of Risk Assessment, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Knut Erik Tollefsen
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Section of Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment, Gaustadalléen, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Norway
| | - Annick D van den Brand
- Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Carolina Vogs
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 13, Solna, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Ludek Blaha
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic.
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12
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Bloom MS, Varde M, Newman RB. Environmental toxicants and placental function. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2022; 85:105-120. [PMID: 36274037 PMCID: PMC11184919 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a temporary endocrine organ that facilitates gas, nutrient, and waste exchange between maternal and fetal compartments, partially shielding the fetus from potentially hazardous environmental toxicants. However, rather than being "opaque", the placenta is translucent or even transparent to some potential fetal developmental hazards, including toxic trace elements (TEs), perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and environmental phenols (EPs) to which women with pregnancy are frequently exposed. These agents are both passively and actively transferred to the fetal compartment, where endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and epigenetic changes may occur. These pathologies may directly impact the fetus or deposit and accumulate in the placenta to indirectly impact fetal development. Thus, it is critical for clinicians to understand the potential placental toxicity and transfer of widely distributed environmental agents ubiquitous during pregnancy. With such knowledge, targeted interventions and clinical recommendations can be developed to limit those risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Bloom
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., MS 5B7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Meghana Varde
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., MS 5B7, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Roger B Newman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Rm 634, Clinical Science Bldg., 96 Jonathan Lucas St., Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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13
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Gundacker C, Audouze K, Widhalm R, Granitzer S, Forsthuber M, Jornod F, Wielsøe M, Long M, Halldórsson TI, Uhl M, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Reduced Birth Weight and Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: A Review of Possible Underlying Mechanisms Using the AOP-HelpFinder. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10110684. [PMID: 36422892 PMCID: PMC9699222 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) may impair fetal growth. Our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms is incomplete. We used the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP)-helpFinder tool to search PubMed for studies published until March 2021 that examined PFAS exposure in relation to birth weight, oxidative stress, hormones/hormone receptors, or growth signaling pathways. Of these 1880 articles, 106 experimental studies remained after abstract screening. One clear finding is that PFAS are associated with oxidative stress in in vivo animal studies and in vitro studies. It appears that PFAS-induced reactive-oxygen species (ROS) generation triggers increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ expression and activation of growth signaling pathways, leading to hyperdifferentiation of pre-adipocytes. Fewer proliferating pre-adipocytes result in lower adipose tissue weight and in this way may reduce birth weight. PFAS may also impair fetal growth through endocrine effects. Estrogenic effects have been noted in in vivo and in vitro studies. Overall, data suggest thyroid-damaging effects of PFAS affecting thyroid hormones, thyroid hormone gene expression, and histology that are associated in animal studies with decreased body and organ weight. The effects of PFAS on the complex relationships between oxidative stress, endocrine system function, adipogenesis, and fetal growth should be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Gundacker
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-40160-56503
| | - Karine Audouze
- Unit T3S, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1124, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Raimund Widhalm
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Granitzer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Forsthuber
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Florence Jornod
- Unit T3S, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1124, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thórhallur Ingi Halldórsson
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Greenland University, Nuuk 3905, Greenland
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14
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Hærvig KK, Petersen KU, Hougaard KS, Lindh C, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Toft G, Giwercman A, Høyer BB, Flachs EM, Bonde JP, Tøttenborg SS. Maternal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Male Reproductive Function in Young Adulthood: Combined Exposure to Seven PFAS. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:107001. [PMID: 36197086 PMCID: PMC9533763 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concerns remain about the human reproductive toxicity of the widespread per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during early stages of development. OBJECTIVES We examined associations between maternal plasma PFAS levels during early pregnancy and male offspring reproductive function in adulthood. METHODS The study included 864 young men (age range:18.9-21.2 y) from the Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) cohort established between 2017 and 2019. Plasma samples from their mothers, primarily from the first trimester, were retrieved from the Danish National Biobank and levels of 15 PFAS were measured. Seven PFAS had detectable levels above the limit of detection in >80% of the samples and were included in analyses. Semen quality, testicular volume, and levels of reproductive hormones and PFAS were assessed in the young men. We used weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression to estimate the associations between combined exposure to maternal PFAS and reproductive function, and negative binomial regression to estimate the associations of single substances, while adjusting for a range of a priori-defined fetal and postnatal risk factors. RESULTS By a 1-unit increase in the WQS index, combined maternal PFAS exposure was associated with lower sperm concentration (-8%; 95% CI: -16%, -1%), total sperm count (-10%; 95% CI: -17%, -2%), and a higher proportion of nonprogressive and immotile sperm (5%; 95% CI: 1%, 8%) in the young men. Different PFAS contributed to the associations with varying strengths; however, perfluoroheptanoic acid was identified as the main contributor in the analyses of all three outcomes despite the low concentration. We saw no clear association between exposure to maternal PFAS and testicular volume or reproductive hormones. DISCUSSION In a sample of young men from the general Danish population, we observed consistent inverse associations between exposure to maternal PFAS and semen quality. The study needs to be replicated in other populations, taking combined exposure, as well as emerging short-chain PFAS, into consideration. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10285.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Keglberg Hærvig
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital–Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kajsa Ugelvig Petersen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital–Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karin Sørig Hougaard
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Gunnar Toft
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Aleksander Giwercman
- Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmo, Sweden
| | - Birgit Bjerre Høyer
- Department of Regional Development, Region of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Esben Meulengracht Flachs
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital–Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Peter Bonde
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital–Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sandra Søgaard Tøttenborg
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital–Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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15
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Zare Jeddi M, Hopf NB, Louro H, Viegas S, Galea KS, Pasanen-Kase R, Santonen T, Mustieles V, Fernandez MF, Verhagen H, Bopp SK, Antignac JP, David A, Mol H, Barouki R, Audouze K, Duca RC, Fantke P, Scheepers P, Ghosh M, Van Nieuwenhuyse A, Lobo Vicente J, Trier X, Rambaud L, Fillol C, Denys S, Conrad A, Kolossa-Gehring M, Paini A, Arnot J, Schulze F, Jones K, Sepai O, Ali I, Brennan L, Benfenati E, Cubadda F, Mantovani A, Bartonova A, Connolly A, Slobodnik J, Bruinen de Bruin Y, van Klaveren J, Palmen N, Dirven H, Husøy T, Thomsen C, Virgolino A, Röösli M, Gant T, von Goetz N, Bessems J. Developing human biomonitoring as a 21st century toolbox within the European exposure science strategy 2020-2030. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 168:107476. [PMID: 36067553 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a crucial approach for exposure assessment, as emphasised in the European Commission's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). HBM can help to improve chemical policies in five major key areas: (1) assessing internal and aggregate exposure in different target populations; 2) assessing exposure to chemicals across life stages; (3) assessing combined exposure to multiple chemicals (mixtures); (4) bridging regulatory silos on aggregate exposure; and (5) enhancing the effectiveness of risk management measures. In this strategy paper we propose a vision and a strategy for the use of HBM in chemical regulations and public health policy in Europe and beyond. We outline six strategic objectives and a roadmap to further strengthen HBM approaches and increase their implementation in the regulatory risk assessment of chemicals to enhance our understanding of exposure and health impacts, enabling timely and targeted policy interventions and risk management. These strategic objectives are: 1) further development of sampling strategies and sample preparation; 2) further development of chemical-analytical HBM methods; 3) improving harmonisation throughout the HBM research life cycle; 4) further development of quality control / quality assurance throughout the HBM research life cycle; 5) obtain sustained funding and reinforcement by legislation; and 6) extend target-specific communication with scientists, policymakers, citizens and other stakeholders. HBM approaches are essential in risk assessment to address scientific, regulatory and societal challenges. HBM requires full and strong support from the scientific and regulatory domain to reach its full potential in public and occupational health assessment and in regulatory decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zare Jeddi
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands.
| | - Nancy B Hopf
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics, Lisbon and ToxOmics - Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Karen S Galea
- Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Research Avenue North, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK
| | - Robert Pasanen-Kase
- State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Labour Directorate Section Chemicals and Work (ABCH), Switzerland
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), P.O. Box 40, FI-00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Hans Verhagen
- University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | | | - Arthur David
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Hans Mol
- Wageningen Food Safety Research - part of Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Barouki
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, Inserm Unit 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Karine Audouze
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, Inserm Unit 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Radu-Corneliu Duca
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire national de santé (LNS), 1, Rue Louis Rech, 3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg; Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Paul Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire national de santé (LNS), 1, Rue Louis Rech, 3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg; Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joana Lobo Vicente
- EEA - European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Xenia Trier
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Loïc Rambaud
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Clémence Fillol
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Sebastien Denys
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - André Conrad
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Dessau-Roßlau/Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Alicia Paini
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Jon Arnot
- ARC Arnot Research and Consulting, Inc., Toronto ONM4M 1W4, Canada
| | - Florian Schulze
- European Center for Environmental Medicine, Weserstr. 165, 12045 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kate Jones
- HSE - Health and Safety Executive, Harpur Hill, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
| | | | | | - Lorraine Brennan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Cubadda
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alena Bartonova
- NILU Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 2027 Kjeller, Norway
| | - Alison Connolly
- Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Physics, School of Natural Science and the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Jaroslav Slobodnik
- NORMAN Association, Rue Jacques Taffanel - Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Yuri Bruinen de Bruin
- Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Space, Security and Migration, Geel, Belgium
| | - Jacob van Klaveren
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands
| | - Nicole Palmen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands
| | - Hubert Dirven
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trine Husøy
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ana Virgolino
- Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Laboratório Associado TERRA, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Martin Röösli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Tim Gant
- Center for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, UK
| | | | - Jos Bessems
- VITO HEALTH, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, 2400 Mol, Belgium
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Gui SY, Chen YN, Wu KJ, Liu W, Wang WJ, Liang HR, Jiang ZX, Li ZL, Hu CY. Association Between Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Public Health 2022; 10:855348. [PMID: 35400049 PMCID: PMC8988915 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.855348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A large body of emerging evidence suggests that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) affect birth outcomes in various pathways, but the evidence is inconsistent. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the epidemiological evidence on PFAS exposure and birth outcomes. Methods Three electronic databases were searched for epidemiological studies through February 13, 2021. We used random-effects meta-analysis for eight birth outcome indicators to calculate summary effect estimates for various exposure types. The risk of bias and the overall quality and level of evidence for each exposure-outcome pair were assessed. Results The initial search identified 58 potentially eligible studies, of which 46 were ultimately included. Many PFAS were found to have previously unrecognized statistically significant associations with birth outcomes. Specifically, birth weight (BW) was associated with PFAS, with effect sizes ranging from −181.209 g (95% confidence interval (CI) = −360.620 to −1.798) per 1 ng/ml increase in perfluoroheptanesulfonate (PFHpS) to −24.252 g (95% CI = −38.574 to −9.930) per 1 ln (ng/ml) increase in perfluorodecaoic acid (PFDA). Similar patterns were observed between other PFAS and birth outcomes: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) with birth length (BL) and ponderal index (PI), PFOS and perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA) with head circumference (HC), PFHpS with gestational age (GA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and PFHpS with preterm birth (PTB). Additionally, PFDA showed a statistically significant association with small for gestational age (SGA). The level of the combined evidence for each exposure-outcome pair was considered to be “moderate”. Conclusion This study showed that PFAS exposure was significantly associated with increased risks of various adverse birth outcomes and that different birth outcome indicators had different degrees of sensitivity to PFAS. Further studies are needed to confirm our results by expanding the sample size, clarifying the effects of different types or doses of PFAS and the time of blood collection on birth outcomes, and fully considering the possible confounders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yu Gui
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yue-Nan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Clinical Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ke-Jia Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wen-Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Clinical Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Huan-Ru Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zheng-Xuan Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ze-Lian Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Ze-Lian Li
| | - Cheng-Yang Hu
- Department of Humanistic Medicine, School of Humanistic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Cheng-Yang Hu
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17
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Ojo AF, Peng C, Ng JC. Combined effects of mixed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on the Nrf2-ARE pathway in ARE reporter-HepG2 cells. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 421:126827. [PMID: 34388917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although the Nrf2-ARE pathway plays a critical role in cellular protection against toxicity and oxidative stress from environmental chemical stressors, the association between exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mixtures and the changes of Nrf2-ARE pathway remains largely unexplored. This study evaluated the potential of PFAS to induce the Nrf2-ARE pathway as individual compounds and as binary, ternary, and multicomponent mixtures in the ARE reporter-HepG2 cells and compared the mixture toxicity data to the predictions by concentration addition (CA) model. The toxicological interactions between PFAS mixture components were also determined by the model deviation ratio (MDR) between the CA predicted and mixture toxicity values. The induction of the Nrf2-ARE pathway was quantified using the luciferase system, and the endpoint assessed was the concentration that induced an induction ratio (IR) of 1.5 (ECIR1.5). The results showed that exposures to both individual and mixed PFAS induced the Nrf2-ARE pathway in ARE reporter-HepG2 cells. Based on the MDRs, the combinations with PFOS showed synergistic interactive effects, while the combinations with PFOA showed additive effects. These results indicate that the CA model underestimated the mixture toxicity of PFAS with PFOS co-exposures and may have health risk assessment implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atinuke F Ojo
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Cheng Peng
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Jack C Ng
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
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18
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Lazarevic N, Barnett AG, Sly PD, Callan AC, Stasinska A, Heyworth JS, Hinwood AL, Knibbs LD. Prenatal exposure to mixtures of persistent environmental chemicals and fetal growth outcomes in Western Australia. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 240:113899. [PMID: 34883336 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental chemicals have been implicated in the etiology of impaired fetal growth. However, few studies have assessed the effects of chemical mixtures or considered the possibility of non-monotonic exposure-response relationships for chemicals that act through the endocrine system. METHODS We assessed exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers, organochlorine pesticides, metals, and perfluorinated alkyl substances in blood and urine samples collected approximately two weeks prior to delivery in 166 non-smoking pregnant women, and subsequent birth weight, length, and head circumference of neonates who were part of the Australian Maternal Exposures to Toxic Substances (AMETS) study. We used Bayesian structured additive regression models with spike-slab priors to estimate mixture effects, identify important exposures, and model non-linearity in exposure-response relationships. RESULTS Mixtures of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, organochlorine pesticides, metals, and perfluorinated alkyl substances were not associated with fetal growth outcomes. Estimated change in fetal growth outcomes for an increase in exposure from the 25th to 75th percentile suggested no meaningful associations; the strongest evidence was for a small inverse association between birth weight and cesium exposure measured in whole blood (-124 g, 90% credible interval: -240 to -3 g). We identified several chemicals that may be associated with fetal growth non-linearly; however, 90% credible intervals contained small values consistent with no meaningful association. CONCLUSIONS Using a Bayesian penalized regression method, we assessed the shapes of exposure-response relationships, controlled for confounding by co-exposure, and estimated the single and combined effects of a large mixture of correlated environmental chemicals on fetal growth. Our findings, based on a small sample of mother-neonate pairs, suggest that mixtures of persistent chemicals are not associated with birth weight, length, and head circumference. The potential for non-monotonic relationships between environmental chemicals and fetal growth outcomes warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Lazarevic
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia; National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, ANU College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia.
| | - Adrian G Barnett
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Peter D Sly
- Children's Health and Environment Program, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
| | - Anna C Callan
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Ania Stasinska
- School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Jane S Heyworth
- School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Andrea L Hinwood
- United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya; School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Luke D Knibbs
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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19
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Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and metals and problematic child behavior at 3-5 years of age: a Greenlandic cohort study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22182. [PMID: 34772976 PMCID: PMC8589846 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01580-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
High levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals are found in Arctic populations. POP and heavy metals are linked to impaired cognitive development. This study examined associations between prenatal POP and metals exposure and problematic child behavior using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). POPs and metals were measured in 102 pregnant Greenlandic women. During follow-up at 3–5 years, parents answered an assisted questionnaire including children’s SDQ scores. Associations were analyzed using linear and logistic regression analyses and adjusted for maternal plasma cotinine, educational level and age at delivery. In the adjusted analyses, the medium tertile of hexachlorobenzene (β = 3.06, p = 0.010), β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β = 3.58, p = 0.004) and trans-nonachlor (β = 2.06, p = 0.082) were positively associated with SDQ scores. The continuous cis-nonachlor (OR = 1.09, p = 0.079), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene (OR = 1.01, p = 0.077), trans-nonachlor (OR = 1.01, p = 0.091), and sum Organochlorine-Pesticides (OR = 1.00, p = 0.094) were positively associated with abnormal SDQ score and the continuous mirex (OR = 1.28, p = 0.096), oxychlordane (OR = 1.04, p = 0.066), and trans-nonachlor (OR = 1.02, p = 0.071) with abnormal hyperactivity score. We found no consistent evidence of associations between polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkylated substances and heavy metals and problematic behavior. Prenatal organochlorine pesticide exposure associated significantly with problematic behavior in 3–5 year old children.
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20
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Ojo AF, Peng C, Ng JC. Assessing the human health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A need for greater focus on their interactions as mixtures. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 407:124863. [PMID: 33373965 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to complex mixtures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, human health risk assessment of PFAS currently relies on animal toxicity data derived from individual substance exposure, which may not adequately predict the risk from combined exposure due to possible interactions that can influence the overall risk. Long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), particularly perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are recognised as global emerging contaminants of concern due to their ubiquitous distribution in all environmental media, wildlife, and humans, persistency, bioaccumulative-, toxic-, and human health-risk potentials. This article reviews the current understanding of the human health risks associated with PFAS exposure focusing on more recent toxicological and epidemiological studies from 2010 to 2020. The existing information on PFAA mixtures was also reviewed in an attempt to highlight the need for greater focus on their potential interactions as mixtures within the class of these chemicals. A growing number of toxicological studies have indicated several adverse health outcomes of PFAA exposure, including developmental and reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity, immunotoxicity, thyroid disruption, and carcinogenicity. Epidemiological findings further support some of these adverse human health outcomes. However, the mechanisms underlying these adverse effects are not well defined. A few in vitro studies focusing on PFAA mixtures revealed that these compounds may act additively or interact synergistically/antagonistically depending on the species, dose level, dose ratio, and mixture components. Hence, the combined effects or potential interactions of PFAS mixtures should be considered and integrated into toxicity assessment to obtain a realistic and more refined human health risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atinuke F Ojo
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Cheng Peng
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Jack C Ng
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
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21
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Fenton SE, Ducatman A, Boobis A, DeWitt JC, Lau C, Ng C, Smith JS, Roberts SM. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Toxicity and Human Health Review: Current State of Knowledge and Strategies for Informing Future Research. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:606-630. [PMID: 33017053 PMCID: PMC7906952 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 694] [Impact Index Per Article: 231.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Reports of environmental and human health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have greatly increased in the peer-reviewed literature. The goals of the present review are to assess the state of the science regarding toxicological effects of PFAS and to develop strategies for advancing knowledge on the health effects of this large family of chemicals. Currently, much of the toxicity data available for PFAS are for a handful of chemicals, primarily legacy PFAS such as perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate. Epidemiological studies have revealed associations between exposure to specific PFAS and a variety of health effects, including altered immune and thyroid function, liver disease, lipid and insulin dysregulation, kidney disease, adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes, and cancer. Concordance with experimental animal data exists for many of these effects. However, information on modes of action and adverse outcome pathways must be expanded, and profound differences in PFAS toxicokinetic properties must be considered in understanding differences in responses between the sexes and among species and life stages. With many health effects noted for a relatively few example compounds and hundreds of other PFAS in commerce lacking toxicity data, more contemporary and high-throughput approaches such as read-across, molecular dynamics, and protein modeling are proposed to accelerate the development of toxicity information on emerging and legacy PFAS, individually and as mixtures. In addition, an appropriate degree of precaution, given what is already known from the PFAS examples noted, may be needed to protect human health. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:606-630. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne E. Fenton
- National Toxicology Program Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alan Ducatman
- West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Alan Boobis
- Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie C. DeWitt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christopher Lau
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carla Ng
- Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James S. Smith
- Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
| | - Stephen M. Roberts
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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22
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Rodríguez-Carrillo A, Rosenmai AK, Mustieles V, Couderq S, Fini JB, Vela-Soria F, Molina-Molina JM, Ferrando-Marco P, Wielsøe M, Long M, Bonefeld-Jorgensen EC, Olea N, Vinggaard AM, Fernández MF. Assessment of chemical mixtures using biomarkers of combined biological activity: A screening study in human placentas. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 100:143-154. [PMID: 33444715 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.01.002] [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: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Humans are simultaneously exposed to complex mixtures of chemicals with limited knowledge on potential health effects, therefore improved tools for assessing these mixtures are needed. As part of the Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) Project, we aimed to examine the combined biological activity of chemical mixtures extracted from human placentas using one in vivo and four in vitro bioassays, also known as biomarkers of combined effect. Relevant endocrine activities (proliferative and/or reporter gene assays) and four endpoints were tested: the estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activities, as well as thyroid hormone (TH) signaling. Correlations among bioassays and their functional shapes were evaluated. Results showed that all placental extracts agonized or antagonized at least three of the abovementioned endpoints. Most placentas induced ER-mediated transactivation and ER-dependent cell proliferation, together with a strong inhibition of TH signaling and the AR transactivity; while the induction of the AhR was found in only one placental extract. The effects in the two estrogenic bioassays were positively and significantly correlated and the AR-antagonism activity showed a positive borderline-significant correlation with both estrogenic bioassay activities. However, the in vivo anti-thyroid activities of placental extracts were not correlated with any of the tested in vitro assays. Findings highlight the importance of comprehensively mapping the biological effects of "real-world" chemical mixtures present in human samples, through a battery of in vitro and in vivo bioassays. This approach should be a complementary tool for epidemiological studies to further elucidate the combined biological fingerprint triggered by chemical mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rodríguez-Carrillo
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs GRANADA, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), 18100, Spain
| | - Anna Kjerstine Rosenmai
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs GRANADA, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), 18100, Spain.
| | - Stephan Couderq
- Physiologie moléculaire et Adaptation, Département "Adaptation du Vivant," UMR 7221 MNHN/CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 75005, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Fini
- Physiologie moléculaire et Adaptation, Département "Adaptation du Vivant," UMR 7221 MNHN/CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 75005, France
| | - Fernando Vela-Soria
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs GRANADA, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), 18100, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Molina-Molina
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs GRANADA, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), 18100, Spain
| | | | - Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jorgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Aarhus University, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Nicolás Olea
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs GRANADA, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), 18100, Spain
| | - Anne Marie Vinggaard
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mariana F Fernández
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs GRANADA, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), 18100, Spain.
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23
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Zare Jeddi M, Hopf NB, Viegas S, Price AB, Paini A, van Thriel C, Benfenati E, Ndaw S, Bessems J, Behnisch PA, Leng G, Duca RC, Verhagen H, Cubadda F, Brennan L, Ali I, David A, Mustieles V, Fernandez MF, Louro H, Pasanen-Kase R. Towards a systematic use of effect biomarkers in population and occupational biomonitoring. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106257. [PMID: 33395925 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Effect biomarkers can be used to elucidate relationships between exposure to environmental chemicals and their mixtures with associated health outcomes, but they are often underused, as underlying biological mechanisms are not understood. We aim to provide an overview of available effect biomarkers for monitoring chemical exposures in the general and occupational populations, and highlight their potential in monitoring humans exposed to chemical mixtures. We also discuss the role of the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework and physiologically based kinetic and dynamic (PBK/D) modelling to strengthen the understanding of the biological mechanism of effect biomarkers, and in particular for use in regulatory risk assessments. An interdisciplinary network of experts from the European chapter of the International Society for Exposure Science (ISES Europe) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Occupational Biomonitoring activity of Working Parties of Hazard and Exposure Assessment group worked together to map the conventional framework of biomarkers and provided recommendations for their systematic use. We summarized the key aspects of this work here, and discussed these in three parts. Part I, we inventory available effect biomarkers and promising new biomarkers for the general population based on the H2020 Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) initiative. Part II, we provide an overview AOP and PBK/D modelling use that improved the selection and interpretation of effect biomarkers. Part III, we describe the collected expertise from the OECD Occupational Biomonitoring subtask effect biomarkers in prioritizing relevant mode of actions (MoAs) and suitable effect biomarkers. Furthermore, we propose a tiered risk assessment approach for occupational biomonitoring. Several effect biomarkers, especially for use in occupational settings, are validated. They offer a direct assessment of the overall health risks associated with exposure to chemicals, chemical mixtures and their transformation products. Promising novel effect biomarkers are emerging for biomonitoring of the general population. Efforts are being dedicated to prioritizing molecular and biochemical effect biomarkers that can provide a causal link in exposure-health outcome associations. This mechanistic approach has great potential in improving human health risk assessment. New techniques such as in silico methods (e.g. QSAR, PBK/D modelling) as well as 'omics data will aid this process. Our multidisciplinary review represents a starting point for enhancing the identification of effect biomarkers and their mechanistic pathways following the AOP framework. This may help in prioritizing the effect biomarker implementation as well as defining threshold limits for chemical mixtures in a more structured way. Several ex vivo biomarkers have been proposed to evaluate combined effects including genotoxicity and xeno-estrogenicity. There is a regulatory need to derive effect-based trigger values using the increasing mechanistic knowledge coming from the AOP framework to address adverse health effects due to exposure to chemical mixtures. Such a mechanistic strategy would reduce the fragmentation observed in different regulations. It could also stimulate a harmonized use of effect biomarkers in a more comparable way, in particular for risk assessments to chemical mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zare Jeddi
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Nancy B Hopf
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1150-090 Lisbon, Portugal; H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anna Bal Price
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Alicia Paini
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Christoph van Thriel
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via La Masa, 19, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Sophie Ndaw
- INRS-French National Research and Safety Institute, France
| | - Jos Bessems
- VITO - Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Belgium
| | - Peter A Behnisch
- BioDetection Systems b.v., Science Park 406, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gabriele Leng
- Currenta GmbH Co. OHG, Institute of Biomonitoring, Leverkusen, Germany
| | - Radu-Corneliu Duca
- Unit Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, National Health Laboratory, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Hans Verhagen
- Food Safety & Nutrition Consultancy (FSNConsultancy), Zeist, the Netherlands
| | - Francesco Cubadda
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità-National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorraine Brennan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Imran Ali
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arthur David
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics, Lisboa and ToxOmics - Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Robert Pasanen-Kase
- State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Labour Directorate Section Chemicals and Work (ABCH), Switzerland.
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24
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Vinggaard AM, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Jensen TK, Fernandez MF, Rosenmai AK, Taxvig C, Rodriguez-Carrillo A, Wielsøe M, Long M, Olea N, Antignac JP, Hamers T, Lamoree M. Receptor-based in vitro activities to assess human exposure to chemical mixtures and related health impacts. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106191. [PMID: 33068852 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to a large number of chemicals from sources such as the environment, food, and consumer products. There is growing concern that human exposure to chemical mixtures, especially during critical periods of development, increases the risk of adverse health effects in newborns or later in life. Historically, the one-chemical-at-a-time approach has been applied both for exposure assessment and hazard characterisation, leading to insufficient knowledge about human health effects caused by exposure to mixtures of chemicals that have the same target. To circumvent this challenge researchers can apply in vitro assays to analyse both exposure to and human health effects of chemical mixtures in biological samples. The advantages of using in vitro assays are: (i) that an integrated effect is measured, taking combined mixture effects into account and (ii) that in vitro assays can reduce complexity in identification of Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CECs) in human tissues. We have reviewed the state-of-the-art on the use of receptor-based in vitro assays to assess human exposure to chemical mixtures and related health impacts. A total of 43 studies were identified, in which endpoints for the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR), the estrogen receptor (ER), and the androgen receptor (AR) were used. The majority of studies reported biological activities that could be associated with breast cancer incidence, male reproductive health effects, developmental toxicities, human demographic characteristics or lifestyle factors such as dietary patterns. A few studies used the bioactivities to check the coverage of the chemical analyses of the human samples, whereas in vitro assays have so far not regularly been used for identifying CECs in human samples, but rather in environmental matrices or food packaging materials. A huge field of novel applications using receptor-based in vitro assays for mixture toxicity assessment on human samples and effect-directed analysis (EDA) using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for identification of toxic compounds waits for exploration. In the future this could lead to a paradigm shift in the way we unravel adverse human health effects caused by chemical mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marie Vinggaard
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark; Greenland's Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Dep of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- School of Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Anna Kjerstine Rosenmai
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Camilla Taxvig
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Nicolas Olea
- School of Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | | | - Timo Hamers
- Vrije Universiteit, Department Environment & Health, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marja Lamoree
- Vrije Universiteit, Department Environment & Health, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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25
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Gross RS, Ghassabian A, Vandyousefi S, Messito MJ, Gao C, Kannan K, Trasande L. Persistent organic pollutants exposure in newborn dried blood spots and infant weight status: A case-control study of low-income Hispanic mother-infant pairs. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 267:115427. [PMID: 33254620 PMCID: PMC7708683 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are believed to alter metabolic homeostasis during fetal development, leading to childhood obesity. However, limited studies have explored how fetal chemical exposures relate to birth and infant weight outcomes in low-income Hispanic families at the highest risk of obesity. Therefore, we sought to determine associations between neonatal POPs exposure measured in newborn dried blood spots (DBS) and prenatal diet quality, birth weight, and overweight status at 18 months old. We conducted a case-control study nested within the Starting Early Program randomized controlled trial comparing POPs concentrations in infants with healthy weight (n = 46) and overweight status (n = 52) at age 18 months. Three categories of POPs, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were measured in archived newborn DBS. We assessed correlations between prenatal diet quality and neonatal POPs concentrations. Multivariable regression analyses examined associations between POPs (dichotomized at the mean) and birth weight z-score and weight status at 18 months, controlling for confounders. Seven of eight chemicals had detectable levels in greater than 94% of the sample. Higher protein, sodium and refined grain intake during pregnancy were correlated with lower POPs in newborn DBS. We found that high concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (unstandardized coefficient [B]: -0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.96 to -0.29) and perfluorohexanesulfate (B: -0.65, 95% CI: -0.99 to -0.31) were related to lower birth weight z-scores compared to those with low concentrations. We did not find associations between PBDEs, OCPs, and the other PFASs with birth weight z-scores, or between any POPs and weight status at 18 months. In conclusion, two PFASs were associated with lower birth weight, an important indicator of child health and growth, although direct associations with infant overweight status were not found. Whether neonatal POPs exposures contribute to economic and ethnic disparities in early obesity remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S Gross
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Akhgar Ghassabian
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarvenaz Vandyousefi
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary Jo Messito
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chongjing Gao
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; NYU Wagner School of Public Service, New York, NY, USA; NYU College of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA
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26
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Mathiesen L, Mørck TA, Poulsen MS, Nielsen JKS, Mose T, Long M, Bonefeld‐Jørgensen E, Bossi R, Knudsen LE. Placental transfer of pesticides studied in human placental perfusion. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2020; 127:505-515. [PMID: 32558230 PMCID: PMC7689789 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the transplacental transport of pesticides, the pyrethroid cypermethrin and the fungicide azoles, propiconazole and bitertanol were tested in the placental perfusion model. Cypermethrin, propiconazole and bitertanol were also tested in the BeWo cell transfer model. The pesticides were chosen with the selection criteria: use in Denmark, significant treated areas and knowledge on hormone-disrupting effects. Propiconazole and bitertanol showed rapid transfer and adsorbance to the system in both placental perfusion and BeWo cell system, whereas cypermethrin had a slower transport across the placental cell layers in the two models. There was no difference between data of the single pesticides and their mixture in either placental perfusion or BeWo cell transfer model. Both the placental perfusion model and the BeWo cell model metabolized the pesticides and released metabolites into both foetal and maternal circulation. Using human exposure models, this study shows the potential exposure of the human foetus to pesticides cypermethrin, propiconazole and bitertanol and their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Mathiesen
- Department of Public HealthUniversity of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health SciencesCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Thit Aarøe Mørck
- Department of Public HealthUniversity of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health SciencesCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Marie Sønnegaard Poulsen
- Department of Public HealthUniversity of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health SciencesCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - Tina Mose
- Department of Public HealthUniversity of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health SciencesCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Department of Public HealthCentre for Arctic Heath and Molecular EpidemiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Eva Bonefeld‐Jørgensen
- Department of Public HealthCentre for Arctic Heath and Molecular EpidemiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Rossana Bossi
- Department of Public HealthCentre for Arctic Heath and Molecular EpidemiologyAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
- Department of Environmental ScienceAarhus UniversityRoskildeDenmark
| | - Lisbeth E. Knudsen
- Department of Public HealthUniversity of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health SciencesCopenhagenDenmark
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27
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Gea M, Toso A, Schilirò T. Estrogenic activity of biological samples as a biomarker. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:140050. [PMID: 32927569 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biological assays can evaluate the cumulative effect of a mixture, considering synergistic/antagonistic interactions and effects of unknown/unconsidered compounds. Therefore, their application could increase in the next years also to analyse biological samples. The aim of this review is to discuss the methodological approach and the application of estrogenic activity assays in human biological samples. 75 research articles were analysed and divided according to whether they used these assays: i) to quantify the level of estrogens and/or as a biomarker of estrogenic status ii) as a biomarker of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). For the first purpose, some authors extracted biological samples while others tested them directly without any treatment. The study of these methodologies outlined that the methodology applied influenced the specificity of analysis. The estrogenic activity biomarker was used to analyse physiological variations of estrogens, pediatric diseases, hormone-dependent diseases and estrogen suppression/enhancement after pharmaceutical treatments. For the second purpose, some authors extracted samples while others tested them directly, some authors divided endogenous estrogens from xenoestrogens while others tested samples without separation. The analysis of these methodologies outlined some limitations related to the efficiency of extraction and the incorrect separation of some compounds. The studies which applied this EDC biomarker showed that it was correlated with some EDCs, it varied according to the exposure of the population and it allowed the identification of some relationships between EDC exposure and breast cancer, type 1 diabetes and adverse health effects on children. In conclusion, the estrogenic activity of biological samples can be a useful tool: to quantify low levels of 17β-estradiol, to assess the combined effect of endogenous estrogens and xenoestrogens, to estimate the estrogenic status providing considerable insight into physiological or pathological conditions, to evaluate EDC presence implementing the existing knowledge about EDC exposure and adverse health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gea
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy.
| | - Anna Toso
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Tiziana Schilirò
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy
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28
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Boesen SAH, Long M, Wielsøe M, Mustieles V, Fernandez MF, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Exposure to Perflouroalkyl acids and foetal and maternal thyroid status: a review. Environ Health 2020; 19:107. [PMID: 33050930 PMCID: PMC7557068 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00647-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to perfluorinated-alkyl-acids (PFAAs) is ubiquitous. PFAAs are hormone-disrupting compounds that are strongly suspected to affect mother-child-health such as fetal growth. Thyroid disruption is a plausible mechanism of action. We aim to summarize the epidemiological evidence for the relation between prenatal and postnatal exposure to PFAAs and disruption of thyroid homeostasis in mothers and/or infants. METHOD Fifteen original publications on PFAAs concentrations and thyroid hormones (TH) in pregnant women and/or infants were found upon a literature search in the PubMed database. Information on exposure to seven PFAAs congeners [Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), and Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)] and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free and total thyroxine (FT4 and TT4), free and total triiodothyronine (FT3 and TT3), T3RU (Free triiodothyronine resin uptake) and FT4-index (FT4I) levels were recorded. We evaluated sampling of maternal TH by trimester, and infant TH by sex stratification. Reported associations between mother or infant PFAAs and TH were not uniformly assessed in the selected studies. RESULTS Ten out of the fifteen studies examined maternal PFAAs concentration and TSH level. Seven studies showed significant associations between TSH and exposure to six PFAAs congeners, most of them were positive. Maternal T4 and T3 were investigated in nine studies and five studies found inverse associations between exposure to six PFAAs congeners and TH (TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4 and FT4I) levels. Eight of the fifteen studies investigated PFAAs concentrations and infant TSH. Infant TSH level was significantly affected in four studies, positively in three studies. Nine studies investigated infant T4 and T3 and seven studies found significant associations with PFAAs exposure. However, both inverse and positive significant associations with infant TH were found eliciting no clear direction. CONCLUSION Results indicate a mainly positive relationship between maternal PFAAs concentrations and TSH levels, and suggestion of an inverse association with T4 and/or T3 levels. Associations of infant TH with PFAAs concentration were less consistent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A H Boesen
- Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- School of Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- School of Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva C Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.
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29
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Baluch N, Gallant M, Ellis AK. Exposomal research in the context of birth cohorts: What have they taught us? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2020; 125:639-645. [PMID: 32927048 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2020.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review birth cohorts with an exposomal approach and their key outcomes and challenges. Exposome encompasses all human environmental exposures from conception onward. The impact of environmental exposures is greatest in critical stages of life, including fetal and early childhood. Birth cohorts provide a good study setting to assess exposome in the sensitive periods of life. Here, we review birth cohorts with an exposomal approach and their key outcomes and challenges. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE was searched for birth cohorts that have used an exposomal approach. STUDY SELECTIONS Relevant studies in English language were selected and reviewed. RESULTS The outcomes of birth cohorts with an exposomal approach improve our understanding of the association between environmental exposures and childhood diseases. For example, results from The Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development Study suggest an association between first trimester exposure to traffic-related air pollution and increased risk of allergic sensitization at 12 months of age (P = .6). In a smaller Canadian birth cohort study, it was found that regular use of air fresheners (adjusted P = .04) and presence of mold in the residence (adjusted P < .001) were associated with early childhood wheezing and cough. The application of emerging molecular omics technologies and new analytical tools has facilitated the comprehensive assessment of exposome in birth cohorts. CONCLUSION Birth cohort studies with an exposomal approach improve our understanding of the origin of childhood diseases by examining a complex network of environmental exposures during pregnancy and years beyond birth. International collaboration is required to develop large birth cohorts for better and more extensive assessment of exposome with standardized protocols and new statistical frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Baluch
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mallory Gallant
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Allergy Research Unit, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston General Hospital Site, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne K Ellis
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Allergy Research Unit, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston General Hospital Site, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
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30
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Ojo AF, Peng C, Ng JC. Combined effects and toxicological interactions of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances mixtures in human liver cells (HepG2). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 263:114182. [PMID: 32247900 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The combined effects and toxicological interactions of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mixtures remain largely unknown even though they occur as complex mixtures in the environment. This study investigated the toxicity of individual and combined PFAS to human liver cell line (HepG2). The Combination Index (CI)-isobologram equation method was used to determine the toxicological interactions of PFAS in binary, ternary and multi-component mixtures. The results indicated that the cytotoxicity of individual PFAS to HepG2 cells increased with increasing carbon chain lengths when separated into non-sulfonated and sulfonated groups. The respective cytotoxicity of PFAS is in the order of PFDA > PFNA > PFOA > PFHpA for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and in the order of PFOS > PFHxS for perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids. The toxicological interaction of PFOS and PFOA with other PFAS clearly showed a different pattern of combined toxicity in HepG2 Cells. The binary, ternary, and multi-component combinations of PFOS with PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFHxS, and PFHpA displayed synergistic interactions for almost all inhibitory effect levels tested, whereas, either synergistic or antagonistic effect was observed in mixtures with PFOA. Overall, the pattern of interactions of PFAS mixtures is predominated by synergism, especially at low to medium effect levels; the exceptions to this were the antagonistic interactions found in mixture with PFOA, PFHxS, and PFHpA. These cytotoxicity results may have an implication on the health risk assessment of PFAS mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atinuke F Ojo
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Cheng Peng
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Jack C Ng
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.
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Liew Z, von Ehrenstein OS, Ling C, Yuan Y, Meng Q, Cui X, Park AS, Uldall P, Olsen J, Cockburn M, Ritz B. Ambient Exposure to Agricultural Pesticides during Pregnancy and Risk of Cerebral Palsy: A Population-Based Study in California. TOXICS 2020; 8:toxics8030052. [PMID: 32751992 PMCID: PMC7560316 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common neuro-motor disability in young children. Disruptions of maternal hormone function during pregnancy have been linked to CP risk. We investigated whether prenatal exposure to pesticide compounds with endocrine-disrupting action affect CP risk. We conducted a case-control study of 3905 CP cases and 39,377 controls born between 1998 and 2010 in California to mothers who lived in proximity (within 2 km) to any agricultural pesticide application recorded in the California Pesticide Use Reporting (PUR) system. We focused on 23 pesticides considered endocrine disruptors that are frequently used, and we found that exposure to any of the 23 pesticides in the first trimester was associated with elevated CP risks in female offspring (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.05-1.35) but not males (OR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.89-1.09) compared to the unexposed offspring. Positive associations were estimated for 15 pesticides suspected to affect the estrogen and 7 pesticides suspected to affect the thyroid hormone system. Our study suggests that first trimester exposure to pesticides that are suspected endocrine disruptors are associated with CP risk in female offspring. Pesticide exposures in early pregnancy may have sex-specific influences on the neuro-motor development of the fetus by interfering with endocrine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-203-764-9727
| | - Ondine S. von Ehrenstein
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (C.L.); (Y.Y.); (Q.M.); (A.S.P.); (B.R.)
| | - Chenxiao Ling
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (C.L.); (Y.Y.); (Q.M.); (A.S.P.); (B.R.)
| | - Yuying Yuan
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (C.L.); (Y.Y.); (Q.M.); (A.S.P.); (B.R.)
| | - Qi Meng
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (C.L.); (Y.Y.); (Q.M.); (A.S.P.); (B.R.)
| | - Xin Cui
- Perinatal Epidemiology and Health Outcomes Research Unit, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA;
- California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrew S. Park
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (C.L.); (Y.Y.); (Q.M.); (A.S.P.); (B.R.)
| | - Peter Uldall
- Department of Paediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 C Aarhus, Denmark;
| | - Myles Cockburn
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA;
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Beate Ritz
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (C.L.); (Y.Y.); (Q.M.); (A.S.P.); (B.R.)
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Manea S, Salmaso L, Lorenzoni G, Mazzucato M, Russo F, Mantoan D, Martuzzi M, Fletcher T, Facchin P. Exposure to PFAS and small for gestational age new-borns: A birth records study in Veneto Region (Italy). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 184:109282. [PMID: 32120121 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) in serum are inversely associated with fetal growth. Small for gestational age (SGA) is a measure based on birth weight and gestational age at birth and represents a good indicator of fetal growth but it has been used only in a small number of studies. We examined the association between PFAS exposure and the risk of severe SGA in a PFAS contaminated area in the Veneto Region (North-East of Italy). METHODS A retrospective cohort study has been developed including all singleton live births reported in the Veneto Region Birth Registry between 2003 and 2018 to mothers living in the contaminated and in a control area. We estimated the association between mothers' area of residence and severe SGA using crude RR (and 95% CI) and stepwise logistic regression, including all the maternal characteristics. RESULTS The study included 105,114 singleton live births. The occurence of severe SGA was 3.44% in the contaminated area and 2.67% in the control area. The multivariate analysis confirmed that living in the contaminated area significantly increased the odds of severe SGA (adjusted OR 1.27 (95% C.I. 1.16, 1.39)). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that living in a contaminated area by PFAS plays a role in affecting fetal growth and support the hypothesis that PFAS exposure is a risk factor for SGA. Individual data on exposure are needed to confirm the direct association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Manea
- Veneto Region Rare Diseases Coordinating Centre, Veneto Region Birth Register, University Hospital of Padua, Via Pietro Donà 11, 35129, Padova, Italy.
| | - Laura Salmaso
- Veneto Region Rare Diseases Coordinating Centre, Veneto Region Birth Register, University Hospital of Padua, Via Pietro Donà 11, 35129, Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Lorenzoni
- Veneto Region Rare Diseases Coordinating Centre, Veneto Region Birth Register, University Hospital of Padua, Via Pietro Donà 11, 35129, Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Mazzucato
- Veneto Region Rare Diseases Coordinating Centre, Veneto Region Birth Register, University Hospital of Padua, Via Pietro Donà 11, 35129, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesca Russo
- Directorate of Prevention, Food Safety, and Veterinary Public Health of Veneto Region, Dorsoduro, 3493, Rio Nuovo, 30123, Venezia, Italy
| | - Domenico Mantoan
- Health and Social Care Directorate, Veneto Region, Palazzo Molin, San Polo, 2514, 30125, Venezia, Italy
| | - Marco Martuzzi
- Environment and Health Impact Assessment, WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, Platz der Vereinten Nationen, 1, D-53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tony Fletcher
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17, Tavistock Place, WC1H 9SH, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Facchin
- Veneto Region Rare Diseases Coordinating Centre, Veneto Region Birth Register, University Hospital of Padua, Via Pietro Donà 11, 35129, Padova, Italy
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Birth weight and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid: a random-effects meta-regression analysis. Environ Epidemiol 2020; 4:e095. [PMID: 33778349 PMCID: PMC7941775 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. Most people in developed countries have detectable serum concentrations. Lower birth weight has been associated with serum PFOS in studies world-wide, many of which have been published only recently.
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Liew Z, Luo J, Nohr EA, Bech BH, Bossi R, Arah OA, Olsen J. Maternal Plasma Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Miscarriage: A Nested Case-Control Study in the Danish National Birth Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:47007. [PMID: 32319790 PMCID: PMC7228130 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors. High doses of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposure can cause pregnancy loss and infant deaths in animals, but the associations between PFAS exposures and risk of miscarriage in humans are not well studied. METHODS Using a case-control study nested within the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC, 1996-2002), we compared 220 pregnancies ending in miscarriage during weeks 12-22 of gestation, with 218 pregnancies resulting in live births. Levels of seven types of PFAS [PFOS, PFOA, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOSA)] were measured in maternal plasma collected in early gestation (mean gestational week 8). We estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for miscarriage and each PFAS as a continuous variable or in quartiles, controlling for maternal age, parity, socio-occupational status, smoking and alcohol intake, gestational week of blood sampling, and maternal history of miscarriage. Stratification by parity and PFAS mixture analyses using weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were also conducted. RESULTS We observed a monotonic increase in odds for miscarriage associated with increasing PFOA and PFHpS levels. The ORs comparing the highest PFOA or PFHpS quartile to the lowest were 2.2 (95% CI: 1.2, 3.9) and 1.8 (95% CI: 1.0, 3.2). The ORs were also elevated for the second or third quartile of PFHxS or PFOS, but no consistent exposure-outcome pattern emerged. An interquartile range (IQR) increment in the WQS index of seven PFAS was associated with 64% higher odds for miscarriage (95% CI: 1.15, 2.34). The associations were stronger in parous women, while findings were inconsistent among nulliparous women. CONCLUSION Maternal exposures to higher levels of PFOA, PFHpS, and PFAS mixtures were associated with the risk of miscarriage and particularly among parous women. Larger replication studies among nulliparous women are needed to allay concerns about confounding by reproductive history. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6202.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Ellen A Nohr
- Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Centre of Women's Family and Child Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Bodil Hammer Bech
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rossana Bossi
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Aarhus, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Onyebuchi A Arah
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Statistics, UCLA College of Letters and Science, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark
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Kashino I, Sasaki S, Okada E, Matsuura H, Goudarzi H, Miyashita C, Okada E, Ito YM, Araki A, Kishi R. Prenatal exposure to 11 perfluoroalkyl substances and fetal growth: A large-scale, prospective birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 136:105355. [PMID: 32029284 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal maternal exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been reportedly associated with decreased birth weight. Although a majority of epidemiological studies concerning perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have focused on PFOS and PFOA, epidemiological studies of PFAS with longer carbon chains are scarce. In this study, we investigated whether prenatal maternal exposure to 11 PFAS, in particular those with longer carbon chains, is associated with fetal growth. METHODS The study included 1985 mother-infant pairs (inclusive of preterm and post-term infants), who enrolled in a large-scale, prospective birth cohort study in any of the 37 hospitals in Hokkaido, Japan between 2003 and 2009. The concentration of 11 PFAS was measured in maternal plasma collected during the third trimester of pregnancy, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography in combination with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Associations between the measured PFAS values and weight, length, and head circumference of all newborns at birth were examined using multiple regression analyses with adjustment for potential confounders based on data collected from medical records, questionnaires, and those for maternal plasma samples. RESULTS Of the 11 PFAS analyzed, prenatal perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) [per log10-unit: regression coefficient (β) = -96.2 g, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), -165.3 to -27.1] and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) (β = -72.2 g, 95% CI, -138.1 to -6.3) concentrations were inversely associated with birth weight. Furthermore, PFNA concentrations were inversely associated with birth length (per Log10 unit: β = -0.48 cm, 95% CI; - 0.86 to -0.11). Maternal perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) exposure showed a significant inverse association with birth weight only for female infants (per Log10 unit: β = -99.8 g, 95% CI, - 193.7 to -6.0) (P for interaction = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that prenatal, maternal exposure to PFAS with longer carbon chains tends to be inversely associated with birth size of newborn infants, which may indicate that these commercially used compounds have an adverse effect on fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuko Kashino
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan; Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | - Seiko Sasaki
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Emiko Okada
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Matsuura
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, Division of Applied Bioscience, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | - Houman Goudarzi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | - Chihiro Miyashita
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | - Eisaku Okada
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoichi M Ito
- Department of Statistical Data Science, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Atsuko Araki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | - Reiko Kishi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan.
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Cai D, Li QQ, Chu C, Wang SZ, Tang YT, Appleton AA, Qiu RL, Yang BY, Hu LW, Dong GH, Zeng XW. High trans-placental transfer of perfluoroalkyl substances alternatives in the matched maternal-cord blood serum: Evidence from a birth cohort study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 705:135885. [PMID: 31841927 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies suggest that perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and PFAS alternatives can cross the placental barrier. However, little is known on the differential patterns of trans-placental transfer (TPT) among conventional PFAS and PFAS alternatives in epidemiological study. OBJECTIVES We aimed to characterize comprehensive TPT patterns in conventional PFAS and PFAS alternatives using matched maternal-cord blood serum from a birth cohort. METHODS A total of 424 mother-fetus pairs were recruited from the Maoming Birth Cohort during 2015-2018. We detected 20 PFAS in cord and maternal serum using an ultraperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). TPT of PFAS was calculated via cord to maternal serum concentration ratios. RESULTS Both of PFOS alternatives (chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonates, Cl-PFESAs) and PFOA short-chain alternative (perfluorobutanoic acid, PFBA) were widely detected in the cord and maternal serum. In cord serum, the predominant PFAS was PFOS (1.93 ng/mL), followed by PFBA (1.45 ng/mL), PFOA (0.75 ng/mL) and 6:2 Cl-PFESA (0.32 ng/mL). We found that the PFAS alternatives had higher TPT than PFOS and PFOA, such as PFBA vs. PFOA (median: 1.41 vs. 0.73, P < 0.001) and 8:2 Cl-PFESA vs. PFOS (median: 0.98 vs. 0.42, P < 0.001). Moreover, the TPT of 8:2 Cl-PFESA was higher than the precursor, linear and isomeric PFOS, respectively (P < 0.01). Furthermore, we found a U-shaped pattern for TPT in perfluorocarboxylic acid compounds (PFCAs) across different length of carbon chain. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that PFAS alternatives may be more easily across the placenta than conventional PFAS. Given the widespread usage of PFAS alternatives, our results indicate that more research is needed to assess the potential health risks of prenatal exposure to PFAS alternatives in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Cai
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qing-Qing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Chu Chu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shi-Zhong Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Ye-Tao Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Allison A Appleton
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Rong-Liang Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Bo-Yi Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Li-Wen Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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Mustieles V, Arrebola JP. How polluted is your fat? What the study of adipose tissue can contribute to environmental epidemiology. J Epidemiol Community Health 2020; 74:401-407. [DOI: 10.1136/jech-2019-213181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The study of the potential contribution of low-dose exposure to environmental chemicals on the development of chronic conditions in human populations is often hampered by methodological issues, including exposure misclassification and the inability to assess biological effects in target organs. White adipose tissue (WAT) presents the unique feature of being both an advantageous matrix for assessing long-term exposure to mixtures of persistent organic pollutants and an interesting tissue to investigate early preclinical effects. Moreover, other lipophilic non-persistent chemicals and heavy metals have been recently quantified in fat, suggesting that human WAT contains chemical mixtures more complex than initially thought. However, WAT has been scarcely used in environmental epidemiology due to collection difficulties. In this essay we discuss the potential of using human WAT as a source of both exposure and effect biomarkers, with the aim of advancing the epidemiological research of obesity-related diseases, including metabolic syndrome and cancer. Overall, we discuss the implications of investigating WAT in a multidisciplinary framework combining toxicological and epidemiological knowledge in order to improve the inference of causal relationships in observational settings. We finalise by suggesting feasible designs and scenarios in which WAT samples may be reasonably collected.
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Hjermitslev MH, Long M, Wielsøe M, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Persistent organic pollutants in Greenlandic pregnant women and indices of foetal growth: The ACCEPT study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 698:134118. [PMID: 31494415 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Greenlandic population has some of the highest levels of environmental persistent organic pollutants (POPs) globally. Studies have previously found POPs to be linked with disturbance of child development, immune function and reproductive abilities. We investigated the associations between serum POP levels of pregnant women in Greenland and their infant's birth weight, length, head circumference and gestational age (GA) at birth. Pregnant Greenlandic women (n = 504) were enrolled during pregnancy and serum levels of the lipophilic POPs (Organochlorine pesticides, Polychlorinated biphenyls and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and the amphiphilic POPs, Perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs), were measured. We analysed the associations between maternal serum levels of POPs and birth weight, length, head circumference and GA using linear regression analysis. We found significant inverse associations between Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and birth weight (adjusted β = -119 g, 95% CI: -201; -36), birth length (adjusted β = -0.37 cm, 95% CI: -0.76; 0.02, borderline significant) and head circumference (adjusted β = -0.35 cm, 95% CI: -0.59; -0.10) and a positive association with GA (adjusted β = 0.45 week, 95% CI: 0.17; 0.74). For the lipophilic POPs, we found an overall trend of inverse associations to foetal growth indices. In conclusion, we found that the amphiphilic PFOA had a significant inversely association with foetal growth indices, whereas GA was positively associated. The data indicate that POPs have a negative effect on foetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Harthøj Hjermitslev
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Eva C Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark; Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.
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Starling AP, Adgate JL, Hamman RF, Kechris K, Calafat AM, Dabelea D. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and infant growth and adiposity: the Healthy Start Study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 131:104983. [PMID: 31284113 PMCID: PMC6728170 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposures to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked to lower weight and adiposity at birth but greater weight and adiposity in childhood. We hypothesized that faster growth in early infancy may be associated with maternal PFAS concentrations. METHODS Among 415 mother-infant pairs in a longitudinal cohort study, we estimated associations between maternal pregnancy serum concentrations of six PFAS and offspring weight and adiposity at ~5 months of age, and growth in early infancy. Linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for potential confounders including maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index. Effect modification by infant sex was evaluated. We evaluated potential confounding by correlated exposures via multipollutant linear regression and elastic net penalized regression. RESULTS Associations between maternal PFAS concentrations and infant weight and adiposity differed by offspring sex. In male infants, maternal perfluorooctanoate and perfluorononanoate were positively associated with adiposity, with percent fat mass increases of 1.5-1.7% per ln-ng/mL increase in PFAS (median adiposity at ~5 months: 24.6%). Maternal perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) were associated with lower weight-for-age z-score among female infants only (-0.26 SD per ln-ng/mL PFOS, 95% CI -0.43, -0.10; -0.17 SD per ln-ng/mL PFHxS, 95% CI -0.33, -0.01). In analyses pooled by sex, 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetate above vs. below the limit of detection was associated with greater odds of rapid growth in weight-for-age (odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% CI 1.1, 4.3) and weight-for-length (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.8, 6.2). Multipollutant models generally confirmed the results and strengthened some associations. DISCUSSION We observed sex- and chemical-specific associations between maternal serum PFAS concentrations and infant weight and adiposity. Multipollutant models suggested confounding by correlated PFAS with opposing effects. Although maternal PFAS concentrations are inversely associated with infant weight and adiposity at birth, rapid gain may occur in infancy, particularly in fat mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne P Starling
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA; Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Richard F Hamman
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA; Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Katerina Kechris
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA; Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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