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Coperchini F, Teliti M, Greco A, Croce L, Rotondi M. Per-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as thyroid disruptors: is there evidence for multi-transgenerational effects? Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2024; 19:307-315. [PMID: 38764236 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2024.2351885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The environmental spread of pollutants has led to a persistent exposure of living beings to multiple chemicals, by now become ubiquitous in the surrounding environment. Environmental exposure to these substances has been reported to cause multi- and/or transgenerational health effects. Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) raise great concern, given their known effects both as endocrine disruptors and potential carcinogens. The multi/trans-generational effects of different endocrine disruptors have been investigated by several studies, and harmful effects observed also for PFAS. AREAS COVERED This review examines the current data on the multi-trans-generational effects of PFAS, with a focus on their impact on the thyroid axis. The aim is to determine if there is evidence of potential multi-trans-generational effects of PFAS on the thyroid and/or if more research is needed. EXPERT OPINION PFAS exposure impacts thyroid homeostasis and can cross the placental barrier. In addition PFAS have shown multi-transgenerational effects in laboratory experiences and animal models, but thyroid disruptive effects of PFAS were also investigated only in a small number of these studies. Efforts are needed to study the adverse effects of PFAS, as not all PFAS are regulated and removal strategies are still being developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Coperchini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Marsida Teliti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Alessia Greco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Laura Croce
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Lombardia, Italy
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Lombardia, Italy
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Pavia, Italy
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Schildroth S, Claus Henn B, Vines AI, Geller RJ, Lovett SM, Coleman CM, Bethea TN, Botelho JC, Calafat AM, Milando C, Baird DD, Wegienka G, Wise LA. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perceived stress, and depressive symptoms in a prospective cohort study of black women. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 929:172445. [PMID: 38642767 PMCID: PMC11109747 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals with neurotoxic properties. PFAS have been associated with depressive symptoms among women in some studies, but little research has evaluated the effects of PFAS mixtures. Further, no study has investigated interactions of PFAS-depression associations by perceived stress, which has been shown to modify the effects of PFAS on other health outcomes. OBJECTIVE In a prospective cohort study of reproductive-aged Black women, we investigated associations between PFAS and depressive symptoms and the extent to which perceived stress modified these associations. METHODS We analyzed data from 1499 participants (23-35 years) in the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids. We quantified concentrations of nine PFAS in baseline plasma samples using online solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Participants reported perceived stress via the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4; range = 0-16) at baseline and depressive symptoms via the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD; range = 0-44) at the 20-month follow-up visit. We used Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression to estimate associations between PFAS concentrations, individually and as a mixture, and depressive symptoms, and to assess effect modification by PSS-4 scores, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS Baseline perfluorodecanoic acid concentrations were associated with greater depressive symptoms at the 20-month follow-up, but associations for other PFAS were null. The PFAS were not associated with depressive symptoms when evaluated as a mixture. The association between the 90th percentile (vs. 50th percentile) of the PFAS mixture with CES-D scores was null at the 10th (β = 0.03; 95 % CrI = 0.20, 0.25), 50th (β = 0.02; 95 % CrI = -0.16, 0.19), and 90th (β = 0.01; 95 % CrI = 0.18, 0.20) percentiles of PSS-4 scores, suggesting perceived stress did not modify the PFAS mixture. CONCLUSION In this prospective cohort study, PFAS concentrations-assessed individually or as a mixture-were not appreciably associated with depressive symptoms, and there was no evidence of effect modification by perceived stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Schildroth
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Birgit Claus Henn
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anissa I Vines
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ruth J Geller
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sharonda M Lovett
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chad M Coleman
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Traci N Bethea
- Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities Research, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Julianne Cook Botelho
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chad Milando
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donna D Baird
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Lauren A Wise
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Xie LN, Wang XC, Su LQ, Ji SS, Gu W, Barrett H, Dong XJ, Zhu HJ, Hou SS, Li ZH, Liu YL, Zhang L, Zhu Y. The association between per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances in serum and thyroid function parameters: A cross-sectional study on teenagers living near a Chinese fluorochemical industrial plant. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:170985. [PMID: 38367719 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170985] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) play an important role in a wide range of crucial biological functions related to growth and development, and thyroid antibodies (TAs) can influence the biosynthesis of THs. Epidemiological studies have indicated that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) could induce thyroid disruption, but studies on teenagers living in areas with high PFAS exposure are limited. This cross-sectional study focused on 836 teenagers (11- 15 years) living near a Chinese fluorochemical industrial plant. Decreased levels of free thyroxine (FT4, ﹤9.6 pmol/L, abnormal rate = 19.0 %) and elevated levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3, ﹥6.15 pmol/L, abnormal rate = 29.8 %) were observed. Correlations of serum PFAS concentrations and TAs/THs were analyzed. Increased PFOA was identified as a risk factor of decreased FT4 by using unadjusted (OR: 11.346; 95 % CI: 6.029, 21.352, p < 0.001) and adjusted (OR: 12.566; 95 % CI: 6.549, 24.115, p < 0.001) logistic regression models. In addition, significantly negative correlations were found between log10 transformed PFOA and FT4 levels using linear (unadjusted: β = -1.543, 95 % CI: -1.937, -1.148, p < 0.001; adjusted: β = -1.534, 95 % CI: -1.930, -1.137, p < 0.001) and BKMR models. For abnormal FT3, a significantly positive association between PFHxS and FT3 levels was observed in a regression model (unadjusted: β = -0.903, 95 % CI: -1.212, -0.595, p < 0.001; adjusted: β = -0.894, 95 % CI: -1.204, -0.583, p < 0.001), and PFHxS was identified as a risk factor (unadjusted: OR: 4.387; 95 % CI: 2.619, 7.346, p < 0.001; adjusted: OR: 4.527; 95 % CI: 2.665, 7.688, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the above results. This study reported the elevated PFAS exposure and thyroid function of teenagers living near a fluorochemical industrial plant from China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Na Xie
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiao-Chen Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Li-Qin Su
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Sai-Sai Ji
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Wen Gu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Holly Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Xiao-Jie Dong
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Hui-Juan Zhu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Sha-Sha Hou
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zhen-Huan Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yi-Lin Liu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, Shandong Province 255000, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China.
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Hu L, Mei H, Cai X, Song L, Xu Q, Gao W, Zhang D, Zhou J, Sun C, Li Y, Xiang F, Wang Y, Zhou A, Xiao H. Prenatal exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances and postpartum depression in women with twin pregnancies. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 256:114324. [PMID: 38271819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with multiple pregnancies are vulnerable to experience postpartum depression (PPD). Emerging evidence indicates an association between poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and PPD in women delivering singletons. The health risks of PFAS may also be present in women delivering twins. OBJECTIVE To estimate the impacts of prenatal PFAS exposure on the risk of PPD in women with twin pregnancies. METHODS Our study included 150 mothers who gave birth to twins and were enrolled in the Wuhan Twin Birth Cohort. The concentrations of maternal plasma PFAS were measured in each trimester and averaged. Eight individual PFAS were included in analyses. We used Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to evaluate maternal depression at early pregnancy and 1 and 6 months after childbirth. The outcome was dichotomized using a cutoff value of ≥10 for main analyses. Associations were examined using multiple informant models and modified Poisson regressions. PFAS mixture effects were estimated using quantile g-computation. RESULTS Using quantile g-computation models, a quartile increase in the PFAS mixture during the first, second, third, and average pregnancy was significantly associated with a relative risk (RR) of 1.73 (95% CI: 1.42, 2.12), 1.54 (95% CI: 1.27, 1.84), 1.75 (95% CI: 1.49, 2.08), and 1.63 (95% CI: 1.35, 1.97) for PPD at 6 months after childbirth, respectively. The results of the single-PFAS models also indicated significant positive associations between individual PFAS and PPD at both 1 and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS The first study of women with twin pregnancies suggests that prenatal exposure to PFAS increases PPD risk up to 6 months postpartum. Twin pregnant women should receive long-term follow-up after delivery and extensive social support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Hu
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Hong Mei
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiaonan Cai
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Lulu Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, PR China; Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Qiao Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Wenqi Gao
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Woman Healthcare Department for Community, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jieqiong Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Chen Sun
- Maternal Health Care Department, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Feiyan Xiang
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Youjie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, PR China; Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Aifen Zhou
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Han Xiao
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
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Shi G, Zhu B, Wu Q, Dai J, Sheng N. Prenatal exposure to hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA) disrupts the maternal gut microbiome and fecal metabolome homeostasis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169330. [PMID: 38135079 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Initially considered a "safe" substitute for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA) has been extensively used in the production of fluoropolymers for several years, leading to its environmental ubiquity and subsequent discovery of its significant bio-accumulative properties and toxicological effects. However, the specific impact of HFPO-TA on females, particularly those who are pregnant, remains unclear. In the present study, pregnant mice were exposed to 0.63 mg/kg/day HFPO-TA from gestational day (GD) 2 to GD 18. We then determined the potential effects of exposure on gut microbiota and fecal metabolites at GD 12 (mid-pregnancy) and GD 18 (late pregnancy). Our results revealed that, in addition to liver damage, HFPO-TA exposure during the specified window altered the structure and function of cecal gut microbiota. Notably, these changes showed the opposite trends at GD 12 and GD 18. Specifically, at GD 12, HFPO-TA exposure primarily resulted in the down-regulation of relative abundances within genera from the Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria phyla, as well as associated Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. With extended exposure time, the down-regulated genera within Proteobacteria became significantly up-regulated, accompanied by corresponding up-regulation of human disease- and inflammation-associated pathways, suggesting that HFPO-TA exposure can induce intestinal inflammation and elevate the risk of infection during late pregnancy. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that disturbances in the gut microbiota were accompanied by abnormal fecal metabolite. Additionally, alterations in hormones related to the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway at both sacrifice time indicated that HFPO-TA exposure might change the steroid hormone level of pregnant mice, but need further study. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying HFPO-TA-induced adverse effects and increases awareness of potential persistent health risks to pregnant females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Bao Zhu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jiayin Dai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Nan Sheng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Hu L, Mei H, Cai X, Xiang F, Li N, Huang Z, Duan Z, Yang P, Xiao H. A co-twin control study of in utero exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances and associations with neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117350. [PMID: 37821063 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117350] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Research quantifying associations between early-life exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neonatal thyroid hormone levels is limited and reports inconsistent results. This study aimed to examine the associations of in utero PFAS exposure with neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and to verify whether genetic and familial factors contribute to these associations. Within Wuhan Twin Birth Cohort study, we included 148 mother-twin pairs recruited between March 2016 and January 2018. Maternal plasma PFAS concentrations were measured at three different trimesters and averaged. Additionally, we measured cord plasma PFAS concentrations for twin newborns and retrieved their TSH levels from the medical system. Multivariable linear regression, generalized estimation equation, and linear mixed models were used to examine the covariate-adjusted associations. For maternal PFAS analyses, a 2-fold increment of average maternal perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) concentrations was linked with a 15% (95% CI: 2.5%, 28%) and 14% (95% CI: 2.4%, 28%) increase in neonatal TSH, respectively. For twin newborns discordant for PFAS exposure, a 2-fold increment of cord plasma PFOA, PFDA, perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) concentrations was related to a 7.1% (95% CI: 0.31%, 14%), 12% (95% CI: 4.8%, 20%), 7.5% (95% CI: 0.30%, 15%), and 8.5% (95% CI: 3.0%, 14%) increase in TSH among twins as individuals, respectively. Although these associations were mainly observed between twin pairs, certain PFAS exposure might have an independent association with increased TSH. Our present study suggests that higher maternal and cord plasma PFAS concentrations are associated with increased neonatal TSH, and genetic and familial factors contribute to these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Hu
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Hong Mei
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiaonan Cai
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Feiyan Xiang
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Na Li
- Maternal Health Care Department, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Zhen Huang
- Department of Pathology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Zhengrong Duan
- Maternal Health Care Department, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Pan Yang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Han Xiao
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
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Reardon AJF, Hajihosseini M, Dinu I, Field CJ, Kinniburgh DW, MacDonald AM, Dewey D, England-Mason G, Martin JW. Maternal co-exposure to mercury and perfluoroalkyl acid isomers and their associations with child neurodevelopment in a Canadian birth cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108087. [PMID: 37454627 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) within the broader class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are present in human serum as isomer mixtures, but epidemiological studies have yet to address isomer-specific associations with child development and behavior. OBJECTIVES To examine associations between prenatal exposure to 25 PFAAs, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) isomers, and child neurodevelopment among 490 mother-child pairs in a prospective Canadian birth cohort, the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study. To consider the influence of a classic neurotoxicant, total mercury (THg), based on its likelihood of co-exposure with PFAAs from common dietary sources. METHODS Maternal blood samples were collected in the second trimester and child neurodevelopment was assessed at 2 years of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd Edition (Bayley-III). Linear or curvilinear multiple regression models were used to examine associations between exposures and neurodevelopment outcomes. RESULTS Select PFAAs were associated with lower Cognitive composite scores, including perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA) (β = -0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.7, -0.06) and perfluorododecanoate (PFDoA) (β = -2.0, 95% CI: -3.9, -0.01). Non-linear relationships revealed associations of total PFOS (β = -4.4, 95% CI: -8.3, -0.43), and linear-PFOS (β = -4.0, 95% CI: -7.5, -0.57) and 1m-PFOS (β = -1.8, 95% CI: -3.3, -0.24) isomers with lower Language composite scores. Although there was no effect modification, including THg interaction terms in PFAA models revealed negative associations between perfluorononanoate (PFNA) and Motor (β = -3.3, 95% CI: -6.2, -0.33) and Social-Emotional (β = -3.0, 95% CI: -5.6, -0.40) composite scores. DISCUSSION These findings reinforce previous reports of adverse effects of maternal PFAA exposure during pregnancy on child neurodevelopment. The unique hazards posed from isomers of PFOS justify isomer-specific analysis in future studies. To control for possible confounding, mercury co-exposure may be considered in studies of PFAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J F Reardon
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Irina Dinu
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine J Field
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - David W Kinniburgh
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amy M MacDonald
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Deborah Dewey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Community Health Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gillian England-Mason
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jonathan W Martin
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wang Z, Zhang J, Dai Y, Zhang L, Guo J, Xu S, Chang X, Wu C, Zhou Z. Mediating effect of endocrine hormones on association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure and birth size: Findings from sheyang mini birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 226:115658. [PMID: 36894112 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115658] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been reported to affect fetus growth, but current results were inconsistent and their mechanism remained unclear. OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the associations of prenatal exposure to single and/or multiple PFAS with birth size and to elucidate whether thyroid hormones and reproductive hormones mediate these associations. METHODS A total of 1087 mother-newborn pairs from Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study were included in the present cross-sectional analysis. 12 PFAS, 5 thyroid hormones and 2 reproductive hormones were measured in cord serum. Multiple linear regression models and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to examine the associations of PFAS with either birth size or endocrine hormones. One-at-a-time pairwise mediating effect analysis was applied to estimate the mediating effect of single hormone in the association between individual chemical and birth size. High-dimensional mediation approach including elastic net regularization and Bayesian shrinkage estimation were further performed to reduce exposure dimension and figure out the global mediation effects of joint endocrine hormones. RESULTS Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) exposure was positively associated to weight for length z score [WLZ, per log10-unit: regression coefficient (β) = 0.26, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.04, 0.47] and ponderal index (PI, β = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.09, 1.02), and PFAS mixture results fit by BKMR model showed consistent consequences. High-dimensional mediating analyses revealed that thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) explained 6.7% of the positive association between PFAS mixtures exposure and PI [Total effect (TE) = 1.499 (0.565, 2.405); Indirect effect (IE) = 0.105 (0.015, 0.231)]. Besides, 7.3% of the PI variance was indirectly explained by 7 endocrine hormones jointly [TE = 0.810 (0.802, 0.819); IE = 0.040 (0.038, 0.041)]. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal PFAS mixtures exposure, especially PFNA, was positively associated to birth size. Such associations were partly mediated by cord serum TSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Wang
- School of Public Health/ MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- School of Public Health/ MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yiming Dai
- School of Public Health/ MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Public Health/ MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jianqiu Guo
- School of Public Health/ MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Sinan Xu
- School of Public Health/ MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiuli Chang
- School of Public Health/ MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chunhua Wu
- School of Public Health/ MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhijun Zhou
- School of Public Health/ MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety/ NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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9
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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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10
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Stoker TE, Wang J, Murr AS, Bailey JR, Buckalew AR. High-Throughput Screening of ToxCast PFAS Chemical Library for Potential Inhibitors of the Human Sodium Iodide Symporter. Chem Res Toxicol 2023; 36:380-389. [PMID: 36821091 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, there has been increased concern for environmental chemicals that can target various sites within the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis to potentially disrupt thyroid synthesis, transport, metabolism, and/or function. One well-known thyroid target in both humans and wildlife is the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) that regulates iodide uptake into the thyroid gland, the first step of thyroid hormone synthesis. Our laboratory previously developed and validated a radioactive iodide uptake (RAIU) high-throughput assay in a stably transduced human NIS cell line (hNIS-HEK293T-EPA) to identify chemicals with potential for NIS inhibition. So far, we have tested over 2000 chemicals (US EPA's ToxCast chemical libraries PI_v2, PII, and e1K) and discovered a subset of chemicals that significantly inhibit iodide uptake in the hNIS assay. Here, we utilized this screening assay to test a set of 149 unique per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (ToxCast PFAS library) for potential NIS inhibition. For this evaluation, the 149 blinded samples were screened in a tiered approach, first in an initial single-concentration (≤100 μM) RAIU assay and subsequent evaluation of the chemicals that produced ≥20% inhibition using multiconcentration (MC) response (0.001-100 μM) testing in parallel RAIU and cell viability assays. Of this set, 38 of the PFAS chemicals inhibited iodide uptake ≥20% in the MC testing with 25 displaying inhibition ≥50%. To prioritize the most potent PFAS NIS inhibitors in this set, chemicals were ranked based on outcomes of both iodide uptake and cytotoxicity and normalized to perchlorate, a known positive control. Consistent with previous findings, PFOS and PFHxS were again found to be potent NIS inhibitors, yet significant inhibition was also observed for several other screened PFAS chemicals. Although further studies are clearly warranted, this initial screening effort identifies NIS as a molecular target for potential thyroid disruption by this persistent and structurally diverse class of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammy E Stoker
- Neurotoxicology and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center of Public Health and Environmental Assessments, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Neurotoxicology and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center of Public Health and Environmental Assessments, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Ashley S Murr
- Neurotoxicology and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center of Public Health and Environmental Assessments, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Jarod R Bailey
- Neurotoxicology and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center of Public Health and Environmental Assessments, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Angela R Buckalew
- Neurotoxicology and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center of Public Health and Environmental Assessments, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
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11
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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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12
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Li A, Hou J, Fu J, Wang Y, Hu Y, Zhuang T, Li M, Song M, Jiang G. Association between serum levels of TSH and free T4 and per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds concentrations in pregnant women. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 124:11-18. [PMID: 36182121 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Many per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFASs) may disrupt maternal thyroid hormone homeostasis in pregnancy. Concerns should be raised regarding the PFASs exposure in pregnant women because thyroid hormones are involved in the early development of the fetus. In this study, we measured the concentrations of 13 PFASs, including five novel short-chain PFASs, in serum from 123 pregnant women in Beijing, China. Linear regression models were used to investigate the association between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) or free thyroxine (FT4) levels and PFASs concentrations under consideration of the impacts of pregnancy-induced physiological factors. We found that perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) (β=0.189, 95%CI=-0.039, 0.417, p=0.10) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) (β=-0.554, 95%CI=-1.16, 0.049, p=0.071) were suggestive of significant association with TSH in thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) negative women. No association was observed between all PFASs and FT4 levels after controlling for these confounding factors, such as BMI, gestational weight gain and maternal age. These findings suggest that it should pay more attention to the association between thyroid hormone levels and short-chain PFASs concentrations. Future studies could consider a greater sample and the inclusion of other clinical indicators of thyroid function, such as free T3 and total T3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian Hou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jianjie Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yinan Wang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Yifei Hu
- Department of Child, Adolescent Health and Maternal Care, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Taifeng Zhuang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Menglong Li
- Department of Child, Adolescent Health and Maternal Care, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Maoyong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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13
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Zhang L, Liang J, Gao A. Contact to perfluoroalkyl substances and thyroid health effects: A meta-analysis directing on pregnancy. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 315:137748. [PMID: 36610509 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In vivo, in vitro, and epidemiological evidence suggests that perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may alter thyroid function in human health, with negative effects on maternal and fetal development outcomes. However, data on the effects of PFAS on thyroid hormones remain controversial. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of 13 eligible studies searched from Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science by July 10, 2022, to explore the relationship between maternal exposure to PFAS and thyroid health effects, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (TT3), thyroxin (TT4), free T3 (FT3), and free T4 (FT4). The estimated values (β) and the corresponding confidence intervals (95%CI) were extracted for analysis. The tests for heterogeneity, sensitivity and publication bias between studies were performed using Stata 15.0. The combined results showed a positive association between changes in TSH and exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), with no significant correlation observed between changes in other thyroid hormones and exposure to PFAS. This difference was attributed to sample size, region, sample type, body mass index (BMI), and gestational week. Our data recommend verifying the relationship between PFAS exposure and thyroid health effects in a large sample population cohort in future studies. In addition, health care should be taken into account in early and mid-pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jiayi Liang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Ai Gao
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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14
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Cao Z, Li J, Yang M, Gong H, Xiang F, Zheng H, Cai X, Xu S, Zhou A, Xiao H. Prenatal exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate alternatives and associations with neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone concentration: A birth cohort study. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 311:136940. [PMID: 36273603 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acids (Cl-PFESA) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), used as perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) alternatives, were indicated as thyroid hormone disruptive toxicants in experimental studies. However, it is unclear whether prenatal exposure to Cl-PFESA and PFBS affects neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in human. OBJECTIVE To disclose the relationships between prenatal Cl-PFESAs and PFBS exposure and neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels based on a perspective cohort study. METHODS A total of 1015 pairs of mother and newborn were included from an ongoing birth cohort study in Wuhan, China, between 2013 and 2014. Six PFASs in cord blood sera and TSH concentration in neonatal postpartum heel sticks blood were quantified. Mixed linear and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models were applied to assess the individual and combination effects of PFASs exposure on neonatal TSH levels with multiple covariates adjustments. RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounders and other five PFASs, for each 1-ng/mL increase of PFBS or 8:2 Cl-PFESA, was negatively associated with 25.90% (95%CI: 37.37%, -12.32%; P < 0.001) and 27.19% (95%CI: 46.15%, -1.55%; P = 0.033) change in TSH in male but not female infants, respectively. No significant association was found between other PFASs exposure and neonatal TSH. Higher PFAS mixture in cord blood was significantly associated with decrease TSH concentration in all newborns (β = -0.36; 95%CI: 0.58, -0.13; P = 0.001) identified by WQS regression model. PFBS, PFOS and 6:2 Cl-PFESA were the major contributors to the neonatal TSH decrement with the weights of 56.50%, 18.71%, 12.81% among PFAS mixture, respectively. CONCLUSIONS our prospective cohort study suggested a negative association of cord serum PFBS and 8:2 CI-PFESA with TSH concentration in newborns, especially for boys. Additional studies are required to elaborate on the underlying biological mechanisms, especially for PFBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqiang Cao
- Institute of Maternal and Children Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junwei Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Yang
- Institute of Maternal and Children Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongjian Gong
- Institute of Maternal and Children Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Feiyan Xiang
- Institute of Maternal and Children Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- Institute of Maternal and Children Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaonan Cai
- Institute of Maternal and Children Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shunqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Aifen Zhou
- Institute of Maternal and Children Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Han Xiao
- Institute of Maternal and Children Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.
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15
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Shen C, Ding J, Xu C, Zhang L, Liu S, Tian Y. Perfluoroalkyl Mixture Exposure in Relation to Fetal Growth: Potential Roles of Maternal Characteristics and Associations with Birth Outcomes. TOXICS 2022; 10:650. [PMID: 36355941 PMCID: PMC9695392 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure is suggested to interfere with fetal growth. However, limited investigations considered the roles of parity and delivery on PFASs distributions and the joint effects of PFASs mixture on birth outcomes. In this study, 506 birth cohorts were investigated in Hangzhou, China with 14 PFASs measured in maternal serum. Mothers with higher maternal ages who underwent cesarean section were associated with elevated PFASs burden, while parity showed a significant but diverse influence. A logarithmic unit increment in perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorononane sulfonate (PFNS) was significantly associated with a reduced birth weight of 0.153 kg (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.274, -0.031, p = 0.014), 0.217 kg (95% CI: -0.385, -0.049, p = 0.012), and 0.137 kg (95% CI: -0.270, -0.003, p = 0.044), respectively. Higher perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and perfluoroheptane sulphonate (PFHpS) were associated with increased Apgar-1 scores. PFOA (Odds ratio (OR): 2.17, 95% CI: 1.27, 3.71, p = 0.004) and PFNS (OR:1.59, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.50, p = 0.043) were also risk factors to preterm birth. In addition, the quantile-based g-computation showed that PFASs mixture exposure was significantly associated with Apgar-1 (OR: 0.324, 95%CI: 0.068, 0.579, p = 0.013) and preterm birth (OR: 0.356, 95% CI: 0.149, 0.845, p = 0.019). In conclusion, PFASs were widely distributed in the maternal serum, which was influenced by maternal characteristics and significantly associated with several birth outcomes. Further investigation should focus on the placenta transfer and toxicities of PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chensi Shen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiaxin Ding
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Chenye Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Shuren Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China
| | - Yonghong Tian
- Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
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16
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Li J, Yang L, He G, Wang B, Miao M, Ji H, Wen S, Cao W, Yuan W, Liang H. Association between prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and anogenital distance in female neonates. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 245:114130. [PMID: 36182800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been reported to exert reproductive toxicity. Anogenital distance (AGD) is a biomarker of intrauterine androgen exposure and an indicator of genital development. An animal study reported that female neonatal rats exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) during postnatal days 1-5 exhibited a longer AGD, while epidemiological studies have shown inconsistent results. This study aimed to examine the effects of prenatal exposure to PFASs on the AGD in female neonates. METHODS PFAS levels were measured in plasma samples obtained from pregnant women at 12-16 gestational weeks using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The AGD of each female neonate was measured within 3 days after delivery. The anogenital index (AGI), calculated as AGD divided by weight, was also determined. A total of 362 motherinfant pairs were included in this study. A multivariate linear regression model was used to examine the association between prenatal ln-transformed concentrations of PFASs and AGD/AGI. In addition, weighted quantile sum regression (WQSR) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to assess the overall effects of a mixture of PFASs on the AGD/AGI and to identify important contributors to the overall effect. RESULTS There was a consistent pattern of association between maternal PFAS concentrations and increased AGDanus to posterior fourchette (AF), AGDanus to clitoris (AC), and AGIAF lengths at birth. Statistical significance was found between maternal ln-transformed concentrations of perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorododecanoic acid, and perfluorotridecanoic acid and AGDAF, with β values (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 0.83 (0.16, 1.51), 0.32 (0.05, 0.59), and 0.25 (0.00, 0.51) mm, respectively; between PFOS and AGDAC, with a β value (95% CI) of 0.63 (0.04, 1.21) mm; and between PFHxS and AGIAF, with a β value (95% CI) of 0.22 (0.02, 0.43) mm/kg. Similarly, the WQSR and BKMR models showed that an increase in the AGDAF/AGIAF at birth was associated with co-exposure to a mixture of PFASs. CONCLUSION High maternal concentrations of PFASs were associated with increased AGD in female neonates, indicating that PFASs may impair reproductive development in female offspring in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jincan Li
- National Health Commission Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Limei Yang
- The First People's Hospital of Jiashan, Jiaxing Zhejiang Province 314199, China
| | - Gengsheng He
- School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Binbin Wang
- Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- National Health Commission Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglei Ji
- National Health Commission Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Sheng Wen
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Wencheng Cao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- National Health Commission Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hong Liang
- National Health Commission Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China.
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17
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Amziane A, Monteau F, El Djalil Lalaouna A, Alamir B, Le Bizec B, Dervilly G. Optimization and validation of a fast supercritical fluid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantitative determination of a large set of PFASs in food matrices and human milk. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2022; 1210:123455. [PMID: 36115197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2022.123455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
An Ultra-High Performance Supercritical Fluid Chromatography coupled with tandem Mass Spectrometry analytical method (UHPSFC-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of 34 perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) in food-related matrices. Two parameters (i.e. stationary phase and co-solvent) were selected and optimized using a step-by-step method, while a design of experiment (DoE) method using a central composite design (CCD) was implemented to optimize column temperature, mobile phase flow rate, co-solvent concentration and automated back pressure regulator (ABPR). The Torus 2-PIC column was selected along with ammonium acetate AcoNH4 as additive in the co-solvent. DoE optimization of both peak width and resolution enabled validating an optimized model (desirability 0.613) and setting column temperature at 38.7 °C, AcoNH4 concentration at 8 mM, mobile phase flow rate of 1.9 mL/min and ABPR at 1654 psi. The validated resulting method enabled reaching limits of quantification below 0.2 ng/g (w.w.) for 97 % PFASs in accordance with current EU requirements. The strategy was successfully applied to the characterization of a range (n > 30) of food-related matrices (red meat, poultry meat, eggs, fish and breast milk) collected in Algeria in 2019. PFOA and PFBA were observed as the most frequently detected PFASs, i.e. in 96.96 % and 90.9 % of the samples respectively. The highest concentrations were determined in fishery products up to 4.42 ng/g (w.w.) for PFTeDA and 0.75 ng/g (w.w.) for PFOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Amziane
- Oniris, INRAE, LABERCA, F44300 Nantes, France; CNT, Centre National de Toxicologie, Alger, Algérie; Algiers University I Benyoucef Benkhedda, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Alger, Algeria
| | | | - Abd El Djalil Lalaouna
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Salah Boubnider University, Constantine 3, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Constantine, Algeria
| | - Barkahom Alamir
- CNT, Centre National de Toxicologie, Alger, Algérie; Algiers University I Benyoucef Benkhedda, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Alger, Algeria
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18
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Derakhshan A, Kortenkamp A, Shu H, Broeren MAC, Lindh CH, Peeters RP, Bornehag CG, Demeneix B, Korevaar TIM. Association of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances with thyroid homeostasis during pregnancy in the SELMA study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 167:107420. [PMID: 35870378 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the association of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during early pregnancy with markers of the maternal thyroid system. METHODS Serum concentrations of seven PFAS as well as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free and total thyroxine (FT4 and TT4), free and total triiodothyronine (FT3 and TT3) were measured in pregnant women in early pregnancy in the Swedish Environmental Longitudinal, Mother and child, Asthma and allergy (SELMA) study. Outcomes were concentrations of TSH and thyroid hormones, FT4/FT3 or TT4/TT3 ratios, TSH/FT4 ratio as a marker of the negative feedback loop, TT4/FT4 or TT3/FT3 ratios as markers of the binding of thyroid hormones to binding proteins. RESULTS The study population comprised 2,008 women with median (95% range) gestational age of 10 (6-14) weeks. There was no association between PFAS and TSH. Higher PFNA, PFDA, PFHpA and PFOA levels were associated with a higher FT4 (largest effect estimate for PFDA: β [95% CI]: 0.27 [0.10 to 0.45], P = 0.002). Higher PFUnDA levels, but no other PFAS, were associated with a lower FT3 (β [95% CI]: -0.05 [-0.09 to -0.01], P = 0.005). Higher PFUnDA levels were associated with lower TT4 (β [95% CI]: -1.58 [-3.07 to -0.09]) and there was an inverted U-shaped association of PFOS with TT4 (P = 0.03). Higher PFDA, PFUnDA, PFHpA levels were associated with a lower TT3. Overall, higher PFAS concentrations were associated with a higher FT4/FT3 ratio and a higher TT4/TT3 ratio. There was no association of PFAS with the TSH/FT4 ratio. Higher concentrations of several PFAS were associated with lower TT4/FT4 and TT3/FT3 ratios. CONCLUSIONS These findings translate results from experimental studies suggesting that exposure to PFAS may interfere with the thyroid system during pregnancy. Further experimental studies should take into account human evidence to better understand the potential underlying mechanisms of thyroid disruption by PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Derakhshan
- Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Division of Environmental Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University, London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Huan Shu
- Department of Public Health, Karlstad University, Sweden
| | - Maarten A C Broeren
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, De Run, 4600, The Netherlands
| | - Christian H Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 22363 Lund, Sweden
| | - Robin P Peeters
- Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Department of Public Health, Karlstad University, Sweden; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Barbara Demeneix
- Laboratoire d'Evolution des Régulations Endocriniennes, CNRS/Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Tim I M Korevaar
- Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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19
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Jensen RC, Glintborg D, Timmermann CAG, Nielsen F, Boye H, Madsen JB, Bilenberg N, Grandjean P, Jensen TK, Andersen MS. Higher free thyroxine associated with PFAS exposure in first trimester. The Odense Child Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113492. [PMID: 35597289 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113492] [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: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are endocrine disrupting chemicals with elimination half-lives ranging from four to eight years. Experimental studies found PFAS able to interfere with thyroid hormone-binding proteins. During the first 20 weeks of gestation (GW), the fetus is reliant on placental transfer of maternal thyroid hormones, mainly free thyroxine (FT4). However, previous studies investigating associations between exposure to PFAS and thyroid hormone status mainly focused on blood samples from late pregnancy or umbilical cord with mixed findings. OBJECTIVES To investigate associations between serum-PFAS concentrations and thyroid hormone status in early pregnancy as reflected by FT4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). METHODS In the Odense Child Cohort, a single-center study, we measured maternal pregnancy serum concentrations of five PFAS: perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA); and FT4 and TSH in 1048 pregnant women at median GW 12 (25th, 75th percentile: 10, 15). Multivariate linear regression models were performed to estimate associations between PFAS exposure and thyroid hormone status. RESULTS A doubling in PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA concentrations was associated with an increment in FT4 concentration by 1.85% (95% CI: 0.66%, 3.05%), 1.29% (95% CI: 0.21%, 2.39%), and 1.70% (95% CI: 0.48%, 2.94%), respectively, in adjusted analyses. A statistically significant dose-response relationship was observed across exposure quartiles for PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA in the association with FT4. No association was found between concentrations of PFAS and TSH in adjusted analyses. CONCLUSION Exposure to PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA was associated with higher FT4 concentrations in women during early pregnancy. The potential clinical implications of these findings remain to be clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Christian Jensen
- Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Søndre Blvd. 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 17A, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.
| | - Dorte Glintborg
- Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Søndre Blvd. 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Clara Amalie Gade Timmermann
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 17A, 5000, Odense C, Denmark; National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, 1455, København K, Denmark
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 17A, 5000, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Henriette Boye
- Odense Child Cohort, Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Kløvervænget 23C, 5000, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Jeppe Buur Madsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Lillebaelt Hospital, Kabbeltoft 25, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, 7100, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Niels Bilenberg
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark; Odense Child Cohort, Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Kløvervænget 23C, 5000, Odense C, Denmark; Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Odense, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, J. B. Winsløws Vej 16, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 17A, 5000, Odense C, Denmark; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 677 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 17A, 5000, Odense C, Denmark; Odense Child Cohort, Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Kløvervænget 23C, 5000, Odense C, Denmark; OPEN, University of Southern Denmark, J. B. Winsløws Vej 9a, 5000, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Marianne S Andersen
- Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Søndre Blvd. 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark
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20
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Xie LN, Wang XC, Su LQ, Ji SS, Dong XJ, Zhu HJ, Hou SS, Wang C, Li ZH, Dong B, Zhu Y. Serum concentrations of per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances and its association with renal function parameters among teenagers near a Chinese fluorochemical industrial plant: A cross-sectional study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 302:119020. [PMID: 35183668 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Currently, studies on the association between per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations and the renal function of residents, especially teenagers, living near fluorochemical industrial plants, are relatively rare, and not all these studies suggested associations. In this cross-sectional study, 775 local teenagers (11-15 years old) were included, and serum concentrations of 18 PFAS were measured. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was found to be the dominant PFAS with a concentration of 22.3-3310 ng/mL (mean = 191 ng/mL), accounting for 71.5-99.1% of ΣPFAS. Statistical analyses demonstrated that internal exposure of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA, C8-C10) was related to the plant. In addition, the prevalence rate of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (35.0%) in the participants was relatively high. A significantly positive association was observed between the increase in PFOA concentration and increasing risk of CKD (OR = 1.741; 95% CI: 1.004, 3.088; p = 0.048) by adjusting for gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and household income. Similar positive correlation was also observed in PFHpA with CKD (OR = 1.628, 95% CI: 1.031, 2.572; p = 0.037). However, no significant correlation was observed for concentrations of other PFAS and CKD (p > 0.05). Furthermore, linear regression analyses demonstrated that none of the PFAS concentrations were significantly correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or urine albumin/urine creatinine ratio (ACR) (p > 0.05). However, a significantly negative correlation was observed between PFOA concentration and abnormal ACR (β = -0.141, 95% CI: -0.283, 0.001; p = 0.048) after stratifying by CKD. Sensitivity analyses further confirmed these results. This cross-sectional study is the first, to our knowledge, to investigate the association between PFAS concentrations and renal function in teenagers living near a Chinese industrial plant. Further prospective and metabonomic studies are needed to interpret the results and clarify the biological mechanisms underlying this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Na Xie
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xiao-Chen Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Li-Qin Su
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Sai-Sai Ji
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xiao-Jie Dong
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Hui-Juan Zhu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Sha-Sha Hou
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Cong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Zhen-Huan Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Bing Dong
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China.
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21
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Li QQ, Liu JJ, Su F, Zhang YT, Wu LY, Chu C, Zhou Y, Shen X, Xiong S, Geiger SD, Qian ZM, McMillin SE, Dong GH, Zeng XW. Chlorinated Polyfluorinated Ether Sulfonates and Thyroid Hormone Levels in Adults: Isomers of C8 Health Project in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6152-6161. [PMID: 35380809 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonates (Cl-PFESAs) are one kind of replacement chemistry for perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS). Recent studies have shown that Cl-PFESAs could interfere with thyroid function in animal models. However, epidemiological evidence on the link between Cl-PFESAs and thyroid function remains scarce. In this study, we focused on two representative legacy perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and two PFOS alternatives (6:2 and 8:2 Cl-PFESAs) in the general adult population from a cross-sectional study, the "Isomers of C8 Health Project in China". Three serum thyroid hormones (THs), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4), were measured. We fitted generalized linear regression, restricted cubic spline regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression models to assess associations of individual Cl-PFESAs, legacy PFAS, and PFAS mixtures with THs, respectively. We found individual PFAS and their mixtures were nonlinearly associated with THs. The estimated changes of the TSH level (μIU/mL) at the 95th percentile of 6:2 Cl-PFESA and PFOS against the 5th percentile were -0.74 (95% CI: -0.94, -0.54) and -1.18 (95% CI: -1.37, -0.98), respectively. The present study provided epidemiological evidence for the association of 6:2 Cl-PFESA with thyroid hormone levels in the general adult population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Fan Su
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yun-Ting Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lu-Yin Wu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Chu Chu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yuanzhong Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563060, China
| | - Xubo Shen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563060, China
| | - Shimin Xiong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563060, China
| | - Sarah Dee Geiger
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115, United States
| | - Zhengmin Min Qian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Stephen Edward McMillin
- School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
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22
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Rickard BP, Rizvi I, Fenton SE. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and female reproductive outcomes: PFAS elimination, endocrine-mediated effects, and disease. Toxicology 2022; 465:153031. [PMID: 34774661 PMCID: PMC8743032 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.153031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread environmental contaminants frequently detected in drinking water supplies worldwide that have been linked to a variety of adverse reproductive health outcomes in women. Compared to men, reproductive health effects in women are generally understudied while global trends in female reproduction rates are declining. Many factors may contribute to the observed decline in female reproduction, one of which is environmental contaminant exposure. PFAS have been used in home, food storage, personal care and industrial products for decades. Despite the phase-out of some legacy PFAS due to their environmental persistence and adverse health effects, alternative, short-chain and legacy PFAS mixtures will continue to pollute water and air and adversely influence women's health. Studies have shown that both long- and short-chain PFAS disrupt normal reproductive function in women through altering hormone secretion, menstrual cyclicity, and fertility. Here, we summarize the role of a variety of PFAS and PFAS mixtures in female reproductive tract dysfunction and disease. Since these chemicals may affect reproductive tissues directly or indirectly through endocrine disruption, the role of PFAS in breast, thyroid, and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function are also discussed as the interplay between these tissues may be critical in understanding the long-term reproductive health effects of PFAS in women. A major research gap is the need for mechanism of action data - the targets for PFAS in the female reproductive and endocrine systems are not evident, but the effects are many. Given the global decline in female fecundity and the ability of PFAS to negatively impact female reproductive health, further studies are needed to examine effects on endocrine target tissues involved in the onset of reproductive disorders of women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany P Rickard
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA
| | - Imran Rizvi
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Suzanne E Fenton
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 TW Alexander Dr., Rm E121A, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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23
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Luo J, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Kesmodel US, Xiao J, Vasiliou V, Deziel NC, Zhang Y, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Facial Features at 5 Years of Age: A Study from the Danish National Birth Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:17006. [PMID: 35080464 PMCID: PMC8791068 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread persistent pollutants. Evidence regarding neurodevelopmental effects of PFAS have been mixed. The relation between PFAS exposure and anatomical markers that have been suggested to correlate with fetal brain development have not been studied. OBJECTIVES We investigated the association between prenatal PFAS exposures and three craniofacial features in children measured at 5 years of age. METHODS Measures of palpebral fissure length (PFL), philtrum groove, and upper-lip thickness were generated from standardized digital facial photographs from 656 children in the Danish National Birth Cohort. PFL was classified into two groups (shorter; normal), and the philtrum (grooved; smooth; normal) and upper-lip (thick; thin; normal) measures into three groups each. Six PFAS were measured in maternal plasma (median=8 gestational wk). Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each facial feature using the normal group as the reference according to log2-PFAS concentration (in nanograms per milliliter) or PFAS tertiles, adjusting for potential confounders, including maternal alcohol intake and smoking. Stratified analyses by maternal alcohol intake or child's sex were performed. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to each PFAS was associated with elevated odds for a shorter PFL, with the strongest association observed for perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; per doubling OR=2.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.70). Some nonlinear associations were found for philtrum measures: the second tertile of PFDA and perfluorononanoic acid were associated with grooved philtrum, whereas the second tertile of perfluoroheptane sulfonate with smooth philtrum. The associations between PFAS exposure and a shorter PFL were stronger among mothers who consumed alcohol in the first trimester, some sex-specific associations were noted for philtrum and upper-lip measures. DISCUSSION Prenatal PFAS exposures might influence fetal craniofacial development. A larger study is needed to replicate the potential modifying effects observed for alcohol exposure and to clarify whether associations of craniofacial markers observed reflect specific neurologic deficits. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9478.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Luo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jingyuan Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nicole C. Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yawei Zhang
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Cao Y, Ng C. Absorption, distribution, and toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the brain: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:1623-1640. [PMID: 34533150 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00228g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals colloquially known as "forever chemicals" because of their high persistence. PFAS have been detected in the blood, liver, kidney, heart, muscle and brain of various species. Although brain is not a dominant tissue for PFAS accumulation compared to blood and liver, adverse effects of PFAS on brain functions have been identified. Here, we review studies related to the absorption, accumulation, distribution and toxicity of PFAS in the brain. We summarize evidence on two potential mechanisms of PFAS entering the brain: initiating blood-brain barrier (BBB) disassembly through disrupting tight junctions and relying on transporters located at the BBB. PFAS with diverse structures and properties enter and accumulate in the brain with varying efficiencies. Compared to long-chain PFAS, short-chain PFAS may not cross cerebral barriers effectively. According to biomonitoring studies and PFAS exposure experiments, PFAS can accumulate in the brain of humans and wildlife species. With respect to the distribution of PFAS in specific brain regions, the brain stem, hippocampus, hypothalamus, pons/medulla and thalamus are dominant for PFAS accumulation. The accumulation and distribution of PFAS in the brain may lead to toxic effects in the central nervous system (CNS), including PFAS-induced behavioral and cognitive disorders. The specific mechanisms underlying such PFAS-induced neurotoxicity remain to be explored, but two major potential mechanisms based on current understanding are PFAS effects on calcium homeostasis and neurotransmitter alterations in neurons. Based on the information available about PFAS uptake, accumulation, distribution and impacts on the brain, PFAS have the potential to enter and accumulate in the brain at varying levels. The balance of existing studies shows there is some indication of risk in animals, while the human evidence is mixed and warrants further scrutiny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexin Cao
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Carla Ng
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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25
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Li Y, Lu X, Yu N, Li A, Zhuang T, Du L, Tang S, Shi W, Yu H, Song M, Wei S. Exposure to legacy and novel perfluoroalkyl substance disturbs the metabolic homeostasis in pregnant women and fetuses: A metabolome-wide association study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 156:106627. [PMID: 33991873 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exist extensively and several of these have been verified to be toxic. Prenatal exposure to PFASs has attracted much attention. Metabolome-wide association analyses can be used to explore the toxicity mechanisms of PFASs by identifying associated biomarkers. OBJECTIVES To evaluate associations between the metabolites in maternal and cord serum and internal exposure to several common PFASs. METHODS Paired maternal and cord serum samples were collected from 84 pregnant women who gave birth between 2015 and 2016. Seven legacy and two novel PFASs were measured. A nontarget metabolomic method and an iterative metabolite annotation based on metabolic pathways were applied to characterize the metabolic profiles. Linear regression adjusted with the false discovery rate and covariates was used to indicate the associations. RESULTS A total of 279 features in maternal serum and 338 features in cord serum were identified as metabolites associated with PFAS exposure. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) were two PFASs associated with more metabolites, while the two novel chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acids (Cl-PFESAs) showed less relevance to the metabolome. With pathway enrichment analysis, we found that three fatty acid metabolisms and retinol metabolism were correlated with PFAS exposure in maternal blood, and that sterol metabolism showed the correlation in both maternal serum and cord serum. CONCLUSIONS We identified metabolites and pathways in pregnant women and fetuses associated with the exposure to several PFAS, indicating a promising application for metabolome-wide association studies. Additional research is needed to confirm causation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Nanyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Aijing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Taifeng Zhuang
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Letian Du
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Tang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Maoyong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Si Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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Deng SZ, Xu CL, Xu ZF, Zhou LY, Xie SJ, Wei KN, Jin YC, Zeng ZC, Yang XJ, Tan SH, Wang HL. Perfluorodecanoic acid induces meiotic defects and deterioration of mice oocytes in vitro. Toxicology 2021; 460:152884. [PMID: 34358620 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152884] [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: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) is a member of the perfluoroalkyl substances, which are toxic to organic functions. Recently, it has been found in follicular fluid, seriously interfering with reproduction. Follicular fluid provides the oocyte with necessary resources during the process of oocytes maturation. However, the effects of PFDA on the oocyte need investigation. Our study evaluated the impacts of PFDA on the meiosis and development potential of mouse oocytes by exposing oocytes to PFDA in vitro at 350, 400, and 450 μM concentrations. The results showed that exposure to PFDA resulted in the first meiotic prophase arrest by obstructing the function of the maturation-promoting factor. It also induced the dysfunction of the spindle assembly checkpoint, expedited the progression of the first meiotic process, and increased the risk of aneuploidy. The oocytes treated with PFDA had a broken cytoskeleton which also contributed to meiotic maturation failure. Besides, PFDA exposure caused mitochondria defections, increased the reactive oxygen species level in oocytes, and consequently induced oocyte apoptosis. Moreover, PFDA produced epigenetic modifications in oocytes and increased the frequency of mature oocytes with declined development potential. In summary, our data indicated that PFDA disturbs the meiotic process and induces oocyte quality deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Zi Deng
- College of Life Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411201, China; Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Chang-Long Xu
- The Reproductive Medical Center of Nanning Second People's Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530031, China
| | - Zhong-Feng Xu
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Li-Ying Zhou
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Shu-Juan Xie
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Kang-Na Wei
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The Affiliated Xiang-An Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Yuan-Chang Jin
- College of Biology and Agriculture (College of Food Science and Technology), Zunyi Normal College, Zunyi, 563006, China
| | - Zhao-Cheng Zeng
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Yang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The Affiliated Zhong-Shan Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361004, China
| | - Shu-Hua Tan
- College of Life Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411201, China.
| | - Hai-Long Wang
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
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27
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Sarzo B, Ballesteros V, Iñiguez C, Manzano-Salgado CB, Casas M, Llop S, Murcia M, Guxens M, Vrijheid M, Marina LS, Schettgen T, Espada M, Irizar A, Fernandez-Jimenez N, Ballester F, Lopez-Espinosa MJ. Maternal Perfluoroalkyl Substances, Thyroid Hormones, and DIO Genes: A Spanish Cross-sectional Study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:11144-11154. [PMID: 34314170 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Results of studies on perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and thyroid hormones (THs) are heterogeneous, and the mechanisms underlying the action of PFASs to target THs have not been fully characterized. We examined the relation between first-trimester maternal PFAS and TH levels and the role played by polymorphisms in the iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1) and 2 (DIO2) genes in this association. Our sample comprised 919 pregnant Spanish women (recruitment = 2003-2008) with measurements of perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), and free thyroxine (FT4), and we genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the DIO1 (rs2235544) and DIO2 (rs12885300) genes. We performed multivariate regression analyses between PFASs and THs and included the interaction term PFAS-genotypes in the models. PFHxS was associated with an increase in TSH (% change in outcome [95% CI] per 2-fold PFAS increase = 6.09 [-0.71, 13.4]), and PFOA and PFNA were associated with a decrease in TT3 (-7.17 [-13.5, -0.39] and -6.28 [-12.3, 0.12], respectively). We found stronger associations between PFOA, PFNA, and TT3 for DIO1-CC and DIO2-CT genotypes, although interaction p-values were not significant. In conclusion, this study found evidence of an inverse association between PFOA and TT3 levels. No clear effect modification by DIO enzyme genes was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Sarzo
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-University Jaume I-University of Valencia, 46019 Valencia, Spain
| | - Virginia Ballesteros
- Andalusian Health and Environment Observatory (OSMAN), Andalusian School of Public Health, 18011 Granada, Spain
| | - Carmen Iñiguez
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-University Jaume I-University of Valencia, 46019 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Statistics and Operational Research, University of Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Maribel Casas
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- ISGlobal, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-University Jaume I-University of Valencia, 46019 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-University Jaume I-University of Valencia, 46019 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Health Information Systems Analysis Service, Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Mònica Guxens
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- ISGlobal, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- ISGlobal, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Loreto Santa Marina
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Health of the Basque Government, Subdirectorate of Public Health of Gipuzkoa, 20013 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Mercedes Espada
- Clinical Chemistry Unit, Public Health Laboratory of Bilbao, 8160 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Amaia Irizar
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Nora Fernandez-Jimenez
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute and University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Ferran Ballester
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-University Jaume I-University of Valencia, 46019 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-University Jaume I-University of Valencia, 46019 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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28
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Hagstrom AL, Anastas P, Boissevain A, Borrel A, Deziel NC, Fenton SE, Fields C, Fortner JD, Franceschi-Hofmann N, Frigon R, Jin L, Kim JH, Kleinstreuer NC, Koelmel J, Lei Y, Liew Z, Ma X, Mathieu L, Nason SL, Organtini K, Oulhote Y, Pociu S, Godri Pollitt KJ, Saiers J, Thompson DC, Toal B, Weiner EJ, Whirledge S, Zhang Y, Vasiliou V. Yale School of Public Health Symposium: An overview of the challenges and opportunities associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 778:146192. [PMID: 33714836 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
On December 13, 2019, the Yale School of Public Health hosted a symposium titled "Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Challenges and Opportunities" in New Haven, Connecticut. The meeting focused on the current state of the science on these chemicals, highlighted the challenges unique to PFAS, and explored promising opportunities for addressing them. It brought together participants from Yale University, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of Connecticut, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Connecticut Departments of Public Health and Energy and Environmental Protection, and the public and private sectors. Presentations during the symposium centered around several primary themes. The first reviewed the current state of the science on the health effects associated with PFAS exposure and noted key areas that warranted future research. As research in this field relies on specialized laboratory analyses, the second theme considered commercially available methods for PFAS analysis as well as several emerging analytical approaches that support health studies and facilitate the investigation of a broader range of PFAS. Since mitigation of PFAS exposure requires prevention and cleanup of contamination, the third theme highlighted new nanotechnology-enabled PFAS remediation technologies and explored the potential of green chemistry to develop safer alternatives to PFAS. The fourth theme covered collaborative efforts to assess the vulnerability of in-state private wells and small public water supplies to PFAS contamination by adjacent landfills, and the fifth focused on strategies that promote successful community engagement. This symposium supported a unique interdisciplinary coalition established during the development of Connecticut's PFAS Action Plan, and discussions occurring throughout the symposium revealed opportunities for collaborations among Connecticut scientists, state and local officials, and community advocates. In doing so, it bolstered the State of Connecticut's efforts to implement the ambitious initiatives that its PFAS Action Plan recommends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Hagstrom
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford, CT, USA; Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Rocky Hill, CT, USA
| | - Paul Anastas
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale School of the Environment, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrea Boissevain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Stratford Health Department, Stratford, CT, USA
| | - Alexandre Borrel
- NIH/NIEHS/DIR Biostatistics & Computational Biology Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Suzanne E Fenton
- NIH/NIEHS Division of the National Toxicology Program, NTP Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Cheryl Fields
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - John D Fortner
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Raymond Frigon
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Lan Jin
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jae-Hong Kim
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nicole C Kleinstreuer
- NIH/NIEHS/DIR Biostatistics & Computational Biology Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; NIH/NIEHS Division of the National Toxicology Program, NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jeremy Koelmel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xiuqi Ma
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lori Mathieu
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Sara L Nason
- Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Youssef Oulhote
- School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Shannon Pociu
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - James Saiers
- Yale School of the Environment, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David C Thompson
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brian Toal
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Eric J Weiner
- Clean Water Task Force at Windsor Climate Action, Windsor, CT, USA
| | - Shannon Whirledge
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yawei Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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29
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Guo J, Zhang J, Wang Z, Zhang L, Qi X, Zhang Y, Chang X, Wu C, Zhou Z. Umbilical cord serum perfluoroalkyl substance mixtures in relation to thyroid function of newborns: Findings from Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 273:129664. [PMID: 33493812 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epidemiological evidence on the associations between prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and thyroid hormones in newborns was inconclusive. OBJECTIVES We aimed to estimate associations of fetal exposure to PFAS individually and in mixtures with thyroid function of newborns. METHODS A total of 490 mother-newborn pairs were included from Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study (SMBCS), a prospective cohort that recruited between June 2009 and January 2010. 12 PFAS and 7 thyroid function indicators were quantified in umbilical cord serum. We examined associations of prenatal exposure to individual and a mixture of PFAS with thyroid function indicators using multivariable linear regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models with adjustment for potential confounders, respectively. RESULTS Higher cord serum concentrations of PFAS mixtures were related to increases in TT4 and FT4 levels, and reductions in TSH concentrations of newborns. Combining single-chemical models with multiple-chemical models, PFOS, PFNA and PFUnDA were associated with increased TT4 levels with contributing to the mixture effects of 46.4%, 22.8%, and 16.7%, respectively. PFOS exposure was in positive association with cord serum FT4 concentrations and contributed 28.9% to the joint effects of mixtures. PFNA and PFHpA were the most important contributors to the decreases of TSH levels of newborns with 46.3% and 45.0% among the mixtures, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The current findings indicated the thyroid disruption of individual PFAS and their mixtures in cord serum. Additional studies are warranted to explore the underlying biological mechanisms, particularly for PFAS mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiu Guo
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaojuan Qi
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Yubin Zhang
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiuli Chang
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chunhua Wu
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhijun Zhou
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Birru RL, Liang HW, Farooq F, Bedi M, Feghali M, Haggerty CL, Mendez DD, Catov JM, Ng CA, Adibi JJ. A pathway level analysis of PFAS exposure and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Environ Health 2021; 20:63. [PMID: 34022907 PMCID: PMC8141246 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00740-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been found to be associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) development, a maternal health disorder in pregnancy with negative effects that can extend beyond pregnancy. Studies that report on this association are difficult to summarize due to weak associations and wide confidence intervals. One way to advance this field is to sharpen the biologic theory on a causal pathway behind this association, and to measure it directly by way of molecular biomarkers. The aim of this review is to summarize the literature that supports a novel pathway between PFAS exposure and GDM development. Epidemiological studies demonstrate a clear association of biomarkers of thyroid hormones and glucose metabolism with GDM development. We report biologic plausibility and epidemiologic evidence that PFAS dysregulation of maternal thyroid hormones and thyrotropin (TSH) may disrupt glucose homeostasis, increasing the risk of GDM. Overall, epidemiological studies demonstrate that PFAS were positively associated with TSH and negatively with triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). PFAS were generally positively associated with glucose and insulin levels in pregnancy. We propose dysregulation of thyroid function and glucose metabolism may be a critical and missing component in the accurate estimation of PFAS on the risk of GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahel L. Birru
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Hai-Wei Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Fouzia Farooq
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Megha Bedi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Maisa Feghali
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Catherine L. Haggerty
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Dara D. Mendez
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Janet M. Catov
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Carla A. Ng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Jennifer J. Adibi
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
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Chen L, Tong C, Huo X, Zhang J, Tian Y. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and birth outcomes: A longitudinal cohort with repeated measurements. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 267:128899. [PMID: 33220988 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) showed inconsistent results when biological samples were collected in different time of pregnancy. OBJECTIVES To describe the change of PFAS concentration during pregnancy and to identify a sensitive window for adverse effects of PFAS on the fetus. METHODS A total of 255 pregnant women were selected from the Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC). We quantified 10 PFAS with high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) in maternal plasma at three trimesters and cord blood at delivery. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the association between PFAS and birth outcomes, including birth weight, birth length, and head circumference. RESULTS The concentrations of most PFAS declined substantially during pregnancy. PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUA and PFDoA were negatively related to birth length only in the first trimester. The coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of birth length change with a log-unit increase in PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUS and PFDoA concentrations were -0.27 cm (-0.51, -0.02), -0.34 cm (-0.65, -0.03), -0.27 cm (-0.53, -0.01), -0.29 cm (-0.58, -0.01), and -0.54 cm (-1.00, -0.08), respectively. The effects were only observed for female fetuses. No association between PFAS and birth weight or head circumference was observed. CONCLUSION The concentrations of most PFAS in the maternal circulation declined during pregnancy. There were negative associations between several PFAS and birth length. The sensitive window of exposure appeared to be the first trimester. The association was stronger for female fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuanliang Tong
- The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaona Huo
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ying Tian
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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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: 679] [Impact Index Per Article: 226.3] [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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The Confounder-Mediator Dilemma: Should We Control for Obesity to Estimate the Effect of Perfluoroalkyl Substances on Health Outcomes? TOXICS 2020; 8:toxics8040125. [PMID: 33419269 PMCID: PMC7766757 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8040125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Confounding adjustment is important for observational studies to derive valid effect estimates for inference. Despite the theoretical advancement of confounding selection procedure, it is often challenging to distinguish between confounders and mediators due to the lack of information about the time-ordering and latency of each variable in the data. This is also the case for the studies of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals used in industry and consumer products that are persistent and have endocrine-disrupting properties on health outcomes. In this article, we used directed acyclic graphs to describe potential biases introduced by adjusting for or stratifying by the measure of obesity as an intermediate variable in PFAS exposure analyses. We compared results with or without adjusting for body mass index in two cross-sectional data analyses: (1) PFAS levels and maternal thyroid function during early pregnancy using the Danish National Birth Cohort and (2) PFAS levels and cardiovascular disease in adults using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In these examples, we showed that the potential heterogeneity observed in stratified analyses by overweight or obese status needs to be interpreted cautiously considering collider stratification bias. This article highlights the complexity of seemingly simple adjustment or stratification analyses, and the need for careful consideration of the confounding and/or mediating role of obesity in PFAS studies.
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Luo J, Xiao J, Gao Y, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Toft G, Li J, Obel C, Andersen SL, Deziel NC, Tseng WL, Inoue K, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and behavioral difficulties in childhood at 7 and 11 years. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110111. [PMID: 32846178 PMCID: PMC7657987 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are suggested to interfere with thyroid hormone during pregnancy and influence fetal neurodevelopment. Epidemiological evidence regarding behavioral difficulties in childhood associated with prenatal PFAS exposure has been inconclusive. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and behavioral difficulties at 7 and 11 years, and investigated the potential mediating role of maternal thyroid hormones. METHODS Using pooled samples in the Danish National Birth Cohort established between 1996 and 2002, we estimated the associations between concentrations of six types of PFAS in maternal plasma (median, 8 gestational weeks) and child behavioral assessments from the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), reported by parents at 7 years (n = 2421), and by parents (n = 2070) and children at 11 years (n = 2071). Behavioral difficulties were defined as having a composite SDQ score above the 90th percentile for total difficulties and externalizing or internalizing behaviors. We used logistic regression to estimate the adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) by doubling increase of prenatal PFAS (ng/ml). The possible mediating effect of maternal thyroid function classified based on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) levels were evaluated. RESULTS Prenatal perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was consistently associated with total and externalizing behavioral difficulties in all three SDQ measures reported by parents (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.14-1.73 for age 7; OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05-1.53 for age 11) or children (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.11-1.58) while no consistent associations were observed for other types of PFAS. A small magnitude of natural indirect effects via maternal thyroid dysfunction (ORs ranged from 1.01 to 1.03) of several PFAS were observed for parent-reported total and externalizing behaviors at 7 years only. DISCUSSION Prenatal PFNA exposure was associated with externalizing behavioral difficulties in childhood in repeated SDQ measures at 7 and 11 years. The slight mediating effects of maternal thyroid hormones in early gestation warrant further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Luo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Jingyuan Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | | | - Gunnar Toft
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jiong Li
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Carsten Obel
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Stine Linding Andersen
- Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Nicole C Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Wan-Ling Tseng
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Kosuke Inoue
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
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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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Conti A, Strazzeri C, Rhoden KJ. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, a persistent organic pollutant, inhibits iodide accumulation by thyroid follicular cells in vitro. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 515:110922. [PMID: 32621861 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) reported to alter thyroid function. Iodide uptake by thyroid follicular cells, an early step in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, is a potential target for thyroid disruption by EDCs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctane carboxylic acid (PFOA), two of the most abundant PFAS in the environment, on iodide transport by thyroid follicular cells in vitro. Dynamic changes in intracellular iodide concentration were monitored by live cell imaging using YFP-H148Q/I152, a genetically encoded fluorescent iodide biosensor. PFOS, but not PFOA, acutely and reversibly inhibited iodide accumulation by FRTL-5 thyrocytes, as well as by HEK-293 cells transiently expressing the Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS). PFOS prevented NIS-mediated iodide uptake and reduced intracellular iodide concentration in iodide-containing cells, mimicking the effect of the NIS inhibitor perchlorate. PFOS did not affect iodide efflux from thyroid cells. The results of this study suggest that disruption of iodide homeostasis in thyroid cells may be a potential mechanism for anti-thyroid health effects of PFOS. The study also confirms the utility of the YFP-H148Q/I152 cell-based assay to screen environmental PFAS, and other EDCs, for anti-thyroid activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Conti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, via Massarenti 9, Bologna, 40138, Italy.
| | - Chiara Strazzeri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, via Massarenti 9, Bologna, 40138, Italy.
| | - Kerry J Rhoden
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), and Health Sciences & Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (CIRI SDV), University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, via Massarenti 9, Bologna, 40138, Italy.
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Aimuzi R, Luo K, Huang R, Huo X, Nian M, Ouyang F, Du Y, Feng L, Wang W, Zhang J. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluroalkyl substances and maternal thyroid hormones in early pregnancy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 264:114557. [PMID: 32388293 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of the embryo and fetal brain depends on maternal transfer of thyroid hormones (THs) in early pregnancy. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) may disrupt maternal TH homeostasis in pregnancy, but findings from epidemiologic studies were inconsistent. We aimed to assess this relationship in early pregnancy in a large prospective cohort study. METHODS A total of 1885 pregnant women enrolled in the Shanghai Birth Cohort were used. Ten PFAS, free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) were measured in maternal blood collected prior to 16 weeks of gestation. Multiple linear regression accompanied by restricted cubic spline was used to examine the association and the exposure-response relationship between each PFAS and TH in separate models. Possible effect modification by TPOAb status was also investigated. RESULTS Perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA, β = 0.121, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.015, 0.227] and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS, β = 0.123, 95% CI: 0.024, 0.222) were positively associated with FT4. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA, β = 0.179, 95% CI: 0.047, 0.311) and PFHxS (β = 0.197, 95% CI: 0.054, 0.339) were positively associated with FT3, while PFHxS was negatively associated with TSH (β = -0.115, 95%CI: 0.216, -0.014). TPOAb-positivity appeared to modify the associations between PFAS and THs. In TPOAb-positive women, several long-chain PFAS were positively associated with FT4 and/or FT3 and tended to be negatively associated with TSH. CONCLUSIONS Several long-chain PFAS were associated with disrupted TH homeostasis in Chinese pregnant women, especially among TPOAb-positive women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruxianguli Aimuzi
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Kai Luo
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Rong Huang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiaona Huo
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Min Nian
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Fengxiu Ouyang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yatao Du
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Liping Feng
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Weiye Wang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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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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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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40
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Coperchini F, Croce L, Ricci G, Magri F, Rotondi M, Imbriani M, Chiovato L. Thyroid Disrupting Effects of Old and New Generation PFAS. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:612320. [PMID: 33542707 PMCID: PMC7851056 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.612320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a group of synthetic compounds widely used in industry plants due to their low grade of degradation, surfactant properties, thermic and flame resistance. These characteristics are useful for the industrial production, however they are also potentially dangerous for human health and for the environment. PFAS are persistent pollutants accumulating in waters and soil and recoverable in foods due to their release by food packaging. Humans are daily exposed to PFAS because these compounds are ubiquitous and, when assimilated, they are difficult to be eliminated, persisting for years both in humans and animals. Due to their persistence and potential danger to health, some old generation PFAS have been replaced by newly synthesized PFAS with the aim to use alternative compounds presumably safer for humans and the environment. Yet, the environmental pollution with PFAS remains a matter of concern worldwide and led to large-scale epidemiological studies both on plants' workers and on exposed people in the general population. In this context, strong concern emerged concerning the potential adverse effects of PFAS on the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones play a critical role in the regulation of metabolism, and thyroid function is related to cardiovascular disease, fertility, and fetal neurodevelopment. In vitro, ex vivo data, and epidemiological studies suggested that PFASs may disrupt the thyroid hormone system in humans, with possible negative repercussions on the outcome of pregnancy and fetal-child development. However, data on the thyroid disrupting effect of PFAS remain controversial, as well as their impact on human health in different ages of life. Aim of the present paper is to review recent data on the effects of old and new generation PFAS on thyroid homeostasis. To this purpose we collected information from in vitro studies, animal models, and in vivo data on exposed workers, general population, and pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Coperchini
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Croce
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ricci
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Magri
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marcello Imbriani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Chiovato
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Luca Chiovato,
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