Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Effects of PCB Exposure on Human Stress Hormones in the German HELPcB Surveillance Program

Abstract

<jats:p>Multiple pathological associations are attributed to PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Research shows a positive association of PCBs with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentration but the results on the stress hormone cortisol have been inconsistent so far. This study is the first to examine not only the cross-sectional but also the longitudinal effects of PCB exposure on the stress hormones DHEAS and cortisol. Over a period of three years, 112 former employees occupationally exposed to PCBs were tested for their body burden with different types of PCBs (lower and higher chlorinated, dioxin-like and hydroxylated) and for their stress hormone concentration. Highly exposed employees showed a significantly higher risk for higher DHEAS values. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a positive relationship between the exposure to lower chlorinated PCBs and DHEAS. Mixed models also revealed a significantly positive correlation between lower chlorinated PCBs with DHEAS when controlled for a cross-section. However, an effect for cortisol was not found. These results suggest a causal pathophysiological relationship between PCB exposure and DHEAS concentration, but not with cortisol. The health consequences of high DHEAS concentrations are discussed.</jats:p>

Ten years after: findings from the medical surveillance program on Health Effects in High-Level Exposure to PCB (HELPcB)

“…Subjects with high LPCB body burden had a higher risk of elevated DHEAS concentrations than subject with normal LPCB body burden. A respective effect for cortisol was not observed (Gaum et al 2020 ). For the assessment of thyroid hormones, plasma concentrations at four examination time points each separated by 1 year were included into the analysis.…”