Exposure to bisphenols and phthalates and association with oxidant stress, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction in children

Abstract

Background The health effects of bisphenol A (BPA) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) have been studied extensively in children. The impact of other chemicals in these two classes has not been investigated as fully. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study of 10–13 year old healthy children. We assessed descriptive, univariable and multivariable associations of urinary metabolites of bisphenols and phthalates with oxidant stress, insulin resistance, body mass, and endothelial dysfunction. Possible associations with brachial artery distensibility, pulse wave velocity (markers of vascular stiffness), and serum endothelial cell-derived microparticle levels were also assessed. Results We enrolled 41 participants, 12.1 ± 1.0 years, most of whom were Mexican-Americans (42%) or other Hispanics (34%). Increased BPA levels were associated with increased levels of F2-isoprostane (ng/ml) (P=0.02), with a similar trend for DEHP metabolites. Each log unit increase of high molecular weight (HMW) phthalate metabolites was associated with 0.550 increase in HOMA-IR units (p=0.019) and altered circulating levels of activated endothelial cell-derived microparticles (% per ml) (P=0.026). Bisphenol S (BPS), a replacement for BPA, was associated with increased albumin (mg):creatinine (g) ratio (P=0.04). Metabolites of HMW phthalates were also associated with decreased brachial artery distensibility (P=0.047). Conclusions Exposure to bisphenols and phthalates, including a BPA replacement, is associated with increased oxidant stress, insulin resistance, albuminuria, as well as disturbances in vascular function in healthy children.

Bisphenol S in Food Causes Hormonal and Obesogenic Effects Comparable to or Worse than Bisphenol A: A Literature Review

“…The last article from 2017 was an observational study of children aged between 10 and 13 years. They found that urinary BPS levels were significantly correlated with insulin resistance, albuminuria, and irregular vascular function [39]. Finally, the single article from 2019 is an excellent large scale clinical/observational study from China.…”

The Multi-Faced Extracellular Vesicles in the Plasma of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

“…Finally, patients on hemodialysis are regularly exposed to considerable amounts of phthalates leaching by plastic tubing (Faouzi et al, 1999). Although the field is aware of the associated risks, the probable contribution of phthalates on comorbidities (Kataria et al, 2017) and extracellular vesiculation [extensively studied in stored blood (Serrano et al, 2016)], as well as their probable dissemination to sensitive targets through EVs, have not been investigated so far in CKD.…”

Melatonin protects prepuberal testis from deleterious effects of bisphenol A or diethylhexyl phthalate by preserving H3K9 methylation

“…Utilizing a mouse model, we reported that BPA or DEHP alters testicular development in newborns and spermatogenesis in adult animals . The exposure of BPA and DEHP leads to oxidative stress in cells and has been recently associated with epigenetic changes . In particular, BPA alters global DNA and H3 histone methylation in human cell lines, and causes DNA hydroxymethylation, partially dependent on trimethylation of histone H3, during spermatogenesis .…”

“…21,22 The exposure of BPA and DEHP leads to oxidative stress in cells and has been recently associated with epigenetic changes. 23,24 In particular, BPA alters global DNA and H3 histone methylation in human cell lines, 25 and causes DNA hydroxymethylation, partially dependent on trimethylation of histone H3, during spermatogenesis. 26 Similarly, in the mouse, pubertal exposure to DEHP resulted in defects in spermatogenesis attributed to the inhibition of G9amediated histone methylation.…”