Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hydroxylated PBDE metabolites (OH-PBDEs) in maternal and fetal tissues, and associations with fetal cytochrome P450 gene expression

Abstract

Our findings suggest that under normal conditions of mid-gestation, the human fetus is directly exposed to concentrations of PBDEs that may be higher than previously estimated based on maternal serum and that these exposures are associated with the expression of mRNAs coding for CYP enzymes. These results will help frame and interpret findings from studies that use maternal or cord blood as proxy measures of fetal exposures, and will inform the molecular pathways by which PBDEs affect human health.

Maternal Transfer of Environmentally Relevant Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Produces a Diabetic Phenotype and Disrupts Glucoregulatory Hormones and Hepatic Endocannabinoids in Adult Mouse Female Offspring

“…Stressful physiological conditions during development can cause a predisposition to chronic disease later in life 19 . Such suboptimal conditions during perinatal life include exposure to PBDEs due to mobilization from maternal sources through cord blood in 4 utero 20 and breast milk during lactation 11,21 . After birth, toddlers continue to be exposed to environmental PBDEs through household dust and diet.…”

Association of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Levels with Biomarkers of Placental Development and Disease during Mid-gestation

“…Total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured enzymatically by Boston Children's Hospital (Boston, MA) and subsequently used to calculate the total serum lipid level for each study participant using the Phillips formula [45]. Fetal liver and placental samples were analyzed using our liver analytical method with slight modification [25]. Before sample extraction, only placenta samples were lyophilized.…”

“…Despite ongoing efforts to restrict their use as flame retardants, PBDEs remain a global public health concern due to their environmental and biological persistence [23]. Human pregnancy is a period of high sensitivity and susceptibility; meanwhile, PBDEs are commonly identified in placental/fetal tissues [24,25], and exposures have been associated with maternal health complications [4], adverse birth outcomes [26], and postnatal neurodevelopmental deficits (i.e., lowered IQ; [27]). North Americans typically have higher body burden levels due to historically strict flammability standards in the United States (implemented in the 1970s), with some of the highest levels ever reported among pregnant women in the State of California [28].…”

Association of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Levels with Biomarkers of Placental Development and Disease during Mid-gestation

“…Total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured enzymatically by Boston Children's Hospital (Boston, MA) and subsequently used to calculate the total serum lipid level for each study participant using the Phillips formula [35]. Fetal liver and placental samples were analyzed using our liver analytical method with slight modification [19]. Before sample extraction, only placenta samples were lyophilized.…”

“…Despite ongoing efforts to restrict their use as flame retardants, PBDEs remain a global public health concern due to their environmental and biological persistence [17]. Human pregnancy is a period of high sensitivity and susceptibility; meanwhile, PBDEs are commonly identified in placental/fetal tissues [18,19], and exposures have been associated with maternal health complications [4], adverse birth outcomes [20], and postnatal neurodevelopmental deficits (i.e., lowered IQ; [21]). North Americans typically have higher body burden levels due to historically strict flammability standards in the United States (implemented in the 1970s), with some of the highest levels ever reported among pregnant women in the State of California [22].…”