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Urinary phthalates linked to early puberty in boys
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Researchers in Denmark have linked urinary phthalate metabolites with adrenal androgen levels and onset of puberty, according to data published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
“Phthalates are a group of chemicals widely used in personal care and consumer products. Humans are exposed both by ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact,” researchers wrote.
In order to determine if metabolite levels were associated with circulating adrenal androgen levels and age at puberty, researchers examined 168 healthy children (84 girls) from the COPENHAGEN Puberty Study every 6 months for 5 years.
They collected measurements of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS); changes to 4-androstenedione (adione); and testosterone and urinary excretion of 14 phthalate metabolites identical to seven different phthalate diesters.
According to data, variations in urinary excretion of phthalates were found in each child. Repetitive samples appeared to be more representative for long-term excretion compared with a single observation.
Results indicate that among girls, dibutyl phthalate isomers (MBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites excreted above the geometric group mean (795 ng/kg and 730 ng/kg, respectively) were associated with lower levels of DHEAS and adione. However, this was only significant at age 13, according to data.
Similarly among boys, excretion of monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) metabolites above the geometric group mean (346 ng/kg) was associated with lower levels of DHEAS at 11 years of age, but higher levels of testosterone were evident at age 13 years.
Further, boys with excretion of MBP above the geometric group mean appeared to reach puberty at an earlier age (11 years vs. 12.3 years, P=.005), researchers wrote.
These results indicate high exposure to MBzP was linked to testosterone levels at age 13 and high exposure to MBP was linked to earlier age of puberty in boys. However, no associations were found in girls.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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