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Markers of glucose, lipid metabolism affected by in utero, peripubertal EDC exposure
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The effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on metabolic outcomes across developmental periods and early adulthood need further investigation, according to study findings published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
“Despite concern that [endocrine-disrupting chemicals] may play a significant role in the development of obesity and the understanding that environmental exposures during critical developmental periods can have long-term health consequences, few studies have investigated relationships between in utero [endocrine-disrupting chemical] exposure and metabolic function in childhood or adolescence,” the researchers wrote.
Karen Peterson, DSc, of the department of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and colleagues evaluated women during pregnancy in Mexico City and their offspring for follow-up at age 8 to 14 years (n = 250) to determine the relationship between in utero and peripubertal urinary phthalate metabolite and bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations, as well as markers of peripubertal metabolic homeostasis. Participants were from the ELEMENT study originally recruited from 1997 to 2004. Offspring were recontacted in 2010 for follow-up.
Fasting serum C-peptide, insulin-like growth factor I, leptin and glucose concentrations among children at follow-up were the main outcome measures. Researchers also calculated measures of insulin secretion and insulin resistance.
After adjustment for covariates, in boys aged 8 to 14 years, in utero phthalate metabolite and BPA concentrations were not significantly associated with C-peptide, leptin, IGF-I or C-peptide insulin resistance. An interquartile range increase in in utero monoethyl phthalate (MEP) was linked to 8% higher leptin after adjustment for BMI z score and other covariates in girls (P = .04); however, an interquartile range increase in in utero monobenzyl phthalate was linked to 16% lower leptin (P = .03).
Lower fasting glucose was associated with in utero dibutyl phthalate summary and mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate among pubertal boys, whereas MEP was associated with C-peptide index. A 24% higher IGF-I was associated with an increase in in utero di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate summary among pubertal girls (P = .01).
Higher leptin in peripubertal boys was associated with peripubertal BPA (P = .01).
“Urinary phthalate metabolites and BPA measured during both in utero and peripubertal development were associated with markers of glucose and lipid metabolism at age 8 to 14 years in patterns that varied by both sex and puberty status,” the researchers wrote. “Considering the long-term health effects related to childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome, additional research with repeated exposure and outcome measures during childhood and peripubescence are needed to deepen our understanding of these relationships.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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