In Utero Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants and Childhood Lipid Levels.

Maegan E Boutot,Lindsay St-Cyr,Brian W Whitcomb,Jean-Charles Pasquier,Amélie Boivin,Guillaume Martinez,Jiping Zhu,Artuela Caku,Andrea A Baccarelli,Alexander Suvorov,Nadia Abdelouahab,Virginie Gillet,Larissa Takser

doi:10.3390/metabo11100657

Abstract

Animal studies have shown that developmental exposures to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) permanently affect blood/liver balance of lipids. No human study has evaluated associations between in utero exposures to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and later life lipid metabolism. In this pilot, maternal plasma levels of PBDEs (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, and BDE-153) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-180) were determined at delivery in participants of GESTation and Environment (GESTE) cohort. Total cholesterol (TCh), triglycerides (TG), low- and high-density lipoproteins (LDL-C and HDL-C), total lipids (TL), and PBDEs were determined in serum of 147 children at ages 6–7. General linear regression was used to estimate the relationship between maternal POPs and child lipid levels with adjustment for potential confounders, and adjustment for childhood POPs. In utero BDE-99 was associated with lower childhood levels of TG (p = 0.003), and non-significantly with HDL-C (p = 0.06) and TL (p = 0.07). Maternal PCB-138 was associated with lower childhood levels of TG (p = 0.04), LDL-C (p = 0.04), and TL (p = 0.02). Our data indicate that in utero exposures to POPs may be associated with long lasting decrease in circulating lipids in children, suggesting increased lipid accumulation in the liver, a mechanism involved in NAFLD development, consistent with previously reported animal data.

Highlights

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are related brominated organic chemicals used widely as flame-retardants in synthetic materials, including clothing
We have found that in utero exposure to PBDEs causes a shift of lipid balance between the liver and blood, whereby increased uptake and accumulation
We have found that in utero exposure to PBDEs causes a shift of lipid balance between the liver and blood, whereby increased uptake and accumulation of lipids by the liver results in decreased TG in blood and a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-like liver phenotype

Summary

Introduction

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are related brominated organic chemicals used widely as flame-retardants in synthetic materials, including clothing. Some studies suggest that human PBDE burdens may even continue to increase because of the persistence of PBDEs in the environment [2]. Because of their lipophilicity and chemical stability [3,4] PBDEs accumulate in adipose tissue and are mobilized in pregnancy [5]. The developing fetus is exposed via cord blood [5]. These findings are supported by the fact that PBDEs are found in the majority of fetal samples in North America [6,7]

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Discussion

Conclusion