Application of an analytical framework for multivariate mediation analysis of environmental data
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Diverse toxicological mechanisms may mediate the impact of environmental toxicants (phthalates, phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals) on pregnancy outcomes. In this study, we introduce an analytical framework for multivariate mediation analysis to identify mediation pathways (q = 61 mediators) in the relationship between environmental toxicants (p = 38 analytes) and gestational age at delivery. Our analytical framework includes: (1) conducting pairwise mediation for unique exposure-mediator combinations, (2) exposure dimension reduction by estimating environmental risk scores, and (3) multivariate mediator analysis using either Bayesian shrinkage mediation analysis, population value decomposition, or mediation pathway penalization. Dimension reduction demonstrates that a one-unit increase in phthalate risk score is associated with a total effect of 1.07 lower gestational age (in weeks) at delivery (95% confidence interval: 0.48-1.67) and eicosanoids from the cytochrome p450 pathway mediated 26% of this effect (95% confidence interval: 4-63%). Eicosanoid products derived from the cytochrome p450 pathway may be important mediators of phthalate toxicity.
Source: Nature Communications
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,380
Awards: M-CHEAR: Michigan Children's Health Exposure Analysis Resource Laboratory Hub, Michigan Center on Lifestage Environmental Exposures and Disease (M-LEEaD), G1181106190, Bisphenol A and Phthalate Exposure in Relation to Fetal Growth and Preterm Birth, G2404500391, G2496900295, G2621844427, G3220163161, G328050768, G3860450889, G4081567640, G4644669942, Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT), G786247159, G827738197, Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development in Puerto Rico (CRECE), G9000043637, G9000075360, G9000092493, G9000310056
OpenAlex ID: W3094651242