Work

Adolescent urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites and indices of overweight and cardiovascular risk in Dutch adolescents

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: • 13 phthalate metabolites measured in urine of 101 13–15-year-old Dutch children. • Ten of the 13 phthalate metabolites were detectable in 98–100 % of the urine samples. • Urinary mono-ethyl phthalate positively associated with BMI and hip circumference. • Mono-hydroxy- iso -nonyl phthalate associated with obesogenic traits in girls. • Several phthalate metabolites were associated with lower LDL-cholesterol in boys. Phthalates have been linked to cardiovascular risk factors. Exposure to chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties during the pubertal period can interfere with normal endocrine processes. This study aims to determine whether adolescent urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites are associated with indices of overweight and cardiovascular risk in 13–15-year-old children. In this Dutch observational cross-sectional cohort study, 101 adolescents were included (mean age 14.4 ± 0.8 years), 55 were boys. The concentrations of 13 phthalate metabolites were measured in morning urine samples. Levels of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, leptin, and adiponectin were measured. The children’s height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Higher urinary mono-ethyl phthalate concentrations were associated with higher BMI and a larger hip circumference. In girls, higher urinary mono-hydroxy- iso -nonyl phthalate concentrations were associated with higher levels of lipids and obesogenic traits. In boys, higher concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites were associated with lower LDL-C. The results of this explorative study suggest that higher levels of phthalate metabolites are associated with higher levels of lipids and obesogenic traits in 13–15-year-old girls.

Source: Environment International

DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.109167