Human exposure to endocrine disrupters: consequences of gastroplasty on plasma concentration of toxic pollutants.
BACKGROUND
Body weight loss occurring after a hypoenergetic diet or a gastroplasty could be followed by an increase in blood concentration of potentially toxic pollutants that can interfere with the hormonal system (endocrine disrupters).


METHODS
Thirty obese individuals recruited for gastroplasty were compared before and after treatment with 45 normal-weight people.


METHODS
Blood samples were analyzed for DDT, DDE, HCB and PCBs no. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
The results indicate clearly that body weight loss occurring after gastroplasty increases plasma concentration of lipophilic pollutants.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastroplasty increases plasma concentration of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs, which could be a risk factor of endocrine disruption. Future longitudinal research will have to determine if the advantages of body weight loss are reduced by this potentially harmful effect.
Charlier
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Clinical Toxicology Laboratory, University Hospital, Liege, Belgium. c.charlier@chu.ulg.ac.be
Desaive
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Plomteux
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D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D003634:DDT / Q000097:blood; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000097:blood; D004703:Endocrine System; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D007306:Insecticides; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D003634:DDT; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls