Occupational exposure to PCBs reduces striatal dopamine transporter densities only in women: a beta-CIT imaging study.
We hypothesize that occupational exposure to PCBs is associated with a reduction in central dopamine (DA) similar to changes previously seen in PCB exposed adult non-human primates. To test that hypothesis, we used [(123)I]beta-CIT SPECT imaging to estimate basal ganglia DA transporter density in former capacitor workers. Women, but not men, showed an inverse relationship between lipid-adjusted total serum PCB concentrations and DA transporter densities in the absence of differences in serum PCB concentrations. These sex differences may reflect age-related reductions in the levels of gonadal hormones since these hormones have been shown experimentally to alter response to DA neurotoxicants. These findings may aid in better understanding the roles that sex and age play in modifying central DA function following exposure, not only to PCBs, but also to other DA neurotoxicants as well as further elucidating the role of gonadal hormones in influencing the initiation and/or progression of neurodegenerative disorders.
Seegal
Richard F
RF
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA. seegal@wadsworth.org
Marek
Kenneth L
KL
Seibyl
John P
JP
Jennings
Danna L
DL
Molho
Eric S
ES
Higgins
Donald S
DS
Factor
Stewart A
SA
Fitzgerald
Edward F
EF
Hills
Elaine A
EA
Korrick
Susan A
SA
Wolff
Mary S
MS
Haase
Richard F
RF
Todd
Andrew C
AC
Parsons
Patrick
P
McCaffrey
Robert J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012737:Sex Factors
D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls