title: Associations between Maternal Biomarkers of Phthalate Exposure and Inflammation Using Repeated Measurements across Pregnancy.
abstract: Phthalate exposure is prevalent in populations worldwide, including pregnant women. Maternal urinary metabolite concentrations have been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we investigate inflammation as a possible pathway by examining phthalates in association with inflammation biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and a panel of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) in a repeated measures analysis of pregnant women (N = 480). Urinary phthalate metabolites and plasma inflammation biomarkers were measured from samples collected at up to four visits per subject during gestation (median 10, 18, 26, and 35 weeks). Associations were examined using mixed models to account for within-individual correlation of measures. Few statistically significant associations or clear trends were observed, although in full models mono-carboxypropyl phthalate (MCPP) was significantly (percent change with interquartile range increase in exposure [%Δ] = 8.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.28, 14.8), and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) was suggestively (%Δ = 6.79, 95%CI = -1.21, 15.4) associated with IL-6. Overall these findings show little evidence of an association between phthalate exposure and peripheral inflammation in pregnant women. To investigate inflammation as a mechanism of phthalate effects in humans, biomarkers from target tissues or fluids, though difficult to measure in large-scale studies, may be necessary to detect effects.
authors: University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
authors: Kelly K
authors: KK
authors: Ferguson
authors: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors: Thomas F
authors: TF
authors: McElrath
authors: University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
authors: Bhramar
authors: B
authors: Mukherjee
authors: University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Loch-Caruso
authors: University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
authors: John D
authors: JD
authors: Meeker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C032279:phthalic acid