Serum polychlorinated biphenyl levels and circulating miRNAs in non-obese women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome

IntroductionPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organic lipophilic pollutants that accumulate through diet and increase with age, have been associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and shown to affect microRNA (miRNA) expression. This work aimed to determine if PCBs were associated with circulating miRNAs and whether there were any correlations with serum PCB/miRNA levels and hormonal changes.Methods29 non-obese PCOS and 29 healthy control women, with similar age and body mass index (BMI), had their serum miRNAs measured together with 7 indicator PCBs (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153, PCB180) using high resolution gas chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry.ResultsIn the combined study cohort, four miRNAs (hsa-miR-139-5p, hsa-miR-424-5p, hsa-miR-195-5p, hsa-miR-335-5p) correlated with PCBs, but none correlated with metabolic parameters. hsa-miR-335-5p correlated with FSH. When stratified, 25 miRNAs correlated with PCBs in controls compared to only one (hsa-miR-193a-5p) in PCOS; none of these miRNAs correlated with the metabolic parameters of BMI, insulin resistance, or inflammation (C-reactive protein, CRP). However, of these 25 miRNAs in controls, hsa-miR-26a-5p, hsa-miR-193a-5p, hsa-miR-2110 and hsa-miR-195-5p positively correlated with luteinizing hormone (LH), hsa-miR-99b-5p and hsa-miR-146b-5p correlated with estradiol, hsa-miR-193a-5p correlated with progesterone, hsa-miR-195-5p correlated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and hsa-miR-139-5p and hsa-miR-146b-5p negatively correlated with anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) (all p<0.05). hsa-miR-193a-5p in PCOS cases correlated with estradiol.ConclusionIn this cohort of women, with no difference in age and BMI, and with similar PCB levels, the miRNAs correlating to PCBs associated with menstrual cycle factors in healthy menstruating controls versus the anovulatory PCOS subjects. The PCB-associated miRNAs did not correlate with non-reproductive hormonal and metabolic parameters. This suggests that PCB effects on miRNAs may result in changes to the hypothalamo-ovarian axis that may thus affect fertility

Association between Organochlorine Pesticides and Vitamin D in Female Subjects

In human population studies, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been linked to vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, this study examined the association between OCPs, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, 25(OH)D3), and the active metabolite 1,25-dihydrovitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) in a cohort of non-obese women. The serum samples of 58 female participants (age—31.9 ± 4.6 years; body mass index (BMI)—25.7 ± 3.7 kg/m2) were screened for 10 indicator OCPs. 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 levels were determined via isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. In this cohort, the 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 levels were 22.9 ± 11.2 ng/mL and 0.05 ± 0.02 ng/mL, respectively, with 28 participants classified as 25(OH)D3-deficient (<50 nmol/L). In the study cohort, no correlations were found between individual or total OCPs (ƩOCPs) and 25(OH)D3. p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and ƩOCPs correlated positively with 1,25(OH)2D3, with the latter being negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In women with sufficient 25(OH)D3 levels, p,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethan (DDT) was positively correlated with 1,25(OH)2D3, whilst in the deficient group, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and p,p′-(DDE) were positively correlated with 1,25(OH)2D3, β-Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) was positively correlated with 25(OH)D3, and none of the OCPs were associated with measures of renal function. Overall, OCPs and ƩOCPs were not associated with 25(OH)D3, suggesting that they are unrelated to vitamin D deficiency, but p,p′-DDE and ƩOCPs correlated positively with active 1,25(OH)2D3, while ƩOCPs correlated negatively with eGFR, suggesting a possible renal effect. Analysis of vitamin D deficiency revealed an association between β-HCH and 25(OH)D3, and between HCB and p,p′-DDE and 1,25(OH)2D3, suggesting that OCP effects may be enhanced in cases of vitamin D deficiency

Serum measures of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and polyborminated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in reproductive-aged women in the United Kingdom

We investigated the serum concentrations of two brominated flame retardants (BFRs) – polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) –in 59 women aged between 23 and 42 from the United Kingdom. We also collected demographic data, including age, bodyweight and height in order to test for associations with BFR levels. Temporal and global differences were also assessed using previously published data.HBCDD was detected in 68% of samples with a mean concentration of 2.2 ng/g lipid (range =< 0.3–13 ng/g lipid). The dominant stereoisomer was α-HBCDD with an average contribution of 82% (0–100%) towards ΣHBCDD, was followed by γ-HBCDD (average contribution = 17%). PBDEs were detected in 95% of samples with a mean ∑PBDE (sum of BDEs −28, −47, −99, −100, −153, −154 and −183) concentration of 2.4 ng/g lipid (range = 2.5 since 2010. Whilst the human body burden appear to be decreasing, both PBDEs and HBCDD are still consistently detected in human serum, despite legislative action limiting their production and use. This highlights the need to continuously assess human exposure and the effectiveness of policy aimed at reducing exposure

Chlorinated organophosphate and “legacy” brominated flame retardants in UK waste soft furnishings: a preliminary study

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 is the major driver for the use of chemical flame retardants (FRs) in soft furnishings marketed in the UK. While these regulations specify the level of flame retardancy required, they do not specify how such levels should be achieved. Consequently, it remains unclear which FRs are present in UK soft furnishings. This is important not only to help assess what FRs we may be exposed to currently, but which FRs are currently entering the waste stream with concomitant potential for release into the environment. To address this data gap, concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and a range of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) were measured in samples of domestic and office waste soft furnishings products entering the UK waste stream in 2011 and 2012. This preliminary study measured the FR content of: carpets (n = 4), curtains (n = 7), mattress fabrics (n = 2), furniture foam (n = 9), and furniture upholstery textiles (n = 10). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) were not found at significant concentrations (below detection limits in most samples) in any of the twenty two analysed products. In contrast, 7 of the 9 furniture foam samples were treated with tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate (TCIPP) at a mean concentration of 1.9% w/w, with another single foam sample containing tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl)phosphate (TDCIPP) and tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (TCEP) at 1.1 and 0.5% respectively. By comparison, PBDE concentrations are within the range reported previously for UK indoor dust [18], rather than the percent by weight levels required to impart flame retardancy

Leaching of decabromodiphenyl ether and hexabromocyclododecane from fabrics under simulated landfill conditions

A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the leaching of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from a mix of three fabrics. Consistent with previous reports that such leaching is governed by second order kinetics, concentrations in leachate were markedly higher in the first 24 h of leaching, and diminished by an order of magnitude after 1 week. The influence of the waste:leachate ratio was examined for the first time, with leaching of both BDE-209 and HBCDD significantly greater (p This project (FUEL, reference 2016-HW-MS-8) is funded under the EPA Research Programme 2014-2020. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Leaching of decabromodiphenyl ether and hexabromocyclododecane from fabrics under simulated landfill conditions

A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the leaching of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) from a mix of three fabrics. Consistent with previous reports that such leaching is governed by second order kinetics, concentrations in leachate were markedly higher in the first 24 h of leaching, and diminished by an order of magnitude after 1 week. The influence of the waste:leachate ratio was examined for the first time, with leaching of both BDE-209 and HBCDD significantly greater (p This project (FUEL, reference 2016-HW-MS-8) is funded under the EPA Research Programme 2014-2020. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.peer-reviewe