Association between several persistent organic pollutants and thyroid hormone levels in serum among the pregnant women of Korea

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are of global concern because of their widespread contamination and adverse health effects. Potential endocrine disruption, especially of thyroid status by PCBs has been repeatedly suggested in both experimental and epidemiological studies. However the associations with PBDEs or OCPs have been arguable especially in human populations. We investigated the associations between major groups of POPs and thyroid hormone balances among pregnant women. One hundred five pregnant women at delivery were recruited from four cities of Korea in 2011 and were investigated. Blood samples were collected within a day before delivery. Serum was then analyzed for 19 PCBs, 19 PBDEs, and 19 OCPs, along with five thyroid hormones (free and total T3 and T4, and TSH). Several PCBs such as PCB28, 52, and 118 showed negative associations with T3 or T4. BDE47 and total PBDEs showed significant associations with T3 or T4. For OCPs, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were generally associated with reduction of T3 or T4. The thyroid hormone levels of all subjects were within the reference range, however exposure to several target POPs were clearly related with potential for disrupting thyroid hormone balance among pregnant women, at the current level of exposure. Although subtle, the changes in thyroid hormones should be seen with caution because even minor changes within pregnant women may have significant consequences especially on sensitive population like fetus.

Polybrominated diphenyl ether, polychlorinated biphenyl, and dechlorane plus concentrations in human serum, and their relationships with thyroid hormones.

“…However, the log 2 PCB-118 concentrations positively correlated and the log 2 PCB-170 concentrations negatively correlated with the fT3 concentrations in the samples from Nanning. The positive correlation between the log 2 PCB-118 and fT3 concentrations in the samples from Nanning is inconsistent with the results of previous studies [76,77]. A negative correlation between the T4 and log 2 ∑DL-PCBs concentrations was found in the samples from Weifang while a positive correlation between the T4 with log 2 PCB-156 concentrations was found in the samples from Nanning.…”

“…A negative correlation between the T4 and log 2 ∑DL-PCBs concentrations was found in the samples from Weifang while a positive correlation between the T4 with log 2 PCB-156 concentrations was found in the samples from Nanning. Negative correlations between T4 and total PCB concentrations have been reported previously [76]. No significant correlations were found between the analyte and fT4 concentrations in the samples from Weifang, but negative correlations were found between the fT4 and log 2 ∑DL-PCBs and log 2 BDE-190 concentrations in the samples from Nanning.…”

Synthetic musk compounds and benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers in breast milk: Occurrence, time–course variation and infant health risk

“…Breast milk samples (n ¼208) were collected from 87 lactating women in the Children's Health and Environmental Chemicals in Korea Panel, or CHECK Panel (Kim et al, 2013(Kim et al, , 2015Lee et al, 2013aLee et al, , 2013bChoi et al, 2014;Jeong et al, 2014aJeong et al, , 2014b. The CHECK Panel is comprised of pregnant women-fetus pairs recruited from four cities in Korea since 2011.…”

Distribution of Organochlorine Pesticides Residues in <i>Solanum macrocarpum</i> and <i>Lactuca sativa</i> Cultivated in South of Benin (Cotonou and Seme-Kpodji)

“…Exposure to OCPs at chronic, acute or lethal dose, is associated with diseases that can lead to death. Several studies and surveys on the impact of OCPs on health and the environment have linked OCPs to various pathologies including endocrine disruption, dysregulation of reproductive function and immune system, neurobehavioral disorders [9,10,11,12,13]. The major characteristics of OCPs are their resistance to biological, photolytic and chemical degradation [14,15,16].…”