The associations between p,p’-DDE levels and plasma levels of lipoproteins and their subclasses in an elderly population determined by analysis of lipoprotein content

Abstract

Background Lipoproteins at aberrant levels are known to play a role in cardiovascular disease. The metabolite of the insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p’-DDE), physically associates with lipids and accumulates in adipose tissue. Little is known about which lipoproteins associate with p,p’-DDE. An association between p,p’-DDE exposure and altered levels of circulating lipids was assessed in a large human cohort using a detailed analysis of lipoprotein content. Methods Plasma samples were collected from the subset of 75-year old Swedes in the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature of Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) cohort who were not prescribed lipid lowering medication (n = 571). p,p’-DDE concentrations in plasma were measured using high-throughput solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. Analysis of plasma lipoprotein content was performed with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results Detectable levels of p,p’-DDE were found in the plasma samples of all subjects. Elevated p,p’-DDE levels were associated with increased concentrations of lipoproteins of all diameters, with the exception of high density lipoprotein (HDL) of diameters between 14.3 nm–10.9 nm. Of the lipoprotein constituents, triglycerides were most uniformly associated with elevated p,p’-DDE across lipoproteins. p,p’-DDE was furthermore associated with apolipoprotein B, but not apolipoprotein A1. Conclusions The positive associations observed between each lipoprotein class and elevated p,p’-DDE support previous data suggesting that p,p’-DDE interacts with lipoproteins within plasma. It is speculated that both physio-chemical and biological mechanisms may explain why p,p’-DDE does not uniformly associate with lipids across lipoproteins.

Sex-Based Evaluation of Lipid Profile in Postoperative Adjuvant Mitotane Treatment for Adrenocortical Carcinoma

“…Conversely, negative correlations with LDL in all the groups, with total cholesterol in females and in pre-/post-menopausal women and with triglycerides in females and premenopausal patients were noted. Although both HDL and LDL were associated with o,p’-DDE, different studies reported a stronger association with LDL and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) than with lipoproteins with a larger diameter (HDL) [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. This disparity could be explained by the differences in the metabolic pathways of the lipoprotein groups.…”

Endocrine Disruptor Compounds in Environment: Focus on Women’s Reproductive Health and Endometriosis

“…Toxic effects are produced when the concentration of pesticide in the body increases far more than its initial concentration in the environment; to confirm human exposure to pesticides, analyses are performed on biological samples such as serum/plasma, milk, and adipose tissue [ 40 ]. Among the best-known pesticides, we find Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT); for its nature, the metabolite of the DDT associates with lipids and accumulates in adipose tissue [ 41 ]. The long-term presence of pesticides in the human body has led to an alteration of reproductive capabilities, altering the levels of male and female reproductive hormones; consequently, this results in stillbirth, birth defects, spontaneous abortion, and infertility [ 38 ].…”

Insights into Organochlorine Pesticides Exposure in the Development of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review

“…28,35 Agricultural studies have also shown that exposure to pesticides is associated with increased blood pressure and elevated serum lipoproteins, which are known to be risk factors for CVD. 36 The relationship between circulating levels of POPs and blood pressure in a population-based sample of men and women was also examined in the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study. One hundred and three POPs were analyzed in this study.…”