Maternal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure deregulates blood pressure, adiposity, cholesterol metabolism and social interaction in mouse offspring

Plastics have revolutionized medical device technology, transformed hematological care, and facilitated modern cardiology procedures. Despite these advances, studies have shown that phthalate chemicals migrate out of plastic products and that these chemicals are bioactive. Recent epidemiological and research studies have suggested that phthalate exposure adversely affects cardiovascular function. Our objective was to assess the safety and biocompatibility of phthalate chemicals and resolve the impact on cardiovascular and autonomic physiology. Adult mice were implanted with radiofrequency transmitters to monitor heart rate variability, blood pressure, and autonomic regulation in response to di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP) exposure. DEHP-treated animals displayed a decrease in heart rate variability (−17% SD of normal beat-to-beat intervals and −36% high-frequency power) and an exaggerated mean arterial pressure response to ganglionic blockade (31.5% via chlorisondamine). In response to a conditioned stressor, DEHP-treated animals displayed enhanced cardiovascular reactivity (−56% SD major axis Poincarè plot) and prolonged blood pressure recovery. Alterations in cardiac gene expression of endothelin-1, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and nitric oxide synthase may partly explain these cardiovascular alterations. This is the first study to show an association between phthalate chemicals that are used in medical devices with alterations in autonomic regulation, heart rate variability, and cardiovascular reactivity. Because changes in autonomic balance often precede clinical manifestations of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and conduction abnormalities, future studies are warranted to assess the downstream impact of plastic chemical exposure on end-organ function in sensitive patient populations. This study also highlights the importance of adopting safer biomaterials, chemicals, and/or surface coatings for use in medical devices.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Phthalates are widely used in the manufacturing of consumer and medical products. In the present study, di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate exposure was associated with alterations in heart rate variability and cardiovascular reactivity. This highlights the importance of investigating the impact of phthalates on health and identifying suitable alternatives for medical device manufacturing.

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Effects of single and combined gestational phthalate exposure on blood pressure, blood glucose and gestational weight gain: A longitudinal analysis

Environment International ◽

10.1016/j.envint.2021.106677 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 155 ◽

pp. 106677

Author(s):

Hui Gao ◽

Bei-bei Zhu ◽

Kun Huang ◽

Yuan-duo Zhu ◽

Shuang-qin Yan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Gestational Weight Gain ◽

Longitudinal Analysis ◽

Gestational Weight ◽

Phthalate Exposure

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Early-life chronic di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate exposure worsens age-related long-term associative memory decline associated with insulin/IGF-1 signaling and CRH-1/CREB in Caenorhabditis elegans

Journal of Hazardous Materials ◽

10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126044 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 126044

Author(s):

Chun Ming How ◽

Ting-An Lin ◽

Vivian Hsiu-Chuan Liao

Keyword(s):

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Associative Memory ◽

Early Life ◽

Memory Decline ◽

Phthalate Exposure ◽

Age Related ◽

Ethylhexyl Phthalate

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Efficacy of Bilberry and Grape Seed Extract Supplement Interventions to Improve Glucose and Cholesterol Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Different Populations—A Systematic Review of the Literature

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13051692 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1692

Author(s):

Teresa Grohmann ◽

Caroline Litts ◽

Graham Horgan ◽

Xuguang Zhang ◽

Nigel Hoggard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Ldl Cholesterol ◽

Cholesterol Metabolism ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Grape Seed Extract ◽

Grape Seed ◽

Good Evidence ◽

Seed Extract

Intervention with fruit extracts may lower glucose and lipid levels, as well as blood pressure. We reviewed the efficacy of bilberry and grape seed extracts to affect these outcomes across populations with varying health status, age and ethnicity, across intervention doses and durations, in 24 intervention studies with bilberry and blackcurrant (n = 4) and grape seed extract (n = 20). Bilberry and blackcurrant extract lowered average levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), at least in Chinese subjects, especially in those who were older, who were diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and who were participating in longer-term studies. We also found good evidence that across studies and in subjects with hypercholesterolemia, T2DM or metabolic syndrome, intervention with bilberry and blackcurrant extract, and to some extent grape seed extract, significantly lowered total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels after four weeks. Intervention with grape seed extract may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects with hypertension or metabolic syndrome. Differential responsiveness in cholesterol and blood pressure outcomes between stratified populations could not be explained by age, dose or study duration. In conclusion, bilberry and blackcurrant extract appears effective in lowering HbA1c and total and LDL cholesterol, whereas grape seed extract may lower total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure, in specific population groups.

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Maternal nutrition and its intergenerational links to non-communicable disease metabolic risk factors: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

Journal of Health Population and Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s41043-021-00241-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth Wilkins ◽

Kremlin Wickramasinghe ◽

Jessie Pullar ◽

Alessandro R. Demaio ◽

Nia Roberts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Maternal Nutrition ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Maternal Exposure ◽

Metabolic Risk Factors ◽

Adult Offspring ◽

Metabolic Risk ◽

Offspring Adiposity

Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death and disability globally, while malnutrition presents a major global burden. An increasing body of evidence suggests that poor maternal nutrition is related to the development of NCDs and their risk factors in adult offspring. However, there has been no systematic evaluation of this evidence. Methods We searched eight electronic databases and reference lists for primary research published between 1 January 1996 and 31 May 2016 for studies presenting data on various dimensions of maternal nutritional status (including maternal exposure to famine, maternal gestational weight gain (GWG), maternal weight and/or body mass index (BMI), and maternal dietary intake) during pregnancy or lactation, and measures of at least one of three NCD metabolic risk factors (blood pressure, blood lipids and blood glucose) in the study population of offspring aged 18 years or over. Owing to high heterogeneity across exposures and outcomes, we employed a narrative approach for data synthesis (PROSPERO= CRD42016039244, CRD42016039247). Results Twenty-seven studies from 10 countries with 62,607 participants in total met our inclusion criteria. The review revealed considerable heterogeneity in findings across studies. There was evidence of a link between maternal exposure to famine during pregnancy with adverse blood pressure, blood lipid, and glucose metabolism outcomes in adult offspring in some contexts, with some tentative support for an influence of adult offspring adiposity in this relationship. However, the evidence base for maternal BMI, GWG, and dietary intake of specific nutrients during pregnancy was more limited and revealed no consistent support for a link between these exposures and adult offspring NCD metabolic risk factors. Conclusion The links identified between maternal exposure to famine and offspring NCD risk factors in some contexts, and the tentative support for the role of adult offspring adiposity in influencing this relationship, suggest the need for increased collaboration between maternal nutrition and NCD sectors. However, in view of the current scant evidence base for other aspects of maternal nutrition, and the overall heterogeneity of findings, ongoing monitoring and evaluation using large prospective studies and linked data sets is a major priority.

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