Exposure to phthalates is associated with lipid profile in peripubertal Mexican youth

Animal models indicate that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) affect circulating lipid concentrations by interfering with hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Little is known of the relationship between EDC exposure and lipid profile in humans. We measured bisphenol A (BPA) and 9 phthalate metabolites in maternal urine collected at up to three time points during pregnancy as a measure of in utero exposure, and in the child's urine at 8-14 years as a measure of concurrent, peripubertal exposure among 248 participants of a Mexico City pre-birth cohort. We used linear regression to examine relations of BPA and phthalate exposure with peripubertal serum lipids, while also adjusting for child age, sex, and specific gravity. While in utero EDC exposure was not associated with lipid profile, higher concurrent levels of mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate (MCPP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), and dibutyl phthalate metabolites (DBP) corresponded with lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in boys; e.g., an interquartile range increment in MCPP corresponded with 7.4% (2.0%, 12.8%) lower total cholesterol and 12.7% (3.8%, 21.6%) lower LDL-C. In girls, higher urinary di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate metabolites (ΣDEHP) correlated with lower LDL-C (-7.9% [-15.4%, -0.4%]). Additional longitudinal research is needed to determine whether these associations persist beyond adolescence.