Endocrine disrupting chemicals in early MS disease activity

Epidemiological data shows that the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the female-to-male sex ratio among MS patients are increasing over time. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous and increasingly recognized for effects on estrogen signaling. This study aimed to determine whether there was an association between EDC levels and disease severity in newly diagnosed, female MS patients.

This exploratory observational cohort study enrolled female patients, ages 18-60, via written informed consent from the Brigham MS Center. Enrollment criteria included diagnosis with MS within the past 5 years and completion of a questionnaire about potential EDC exposures. Exclusion criteria were intravenous steroids in the past 30 days. Collection processes and materials were designed to avoid EDC contamination. Urine samples were analyzed by NSF International (Ann Arbor, Michigan). Primary outcome measures were MRI parameters and clinical disease activity, including multivariable analysis adjusting for MS treatment types. Spearman correlation test was used for analysis and between group comparisons were conducted with one-way ANOVA.

68 patients with MS were enrolled. In the phthalates, mEOHP was negatively correlated with T2 lesion volume over time (R value = -0.522, p-value = 0.002, Bonferroni adjusted p = 0.03). For the phenols, triclocarban was negatively associated with cheese consumption (R value = -0.402, p = 0.001, Bonferroni adjusted p = 0.012) There was no association between EDCs and disease activity or demographic factors, nor significant correlation with exposure to household plastics.

This exploratory study identified a negative correlation between triclocarban and cheese consumption. Longitudinally, phthalate metabolite mEOHP was negatively correlated with T2 lesion volume over time. Exposure to EDCs may affect the early disease course in MS, and expansion of research efforts is warranted.