Accumulation of organophosphorus pollutants in adipose tissue of obese women - metabolic alterations

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 239; p. 117337
• Main Authors: Sousa, Sara, Rede, Diana, Cruz Fernandes, Virgínia, Pestana, Diogo, Faria, Gil, Delerue-Matos, Cristina, Calhau, Conceição, Fernandes Domingues, Valentina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 15-12-2023
• Subjects: Endocrine disruptors; Metabolism; Obesity; Organophosphate esters; Organophosphorus pesticides; Women; Endocrine disruptors; sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG); alkaline phosphatase (ALP); luteinizing hormone (LH); organophosphorus ester flame retardants (OPEs); triiodothyronine (T3); homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-S); tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP); Organophosphorus pesticides; gama glutamil transpeptidase (GGT); glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c); method detection limit (MDL); celestolide (ADBI); flame photometric detection (FPD); tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP); Women; deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA); Obesity; tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP); 25th percentile (P25); homeostasis model assessment of beta cell function (HOMA2-B); thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH); supel QuE Z-Sep + Bulk (Z-Sep+); body index mass (BMI); Metabolism; internal standard (IS); Organophosphate esters; triphenylphosphate (TPP); acetonitrile (ACN)
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117337

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) are organophosphorus compounds created as substitutes for persistent environmental pollutants, namely organochlorines pesticides and brominated flame retardants, respectively. However, there is evidence that organophosphorus compounds are also widespread across the environment and have adverse effects on biota. In humans, OPPs and OPEs were reported to be carcinogenic, neurotoxic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, amongst others. As lipophilic compounds, these accumulate in fat tissues as adipose tissue. Yet biomonitoring studies and analytical methodologies to assess these compounds in the human body are scarce, particularly in adipose tissue. In this study, the presence of six OPPs and seven OPEs was determined in samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue (scAT) and visceral adipose tissue (vAT) from 188 adult obese women. OPPs and OPEs were quantified by gas chromatography (GC) flame photometric detection and confirmed in GC tandem mass spectrometry. The detection frequencies ranged between 0.5-1.6% and 48–53%, respectively for OPPs and OPEs. Organophosphorus pollutants were present in both adipose tissues and median concentrations were 0.008 ± 0.020 μg/g scAT and 0.009 ± 0.020 μg/g vAT. A total of 32 Spearman's correlations were found between organophosphorus pollutants concentrations in adipose tissue and several biochemical parameters (18 positive and 14 negative). Our results show that anthropometric and hormonal parameters, cholesterol, glycaemia, macrominerals, urea and sedimentation velocity might be influenced by the presence of these compounds. The presence of organophosphorus pollutants in the environmental and their possible effect on female metabolic processes is concerning. Particularly because presently OPEs usage is not controlled or limited by any regulation. More studies are needed to fully understand these pollutants behaviour and hazard effects on human health, biota, and the environment so control regulations can be drawn to prevent and lessen their effects.
The Figure was partly generated using Servier Medical Art, provided by Servier, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 unported license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/). [Display omitted]
•Organophosphorus compounds were analysed in adipose tissue of a female obese cohort.•From 13 compounds, two OPPs and five OPEs were found in samples of scAT and vAT.•The detection frequency of ΣOPP + OPE is higher in vAT (53.2%) than in scAT (48.4%).•OPPs and OPEs levels were linked to patient's clinical and biochemical data.•Organophosphorus compounds might alter metabolic processes.