Fetal exposure markers of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2018 Apr;25(12):11940-11947. doi: 10.1007/s11356-018-1447-y. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Abstract

Fetal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated-p-dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have been associated with a number of adverse health outcomes. Although the placenta acts as a barrier between the mother and the fetus, these contaminants transfer through the placenta exposing the fetus. Several studies have investigated placental transfer, but few have assessed the co-variation among these contaminants. Maternal blood, cord blood, and cord tissue were collected from 41 Japanese mother-infant pairs and analyzed for dioxin-like PCBs and PCDD/Fs. Hierarchical cluster analysis followed by principal component analysis were used to assess the co-variation. Two stable clusters of dioxin-like PCBs were found in maternal and cord blood. One cluster of low/medium chlorinated dioxin-like PCBs was present in all three matrices with 2,3',4,4',5-PeCB(#118) and 3,3',4,4',5-PeCB(#126) explaining the majority of the clusters' variances. Medium/high chlorinated dioxin-like PCBs clustered in maternal blood and cord blood but not in cord tissue. 2,3,4,4',5-PeCB(#114) and 2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-HpCB(#189) explained the majority of the clusters' variances. There was a substantial correlation between the sum of dioxin-like PCBs and total PCDD/F in all three matrices. The sum of the four suggested PCBs plus 3,3',4,4'-TeCB(#77) correlated well with total PCDD/F in all three matrices. Apart from the dioxin-like PCBs, little co-variation existed among the studied contaminants. The five PCBs can be used as fetal exposure markers for dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs in maternal and cord blood respectively. In cord tissue, more higher chlorinated dioxin-like PCBs need to be measured as well.

Keywords: Dioxin; Fetal exposure; Multivariate analysis; PCB.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Dioxins / chemistry*
  • Family
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Placenta
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / blood*
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / chemistry
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / chemistry*
  • Pregnancy
  • Principal Component Analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Dioxins
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls