The effects of phthalate exposure on metabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome

Andrijana Milankov; Maja Milanović; Nataša Milošević; Jan Sudji; Slađana Pejaković; Nataša Milić; Artur Bjelica; Milica Medić Stojanoska

doi:10.1016/j.cca.2023.117225

The effects of phthalate exposure on metabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome

Clin Chim Acta. 2023 Feb 1:540:117225. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117225. Epub 2023 Jan 7.

Authors

Andrijana Milankov¹, Maja Milanović², Nataša Milošević³, Jan Sudji³, Slađana Pejaković¹, Nataša Milić³, Artur Bjelica⁴, Milica Medić Stojanoska¹

Affiliations

¹ University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.
² University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Novi Sad, Serbia. Electronic address: maja.milanovic@mf.uns.ac.rs.
³ University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Novi Sad, Serbia.
⁴ University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.

PMID: 36627009
DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117225

Abstract

Background-aim: Phthalates are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals which are present in wide-range of products. The objective of the study was to investigate whether phthalate exposure may attribute to the metabolic syndrome development in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Method: The cross-sectional study involved 60 women in reproductive age with confirmed PCOS. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were examined together with detected levels of ten phthalate metabolites measured by GC-MS in morning urine samples.

Results: In this study at least one phthalate metabolite was detected in 51.7% of samples. Total phthalate metabolites urine concentrations were positively associated with BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height-ratio (WtHR), leptin serum levels as well as lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI). Mono-methyl-phthalate (MMP) levels was significantly correlated with WtHR, LAP and VAI. Additionally, total phthalate metabolites levels were significantly linked with fasting plasma glucose and HOMA index, whereas MMP concentrations were associated with fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels. Total cholesterol (TC) level was statistically significantly higher among PCOS women with detected phthalate metabolites compared to those without phthalates. The sum of all phthalates was correlated with LDL and triglyceride levels as well as TC/HDL. MMP concentrations were linked positively with TC, LDL and triglyceride levels as well as with TC/HDL. It is noteworthy that MMP concentrations were positively associated with testosterone serum levels while the total phthalate metabolites concentrations were also linked but with moderate significance.

Conclusions: The increased phthalate metabolites concentrations may interfere with obesity, glucose and lipid impairment in PCOS women. Additionally, testosterone serum levels can be disrupted by MMP.

Keywords: Dyslipidaemia; Endocrine disruptors; Hyperinsulinemia; Obesity; Phthalates; Polycystic ovary syndrome.

MeSH terms

Blood Glucose / metabolism
Body Mass Index
Cholesterol, HDL
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Insulin
Insulin Resistance*
Metabolic Syndrome* / complications
Obesity, Abdominal
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / metabolism
Testosterone
Triglycerides

Substances

phthalic acid
Blood Glucose
Cholesterol, HDL
Triglycerides
Testosterone
Insulin