A Preliminary Link between Hydroxylated Metabolites of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Free Thyroxin in Humans

Eveline Dirinck, Alin C. Dirtu, Govindan Malarvannan, Adrian Covaci, Philippe G. Jorens and Luc F. Van Gaal
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Eveline Dirinck: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem 2650, Belgium
Alin C. Dirtu: Toxicology Centre, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
Govindan Malarvannan: Toxicology Centre, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
Adrian Covaci: Toxicology Centre, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
Philippe G. Jorens: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Edegem 2650, Belgium
Luc F. Van Gaal: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem 2650, Belgium

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: Background : Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their hydroxylated metabolites (HO-PCBs) interfere with thyroid hormone action both in vitro and in vivo . However, epidemiologic studies on the link between PCB exposure and thyroid function have yielded discordant results, while very few data are available for HO-PCBs. Objectives : Our study aimed at investigating the relationship between clinically available markers of thyroid metabolism and serum levels of both PCBs and HO-PCBs. Subjects and Methods : In a group of 180 subjects, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxin (fT4), 29 PCBs (expressed both in lipid weight and in wet weight) and 18 HO-PCBs were measured in serum. Results : In regression models, adjusted for gender, age, current smoking behavior, BMI and total lipid levels, serum levels of 3HO-PCB118 and 3HO-PCB180, and PCB95 lw , PCB99 lw and PCB149 lw were independent, significant predictors of fT4. A stepwise, multiple regression with gender, age, current smoking behavior, BMI and total lipid levels and all five previously identified significant compounds retained age, BMI, PCB95 lw , PCB99 lw and 3HO-PCB180 as significant predictors of fT4. TSH levels were not predicted by serum levels of any of the PCBs or HO-PCBs. Conclusions : Our study indicates that in vivo , circulating fT4 levels can be linked to serum levels of several PCBs and hydroxylated PCB metabolites.

Keywords: polychlorinated biphenyls; hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls; thyroid function; human; endocrine disrupters (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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