Phthalate exposure associated with self-reported diabetes among Mexican women

BackgroundPhthalates are ubiquitous industrial chemicals used as plasticizers in plastics made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to confer flexibility and durability. They are also present in products used for personal-care, industry and in medical devices. Phthalates have been associated with several adverse health effects, and recently it has been proposed that exposure to phthalates, could have an effect on metabolic homeostasis. This exploratory cross-sectional study evaluated the possible association between phthalate exposure and self-reported diabetes among adult Mexican women.MethodsAs part of an on-going case-control study for breast cancer, only controls were selected, which constituted 221 healthy women matched by age (±5 years) and place of residence with the cases. Women with diabetes were identified by self-report. Urinary concentrations of nine phthalate metabolites were measured by online solid phase extraction coupled to high performance liquid chromatography-isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsParticipants with diabetes had significantly higher concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl) pththalate (DEHP) metabolites: mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) and mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) but lower levels of monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) a metabolite of benzylbutyl phthalate, compared to participants without diabetes. A marginally significant positive associations with diabetes status were observed over tertiles with MEHHP (ORT3 vs. T1=2.66; 95% CI: 0.97–7.33; p for trend=0.063) and MEOHP (ORT3 vs. T1=2.27; 95% CI; 0.90–5.75; P for trend=0.079) even after adjusting for important confounders.ConclusionsThe results suggest that levels of some phthalates may play a role in the genesis of diabetes.

► This study evaluated phthalate exposure and diabetes status among Mexican women.
► Urinary phthalates metabolite concentrations were used to determine association.
► Participants with diabetes had higher concentrations of three DEHP metabolites.
► A positive association with diabetes status was found with MEHHP and MEOHP metabolites.
► Results suggest phthalate exposure can have a role in diabetes.