Repeated measures analysis of associations between urinary bisphenol-A concentrations and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnancy

Bisphenol-A (BPA) exposure occurs commonly and may adversely impact pregnancy. Endocrine disruption is posited as the primary mechanism of action, but oxidative stress and inflammation pathways may also be important. We investigated associations between BPA exposure and oxidative stress and inflammation in 482 pregnant women. Participants were recruited early in pregnancy and provided urine and plasma at up to four visits. We measured total BPA and two biomarkers of oxidative stress (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and 8-isoprostane) in urine from each visit. Inflammation markers, including C-reactive protein and four cytokines were measured in plasma from the same time points. In adjusted models, an interquartile range increase in BPA was associated with significant increases in both oxidative stress biomarkers (5-9% increase). Additionally, we observed significantly higher IL-6 concentrations in association with an interquartile range increase in BPA (8.95% increase). These systemic changes consequent to BPA exposure may mediate adverse birth outcomes and/or fetal development.