Association between levels of serum bisphenol A, a potentially harmful chemical in plastic containers, and carotid artery intima-media thickness in adolescents and young adults

Chien-Yu Lin; Fang-Ying Shen; Guang-Wen Lian; Kuo-Liong Chien; Fung-Chang Sung; Pau-Chung Chen; Ta-Chen Su

doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.06.038

Association between levels of serum bisphenol A, a potentially harmful chemical in plastic containers, and carotid artery intima-media thickness in adolescents and young adults

Atherosclerosis. 2015 Aug;241(2):657-63. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.06.038. Epub 2015 Jun 20.

Authors

Chien-Yu Lin¹, Fang-Ying Shen², Guang-Wen Lian², Kuo-Liong Chien³, Fung-Chang Sung⁴, Pau-Chung Chen⁵, Ta-Chen Su⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan.
² Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
³ Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
⁴ Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
⁵ Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan. Electronic address: pchen@ntu.edu.tw.
⁶ Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan. Electronic address: tachensu@ntu.edu.tw.

PMID: 26117403
DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.06.038

Abstract

Objective: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced at high volumes and used widely in food and drink packaging. In adults, elevated BPA concentrations are associated with cardiovascular disease. BPA exposure is plausibly linked to atherosclerosis in adolescents and young adults, but evidence is lacking to date.

Methods: We recruited 886 subjects (12-30 years of age) from a population-based sample of adolescents and young adults based on a mass urine screening to determine the relationship between serum levels of BPA and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

Results: The geometric mean (standard deviation) of concentrations of BPA were 1.72 (5.5) ng/mL After controlling for confounding factors, linear regression analyzes showed a 1-unit increase in natural log BPA was significantly associated with an increase in mean CIMT (mm) (β = 0.005, 95% C.I. = 0.003-0.007, p < 0.001) and other measurement of CIMT (including right and left side of common carotid artery, carotid bulb and internal carotid artery).

Conclusion: Higher serum concentrations of BPA were associated with increased CIMT in this cross-sectional study of adolescents and young adults. Studies to clarify the mechanisms of these associations are needed.

Keywords: Adolescents; Atherosclerosis; Bisphenol-A; Carotid intima-media thickness.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Atherosclerosis / etiology
Benzhydryl Compounds / blood*
Benzhydryl Compounds / urine
Carotid Arteries / drug effects
Carotid Arteries / pathology
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Phenols / blood*
Phenols / urine
Plastics
Risk Factors
Young Adult

Substances

Benzhydryl Compounds
Phenols
Plastics
bisphenol A