Urine Phthalate Levels and Liver Function in US Adolescents: Analyses of NHANES 2007-2016

Front Public Health. 2022 Mar 4:10:843971. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.843971. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Background: Phthalates are non-persistent chemicals with endocrine-disrupting abilities widely used in a variety of consumer products. Evidence for the effects of phthalate exposure on liver function in adolescents is lacking.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the combined 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Ultimately, a total of 1,650 adolescents aged 12-19 years were selected as the samples. Weighted linear regression was used to investigate the effects of urinary phthalate metabolites on liver function indexes.

Results: Weighted Linear regression models showed that MCOP was negatively associated with TBIL (β = -0.0435, PFDR = 0.007), ΣDEHP (β = -0.0453, PFDR = 0.003) and MCOP (β = -0.0379, PFDR = 0.006) were negatively correlated with ALB, while MCPP was positively correlated with ALB (β = 0.0339, PFDR = 0.024), and MCOP was negatively correlated with TP (β = -0.0551; PFDR = 0.004).

Conclusions: Phthalate metabolites were significantly but weakly associated with changes in liver function indicators among US adolescents. Future work should further examine these relationships.

Keywords: NHANES; adolescents; indicators; liver; phthalate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Environmental Pollutants* / urine
  • Humans
  • Liver
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Phthalic Acids* / urine

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Phthalic Acids
  • phthalic acid