Correlation Between Exposure to Phthalates and Concentrations of Malondialdehyde in Infants and Children Undergoing Cyclic Parenteral Nutrition

• Published in: JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition 2011-05, Vol.35 (3), p.395-401
• Main Authors: Kambia, Nicolas, Dine, Thierry, Gressier, Bernard, Frimat, Bruno, Cazin, Jean-Louis, Luyckx, Michel, Brunet, Claude, Michaud, Laurent, Gottrand, Frédéric
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Child; Child, Preschool; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate; Diethylhexyl Phthalate - adverse effects; Emergency and intensive care: metabolism and nutrition disorders. Enteral and parenteral nutrition; Emergency and intensive care: neonates and children. Prematurity. Sudden death; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Equipment and Supplies - adverse effects; Female; high‐performance liquid chromatography; Humans; Infant; infants and children; Intensive care medicine; long‐term parenteral nutrition; Male; malondialdehyde; Malondialdehyde - blood; Medical sciences; Oxidative Stress; Parenteral Nutrition - adverse effects; Parenteral Nutrition - methods; Plasticizers - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0148-6071; 1941-2444
• DOI: 10.1177/0148607110381769

Background: Plasticizers such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to confer flexibility. However, DEHP is associated with reproductive disorders in humans. Because of its noncovalent bond to the PVC matrix, this plasticizer tends to leach easily. Infants and children undergoing cyclic, long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) could be particularly at risk of potential toxicity from DEHP due to regular exposure. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is one of the most commonly used markers of free radical activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate how long-term exposure to phthalate affects the plasmatic rate of MDA. Methods: Studies were performed on 7 randomized infants and children on regular cyclic, long-term PN, and the results were compared with those of 5 nontreated infants. The circulating concentrations of DEHP in children and infants during the PN therapy were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The concentrations were assessed before and after the PN session. In the same way, plasma MDA concentrations were measured. Results: The circulating concentrations of DEHP before and after a 10- to 11-hour cyclic PN treatment in 7 infants and children under regular perfusion ranged widely, showing a significant increase after the treatment among all the patients. The same phenomenon observed with the rate of MDA showed that the 2 events are closely dependent. Therefore, long-term exposure to DEHP during cyclic PN raised plasma MDA levels, indicating increased oxidative stress. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to DEHP during PN increased free radical activity in vivo.