Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Effects of PCB Exposure on Human Stress Hormones in the German HELPcB Surveillance Program

Multiple pathological associations are attributed to PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Research shows a positive association of PCBs with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentration but the results on the stress hormone cortisol have been inconsistent so far. This study is the first to exam...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2020-07, Vol.17 (13), p.4708
Main Authors: Gaum, Petra Maria, Vida, Viktoria Stefanie, Schettgen, Thomas, Esser, André, Kraus, Thomas, Gube, Monika, Lang, Jessica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Body burden
Chlorine
Cortisol
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
Dioxins
Employees
Exposure
Health aspects
Hormones
Hypotheses
Lipids
Longitudinal studies
Metabolites
Occupational exposure
PCB
Polychlorinated biphenyls
Psychological stress
Regression analysis
Stress
Stress concentration
Surveillance
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Summary:Multiple pathological associations are attributed to PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Research shows a positive association of PCBs with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentration but the results on the stress hormone cortisol have been inconsistent so far. This study is the first to examine not only the cross-sectional but also the longitudinal effects of PCB exposure on the stress hormones DHEAS and cortisol. Over a period of three years, 112 former employees occupationally exposed to PCBs were tested for their body burden with different types of PCBs (lower and higher chlorinated, dioxin-like and hydroxylated) and for their stress hormone concentration. Highly exposed employees showed a significantly higher risk for higher DHEAS values. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a positive relationship between the exposure to lower chlorinated PCBs and DHEAS. Mixed models also revealed a significantly positive correlation between lower chlorinated PCBs with DHEAS when controlled for a cross-section. However, an effect for cortisol was not found. These results suggest a causal pathophysiological relationship between PCB exposure and DHEAS concentration, but not with cortisol. The health consequences of high DHEAS concentrations are discussed.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph17134708