Early-life chemical exposures and risk of metabolic syndrome.

The global prevalence of obesity has been increasing at a staggering pace, with few indications of any decline, and is now one of the major public health challenges worldwide. While obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have historically thought to be largely driven by increased caloric intake and lack of exercise, this is insufficient to account for the observed changes in disease trends. There is now increasing evidence to suggest that exposure to synthetic chemicals in our environment may also play a key role in the etiology and pathophysiology of metabolic diseases. Importantly, exposures occurring in early life (in utero and early childhood) may have a more profound effect on life-long risk of obesity and MetS. This narrative review explores the evidence linking early-life exposure to a suite of chemicals that are common contaminants associated with food production (pesticides; imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, and glyphosate) and processing (acrylamide), in addition to chemicals ubiquitously found in our household goods (brominated flame retardants) and drinking water (heavy metals) and changes in key pathways important for the development of MetS and obesity.

Introduction

The global prevalence of obesity has been increasing at a staggering pace, with few indications of any decline, and is now one of the major public health challenges worldwide. Most alarmingly, the list of adverse consequences related to overweight and obesity continues to grow.1–3 It is well accepted that obesity is a risk factor for other metabolic abnormalities, including an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS).4 MetS is a cluster of interrelated metabolic risk factors. MetS as defined by a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the American Heart Association, the World Heart Federation, the International Atherosclerosis Society, and the International Association for the Study of Obesity includes three of the following five clinical findings: elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose.4 Many of these components of MetS are interrelated, for example, obesity is strongly related to insulin resistance, which is a well-established risk factor for type 2 diabetes.5 The worldwide prevalence estimates vary, but the International Diabetes Federation estimates that one-quarter of adults worldwide have MetS.6 Most alarmingly, people with MetS have a significantly increased risk of developing chronic metabolic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.7 In addition, obesity has been associated with cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, and depression, among others.8–10 The path to MetS is complex, but there is now compelling evidence from human epidemiological studies and animal experiments to support the hypothesis that exposure of the fetus to certain hormonal, nutritional, metabolic, and environmental conditions may permanently alter the physiology of the resulting offspring and lead to an increased risk of chronic metabolic disease in later life. Clearly, understanding the environmental factors that contribute to the rise in obesity and MetS is critically important.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as metabolic disruptors

Although the obesity epidemic has historically thought to be largely driven by increased caloric intake and lack of exercise, this is insufficient to account for the observed changes in disease trends. There is now considerable evidence to suggest that early-life exposure to synthetic chemicals in our environment plays an important role in the global epidemic of obesity and MetS. The number of new chemicals that are synthesized and marketed increases exponentially each year; from 2005 to 2015, the number of chemicals registered by the Chemical Abstract Service increased from 25 to 100 million substances.11,12 Introduction of chemicals into the environment (aquatic and terrestrial) occurs from industry and manufacturing practices, agricultural use, and human activity (eg, the use of medications, personal care products, and cleaning products). There is now compelling evidence in mammals that exposure to environmental pollutants can alter endogenous hormonal axes. These chemicals have been termed endocrine disruptors. Historically, research attention has focused largely on the ability of these xenobiotic compounds to alter estrogenic and/or androgenic pathways by acting as agonists/antagonists at hormone receptors, altering the number of hormone receptors in a cell-specific manner or causing perturbations in circulating concentrations of the endogenous hormones.13–18 More recently, however, there has been an increased awareness that these same chemicals can also disrupt metabolic homeostasis. There are now substantial in vivo and in vitro data demonstrating that environmental chemical pollutants can alter energy homeostasis in mammals through a number of pathways, including central effects on appetite regulation, altered energy expenditure and disruption of glucose, and/or lipid homeostasis in metabolically active tissues (ie, pancreas, liver, and adipose tissue).19–24 Indeed, a recent report concluded that in the European Union, exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds contributes substantially to obesity and diabetes and was associated with estimated health care costs in excess of €18 billion annually.25 Both human and animal studies have shown that exposures to chemical insults have profound effects on key pathways important for the development of MetS.

Environmental chemical exposures during pregnancy and the development of MetS

In recent years, there has been increasing concern that exposures to environmental chemicals in early life (ie, in utero development and/or infancy) may be associated with chronic metabolic disease in adulthood, leading to increased research attention in this area. There are a number of pathways by which these chemicals may increase the risk of MetS later in life, including, but not limited to, effects on fetal and postnatal growth trajectories, altered organ development and function, and disruption of hormonal axes. For example, epidemiological studies have reported an increased risk of reduced birth weight following exposure to a suite of environmental chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, and air pollution.26–28 Importantly, there is now substantial evidence to support the hypothesis that fetal growth retardation is associated with an increased incidence of adult-onset diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, dyslipidemia, and stroke.29,30

In addition to effects on birth weight, many of these environmental chemical pollutant exposures can result in altered tissue development and function independent of low birth weight. For example, Bisphenol A has been shown in epidemiological studies to be associated with increased risk of obesity, and it has also been shown to have direct effects on adipose tissue development (adipogenesis) along with pancreas development and function, leading to an obese, insulin-resistant phenotype.31–33 Similarly, phthalates have also been associated with an increased risk of obesity due to their direct effects on liver function (hepatic fat accumulation) and their ability to disrupt thyroid function (dysregulation of energy balance and metabolism).34–36

It is clear that the mechanisms leading to MetS following early-life exposure to chemicals in our environment are diverse and multidimensional. The goal of this review is to highlight evidence linking early-life exposure to chemicals in our environment with MetS in the progeny into adulthood. There is considerable evidence linking exposure to polyaromatic hydrocarbons, bisphenol A, phthalates, per-fluorinated chemicals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, and organotins to metabolic perturbations; these chemicals have been recently reviewed in detail elsewhere.37–41 In this review, we focus on a suite of chemicals that are common contaminants associated with food production (pesticides) and processing (acrylamides), in addition to chemicals ubiquitously found in our household goods (flame retardants) and drinking water (heavy metals). To complete this narrative review, we used PubMed for our overall basic search for articles published in English using keywords related to the exposures of interest (pesticides, imidacloprid, glyphosate, acrylamide, brominated flame retardants, and heavy metals), the timing of exposure (pregnancy, prenatal, and in utero), and the outcomes of interest (birth weight, fetal outcomes, adipose, insulin, glucose, blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity). We included studies conducted in both animals and humans.

Crop production: pesticides

The development of new agricultural-related practices has been vital in expanding our food supply and will continue to play a critical role as the world’s population grows. Insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers have enhanced the stability of the food supply chain, but they may also contribute to chronic metabolic diseases. In this section, we highlight emerging evidence to suggest that commonly used pesticides may also contribute to the increased incidence of MetS.

Chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide that inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity. Due to its broad spectrum activity against many foliar and soil insects, it is commonly used worldwide for a pest control in a wide range of field crops and fruit.42 Estimated usage in Canada is 100,000–500,000 kg/year and in the US is 3.2–4.1 million kg/year.42,43 Chlorpyrifos has been detected in aquatic ecosystems and in a range of food types, including fruits, vegetables, grains, beans/nuts/legumes, dairy, and meat/fish/eggs, leading to human exposure as documented by the widespread presence of urinary metabolites of chlorpyrifos in nonoccupationally exposed populations.44–46 Chronic occupational exposures to chlorpyrifos have been demonstrated in farmers from Iowa, Vietnam, and Thailand who were found to have significantly higher urinary metabolites of chlorpyrifos and significant transdermal exposure,47,48 both of which are likely to have significant adverse health effects.49

The postnatal metabolic effects of chlorpyrifos exposure during pregnancy are largely unknown due to the absence of human epidemiological studies. However, rodent studies suggest that this is an important concern. Prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos in rats caused hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia, leading to MetS into adulthood.50 Moreover, acute and chronic exposures to chlorpyrifos have been shown to be associated with increased body weight, altered lipid homeostasis, and increased blood pressure.51–53 Increased fatty acid synthesis and storage have been further substantiated in vitro following chlorpyrifos exposure.54 As a result, it is biologically plausible that in humans, early-life exposures to chlorpyrifos may in fact increase the risk of metabolic disturbances. Given its widespread usage and detection in the environment and human samples, further study is warranted.

Imidacloprid

Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide. These insecticides act as agonists of insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Neonicotinoids are widely used in agricultural crop production; in 2008, neonicotinoids accounted for ~25% of the global insecticide market.55 As a result, imidacloprid has been found in terrestrial (soil) and aquatic (surface and groundwater) environments56 as well as being widely detected in fruits and vegetables.57

Despite the fact that in vitro studies have demonstrated the potential for significant absorption of imidacloprid in the human intestine58 and imidacloprid residues are prevalent in many fruits and vegetables,57 there has been limited population-based biological monitoring for imidacloprid exposure. Recently, a small study in nonoccupationally exposed adults (N=52) demonstrated that imidacloprid was present in the urine of 96% of study participants at levels above the limit of detection.59 Historically, neonicotinoids were thought to have limited toxicity for humans due to their high specificity toward insect nAChRs. However, it is now clear that these insecticides also have agonist activity at mammalian nAChRs60 raising the possibility of human health risks associated with chronic exposure to neonicotinoids. In fact, high dose of imidacloprid (50 mg/kg) induced hepatotoxicity as evidenced by elevated plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels in rats.61 In addition, 20 mg/kg imidacloprid resulted in hepatic necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory markers.62 Moreover, given that adipose tissue expresses multiple nAChR genes, it is possible that imidacloprid may affect lipid homeostasis.63 Indeed, a recent study has shown that imidacloprid can promote adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation in adipocytes (3T3-L1 cells).64 While the mechanism(s) have not been clearly elucidated, it has been suggested that imidacloprid suppresses the expression of antioxidant enzymes implicating oxidative stress as a significant contributor to the observed metabolic perturbations.65

Glyphosate

Glyphosate is one of the most commonly used herbicides worldwide. It inhibits 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) in the shikimate pathway; a pathway plants and microorganisms require for the synthesis of the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan.66 Glyphosate has been identified in surface and groundwater;67,68 however, most nonoccupational exposures occur from consuming foods containing glyphosate residues.69

While there are detection methods available to measure serum concentrations of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), few studies have investigated the transfer of maternal-to-fetal exposure during pregnancy.70–72 A recent systematic review of observational studies investigating prenatal exposure to glyphosate determined that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that glyphosate does or does not affect pregnancy outcomes, including birth weight.73

While the effects of glyphosate on metabolic health in humans have largely not been explored, there are animal and cell culture studies that have investigated the effects of glyphosate on key metabolic pathways. Although glyphosate is thought to have low toxicity to mammals,74 it has recently been shown to cause liver and kidney toxicities at low doses.75 Results suggest that glyphosate exposure caused liver fibrosis and mitochondrial membrane dysfunction. Furthermore, glyphosate has been shown to increase apoptosis and induce oxidative stress in preadipocytes.76,77 Oxidative stress ensues due to mitochondria dysfunction78 and decreased oxidative capacity, which has been shown to impair glucose uptake into adipocytes, promoting hyperglycemia.79 Oxidative stress also disturbs the adipokine production by fat cells, which has been suggested to be an early initiation event in the development of MetS.80 Taken together, these studies suggest that further study of the effects of glyphosate on MetS risk requires further attention.

Food processing

It is widely accepted that in recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the consumption of processed foods. Food processing intentionally introduces food additives (eg, food dyes, emulsifiers, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners) but also introduces unwanted contaminants as a result of the packaging process (eg, bisphenol A). There is another group of chemicals that are introduced by the nature of the food processing itself; one of these is acrylamide.

Acrylamide

Acrylamide is produced by the reaction between asparagine and sugar molecules and is formed during food processing. Acrylamide is known to cross the placenta81 with nonsignificant amounts transferring to the infant through breast milk.82 Rodent models have demonstrated that prenatal and perinatal acrylamide exposures result in low birth weight offspring that develop signs of liver toxicity and lipid accumulation in postnatal life.83,84 Meanwhile, administration of acrylamide to adult rodents has been shown to increase glycogen content and increase hepatocyte size in addition to causing dysglycemia and elevated serum lipid levels.85 To date, only three studies have investigated the relationship between prenatal acrylamide exposure and fetal growth outcomes in human populations but have, for the most part, shown consistent associations between acrylamide exposure and reduced fetal growth. The MoBa study found that an increased consumption of acrylamide was associated with lower birth weight infants.86 Similarly, the NewGeneris study found that maternal and cord blood levels of acrylamide and its metabolite glycidamide correlated with a reduced birth weight and head circumference.87 Finally, the most recent study found that maternal dietary acrylamide and birth weight showed a significant negative correlation and that dietary intake of acrylamide was significantly higher in small for gestational age (SGA; <10th percentile) newborns.88 Taken together, these results suggest that an increased maternal acrylamide consumption during pregnancy may have the potential to impair fetal growth; however, it still remains to be determined whether SGA as a result of acrylamide exposure in humans is associated with metabolic abnormalities in postnatal life.

Household exposures

There is an increasing awareness that there are a wide variety of chemical exposures, which occur in the home including exposure to cleaning and personal care products, to chemicals used in consumer products to make them stain resistant or to meet legislated flammability standards and to chemicals in household dust and drinking water. Of these chemicals, we will focus on the evidence linking exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (flame retardants) and heavy metals to metabolic disease risk.

PBDEs

PBDEs have been widely used since the 1970s and are frequently found in mixtures of similar chemicals otherwise called congeners. PBDEs are applied to products, such as fabrics, plastics, household appliances, and electronics, to decrease their flammability. As a result, adults and children are chronically exposed to these chemicals through inhalation of contaminated household dust.89–91 Exposure also occurs through hand-to-mouth behaviors in adults (ie, biting nails and licking fingers) and toddlers.92,93 Serum concentrations of PBDEs have been broadly related to electronic use. More specifically, individuals who used personal computers, audio/video devices, small household appliances, or own flat screen TVs have been shown to have the highest concentration of PBDEs.94

In the US, PBDE levels in adults range from 30 to 100 ng/g lipid and these values are typically higher in children.95 PBDEs measured in pregnant women have ranged between 2.44 and 258 ng/g lipid, while the median concentrations remain between 7.7 and 9.97 ng/g lipid.96,97 PBDEs have been shown to cross the placenta98 and the blood–brain barrier,99 thus having the potential to impact fetal health and development. In fact, comparing the maternal and cord serum, there is evidence to suggest that fetal exposure is greater compared to the maternal exposure.100 More astonishing is that measurable levels of PBCDs are present in the developing fetus as early at 6.5 weeks.101

Prenatal exposure to high levels of PBDEs has been associated with preterm birth (odds ratio =5.6, 95% CI: 2.2, 15.2; P<0.001)102 while its effects on birth weight have been inconclusive. In regions where the exposure to PBDEs is higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency Reference dose, exposures have reported a positive correlation between PBDE exposure and birth weight and length,103 while other regions have shown the opposite relationship104–107 or no relationship at all.96,108 Furthermore, postnatal exposures to maternal PBDEs through breast milk continue to be a significant source of PBDE congeners. Müller et al103 have comprehensively described the reported levels of PBDE congeners in breast milk from countries around the world. Although levels appear to be decreasing over time, levels remain at a level that is concerning for the long-term health outcomes of exposed infants.109

There is evidence to suggest that prenatal PBDE exposure may in fact cause metabolic perturbations in the offspring. The lipophilic PBDE has been shown to accumulate in adipose tissue and liver and to alter lipolysis and insulin signaling favoring an obese phenotype.110,111 In addition, animals exposed prenatally to PBDEs had an impaired fetal growth112 and the subsequent development of obesity and insulin resistance in adulthood.113 Similarly, the CHAMACOS study, a longitudinal birth cohort study in California, found that maternal PBDE levels were significantly and differentially associated with weight changes in children at the age of 7 years based on sex.114 Another study, the Boston Birth Cohort, examined paired maternal cord blood samples and established that PBDE exposure may result in epigenetic modifications at the promoter region of inflammatory markers, thereby increasing the susceptibility to MetS.95 Therefore, while it remains to be determined whether PBDE exposure during pregnancy has a significant impact on subsequent metabolic perturbations, long-term data suggest that further studies are warranted.

Metals

Lead, mercury, and cadmium are three metals that have been widely used in a number of applications leading to widespread contamination of food, water, soil, and air and frequent detection in biomonitoring studies.115 For the general population, the most common sources of exposure for these heavy metals are via contaminated air and food, although exposure to tobacco smoke is also a significant source of exposure for cadmium and lead.116,117 Although lead levels have been continuously decreasing in North America,118 a recent study found that >99% of women had detectable blood lead levels during pregnancy.119 Similarly, the majority of pregnant women had detectable blood levels of cadmium (>95%) and mercury (>85%).119 Given the widespread exposure to cadmium, mercury, and lead, there have been a number of studies investigating the relationship between maternal body burden of these metals and adverse pregnancy outcomes (eg, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, preterm labor, and low birth weight). As a result, there are now a number of epidemiological studies, which have reported that exposure to these heavy metals is associated with low birth weight.120,121 However, these results are not entirely consistent as a number of other studies have failed to find a similar association.121

There have been a limited number of epidemiological studies looking at early-life exposure to heavy metals and metabolic perturbations in the children. The few studies that do exist do not suggest that exposure to heavy metals is associated with an increased risk of obesity but may be associated with other components of the MetS, most notably changes in blood pressure. There are two studies that have examined early-life exposure to metals and the development of obesity in the children. In a Spanish prospective birth cohort, there was no association between early-life exposure to cadmium, mercury, or lead and weight (body mass index Z-score) at the age of 7 years.122 Similarly, Afeiche et al123 did not report a significant association between prenatal lead exposure and body weight at the age of 5 years. Interestingly, data from NHANES found that in adolescents (aged 6–18 years), both lead and cadmium levels were negatively associated with waist circumference,124 although the NHANES measurements do not reflect early-life exposures. There is a paucity of information available regarding the effects of prenatal exposure to metals and glucose homeostasis in the offspring. Faulk et al125 have reported that in mice, exposure to lead during pregnancy and lactation resulted in insulin resistance, but this effect was only observed at one dose and only in the male offspring. There have been several studies that have examined prenatal exposure to cadmium, lead, and mercury and blood pressure in children. To date, these studies have not shown any effect of exposure to cadmium or lead on blood pressure, although they have reported adverse effects on kidney function that may impact blood pressure in later life.126–128 In contrast, there is some indication that prenatal exposure to mercury at high levels but not those seen in the general population may result in increased blood pressure in childhood.129,130 Although there is widespread exposure to cadmium, lead, and mercury, at this time, there is no enough information from epidemiological studies or animal experiments to determine whether or not these exposures pose a risk for metabolic disease in the offspring.

Conclusion

There is increasing evidence that early-life exposure to environmental chemicals may play a significant role in the global obesity epidemic.37–41 It is important to note that currently, efforts are being made to reduce the exposure to some of these chemicals. For example, the US Pharmacopeia Convention (USP) has announced plans to establish new monitoring for elemental impurities in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals by 2018 to reduce human exposure to these harmful metals.131 In addition, China has issued the “Soil Ten Plan” to monitor key pollutants (heavy metals and organic pollutants) and improve the soil quality and agriculture practices to improve the long-term health and well-being of their country into 2050.132 These initiatives are in line with the 2015 Parma Consensus Statement, which highlighted the importance of modifying exposures to mitigate the potential impact of these chemicals on metabolic diseases.133 Although we have focused on a select few chemicals with widespread exposure that have not received substantial attention, there are many other chemicals that have been examined in more detail and been shown to cause metabolic perturbations37–41 and many more that have not been evaluated for their ability to disrupt metabolic homeostasis. Therefore, there is clearly an urgent need for a comprehensive research strategy to evaluate the role of environmental chemicals in metabolic diseases.