Placental transport of parabens studied using an ex-vivo human perfusion model. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Andersen, Maria Helena Guerra; Zuri, Giuseppina; Knudsen, Lisbeth E.; Mathiesen, Line
• Is Part Of: Placenta. Volume 115(2021)
• Page Start: 121
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Placenta perfusion -- Placenta barrier -- Maternal exposure -- Fetal exposure -- Parabens; BuP butylparaben -- EtP ethylparaben -- FM-ratio fetal-maternal concentration ratio -- MeP methylparaben -- PHBA para-hydroxybenzoic acid -- PrP Propylparaben; Placenta -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Placenta -- Periodicals; Placenta -- Périodiques; Reproduction -- Périodiques; 612.63
• DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.09.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-4004

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in daily consumer products such as cosmetics, food items, pharmaceuticals and household commodities. They have been broadly detected in human samples indicating a general human exposure, and concerns arose from their potential endocrine disrupting effect. Especially the exposure to parabens during pregnancy is concerning, as the time of fetal development is a particularly vulnerable period. The aim of this study was to investigate the transport and metabolism of four commonly used parabens: methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben (MeP, EtP, PrP and BuP) and the metabolite para -hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) across the human placenta. Methods: An ex-vivo human placental perfusion model was used. The test compounds were added in the maternal compartment (with initial concentrations of 1 mM or 0.1 mM). Placental transport was evaluated by fetal-maternal concentration ratios (FM-ratio), transport index (TI) and indicative permeability (IP). Results: Information about parabens kinetics was taken from 10 perfusions and PHBA from 7 perfusions. Paraben metabolism was not detected. The placental transport of MeP, EtP, PrP, BuP and PHBA revealed a transfer from maternal to fetal circulations with FM120 of 0.86 ± 0.27 (MeP), 0.98 ± 0.28 (EtP), 1.00 ± 0.28 (PrP), 1.12 ± 0.59 (BuP) and 0.82 ± 0.37 (PHBA). The test substances accumulated in the perfused tissue in some degree. The average kinetic parameters FM-ratio, TI and IP were not different between chemicals. Discussion: The present study shows that the placenta barrier is permeable to all four parabens and the metabolite, which implies potential fetal exposure. Highlights: Placenta is permeable to parabens and their metabolite ( para -hydroxybenzoic acid). No placental metabolism of parabens into para -hydroxybenzoic acid was shown. No difference in placental transfer of methyl-, ethyl, propyl-and butyl-paraben.