Secondary metabolites of di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP) in urine as valuable biomarkers of exposure

Koch, HM; Kafferlein, H; Zur, NA; Bruning, T

HERO ID

1312136

Reference Type

Journal Article

Subtype

Abstract

Year

2008

Language

English

HERO ID 1312136
Material Type Abstract
In Press No
Year 2008
Title Secondary metabolites of di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP) in urine as valuable biomarkers of exposure
Authors Koch, HM; Kafferlein, H; Zur, NA; Bruning, T
Journal Epidemiology
Volume 19
Issue 6
Page Numbers S281
Abstract Background: Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP) are widely used in consumer products, enteric-coated tablets and as plasticizers for polymers. DnBP and DiBP are metabolized in humans to their monoesters mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP). These primary metabolites are currently used in human biomonitoring approaches to assess internal exposures. However, the simple monoesters are prone to external contamination and have rather short half-times of elimination. These shortcomings could be overcome using oxidized, secondary metabolites, when applicable. Methods: We investigated 160 spot urine samples (partly repeated from 110 volunteers) with no known occupational phthalate exposures for oxidised metabolites of both isomers with oxo-, hydroxy- and carboxy-functional groups. 3-carboxy-MPP (3cxMPP) was detected in 90% of the samples with a median concentration of 0.66 μg/L (95th percentile [95P]: 2.70 μg/L). 3-cxMPP is a metabolite of DnBP but also of other higher molecular weight phthalates, thus not specific to DnBP exposure. Results: 3cxMPP was comparably weakly correlated with MnBP (r = 0.56; P < 0.001) and weaker with MiBP (r = 0.30; P < 0.001). 3-hydroxy-MnBP (3OH-MnBP) was detected in 97% of the samples with a median of 1.73 μg/L (95P: 13.3 μg/L). 3OH-MnBP was highly correlated (r = 0.91; P < 0.001) with MnBP (median: 20.9 μg/L; 95P: 110.7) but excreted at about 10-fold lower concentrations. Regarding oxidised DiBP metabolites we detected OH-MiBP in all samples and at high concentrations (median: 10.5 μg/L; 95P: 119.4 μg/L). OH-MiBP was highly correlated with MiBP (r = 0.90; P < 0.001) and excreted at roughly half the concentration of MiBP (median: 27.3 μg/L; 95P: 193.0 μg/L). Thus, OH-MiBP is an excellent additional biomarker of DiBP exposure, supplementing MiBP. With limits of quantification of 0.1 μg/L for all metabolites, we detected no metabolites with a keto (oxo) functional group. Conclusion: Overall, our findings suggest that there are considerable differences in DiBP and DnBP metabolism which have to be taken account of when interpreting biomonitoring data.
Doi 10.1097/01.ede.0000340319.19320.95
Wosid WOS:000260191901257
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Conference Location Pasadena, CA
Conference Name ISEE 20th Annual Conference
Conference Date October 12-16, 2008
Is Public Yes
Language Text English