Endocrine Abstracts

Objectives: The effect of exposure to endocrine disruptors (exogenous chemical compounds that interfere with hormonal homeostasis), such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and Methyl Paraben (MPB), on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has only been investigated in a small number of studies, with inconclusive results. Our objective was to investigate the association between concentrations of BPA and MPB in urine and the presence of DMG, insulin sensitivity and function of beta cells in a cohort of pregnant women in the Mediterranean area.

Material and Methods: Multicenter case-control study, nested in a gestational cohort. Sequential sampling of women with pathological O‘Sullivan (week 24–27 gestation), and indication of GDM confirmation test (OGTT 100 g, 3 h) was performed. We analyzed the presence of GDM (Carpenter and Coustan), insulin sensitivity through Matsuda-SOG Index (WBSII), and beta cell function by a trapezoidal model with calculation of the incremental area of insulin and glucose under the curve (AUCins and AUGglu, respectively), and by disposition index (DI) [(AUCins / AUGglu) * WBSII]. Concomitantly, urine concentrations of BPA and MPB were quantified by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The relationship between the urinary levels of BPA and MPB with the dependent variables was studied using Spearman correlation tests and multivariate logistic and linear regression models.

Results: Of the 110 women included 34.5 [29–38] years old, 26 [24.7–28] weeks of gestation, BMI 27.9 [24–32] kg/m², 40.4% of them met the GDM criteria. The study population had a urinary concentrations of BPA 2.95 [1.17–4] µg/l, and MPB 12.1 [4.4–35.4] µg/l. BPA levels of the 3rd vs 1st tertile were not associated with an increased risk of GDM [OR 0.84 (0.3–2.3)], neither with differences in WBSII or DI. These variables were also not correlated by Spearman. 3rd vs MPB levels 1st tertile were not associated with an increased risk of GDM [0.76 (0.3–1.9)], but with a higher WBSII (P < 0.01). A negative correlation was also found between MPB and HbA1c, HOMA-IR, AUCins / AUGglu and positive with WBSII (P < 0.05). This relationship disappears when a multivariate linear regression analysis is performed, in which it is found that BMI (B = −0.1, P = 0.002) would be the only independent factor associated with WBSII.

Conclusions: In pregnant women with pathological O’Sullivan, higher concentrations of BPA or MPB in urine were not associated with an increased risk of GDM, lower insulin sensitivity, or lower beta cell function.