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Session: Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Health Outcomes (Poster Theater Flash Session 3)

(PTFS03-04-23) Accounting for Ultra Processed Foods in the Relationship Between Endocrine Disrupting Compounds and Inflammation Within a Cohort of Midlife Women

Sunday, July 23, 2023

8:17 AM – 8:21 AM ET

Location: Fairfax

Presenting Author(s)

Aria Grabowski, MPH, RD (she/her/hers)

PhD Student
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

EJ

Erica C. Jansen, PhD, MPH

Research Assistant Professor
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
DW

Deborah Watkins

University of Michigan
LA

Laura Arboleda-Merino

University of Michigan
AB

Ana Baylin, MD,DrPH

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
RT

Rebeca Trejo

National Institute of Public Health
JM

John Meeker

University of Michigan
JG

Jaclyn Goodrich

University of Michigan
MT

Mara Tellez Rojo, PhD, MS

National Institute of Public Health
Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
BS

Brisa Sanchez

Drexel University
KP

Karen E. E. Petersen, DSc

Professor and Chair
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Disclosure(s):

Aria Grabowski, MPH, RD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: Phenols, phthalates and parabens - endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) found in personal care items and food packaging (higher in ultra processed foods) - are associated with chronic inflammation. However, studies relating EDCs to inflammation often do not account for ultra processed food (UPF) intake. We aimed to 1) examine the relationship between UPF with EDCs and cytokines 2) explore the impact of controlling UPF in EDC and inflammation relationships.

Methods: The analytic sample was 216 women from Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants cohort recruited during pregnancy or at delivery in 1994-2005. At a 2017 follow-up, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and urine and fasting serum samples were collected.

20 EDCs were measured in urine using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Seven cytokines were measured in serum using MILLIPLEX MAP High Sensitivity Panel.

Percent of energy intake from UPF (UPF%) was estimated from FFQ by NOVA classification.

Linear regression was performed between UPF% and EDCs and cytokines.

Linear regression models estimated associations between EDCs and cytokines. To explore aim 2, stepwise models were created(Model 1: specific gravity, age, BMI, socioeconomic status and smoking, Model 2: + UPF%).

Results: On average, women were 45.5 (SD: 5.5) years old and consumed 29% (SD: 12%) of energy from UPFs.

UPF% was associated with MEHHP (β: 1.5, p: 0.058), MECPP (β: 1.5, p: 0.059) and MBzP (β: 2.0, p: 0.01). UPF% was not related to cytokines.

In EDC and cytokines models, methyl paraben was associated with IL6 (β: -0.3, p: 0.001), IL10 (β: -0.1, p: 0.02), IL1b (β: -0.05, p: 0.01), IL4 (β: -0.2, p: 0.01), IL8 (β: -0.1, p: 0.01). MEP was associated with IL6 (β: -0.2, p: 0.03), and MECPTP with TNFa (β: -0.06, p: 0.01).

Adding UPF% improved precision for 36% (n=51/140) of the models but interpretations were unchanged. Of the above associations of significance, the magnitude of the relationship between the compound and cytokine increased in 4 of the models.

Conclusions: Percent of energy from UPFs was associated with EDC exposure. Accounting for this variable in the relationship between EDC exposure and inflammation improved precision and strength.

Funding Sources: National Institute of Public Health of Mexico, National Institutes’ of Environmental Health Sciences and Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.