A pioneering study published on January 14, 2024, in The Science of the Total Environment, points to potential risks associated with exposure to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and the autoimmune disease Sjögren Syndrome (SjS). Researchers from Zhejiang University of Technology and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University have unveiled their findings, indicating an association between serum levels of bisphenol S (BPS) and increased risk of SjS in the Hangzhou population.
The Study and Its Findings
Liao Kaizhen and a team of scientists conducted a robust cross-sectional study that included healthy individuals (controls) and patients diagnosed with SjS (cases). The objective was to measure the serum concentrations of EDCs, such as bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), methyl parabens (MeP), ethyl parabens (EtP), and triclosan (TCS), and to assess their relationship with the risk of developing SjS.
The study, “Association of serum bisphenols, parabens, and triclosan concentrations with Sjögren Syndrome in the Hangzhou, China population,” found that among the five EDCs analyzed, BPS had a notably significant positive association with the risk of SjS. With an odds ratio (OR) of 1.17 and a p-value of 0.042, the correlation was statistically significant. Remarkably, other EDCs such as BPA, MeP, EtP, and TCS did not show a significant correlation with SjS in this cohort.
While the research indicated that the mixture of these EDCs had no significant collective influence on SjS, the authors caution against dismissing the potential hazards they may pose. Non-monotonic dose responses characteristic of these chemicals warrant careful consideration in assessing their harm.
Implications for Public Health and Safety
The research underscores the intricacy of the links between environmental exposures and autoimmune diseases. Sjögren Syndrome, characterized by dry eyes and mouth, can lead to severe complications if left untreated, affecting the quality of life significantly. This study hints at a compelling association between just one of many potential environmental factors (BPS) and SjS, demonstrating a need for a reassessment of the use of EDCs in consumer products.
Expert Opinions and Recommendations
Dr. Zhao Yun of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, a co-author in the study, highlights the clinical importance: “Identifying risk factors such as BPS is critical in not only understanding the etiology of complex diseases like SjS but also in providing a foundation for potential risk reduction strategies.”
The research team, including notable members Qu Jianli, Yu Wenfei, Hu Shetuan, Fang Shuhong, Zhao Meirong, and Jin Hangbiao, recommend a precautionary approach regarding EDC exposure and suggest further investigations into the mechanisms underlying these associations.
Future Research Directions
The study is the first to suggest a potential increase in the risk of SjS with BPS exposure. However, more extensive cohort studies are needed to establish a causal relationship definitively and understand better the biological processes involved in the onset and progression of SjS in relation to EDC exposure.
Study Details and Publishing
This study has been made available online and carries the DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170031. It was conducted with adherence to the highest scientific standards and has no declared competing financial interests or personal relationships that could influence the work reported.
References
1. Liao K., Zhao Y., Qu J., Yu W., Hu S., Fang S., Zhao M., & Jin H. (2024). Association of serum bisphenols, parabens, and triclosan concentrations with Sjögren Syndrome in the Hangzhou, China population. Sci Total Environ, 170031. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170031.
2. Additional peer-reviewed articles and research materials on similar topics can be accessed on various scientific databases and journals.
Keywords
1. Sjögren Syndrome Risk Factors
2. Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Study
3. Bisphenol S Exposure Health
4. Disease Environmental Links
5. Hangzhou Population Science Research
Conclusion
This study from Hangzhou, China has opened new avenues in our understanding of SjS and the influence of environmental chemicals on its occurrence. Such research is vital for shaping policy, regulating chemical use, and developing preventive measures for public health protection, particularly against diseases with potential environmental triggers.