Grantee Research Project Results

Persistent Organic Pollutants and Endometriosis Risk

EPA Grant Number: R829438
Title: Persistent Organic Pollutants and Endometriosis Risk
Investigators: Holt, Victoria L.
Current Investigators: Holt, Victoria L. , Barr, Dana Boyd , Chen, Chu
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: March 25, 2002 through March 24, 2005 (Extended to March 24, 2007)
Project Amount: $966,841
RFA: Endocrine Disruptors: Epidemiologic Approaches (2001) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors , Human Health , Safer Chemicals

Description:

We propose to investigate the relationship between endometriosis and exposure to organochlorine compounds (including the pesticide methoxychlor) and polychlorinated biphenyls in a large population-based study, and determine whether these associations are modified by polymorphisms in genes involved in detoxification and estrogen metabolism. The study will be an ancillary investigation to Women's Risk of Endometriosis (WREN), an on-going case-control study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and conducted within a large health maintenance organization in western Washington State.

Approach:

Available WREN data, including in-person interviews (reproductive, contraceptive, menstrual, behavioral, and other characteristics), dietary intake questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, pharmacy information, and analyses of two polymorphic genes coding enzymes active in detoxification and estrogen metabolism (GSTM1, COMT) will be used. Additionally, for the proposed study, blood samples from 300 WREN cases and 600 WREN controls will be analyzed for lipid-adjusted serum levels of total PCBs, PCB congeners, HCB, ?-HCH, -HCH, aldrin, hepachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDE, dieldrin, endrin, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, and mirex residues, as well as two polymorphic cytochrome p450 genes (1A1 and 1A2), using standard methods. Urine samples will be collected from 150 WREN cases and 300 WREN controls and analyzed for methoxychlor metabolite HPTE levels.

Expected Results:

Through analyses comparing cases and controls with respect to levels of these organic pollutants, other hormonal risk factors, and their interactions with genetic polymorphisms, we expect to determine whether the tested organic pollutants (in the presence or absence of other known estrogen-related factors) are associated with altered endometriosis risk in a U.S. population with typical environmental exposure levels.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 4 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

molecular epidemiology., RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Physical Processes, Risk Assessments, Chemistry, genetic susceptability, Environmental Chemistry, Endocrine Disruptors - Human Health, Children's Health, endocrine disruptors, Endocrine Disruptors - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Genetics, health effects, toxicity, health risks, particle exposure models, toxic environmental contaminants, environmental mutagens, environmental stressors, harmful environmental agents, biological markers, pesticides, enometriosis, age-related differences, growth & development, risk assessment, estrogen metabloism, pesticide exposure, human exposure, susceptibility, cumulative environmental exposure, diet, fertility, endometriosis, endocrine disrupting chemicals, children, exposure, gender, reproductive effects, adolescents, reproductive, toxicants, age, environmental toxicant, gene-environment interaction, adolescence, reproductive health, human health risk, exposure assessment, human malformation, vulnerability, genetic diversity, interindividual variability, puberty, race ethnicity, subpopulations, racial and ethnic differences, endocrine disrupting chemcials

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.