Exposure to OPFRs is associated with obesity and dysregulated serum lipid profiles: data from 2017-2018 NHANES

Background: Exposure to organophosphate flame retardant (OPFRs) is widespread in general population. Emerging studies revealed OPFRs have endocrine disturbing property. However, research investigating OPFRs exposure, obesity and serum lipid profiles is limited. We aim to evaluate the association between urinary metabolites of OPFRs, BMI, and serum lipid profiles. Methods: Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018 was obtained. 1334 adults were enrolled in the current study. Urinary concentrations of bis (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCIPP), bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (BCEP), bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), dibutyl phosphate (DBUP), and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) were quantified to assess OPFRs exposure. Covariate-adjusted linear and logistic regression models were conducted to explore the associations between log 2 -transformed concentrations of OPFRs metabolites, BMI, obesity and serum lipid profiles. Stratified analyses were performed to assess the heterogeneity of associations by age, gender, race, etc. Results: Increased urinary concentrations of BCEP and BDCPP were positively associated with 0.27 (95% CI: 0.02–0.52, p = 0.0338) and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.25–0.87, p = 0.0004) higher BMI value, respectively. One log 2 -unit increase in urinary BCEP concentrations was associated with 10% higher risk for developing obesity (95% CI: 1.02–1.18, p = 0.0096). Additionally, one log 2 -unit increase in BDCPP was associated with 19% higher risk for obesity (95% CI: 1.09–1.30, p = 0.0001). Multivariable linear regression showed urinary DPHP concentrations were inversely correlated with serum TG levels (β=-7.41, 95% CI: -12.13 to -2.68, p = 0.0022). Conclusion: Environmental exposure to OPFRs might contribute to obesity and dysregulated serum lipid in adults. Future prospective researches are warranted to confirm the causal relationship between metabolites of OPFRs and obesity.