Sex-Specific Programming of Cardiac DNA Methylation by Developmental Phthalate Exposure.

ABSTRACT: Phthalate plasticizers are ubiquitous chemicals linked to several cardiovascular diseases in animal models and humans. Despite this, the mechanisms by which phthalate exposures cause adverse cardiac health outcomes are unclear. In particular, whether phthalate exposures during pregnancy interfere with normal developmental programming of the cardiovascular system, and the resulting implications this may have for long-term disease risk, are unknown. Recent studies suggest that the effects of phthalates on metabolic and neurobehavioral outcomes are sex-specific. However, the influence of sex on cardiac susceptibility to phthalate exposures has not been investigated. One mechanism by which developmental exposures may influence long-term health is through altered programming of DNA methylation.

SUBMITTER: Svoboda LK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7430087 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature