High-resolution metabolomics of maternal polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) exposure and preterm birth in the Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort.

backgroundBlack and African American women face a dual burden of elevated risk of preterm birth (PTB, <37 weeks of gestation) and exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), endocrine-disrupting pollutants. Although prenatal PBDE levels have been linked to PTB, underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

methodsWe examined serum PBDE levels and metabolomic profiles in 177 pregnant participants (18-40 years old) from the Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort (2014-2019). BDE-47, -100, and -99 were quantified in maternal serum collected at 8-14 weeks' gestation using chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Untargeted metabolomics profiling was conducted on maternal serum samples collected during the same period via high-resolution mass spectrometry. Generalized linear models were used to conduct metabolome-wide association studies to identify features linking PBDE levels to PTB.

resultsHere we find that 46 (26%) of 177 participants experienced PTB. Twenty-six metabolites, which were confirmed with Level One evidence according to the Metabolomics Standard Initiatives, are associated with maternal PBDE levels and/or PTB. These metabolites suggest disruptions in thiamine-dependent pathways, cysteine and methionine metabolism, the carnitine shuttle, and glycerophospholipid metabolism.

conclusionsThese findings suggest that PBDE-associated perturbations in oxidative stress, inflammation, and energy metabolism may be mechanisms through which environmental exposures contribute to PTB risk in populations disproportionately exposed.