Associations between chronic exposure to bisphenols and parabens and gut microbiota in children

Abstract

Bisphenols and parabens are endocrine-disrupting chemicals widely used in food packaging and personal care products. Early-life exposure to these compounds has been associated with adverse health effects, but their potential role in modulating the gut microbiota during childhood remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between chronic exposure to bisphenols and parabens and gut microbiota diversity, composition, and function in children. A cross-sectional study in 97 Spanish children aged 4–12 year was conducted. Bisphenols and parabens in hair were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). Gut microbiota composition was assessed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and functional potential was inferred using PICRUSt2. Associations were explored using linear regression and random forest models, adjusting for age and sex. Total bisphenols and parabens were detected in 100 % of the children, with median concentrations of 311.33 ng/g and 1904.11 ng/g, respectively. No significant differences in overall gut microbiota diversity were observed between children with low and high exposure levels to bisphenols and parabens. However, regression models revealed associations between specific microbial genera and individual compounds. Additionally, bisphenol S was negatively associated with a predicted microbial pathway involved in methionine metabolism. Notably, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001 emerged as a predictive genus for propylparaben exposure. Although gut microbiota composition was similar across exposure levels, specific taxa and functional pathways were linked to chronic bisphenol and paraben exposure. These findings support the need for further research on the health implications of early-life exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals.