LE3 .A278 2018

2018

Coombs, Melanie
Leppert, Beate

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology and Chemistry

Biology

Childhood obesity has increased globally by 31% in the last decade. This is thought to be due to a variety of pre-and postnatal factors, with a novel focus on endocrine disrupting chemicals known as “obesogens” and their effects on development during critical periods. Obesogens are known to alter transcription factors, enzymes and adipokines involved in adipose tissue (AT) formation. More specifically flame-retardants like BDE-47 are thought to have effects on adipogenesis during development. This was analyzed through in-vitro studies on human derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and murine derived 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes, exposed to varying concentrations of BDE-47. This study also incorporated analysis of the German LINA (Lifestyle and Environmental factors and their influence on Newborns Allergy Risk) cohort study, to determine how changing furniture, with potential flame retardants during early childhood could affect the child’s weight development. From the in-vitro studies, there was a significant increase in triglyceride storage in both 3T3-L1 and MSCs exposed to 10-11M(0.01nM) of BDE-47. For the 3T3-L1’s, there was an increase in triglyceride storage at cells exposed to 10-8, 10-6 M of BDE-47, revealing a U-shaped curve. Analysis of the adipocyte specific genes showed inconsistent results and needs further investigation. However, there was also a significant increase in global DNA methylation for 3T3-L1’s exposed to 10-11M (0.01 nM) of BDE-47, but not higher concentrations, which provides a potential epigenetic mechanism for BDE-47 action. The LINA analysis revealed significant associations between the purchase of new furniture when the child was three with the child’s BMI z-score in later years. Therefore, BDE-47 has the ability to affect DNA at extremely low concentrations, which is possibly related to the increased triglyceride storage. This highlights the importance of investigating various modes of action for endocrine disrupting chemicals and their potential harm to human health.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2644