Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals associated with metabolic alterations in athletes across different sports

Abstract

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including PFAS, UV filters, parabens, and bisphenols, are persistent pollutants commonly found in consumer products. Given their potential to interfere with physiological functions, understanding their health impacts is crucial. Athletes may have distinct exposure risks due to frequent contact with specialized gear and training environments, but sport-specific exposure profiles and their metabolic implications remain understudied. In this study, EDC profiling was integrated with metabolomics to explore health-relevant alterations in athletes. Serum samples were collected from athletes across 19 different sports disciplines. A targeted analysis was conducted on more than 40 EDCs, comprising multiple classes such as PFAS, UV filters, parabens, and bisphenols. Exposure patterns were visualized using stacked bar plots based on median concentrations. Correlation matrix analyses were performed to identify clustering patterns and potential associations between chemical classes. PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS were the most frequently detected compounds, with long-chain PFAS generally predominant across most sports. Notably, athletes involved in baseball and cycling exhibited higher relative levels of PFAS. Correlation analysis among endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) revealed strong clustering among long-chain PFAS compounds such as PFHxA, PFOS, and PFOA, suggesting that these substances may share similar properties or biological behaviors. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis showed that long-chain PFAS such as PFOS and PFOA were positively correlated with acetylcholine and glycerophosphocholine, and negatively correlated with serotonin, indicating potential impacts on neurotransmitter-related metabolic pathways. This study highlights distinct, sport-specific patterns of EDC exposure among athletes, shaped by the unique environments and training practices associated with each sport, and underscores the need for further investigation into the metabolic and long-term health implications of such exposures in athletic populations.