Researcher at the Center for Food Technology and Environmental Toxicology (TecnATox) at Rovira Virgili University Montse Marquez Research has begun at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in Columbia, US, aiming to conduct a detailed study of the effects of pregnant women’s exposure to harmful chemicals, with special attention to endocrine disruptors, which are elements that can inhibit the functioning of the endocrine glands. Action of natural hormones.
The project, titled “Chemical Screening for Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes” (MANGO), funded by a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship, is supervised by two researchers from the American University, in addition to Josep Luis Domingofrom URV.
The study aims to determineChemical exposure (i.e. the set of chemical exposures to which an individual is exposed throughout his life) in pregnant women in the study group – or cohort – of the Insulin Project.
The first phase of this large population-based study, conducted on patients at the June 23rd University Hospital, worked to uncover a wide range of chemicals to which pregnant women are exposed in order to provide recommendations for their reduction, which were crystallized in the pioneering initiative. to request Safe + PregnancyAvailable on Google Play. “With MANGO, the study is being raised to the epidemiological level in order to discover which of these substances may be linked to the development of gestational diabetes,” Marquez points out.
Overall, the study aims to evaluate the association between exosomes and clinical data, with particular attention to socio-demographic, dietary and lifestyle factors associated with exposure. “There is a lack of knowledge about many of the chemicals we are exposed to“Little is known about exposure during pregnancy, which is the most important window into adverse health effects for both mother and offspring,” says Montse Marquez, who, more specifically, wants to know the role of these substances in gestational diabetes. Which has increased significantly in recent decades. Currently, about 10% of pregnancies in Catalonia are diagnosed.
“We’re mostly talking about plasticizers, like BPA and phthalates; Additives in personal care productsSuch as parabens, which are added to soaps and creams, for example, as well as pesticides, flame retardants, and others. “In everyday life, we can be exposed to all of these substances, although with simple changes in behavior we can reduce exposure,” explains Montse Márquez.
The project objectives will be addressed by incorporating the latest advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry, mathematical models, and risk assessment and prevention strategies. Within MANGO it will be analyzed Biological samples for diabetes From the Insulin Group of the Pere Virgili Institute for Health Research and Joan XXIII University Hospital.
to‘The final phase of the project will consist of implementing a Prevention pilot programme to John XXIII in order to “increase awareness of chemical exposure among pregnant women,” notes Montse Márquez.
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