Evaluating the Effects of Perinatal Exposures to BPSIP on Hepatic Cholesterol Metabolism in Female and Male Offspring ICR Mice.

BACKGROUND

A broad suite of bisphenol S (BPS) derivatives as alternatives for BPS have been identified in various human biological samples, including 4-hydroxyphenyl 4-isopropoxyphenylsulfone (BPSIP) detected in human umbilical cord plasma and breast milk. However, very little is known about the health outcomes of prenatal BPS derivative exposure to offspring.

OBJECTIVES

Our study aimed to investigate the response of hepatic cholesterol metabolism by sex in offspring of dams exposed to BPSIP.

METHODS

Pregnant ICR mice were exposed to body weight (BW)/day of BPSIP, BPS, or E2 through drinking water from gestational day one until the pups were weaned. The concentration of BPSIP, BPS, or E2 in the plasma and liver of pups was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Metabolic phenotypes were recorded, and histopathology was examined for liver impairment. Transcriptome analysis was employed to characterize the distribution and expression patterns of differentially expressed genes across sexes. The metabolic regulation was validated by quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting. The role of estrogen receptors (ERs) in mediating sex-dependent effects was investigated using animal models and liver organoids.

RESULTS

Pups of dams exposed to BPSIP showed a higher serum cholesterol level, and liver cholesterol levels were higher in females and lower in males than in the controls. BPSIP concentration in the male liver was and in the female liver. Histopathology analysis showed steatosis and lipid deposition in both male and female offspring. Transcriptome and gene expression analyses identified sex-specific differences in cholesterol biosynthesis, absorption, disposal, and efflux between pups of dams exposed to BPSIP and those in controls. , chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that the binding of protein to key genes such as , , and was attenuated in BPSIP-exposed females compared to controls, while it was enhanced in males. , the liver organoid experiments demonstrated that restoration of differential expression induced by BPSIP in key genes, such as , , and , to levels comparable to the controls was only achieved when treated with a combination of agonist and agonist.

DISCUSSION

Findings from this study suggest that perinatal exposure to BPSIP disrupted cholesterol metabolism in a sex-specific manner in a mouse model, in which played a crucial role both and . Therefore, it is crucial to systematically evaluate BPS derivatives to protect maternal health during pregnancy and prevent the transmission of metabolic disorders across generations. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14643.