Study Suggests Plastics Ingredient Triggers Lupus

Newswise — On the heels of research linking a common chemical compound to reproductive abnormalities in humans, an Indiana State University studyhas found a connection between the same chemical and an auto-immune disease that shortens the life-span of mice.

Recent research at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry found smaller genitals in the male babies of pregnant women who used beauty products containing phthalates.

Researchers in Indiana State's life sciences department injected mice with phthalates, a compound present in a variety of plastics and beauty products. They found the injections triggered lupus, caused development of glomerulonephritis, and considerably shortened lifespan in mice that have a genetic disposition to the disease but not in other mice that are not pre-disposed to the illness.

"Our findings clearly show that lupus can be caused by an environmental factor like phthalate, which is present in toys, in many other plastic products, including PVC pipes and medical devices, and in beauty products," said Swapan K. Ghosh, professor and interim chair of life sciences.

In lupus, the immune system attacks its own body's tissues as though they are foreign substances. The disease can lead to problems with kidneys, the heart, lungs or blood cells.

The Indiana State University research, published in the July issue of the Journal of Autoimmunity, is the third in a series on the subject from the university's life sciences department.

"Phthalate is used as a servant in cosmetics and lupus type auto-immunity is five times more common in women than in men," said So-Yon Lim, who worked with Ghosh on the study while completing a PhD in life sciences at Indiana State. "Is that because women use a lot more cosmetics and perfumes than men?"

Lim has accepted a position as a post-doctoral researcher at Harvard University Medical School, where she plans to further her understanding of lupus, and identify the genes that make mice more susceptible or resistant to lupus-type auto-immune disorder.

While studies of the lupus-associated anti-DNA antibody have been limited to mice, there are indications humans could also be susceptible, Ghosh said.

"The antibody that is produced in response to injection of phthalate compounds actuallyhas reactivity to self DNA. Some human blood cell-types are also potentially susceptible, but further study is required," he said.

Given the widespread use of phthalates, more extensive research is warranted, with particular attention to the prevalence of lupus in areas where plastics and beauty products are manufactured, Ghosh said.

"We want to find out whether this really is a matter of great potential health hazard or whether it is something that could be moderated," he said, suggesting genetic testing might one day be required for workers in the plastics industry.