Plasma Bisphenol-A concentration and body fat distribution : a pilot study in an urban area

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a potential endocrine disruptor impacting metabolic processes suspected to increase the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. The only data available on BPA exposure in Italy were collected in a rural area. Our aim was to determine BPA exposure in an urban area in northern Italy and to evaluate the association between plasma BPA level and nutritional status, body fat and its distribution. We examined 31 subjects (23 females), aged 20-47 years, with different degrees of body mass index (BMI). Total plasma fasting BPA concentration was measured by ELISA; BMI, waist circumference (WC) and body fat (BF) by anthropoplicometry. The sample presented mean age of 32,3±6,5 years, mean BMI of 25,9±7,1 kg/m2 and mean of WC of 87,6±18,0 cm. Males were younger than females (27,9±5,1 vs 33,9±6,3 years, p<0,05, respectively). Plasma BPA was measurable in all subjects with a mean concentration of 0,35±0,16 ng/ml (0,16-0,59 ng/ml, 10th and 90th percentile) without significant differences between genders. Total plasma BPA correlated with BMI (r=0,358, p=0,048) and WC (r=0,488, p=0,005). In linear regression models adjusted for sex and age, using BMI and WC as independent variables, only WC was associated with BPA plasma level (β=1,133, and 95%CI 0,001-0,025, p=0,038). In conclusion, the whole sample resulted exposed to BPA. Moreover, the results of this pilot study suggest that BPA plasma level is associated to central obesity.