Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Expo-IS-omics (The chemical exposome in pregnant women and metabolic dysregulations analysis towards the prioritization of hazardous chemicals)
Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2025-11-30
The exposome refers to the cumulative exposure to environmental chemicals, which can influence both the health of the mother and the developing fetus. The aim of this project is to characterize the chemical exposome in umbilical cord samples from pregnant women in a semi-quantitative manner, by developing and training appropriate tools for this task. By profiling these exposures, we seek to better understand how they impact the metabolic profile of the mother and child. Specifically, we aim to determine how chemical exposures can alter the metabolome, the set of small molecules found in biological samples. By identifying these alterations, the project intends to create predictive models that could eventually help forecast metabolic disruptions caused by exposure to various chemicals. This could be particularly valuable for preventing potential metabolic diseases or disorders that arise from environmental factors during pregnancy. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance early detection and intervention strategies, providing insights into the effects of environmental toxicants on fetal development and maternal health. The project will integrate high-throughput analytical techniques based on high resolution mass spectrometry data and computational tools to offer a detailed picture of the chemical exposures and metabolic shifts occurring during pregnancy, contributing to a broader understanding of the exposome's role in human health.
We have processed a total of 200 umbilical cord samples, which were then analyzed using an Ion Mobility - High-resolution Mass Spectrometry system coupled with Liquid Chromatography. Our analysis utilized a comprehensive database of chemical compounds, enabling us to define the chemical exposome present in these samples. In addition to this, we have developed a tool that provides semi-quantitative results in human matrices, which allows us to determine the concentrations of various chemicals without the need to measure each individual compound. This tool leverages the data obtained from the high-resolution analytical techniques and significantly improves the efficiency of chemical exposure assessments in complex biological samples. By applying this approach, we have been able to generate a detailed and reliable exposome profile, which can be used to explore the relationship between chemical exposures and their potential impact on health.
Our research will help in providing deep insigths into the human chemical exposome, specially focusing on the early life steps, where we are more vulnerable. The exposome determination will be semiquantified, which will also provide insigths into chemicals hazard and tolerable concentration, as well as how easy they can cross placental barrier and reach the foetus.