Phtalates: new cardiovascular health disruptors?

Phtalates are commonly found in several household products such as food packaging, furniture and toys. Humans are exposed to phtalates through different ways such as inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact. Due to the abundance of plastic in our society, the exposure to phtalates is ubiquitous. A growing body of evidence investigated the association of phtalate exposure with cardiovascular risk factors, i.e., obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Phtalates are thought to contribute to obesity through their binding and activation of PPAR gamma receptor that in turn results in the upregulation of adipocyte production. Phtalates are also known to interfere with insulin signaling and to increase oxidative stress. All these mechanisms contribute to the onset of insulin resistance. Recent evidences support a role of phtalates in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hypertension. Thus, the aim of this communication was to summarize the current evidences dealing with the association of phtalates and cardiovascular risk factors.