Pharmacy researcher receives National Institutes of Health grant for phthalate research

Phthalates (pronounced “THAL-ates”)—chemicals found in an array of everyday products like food packaging, flooring, cosmetics, cleaning supplies and even children’s toys— have become ubiquitous with modern living. These chemicals have been linked to disruptions in endocrine function leading to serious health concerns like infertility and breast cancer. But avoiding these impacts has become increasingly difficult.

One researcher at the Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy is taking a deeper look at how harmful these plastics could be. Mahua Choudhury, PhD, has been researching epigenetics and contaminates in everyday items for nearly two decades, and now, she is expanding on previous research on phthalates, including her recently published work on phthalates in personal care items.

Supported by a $2.472 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, her new research focuses on the impact of a high-fat diet along with phthalates and the long-term effects on health.

“Phthalates are kind of everywhere,” Choudhury said. “We have shown before that one particular phthalate is a problem, but it doesn’t do much damage alone. However, when paired with a very fatty diet, it’s affecting us more and the chemical is acting as a trigger.”

One of the lead postdoctoral research associates on the project, Sunil Venkategowda, PhD, added that most people are not only exposed to one phthalate but typically many at once. Unlike previous studies, which looked at single phthalates in isolation, Choudhury’s team plans to expand on existing data and investigate the combined effects of six different phthalates.

Choudhury explained that different types of body fat may also influence how phthalates affect our health. Their research will examine three types of fat tissue and how each undergoes epigenetic changes following exposure to phthalates to gain a deeper understanding of the different ways phthalates affect the body in the long term.

Because of her specialization in translational research, Choudhury’s work doesn’t stop at identifying risks. She also plans to find solutions and get those treatments and tests from lab to patients quickly—and grants like this one make her work even more possible.

“I am excited to jump start this project along with several Texan graduate students who are going to carry out their doctorate projects for the next several years,” said Nitya Shree, PhD, a postdoctoral research associate in Choudhury’s lab with expertise in adipose tissues.

The team’s research goes beyond examining how phthalates affect those who are directly exposed.

“We’re looking into a more holistic approach by not just looking at how phthalates affect people now but also the next generation,” Choudhury said. “By studying three types of fat tissue, we hope to understand how these chemicals cause epigenetic changes, using markers like histones, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs, which can be passed down from one generation to the next. We’re also investigating new ways to reverse these effects, including the use of stem cell therapy. If we can improve the existing technology, we may be able to use it right away. Our aim is to develop treatments that could potentially move from bench to bedside within a few years.”