American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Sep 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialDibutyl Phthalate Augments Allergen-induced Lung Function Decline and Alters Human Airway Immunology: A Randomized Crossover Study.
Rationale: Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in common commercial products. Epidemiological studies suggest that phthalate exposure is associated with development or worsening of allergic diseases such as asthma. However, effects of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or other phthalates found in high concentrations in indoor air have never been examined in allergic individuals in a controlled exposure setting. ⋯ Conclusions: DBP exposure augmented allergen-induced lung function decline, particularly in those without baseline hyperresponsiveness, and exhibited immunomodulatory effects in the airways of allergic individuals. This is the first controlled human exposure study providing biological evidence for phthalate-induced effects in the airways. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02688478).