CHING-WAY CHENSHU-YU TANGHwang, Jin-ShiangJin-ShiangHwangLin, Chien-YuChien-YuLinCHANG-CHUAN CHANCHENG-CHIH HSUTA-CHEN SU2022-09-132022-09-132021-12-122305-6304https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/619308Phthalate exposure is associated with cardiovascular risk. Among the various phthalates, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a deleterious plasticizer in our daily lives. This study investigated the association between DEHP exposure and the alteration of heart rate variability (HRV). During 2017-2019, we recruited 974 young adults to investigate the effects of living environments and dietary habits on cardiometabolic disorders in Taiwan. We quantitatively analyzed urinary metabolites of DHEP. A continuous electrocardiogram was recorded to obtain a 5-min ECG. Time-domain and frequency-domain HRV analyses were performed. Multiple linear regression showed that urinary oxidized DEHP metabolites MEHHP and MEOHP were associated with decreased HRV after controlling for associated cardiovascular risk factors. A higher MEHHP level was associated with a lower triangular interpolation of NN interval histogram (TINN), very low frequency (VLF), and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio. A higher MEOHP level was associated with a decreased LF/HF ratio. In addition, trend analysis showed that higher MEHHP and MEOHP quantiles were significantly associated with a decreased LF/HF ratio. DEHP is a potentially harmful and invisible chemical. The urinary DEHP metabolites MEHHP and MEOHP are associated with decreased HRV, indicating an adverse effect on autonomic balance in young adults in Taiwan.endi-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; health assessment; heart rate variability; plasticizers; young adultsjournal article10.3390/toxics9120351349417852-s2.0-85121666551WOS:000745283100001https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/615898