Use of urinary markers of the gut microbiome in epidemiological studies: the case of bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations in relation to enterolactone and enterodiol concentrations

Use of urinary biomarkers of gut microbial metabolism is an efficient way to study gut microbial environment in populationbased studies. Enterolignans (enterolactone and enterodiol) are produced by gut bacteria from dietary lignans, and provide a marker of interdividual differences in microbial environments. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor proposed to have role in the development of obesity. Some gut bacteria may degrade BPA, which could result in less BPA exposure to the host. A cross‐sectional analysis was conducted on 4686 individuals in National Nutrition and Health Examination Survey data. Quartiles of BPA and enterolignans were compared using multinomial logistic regression. Within the highest quartile of urinary BPA concentration, individuals were 47% more likely in be in the highest quartile of enterolactone, 45% more likely to be in the third highest quartile of enterolactone and 34% more likely to be in the highest concentration of enterodiol, compared to lowest quartile of BPA concentration, adjusted for adjusted for demographics and diet. These results highlight urinary biomarker use in epidemiological studies and suggest a role for gut microbial environment and BPA exposure.