Pharmacokinetics of toxic chemicals in breast milk: use of PBPK models to predict infant exposure.

TLDR

Transfer of toxic chemicals into breast milk is governed by chemical lipophilicity and lactational physiological changes. PBPK models can predict infant exposure through breast milk. The model incorporates time‑dependent physiological changes and iodide–perchlorate interactions that modify iodide distribution and kinetics. A recent PBPK model for perchlorate and iodide in lactating and neonatal rats demonstrates the model’s ability to predict maternal and neonatal distribution of these compounds.

Abstract

Factors controlling the transfer of potentially toxic chemicals in the breast milk of nursing mothers include both chemical characteristics, such as lipophilicity, and physiologic changes during lactation. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models can aid in the prediction of infant exposure via breast milk. Benefits of these quantitative models include the ability to account for changing maternal physiology and transfer kinetics, as well as the chemical-specific characteristics, in order to produce more accurate estimates of neonatal risk. A recently developed PBPK model for perchlorate and iodide kinetics in the lactating and neonatal rat demonstrates the utility of PBPK modeling in predicting maternal and neonatal distribution of these two compounds. This model incorporates time-dependent changes in physiologic characteristics and includes interactions between iodide and perchlorate that alter the distribution and kinetics of iodide.