Exposure to 4,4′‐DDE in visceral adipose tissue and weight loss in adolescents from the Teen‐LABS cohort

Objective Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), an obesogen accumulating in adipose tissue, is released into circulation with weight loss, although its impact is underexplored among adolescents. We tested the association using an integrative translational approach of epidemiological analysis among adolescents with obesity and in vitro measures exploring the impact of DDE on adipogenesis via preadipocytes. Methods We included 63 participants from the Teen‐Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen‐LABS) cohort. We assessed 4,4′‐DDE in visceral adipose tissue at surgery and BMI and waist circumference at surgery and 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 years after. We conducted longitudinal analysis to estimate the interaction on weight loss between DDE and time since surgery. In vitro analysis quantified adipogenic differentiation in commercial human preadipocytes exposed to 4,4′‐DDE via fluorescent staining and imaging. Results A dose–response relationship was observed, with the low‐exposure group having a greater reduction in BMI during the first year compared to higher‐exposure groups and showing smaller regains compared to higher‐exposure groups after the first year. In vitro analysis of preadipocytes treated with 4,4′‐DDE during adipogenic differentiation for 12 days showed a concentration‐dependent increase in lipid accumulation. Conclusions DDE could contribute to weight trajectory among adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery, potentially mediated via promoted adipogenesis in preadipocytes.