The history of endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Author(s):  
Philippa D. Darbre
Author(s):  
Laura N. Vandenberg

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with hormone action by altering hormone synthesis, secretion, transport in the blood, binding to receptors, metabolism, or excretion. This chapter reviews the history of EDCs and other environmental chemicals, methods used to identify EDCs, and common uses for these chemicals in consumer products. It also describes major principles of endocrinology and how these features influence the actions of EDCs. This chapter will also evaluate controversies in the study and regulation of EDCs, including the concept of “low dose effects,” the question of whether humans are exposed to EDCs at levels that can cause harm, and the determination of “safe” doses of exposure. Finally, this chapter reviews other environmental factors that can influence the health of laboratory animals and interfere with the study of EDCs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 3214-3217
Author(s):  
Sadia Nazir ◽  
Iram Nazir ◽  
Rida Khan ◽  
Gulfam Ahmad ◽  
Mahwish Shahzad ◽  
...  

Background: Endometriosis has a complex multifactorial pathophysiology and is a leading cause of female infertility. Emerging evidence suggests the role of endocrine disrupting chemicals and environmental factors such as Diethyl phthalate (DEP) in the pathophysiology of the disease. Aim: To investigate the serum DEP levels in females with infertility having endometriosis and normal healthy counter parts. Methods: Married females (n=50) age 20-40 years, diagnosed with endometriosis and having history of >1 year of infertility, were selected as cases. Age matched women (n=50) with proven fertility and screened negative for endometriosis were included as controls. Females on any medicine, having co morbid conditions were also excluded from the study. DEP concentration in serum was determined by using High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Significantly higher levels (p=0.003) of DEP were seen in endometriosis females (3.76± 1.28 ng/ml) as compared to controls (2.61± 1.72 ng/ml). The comparison of DEP levels between different stages of endometriosis revealed an increasing, but no significant trend with advancement of the disease. Conclusion: High serum DEP levels in patients substantiate their role in disease pathophysiology. Therefore, it may be advisable to pay attention while using such compounds. There is an increased need to regulate the levels of such industrial compounds manufactured for daily use of human beings by efficient and judicious quality assurance plastics and by using the standards set by WHO and/or FDA. Keywords: Phthalate, Endometriosis, Diethyl phthalate, plasticizers, Infertility


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mi Seon Lee ◽  
Gi Min Lee ◽  
Cheol Woo Ko ◽  
Jung Eun Moon

Abstract Background Toy slime is popular in Korea, and in parallel, pre-pubertal girls visit hospitals for early pubertal signs. Thus far, numerous studies have investigated the association of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with precocious puberty (PP). However, there is a lack of studies on the clinical manifestations and sex hormones. We aimed to investigate early pubertal development in Korean girls with or without a history of toy slime exposure and determine changes in bone age, Tanner stage, and sex hormones. Methods In this study, 140 girls underwent stimulation tests at Kyungpook National University Children’s Hospital Endocrinology Department, during January 2018 and December 2020. Patients were divided into two groups for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test and frequency of exposure to toy slime (EDCs). GnRH stimulation test was conducted after an intravenous injection of 100 µg of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Slime exposure was defined as Slime ≥ 3 times/week for ≥ 3 months. Results History of slime exposure was found in 14 of 58 and 65 of 82 patients in the central PP (CPP) and non-CPP groups, respectively. Slime-exposed patients had advanced bone age, although their Tanner stage was low. Patients with a history of toy slime exposure were 5.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with non-CPP than patients without slime exposure (p < 0.05). Conclusions Exposure to toy slime in prepubertal girls may be associated with rapid clinical advancement of pubertal development and bone age, and the patients appear more likely to be diagnosed with non-CPP.


2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 484-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keun J. Choi ◽  
Sang G. Kim ◽  
Chang W. Kim ◽  
Seung H. Kim

Abstract This study examined the effect of polyphosphate on removal of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as nonylphenol and bisphenol-A by activated carbons. It was found that polyphosphate aided in the removal of nonylphenol and bisphenol- A. Polyphosphate reacted with nonylphenol, likely through dipole-dipole interaction, which then improved the nonylphenol removal. Calcium interfered with this reaction by causing competition. It was found that polyphosphate could accumulate on carbon while treating a river. The accumulated polyphosphate then aided nonylphenol removal. The extent of accumulation was dependent on the type of carbon. The accumulation occurred more extensively with the wood-based used carbon than with the coal-based used carbon due to the surface charge of the carbon. The negatively charged wood-based carbon attracted the positively charged calcium-polyphosphate complex more strongly than the uncharged coal-based carbon. The polyphosphate-coated activated carbon was also effective in nonylphenol removal. The effect was different depending on the type of carbon. Polyphosphate readily attached onto the wood-based carbon due to its high affinity for polyphosphate. The attached polyphosphate then improved the nonylphenol removal. However, the coating failed to attach polyphosphate onto the coal-based carbon. The nonylphenol removal performance of the coal-based carbon remained unchanged after the polyphosphate coating.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Bellavia A ◽  
Mínguez-Alarcón L ◽  
Ford J ◽  
Keller M ◽  
Petrozza J ◽  
...  

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