scholarly journals The Hidden Danger of Environmental Chemicals during the “Windows of Susceptibility” in a Woman’s Life – How can we use Intermediate Biomarkers to Improve Breast Cancer Prevention?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-62
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Rygiel
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Accelerate Development ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Environmental Agents ◽  
Windows Of Susceptibility

Introduction: It has been observed that many toxic environmental agents increase risk, accelerate development, or deteriorate the course of breast cancer (BC). In particular, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are harmful to endocrine receptor actions and signaling in the breast tissue. Usually, there is a long interval of time between the exposure to EDC and BC incidence, and this often represents a serious obstacle for effective BC prophylaxis. Notably, during certain periods of a woman’s life cycle, the BC risk is particularly elevated due to increased susceptibility to some EDC. These windows of susceptibility (WOS) include prenatal, puberty, pregnancy, and menopausal transition stages of a female’s life course. Four WOS have been considered as the most vulnerable periods for BC since the mammary gland undergoes the main anatomical and physiological transformations at those intervals. This means that during specific WOS, the EDC from the environment can have the most dangerous impact on BC risk and possible BC development later in a woman’s life. However, most clinical BC studies related to toxic environmental exposures have not been connected to the specific WOS. Therefore, the goal of this article is to briefly describe some important research results, focused on the links between EDC and BC, within four critical WOS. In addition, this mini-review outlines some useful biomarkers for further research and prophylaxis of BC and also for both the research community and the medical professionals. Conclusion: To bridge the gap in BC prevention, it is essential to recognize the links between EDC and BC within the critical WOS. Moreover, an integrative model of BC research, applying intermediate biomarkers, is necessary to determine the mechanisms of action of various EDC during critical periods in a woman’s lifespan. Hopefully, this will lead to progress in BC prevention.

scholarly journals Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Risk of Breast Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 9139
Author(s):  
Louisane Eve ◽  
Béatrice Fervers ◽  
Muriel Le Romancer ◽  
Nelly Etienne-Selloum
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Carcinogenic Effects ◽  
The Many

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer and the fifth deadliest in the world. Exposure to endocrine disrupting pollutants has been suggested to contribute to the increase in disease incidence. Indeed, a growing number of researchershave investigated the effects of widely used environmental chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties on BC development in experimental (in vitro and animal models) and epidemiological studies. The complex effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on hormonal pathways, involving carcinogenic effects and an increase in mammary gland susceptibility to carcinogenesis—together with the specific characteristics of the mammary gland evolving over the course of life and the multifactorial etiology of BC—make the evaluation of these compounds a complex issue. Among the many EDCs suspected of increasing the risk of BC, strong evidence has only been provided for few EDCs including diethylstilbestrol, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, dioxins and bisphenol A. However, given the ubiquitous nature and massive use of EDCs, it is essential to continue to assess their long-term health effects, particularly on carcinogenesis, to eradicate the worst of them and to sensitize the population to minimize their use.

Environmental exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and their role in endometriosis: a systematic literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diksha Sirohi ◽  
Ruqaiya Al Ramadhani ◽  
Luke D. Knibbs
Keyword(s):  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Phthalate Esters ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Organochlorinated Pesticides ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractPurposeEndocrine-related diseases and disorders are on the rise globally. Synthetically produced environmental chemicals (endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)) mimic hormones like oestrogen and alter signalling pathways. Endometriosis is an oestrogen-dependent condition, affecting 10–15% of women of the reproductive age, and has substantial impacts on the quality of life. The aetiology of endometriosis is believed to be multifactorial, ranging from genetic causes to immunologic dysfunction due to environmental exposure to EDCs. Hence, we undertook a systematic review and investigated the epidemiological evidence for an association between EDCs and the development of endometriosis. We also aimed to assess studies on the relationship between body concentration of EDCs and the severity of endometriosis.MethodFollowing PRISMA guidelines, a structured search of PubMed, Embase and Scopus was conducted (to July 2018). The included studies analysed the association between one or more EDCs and the prevalence of endometriosis. The types of EDCs, association and outcome, participant characteristics and confounding variables were extracted and analysed. Quality assessment was performed using standard criteria.ResultsIn total, 29 studies were included. Phthalate esters were positively associated with the prevalence of endometriosis. The majority (71%) of studies revealed a significant association between bisphenol A, organochlorinated environmental pollutants (dioxins, dioxin-like compounds, organochlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls) and the prevalence of endometriosis. A positive association between copper, chromium and prevalence of endometriosis was demonstrated in one study only. Cadmium, lead and mercury were not associated with the prevalence of endometriosis. There were conflicting results for the association between nickel and endometriosis. The relationship of EDCs and severity of endometriosis was not established in the studies.ConclusionWe found some evidence to suggest an association between phthalate esters, bisphenol A, organochlorinated environmental pollutants and the prevalence of endometriosis. Disentangling these exposures from various other factors that affect endometriosis is complex, but an important topic for further research.

scholarly journals Symbiotic Gene Activation is Interrupted by Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 653-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Fox ◽  
Matthew E. Burow ◽  
John A. McLachlan
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Gene Expression ◽  
Estrogen Receptors ◽  
Mammalian Cell Culture ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Symbiotic Gene ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Plant Chemicals ◽  
By Products

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) include organochlorine pesticides, plastics manufacturing by-products, and certain herbicides[1]. These chemicals have been shown to disrupt hormonal signaling in exposed wildlife, lab animals, and mammalian cell culture by binding to estrogen receptors (ER-α and ER-β) and affecting the expression of estrogen responsive genes[2,3]. Additionally, certain plant chemicals, termed phytoestrogens, are also able to bind to estrogen receptors and modulate gene expression, and as such also may be considered EDCs[4]. One example of phytoestrogen action is genistein, a phytochemical produced by soybeans, binding estrogen receptors, and changing expression of estrogen responsive genes which certain studies have linked to a lower incidence of hormonally related cancers in Japanese populations[5]. Why would plants make compounds that are able to act as estrogens in the human body? Obviously, soybeans do not intentionally produce phytoestrogens to prevent breast cancer in Japanese women.

scholarly journals Epigenetics, Evolution, Endocrine Disruption, Health, and Disease

Endocrinology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 147 (6) ◽  
pp. s4-s10 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Crews ◽  
John A. McLachlan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Recent Work ◽  
Endocrine Disruption ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Risk Levels ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Health And Disease

Abstract Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment have been linked to human health and disease. This is particularly evident in compounds that mimic the effects of estrogens. Exposure to EDCs early in life can increase risk levels of compromised physical and mental health. Epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated in this process. Transgenerational consequences of EDC exposure is also discussed in both a proximate (mechanism) and ultimate (evolution) context as well as recent work suggesting how such transmission might become incorporated into the genome and subject to selection. We suggest a perspective for exploring and ultimately coming to understand diseases that may have environmental or endocrine origins.

scholarly journals Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Their Effects during Female Puberty: A Review of Current Evidence

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Lucaccioni ◽  
Viola Trevisani ◽  
Lucia Marrozzini ◽  
Natascia Bertoncelli ◽  
Barbara Predieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Secondary Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Single Chemical ◽  
Windows Of Susceptibility ◽  
Physical Changes ◽  
Temporal Windows

Puberty is the process of physical changes between childhood and adulthood during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction. It is considered one of the main temporal windows of susceptibility for the influence of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs may act as single chemical agents or as chemical mixtures; they can be pubertal influencers, accelerating and anticipating the processing of maturation of secondary sexual characteristics. Moreover, recent studies have started to point out how exposure to EDCs during puberty may predispose to breast cancer later in life. In fact, the estrogen-mimicking endocrine disruptors (EEDs) may influence breast tissue development during puberty in two main ways: the first is the action on the proliferation of the breast stromal cells, the second concerns epigenetic mechanisms. The aim of this mini-review was to better highlight what is new and what is not completely known regarding the role of EDCs during puberty.

scholarly journals Epigenetic modifications associated with in utero exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals BPA, DDT and Pb

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinonye Doris Onuzulu ◽  
Oluwakemi Anuoluwapo Rotimi ◽  
Solomon Oladapo Rotimi
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disruptors ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Epigenetic Alterations ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Hormone System ◽  
Developmental Windows

Abstract Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are xenobiotics which adversely modify the hormone system. The endocrine system is most vulnerable to assaults by endocrine disruptors during the prenatal and early development window, and effects may persist into adulthood and across generations. The prenatal stage is a period of vulnerability to environmental chemicals because the epigenome is usually reprogrammed during this period. Bisphenol A (BPA), lead (Pb), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were chosen for critical review because they have become serious public health concerns globally, especially in Africa where they are widely used without any regulation. In this review, we introduce EDCs and describe the various modes of action of EDCs and the importance of the prenatal and developmental windows to EDC exposure. We give a brief overview of epigenetics and describe the various epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs, and how each of them affects gene expression. We then summarize findings from previous studies on the effects of prenatal exposure to the endocrine disruptors BPA, Pb and DDT on each of the previously described epigenetic mechanisms. We also discuss how the epigenetic alterations caused by these EDCs may be related to disease processes.

Endocrine Disruptors and Other Environmental Influences on Hormone Action

2019 ◽  
pp. 85-106
Author(s):  
Laura N. Vandenberg
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Hormone Action ◽  
Hormone Synthesis ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Dose Effects ◽  
History Of

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.

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