Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals - the X Factor in Different Pathologies

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-139
Author(s):  
Andra Maria Cocolos ◽  
Nicoleta Dumitru ◽  
Eugenia Nedeltcheva Petrova ◽  
Ion Cocolos ◽  
Mirela Tiglis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
The Body ◽  
Synthetic Chemicals ◽  
Reproductive Axis ◽  
Androgenic Activity

Endocrine disruptors (ED) are exogenous agents that interfere with the normal function of the endocrine system and they are considered environmental chemicals with estrogen-like and/or anti-androgenic activity with important impact on the reproductive axis. They act via nuclear receptors, non-nuclear steroid receptors, nonsteroidal receptors, orphan receptors, and different enzyme pathways involved in the biosynthesis and/or metabolism of steroids. The molecules identified as ED and sources of exposure are diverse and vary worldwide, including from natural chemicals found in human and animal food (the main source) up to synthetic chemicals, such as as solvents, plasticizers, pesticides, fungicides, pharmaceuticals etc. ED are incriminated in the occurrence of malignant tumors, birth defects, attention deficit disorders, cognitive impairment, brain development, deformations of the body (including limbs), disturbance of sexual development, menstrual irregularity, precocious puberty, feminizing or masculinizing effects, abortion, not least obesity and decreased fertility. The principles of action are still studied and controversial, therefore, it is difficult to determine the minimum level at which adverse effect occurs and further studies are required.

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 in the Environment

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Langston
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽  
Industrial Chemicals ◽  
World War ◽  
Synthetic Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Post War

Since World War II, the production of synthetic chemicals has increased more than 30-fold due to the post-war boom in petrochemical exploration, manufacture, and marketing. The modern chemical industry, now a global enterprise of $2 trillion annually, is central to the world economy, as it generates millions of jobs and consumes vast quantities of energy and raw materials. Today, more than 70,000 different industrial chemicals are synthesized and sold each year (Chandler 2005; McCoy et al. 2006). New technologies and methods for the detection of these synthetic chemicals have drawn increasing attention to the pervasive and persistent presence of hormone-disrupting chemicals in our lives. Hormones—the chemicals that deliver messages throughout the body in order to coordinate physical processes—are deeply sensitive to external interference, and the consequences of such interference are becoming ever more apparent. In July 2005, the Centers for Disease Control (2005) released its Third National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, revealing that industrial chemicals now permeate bodies and ecosystems. Many of these chemicals can interfere with the body’s hormonal signaling system (called the endocrine system), and many persistently resist the metabolic processes that bind and break down natural hormones. More than 358 industrial chemicals and pesticides have been detected in the cord blood of minority American infants (Environmental Working Group 2009). Accumulating data suggests that reproductive problems are also increasing across a broad range of animals, from Great Lakes fish to people. Many researchers suspect that the culprits are environmental exposures to synthetic chemicals that disrupt hormonal signals, particularly in the developing fetus. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are not rare; they include the most common synthetic chemicals in production, such as many pesticides, plastics, and pharmaceutical drugs. Since World War II, synthetic endocrine-disrupting chemicals have permeated bodies and ecosystems throughout the globe, potentially with profound health and ecological effects (Krimsky 2000). Hormones are chemical signals that regulate communication among cells and organs, thus orchestrating a complex process of fetal development that relies on precise dosage and timing.

104 Epigenetic Changes Due to Environmental Toxicants: An Animal Health Concern

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 54-54
Author(s):  
Cheryl S Rosenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Environmental Toxicants ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Developmental Exposure

Abstract Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) mimic natural hormones in the body, but they are not subject to normal homeostatic regulatory mechanisms. One such EDC that is particularly important in animal and human health is bisphenol A (BPA) that is an industrial chemical used to harden plastic, and thus, it is prevalent in many common household items. Notably, BPA, and likely other EDCs, persist in the environment. Besides binding to steroid and non-steroid receptors, BPA and other EDCs may induce epigenetic changes directly or by affecting gut bacteria that can promote such host changes. The objective of current studies was to determine whether developmental exposure to BPA and/or genistein, a phytoestrogen, induce persistent epigenetic and transcriptomic changes in various brain regions and the placenta. Additionally, the ability of these chemicals to alter gut microbiota and gut metabolites that may trigger such epigenetic alterations were investigated. Animal models used to examine for such effects included California mice (Peromyscus californicus), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), laboratory mice (Mus musculus), and eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta). To link these ‘omics changes to actual phenotypic modifications, several behavioral domains were assessed in these species following developmental exposure to these compounds. Results across taxa clearly show that BPA and genistein leads to behavioral deficits, including cognitive and social impairments, anxiogenic behaviors, and reduced voluntary physical activity. Correspondingly, both chemicals transformed the epigenome and transcriptome in key brain regions and the placenta. Gut dysbiosis and stimulation of harmful bacterial metabolites ensued following early EDC exposure, and such effects persisted through adulthood. By using a one health medicine approached that evaluated various vertebrate animal species, there is solid evidence that perinatal exposure to BPA and genistein reprograms the epigenome and thereby lead to longstanding health consequences. Such findings have important veterinary and human health ramifications.

scholarly journals Elucidating the Links Between Endocrine Disruptors and Neurodevelopment

Endocrinology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 156 (6) ◽  
pp. 1941-1951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thaddeus T. Schug ◽  
Ashley M. Blawas ◽  
Kimberly Gray ◽  
Jerrold J. Heindel ◽  
Cindy P. Lawler
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Learning Disorders ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽  
Nutritional Factors ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting

Abstract Recent data indicate that approximately 12% of children in the United States are affected by neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders. Accumulating evidence indicates a multifactorial etiology for these disorders, with social, physical, genetic susceptibility, nutritional factors, and chemical toxicants acting together to influence risk. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during the early stages of life can disrupt normal patterns of development and thus alter brain function and disease susceptibility later in life. This article highlights research efforts and pinpoints approaches that could shed light on the possible associations between environmental chemicals that act on the endocrine system and compromised neurodevelopmental outcomes.

scholarly journals Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Sources, Effects And Treatments

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf ◽  
Mesmire Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
United Nations Environment Programme ◽  
World Health ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Endocrine Society ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
International Experts

AbstractHormonal changes in humans and animals can be attributed to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Studies have found that excessive exposure to natural and artificial environmental chemicals and toxins can have adverse effects on the endocrine system and reproductive health. The endocrine system creates and releases hormones that regulate the development of organs and how they function. Any disruption to hormones affects the development and functioning of the reproductive system, the brain and the neurological system. Research and reports on the subject have been published by international experts and organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Labour Organization (ILO) and Endocrine Society. To fully comprehend the effect of EDCs on humans and wildlife, it is essential to understand epigenetics and its transgenerational effects on hormone development. Here, we extensively explore and review the research on the sources of EDCs, their effects and why exposure to EDCs is of concern, and treatments for EDC exposure.

scholarly journals EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, TOXICOLOGICAL AND MOLEСULAR-GENETIC ASPECTS OF ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS IN THE CHEMICAL SAFETY PROBLEM

2018 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-203
Author(s):  
Oksana O. Sinitsyna ◽  
Yu. A. Rakhmanin ◽  
Z. I. Zholdakova ◽  
M. G. Aksenova ◽  
A. V. Kirillov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Structure ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
The Body ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Chemical Safety ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
The Impact

The literature review has shown the problem of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) to be associated with their wide distribution in the environment, the abundance, and variety of the chemical structure. Three leading mechanisms of EDCs action are identified as follows: imitation of the naturally occurring hormones action, blocking of receptors within the target cells of hormones, the impact of their kinetics in the body. Epidemiological studies indicate an increase in diseases caused by a disorder of the hormonal system. They are associated with the effect of EDCs. Substances that are completely dissimilar in chemical structure can cause the same effects. According to WHO [6], it is impossible, based on the chemical structure, to determine whether a substance is a disruptor of the endocrine system. However, some structural features determine the estrogenic, thyreogenic and glucocorticoid activity of chemicals. Hence, the need to differentiate the specific (primary) effect of a chemical substance on the endocrine system and the indirect (secondary) effect on it via other mechanisms comes to the fore. In own research, specific mechanisms were shown to be determined in the experiment when studying the complexity of effects, taking into account the processes of adaptation and decompensation, and identifying the effects manifested with the lowest doses. One of the methodological approaches can be the developed “structure-biotransformation-activity” prediction system aimed at revealing the primary types of effects: using quantum-chemical calculations and the plausible reasoning class (called the JSM-reasoning in honour of John Stuart Mill) logico-combinatorial method, it was possible to identify structural fragments of substances responsible for the manifestation of carcinogenic, allergenic effects, methemoglobin formation, etc. The results of clinical studies show the use of pharmacological drugs as models for in vivo study of the effects of EDC to allow not only studying atypical mechanisms of the impact of EDCs from the point of view of molecular genetics but also to predict the individual susceptibility to them taking into account polymorphism of candidate genes. The EDCs problem poses the need for a complex of interdisciplinary research, including three main relationships: exposure assessment-biomonitoring data-the prevalence of endocrine-dependent diseases, taking into account the qualitative and quantitative contribution of individual endocrine disrupters to the development of an ecologically dependent endocrine pathology using molecular genetic methods.

scholarly journals Machine Learning for Investigation on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals with Gestational Age and Delivery Time in a Longitudinal Cohort

Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Hemi Luan ◽  
Hongzhi Zhao ◽  
Jiufeng Li ◽  
Yanqiu Zhou ◽  
Jing Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
The Body ◽  
Delivery Time ◽  
Longitudinal Cohort ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Dynamic Concentration

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are widespread environmental chemicals that are often considered as risk factors with weak activity on the hormone-dependent process of pregnancy. However, the adverse effects of EDCs in the body of pregnant women were underestimated. The interaction between dynamic concentration of EDCs and endogenous hormones (EHs) on gestational age and delivery time remains unclear. To define a temporal interaction between the EDCs and EHs during pregnancy, comprehensive, unbiased, and quantitative analyses of 33 EDCs and 14 EHs were performed for a longitudinal cohort with 2317 pregnant women. We developed a machine learning model with the dynamic concentration information of EDCs and EHs to predict gestational age with high accuracy in the longitudinal cohort of pregnant women. The optimal combination of EHs and EDCs can identify when labor occurs (time to delivery within two and four weeks, AUROC of 0.82). Our results revealed that the bisphenols and phthalates are more potent than partial EHs for gestational age or delivery time. This study represents the use of machine learning methods for quantitative analysis of pregnancy-related EDCs and EHs for understanding the EDCs’ mixture effect on pregnancy with potential clinical utilities.

scholarly journals Oestrogenic Endocrine Disruptors in the Placenta and the Fetus

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi-Run Tang ◽  
Xue-Ling Xu ◽  
Shou-Long Deng ◽  
Zheng-Xing Lian ◽  
Kun Yu
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disruptors ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Maternal Blood ◽  
The Body ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Past Half Century ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
The Stability

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that interfere with the stability and regulation of the endocrine system of the body or its offspring. These substances are generally stable in chemical properties, not easy to be biodegraded, and can be enriched in organisms. In the past half century, EDCs have gradually entered the food chain, and these substances have been frequently found in maternal blood. Perinatal maternal hormone levels are unstable and vulnerable to EDCs. Some EDCs can affect embryonic development through the blood-fetal barrier and cause damage to the neuroendocrine system, liver function, and genital development. Some also effect cross-generational inheritance through epigenetic mechanisms. This article mainly elaborates the mechanism and detection methods of estrogenic endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A (BPA), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), diethylstilbestrol (DES) and phthalates (PAEs), and their effects on placenta and fetal health in order to raise concerns about the proper use of products containing EDCs during pregnancy and provide a reference for human health.

Current management approach of Cancer in Ayurveda

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Kashid
Keyword(s):  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
The Body ◽  
Arterial System ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Natural Drugs

Ayurveda, the oldest Indian indigenous medicine system of plant drugs is known from very early times for preventing or suppressing various tumors using these natural drugs. In Ayurvedic concept, according to Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas, Cancer is described as inflammatory or non-inflammatory swelling and mentioned either as Granthi (minor neoplasm) or Arbuda (major neoplasm). The nervous system (Vata), the venous system (Pitta) and the arterial system (Kapha) are three basics of Ayurveda and very important for normal body function. In malignant tumors all three systems get out of control (Tridoshas) and lose mutual coordination that causes tissue damage, resulting critical condition. Tridoshas cause excessive metabolic crisis resulting in proliferation. The modern cancer therapy which is known to burdened by drug-induced toxic side effects hoping perfect cure of disease form the complementary and alternative medicine system. The main goal of Ayurvedic therapy is to find the ultimate cause of an illness while the therapeutic approach of Ayurveda is divided into four categories as Prakrutisthapana Chikitsa (health maintenance), Rasayana Chikitsa, (restoration of normal function), Roganashani Chikitsa (disease cure) and Naishthiki Chikitsa (spiritual approach). Commonly used herbal decoctions reported in Ayurveda are made of multiple herbs possessing great potential for a cancer cure; scientifically these formulations work on multiple biochemical pathways and influence different organ systems all together and nourish the body as a whole by supporting body‘s deference systems. Now it is important to raise awareness and encourage implementation of Ayurvedic therapies for combating cancer and suggest an integrated approach in tumor management and treatment.

Molecularly imprinting: a tool of modern chemistry for analysis and monitoring of phenolic environmental estrogens

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Xie ◽  
Yusi Bu ◽  
Sicen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Molecularly Imprinted Polymers ◽  
Electrochemical Sensors ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Future Success ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Related Compounds

AbstractPhenolic environmental estrogen (PEE) is one of the most common endocrine disrupting chemicals whose interference with the normal function of the endocrine system in animals and humans raised concern to their potential impact on wildlife and humans health. Research on PEEs calls for a high selectivity analytical methods. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic polymers having a predetermined selectivity for a given analyte, or group of structurally related compounds, which make them ideal materials to be used in analysis of PEEs. During the past few years, a huge amount of papers have been published dealing with the use of MIPs in the analysis of PEEs. In this review, we focus on the recent applications of MIPs to analyze PEEs. We describe the preparation of MIPs and discuss different methods of polymerization. We highlight the latest applications of MIPs in the analysis of PEEs, including nanomaterial MIPs as sorbent for solid-phase extraction and MIPs as electrochemical sensors. This review provides a good platform for the analysis and monitoring of PEEs in complicated matrixes and offers suggestions for future success in the field of MIPs.

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