The Role of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in the Human Health

A special issue of Journal of Xenobiotics (ISSN 2039-4713). This special issue belongs to the section "Emerging Chemicals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 13208

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
2 FCS—UBI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
Interests: endocrine disruptors; human exposome; pregnancy exposome; phthalates; flame retardants; UVB-filters; bisphenols; cardiovascular endocrinology; fetoplacental vasculature; vascular smooth muscle cells; neurovascular unit; hypertensive disorders in pregnancy; hypothyroidism; calcium and potassium channels; sex hormones; patch clamp
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human exposure to various environmental contaminants called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is continuous and can lead to adverse effects on human health. Exposure to these EDCs is a global concern due to their adverse effects on the human endocrine system. Moreover, the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which EDCs interact with hormonal action are complex and difficult to understand. For this reason, knowledge of these mechanisms is one of the current challenges of endocrine research.

This Special Issue will focus on the advances of emerging contaminants’ role on human health. The aim is to provide an integrative, novel, and transdisciplinary approach to evaluate actual human exposure to EDC and contribute to the prevention and treatment of diseases. The theme is multidisciplinary, so I invite you to submit original research and review articles on the following non-exhaustive list of topics:

  • Environmental health;
  • Risk assessment;
  • Health impact assessment;
  • Endocrine-disrupting chemicals;
  • Cellular and molecular mechanistic;
  • In vitro studies;
  • Translational research;
  • Molecular docking.

Dr. Elisa Cairrao
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • endocrine disruption
  • risk assessment
  • human exposome
  • emerging compounds
  • adverse outcomes pathways
  • animal translational studies

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2670 KiB  
Article
Prenatal Exposure to Bisphenol A and/or Diethylhexyl Phthalate Impacts Brain Monoamine Levels in Rat Offspring
by Amrita Kaimal, Jessica M. Hooversmith, Maryam H. Al Mansi, Philip V. Holmes, Puliyur S. MohanKumar and Sheba M. J. MohanKumar
J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(3), 1036-1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14030058 - 1 Aug 2024
Viewed by 821
Abstract
This study examines the sex-specific effects of gestational exposure (days 6–21) to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), or their combination on brain monoamine levels that play an important role in regulating behavior. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were orally administered [...] Read more.
This study examines the sex-specific effects of gestational exposure (days 6–21) to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), or their combination on brain monoamine levels that play an important role in regulating behavior. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were orally administered saline, low doses (5 µg/kg BW/day) of BPA or DEHP, and their combination or a high dose (7.5 mg/kg BW/day) of DEHP alone or in combination with BPA during pregnancy. The offspring were subjected to a behavioral test and sacrificed in adulthood, and the brains were analyzed for neurotransmitter levels. In the paraventricular nucleus, there was a marked reduction in dopamine levels (p < 0.01) in male offspring from the BPA, DEHP, and B + D (HD) groups, which correlated well with their shock probe defensive burying times. Neurotransmitter changes in all brain regions examined were significant in female offspring, with DEHP (HD) females being affected the most, followed by the B + D groups. BPA and/or DEHP (LD) increased monoamine turnover in a region-specific manner in male offspring (p < 0.05). Overall, prenatal exposure to BPA, DEHP, or their combination alters monoamine levels in a brain region-specific, sex-specific, and dose-dependent manner, which could have implications for their behavioral and neuroendocrine effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in the Human Health)
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19 pages, 3399 KiB  
Article
Exposure to DEP Modifies the Human Umbilical Artery Vascular Resistance Contributing to Hypertension in Pregnancy
by Melissa Mariana, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Miguel Castelo-Branco and Elisa Cairrao
J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(2), 497-515; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14020030 - 18 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1274
Abstract
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are the most prevalent diseases during pregnancy. In addition to the already identified risk factors, exposure to environmental contaminants has been also considered a new one. Phthalates, which are classified as priority environmental pollutants due to their ubiquitousness [...] Read more.
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are the most prevalent diseases during pregnancy. In addition to the already identified risk factors, exposure to environmental contaminants has been also considered a new one. Phthalates, which are classified as priority environmental pollutants due to their ubiquitousness and endocrine disrupting properties, have been implicated in HDP in some epidemiological studies. Nevertheless, phthalates’ vascular impacts still need to be clarified. Thus, we aimed to understand the connection between phthalates exposure and the occurrence of gestational hypertension, as well as the pathway involved in the pathological vascular effects. We investigated diethyl phthalate’s (DEP) effect on the vascular reactivity of the human umbilical arteries (HUAs) from normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women. Both DEP’s nongenomic (within minutes effect) and genomic (24 h exposure to DEP) actions were evaluated, as well as the contribution of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and Ca2+ channel pathways. The results show that short-term exposure to DEP interferes with serotonin and histamine receptors, while after prolonged exposure, DEP seems to share the same vasorelaxant mechanism as estrogens, through the NO/sGC/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway, and to interfere with the L-type Ca2+ channels. Thus, the vascular effect induced by DEP is similar to that observed in HUA from hypertensive pregnancies, demonstrating that the development of HDP may be a consequence of DEP exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in the Human Health)
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10 pages, 1056 KiB  
Article
Early Female Transgender Identity after Prenatal Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol: Report from a French National Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Cohort
by Laura Gaspari, Marie-Odile Soyer-Gobillard, Scott Kerlin, Françoise Paris and Charles Sultan
J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(1), 166-175; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14010010 - 12 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 8195
Abstract
Diagnostic of transsexualism and gender incongruence are terms to describe individuals whose self-identity does not match their sex assignment at birth. A transgender woman is an individual assigned male at birth (AMAB) on the basis of the external or internal genitalia who identifies [...] Read more.
Diagnostic of transsexualism and gender incongruence are terms to describe individuals whose self-identity does not match their sex assignment at birth. A transgender woman is an individual assigned male at birth (AMAB) on the basis of the external or internal genitalia who identifies and lives as a woman. In recent decades, a significant increase in the number of transgender people has been reported. Although, its etiology is unknown, biological, anatomical, genetic, environmental and cultural factors have been suggested to contribute to gender variation. In XY animals, it has been shown that environmental endocrine disruptors, through their anti-androgenic activity, induce a female identity. In this work, we described four XY individuals who were exposed in utero to the xenoestrogen diethylstilbesterol (DES) and were part of the French HHORAGES cohort. They all reported a female transgender identity starting from childhood and adolescence. This high prevalence of male to female transgenderism (1.58%) in our cohort of 253 DES sons suggests that exposure to chemicals with xenoestrogen activity during fetal life may affect the male sex identity and behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in the Human Health)
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28 pages, 1395 KiB  
Review
Polyphenols Regulate the Activity of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals, Having Both Positive and Negative Effects
by Eleonora Leti Maggio, Carlotta Zucca, Martina Grande, Raffaele Carrano, Antonio Infante, Riccardo Bei, Valeria Lucarini, Fernando De Maio, Chiara Focaccetti, Camilla Palumbo, Stefano Marini, Elisabetta Ferretti, Loredana Cifaldi, Laura Masuelli, Monica Benvenuto and Roberto Bei
J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(4), 1378-1405; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14040077 - 2 Oct 2024
Viewed by 645
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemical substances that can interfere with any hormone action. They are categorized according to origin and use, such as industrial chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), plastics like bisphenol A (BPA), plasticizers like phthalates, pesticides like [...] Read more.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemical substances that can interfere with any hormone action. They are categorized according to origin and use, such as industrial chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), plastics like bisphenol A (BPA), plasticizers like phthalates, pesticides like dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), fungicides like vinclozolin, and pharmaceuticals like diethylstilbestrol (DES). Natural EDCs, such as phytoestrogens, are present in the diet of both humans and animals. Polyphenols are a large group of natural compounds derived from plants and are found in beverages and food. They are grouped based on their chemical structure into flavonoids and nonflavonoids and are reported to have many beneficial effects on health, including, but not limited to, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, polyphenols have both pro- and antioxidant characteristics, and due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, they presumably have a protective effect against damage induced by EDCs. However, polyphenols may act as EDCs. In this review, we report that polyphenols regulate the activity of EDCs, having both positive and negative effects. Hence, a better understanding of the associations between EDCs and polyphenols will allow the establishment of improved approaches to protect human health from EDCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in the Human Health)
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28 pages, 3684 KiB  
Review
How Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Affect Gamete Viability and Fertilization Capability: Insights from the Literature
by Cielle Lockington and Laura A. Favetta
J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(2), 651-678; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14020038 - 17 May 2024
Viewed by 1330
Abstract
There has been emerging research linking per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to gamete viability and fertility. PFAS, prevalent in the environment and water supplies, undergo slow degradation due to their C-F bond and a long half-life (2.3–8.5 years). In females, PFAS inhibit the [...] Read more.
There has been emerging research linking per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to gamete viability and fertility. PFAS, prevalent in the environment and water supplies, undergo slow degradation due to their C-F bond and a long half-life (2.3–8.5 years). In females, PFAS inhibit the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, reducing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, leading to the inhibition of androgen and estradiol production. PFAS have been found to cause detrimental effects on egg quality through impairing folliculogenesis. In males, PFAS can impair sperm motility and morphology: two fundamental qualities of successful fertilization. PFAS exposure has been proven to inhibit testosterone production, sperm capacitation, and acrosomal reaction. After fertilization, the results of PFAS exposure to embryos have also been investigated, showing reduced development to the blastocyst stage. The aim of this review is to report the main findings in the literature on the impact of PFAS exposure to gamete competency and fertilization capability by highlighting key studies on both male and female fertility. We report that there is significant evidence demonstrating the negative impacts on fertility after PFAS exposure. At high doses, these environmentally abundant and widespread compounds can significantly affect human fertility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in the Human Health)
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