Phthalate exposure and prostate cancer in a population-based nested case-control study

Phthalate exposure as a hidden risk factor for uterine leiomyoma in adult women: Accumulated evidence from observational studies

BACKGROUND

There is evidence that exposure to phthalate in women may increase the risk of uterine leiomyomas. Whereas, the association between exposure to phthalate and the incidence of uterine leiomyoma remained inconclusive.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate their relationship. Literature eligible for inclusion was found in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and WanFang Medical Database. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) was calculated to assess the risk for effect estimate for each phthalate.

RESULTS

A total of fourteen observational studies with 5777 subjects of adult women were included in this study. In the pooled analysis, we found an elevated risk of uterine leiomyoma among women who were exposed to higher levels of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) (OR 1.61, 95 % CI: 1.18-2.20), as estimated indirectly from the molar summation of its urinary metabolite concentrations. In addition, a positive association was observed between the occurrence of uterine leiomyoma and exposure to low molecular weight phthalate mixture (OR 1.08, 95 % CI: 1.00-1.15), as well as high molecular weight phthalate mixture (OR 1.08, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.15), as quantified by integrating the effect estimates of individual metabolite from each study. Urinary levels of DEHP metabolites, monobenzyl phthalate, mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate, mono-isobutyl phthalate, mono-n-butyl phthalate, monoethyl phthalate, and monomethyl phthalate were not appreciably correlated with the risk of uterine leiomyoma.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that exposure to DEHP, and co-exposure to high or low molecular weight phthalate mixture might be potential risk factors for uterine leiomyoma in adult women. Owing to the indirect estimation of association, when interpreting these findings, cautions should be taken.

Exposure to endocrine disruptor DEHP promotes the progression and radiotherapy resistance of pancreatic cancer cells by increasing BMI1 expression and properties of cancer stem cells

Most patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are initially at an advanced stage, and radiotherapy resistance impact the effectiveness of treatment. This study aims to investigate the effects of endocrine disruptor Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on various biological behaviors and the radiotherapy sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells, as well as its potential mechanisms. Our findings indicate that exposure to DEHP promotes the proliferation of various cancer cells, including those from the lung, breast, pancreas, and liver, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, DEHP exposure could influence several biological behaviors of pancreatic cancer cells in vivo and vitro. These effects include reducing cell apoptosis, causing G0/G1 phase arrest, increasing migration capacity, enhancing tumorigenicity, elevating the proportion of cancer stem cells (CSCs), and upregulating expression levels of CSCs markers such as CD133 and BMI1. DEHP exposure can also increase radiation resistance, which can be reversed by downregulating BMI1 expression. In summary our research suggests that DEHP exposure can lead to pancreatic cancer progression and radiotherapy resistance, and the mechanism may be related to the upregulation of BMI1 expression, which leads to the increase of CSCs properties.

Exploring the relationships between exposure levels of bisphenols and phthalates and prostate cancer occurrence

We established an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneously analyzing the metabolites of bisphenols and phthalates in urine to identify the associations between these exposure levels and prostate cancer (PCa) based on a case-control study. After purifying urine samples with SPE, 18 metabolites were separated on a C18 column, and MS detection was performed. The UPLC-MS/MS method has been proven effective at evaluating bisphenol and phthalate exposure (0.020-0.20 μg/L of the limits of detection, 71.8 %∼119.4 % of recoveries, 0.4 %∼8.2 % of precision). Logistic regression explored the association between exposure level and PCa in 187 PCa cases and 151 controls. The detection rates of bisphenol A (BPA) and most phthalate metabolites were 100 % ranging from 0.06-46.74 and 0.12-899.92 μg/g creatinine, respectively, while the detection rates of other bisphenols and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) are low, ranging from 0 % to 21.85 %. Correlation analysis of the metabolite levels indicated that the exposure sources of BPA, di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were different, and that the exposure sources of di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) may differ between two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that BPA (OR<0.45 vs ≥1.43 =10.02) and DEHP exposure (OR<21.75 vs ≥45.42 =48.26) increased the risk of PCa.

Phthalate exposure and blood pressure in U.S. children aged 8-17 years (NHANES 2013-2018)

BACKGROUND

Current evidence from epidemiologic studies suggested that phthalate metabolites might be associated with blood pressure (BP) changes. However, the special relationship between phthalate metabolites and BP changes in children has not been clearly elucidated in existing researches.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the links between phthalate metabolites and various BP parameters, including systolic/diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the presence of hypertension.

METHODS

The population sample consisted of 1036 children aged 8 to 17 years from the 2013-2018 NHANES in the United States. High performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure urinary concentrations of 19 phthalate metabolites. Systolic/diastolic BP were derived from the average of three valid measurements, and MAP was calculated as (systolic BP + 2 × diastolic BP)/3. Hypertension was defined as mean systolic BP and/or diastolic BP that was ≥ 95th percentile for gender, age, and height reference. Linear regression, logistic regression, and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models were employed to assess the associations between phthalate exposure and systolic/diastolic BP, MAP, and hypertension.

RESULTS

Ten of 19 phthalate metabolites including MCNP, MCOP, MECPP, MBP, MCPP, MEP, MEHHP, MiBP, MEOHP, and MBzP had detection frequencies > 85% with samples more than 1000. MCNP, MCOP, MECPP, MBP, MCPP, MEHHP, MiBP, MEOHP, and MBzP were generally negatively associated with systolic/diastolic BP and MAP, but not protective factors for hypertension. These associations were not modified by age (8-12 and 13-17 years) or sex (boys and girls). The above-mentioned associations were further confirmed by the application of the WQS analysis, and MCOP was identified as the chemical with the highest weight.

CONCLUSION

Phthalate metabolites were associated with modest reductions in systolic/diastolic BP, and MAP in children, while appeared not protective factors for hypertension. Given the inconsistent results among existing studies, our findings should be confirmed by other cohort studies.

Exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) increases the risk of cancer

Cancer is a major socioeconomic burden that seriously affects the life and spirit of patients. However, little is known about the role of environmental toxicant exposure in diseases, especially ubiquitous di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) which is one of the most widely used plasticizers. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the potential association between cancer and DEHP. The data were collected using the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (n = 6147), and multiple logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the association. The concentrations of DEHP were calculated by each metabolite and split into quartiles for analysis. After adjusting for confounding factors, DEHP was significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer prevalence, and the metabolites of DEHP showed similar results (OR > 1.0, p < 0.05). Simultaneously, the association remained when the analyses were stratified by age and sex, and the risk of cancer appeared to be higher in male patients. In addition, further analysis suggested that DEHP exposure obviously increased the risk of female reproductive system cancer, male reproductive system cancer, and other cancers (OR > 1.0, p < 0.05) but not skin and soft tissue cancer. DEHP exposure is associated with the risk of cancer, especially female reproductive system cancer, male reproductive system cancer and other cancers.

A novel method for assessing indoor di 2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) contamination and exposure based on dust-phase concentration

Phthalates (PAEs) are a group of typical semivolatile organic compounds that are widely present in indoor environments with multiple phases. Indoor air, airborne particle and settled dust are considered to be typical indicators of PAE contamination as well as media of human exposure, and the interactions between them are complex. Among various phthalate compounds, di 2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was identified as the predominant individual phthalate in settled dust. The existing DEHP contamination assessment requires multiphase sampling or solving the dynamic mass transfer models with multiple partial differential equations, which are both complicated and time-consuming. This study investigated the influence of the indoor source loading rate, surface type, particle size and cleaning frequency on the partitioning between the settled dust-phase, airborne particle-phase and gas-phase. The concentration correlations of DEHP between multiphases were consequently derived, which balance accuracy and complexity well. By comparison with field sampling data in the literatures, the rationality and accuracy of the concentration correlations were validated. Based on the concentration correlations, a new method of directly using dust-phase concentration to estimate the non-dietary exposure to DEHP was proposed. The results indicated that ingestion of settled dust contributes the most to non-dietary exposure. Special attention should be given to infants and toddlers, who suffer the highest daily exposure to DEHP among all age groups. This study provides a new and efficient solution for estimating indoor DEHP pollution loads conveniently and rapidly, offering valuable insights for future research in this field.

Trends and Age-Period-Cohort Effect on Incidence of Male Breast Cancer from 1980 to 2019 in Taiwan and the USA

Although male breast cancer (MBC) is globally rare, its incidence significantly increased from 1990 to 2017. The aim of this study was to examine variations in the trends of MBC incidence between populations in Taiwan and the USA from 1980 to 2019. The Taiwan Cancer Registry database and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute of the USA were used. The age-standardized incidence rate was calculated using the world standard population in 2000. The long-term trends of the age, time period, and birth cohort effect on MBC incidence rates were estimated using the SEER Age-Period-Cohort Web Tool. The results revealed that the incidence of MBC in both countries increased from 2010 to 2019 (Taiwan: average annual percentage change (AAPC) = 2.59%; USA: AAPC = 0.64%). The age and period effects on the incidence rates in both countries strengthened, but the cohort effect was only identified in Taiwan (Rate ratio: 4.03). The identified cohort effect in this study bears resemblance to that noted in a previous investigation on female breast cancer in Taiwan. This suggests the possible presence of common environmental factors influencing breast cancer incidence in both genders, such as a high fat diet and xenoestrogen.

The adverse role of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the reproductive system

Reproductive system diseases pose prominent threats to human physical and mental well-being. Besides being influenced by genetic material regulation and changes in lifestyle, the occurrence of these diseases is closely connected to exposure to harmful substances in the environment. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), characterized by hormone-like effects, have a wide range of influences on the reproductive system. EDCs are ubiquitous in the natural environment and are present in a wide range of industrial and everyday products. Currently, thousands of chemicals have been reported to exhibit endocrine effects, and this number is likely to increase as the testing for potential EDCs has not been consistently required, and obtaining data has been limited, partly due to the long latency of many diseases. The ability to avoid exposure to EDCs, especially those of artificially synthesized origin, is increasingly challenging. While EDCs can be divided into persistent and non-persistent depending on their degree of degradation, due to the recent uptick in research studies in this area, we have chosen to focus on the research pertaining to the detrimental effects on reproductive health of exposure to several EDCs that are widely encountered in daily life over the past six years, specifically bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates (PAEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), parabens, pesticides, heavy metals, and so on. By focusing on the impact of EDCs on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which leads to the occurrence and development of reproductive system diseases, this review aims to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of EDCs' damage to human health and to encourage further in-depth research to clarify the potentially harmful effects of EDC exposure through various other mechanisms. Ultimately, it offers a scientific basis to enhance EDCs risk management, an endeavor of significant scientific and societal importance for safeguarding reproductive health.

Occurrence, ecological and health risk assessment of phthalates in a polluted urban river used for agricultural land irrigation in central Mexico

The escalating global concern on phthalate esters (PAEs) stems from their status as emerging contaminants, marked by their toxicity and their potential to harm both the environment and human health. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the occurrence, spatial distribution, and ecological and health risks associated with PAEs in the Atoyac River, an urban waterway in central Mexico that receives untreated and poorly treated urban and industrial wastewater. Of the 14 PAEs analyzed in surface water samples collected along the river mainstream, nine were detected and quantified by GC-MS. The concentration of each detected PAE ranged from non-detected values to 25.7 μg L-1. Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP) were detected in all sampling sites, with concentrations ranging from 8.1 to 19.4 μg L-1 and from 6.3 to 15.6 μg L-1, respectively. The cumulative Σ9PAEs concentrations reached up to 81.1 μg L-1 and 96.0 μg L-1 in sites downstream to high-tech industrial parks, pinpointing industrial wastewater as the primary source of PAEs. Given that the river water is stored in a reservoir and used for cropland irrigation, this study also assessed the ecological and human health risks posed by PAEs. The findings disclosed a high ecological risk to aquatic organisms exposed to di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), DEHP, and DnHP. Additionally, a high carcinogenic (CR > 10-4) and noncarcinogenic (HQ > 10) risk for the DEHP exposure through ingestion of crops irrigated with river water was identified for both children and adults. These data on PAEs provide valuable insights for the Mexican government's future strategies in regulating these pollutants in water bodies, thereby minimizing the environmental and human health risks that they pose.

Changing epidemiology of colorectal cancer - birth cohort effects and emerging risk factors

Incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) are increasing worldwide, suggesting broad changes in the epidemiology of CRC. In this Review, we discuss the changes that are becoming evident, including trends in CRC incidence and mortality by age and birth cohort, and consider the contributions of early-life exposures and emerging risk factors to these changes. Importantly, incidence of CRC has increased among people born since the early 1950s in nearly all regions of the world. These so-called birth cohort effects imply the involvement of factors that influence the earliest stages of carcinogenesis and have effects across the life course. Accumulating evidence supports the idea that early-life exposures are important risk factors for CRC, including exposures during fetal development, childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Environmental chemicals could also have a role because the introduction of many in the 1950s and 1960s coincides with increasing incidence of CRC among people born during those years. To reverse the expected increases in the global burden of CRC, participation in average-risk screening programmes needs to be increased by scaling up and implementing evidence-based screening strategies, and emerging risk factors responsible for these increases need to be identified.

The active phthalate metabolite, DHEP, induces proliferation and metastasis of prostate cancer cells via upregulation of β-catenin and downregulation of KLF7

Phthalates such as DHEP are among the widely used compounds in industry. It has been shown that DHEP can convey various biological consequences in mammalian cells, among them, the carcinogenic effects of DHEP are emphasized. The present study aimed to assess the impact of DHEP exposure on the proliferation and invasiveness of DU145 prostate cancer cells through in vitro and in vivo models. The DU145 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of DHEP and the tumorigenic parameters were analyzed. KLF7 as a probable mediator of the effect of DHEP was either overexpressed or knocked down in DU145 to evaluate the probable impact of KLF7 on the biological effects of DHEP. The effect of DHEP was also studied in a DU145 xenograft tumor model. The moderate doses of DHEP increased the proliferation and migration of DU145 cells. In the case of gene expression patterns, DHEP reduced the levels of p53 and KLF7 while elevated the expression of β-catenin. The knock-down of KLF7 conveyed comparable effects to that of DHEP to some degree and increased the proliferation of DU145 cells, while the transduction of KLF7 increased the expressions of p53 and p21 along with controlling the tumor size. The present study demonstrated the potential of DHEP in increasing the tumorigenic properties of DU145 cells along with a focus on the underlying mechanisms. Sustained exposure to DHEP can cause a dysregulation in balance between oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes which is the hallmark of malignant transformation. Thus, special considerations seem necessary for the safe exploitation of phthalates.

Worldwide risk assessment of phthalates and bisphenol A in humans: The need for updating guidelines

Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are compounds widely used as raw materials in the production of plastics, making them ubiquitous in our daily lives. This results in widespread human exposure and human health hazards. Although efforts have been conducted to evaluate the risk of these compounds in diverse regions around the world, data scattering may mask important trends that could be useful for updating current guidelines and regulations. This study offers a comprehensive global assessment of human exposure levels to these chemicals, considering dietary and nondietary ingestion, and evaluates the associated risk. Overall, the exposure daily intake (EDI) values of phthalates and BPA reported worldwide ranged from 1.11 × 10-7 to 3 700 µg kg bw-1 d-1 and from 3.00 × 10-5 to 6.56 µg kg bw-1 d-1, respectively. Nevertheless, the dose-additive effect of phthalates has been shown to increase the EDI up to 5 100 µg kg bw-1 d-1, representing a high risk in terms of noncarcinogenic (HQ) and carcinogenic (CR) effects. The worldwide HQ values of phthalates and BPA ranged from 2.25 × 10-7 to 3.66 and from 2.74 × 10-7 to 9.72 × 10-2, respectively. Meanwhile, a significant number of studies exhibit high CR values for benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Moreover, DEHP has shown the highest maximum mean CR values for humans in numerous studies, up to 179-fold higher than BBP. Despite mounting evidence of the harmful effects of these chemicals at low-dose exposure on animals and humans, most regulations have not been updated. Thus, this article emphasizes the need for updating guidelines and public policies considering compelling evidence for the adverse effects of low-dose exposure, and it cautions against the use of alternative plasticizers as substitutes for phthalates and BPA because of the significant gaps in their safety.

Plastic use for food and drinks and related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among a sample of Egyptians

Introduction

Plastic is extensively used in everyday life, particularly for food and beverage containers. The inappropriate use of these containers may lead to the leaching of various chemicals from plastic, such as bisphenol A, phthalate, and styrene, which cause numerous adverse health effects. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward using plastic for food and drinks among a sample of the Egyptian population.

Materials and methods

A questionnaire was designed based on scientific literature to assess sociodemographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the use of plastic for food and drinks. A total of 639 participants were recruited by employing the convenience sampling technique.

Results

More than half of the participants (347, 54%) had poor knowledge scores. Personal experiences, social media, and web pages represented the most common knowledge sources. A comparison between plastic-related knowledge scores and the studied sociodemographic characteristics revealed statistically significant differences in age, gender, education, marital status, residence, working, and socioeconomic standard. A good attitude was reported by the majority (515, 80.6%) of participants. The majority (493, 77.2%) were occasional and frequent plastic users and the practice scores were significantly associated with age, education, residence, and socioeconomic standard. Higher educational level, gender (women), and rural residence were predictors of good participants knowledge, while lower socioeconomic status and urban residence were predictors of bad participants practice in a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

The observed unsatisfactory knowledge and practice scores vs. the high attitude indicates a knowledge gap that can help direct future improvements. We call for public awareness programs about safe plastic use and the related health hazards of plastic chemicals. We also stress upon the urgent need for a collaboration between health authorities and the plastic and food industry to guarantee that information about proper plastic use is conveyed to consumers.

Exposure to the non-phthalate plasticizer di-heptyl succinate is less disruptive to C57bl/6N mouse recovery from a myocardial infarction than DEHP, TOTM or related di-octyl succinate

Phthalate plasticizers are incorporated into plastics to make them soft and malleable, but are known to leach out of the final product into their surroundings with potential detrimental effects to human and ecological health. The replacement of widely-used phthalate plasticizers, such as di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), that are of known toxicity, by the commercially-available alternative Tris(2-ethylhexyl) tri-mellitate (TOTM) is increasing. Additionally, several newly designed "green" plasticizers, including di-heptyl succinate (DHPS) and di-octyl succinate (DOS) have been identified as potential replacements. However, the impact of plasticizer exposure from medical devices on patient recovery is unknown and, moreover, the safety of TOTM, DHPS, and DOS is not well established in the context of patient recovery. To study the direct effect of clinically based chemical exposures, we exposed C57bl/6 N male and female mice to DEHP, TOTM, DOS, and DHPS during recovery from cardiac surgery and assessed survival, cardiac structure and function, immune cell infiltration into the cardiac wound and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Male, but not female, mice treated in vivo with DEHP and TOTM had greater cardiac dilation, reduced cardiac function, increased infiltration of neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages and increased expression of inflammasome receptors and effectors, thereby suggesting impaired recovery in exposed mice. In contrast, no impact was detected in female mice and male mice exposed to DOS and DHPS. To examine the direct effects in cells involved in wound healing, we treated human THP-1 macrophages with the plasticizers in vitro and found DEHP induced greater NLRP3 expression and activation. These results suggest that replacing current plasticizers with non-phthalate-based plasticizers may improve patient recovery, especially in the male population. In our assessment, DHPS is a promising possibility for a non-toxic biocompatible plasticizer.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and cancer: new perspectives on an old relationship

PURPOSE

Environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a mixture of chemical compounds capable to interfere with endocrine axis at different levels and to which population is daily exposed. This paper aims to review the relationship between EDCs and breast, prostate, testicle, ovary, and thyroid cancer, discussing carcinogenic activity of known EDCs, while evaluating the impact on public health.

METHODS

A literature review regarding EDCs and cancer was carried out with particular interest on meta-analysis and human studies.

RESULTS

The definition of EDCs has been changed through years, and currently there are no common criteria to test new chemicals to clarify their possible carcinogenic activity. Moreover, it is difficult to assess the full impact of human exposure to EDCs because adverse effects develop latently and manifest at different ages, even if preclinical and clinical evidence suggest that developing fetus and neonates are most vulnerable to endocrine disruption.

CONCLUSION

EDCs represent a major environmental and health issue that has a role in cancer development. There are currently some EDCs that can be considered as carcinogenic, like dioxin and cadmium for breast and thyroid cancer; arsenic, asbestos, and dioxin for prostate cancer; and organochlorines/organohalogens for testicular cancer. New evidence supports the role of other EDCs as possible carcinogenic and pregnant women should avoid risk area and exposure. The relationship between EDCs and cancer supports the need for effective prevention policies increasing public awareness.

Associations of phthalates with prostate cancer among the US population

Human exposure to harmful phthalates has raised global health concerns. According to cellular and molecular investigations, phthalates and their metabolites can promote prostate cancer (PCa). Despite being a prevalent cancer afflicting the global male population, the epidemiological association between phthalates and prostate cancer remains understudied. This work aims to investigate whether phthalate metabolites are related to prostate cancer. Moreover, we sought to understand whether their elevated concentrations are associated with increased serum concentrations of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), among non-prostate cancer interviewees. According to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2003 to 2010, we screened eligible men aged 20 years or older. Then, crude and multivariate regression models were constructed to assess the relationship. The phthalates significantly related to PCa were analyzed based on variables associated with PCa status and PSA. The molar sum ∑di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (∑DEHP) was simultaneously associated with increased risk of PCa and increasing PSA concentrations. Among PCa-related phthalates, high molecular weight phthalate metabolites included mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) and three metabolites of DEHP. In summary, phthalates are potentially associated with prostate tumorigenesis in the US population. However, additional in-depth prospective studies in different ethnic groups are required to validate the causality between both.

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Plant Rhazya stricta Using Various Solvents

Worldwide, human beings have traditionally employed many folkloric herbal resources as complementary and alternative remedies, and these remedies have played a pivotal role in modern medicines for many decades, as scientists have used them to develop drugs. We studied the effects of employing solvents with varying polarity on the yields of phytochemical components extracted from the plant Rhazya stricta. We used chloroform-methanol (1:1), methanol, ethanol, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate as extraction solvents. The results showed that the efficiencies of the solvents at extracting phytochemical compounds were in this order: chloroform-methanol < ethanol < methanol < diethyl ether < ethyl acetate extract. The chloroform-methanol extract produced the highest concentration of phenolic and flavonoid contents among the five solvents tested (13.3 mg GAE/g DM and 5.43 CE/g DM). The yields of the extracted phytochemical compounds ranged from 47.55 to 6.05%. The results revealed that the properties of the extraction solvents considerably impacted the extraction yield and the phytochemical components of the R. stricta extract. Furthermore, compared with the other solvents, the chloroform-methanol extraction led to the highest yield (47.55%) and to more phytochemical substances being extracted. The aim of this study is to investigate the phytochemical compounds extracted from R. stricta with different solvents that have different polarities.

The Emerging Role of Epigenetics in Metabolism and Endocrinology

Each cell in a multicellular organism has its own phenotype despite sharing the same genome. Epigenetics is a somatic, heritable pattern of gene expression or cellular phenotype mediated by structural changes in chromatin that occur without altering the DNA sequence. Epigenetic modification is an important factor in determining the level and timing of gene expression in response to endogenous and exogenous stimuli. There is also growing evidence concerning the interaction between epigenetics and metabolism. Accordingly, several enzymes that consume vital metabolites as substrates or cofactors are used during the catalysis of epigenetic modification. Therefore, altered metabolism might lead to diseases and pathogenesis, including endocrine disorders and cancer. In addition, it has been demonstrated that epigenetic modification influences the endocrine system and immune response-related pathways. In this regard, epigenetic modification may impact the levels of hormones that are important in regulating growth, development, reproduction, energy balance, and metabolism. Altering the function of the endocrine system has negative health consequences. Furthermore, endocrine disruptors (EDC) have a significant impact on the endocrine system, causing the abnormal functioning of hormones and their receptors, resulting in various diseases and disorders. Overall, this review focuses on the impact of epigenetics on the endocrine system and its interaction with metabolism.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and endocrine neoplasia: A forty-year systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances recognised as relevant tumourigenic chemicals. Studies show that even EDCs which were long abolished are still contributing to the increasing incidence of neoplasia.

AIM

To investigate the association between human exposure to EDCs and the risk of endocrine-related tumours: breast, prostate, thyroid, uterus, testis, and ovary.

METHODS

A systematic review using PubMed, Scopus, and Embase was conducted, searching for original observational studies published between 1980 and 2020, approaching EDCs exposure and endocrine tumourigenic risk in humans. We comprised neoplasia of six endocrine organs. We included all the studies on EDCs reporting tumour odds ratio, risk ratio, or hazard ratio. Study levels of confidence and risk of bias were accessed applying accredited guidelines. Human-made accidents and natural EDCs were not considered in the present study.

RESULTS

Our search returned 3271 papers. After duplicate removal and screening, only 237 papers were included (corresponding to 268 records). EDCs were grouped from the most frequently (pesticides) to the least frequently studied (salts). The most tumourigenic EDC groups were phthalates (63%), heavy metals (54%), particulate matter (47%), and pesticides (46%). Pesticides group comprised the highest number of retrieved studies (n = 133). Increased neoplasia risk was found in 43-67% of the studies, with a lower value for ovary (43%) and a higher value for thyroid (67%).

CONCLUSIONS

The innovative nature of our review comes from including human studies of six endocrine-related neoplasia aiming to understand the contribution of specific EDCs groups to each organ's tumourigenesis. Thyroid was the organ presenting the highest cancer risk after EDC exposure which may explain the increasing thyroid cancer incidence. However, detailed and controlled works reporting the effects of EDCs are scarce, probably justifying conflicting results. Multinational and multicentric human studies with biochemical analysis are needed to achieve stronger and concordant evidence.

Health effects associated with phthalate activity on nuclear receptors

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, widely used as plasticizers to impart flexibility in plastics, and as solvents in personal care products. Due to their nearly ubiquitous use in consumer products, most humans are exposed to phthalates daily. There has been extensive research on the reproductive health effects associated with phthalate exposure, but less attention has been paid to other actions. This review aims to summarize the known action of phthalates on different nuclear receptors. Some phthalates bind to and activate the estrogen receptor, making them weakly estrogenic. However, other phthalates antagonize androgen receptors. Some high molecular weight phthalates antagonize thyroid receptors, affecting metabolism. Several phthalates activate and interfere with the normal function of different peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), receptors that have critical roles in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Some phthalates activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which is critical for xenobiotic metabolism. Although phthalates have a short half-life in vivo, because people are continuously exposed, studies should examine the health effects of phthalates associated with long-term exposure. There is limited research on the effects of phthalates on health outcomes aside from reproductive function, particularly concerning are childhood adiposity, behavior, and learning. There is also limited information on actions of phthalates not mediated via nuclear receptors. Humans are exposed to multiple chemicals simultaneously, and how chemical mixtures act on nuclear receptor activity needs study. Although we know a great deal about phthalates, there is still much that remains uncertain. Future studies need to further examine their other potential health effects.

Contribution of common plastic-related endocrine disruptors to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor progression

Many chemicals, including many endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are known to leach out from various plastic consumer products and waste, and are widespread in the environment. EDCs are a large group of contaminants that can interfere with hormonal metabolism or function. In addition, there are in the literature implications of contribution by EDCs in tumor progression, the last stage of carcinogenesis driven by cells with a metastatic phenotype. The process of epithelial cells losing their apical-basal polarity and cell-to-cell contacts, and acquiring migration and invasive properties typical of mesenchymal cells is called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It is essential for tumor progression. In human cells, plastic-related EDCs, (phthalates, bisphenol A, and the alkylphenols: nonylphenol and octylphenol) reduce epithelial E-cadherin, and increase mesenchymal N-cadherin and extracellular matrix metalloproteinases. These changes are hallmarks of EMT. In xenograft mouse studies, EDCs increase migration of cells and metastatic growth in distant tissues. Their contribution to EMT and tumor progression, the topic of this review, is important from public health perspective, because of the ubiquitous exposure to these EDCs. In this mini-review we also discuss molecular mechanisms associated with EDC-induced EMT and tumor progression.

Sex Differences between Urinary Phthalate Metabolites and Metabolic Syndrome in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Taiwan Biobank Study

BACKGROUND

Phthalates are widely used in consumer products, food packaging, and personal care products, so exposure is widespread. Several studies have investigated the association of phthalate exposure with obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension. However, little is known about the associations of phthalate exposure with sex, age, and menopausal status in metabolic syndrome (MetS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between 11 urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and metabolic syndrome in adults.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1337 adults aged 30-70 years from the Taiwan Biobank 2016-2020. Prevalence odds ratios (POR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression and stratified by sex, age, and menopausal status.

RESULTS

Participants with MetS comprised 16.38%. Higher concentrations of MEP metabolites were associated with more than two- to three-fold increased odds of MetS in males and males ≥ 50 years (adj. POR Q3 vs. Q1 = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.50; p = 0.047 and adj. POR Q2 vs. Q1 = 3.11, 95% CI: 0.13, 8.63; p = 0.029). When assessed by menopausal status, postmenopausal females with higher ∑DEHP concentrations had more than nine-fold higher odds of MetS compared with postmenopausal females with the lowest ∑DEHP concentrations (adj. POR Q3 vs. Q1 = 9.58, 95% CI: 1.18, 77.75; p = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest differential associations between certain phthalate metabolites and MetS by sex, age, and menopausal status.

Oral exposure to DEHP may stimulate prostatic hyperplasia associated with upregulation of COX-2 and L-PGDS expressions in male adult rats

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a typical environmental endocrine disruptor (EED), can disrupt estrogen and androgen secretion and metabolism process, thus inducing dysfunctional reproduction such as impaired gonadal development and spermatogenesis disorder. Prostaglandin synthases (PGS) catalyze various prostaglandins biosynthesis, involved in inflammatory cascade and tumorigenesis. Yet, little is known about how PGS may impact prostatic hyperplasia development and progression. This study concentrates predominantly on the potential prostatic toxicity of DEHP exposure and the mediating role of PGS. In vivo study, adult male rats were administered via oral gavage 30 μg/kg/d, 90 μg/kg/d, 270 μg/kg/d, 810 μg/kg/d DEHP or vehicle for four weeks. The results elucidated that low-dose DEHP may cause the proliferation of the prostate with an increased PCNA/TUNEL ratio. Given the importance of estrogens and androgens in prostatic hyperplasia, our first objective was to evaluate the levels of sex hormones. DEHP improved the ratio of estradiol (E₂)/testosterone (T) in a dose-dependent manner and upregulated estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and androgen receptor (AR) expressions. Prostaglandin synthases, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS), were significantly upregulated in the ventral prostate. COX-2 and L-PGDS might mediate the tendency of prostatic hyperplasia induced by low-dose DEHP through estradiol/androgen regulation and imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis in vivo. These findings provide the first evidence that prostaglandin synthases contribute to the tendency toward benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by DEHP. Further investigations will have to be performed to facilitate an improved understanding of the role of prostaglandin synthases in DEHP-induced prostatic lesions.

Modeling di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) and Its Metabolism in a Body's Organs and Tissues through Different Intake Pathways into Human Body

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are ubiquitous in indoor environments as plasticizers in indoor products. Residences are often exposed to indoor PAEs in the form of gas, particles, settled dust, and surface phases. To reveal the mechanism behind the accumulation of PAEs in different tissues or organs such as the liver and the lungs when a person exposed to indoor PAEs with different phases, a whole-body physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for PAEs is employed to characterize the dynamic process of phthalates by different intake pathways, including oral digestion, dermal adsorption, and inhalation. Among three different intake pathways, dermal penetration distributed the greatest accumulation of DEHP in most of the organs, while the accumulative concentration through oral ingestion was an order of magnitude lower than the other two doses. Based on the estimated parameters, the variation of di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) concentration in the venous blood, urine, the liver, the thymus, the pancreas, the spleen, the lungs, the brain, the heart, and the kidney for different intake scenarios was simulated. The simulated results showed a different accumulation profile of DEHP and MEHP in different organs and tissues and demonstrated that the different intake pathways will result in different accumulation distributions of DEHP and MEHP in organs and tissues and may lead to different detrimental health outcomes.

Epigenetic Regulation in Exposome-Induced Tumorigenesis: Emerging Roles of ncRNAs

Environmental factors, including pollutants and lifestyle, constitute a significant role in severe, chronic pathologies with an essential societal, economic burden. The measurement of all environmental exposures and assessing their correlation with effects on individual health is defined as the exposome, which interacts with our unique characteristics such as genetics, physiology, and epigenetics. Epigenetics investigates modifications in the expression of genes that do not depend on the underlying DNA sequence. Some studies have confirmed that environmental factors may promote disease in individuals or subsequent progeny through epigenetic alterations. Variations in the epigenetic machinery cause a spectrum of different disorders since these mechanisms are more sensitive to the environment than the genome, due to the inherent reversible nature of the epigenetic landscape. Several epigenetic mechanisms, including modifications in DNA (e.g., methylation), histones, and noncoding RNAs can change genome expression under the exogenous influence. Notably, the role of long noncoding RNAs in epigenetic processes has not been well explored in the context of exposome-induced tumorigenesis. In the present review, our scope is to provide relevant evidence indicating that epigenetic alterations mediate those detrimental effects caused by exposure to environmental toxicants, focusing mainly on a multi-step regulation by diverse noncoding RNAs subtypes.

Low-level plasticizer exposure and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in the general population

BACKGROUND

Plasticizers, also called phthalates, are a group of chemicals widely used in daily life. A previous report showed no significant association between phthalate metabolite concentrations and mortality. We investigated the association of urinary phthalate levels and individual phthalate metabolite levels with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality after standardizing the phthalate concentration.

METHODS

A total of 6,625 participants were recruited from a nationally representative sample of adults aged 40 years or older who were enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2003 and 2014 and were followed up through December 31, 2015. Data were analyzed from January 2021 to June 2021. NHANES-linked updated National Death Index public access files were used to acquire information on mortality status and cause of death. The present study conducted extended follow-up of an earlier analysis. Cox proportional hazard models were performed to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of covariate-adjusted creatinine standardization urinary phthalate concentrations with all-cause and CVD mortality after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle factors and comorbidity variables.

RESULTS

The mean ± standard deviation age of all participants in the final study was 59.9±12.6 years old, and 49.6% of the participants were male. The median follow-up time was 73 months (range 1-157 months). At the censoring date of December 31, 2015, 3,023 participants were identified as deceased (13.4%). A fully adjusted Cox model showed that a urinary di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) concentration >= 83.4 ng/mL was associated with a slight increase in all-cause mortality (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.03, 1.57, P for trend= 0.014) and CVD mortality (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.35, 3.54, P for trend= 0.002). Similarly, urinary mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP) levels >= 39.2 ng/mL were associated with increased CVD mortality (HR 2.33, 95% CI 1.45, 3.73, P for trend < 0.001). Restricted cubic spline analyses suggested linear associations of DEHP and MECPP levels with all-cause and CVD mortality.

CONCLUSION

In this large nationally representative sample of American adults, high urinary DEHP and MECPP were significantly associated with all-cause and CVD mortality after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle factors and comorbidity variables.

Impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on prostate function and cancer

Because of their historical mode of action, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are associated with sex-steroid receptors, namely the two estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and the androgen receptor (AR). Broadly, EDCs can modulate sex-steroid receptor functions. They can also indirectly impact the androgen and estrogen pathways by influencing steroidogenesis, expression of AR or ERs, and their respective activity as transcription factors. Additionally, many of these chemicals have multiple cellular targets other than sex-steroid receptors, which results in a myriad of potential effects in humans. The current article reviews the association between prostate cancer and the endocrine-disrupting functions of four prominent EDC families: bisphenols, phthalates, phytoestrogens, and mycoestrogens. Results from both in vitro and in vivo models are included and discussed to better assess the molecular mechanisms by which EDCs can modify prostate biology. To overcome the heterogeneity of results published, we established common guidelines to properly study EDCs in the context of endocrine diseases. Firstly, the expression of sex-steroid receptors in the models used must be determined before testing. Then, in parallel to EDCs, pharmacological compounds acting as positive (agonists) and negative controls (antagonists) have to be employed. Finally, EDCs need to be used in a precise range of concentrations to modulate sex-steroid receptors and avoid off-target effects. By adequately integrating molecular endocrinology aspects in EDC studies and identifying their underlying molecular mechanisms, we will truly understand their impact on prostate cancer and distinguish those that favor the progression of the disease from those that slow down tumor development.

Phthalate exposure and risk of diabetes mellitus: Implications from a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies indicated that phthalate exposure might be associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, discrepancies existed. The link between phthalate exposure and risk of DM remained unclarified.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the association between phthalate exposure and risk of DM. Effects of phthalate exposure on insulin resistance were also evaluated by systematic review.

RESULTS

Seven studies involving 12,139 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Our results showed that urinary concentrations of phthalates were positively associated with risk of DM. The pooled ORs were 3.11 (95% CI: 1.16-8.37) for monomethyl phthalate (MMP), 1.27 (95% CI: 1.03-1.56) for mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), 2.59 (95% CI: 1.10-6.10) for mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), 1.99 (95% CI: 1.52-2.61) for mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), 1.90 (95% CI: 1.40-2.57) for mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), 1.55 (95% CI: 1.10-2.20) for mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), and 2.39 (95% CI: 1.18-4.85) for mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP), respectively. Molar summation of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate metabolites (∑DEHP) was also found to be correlated with risk of DM (OR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.48-3.13). No significant association with risk of DM was found regarding monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) and mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP). In literature review, most studies showed positive correlations of phthalates, especially ∑DEHP, with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and fasting glucose.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to phthalates, especially MMP, MnBP, MiBP, MCPP and DEHP metabolites, might be a risk factor of DM. Our results should be interpreted with caution due to heterogeneous design of enrolled studies.

Association between recurrent breast cancer and phthalate exposure modified by hormone receptors and body mass index

The association between phthalate exposure and breast cancer remains controversial. We performed a prospective patient cohort design to explore the interaction between creatinine-corrected urinary phthalate metabolites and hormone receptors as well as body mass index (BMI) on recurrent breast cancer. In this follow-up study, 636 female breast cancer patients and 45 new recurrent cases diagnosed for a total of 1576.68 person-years of follow-up were recruited. Mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) was negatively associated with breast cancer recurrence, with adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 3rd vs. 1st quartile of 0.15 (95% CI 0.04–0.51). The MEOHP presented as a non-monotonic dose–response (NMDR) curve, being U-shaped. In the stratification of hormone receptors, MEOHP still exhibited a U-shaped dose–response curve. The third quartile of MEOHP showed significant lowest recurrent risk in the status of ER-positive (aHR 0.18, 95% CI 0.05–0.66), PR-negative (aHR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03–0.63), and HER2-negative (aHR 0.24, 95% CI 0.08–0.76). Whether in BMI < 25 or in BMI ≥ 25, the third quartile of MEOHP was negatively associated with recurrent breast cancer, and there was a negative interaction on an additive scale between MEOHP and BMI (p_interaction = 0.042). The association between MEOHP and recurrent breast cancer was modified by hormone receptors and BMI.

Medication-Associated Phthalate Exposure and Childhood Cancer Incidence

BACKGROUND

Human phthalate exposure is widespread through contact with myriad consumer products. Exposure is particularly high through medications formulated with phthalates. Phthalates disrupt normal endocrine signaling and are associated with reproductive outcomes and incidence of some cancers. We measured associations between gestational and childhood medication-associated phthalate exposures and the incidence of childhood cancers.

METHODS

We identified all live births in Denmark between 1997 and 2017, including both children and birth mothers. Using drug ingredient data merged with the Danish National Prescription Registry, we measured phthalate exposure through filled prescriptions for mothers during pregnancy (gestational exposure) and for children from birth until age 19 years (childhood exposure). Incident childhood cancers were ascertained from the Danish Cancer Registry, and associations were estimated with Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Among 1 278 685 children, there were 2027 childhood cancer cases diagnosed over 13.1 million person-years of follow-up. Childhood phthalate exposure was strongly associated with incidence of osteosarcoma (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.63 to 4.75). We also observed a positive association with incidence of lymphoma (HR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.36 to 3.14), driven by associations with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma but not Burkitt lymphoma. Associations were apparent only for exposure to low-molecular phthalates, which have purportedly greater biological activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood phthalate exposure was associated with incidence of osteosarcoma and lymphoma before age 19 years. Lingering questions include which specific phthalate(s) are responsible for these associations, by what mechanisms they occur, and to what extent childhood cancer cases could be avoided by reducing or eliminating the phthalate content of medications and other consumer products.

Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Reproductive-Related Outcomes in Animal Models: Evidence From Rodents Study

Background: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was an endocrine disruptor, which may lead to cancer and affects reproductive function when accumulated in the body. But the precise role of DBP in the reproductive system remained controversial.

Objective: We employed the meta-analysis to explore the relationship between DBP and reproductive-related outcomes.

Methods: We searched relevant literature in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% CIs were measured by random-effects models. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression test were applied to assess publication bias.

Results: Finally, 19 literatures were included in this research. The outcomes revealed that DBP was negatively correlated with reproductive organs weight (testis weight: SMD: −0.59; 95% Cl: −1.23, −0.23; seminal vesicles weight: SMD: −0.74; 95% Cl: −1.21, −0.27; prostate weight: SMD: −0.46; 95% Cl: −0.76, −0.16) and sperm parameters (sperm morphology: SMD: 1.29; 95% Cl: 0.63, 1.94; sperm count: SMD: −1.81; 95% Cl: −2.39, −1.23; sperm motility: SMD: −1.92; 95% Cl: −2.62, −1.23).

Conclusion: Our research demonstrated that DBP may be negatively associated with reproductive-related indicators, especially at Gestation exposure period and middle dose (100–500 mg/kg/day).

Pharmacophore based in silico study with laboratory verification-environmental explanation of prostate cancer recurrence

The prediction of harmful effects can guide research on the health hazards of environmental pollutants. The development of a computer-aided drug design in pharmacological technology and omics database remarkably facilitates the prediction of the possible harmful effects of hazardous substances. In this study, the pharmacophore target database based on molecular structure served as a bridge between pollutants and genes and combined with the omics database and molecular pathway enrichment technology to predict the potential prostatic cancer-promoting effect of dibutyl phthalate. Cell experiments and gene expression were carried out to verify the previous prediction, and the characteristics of harmful effects were further explored. Low concentrations of dibutyl phthalate may have androgen-independent prostate cancer-promoting effects, which may put patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy in danger. This study suggests the potential negative effects of phthalates on prostate cancer and a method for predicting harmful effects on the basis of pharmacology technology.

NF-κB-An Important Player in Xenoestrogen Signaling in Immune Cells

The proper functioning of the immune system is critical for an effective defense against pathogenic factors such as bacteria and viruses. All the cellular processes taking place in an organism are strictly regulated by an intracellular network of signaling pathways. In the case of immune cells, the NF-κB pathway is considered the key signaling pathway as it regulates the expression of more than 200 genes. The transcription factor NF-κB is sensitive to exogenous factors, such as xenoestrogens (XEs), which are compounds mimicking the action of endogenous estrogens and are widely distributed in the environment. Moreover, XE-induced modulation of signaling pathways may be crucial for the proper development of the immune system. In this review, we summarize the effects of XEs on the NF-κB signaling pathway. Based on our analysis, we constructed a model of XE-induced signaling in immune cells and found that in most cases XEs activate NF-κB. Our analysis indicated that the indirect impact of XEs on NF-κB in immune cells is related to the modulation of estrogen signaling and other pathways such as MAPK and JAK/STAT. We also summarize the role of these aspects of signaling in the development and further functioning of the immune system in this paper.

Multisystemic alterations in humans induced by bisphenol A and phthalates: Experimental, epidemiological and clinical studies reveal the need to change health policies

A vast amount of evidence indicates that bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are widely distributed in the environment since these compounds are mass-produced for the manufacture of plastics and plasticizers. These compounds belong to a large group of substances termed endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC). It is well known that humans and living organisms are unavoidably and unintentionally exposed to BPA and phthalates from food packaging materials and many other everyday products. BPA and phthalates exert their effect by interfering with hormone synthesis, bioavailability, and action, thereby altering cellular proliferation and differentiation, tissue development, and the regulation of several physiological processes. In fact, these EDC can alter fetal programming at an epigenetic level, which can be transgenerational transmitted and may be involved in the development of various chronic pathologies later in the adulthood, including metabolic, reproductive and degenerative diseases, and certain types of cancer. In this review, we describe the most recent proposed mechanisms of action of these EDC and offer a compelling selection of experimental, epidemiological and clinical studies, which show evidence of how exposure to these pollutants affects our health during development, and their association with a wide range of reproductive, metabolic and neurological diseases, as well as hormone-related cancers. We stress the importance of concern in the general population and the urgent need for the medical health care system to closely monitor EDC levels in the population due to unavoidable and involuntary exposure to these pollutants and their impact on human health.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals' (EDCs) Effects on Tumour Microenvironment and Cancer Progression: Emerging Contribution of RACK1

Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) can display estrogenic and androgenic effects, and their exposure has been linked to increased cancer risk. EDCs have been shown to directly affect cancer cell regulation and progression, but their influence on tumour microenvironment is still not completely elucidated. In this context, the signalling hub protein RACK1 (Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1) could represent a nexus between cancer and the immune system due to its roles in cancer progression and innate immune activation. Since RACK1 is a relevant EDCs target that responds to steroid-active compounds, it could be considered a molecular bridge between the endocrine-regulated tumour microenvironment and the innate immune system. We provide an analysis of immunomodulatory and cancer-promoting effects of different EDCs in shaping tumour microenvironment, with a final focus on the scaffold protein RACK1 as a pivotal molecular player due to its dual role in immune and cancer contexts.

Association between phthalate exposure and risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Numerous studies suggested that phthalates might be associated with increased risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss. However, these results were conflicting and inconclusive. Thus we performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the relationship between phthalate exposure and risk of pregnancy loss. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and major Chinese literature databases for studies investigating phthalates and spontaneous pregnancy loss. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confident interval (CI) were calculated for risk estimate. A total of 8 studies involving 4713 participants (including 651 cases and 4062 controls) were enrolled in the present meta-analysis. Our pooled results showed that spontaneous pregnancy loss was associated with higher urinary levels of monobutyl phthalate (MBP) (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.04-1.72), mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.29-1.90), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.23-2.07) and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.15-1.89). Indirect estimate of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) levels, which were pooled from molar sum of urinary DEHP metabolites and hair DEHP, were also correlated with elevated risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.27-2.53). No significant association was found regarding urinary concentrations of monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) or mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP). Our findings indicate that phthalate exposure might be a risk factor for spontaneous pregnancy loss. Given indirect estimate of phthalate exposure by evaluating its metabolite levels, our results should be interpreted with caution.

Environmental Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure: Role in Non-Communicable Diseases

The exponential growth of pollutant discharges into the environment due to increasing industrial and agricultural activities is a rising threat for human health and a biggest concern for environmental health globally. Several synthetic chemicals, categorized as potential environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), are evident to affect the health of not only livestock and wildlife but also humankind. In recent years, human exposure to environmental EDCs has received increased awareness due to their association with altered human health as documented by several epidemiological and experimental studies. EDCs are associated with deleterious effects on male and female reproductive health; causes diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, thyroid homeostasis and increase the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers. Sewage effluents are a major source of several EDCs, which eventually reach large water bodies and potentially contaminate the drinking water supply. Similarly, water storage material such as different types of plastics also leaches out EDCs in drinking Water. Domestic wastewater containing pharmaceutical ingredients, metals, pesticides and personal care product additives also influences endocrine activity. These EDCs act via various receptors through a variety of known and unknown mechanisms including epigenetic modification. They differ from classic toxins in several ways such as low-dose effect, non-monotonic dose and trans-generational effects. This review aims to highlight the hidden burden of EDCs on human health and discusses the non-classical toxic properties of EDCs in an attempt to understand the magnitude of the exposome on human health. Present data on the environmental EDCs advocate that there may be associations between human exposure to EDCs and several undesirable health outcomes that warrants further human bio-monitoring of EDCs.

How microplastic components influence the immune system and impact on children health: Focus on cancer

BACKGROUND

As a result of human socioeconomic activity, industrial wastes have increased distressingly. Plastic pollution is globally distributed across the world due to its properties of buoyancy and durability. A big health hazard is the sorption of toxicants to plastic while traveling through the environment. Two broad classes of plastic-related chemicals are of critical concern for human health-bisphenols and phthalates. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disruptor compound (EDC) with estrogenic activity. It is used in the production of materials that are used daily. The endocrine modulating activity of BPA and its effects on reproductive health has been widely studied. BPA also has effects on the immune system; however, they are poorly investigated and the available data are inconclusive. Phthalates are also EDCs used as plasticizers in a wide array of daily-use products. Since these compounds are not covalently bound to the plastic matrix, they easily leach out from it, leading to high human exposure. These compounds exert several cell effects through modulating different endocrine pathways, such as estrogen, androgen, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and arylhydrocarbon receptor pathways. The exposure to both classes of plastic derivatives during critical periods has detrimental effects on human health.

METHODS

In this review, we have compiled the most important of their perinatal effects on the function of the immune system and their relationship to the development of different types of cancer.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

The administration of bisphenols and phthalates during critical stages of development affects important immune system components, and the immune function; which might be related to the development of different diseases including cancer.