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An S, Park IG, Hwang SY, Gong J, Lee Y, Ahn S, Noh M. Cheminformatic Read-Across Approach Revealed Ultraviolet Filter Cinoxate as an Obesogenic Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Agonist. Chem Res Toxicol 2024; 37:1344-1355. [PMID: 39095321 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
This study introduces a novel cheminformatic read-across approach designed to identify potential environmental obesogens, substances capable of disrupting metabolism and inducing obesity by mainly influencing nuclear hormone receptors (NRs). Leveraging real-valued two-dimensional features derived from chemical fingerprints of 8435 Tox21 compounds, cluster analysis and subsequent statistical testing revealed 385 clusters enriched with compounds associated with specific NR targets. Notably, one cluster exhibited selective enrichment in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist activity, prominently featuring methoxy cinnamate ultraviolet (UV) filters and obesogen-related compounds. Experimental validation confirmed that 2-ethoxyethyl 4-methoxycinnamate, an organic UV filter cinoxate, could selectively bind to PPARγ (Ki = 18.0 μM), eliciting an obesogenic phenotype in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells during adipogenic differentiation. Molecular docking and further experiments identified cinoxate as a potent PPARγ full agonist, demonstrating a preference for coactivator SRC3 recruitment. Moreover, cinoxate upregulated transcription levels of genes encoding lipid metabolic enzymes in normal human epidermal keratinocytes as primary cells exposed during clinical usage. This study provides compelling evidence for the efficacy of cheminformatic read-across analysis in prioritizing potential obesogens, showcasing its utility in unveiling cinoxate as an obesogenic PPARγ agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungchan An
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - In Guk Park
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Young Hwang
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Junpyo Gong
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonjin Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungjin Ahn
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Minsoo Noh
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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2
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Fucic A, Mantovani A, Vena J, Bloom MS, Sincic N, Vazquez M, Aguado-Sierra J. Impact of endocrine disruptors from mother's diet on immuno-hormonal orchestration of brain development and introduction of the virtual human twin tool. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 117:108357. [PMID: 36863570 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Diet has long been known to modify physiology during development and adulthood. However, due to a growing number of manufactured contaminants and additives over the last few decades, diet has increasingly become a source of exposure to chemicals that has been associated with adverse health risks. Sources of food contaminants include the environment, crops treated with agrochemicals, inappropriate storage (e.g., mycotoxins) and migration of xenobiotics from food packaging and food production equipment. Hence, consumers are exposed to a mixture of xenobiotics, some of which are endocrine disruptors (EDs). The complex interactions between immune function and brain development and their orchestration by steroid hormones are insufficiently understood in human populations, and little is known about the impact on immune-brain interactions by transplacental fetal exposure to EDs via maternal diet. To help to identify the key data gaps, this paper aims to present (a) how transplacental EDs modify immune system and brain development, and (b) how these mechanisms may correlate with diseases such as autism and disturbances of lateral brain development. Attention is given to disturbances of the subplate, a transient structure of crucial significance in brain development. Additionally, we describe cutting edge approaches to investigate the developmental neurotoxicity of EDs, such as the application of artificial intelligence and comprehensive modelling. In the future, highly complex investigations will be performed using virtual brain models constructed using sophisticated multi-physics/multi-scale modelling strategies based on patient and synthetic data, which will enable a greater understanding of healthy or disturbed brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fucic
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska C 2, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - A Mantovani
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Rome, Italy
| | - J Vena
- Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - M S Bloom
- Global and Community Health, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - N Sincic
- Medical School, University of Zagreb, Salata 3, Croatia
| | - M Vazquez
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - J Aguado-Sierra
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, Barcelona 08034, Spain
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3
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Maggio AG, Shu HT, Laufer BI, Bi C, Lai Y, LaSalle JM, Hu VW. Elevated exposures to persistent endocrine disrupting compounds impact the sperm methylome in regions associated with autism spectrum disorder. Front Genet 2022; 13:929471. [PMID: 36035158 PMCID: PMC9403863 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.929471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental exposures to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) such as the organochlorines have been linked with various diseases including neurodevelopmental disorders. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is considered strongly genetic in origin due to its high heritability. However, the rapidly rising prevalence of ASD suggests that environmental factors may also influence risk for ASD. In the present study, whole genome bisulfite sequencing was used to identify genome-wide differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in a total of 52 sperm samples from a cohort of men from the Faroe Islands (Denmark) who were equally divided into high and low exposure groups based on their serum levels of the long-lived organochlorine 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE), a primary breakdown product of the now banned insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Aside from being considered a genetic isolate, inhabitants of the Faroe Islands have a native diet that potentially exposes them to a wide range of seafood neurotoxicants in the form of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The DMRs were mapped to the human genome using Bismark, a 3-letter aligner used for methyl-seq analyses. Gene ontology, functional, and pathway analyses of the DMR-associated genes showed significant enrichment for genes involved in neurological functions and neurodevelopmental processes frequently impacted by ASD. Notably, these genes also significantly overlap with autism risk genes as well as those previously identified in sperm from fathers of children with ASD in comparison to that of fathers of neurotypical children. These results collectively suggest a possible mechanism involving altered methylation of a significant number of neurologically relevant ASD risk genes for introducing epigenetic changes associated with environmental exposures into the sperm methylome. Such changes may provide the potential for transgenerational inheritance of ASD as well as other disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela G. Maggio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Henry T. Shu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
- The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Benjamin I. Laufer
- Genome Center, Perinatal Origins of Disparities Center, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Chongfeng Bi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Yinglei Lai
- Department of Statistics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Janine M. LaSalle
- Genome Center, Perinatal Origins of Disparities Center, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Valerie W. Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
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4
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Takesono A, Schirrmacher P, Scott A, Green JM, Lee O, Winter MJ, Kudoh T, Tyler CR. Estrogens regulate early embryonic development of the olfactory sensory system via estrogen-responsive glia. Development 2022; 149:dev199860. [PMID: 35023540 PMCID: PMC8881738 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens are well-known to regulate development of sexual dimorphism of the brain; however, their role in embryonic brain development prior to sex-differentiation is unclear. Using estrogen biosensor zebrafish models, we found that estrogen activity in the embryonic brain occurs from early neurogenesis specifically in a type of glia in the olfactory bulb (OB), which we name estrogen-responsive olfactory bulb (EROB) cells. In response to estrogen, EROB cells overlay the outermost layer of the OB and interact tightly with olfactory sensory neurons at the olfactory glomeruli. Inhibiting estrogen activity using an estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI182,780 (ICI), and/or EROB cell ablation impedes olfactory glomerular development, including the topological organisation of olfactory glomeruli and inhibitory synaptogenesis in the OB. Furthermore, activation of estrogen signalling inhibits both intrinsic and olfaction-dependent neuronal activity in the OB, whereas ICI or EROB cell ablation results in the opposite effect on neuronal excitability. Altering the estrogen signalling disrupts olfaction-mediated behaviour in later larval stage. We propose that estrogens act on glia to regulate development of OB circuits, thereby modulating the local excitability in the OB and olfaction-mediated behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Takesono
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Paula Schirrmacher
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Aaron Scott
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Jon M Green
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Okhyun Lee
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Matthew J Winter
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Tetsuhiro Kudoh
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Charles R Tyler
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
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5
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Lichtensteiger W, Bassetti-Gaille C, Rehrauer H, Georgijevic JK, Tresguerres JAF, Schlumpf M. Converging Effects of Three Different Endocrine Disrupters on Sox and Pou Gene Expression in Developing Rat Hippocampus: Possible Role of microRNA in Sex Differences. Front Genet 2021; 12:718796. [PMID: 34858468 PMCID: PMC8632217 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.718796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can impair hippocampus-dependent behaviors in rat offspring and in children. In search for key processes underlying this effect, we compared the transcriptomes of rat hippocampus on postnatal day 6 after gestational and lactational exposure to three different EDCs at doses known to impair development of learning and memory. Aroclor 1254, a commercial PCB mixture (5 mg/kg or 0.5 mg/kg), or bisphenol A (5 mg/kg or 0.5 mg/kg) were administered in chow, chlorpyrifos (3 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously. Male hippocampus exhibited a common effect of all three chemicals on genes involved in cell-autonomous processes, Sox6, Sox11, Pou2f2/Oct2, and Pou3f2/Brn2, all upregulated at the high dose. Additional genes of the Sox and Pou families were affected by only one or two of the chemicals. Real time RT PCR showed a comparable expression change for bisphenol A also at the lower dose. Female hippocampus exhibited much fewer genes with expression changes (almost none with false discovery rate <0.05), and none of the genes of the Sox and Pou families was affected. Since gene network analyses in male hippocampus suggested a link between Sox6 and miR-24, known to be repressed by activation of ER-alpha and to repress Sox6 in other tissues, this microRNA was measured. miR-24 was downregulated by all chemicals at the high dose in males. Values of Sox6 mRNA and miR-24 were inversely correlated in individual male hippocampus samples, supporting the hypothesis that the change in Sox6 expression resulted from an action of miR-24. In contrast, miR-24 levels remained unchanged in hippocampus of females. A sexually dimorphic response of miR-24 may thus be at the basis of the sex difference in Sox6 expression changes following exposure to the three chemicals. ER-alpha expression was also sex-dependent, but the expression changes did not parallel those of potential downstream genes such as Sox6. Sox6 is known to suppress differentiation of Parvalbumin (Pvalb)-expressing interneurons. Individual Sox6 levels (FPKM) were inversely correlated with levels of Pvalb, but not with markers of Sox6-independent interneuron subpopulations, Nos1 and 5HT3aR. Effects on interneuron development are further suggested, in males, by expression changes of Nrg1 and its receptor Erbb4, controlling interneuron migration. Our study disclosed new types of EDC-responsive morphogenetic genes, and illustrated the potential relevance of microRNAs in sexually dimorphic EDC actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Lichtensteiger
- GREEN Tox and Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Bassetti-Gaille
- GREEN Tox and Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Rehrauer
- Functional Genomics Center, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jelena Kühn Georgijevic
- Functional Genomics Center, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Margret Schlumpf
- GREEN Tox and Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Pistollato F, Carpi D, Mendoza-de Gyves E, Paini A, Bopp SK, Worth A, Bal-Price A. Combining in vitro assays and mathematical modelling to study developmental neurotoxicity induced by chemical mixtures. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 105:101-119. [PMID: 34455033 PMCID: PMC8522961 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal and postnatal co-exposure to multiple chemicals at the same time may have deleterious effects on the developing nervous system. We previously showed that chemicals acting through similar mode of action (MoA) and grouped based on perturbation of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), induced greater neurotoxic effects on human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons and astrocytes compared to chemicals with dissimilar MoA. Here we assessed the effects of repeated dose (14 days) treatments with mixtures containing the six chemicals tested in our previous study (Bisphenol A, Chlorpyrifos, Lead(II) chloride, Methylmercury chloride, PCB138 and Valproic acid) along with 2,2'4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE47), Ethanol, Vinclozolin and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)), on hiPSC-derived neural stem cells undergoing differentiation toward mixed neurons/astrocytes up to 21 days. Similar MoA chemicals in mixtures caused an increase of BDNF levels and neurite outgrowth, and a decrease of synapse formation, which led to inhibition of electrical activity. Perturbations of these endpoints are described as common key events in adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) specific for DNT. When compared with mixtures tested in our previous study, adding similarly acting chemicals (BDE47 and EtOH) to the mixture resulted in a stronger downregulation of synapses. A synergistic effect on some synaptogenesis-related features (PSD95 in particular) was hypothesized upon treatment with tested mixtures, as indicated by mathematical modelling. Our findings confirm that the use of human iPSC-derived mixed neuronal/glial models applied to a battery of in vitro assays anchored to key events in DNT AOP networks, combined with mathematical modelling, is a suitable testing strategy to assess in vitro DNT induced by chemical mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Donatella Carpi
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | | | - Alicia Paini
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | | | - Andrew Worth
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy.
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7
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Seralini GE, Jungers G. Endocrine disruptors also function as nervous disruptors and can be renamed endocrine and nervous disruptors (ENDs). Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:1538-1557. [PMID: 34430217 PMCID: PMC8365328 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disruption (ED) and endocrine disruptors (EDs) emerged as scientific concepts in 1995, after numerous chemical pollutants were found to be responsible for reproductive dysfunction. The World Health Organization established in the United Nations Environment Programme a list of materials, plasticizers, pesticides, and various pollutants synthesized from petrochemistry that impact not only reproduction, but also hormonal functions, directly or indirectly. Cells communicate via either chemical or electrical signals transmitted within the endocrine or nervous systems. To investigate whether hormone disruptors may also interfere directly or indirectly with the development or functioning of the nervous system through either a neuroendocrine or a more general mechanism, we examined the scientific literature to ascertain the effects of EDs on the nervous system, specifically in the categories of neurotoxicity, cognition, and behaviour. To date, we demonstrated that all of the 177 EDs identified internationally by WHO are known to have an impact on the nervous system. Furthermore, the precise mechanisms underlying this neurodisruption have also been established. It was previously believed that EDs primarily function via the thyroid. However, this study presents substantial evidence that approximately 80 % of EDs operate via other mechanisms. It thus outlines a novel concept: EDs are also neurodisruptors (NDs) and can be collectively termed endocrine and nervous disruptors (ENDs). Most of ENDs are derived from petroleum residues, and their various mechanisms of action are similar to those of "spam" in electronic communications technologies. Therefore, ENDs can be considered as an instance of spam in a biological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles-Eric Seralini
- University of Caen Normandy, Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Sciences, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032, Caen, France
| | - Gerald Jungers
- University of Caen Normandy, Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Sciences, Esplanade de la Paix, 14032, Caen, France
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8
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Patisaul HB. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and the neuroendocrine system: Beyond estrogen, androgen, and thyroid. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2021; 92:101-150. [PMID: 34452685 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Hundreds of anthropogenic chemicals occupy our bodies, a situation that threatens the health of present and future generations. This chapter focuses on endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), both naturally occurring and man-made, that affect the neuroendocrine system to adversely impact health, with an emphasis on reproductive and metabolic pathways. The neuroendocrine system is highly sexually dimorphic and essential for maintaining homeostasis and appropriately responding to the environment. Comprising both neural and endocrine components, the neuroendocrine system is hormone sensitive throughout life and touches every organ system in the body. The integrative nature of the neuroendocrine system means that EDCs can have multi-system effects. Additionally, because gonadal hormones are essential for the sex-specific organization of numerous neuroendocrine pathways, endocrine disruption of this programming can lead to permanent deficits. Included in this review is a brief history of the neuroendocrine disruption field and a thorough discussion of the most common and less well understood neuroendocrine disruption modes of action. Also provided are extensive examples of how EDCs are likely contributing to neuroendocrine disorders such as obesity, and evidence that they have the potential for multi-generational effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.
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9
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Hernandez Scudder ME, Young RL, Thompson LM, Kore P, Crews D, Hofmann HA, Gore AC. EDCs Reorganize Brain-Behavior Phenotypic Relationships in Rats. J Endocr Soc 2021; 5:bvab021. [PMID: 33928200 PMCID: PMC8055178 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
All species, including humans, are exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Previous experiments have shown behavioral deficits caused by EDCs that have implications for social competence and sexual selection. The neuromolecular mechanisms for these behavioral changes induced by EDCs have not been thoroughly explored. Here, we tested the hypothesis that EDCs administered to rats during a critical period of embryonic brain development would lead to the disruption of normal social preference behavior, and that this involves a network of underlying gene pathways in brain regions that regulate these behaviors. Rats were exposed prenatally to human-relevant concentrations of EDCs (polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], vinclozolin [VIN]), or vehicle. In adulthood, a sociosexual preference test was administered. We profiled gene expression of in preoptic area, medial amygdala, and ventromedial nucleus. Prenatal PCBs impaired sociosexual preference in both sexes, and VIN disrupted this behavior in males. Each brain region had unique sets of genes altered in a sex- and EDC-specific manner. The effects of EDCs on individual traits were typically small, but robust; EDC exposure changed the relationships between gene expression and behavior, a pattern we refer to as dis-integration and reconstitution. These findings underscore the effects that developmental exposure to EDCs can have on adult social behavior, highlight sex-specific and individual variation in responses, and provide a foundation for further work on the disruption of genes and behavior after prenatal exposure to EDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca L Young
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Lindsay M Thompson
- Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Pragati Kore
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - David Crews
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Hans A Hofmann
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Andrea C Gore
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.,Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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10
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Rotem RS, Nguyen VT, Chodick G, Davidovitch M, Shalev V, Hauser R, Coull BA, Bellavia A, Weisskopf MG. Associations of Maternal Androgen-Related Conditions With Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Progeny and Mediation by Cardiovascular, Metabolic, and Fertility Factors. Am J Epidemiol 2021; 190:600-610. [PMID: 33521821 PMCID: PMC8024051 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwaa219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal exposure to elevated androgens is thought to contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. However, data rely heavily on in utero androgens measurements, which also reflect fetal secretions. Thus, in utero hyperandrogenemia might indicate adverse autism-related neurogenesis that has already occurred affecting fetal androgen homeostasis, rather than being a cause of the disorder. Associations between maternal androgen-related conditions and ASD could more directly implicate androgens' etiological role. We examined the association between maternal hyperandrogenemia-related conditions, focusing primarily on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and progeny ASD, in an Israeli cohort of 437,222 children born in 1999-2013. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using generalized estimating equations. Multiple mediation analyses using natural effect models were conducted to evaluate combined mediation of the PCOS effect by androgen-related cardiovascular, metabolic, and fertility factors. Results indicated that children of mothers with PCOS had higher ASD odds compared with children of mothers without PCOS (odds ratio = 1.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.24,1.64), and this effect was only partly mediated by the factors considered. Elevated odds were also observed for other hyperandrogenemia-related conditions. Findings provide support for direct involvement of maternal hyperandrogenemia in ASD etiology. Alternatively, findings might reflect shared genetic and/or environmental factors independently affecting maternal androgen homeostasis and fetal neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran S Rotem
- Correspondence to Dr. Ran S. Rotem, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 (e-mail: )
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11
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Blecharz-Klin K, Sznejder-Pachołek A, Wawer A, Pyrzanowska J, Piechal A, Joniec-Maciejak I, Mirowska-Guzel D, Widy-Tyszkiewicz E. Early exposure to paracetamol reduces level of testicular testosterone and changes gonadal expression of genes relevant for steroidogenesis in rats offspring. Drug Chem Toxicol 2021; 45:1862-1869. [PMID: 33657953 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2021.1892941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effects of early paracetamol treatment on the testicular level of testosterone and expression of genes important for steroid biosynthesis and reproduction in male rats offspring. Rats were continuously exposed to paracetamol at doses of 5 or 15 mg/kg b.w. during pregnancy and the first two months of the postpartum development. Testosterone level was determined by ELISA. Profile of gene expression for the testicular steroidogenic factors were evaluated using the Real-Time PCR. Our results showed that paracetamol reduces testicular testosterone level and causes compensatory transactivation of genes important for steroidogenesis and reproductive capacity. We have observed significant over-expression of several genes involved in cholesterol transport and steroid biosynthesis e.g., genes for steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, luteinizing hormone subunit beta, gonadotropin and androgen receptors. Up-regulation of these genes with parallel testosterone reduction in the testicles could be the possible mechanism that maintains and prevents the loss of the steroidogenic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamilla Blecharz-Klin
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Sznejder-Pachołek
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adriana Wawer
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Justyna Pyrzanowska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Piechal
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ilona Joniec-Maciejak
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Mirowska-Guzel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Widy-Tyszkiewicz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Warsaw, Poland
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12
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Martins C, Dreij K, Costa PM. The State-of-the Art of Environmental Toxicogenomics: Challenges and Perspectives of "Omics" Approaches Directed to Toxicant Mixtures. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16234718. [PMID: 31779274 PMCID: PMC6926496 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16234718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The last decade witnessed extraordinary advances in “omics” methods, particularly transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, enabling toxicologists to integrate toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics with mechanistic insights on the mode-of-action of noxious chemicals, single or combined. The toxicology of mixtures is, nonetheless, a most challenging enterprise, especially for environmental toxicologists and ecotoxicologists, who invariably deal with chemical mixtures, many of which contain unknowns. Despite costs and demanding computations, the systems toxicology framework, of which “omics” is a major component, endeavors extracting adverse outcome pathways for complex mixtures. Still, the interplay between the multiple components of gene expression and cell metabolism tends to be overlooked. As an example, the proteome allocates DNA methyltransferases whose altered transcription or loss of function by action of chemicals can have a global impact on gene expression in the cell. On the other hand, chemical insult can produce reactive metabolites and radicals that can intercalate or bind to DNA as well as to enzymes and structural proteins, compromising their activity. These examples illustrate the importance of exploring multiple “omes” and the purpose of “omics” and multi-“omics” for building truly predictive models of hazard and risk. Here we will review the state-of-the-art of toxicogenomics highlighting successes, shortcomings and perspectives for next-generation environmental toxicologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Martins
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Unit of Biochemical Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (P.M.C.); Tel.: +351-212-948-300 (ext. 11103) (P.M.C.)
| | - Kristian Dreij
- Unit of Biochemical Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Pedro M. Costa
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (P.M.C.); Tel.: +351-212-948-300 (ext. 11103) (P.M.C.)
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13
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Blecharz‐Klin K, Wawer A, Pyrzanowska J, Piechal A, Jawna‐Zboińska K, Widy‐Tyszkiewicz E. Hypothalamus – Response to early paracetamol exposure in male rats offspring. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 76:1-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kamilla Blecharz‐Klin
- Department of Experimental and Clinical PharmacologyMedical University of WarsawCentre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePTBanacha 1B02‐097WarsawPoland
| | - Adriana Wawer
- Department of Experimental and Clinical PharmacologyMedical University of WarsawCentre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePTBanacha 1B02‐097WarsawPoland
| | - Justyna Pyrzanowska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical PharmacologyMedical University of WarsawCentre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePTBanacha 1B02‐097WarsawPoland
| | - Agnieszka Piechal
- Department of Experimental and Clinical PharmacologyMedical University of WarsawCentre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePTBanacha 1B02‐097WarsawPoland
| | - Katarzyna Jawna‐Zboińska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical PharmacologyMedical University of WarsawCentre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePTBanacha 1B02‐097WarsawPoland
| | - Ewa Widy‐Tyszkiewicz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical PharmacologyMedical University of WarsawCentre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePTBanacha 1B02‐097WarsawPoland
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14
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW With the incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders on the rise, it is imperative to identify and understand the mechanisms by which environmental contaminants can impact the developing brain and heighten risk. Here, we report on recent findings regarding novel mechanisms of developmental neurotoxicity and highlight chemicals of concern, beyond traditionally defined neurotoxicants. RECENT FINDINGS The perinatal window represents a critical and extremely vulnerable period of time during which chemical insult can alter the morphological and functional trajectory of the developing brain. Numerous chemical classes have been associated with alterations in neurodevelopment including metals, solvents, pesticides, and, more recently, endocrine-disrupting compounds. Although mechanisms of neurotoxicity have traditionally been identified as pathways leading to neuronal cell death, neuropathology, or severe neural injury, recent research highlights alternative mechanisms that result in more subtle but consequential changes in the brain and behavior. These emerging areas of interest include neuroendocrine and immune disruption, as well as indirect toxicity via actions on other organs such as the gut and placenta. Understanding of the myriad ways in which the developing brain is vulnerable to chemical exposures has grown tremendously over the past decade. Further progress and implementation in risk assessment is critical to reducing risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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15
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Berkel S, Eltokhi A, Fröhlich H, Porras-Gonzalez D, Rafiullah R, Sprengel R, Rappold GA. Sex Hormones Regulate SHANK Expression. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:337. [PMID: 30319350 PMCID: PMC6167484 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a higher prevalence in male individuals compared to females, with a ratio of affected boys compared to girls of 4:1 for ASD and 11:1 for Asperger syndrome. Mutations in the SHANK genes (comprising SHANK1, SHANK2 and SHANK3) coding for postsynaptic scaffolding proteins have been tightly associated with ASD. As early brain development is strongly influenced by sex hormones, we investigated the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17β-estradiol on SHANK expression in a human neuroblastoma cell model. Both sex hormones had a significant impact on the expression of all three SHANK genes, which could be effectively blocked by androgen and estrogen receptor antagonists. In neuron-specific androgen receptor knock-out mice (ArNesCre), we found a nominal significant reduction of all Shank genes at postnatal day 7.5 in the cortex. In the developing cortex of wild-type (WT) CD1 mice, a sex-differential protein expression was identified for all Shanks at embryonic day 17.5 and postnatal day 7.5 with significantly higher protein levels in male compared to female mice. Together, we could show that SHANK expression is influenced by sex hormones leading to a sex-differential expression, thus providing novel insights into the sex bias in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Berkel
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ahmed Eltokhi
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Research Group of the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research at the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Henning Fröhlich
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Diana Porras-Gonzalez
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rafiullah Rafiullah
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Research Group of the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research at the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gudrun A Rappold
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
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16
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Bauer AZ, Kriebel D, Herbert MR, Bornehag CG, Swan SH. Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: A review. Horm Behav 2018; 101:125-147. [PMID: 29341895 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The non-prescription medication paracetamol (acetaminophen, APAP) is currently recommended as a safe pain and fever treatment during pregnancy. However, recent studies suggest a possible association between APAP use in pregnancy and offspring neurodevelopment. OBJECTIVES To conduct a review of publications reporting associations between prenatal APAP use and offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes. METHODS Relevant sources were identified through a key word search of multiple databases (Medline, CINAHL, OVID and TOXNET) in September 2016. All English language observational studies of pregnancy APAP and three classes of neurodevelopmental outcomes (autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intelligence quotient (IQ)) were included. One reviewer (AZB) independently screened all titles and abstracts, extracted and analyzed the data. RESULTS 64 studies were retrieved and 55 were ineligible. Nine prospective cohort studies fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Data pooling was not appropriate due to heterogeneity in outcomes. All included studies suggested an association between prenatal APAP exposure and the neurodevelopmental outcomes; ADHD, ASD, or lower IQ. Longer duration of APAP use was associated with increased risk. Associations were strongest for hyperactivity and attention-related outcomes. Little modification of associations by indication for use was reported. CONCLUSIONS Together, these nine studies suggest an increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal APAP exposure. Further studies are urgently needed with; precise indication of use and exposure assessment of use both in utero and in early life. Given the current findings, pregnant women should be cautioned against indiscriminate use of APAP. These results have substantial public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Z Bauer
- Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA.
| | - David Kriebel
- Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA.
| | - Martha R Herbert
- Department of Neurology, MGH, Harvard Medical School, A.A. Martinos Centre for Biomedical Imaging, MGH/MIT/Harvard 149 Thirteenth Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY 10029, USA; Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
| | - Shanna H Swan
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY 10029, USA.
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17
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Moosa A, Shu H, Sarachana T, Hu VW. Are endocrine disrupting compounds environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorder? Horm Behav 2018; 101:13-21. [PMID: 29042182 PMCID: PMC5913002 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent research on the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shifted in part from a singular focus on genetic causes to the involvement of environmental factors and their gene interactions. This shift in focus is a result of the rapidly increasing prevalence of ASD coupled with the incomplete penetrance of this disorder in monozygotic twins. One such area of environmentally focused research is the association of exposures to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) with elevated risk for ASD. EDCs are exogenous chemicals that can alter endogenous hormone activity and homeostasis, thus potentially disrupting the action of sex and other natural hormones at all stages of human development. Inasmuch as sex hormones play a fundamental role in brain development and sexual differentiation, exposure to EDCs in utero during critical stages of development can have lasting neurological and other physiological influences on the developing fetus and, ultimately, the child as well as adult. This review will focus on the possible contributions of EDCs to autism risk and pathogenesis by first discussing the influence of endogenous sex hormones on the autistic phenotype, followed by a review of documented human exposures to EDCs and associations with behaviors relevant to ASD. Mechanistic links between EDC exposures and aberrant neurodevelopment and behaviors are then considered, with emphasis on EDC-induced transcriptional profiles derived from animal and cellular studies. Finally, this review will discuss possible mechanisms through which EDC exposure can lead to persistent changes in gene expression and phenotype, which may in turn contribute to transgenerational inheritance of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Moosa
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States.
| | - Henry Shu
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States.
| | - Tewarit Sarachana
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical Technology Branch, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Rama I Rd., Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Valerie W Hu
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States.
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18
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Lorigo M, Mariana M, Cairrao E. Photoprotection of ultraviolet-B filters: Updated review of endocrine disrupting properties. Steroids 2018; 131:46-58. [PMID: 29360537 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is emitted by the sun and is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. There are three types of UV rays (UV-A, UV-B and UV-C), however only UV-A and UV-B have biologic effects in humans, with UV-B radiation being primarily responsible for these effects. Among the measures of photoprotection advised by the health authorities, the topical application of sunscreens (containing UV-B filters) is the preferred worldwide. Currently, octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC) is the most commonly used UV-B filter in sunscreens. Their application has proven to be effective in preventing burns, but its efficiency against melanoma continues under intense controversy. Studies have shown that OMC behaves like an endocrine disruptor, altering the normal functioning of organisms. However, few studies have evaluated their multiple hormonal activities. Some studies suggest that the OMC exerts an estrogenic, anti-androgenic, anti-progestenic and anti-thyroid activity. But, through what mechanisms? In humans, few studies were performed, and some questions remain unclear. Thus, the purpose of this review is to present the multiple hormonal activities established for the OMC, making a critical analysis and relationship between the effects in cells, animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Lorigo
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Melissa Mariana
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Elisa Cairrao
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
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19
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Axelstad M, Hass U, Scholze M, Christiansen S, Kortenkamp A, Boberg J. EDC IMPACT: Reduced sperm counts in rats exposed to human relevant mixtures of endocrine disrupters. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:139-148. [PMID: 29203468 PMCID: PMC5776667 DOI: 10.1530/ec-17-0307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Human semen quality is declining in many parts of the world, but the causes are ill defined. In rodents, impaired sperm production can be seen with early life exposure to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, but the effects of combined exposures are not properly investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of early exposure to the painkiller paracetamol and mixtures of human relevant endocrine-disrupting chemicals in rats. One mixture contained four estrogenic compounds; another contained eight anti-androgenic environmental chemicals and a third mixture contained estrogens, anti-androgens and paracetamol. All exposures were administered by oral gavage to time-mated Wistar dams rats (n = 16-20) throughout gestation and lactation. In the postnatal period, testicular histology was affected by the total mixture, and at the end of weaning, male testis weights were significantly increased by paracetamol and the high doses of the total and the anti-androgenic mixture, compared to controls. In all dose groups, epididymal sperm counts were reduced several months after end of exposure, i.e. at 10 months of age. Interestingly, the same pattern of effects was seen for paracetamol as for mixtures with diverse modes of action. Reduced sperm count was seen at a dose level reflecting human therapeutic exposure to paracetamol. Environmental chemical mixtures affected sperm count at the lowest mixture dose indicating an insufficient margin of safety for the most exposed humans. This causes concern for exposure of pregnant women to paracetamol as well as environmental endocrine disrupters.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Axelstad
- Technical University of DenmarkNational Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - U Hass
- Technical University of DenmarkNational Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - S Christiansen
- Technical University of DenmarkNational Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - J Boberg
- Technical University of DenmarkNational Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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20
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Yoon DS, Choi Y, Cha DS, Zhang P, Choi SM, Alfhili MA, Polli JR, Pendergrass D, Taki FA, Kapalavavi B, Pan X, Zhang B, Blackwell TK, Lee JW, Lee MH. Triclosan Disrupts SKN-1/Nrf2-Mediated Oxidative Stress Response in C. elegans and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12592. [PMID: 28974696 PMCID: PMC5626723 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12719-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Triclosan (TCS), an antimicrobial chemical with potential endocrine-disrupting properties, may pose a risk to early embryonic development and cellular homeostasis during adulthood. Here, we show that TCS induces toxicity in both the nematode C. elegans and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) by disrupting the SKN-1/Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response. Specifically, TCS exposure affected C. elegans survival and hMSC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Cellular analysis showed that TCS inhibited the nuclear localization of SKN-1/Nrf2 and the expression of its target genes, which were associated with oxidative stress response. Notably, TCS-induced toxicity was significantly reduced by either antioxidant treatment or constitutive SKN-1/Nrf2 activation. As Nrf2 is strongly associated with aging and chemoresistance, these findings will provide a novel approach to the identification of therapeutic targets and disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Suk Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea
| | - Yoorim Choi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea
| | - Dong Seok Cha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.,Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Woosuk University, Jeonbuk, 565-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Peng Zhang
- Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Department of Genetics and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Seong Mi Choi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea
| | - Mohammad Abdulmohsen Alfhili
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.,Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11433, Saudi Arabia
| | - Joseph Ryan Polli
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - DeQwon Pendergrass
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.,Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Faten A Taki
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Brahmam Kapalavavi
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Xiaoping Pan
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - T Keith Blackwell
- Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Department of Genetics and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jin Woo Lee
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea. .,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea.
| | - Myon-Hee Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA. .,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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21
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Zettergren A, Karlsson S, Studer E, Sarvimäki A, Kettunen P, Thorsell A, Sihlbom C, Westberg L. Proteomic analyses of limbic regions in neonatal male, female and androgen receptor knockout mice. BMC Neurosci 2017; 18:9. [PMID: 28056817 PMCID: PMC5217640 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-016-0332-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is well-established that organizational effects of sex steroids during early development are fundamental for sex-typical displays of, for example, mating and aggressive behaviors in rodents and other species. Male and female brains are known to differ with respect to neuronal morphology in particular regions of the brain, including the number and size of neurons, and the density and length of dendrites in nuclei of hypothalamus and amygdala. The aim of the present study was to use global proteomics to identify proteins differentially expressed in hypothalamus/amygdala during early development (postnatal day 8) of male, female and conditional androgen receptor knockout (ARNesDel) male mice, lacking androgen receptors specifically in the brain. Furthermore, verification of selected sexually dimorphic proteins was performed using targeted proteomics. Results Our proteomic approach, iTRAQ, allowed us to investigate expression differences in the 2998 most abundantly expressed proteins in our dissected tissues. Approximately 170 proteins differed between the sexes, and 38 proteins between ARNesDel and control males (p < 0.05). In line with previous explorative studies of sexually dimorphic gene expression we mainly detected subtle protein expression differences (fold changes <1.3). The protein MARCKS (myristoylated alanine rich C kinase substrate), having the largest fold change of the proteins selected from the iTRAQ analyses and of known importance for synaptic transmission and dendritic branching, was confirmed by targeted proteomics as differentially expressed between the sexes. Conclusions Overall, our results provide solid evidence that a large number of proteins show sex differences in their brain expression and could potentially be involved in brain sexual differentiation. Furthermore, our finding of a sexually dimorphic expression of MARCKS in the brain during development warrants further investigation on the involvement in sexual differentiation of this protein. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12868-016-0332-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zettergren
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.,Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Sara Karlsson
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Erik Studer
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Anna Sarvimäki
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Petronella Kettunen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.,Department of Neuropathology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Annika Thorsell
- The Proteomics Core Facility, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Carina Sihlbom
- The Proteomics Core Facility, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Lars Westberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, POB 431, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.
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22
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Gallo MV, Ravenscroft J, Carpenter DO, Frye C, Akwesasne Task Force On The Environment, Cook B, Schell LM. Endocrine disrupting chemicals and ovulation: Is there a relationship? ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 151:410-418. [PMID: 27543788 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/07/2016] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Although the potential for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to disrupt female fecundity is great, few studies have assessed the threat to human reproduction. This study investigates levels of organochlorines in relation to their impact on women's menstrual cycles and ovulatory status. To address concerns of the Akwesasne Mohawk community in upstate New York regarding well-established exposure to EDCs, women's fertility and reproductive health endpoints, we recruited 215 women between the ages of 21 and 38 years to measure menstrual cycle characteristics and levels of local pollutants. Of these, 155 women collected saliva over the course of their menstrual cycle allowing for analysis of estradiol and progesterone levels and the determination of ovulatory status in relationship to their serum pollutant levels. A subset of participants (15) who did not commence cycling within a month of their enrollment were not included in the analysis, hence reducing the sample size to 140 participants. Additionally, a lipid panel, estradiol and progesterone were assessed in serum on Day 3 of the menstrual cycle. Median cycle length for women in the sample was 29 days. After aligning the cycles, 110 women were considered ovulatory and 45 (29%) anovulatory. Concentrations of groups of more persistent PCBs congeners, HCB, and p,p'-DDE did not differ significantly with ovulatory status. However, a sub-group of low-chlorinated PCB congeners, considered to be estrogenic were significantly higher among anovulatory women. These findings suggest that certain EDC's, ubiquitous in our environment, may adversely affect menstrual cycles and thus have the capacity to impair reproductive function, including likelihood of conception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia V Gallo
- University at Albany, Department of Anthropology, A&S 237, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, United States; Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, University at Albany-SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, United States.
| | - Julia Ravenscroft
- University at Albany, Department of Anthropology, A&S 237, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, United States
| | - David O Carpenter
- Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, University at Albany-SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, United States; Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, 5 University Place, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Cheryl Frye
- University at Albany, Department of Psychology, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, United States
| | | | - Beverly Cook
- St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, Akwesasne, NY, United States
| | - Lawrence M Schell
- University at Albany, Department of Anthropology, A&S 237, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, United States; Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, University at Albany-SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, United States; Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, 5 University Place, Rensselaer, NY, United States; University at Albany, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, One University Place, Room 131, Rensselaer, NY, United States
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23
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Carter CJ, Blizard RA. Autism genes are selectively targeted by environmental pollutants including pesticides, heavy metals, bisphenol A, phthalates and many others in food, cosmetics or household products. Neurochem Int 2016; 101:S0197-0186(16)30197-8. [PMID: 27984170 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2016.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The increasing incidence of autism suggests a major environmental influence. Epidemiology has implicated many candidates and genetics many susceptibility genes. Gene/environment interactions in autism were analysed using 206 autism susceptibility genes (ASG's) from the Autworks database to interrogate ∼1 million chemical/gene interactions in the comparative toxicogenomics database. Any bias towards ASG's was statistically determined for each chemical. Many suspect compounds identified in epidemiology, including tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, pesticides, particulate matter, benzo(a)pyrene, heavy metals, valproate, acetaminophen, SSRI's, cocaine, bisphenol A, phthalates, polyhalogenated biphenyls, flame retardants, diesel constituents, terbutaline and oxytocin, inter alia showed a significant degree of bias towards ASG's, as did relevant endogenous agents (retinoids, sex steroids, thyroxine, melatonin, folate, dopamine, serotonin). Numerous other suspected endocrine disruptors (over 100) selectively targeted ASG's including paraquat, atrazine and other pesticides not yet studied in autism and many compounds used in food, cosmetics or household products, including tretinoin, soy phytoestrogens, aspartame, titanium dioxide and sodium fluoride. Autism polymorphisms influence the sensitivity to some of these chemicals and these same genes play an important role in barrier function and control of respiratory cilia sweeping particulate matter from the airways. Pesticides, heavy metals and pollutants also disrupt barrier and/or ciliary function, which is regulated by sex steroids and by bitter/sweet taste receptors. Further epidemiological studies and neurodevelopmental and behavioural research is warranted to determine the relevance of large number of suspect candidates whose addition to the environment, household, food and cosmetics might be fuelling the autism epidemic in a gene-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Carter
- PolygenicPathways, Flat 2, 40 Baldslow Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 2EY, UK.
| | - R A Blizard
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Mental Health Sciences Unit, University College, London, UK
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24
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Rebuli ME, Patisaul HB. Assessment of sex specific endocrine disrupting effects in the prenatal and pre-pubertal rodent brain. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 160:148-59. [PMID: 26307491 PMCID: PMC4762757 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain sex differences are found in nearly every region of the brain and fundamental to sexually dimorphic behaviors as well as disorders of the brain and behavior. These differences are organized during gestation and early adolescence and detectable prior to puberty. Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) interfere with hormone action and are thus prenatal exposure is hypothesized to disrupt the formation of sex differences, and contribute to the increased prevalence of pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders that present with a sex bias. OBJECTIVE Available evidence for the ability of EDCs to impact the emergence of brain sex differences in the rodent brain was reviewed here, with a focus on effects detected at or before puberty. METHODS The peer-reviewed literature was searched using PubMed, and all relevant papers published by January 31, 2015 were incorporated. Endpoints of interest included molecular cellular and neuroanatomical effects. Studies on behavioral endpoints were not included because numerous reviews of that literature are available. RESULTS The hypothalamus was found to be particularly affected by estrogenic EDCs in a sex, time, and exposure dependent manner. The hippocampus also appears vulnerable to endocrine disruption by BPA and PCBs although there is little evidence from the pre-pubertal literature to make any conclusions about sex-specific effects. Gestational EDC exposure can alter fetal neurogenesis and gene expression throughout the brain including the cortex and cerebellum. The available literature primarily focuses on a few, well characterized EDCs, but little data is available for emerging contaminants. CONCLUSION The developmental EDC exposure literature demonstrates evidence of altered neurodevelopment as early as fetal life, with sex specific effects observed throughout the brain even before puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan E Rebuli
- North Carolina State University, Department of Biological Sciences, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States; W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- North Carolina State University, Department of Biological Sciences, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States; W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States.
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25
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Palanza P, Nagel SC, Parmigiani S, Vom Saal FS. Perinatal exposure to endocrine disruptors: sex, timing and behavioral endpoints. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2015; 7:69-75. [PMID: 27019862 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Of the approximately 85,000 chemicals in use, 1000 have been identified as having the ability to disrupt normal endocrine function. Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during critical period in brain differentiation (prenatal and neonatal life) via the mother can alter the course of the development of sexually dimorphic behaviors. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a very high volume chemical used in plastic, resins and other products, and virtually everyone examined has detectable BPA. BPA has estrogenic activity and is one of the most studied EDCs. We review evidence from studies in rodents using dose levels relevant to human exposure. BPA alters behavior and eliminates or in some cases reverses sexually dimorphic behaviors observed in unexposed animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Palanza
- Unit of Behavioral Biology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Viale delle Scienze 11/A, Parma 43100, Italy
| | - Susan C Nagel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA
| | - Stefano Parmigiani
- Unit of Behavioral Biology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Viale delle Scienze 11/A, Parma 43100, Italy
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