Effects of Phytoestrogens on the Developing Brain, Gut Microbiota, and Risk for Neurobehavioral Disorders

Abstract

Many pregnant and nursing women consume high amounts of soy and other plant products that contain phytoestrogens, such as genistein (GEN) and daidzein. Infants may also be provided soy based formulas. With their ability to bind and activate estrogen receptors (ESR) in the brain, such compounds can disrupt normal brain programming and lead to later neurobehavioral disruptions. However, other studies suggest that maternal consumption of soy and soy based formulas containing such phytoestrogens might lead to beneficial behavioral effects. Select gut microbes might also convert daidzein and to a lesser extent genistein to even more potent forms, e.g., equol derivatives. Thus, infant exposure to phytoestrogens may result in contrasting effects dependent upon the gut flora. It is also becoming apparent that consumption or exposure to these xenoestrogens may lead to gut dysbiosis. Phytoestrogen-induced changes in gut bacteria might in turn affect the brain through various mechanisms. This review will consider the evidence to date in rodent and other animal models and human epidemiological data as to whether developmental exposure to phytoestrogens, in particular genistein and daidzein, adversely or beneficially impact offspring neurobehavioral programming. Consideration will be given to potential mechanisms by which such compounds might affect neurobehavioral responses. A better understanding of effects perinatal exposure to phytoestrogen can exert on brain programming will permit pregnant women and those seeking to become pregnant to make better-educated choices. If phytoestrogen-induced gut dysbiosis contributes to neurobehavioral disruptions, remediation strategies may be designed to prevent such gut microbiota alterations and thereby improve neurobehavioral outcomes.

Developmental exposure to silver nanoparticles leads to long term gut dysbiosis and neurobehavioral alterations

“…However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined whether in utero exposure to NPs might deleteriously affect the initial bacterial colonization of the gut that would lead to permanent changes on composition of the gut flora. This issue is of critical importance given the fact that the gut microbiome can lead to profound effects on the host, including increasing the risk for neurobehavioral and metabolic disorders 61 , 62 , 99 .…”

Data integration, analysis, and interpretation of eight academic CLARITY-BPA studies

“…None of the independent researcher used gavage thus they did not use the CMC vehicle which has possible side effect of causing inflammation of the gut altering the gut microbiome [237]. Any extrinsic factor that alters gut microbiota can lead to pathophysiological changes in the host through various axes, including the microbiota-gut-brain axis [22,[238][239][240][241].…”

Developmental Exposure to Silver Nanoparticles Leads to Long Term Gut Dysbiosis and Neurobehavioral Alterations

“…This issue is of critical importance given the fact that the gut microbiome can lead to profound effects on the host, including increasing the risk for neurobehavioral and metabolic disorders. 61,62,99 The current studies clearly demonstrate that developmental exposure to silver NP induces long-term effects on gut microbiota with the greatest divergence from control mice occurring at the last timepoint assessed, 120 days of age. As shown though in the 3D PCA diagrams, at all ages tested gut bacteria within those exposed early on to silver NPs clustered separately from controls.…”