Environmental non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals exposure and reproductive hormones levels in adult men

Abstract

Non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous, man-made substances present in the environment that may interfere with the natural human hormones and may exert adverse consequences on human organism. Endocrinedisrupting chemicals have been suspected to be associated with altered reproductive function in the case of males and females. Environmental endocrine-disrupting non-persistent chemicals like parabens, phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphate pesticides are found in various products such as metal food cans, plastic bottles, detergents, personal care products or chemicals used for fighting against insects. The widespread distribution of these chemicals causes that humans are permanently exposed through multiple sources. The aim of this review is to summarize data linking non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals exposure, and human, male reproductive hormones levels. The included studies were selected by searched PubMed, Web of Science and MEDLINE, original papers published from 2006 to 2016 and referring to human data were included to the review. The results of reviewed studies were not consistent, however, majority of the studies indicated that non-persistent EDCs may affect male reproductive hormones levels. Most findings suggest that exposure to environmental EDCs is negatively related to the level of testosterone (except for exposure to BPA which is positively associated). In most of the studies negative association was found between exposure to examined EDCs and free androgen index, too. Considering the suggested health effect of exposure to EDCs, more epidemiological data is needed. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(5):551-573.

Elevated urinary bisphenol A levels are associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease among adults in the United States

“…Noninvasive markers are better suited to exclude NAFLD, rather than to diagnose NAFLD due to low sensitivity for detection of NAFLD in individuals with values >36. Based on current literature, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve is 0.78‐0.84 representing modest accuracy . However, sensitivity analyses using different cut‐off demonstrated that our results were consistent and robust.…”

“…However, sensitivity analyses using different cut‐off demonstrated that our results were consistent and robust. The USFLI and HSI have been established as robust noninvasive diagnostic modalities for NAFLD in the US population and other populations, and can reliably and independently predict liver‐related and all‐cause mortality . Future prospective studies are needed to reproduce and reconfirm these observations.…”

“…BPA is a known endocrine disruptor that has been shown to be harmful in experimental studies . The trend highlighting a steady increase in the use of BPA‐containing products is expected to maintain its trajectory as a result of a conducive regulatory environment . Various epidemiologic studies have documented detrimental effects of BPA .…”

Estrogenic activity of biological samples as a biomarker

“…In this context, the assessment of EDC exposure appears crucial in order to monitor populations at higher risk of exposure and to understand the link between exposure and adverse health effects. In biological samples concentrations of EDCs (e.g., bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, parabens, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), perfluorinated compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and metabolites of EDCs (e.g., metabolites of pyrethroids, insecticides, pesticides, phthalates) have been used as conventional biomarkers of exposure (Calsolaro et al 2017, Dziewirska et al 2018, Hampl et al 2016, Karwacka et al 2019). However, since 1995 (Sonnenschein et al 1995) some authors proposed novel biomarkers of exposure to EDCs, which focus on detecting the biological effect of chemical compounds or metabolites, rather than detecting the presence of the EDC itself.…”

Integrated Approach to Evaluate the Association between Exposure to Pesticides and Idiopathic Premature Thelarche in Girls: The PEACH Project

“…Reproductive adverse effects of pesticides are related to sex. In men, pesticides exposure has been associated to reduced testosterone synthesis and sperm quality and motility, as well as testicular cancer; in women, the main effects were observed on the alteration of ovarian cycle, the imbalance of hormone concentrations and fertility, and the induction of spontaneous abortion [3,4].…”