Neuroendocrine disruption in animal models due to exposure to bisphenol A analogues

Abstract

Animal and human studies provide evidence that exposure to the endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC), bisphenol A (BPA), can lead to neurobehavioral disorders. Consequently, there is an impetus to identify safer alternatives to BPA. Three bisphenol compounds proposed as potential safer alternatives to BPA are bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), and bisphenol AF (BPAF). However, it is not clear whether these other compounds are safer in terms of inducing less endocrine disrupting effects in animals and humans who are now increasingly coming into contact with these BPA-substitutes. In the past few years, several animal studies have shown exposure to these other bisphenols induce similar neurobehavioral disruption as BPA. We will explore in this review article the current studies suggesting these other bisphenols result in neuroendocrine disruptions that may be estrogen receptor-dependent. Current work may aide in designing future studies to test further whether these BPA-substitutes can act as neuroendocrine disruptors.

Neurochemical characterization of the enteric neurons within the porcine jejunum in physiological conditions and under the influence of bisphenol A (BPA)

“…In such products, BPA has been replaced by other substances, including bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol AF and bisphenol F (BPF), and goods produced without BPA are labeled as “BPA‐free” products, which are considered safe for humans and animals. Nevertheless, recent studies have shown that substitutes for BPA may (like BPA) leach from plastic‐ware into water and food, absorbed into body fluids and tissues and may also have a negative impact on living organisms by causing several pathological conditions . For example, it is known that BPS (the most widely used substitute for BPA) has hormonal potencies with the same magnitude as BPA .…”

“…Nevertheless, recent studies have shown that substitutes for BPA may (like BPA) leach from plastic-ware into water and food, absorbed into body fluids and tissues and may also have a negative impact on living organisms by causing several pathological conditions. 73,74 For example, it is known that BPS (the most widely used substitute for BPA) has hormonal potencies with the same magnitude as BPA. 75 It causes reproductive dysfunctions and affects the GI tract, where it significantly inhibits digestive enzyme activity.…”

Impacts of bisphenol A analogues on zebrafish post‐embryonic brain

“…These restrictions led to the alternative use of BPA analogues, including bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) 22 . Environmental monitoring has now identified high concentrations of these bisphenol A analogues in foodstuffs, indoor dust, sediments, sewer effluents, sludge, soils, river and sea waters in various countries 4,6,22,23 and measurable amounts can now be detected in human biological samples such as urinary samples, 24,25 maternal sera and umbilical cord sera 26 …”

“…In rodent and human foetal testis explants (ex vivo), BPS and BPF decrease basal testosterone secretion 34 . Importantly, an increased number of recent in vivo studies suggest that several BPA analogues act as endocrine disrupters in rodent and fish models 26 …”

Naturally occurring bisphenol F in plants used in traditional medicine

“…A recent systematic review of both in vitro and in vivo studies has suggested that the potency in hormonal effect of BPF is in the same order of magnitude as that of BPA (Rochester and Bolden 2015). More recent studies have confirmed the similarities in the reported biological effects between BPF and BPA (Goldinger et al 2015;Kim et al 2017;Lee et al 2017;Mesnage et al 2017;Rosenfeld 2017). Zoller Disclaimer The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of EFSA or FSVO.…”