"Selected fungicides as potential EDC estrogenic micropollutants in the environment"

Abstract

An increasing level of pesticides exposition is being observed as a result of the consumption of large amounts of fruit, vegetables and grain products, which are key components of the vegetarian diet. Fungicides have been classified as a endocrine-disrupting compounds, but their mechanisms of action have not yet been clarified. The effect of boscalid (B), cyprodinil (C) and iprodione (I) combined with Tamoxifen (T) and 17β-estradiol (E2) on cell viability, cell proliferation, reporter gene expression, ROS content, cell membrane’s function, cell morphology and antioxidant enzymes gene expression on MCF-7 and T47D-KBluc cell lines were investigated. Cell lines were chosen due to their response to 17β -estradiol. Selected fungicides are commonly used in Poland to protect crops against fungi. Our results revealed that studied fungicides caused significant increase in cell viability and proliferation and estrogenic activity was present in all studied compounds depending on their concentrations. Oxidative stress activated uncontrolled cancer cell proliferation by inducing ROS production and by inhibiting antioxidant defense. Our findings verified that studied fungicides could possibly exhibit endocrine disrupting properties and exposure should be avoided.