Thematic Issue: Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals 2023
February 2023
Read our special collection of journal articles, published in 2021-2023, describing research on Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)! Curation of the collection was guided by Altmetric Attention Scores and Featured Article designation.
In Endocrinology, Casiano and colleagues discuss two less-studied EDCs, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and the parabens, in terms of the disparities in exposure between populations and their association with breast carcinogenesis. Tong and coauthors report that a mouse model of mammary cancer metastasis exposed to methylparaben and propylparaben at levels lower than the US Food and Drug Administration’s “human acceptable daily intake” had increased tumor volumes and rates of pulmonary metastases. Hilz and Gore review recent evidence for sex-specific changes to the brain’s monoaminergic systems after developmental EDC exposure and relate these to sex differences in cognition.
In Journal of the Endocrine Society, Ogunsina et al. report an almost 40 percent serum thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity rate among firefighters, who may be exposed to EDCs in their work. Ding and associates report a significant association between urinary phthalate metabolites and both anti-Müllerian hormone and testosterone in data from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Vazquez, Daza-Dueñas, and Tena-Sempere review epigenetic effects influencing reproduction, noting that EDCs, through their effects on androgen and estrogen signaling, likely can cause suppressed gametogenesis, among a host of other effects.
In JCEM, Peng and colleagues report that in data from SWAN, some phthalate metabolites were associated with a higher incidence of diabetes over a 6-year period, although the associations were inconsistent across racial/ethnic groups. Timmermann et al. report that increased serum concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances were associated with an increased risk of terminating breastfeeding. Carwile and coauthors describe how serum levels of polyfluoroalkyl substances and phthalates may be associated with reduced bone mineral density in adolescent males.
In Endocrine Reviews, Brito and associates discuss the possible influence of EDCs in acquired mechanisms implicated in central precocious puberty. They note growing but inconclusive evidence linking critical developmental periods of EDC exposure to pubertal developmental disorders via a neuroendocrine route. Yang and coauthors provide a comprehensive review of uterine fibroids, highlighting several studies that have linked EDC exposure to their development; phthalates seem to be tightly linked to fibroid prevalence. Clark and associates review what is known about ovarian Hippo signaling, a key mediator of ovarian homeostasis in response to environmental toxicants such perfluorooctanoic acid and tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate.
Endocrine Reviews
The Congenital and Acquired Mechanisms Implicated in the Etiology of Central Precocious Puberty
The etiology of central precocious puberty (CPP) is multiple and heterogeneous, including congenital and acquired causes that can be associated with structural or functional brain alterations. All causes of CPP culminate in the premature pulsatile secretion of hypothalamic GnRH and, consequently, in the premature reactivation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Comprehensive Review of Uterine Fibroids: Developmental Origin, Pathogenesis, and Treatment
Uterine fibroids are benign monoclonal neoplasms of the myometrium, representing the most common tumors in women worldwide. To date, no long-term or noninvasive treatment option exists for hormone-dependent uterine fibroids, due to the limited knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and development of uterine fibroids.
Hippo Signaling in the Ovary: Emerging Roles in Development, Fertility, and Disease
Emerging studies indicate that the Hippo pathway, a highly conserved pathway that regulates organ size control, plays an important role in governing ovarian physiology, fertility, and pathology. Specific to the ovary, the spatiotemporal expression of the major components of the Hippo signaling cascade are observed throughout the reproductive lifespan.
Endocrinology
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Breast Cancer: Disparities in Exposure and Importance of Research Inclusivity
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are known contributors to breast cancer development. Exposures to EDCs commonly occur through food packaging, cookware, fabrics, and personal care products, as well as external environmental sources. Increasing evidence highlights disparities in EDC exposure across racial/ethnic groups, yet breast cancer research continues to lack the inclusion necessary to positively impact treatment response and overall survival in socially disadvantaged populations.
Chronic Exposure to Low Levels of Parabens Increases Mammary Cancer Growth and Metastasis in Mice
Methylparaben (MP) and propylparaben (PP) are commonly used as food, cosmetic, and drug preservatives. These parabens are detected in the majority of US women and children, bind and activate estrogen receptors (ER), and stimulate mammary tumor cell growth and invasion in vitro. Hemizygous B6.FVB-Tg (MMTV-PyVT)634Mul/LellJ female mice (n = 20/treatment) were exposed to MP or PP at levels within the US Food and Drug Administration's “human acceptable daily intake.”
Sex-specific Effects of Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals on Brain Monoamines and Cognitive Behavior
The period of brain sexual differentiation is characterized by the development of hormone-sensitive neural circuits that govern the subsequent presentation of sexually dimorphic behavior in adulthood. Perturbations of hormones by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during this developmental period interfere with an organism’s endocrine function and can disrupt the normative organization of male- or female-typical neural circuitry.
Journal of the Endocrine Society
Correlates of Positive Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies Among Firefighters: A Cross-Sectional-Study
Autoimmune thyroid disease is one of the most common types of autoimmune endocrine diseases; testing positive for thyroid antibodies increases the risk of developing thyroid dysfunction. Generally, autoimmune diseases are believed to be initiated by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. In the propagation phase of autoimmune diseases, autoimmune reaction creates an inflammatory environment and a catastrophic inflammatory loop resulting in chronic disease.
Associations Between Repeated Measures of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites With Hormones and Timing of Natural Menopause
Phthalates, ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting chemicals, may affect ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis. We examined the associations of urinary phthalate metabolites with hormones including estradiol, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and timing of natural menopause in midlife women.
Emerging Roles of Epigenetics in the Control of Reproductive Function: Focus on Central Neuroendocrine Mechanisms
Reproduction is an essential function for perpetuation of the species. As such, it is controlled by sophisticated regulatory mechanisms that allow a perfect match between environmental conditions and internal cues to ensure adequate pubertal maturation and achievement of reproductive capacity. Besides classical genetic regulatory events, mounting evidence has documented that different epigenetic mechanisms operate at different levels of the reproductive axis
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Phthalates and Incident Diabetes in Midlife Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability. In 2017-2020, 14.7% of adults in the United States had diabetes. Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk of many serious chronic conditions. The disease was estimated to cost the US healthcare system $327 billion in 2017 (2), consuming a significant portion of healthcare expenditures.
Pregnancy Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Associations With Prolactin Concentrations and Breastfeeding in the Odense Child Cohort
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of persistent environmental chemicals considered to cause diverse adverse health effects in humans. Due to the widespread use in products such as furniture, carpets, clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foams, PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment. Humans are mainly exposed to PFAS through contaminated food and water as well as dust from treated textiles and other materials.
Serum PFAS and Urinary Phthalate Biomarker Concentrations and Bone Mineral Density in 12-19 Year Olds: 2011-2016 NHANES
Bone accrual primarily occurs during childhood and adolescence; therefore, it is critically important to identify modifiable factors that negatively affect bone during this period to better promote bone health across the lifespan. The role of the synthetic chemical classes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates on bone health is of particular interest because of their high exposure prevalence in US children and adolescents and ability to disrupt hormone-signaling pathways.
