endocrine disruptors Flashcards
how did we become concerned about edcs
- genes, poor diet and sedentary lifestyle alone couldn’t explain obesity epidemic
- sharpest rise in human obesity coincides with expansion of chemical and pharmaceutical industry
what does DDT do (2)
- mimics estrogen effects
- reduces fertility
what sexual impacts are thought to be caused by edcs (4)
- changes in sex determination
- sexual dysfunctions
- impaired sexual behavior of aquatic species
- changes in mate preference in mammals
ex of edcs (5)
- pharmaceuticals (DES or EE2)
- dioxin
- PCBs
- pesticides (DDT)
- plasticizers (BPA)
ex of objects/products where edcs can be found (6)
- plastic bottles
- detergents
- flame retardants
- food
- toys
- cosmetics
where are edcs found in the body (3)
- accumulate in fat tissue
- can be transferred across placenta
- in breast milk
characteristics of edcs that make them act like hormones (5)
- act via hormone receptors (abnormal receptor function)
- some act at low doses
- non-linear DR relationships
- tissue-specific and life stage-specific effects
- developmental effects permanent
why can edcs bind to hormone receptors
their structure resembles that of hormones like estrogen or thyroid hormone
edc moa (2)
- mimic hormone (agonist)
- block hormone (antagonist)
concerns about edcs (5)
- adverse effects at low levels
- ubiquitous exposure in environment
- more hormonal systems involved (not just estrogen or reproductive system)
- more compounds involved
- fetal exposure impact on adult health
why would fetal exposure to edcs lead to problems
normal development of fetus requires certain amounts of hormones at precise times
what kind of problems would a change in amount or timing of hormones to fetus create (4)
- behavior
- immune function
- neurological development
- gender development
nuclear mechanisms of edcs (4)
- agonist
- co-activator
- co-inhibitor/repressor
- allosteric modulation
where are edcs mostly found
ocean
wildlife in which area have the highest concentrations of edcs in their tissues
regions of high chemical use
sources of edcs
everywhere, but water is central
routes of exposure to edcs
everywhere; everyday articles
how do edcs affect reproduction and sex determination (DNA level)
affect germ cell re-methylation -> altered germline DNA methylation -> altered testis transcriptome -> spermatogenic defect
how do edcs affect reproduction success in fish
increased vitellogenin in male fish -> feminization of fish (oocytes in testis) -> decreased male fertility -> decreased reproduction
how do edcs affect reproductive success in birds
eat contaminated worms -> increased volume of HVC -> more complex songs -> females prefer male with complex songs (preferentially mate with them)
human health impacts of edcs (7)
- hormone related cancers
- metabolic disorders
- reproductive health
- immune function and disease
- thyroid-related disorders
- bone disorders
- neurodevelopmental disorders in children
effect BPAs have on health (2)
- glucose intolerance
- hyperinsulinaemia
how do organotins lead to metabolic syndrome
increased adipocyte differentiation and adipose tissue -> increased leptin -> (leptin resistance?) -> increased appetite -> increased chance of developing metabolic syndrome
where do BPAs act on metabolic pathways to influence body weight (6)
- inhibit insulin release
- inhibit insulin receptor
- activate PI3-kinase
- inhibit PDK -> Akt
- inhibit internalization of glucose via GLUT4 (transporter)
- activate glucose uptake
metabolic syndrome
- obesity
- CVD
- insulin resistance
how do edcs contribute to manifestation of metabolic disorder (2)
- inflammatory processes via cytokines/adipokines
- producing effects of metabolic imbalance
risk factors for metabolic syndrome (6)
- obesity
- diabetes
- hypertension
- decreased HDL
- elevated triglyceride levels
- hypercoagulable states
what is DES
synthetic estrogen prescribed to pregnant women to avoid miscarriages
children exposed in utero to DES have higher risk of (6)
- reproductive malformations
- infertility
- testicular cancer
- vaginal carcinoma
- obesity
- metabolic disorder
how do estrogenic edcs (like DES) affect development (gene level)
program gene activity via epigenetic changes during critical periods of development
what type of agonist are organotin compounds
peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) gamma and retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonists
what do organotin compounds stimulate
differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes and increase fat deposition (at low doses)
effects of organotin compounds at (a) low doses, (b) moderate doses, (c) high doses
(a) increase fat deposition
(b) inhibits activity of 11b-HSD2 -> increase in local active GC levels
(c) inhibits aromatase activity and downregulates ER
how can edc-induced mitochondrial dysfunction lead to obesity
poor development of mitochondria promotes inflammation
how can edc-induced physiological changes in adipose tissue promote cancerogenesis (2)
- dysfunctional adipose tissue leads to changes in signaling pathways (such as insulin signaling pathway) which results in cell proliferating/survival pathway activation
- edcs induce mutations and epigenetic changes in stem cells that lead to tissue-specific tumors