Occupational exposure to pesticides deregulates systemic cortisol levels in women with breast cancer and correlates with poor prognosis features

Pesticides have been pointed out as hormone disruptors and may significantly affect the prognosis of hormone-dependent diseases such as breast cancer (BC). Here, we investigated the impact of occupational pesticide exposure on systemic cortisol levels in female rural workers diagnosed with BC. Occupational exposure was assessed by interviews with a standardized questionnaire. Plasma samples (112 from pesticide-exposed women and 77 from unexposed women) were collected in the afternoon, outside the physiological cortisol peak, and analyzed by a chemiluminescent paramagnetic immunoassay for the quantitative determination of cortisol levels in serum and plasma. The results from both groups were categorized according to patients' clinicopathological and exposure data. BC pesticide-exposed women presented higher levels of cortisol than the unexposed. Higher cortisol levels were also detected in the exposed group with more aggressive disease (triple-negative BC), with tumors over 2 cm, with lymph node metastases, and with high risk of disease recurrence and death. These findings demonstrated that there is an association between pesticide exposure and BC that affected cortisol levels and correlated to poor disease prognosis.

Efecto de disrupción endocrina de la genisteína sobre caenorhabditis elegans

La genisteína es una isoflavona presente en la soya, de alto consumo en la población infantil por su uso como sucedáneo de la leche materna, sin embargo, poco se conoce acerca de los efectos a nivel endocrino. En este trabajo, Caenorhabditis elegans se utilizó como modelo para evaluar el efecto de disrupción endocrina de la genisteína a través de letalidad, crecimiento, reproducción, almacenamiento de lípidos y cambios en la expresión de genes de respuesta al estrés (hsp-3, sod-4 y gpx-4). Los resultados indicaron que, aunque la genisteína no indujo letalidad, sí promovió la reproducción, el aumento de la longitud del cuerpo, el incremento en la expresión de genes relacionados con estrés celular y estrés oxidativo y la acumulación lipídica. En conclusión, la genisteína generó efectos relacionados con el efecto de disrupción endocrina en C. elegans, muy probablemente a través de mecanismos de estrés oxidativo.

Genistein is an isoflavone present in soy, which children highly consume as a substitute for breast milk; however, little is known about its effects at the endocrine level. This paper used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to evaluate the endocrine disrupting effect of genistein through lethality, growth, reproduction, lipid storage, and changes in the expression of stress response genes (hsp-3, sod- 4, and gpx-4). The results indicated that, although genistein did not induce lethality, it did promote reproduction and increased body length, expression of genes related to cellular stress and oxidative stress, and lipid accumulation. In conclusion, genistein produced effects related to endocrine disruption on C. elegans, most likely through oxidative stress mechanisms.

Endocrine disruption and infertility: Circulatory hormone and bisphenol A concentrations in infertile Saudi women

Aim: Human infertility is a public problem and a cause of social and psychological complications affecting more than 50 million couples globally. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental endocrine disrupting chemical and has been associated with infertility problems in women.The aim of the present study was to analyze concentrations of bisphenol A and circulating hormones in infertile Saudi women for evaluating the association of BPA with infertility.Methodology: The present study was done on 43 infertile women for evaluating possible association of systemic BPA concentrations with infertility in Saudi Arabia. The clinical indications were irregular menses, hyper-androgenism, multiple small ovarian cysts, polycystic ovarian syndrome and unexplained infertility. Blood samples from infertile women and a control group of 18 healthy fertile women were analyzed and compared for concentrations of BPA and circulatory hormones. Results: The results showed that BPA concentrations were not significantly different between infertile women and controls. BPA concentrations were also not correlated with systemic hormone concentrations in infertile women. Interpretation: Serum BPA levels had no association with hormone imbalance in this cohort of infertile Saudi women. However, considering the previous studies that have shown a relationship of BPA with female infertility, an argument can be made that there might be lower exposure of Saudi population to BPA in comparison to BPA analogues such as BPS (according to recent reports). Therefore, it is suggested to conduct more infertility studies that include detection of BPA and its analogues in infertile Saudi women

Research progress in environmental pollution and endocrine disruption of the UV filter benzophenone-3 / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Benzophenone-3 is the most widely used benzophenone type UV filter, which is lipophilic, light stable and bioaccumulative. Benzophenone-3 is widely present in environmental waters and can be detected in humans. Its potential toxicity (especially endocrine disruption) has attracted people's attention. There are a lot of related data on the exposure of benzophenone-3 in the environment and humans from foreign literatures, but there are few studies on related aspects in China. In the view of widespread presence of benzophenone-3 and its endocrine disruption, future researches should focus on its potential toxicity to the population including endocrine disruption and the mechanisms.

Endocrine Disruption Activity of 30-day Dietary Exposure to Decabromodiphenyl Ethane in Balb/C Mouse / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxicity, metabolic disturbance activity and endocrine disrupting activity of mice treated by Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, Balb/C mice were treated orally by gavage with various doses of DBDPE. After 30 days of treatment, mice were sacrificed; blood, livers and thyroid glands were obtained, and hepatic microsomes were isolated. Biochemical parameters including 8 clinical chemistry parameters, blood glucose and hormone levels including insulin and thyroid hormone were assayed. The effects of DBDPE on hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) levels and activities and uridinediphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) activities were investigated. Liver and thyroid glands were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no obvious signs of toxicity and no significant treatment effect on body weight, or liver-to-body weight ratios between treatment groups. The levels of ALT and AST of higher dose treatment groups were markedly increased. Blood glucose levels of treatment groups were higher than those of control group. There was also an induction in TSH, T3, and fT3. UDPGT, PROD, and EROD activities were found to have been increased significantly in the high dose group. Histopathologic liver changes were characterized by hepatocyte hypertrophy and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Our findings suggest that DBDPE can cause a certain degree of mouse liver damage and insufficiency.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DBDPE has the activity of endocrine disruptors in Bal/C mice, which may induce drug-metabolizing enzymes including CYPs and UDPGT, and interfere with thyroid hormone levels mediated by AhR and CAR signaling pathways. Endocrine disrupting activity of DBDPE could also affect the glucose metabolism homeostasis.</p>

Postnatal exposure to a progestin does not prevent uterine adenogenesis in domestic dogs

To assess the effects of a single supraphysiological postnatal administration of a progestogen on uterine glands in dogs, 10 females were randomly assigned to a medroxyprogesterone acetate 35 mg (MPA; n = 6) or placebo (n = 4) group within the first 24 h of birth. The safety of the treatment was also evaluated. A transient mild clitoris enlargement appeared in MPA-treated females. Microscopic postpubertal uterine assessment revealed the presence of uterine glands in all cases without significant differences in the area occupied by the glands per µm2 of endometrium nor in the height of the uterine epithelium.

Bioaccumulation and Evidence of Hormonal Disruptions in Tilapia Fish (Oreochromis spp.) Exposed to Sub-lethal Concentrations of Pesticides in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Examination of endocrine disruption in tilapia fish (Oreochromis spp.) after exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of endosulfan, lindane, diazinon and malathion was evaluated by the quantification of 17-β-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in fish. Female tilapia (96-110 g/fish) were exposed to 2.8, 15, 225 and 315 μg/l of endosulfan, lindane, diazinon and malathion, respectively; while, the male tilapia (same range weight) were exposed to 2.8 μg/l endosulfan and 315 μg/l of malathion separately for 21 days. The obtained results showed that the level of 17-β-estradiol and progesterone concentration in female, were significantly decreased in all treatment. Similarity, the level of testosterone was decreased significantly in the blood of male fish exposed to endosulfan and malathion pesticides when compared to the control fish group. The bioaccumulation of pesticides in muscular tissue of fishes were 760, 310, 41.3 and 11.9 (μg/g) for endosulfan, lindane, malathion and diazinon, respectively. Results suggest that pesticides assayed, are endocrine disruptors in tilapia, which can affect the reproduction and other biochemical and physiological functions controlled by hormones. On the other hand, pesticides accumulated in fish muscle represent a risk for public health, since tilapia is a popular food in Mexico like in others developing countries.

Inmunolocalización hepática de CYP P450 en un experimento de toxicidad subaguda por Clorpirifos 0,0-dietil 0-(3, 5, 6-tricloro-2-piridil fosforotioato) en machos juveniles de tilapia Oreochromis spp) / Liver immunolocation of CYP P450 in an subacute toxicity experiment with Clorpirifos o,o-(3, 5, 6- trichloride -2-pyridyl phosphorotioato in young male tilapia (Oreochromis spp) / Inmunolocalização hepática de CYP P450 num teste de toxicidade subaguda por Clorpirifos 0,0-dietil 0-(3, 5, 6-tricloro-2-piridil fosforotioato) em machos juvenis de tilápia (Oreochromis spp.)

Resumen En Colombia son escasas las técnicas de diagnóstico implementadas con biomarcadores inmunohistoquímicos para realizar biomonitoreo de contaminación ambiental. Objetivo: Implementar una técnica inmunohistoquímica para inmunolocalizar CYP 1A en tejidos de peces, luego de realizar un experimento de exposición subaguda al Clorpirifos en tilapias juveniles machos. Métodos: el experimento de dosis subletal, se realizó en un sistema semiestático, con recambio diario del 50% del volumen de agua manteniendo la concentración correspondiente en cada grupo experimental mediante la adición de la mitad de la dosis hasta el día 28. Las concentraciones de Clorpirifos para la exposición fueron 4, 8, y 12 μg/L, en los grupos tratados y 0,0 μg/L en el grupo control. Se tomaron muestras para estudio histopatológico e inmunohistoquímico. Resultados: se encontró diferencia significativa (p<0,05) para algunas lesiones en el hígado, confirmando que este es un órgano de impacto de los efectos del Clorpirifos a bajas dosis. Se verificó la inducción de CYP 1A en el hepatocitos, endotelio y células biliares tanto de los animales expuestos como en los no expuestos. Desde el punto de vista multidimensional no se encontró diferencia estadística entre los tratamientos para las variables estudiadas. Conclusión: se implementó y normalizó una técnica de inmunohistoquímica para la inmunolocalización tisular de CYP 1A, que podrá utilizarse en futuras investigaciones para realizar biomonitoreo de contaminación en las cuencas hidrográficas de Colombia.

Abstract In Colombia the diagnostic techniques for implementing immunohistochemical biomarkers to fulfill biomonitoring of environmental contamination are limited. Objective: To implement an immunohistochemical technique to immunolocate CYP 1A in the tissue of fish, performing a subacute exposition experiment of Clofopirifos in the liver of young male tilapia. Methods: the sublethal dosage was carried out in semi-static state, with a daily refill of 50% of the water volume, maintaining the corresponding concentration in each group through the addition of half of the dosage until the 28th day. The Cloropirifos concentrations for the exposition were 4, 8, and 12 μg/L in the treated groups and 0.0 μg/L in the control group. Samples were taken for histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Results: A significant difference (p<0.05) for some liver lesions, confirming that it is an organ affected by low dosages of Cloropirifos. It verified that the induction of CYP 1A in hepatocyte, endothelium and biliary cells equally in exposed animals and those that weren't exposed. From a multidimensional perspective, no statistical difference was found between the treatments for the variables under study. Conclusion: this study implemented and normalized an immunohistochemical technique for the tissue immunolocation of CYP 1A that could be used in future investigations to fulfill biomonitoring of contamination in Colombia's hydrographic basins.

Resumo Na Colômbia são escassas as técnicas de diagnóstico realizadas com biomarcadores imuno-histoquímicos para realizar biomonitoramento da contaminação ambiental. Objetivo: Estandardizar uma técnica imuno-histoquímica para fazer imunolocalização do CYP 1ª em tecidos de peixes, logo de realizar um experimento de exposição subaguda ao Clorpirifós em machos juvenis de tilápia. Métodos: O teste da dose subletal realizou-se num sistema semiestático, com recambio diário de 50% do volume de água mantendo a concentração correspondente em cada grupo experimental mediante a adição da metade da dose até o dia 28. As concentrações de Clorpirifós para a exposição dos peixes foram 4, 8 e 12 μg/L, nos grupos tratados e 0,0 μg/L no grupo controle. Tomaram-se amostras para o estudo histopatológico e imuno-histoquímico. Resultados: Encontrou-se diferença significativa (p<0.05) para lesões no fígado, confirmando que este é um órgão que recebe diretamente o impacto dos efeitos do Clorpirifos em baixas doses. Verificou-se a indução de CYP 1A nos hepatócitos, endotélio e células biliares tanto nos animais que estiveram expostos ao Clorpirifós quanto nos animais que não estiveram expostos. Desde o ponto de vista multidimensional não se encontrou diferença estadística entre os tratamentos para as variáveis estudadas. Conclusão: Estandardizou-se e normalizou-se uma técnica de imuno-histoquímica para a imunolocalização tissular de CYP 1A, que poderá se utilizada em futuras pesquisas para realizar biomonitoramento da contaminação das bacias hidrográficas da Colômbia, além disto.

Effect of Chlorpyrifos 0,0-dietil 0-(3, 5, 6-tricloro-2-piridil fosforotioato) in juvenile of tilapia (Oreochromis spp) males / Efecto del Clorpirifos 0,0-dietil 0-(3, 5, 6-tricloro-2-piridil fosforotioato) en machos juveniles de tilapia (Oreochromis spp) / Efeito de Clorpirifós 0,0 dietil-0 - (3, 5 fosforotioato, 6-tricloro-2-piridil) em tilápias juvenis masculinos (Oreochromis spp)

Chlorpyrifos is a highly toxic insecticide to freshwater organisms and little is known regarding its potential to affect endocrine systems at sublethal concentrations. The induction of vitellogenin (Vtg) is a fairly sensitive marker of the effects of estrogenic compounds in juvenile fish. Objective: to evaluate histological changes and Vtg production in juvenile male tilapia (Oreochromis spp) exposed to sublethal concentrations of the insecticide Lorsban® EC (active ingredient chlorpyriphos). Methods: juvenile tilapia were exposed to 4, 8, and 12 μg/L of chlorpyrifos for 28 days in a semistatic system, with tanks receiving a 50% (v/v) daily water change to maintain nominal concentrations of the insecticide throughout the experiment. Subgroups of 3 animals from each concentration batch were euthanized on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, and samples of liver, gonads, gills, kidney and brain tissues were taken for routine histopathology examination. Liver and gonads were also processed by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antikillifish vitellogenin Vtg ND - 5F8 to detect Vtg. Results: we found significant statistical difference (p<0.05) for some injuries to the brain (degeneration and gliosis of the optic tectum), kidneys (vacuolar nephrosis and tubular hyaline granules), and liver (karyomegaly, binucleation, and hyaline granules in hepatocytes). Similarly we verified the induction of vitellogenin synthesis in liver and gonads, finding significant difference (p<0.05) in the expression of this protein between the control group and 4 mg / L with respect to treatment of 8 and 12 mg / L. Conclusion: the results obtained on the induction of vitellogenin in males suggest a general effect of blocking concentrations of Chlorpyrifos for the possible induction of this protein. The mechanisms are not known at this time.

Hasta donde se conoce, no hay estudios en tilapias juveniles (Oreochromis spp), que valoren el potencial de disrupción endocrina del Clorpirifos por análisis histológico e inmunohistoquímico de la inducción de la Vitelogenina (Vtg) hepática. Objetivo: determinar los efectos de la exposición subaguda al Clorpirifos en órganos blanco de disrupción en peces juveniles machos de tilapia. Métodos: el experimento de dosis subletal, se realizó en un sistema semiestático, con recambio diario del 50% del volumen de agua manteniendo la concentración nominal en cada grupo experimental mediante la adición de la mitad de la dosis hasta el día 28. Las concentraciones de Clorpirifos para la exposición fueron 4, 8, y 12 μg/L. Con cada concentración se trataron 12 juveniles, con tres replicas para cada concentración. Los 12 peces del grupo control no recibieron tratamiento. Se realizó el estudio anatomopatológico de tres animales por grupo, por cada semana los días 7, 14, 21 y 28 de estudio. Se efectuó la toma de muestras para estudio histopatológico de hígado, gónadas, branquias, riñón y encéfalo y se procesaron por histopatología de rutina. Las muestras de hígado y gónada también se procesaron por inmunohistoquímica. Resultados: el análisis MANOVA encontró diferencia significativa (p<0.05) para lesiones en encéfalo (degeneración tectum óptico), riñón (gránulos hialinos) e hígado (cariomegalia), constituyéndose en órganos de impacto de los efectos del Clorpirifos a bajas dosis. Se verificó la inducción de Vtg en hígado y gónada de los animales expuestos, encontrando diferencia estadística significativa (p<0.05) en la expresión de esta proteína entre el grupo control y de 4 μg/L con relación a los grupos de 8 y 12 μg/L. Conclusión: los resultados obtenidos sobre la inducción de Vtg en machos sugieren un efecto antogonista del Clorpirifos sobre los Receptores Estrogénicos (REs), con una posible disminución en la síntesis de ésta proteína. Los mecanismos no se conocen en el momento.

O clorpirifos é um insecticida altamente tóxico para os organismos de água doce. Porém, pouco se sabe acerca de seu potencial efeito no sistema endócrino em concentrações subletais. A indução de vitelogenina hepática (Vtg) é um marcador bastante sensível do efeito de componentes estrogênicos em peixes juvenis. Objetivo: determinar os efeitos da exposição subaguda ao clorpirifos em órgãos alvo de disrupção endócrina em machos juvenis de tilápia. Métodos: o experimento foi realizado em um sistema semi-estático com recambio diário de 50% do volume de água, com manutenção da concentração nominal em cada grupo experimental mediante a adição da metade da dose de clorpirifos até o dia 28. Três grupos de 12 peixes foram tratados com concentrações de clorpirifos de 4, 8 y 12 μg/L, respectivamente, com três réplicas para cada grupo. Um grupo controle não recebeu nenhum tratamento. Realizou-se o estudo anatomopatológico de rotina do fígado, gônadas, brânquias, rins e encéfalo de três animais por grupo nos dias 7, 14, 21 e 28. As amostras de fígado e gônada foram também processadas por inmunoistoquímica usando um anticorpo monoclonal para detectar Vtg (anti-killifish Vtg ND-5F8). Resultados: mediante análise MANOVA encontrou-se diferença significativa (p<0.05) para lesões no encéfalo (degeneração do tectum óptico), rim (grânulos hialinos) e fígado (cariomegalia), fato que demonstra que estes são os órgãos alvo dos efeitos do clorpirifos a baixas doses. Verificou-se a indução de Vtg no fígado e gônada dos animais expostos, com diferença estatística significativa (p<0.05) na expressão desta proteína entre o grupo controle e o grupo de 4 μg/L com relação aos grupos de 8 e 12 μg/L. Conclusão: os resultados obtidos sobre a indução de Vtg em machos sugerem um efeito antagonista do clorpirifos sobre os receptores estrogênicos, com uma possível diminuição na síntese desta proteína. Os mecanismos ainda são desconhecidos.

Is male infertility a forerunner to cancer?

PURPOSE: The frequency of testicular cancer and male infertility has been increasing in the past several decades. This article examines the relationship between male infertility and testicular cancer, concentrating particularly on causal links. RESULTS: Both of these disorders are associated with testicular dysgenesis syndrome and have also been traced to mutations in genes involving DNA repair and tumor suppression, as well as environmental exposure. CONCLUSION: The identification and examination of these common points of origin supports the integration of testicular cancer screenings into the routine evaluation of infertile men.

Environmental exposures and gene regulation in disease etiology: [review]

Health or disease is shaped for all individuals by interactions between their genes and environment. Exactly how the environment changes gene expression and how this can lead to disease are being explored in a fruitful new approach to environmental health research, representative studies of which are reviewed here. We searched Web of Science and references of relevant publications to understand the diversity of gene regulatory mechanisms affected by environmental exposures with disease implications. Pharmaceuticals, pesticides, air pollutants, industrial chemicals, heavy metals, hormones, nutrition, and behavior can change gene expression through a broad array of gene regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, chemically induced changes in gene regulation are associated with serious and complex human diseases, including cancer, diabetes and obesity, infertility, respiratory diseases, allergies, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases. The reviewed studies indicate that genetic predisposition for disease is best predicted in the context of environmental exposures. And the genetic mechanisms investigated in these studies offer new avenues for risk assessment research. Finally, we are likely to witness dramatic improvements in human health, and reductions in medical costs, if environmental pollution is decreased.

Saúde e doença resultam da interação entre genes e o ambiente em que os indivíduos vivem. Vários estudos analisados neste artigo vêm explorando, com bons resultados, o modo como o ambiente modifica a expressão dos genes e como isso pode provocar doenças. Buscamos nas bases de dados científicas e referências de publicações relevantes, estudos que nos levaram a entender a diversidade de formas pelas quais os mecanismos regulatórios dos genes são afetados por exposições ambientais e implicam adoecimento. Medicamentos, pesticidas, poluentes do ar, produtos químicos, metais pesados, hormônios, produtos de nutrição e comportamentos podem mudar a expressão genética por meio de uma quantidade enorme de mecanismos regulatórios dos genes. Ademais, mudanças quimicamente induzidas na regulação do gene estão associadas a enfermidades graves e complexas, como é o caso do câncer, diabetes, infertilidade, doenças respiratórias, alergias e problemas neurodegenerativos como o mal de Parkinson e Alzheimer. Os estudos revistos indicam que uma predisposição genética para determinada doença é melhor prevista no contexto das exposições ambientais. E os mecanismos genéticos examinados nesses estudos oferecem novos caminhos para pesquisas sobre avaliação de risco.

Endocrine Disruptors

For the previous century, the humans have created an unintended and unwanted problem of endocrine disruptors as a potential threat to our public health. By the name of industrialization, endocrine disruptors are smuggling in the everyday life of people today. Although there are much debate on the reality of their emerging health threat, it is no doubt that there are certain classes of compounds that have the potential to affect hormonal status adversely, leading to abnormal development, reproductive dysfunction, and some cancers. The classes of endocrine disruptors are extensively diverse and even more increasing, such as, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, dieldrin, bisphenol A and toxaphene. Although these endocrine disruptors have been prohibited or tightly regulated, many of them are still unrecognized and still used without knowing their potential threat to the biological world. Once they are released into the environment, they usually persist without degradation and even undergo bioaccumulation and bioconcentration in food chain. Comparing with the great concern over the public health, we do not have enough information for these issues. It is now clear that we need further extensive studies for the risk assessment and the protection of human and ecological health from the potential hazards of endocrine disruptors. This article introduces a breif overview of the current status of our knowledge and research on endocrine disruptors.

Health Risk Assessment of Nonylphenol in Reclaimed Wastewater / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To assess the risk of nonylphenol in reclaimed wastewater used in city to damage the human endocrine system and to present the data for making the related water quality standard. Methods Based on the monitored results of nonylphenol in the reclaimed wastewater from a reclaimed water plant in Beijing and referenced the phenol toxic parameter from integrated risk information system of the Unite State Environmental Protection Agency and the nonylphenol tested toxicity data from related literature, the risk assessment of nonylphenol on human health was conducted using four step health risk assessments when the sewage was reclaimed as a different approach to use. Results The endocrine disruption risk of nonylphenol in reclaimed wastewater on human health was about in a range of 10-8-10-10, which could even be ignored. Conclusion The risk of nonylphenol is acceptable to human health when the reclaimed wastewater were used for municipal, agricultural irrigation, urban lake supplement, then, nonylphenol as a human health risk factor can be ignored when making the standard of nonylphenol in reclaimed water.