The general population is exposed to endocrine disruptors (EDs) representing a relevant risk factor for human fertility. Within the PREVIENI project, a case–control study was performed by enrolling infertile and fertile subjects (women, n = 97 vs 42; men, n = 67 vs 79) from three Italian areas, characterized by different exposure scenario (metropolitan, urban and rural areas). The study assessed blood/serum levels of Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), its metabolite mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and total Bisphenol A (BPA) in all subjects. In peripheral mononuclear blood cells, the gene expression values of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), androgen receptor (AR), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) were estimated, since they are considered primary targets of the selected EDs action and therefore putative biomarkers of effect. Differences in EDs internal levels and gene expression values were observed according to gender, area of residence and infertility status. Considering the area of residence, BPA concentrations were significantly higher in both women and men from the metropolitan area; PFOA was higher in women from the urban area and in men from the rural area; MEHP was higher in women from the metropolitan area and in men from both the metropolitan and the urban area. In the metropolitan area, infertile women presented higher BPA internal levels (20.70 ng/ml) with respect to controls and a tenfold increase in the gene expression of ERα and ERβ, AR, AhR and PXR; whereas infertile men presented a significant increase in AhR gene expression with no difference for EDs concentrations. Preliminary results on gene expression in infertile men of the other areas evidenced an increase in PXR expression in subjects from the urban area. An association with infertility was observed in women exposed to BPA in the Metropolitan Area (OR = 9.4) and to PFOA in the Urban Area (OR = 3.5). No association was observed in men. By integrating biomarkers of exposure and effect data, this study contributes to link environmental exposure and adverse effects on human health providing a scientific approach in the risk assessment of EDs
S3-2: Exposure to ED in humans: Assessing biomarkers of effect
MARCI, Roberto;
2013
Abstract
The general population is exposed to endocrine disruptors (EDs) representing a relevant risk factor for human fertility. Within the PREVIENI project, a case–control study was performed by enrolling infertile and fertile subjects (women, n = 97 vs 42; men, n = 67 vs 79) from three Italian areas, characterized by different exposure scenario (metropolitan, urban and rural areas). The study assessed blood/serum levels of Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), its metabolite mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and total Bisphenol A (BPA) in all subjects. In peripheral mononuclear blood cells, the gene expression values of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), androgen receptor (AR), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) were estimated, since they are considered primary targets of the selected EDs action and therefore putative biomarkers of effect. Differences in EDs internal levels and gene expression values were observed according to gender, area of residence and infertility status. Considering the area of residence, BPA concentrations were significantly higher in both women and men from the metropolitan area; PFOA was higher in women from the urban area and in men from the rural area; MEHP was higher in women from the metropolitan area and in men from both the metropolitan and the urban area. In the metropolitan area, infertile women presented higher BPA internal levels (20.70 ng/ml) with respect to controls and a tenfold increase in the gene expression of ERα and ERβ, AR, AhR and PXR; whereas infertile men presented a significant increase in AhR gene expression with no difference for EDs concentrations. Preliminary results on gene expression in infertile men of the other areas evidenced an increase in PXR expression in subjects from the urban area. An association with infertility was observed in women exposed to BPA in the Metropolitan Area (OR = 9.4) and to PFOA in the Urban Area (OR = 3.5). No association was observed in men. By integrating biomarkers of exposure and effect data, this study contributes to link environmental exposure and adverse effects on human health providing a scientific approach in the risk assessment of EDsI documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
