endocrine disruptors

endocrine disruptors

• substances that interfere with the body’s natural hormone system

• hormones act in small concentration, minor disruptions may cause significaant effects

exposure of endocrine disruptors

found in..

• make-up

• food

• packaging

• toys

• pesticides

• carpets

mechanisms of disruptors — agonists

• initiate naturally occurring hormones in the body & amplify response

• bind to receptors & activate downstream signaling pathway

• Eg. Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in plastics can act as an estrogen agonist, promoting cell profileration

mechanisms of disruptors — antagonists

• binds to receptors and blocks the naturally occurring hormone from functioning

• normal signal then fails, and body doesn’t respond

• eg. tamoxifen: a medication used to treat and prevent breast cancer (estrogen receptor positive tumors)

altering hormone production (endocrine disruptors)

• they can interfere with the genes that produce hormones

• can lead to an over/under-production, of gland hormones

• eg. PCB can decrease thyroid hormone gene expression

endocrine disruptors on impacts on human health

• obesity and diabetes

• immune system dysfunction

• increase cancer risk

• cardiovascular disease

• infertility