Bisphenol A analogues in associations with serum hormone levels among reproductive-aged Chinese men

The protective role of 3-Indoleglyoxylic acid in Bisphenol S-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction via mitochondrial ROS-Mediated IL-17/CXCL10/TNF-α signaling

Bisphenol S (BPS) has become extensively used in the manufacturing of consumer products. BPS mainly enters the body through food and water, with oral exposure targeting the gastrointestinal tract. However, its safety profile remains contentious and warrants further investigation. In this study, we aimed to assess whether BPS exerts harmful effects on the body in the absence of overt pathological damage. Our results revealed that although BPS did not lead to significant histopathological damage, it induced intestinal barrier dysfunction. Additionally, in vitro investigations utilizing NCM460 cells and human-derived colorectal organoids demonstrated that BPS exposure induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in intestinal endocrine cells (EECs), upregulating the expression of inflammatory mediators TNF-α and CXCL10. Using a DSS-induced colitis mouse model, it was found that BPS exposure exacerbates the progression of intestinal inflammatory diseases. Analysis of single-cell databases demonstrated a significant reduction in the expression of CHGA, a functional protein of enteroendocrine cells (EECs), in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The expression of CHGA showed a significant negative correlation with the expression of IL17. Notably, supplementation with 3-Indoleglyoxylic acid effectively mitigates the intestinal damage induced by BPS. These findings highlight the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress and IL-17/CXCL10/TNF-α signaling in BPS-induced intestinal damage and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of 3-Indoleglyoxylic acid in mitigating these effects.

Internal Bisphenol Analogue Exposure in an Elderly Chinese Population: Knowledge from Dietary Exposure

Due to its endocrine-disrupting effects and neurotoxicity, Bisphenol A (BPA) has been banned from some products and some countries; therefore, alternatives are increasingly being used. Studies have been performed to evaluate internal Bisphenol analogue (BP) exposure in children, adolescents and adults; however, little information on elderly age groups is available. In this study, a cohort of 161 senior residents aged 60-70 years, from a coastal residential district in Jiangsu Province of China, was selected, and blood samples were collected from these individuals to evaluate internal BP exposure. The serum concentrations of eleven BPs (BPA, BPB, BPC, BPE, BPF, BPS, BPZ, BPP, BPAF, BPAP and TBBPA) were quantitatively determined by HPLC-MS/MS. In parallel, demographic and dietary surveys were conducted, and the potential association between BP levels and dietary habits was analyzed. Noteworthily, the detection rate of 10 BPs in serum samples exceeded 78%. Of all the BPs, BPA displayed the highest level, followed by BPAF, BPB, and BPS. Interestingly, the levels of most types of BPs in males were higher than those in females, and individuals above 65 years of age exhibited significantly higher BPA levels. Dietary analysis indicated a significant correlation between meat consumption and BP levels, implying that this is an important source of BP exposure. The current study uncovers previously unknown aspects of BPs exposure, characterized by high internal BP levels in the elderly, and risk factors such as gender and meat consumption. This offers valuable insights for preventing region-specific BP exposure in the elderly.

Temporal and geographic variability of bisphenol levels in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of international biomonitoring data

INTRODUCTION

Bisphenols are endocrine-disrupting chemicals known to contribute to chronic disease across the lifespan. With increased awareness of their health effects, changes in regulation and health behaviors have contributed to reductions in urinary bisphenol A (BPA) levels in the United States, Canada, and Europe. However, global trends in bisphenols outside these regions, especially bisphenol S (BPS) exposure, have been less studied.

AIM

We examine trends in urinary BPA and BPS concentration in non-occupationally exposed populations, where representative data at a country level is unavailable.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2023 that included urinary bisphenol concentrations. We examined BPA and BPS concentration changes by sampling year, controlling for region, age, and pregnancy status, with and without a quadratic term and geometric mean, via mixed-effects meta-regression models with a random intercept and sensitivity analysis. We identified heterogeneity using Cochran's Q-statistic, I2 index, and funnel plots.

RESULTS

The final analytic sample consisted of 164 studies. We observed positive non-linear associations between time and BPA concentration internationally (beta: 0.02 ng/mL/year2, 95% CI: [0.01, 0.03]) and in Eastern and Pacific Asia (beta: 0.03 ng/mL/year2, 95% CI: [0.02, 0.05]). We also observed non-linear associations of time with both BPA and BPS concentrations in the Middle East and South Asia (beta: 0.13 ng/mL/year2, 95% CI: [0.01, 0.25] and beta: 0.29 ng/mL/year2, 95% CI: [-0.50, -0.08], respectively). In the sensitivity analyses excluding studies with geometric or arithmetic mean values, each displayed significant shifts from the main findings with some consistent outcomes occurring internationally and/or in specific regions. Heterogeneity was high across studies, suggesting possible bias in our estimations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide evidence for concern about increasing population exposure to BPA and BPS. Further studies estimating attributable disease burden and costs at regional and global levels are warranted to show these chemicals' impact on population health and economies.

The impact of Bisphenol-A on human reproductive health

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a recognized endocrine-disrupting chemical used to produce several consumer goods and products. There has been widespread exposure to BPA because of increased industrial production and use of BPA-containing products. As a result of these exposures, BPA is found in several human body fluids and can cause endocrine disruption by interfering with hormone signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications. Therefore, human reproductive health and development have been adversely affected by BPA. This review aimed to consolidate existing knowledge on the impact of BPA on human reproductive health, examining its effects on both males and females. To achieve this, we systematically searched four databases for studies that associated BPA with reproductive health (male and female), after which we retrieved the important information from the selected articles. There was an association of reproductive health diseases with high BPA exposure. In males, BPA was associated with increased sperm alterations, altered reproductive hormone levels, and testicular atrophy. In females, there was an association of BPA exposure with hormonal imbalances, reduced ovarian reserve, and increased likelihood of conditions such as fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and infertility. BPA's pervasive presence and its harmful effects on reproductive health underscore the need for global regulation and public awareness. Although substantial evidence from animal and in vitro studies supports the detrimental effects of BPA, there is a need for more human-focused research, particularly in developing countries, to confirm these findings. This review advocates for increased regulatory measures to limit BPA exposure.

Combined effects and potential mechanisms of phthalate metabolites on serum sex hormones among reproductive-aged women: An integrated epidemiology and computational toxicology study

The reproductive age is a crucial stage for women to bear offspring. However, reproductive-aged women are simultaneously exposed to various phthalates, which may pose a threat to their reproductive health. This study employed generalized linear regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression to explore the associations between monoesters of phthalates (MPAEs) and sex hormones in 913 reproductive-aged women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Key risk factors driving hormone disruption were identified based on the weights of the WQS models. Interaction models were used to unravel the synergistic or antagonistic effects between MPAEs. The potential toxicological targets of MPAEs interfering with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were revealed based on prior knowledge and molecular docking of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α). Compared with the first quartile, mono-benzyl phthalate (MBZP) in the second quartile exhibited a decrease in total testosterone (TT) and TT/E2 (estradiol) ratio. Mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP) in the fourth quartile showed a decrease in SHBG and TT/E2. Additionally, mono-(carboxyoctyl) phthalate and mono-(carboxynonyl) phthalate (MCNP) were negatively associated with SHBG. Each unit increase in the WQS index of MPAE mixtures was associated with 6.73 % lower SHBG levels (95 %CI: -12.80 %, -0.24 %) with mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate, MCNP, MBZP, and MECPP identified as major risk factors. Interaction analyses revealed that the effects of high-risk MPAEs on SHBG were predominantly antagonistic. Molecular docking suggested that MPAEs might compete to bind tryptophan residues of HNF4α. This study provides key information to help develop the most effective phthalate interventions and improve the reproductive health of reproductive-aged women.

Developmental exposures to common environmental pollutants result in long-term Reprogramming of hypothalamic-pituitary axis in mice

Humans are exposed to a range of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Many studies demonstrate that exposures to EDCs during critical windows of development can permanently affect endocrine health outcomes. Most experimental studies address changes in secretion of hormones produced by gonads, thyroid gland and adrenals, and little is known about the ability of EDCs to produce long-term changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) control axes. Here, we examined the long-term effects of three common EDCs on male mouse HP gene expression, following developmental exposures. Pregnant mice were exposed to 0.2 mg/ml solutions of bisphenol S (BPS), 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), or 3,3',5,5'-tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) from pregnancy day 8 through lactation day 21 (weaning day). Male offspring were left untreated until postnatal day 140, where pituitaries and hypothalami were collected. Pituitaries were assed for gene expression via RNA sequencing, while specific genes were assessed for expression in hypothalami via RT-qPCR. Differential expression, as well as gene enrichment and pathway analysis, indicated that all three chemicals induced long-term changes, (mostly suppression) in pituitary genes involved in its endocrine function. BPS and BDE-47 produced effects overlapping significantly at the level of effected genes and pathways. All three chemicals altered pathways of gonad and liver HP axes, while BPS altered HP-adrenal and BDE-47 altered HP-thyroid pathways specifically. All three chemicals reduced expression of immune genes in the pituitaries. Targeted gene expression in the hypothalamus indicates down regulation of hypothalamic endocrine control genes by BPS and BDE-47 groups, concordant with changes in the pituitary, suggesting that these chemicals suppress overall HP endocrine function. Interestingly, all three chemicals altered pituitary genes of GPCR-mediated intracellular signaling molecules, key signalers common to many pituitary responses to hormones. The results of this study show that developmental exposures to common EDCs have long-term impacts on hormonal feedback control at the hypothalamic-pituitary level.

Inhibition of human and rat placental 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases by bisphenol A analogues depends on their hydrophobicity: In silico docking analysis

Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues are widely used industrial chemicals. Placental 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3β-HSDs) catalyse the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone. However, the potency of BPA analogues in inhibiting 3β-HSDs activity remains unclear. We investigated the inhibitory effect of 10 BPA analogues on 3β-HSDs activity using an in vitro assay and performed the structure-activity relationship and in silico docking analysis. BPH was the most potent inhibitor of human 3β-HSD1, with an IC50 value of 0.95 μM. BPFL, BPG, DABPA, BPAP, BPZ, DMBPA, and BPB also inhibited human 3β-HSD1 activity, albeit with lower potency. BPG was the most potent inhibitor of rat 3β-HSD4, with an IC50 value of 1.14 μM. BPAP, BPFL, BPG, BPH, BPZ, DABPA, and DMBPA are mixed inhibitors of human 3β-HSD1 and they significantly inhibited human JAr cells to secrete progesterone. The LogP values were inversely correlated with the inhibitory effects. Docking analysis showed that most BPA analogues bind to steroid-binding site of both 3β-HSDs. A pharmacophore containing hydrogen bond donor and hydrophobic region was generated for predicting the inhibitory strength of BPA analogues. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that some BPA analogues are potent inhibitors of 3β-HSDs and lipophilicity determines the inhibitory potency.

Effects of Bisphenol A on the Risk of Developing Obesity

BACKGROUND

Every year the global incidence of obesity increases considerably and among the factors that favor it is bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor widely used in plastics and omnipresent in many everyday objects.

METHODS

A total of 19 studies published between 2018 and 2023 that addressed the relationship between BPA exposure and obesity were included in this review in order to better understand its behavior and mechanisms of action.

RESULTS

The studies reviewed conclude that BPA is an obesogen that alters the function of hormonal receptors, promotes metabolic syndrome, affects certain genes, etc., leading to a greater risk of developing obesity. With important emphasis on the ability to cause epigenetic changes, thus transmitting the effects to offspring when exposure has occurred during critical stages of development such as during gestation or the perinatal period.

CONCLUSIONS

There is sufficient evidence to show that BPA is a risk factor in the development of obesity. Even so, further research is necessary to exhaustively understand the causal relationship between the two in order to develop prevention measures and avoid possible future adverse effects.

FTO mediates bisphenol F-induced blood-testis barrier impairment through regulating ferroptosis via YTHDF1/TfRc and YTHDF2/SLC7A11 signal axis

Bisphenol F (BPF) has been extensively utilized in daily life, which brings new hazards to male reproductive health. However, the specific functional mechanism is still unclear. Both cell and animal models were utilized for exploring the role of RNA methylation and ferroptosis and its underlying mechanisms in male reproductive injury induced by BPF. In animal model, BPF severely destroyed the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and induced ferroptosis. Furthermore, BPF significantly affected the barrier function of TM4 cells and promoted ferroptosis. Importantly, ChIP assays revealed that BPF inhibited AR transcriptional regulation of FTO and FTO expression was downregulated in TM4 cells. Overexpression of FTO prevented the impairment of BTB by inhibiting ferroptosis in TM4 cells. Mechanistically, FTO could significantly down-regulate the m6A modification level of TfRc and SLC7A11 mRNA through MeRIP experiment. RIP experiments showed that YTHDF1 can bind to TfRc mRNA and promote its translation while YTHDF2 could bind to SLC7A11 mRNA and reduce its mRNA stability. Therefore, our results suggest that FTO plays a key role in BPF induced male reproductive toxicity through YTHDF1-TfRc axis and YTHDF2-SLC7A11 axis and may provide new ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of male reproductive diseases associated with environmental pollutants.

Association of exposure to a mixture of phenols, parabens, and phthalates with altered serum thyroid hormone levels and the roles of iodine status and thyroid autoantibody status: A study among American adults

BACKGROUND

Toxicological and epidemiological studies have shown that environmental endocrine disruptors interfere with hormonal homeostasis. However, there is limited research on the effects of mixed exposure to nonpersistent endocrine disruptors on thyroid hormones and the factors (e.g., presence status of thyroid autoantibodies or nutritional status of organismal iodine) that may influence this association.

METHODS

Data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2008 and 2011-2012. Relationships between single pollutants and thyroid hormone and thyroid autoantibody levels were assessed using generalized linear (GLM) and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression models. Weighted quantile sum regression (WQS), group-weighted quantile sum regression (GWQS), quantile-based g-computation (qgcomp), and adaptive elasticity network (AENET) were applied to assess the mixed exposure effect. Next, subgroup analyses were performed on the basis of the urinary iodine concentration or thyroid autoantibody status to assess the modifying role of urinary iodine and thyroid autoantibodies.

RESULTS

A total of 2385 study participants were included in this study. Both the single-pollutant model and the multipollutant mixed model revealed that parabens and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites were significantly and negatively associated with serum thyroxine (T4) levels. However, no associations were found between the target pollutants and thyroid autoantibodies (thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb)). In addition, this study revealed that urinary iodine or thyroid autoantibody status altered the associations of some of the target pollutants with thyroid hormones. WQS and qgcomp analyses, revealed that the associations of mixed pollutants with hormones differed depending on the urinary iodine or antibody status, especially T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

CONCLUSION

Significant associations were found between phenols, parabens, and phthalates and serum thyroid hormone levels, with parabens and DEHP metabolites playing major roles. Urinary iodine and thyroid autoantibody status act as modifiers between environmental endocrine-disrupting pollutants and thyroid hormones.

Analysis of environmental pollutant Bisphenol F elicited prostate injury targets and underlying mechanisms through network toxicology, molecular docking, and multi-level bioinformatics data integration

Bisphenol F (BPF) has gained prominence as an alternative to bisphenol A (BPA) in various manufacturing applications, yet being detected in diverse environments and posed potential public health risk. This research aims to elucidate the putative toxic targets and underlying molecular mechanisms of prostate injury induced by exposure to BPF through multi-level bioinformatics data, integrating network toxicology and molecular docking. Systematically leveraging multilevel databases, we determined 276 targets related to BPF and prostate injury. Subsequent screenings through STRING and Cytoscape tool highlighted 27 key targets, including BCL2, HSP90AA1, MAPK3, ESR1, and CASP3. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses demonstrated enrichment of targets involved in apoptosis, abnormal hormonal activities, as well as cancer-related signal transduction cascades, ligand-receptor interaction networks, and endocrine system signaling pathways. Molecular docking simulations conducted via Autodock corroborated high-affinity binding interaction between BPF and key targets. The results indicate that BPF exposure can contribute to the initiation and progression of prostate cancer and prostatic hyperplastic by modulating apoptosis and proliferation, altering nerve function in blood vessel endothelial cells, and disrupting androgen metabolism. This study offers theoretical underpinnings for comprehending the molecular mechanisms implicated in BPF-elicited prostatic toxicity, while concomitantly establishing foundational framework for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for prostatic injuries related to polycarbonate and epoxy resin plastics incorporated with BPF, as well as environments afflicted by elevated levels of these compounds.

Associations of exposure to bisphenol-A or parabens with markers of liver injury/function among US adults in NHANES 2011-2016

BACKGROUND

Bisphenol-A (BPA) and parabens are common endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) that are used extensively in consumer products worldwide and are widely found in the environment.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively explore the correlations between urinary BPA/parabens levels and liver injury/function markers.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2011 to 2016. The exposure variables were urinary BPA and four urinary parabens [methylparaben (MPB), ethylparaben (EPB), propylparaben (PPB), and butylparaben (BPB)], while the outcome variables were indicators of liver function/injury [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), AST/ ALT, albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4)]. Multiple linear regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression analyses were applied to explore the relationships between the individual/combined exposure variables and the liver injury/function indicators, respectively. Furthermore, stratified analysis was employed to detect the associations influenced by age and sex.

RESULTS

A total of 2,179 adults were eligible for the present analysis. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed positive associations of EPB with AST, ALT, TP, and FIB-4 scores and negative associations of BPA with TP and ALB. The effects of urinary parabens on adverse outcomes in the liver (AST and ALT) were significant in the female and middle-aged subgroups. In addition, the WQS analysis revealed that the mixture of four compounds was negatively associated with ALB. BPA had the greatest effect on the serum ALB concentration (weight = 0.688).

IMPACT

Our present study provided novel evidence of significant associations between BPA or certain parabens and numerous markers of liver injury/function indicators. We found that higher urinary BPA concentrations were associated with worse liver function. Exposure to high EPB/PPB ratios was significantly associated with biomarkers of liver injury.

Bisphenol S causes excessive estrogen synthesis by activating FSHR and the downstream cAMP/PKA signaling pathway

Estrogen excess in females has been linked to a diverse array of chronic and acute diseases. Emerging research shows that exposure to estrogen-like compounds such as bisphenol S leads to increases in 17β-estradiol levels, but the mechanism of action is unclear. The aim of this study was to reveal the underlying signaling pathway-mediated mechanisms, target site and target molecule of action of bisphenol S causing excessive estrogen synthesis. Human ovarian granulosa cells SVOG were exposed to bisphenol S at environmentally relevant concentrations (1 μg/L, 10 μg/L, and 100 μg/L) for 48 h. The results confirms that bisphenol S accumulates mainly on the cell membrane, binds to follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) located on the cell membrane, and subsequently activates the downstream cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) signaling pathway, leading to enhanced conversion of testosterone to 17β-estradiol. This study deepens our knowledge of the mechanisms of environmental factors in pathogenesis of hyperestrogenism.

Exposure to BPA and BPS during pregnancy disrupts the bone mineralization in the offspring

Exposure to plastic-derived estrogen-mimicking endocrine-disrupting bisphenols can have a long-lasting effect on bone health. However, gestational exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogue, bisphenol S (BPS), on offspring's bone mineralization is unclear. The effects of in-utero bisphenol exposure were examined on the offspring's bone parameters. BPA and BPS (0.0, 0.4 μg/kg bw) were administered to pregnant Wistar rats via oral gavage from gestational day 4-21. Maternal exposure to BPA and BPS increased bone mineral content and density in the offspring aged 30 and 90 days (P < 0.05). Plasma analysis revealed that alkaline phosphatase, and Gla-type osteocalcin were significantly elevated in the BPS-exposed offspring (P < 0.05). The expression of BMP1, BMP4, and their signaling mediators SMAD1 mRNAs were decreased in BPS-exposed osteoblast SaOS-2 cells (P < 0.05). The expression of extracellular matrix proteins such as ALPL, COL1A1, DMP1, and FN1 were downregulated (P < 0.05). Bisphenol co-incubation with noggin decreased TGF-β1 expression, indicating its involvement in bone mineralization. Altered mineralization could be due to dysregulated expression of bone morphogenetic proteins and signalling mediators in the osteoblast cells. Thus, bisphenol exposure during gestation altered growth and bone mineralization in the offspring, possibly by modulating the expression of Smad-dependent BMP/TGF-β1 signalling mediators.

Low-dose BPA-induced neuronal energy metabolism dysfunction and apoptosis mediated by PINK1/parkin mitophagy pathway in juvenile rats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is related to neurological disorders involving mitochondrial dysfunction, while the mechanism remains elusive. Therefore, we explored it through in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro, hippocampal neurons derived from neonatal rats of different genders were exposed to 1-100 nM and 100 μM BPA, autophagy activator Rapa and inhibitor 3-MA for 7 d. The results suggested that even nanomolar BPA (1-100 nM) disturbed Ca2+ homeostasis and damaged the integrity of mitochondrial cristae in neurons (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BPA increased the number of autophagic lysosomes, LC3II/LC3I ratio, and p62 expression, and decreased parkin expression (p < 0.05), suggesting that the entry of damaged mitochondria into autophagic pathway was prompted, while the autophagic degradation pathway was blocked. This further disrupts neuronal energy metabolism and promotes neuronal apoptosis. However, Rapa attenuated the adverse effects caused by BPA, while 3-MA exacerbated these reactions. In vivo, exposure of juvenile rats to 0.5, 50, 5000 μg/kg‧bw/day BPA during PND 7-21 markedly impaired the structure of hippocampal mitochondria, increased the number of autophagosomes, the rate of neuronal apoptosis, and the expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Cyt C, Bax, Bak1, and Caspase3, and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 (p < 0.05). Particularly, male rats are more sensitive to low-dose BPA than females. Overall, environmental-doses BPA can induce the imbalance of energy metabolism in hippocampal neurons via PINK1/parkin mitophagy, thereby inducing their apoptosis. Importantly, this study provides a theoretical basis for attenuating BPA-related neurological diseases.

Association between exposure to chemical mixtures and epigenetic ageing biomarkers: Modifying effects of thyroid hormones and physical activity

Evidence on the effects of internal chemical mixture exposures on biological age is limited. It also remains unclear whether hormone homeostasis and lifestyle factors can modify such a relationship. Based on the Biomarkers for Air Pollutants Exposure (BAPE) study, which involved healthy older adults aged 60-69 years in China, we found that chemical mixture exposures, including metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates (PAEs), and organophosphate esters (OPEs), were significantly associated with shortened DNAmTL and accelerated SkinBloodClock, in which PFASs and OPEs in blood were the primary contributors to DNAmTL, while metals and PAEs had relatively higher contributions in urine. Furthermore, lower levels of thyroxin appeared to exacerbate the adverse effects of environmental chemicals on epigenetic ageing but relatively higher levels of physical activity had the beneficial impact. These findings may have important implications for the development of healthy ageing strategy and aged care policy, particularly in light of the global acceleration of population ageing.

Effects and mechanisms of bisphenols exposure on neurodegenerative diseases risk: A systemic review

Environmental bisphenols (BPs) pose a global threat to human health because of their extensive use as additives in plastic products. BP residues are increasing in various environmental media (i.e., water, soil, and indoor dust) and biological and human samples (i.e., serum and brain). Both epidemiological and animal studies have determined an association between exposure to BPs and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), including cognitive abnormalities and behavioral disturbances. Hence, understanding the biological responses to different BPs is essential for prevention, and treatment. This study provides an overview of the underlying pathogenic molecular mechanisms as a valuable basis for understanding neurodegenerative disease responses to BPs, including accumulation of misfolded proteins, reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine, abnormal hormone signaling, neuronal death, oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis, and inflammation. These findings provide new insights into the neurotoxic potential of BPs and ultimately contribute to a comprehensive health risk evaluation.

The adverse role of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the reproductive system

Reproductive system diseases pose prominent threats to human physical and mental well-being. Besides being influenced by genetic material regulation and changes in lifestyle, the occurrence of these diseases is closely connected to exposure to harmful substances in the environment. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), characterized by hormone-like effects, have a wide range of influences on the reproductive system. EDCs are ubiquitous in the natural environment and are present in a wide range of industrial and everyday products. Currently, thousands of chemicals have been reported to exhibit endocrine effects, and this number is likely to increase as the testing for potential EDCs has not been consistently required, and obtaining data has been limited, partly due to the long latency of many diseases. The ability to avoid exposure to EDCs, especially those of artificially synthesized origin, is increasingly challenging. While EDCs can be divided into persistent and non-persistent depending on their degree of degradation, due to the recent uptick in research studies in this area, we have chosen to focus on the research pertaining to the detrimental effects on reproductive health of exposure to several EDCs that are widely encountered in daily life over the past six years, specifically bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates (PAEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), parabens, pesticides, heavy metals, and so on. By focusing on the impact of EDCs on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which leads to the occurrence and development of reproductive system diseases, this review aims to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of EDCs' damage to human health and to encourage further in-depth research to clarify the potentially harmful effects of EDC exposure through various other mechanisms. Ultimately, it offers a scientific basis to enhance EDCs risk management, an endeavor of significant scientific and societal importance for safeguarding reproductive health.

Comparison of the Effect of BPA and Related Bisphenols on Membrane Integrity, Mitochondrial Activity, and Steroidogenesis of H295R Cells In Vitro

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disruptive chemical that is widely utilized in the production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin, which are used to make a wide range of consumer products, food and drink containers, and medical equipment. When the potential risk of BPA emerged, it was substituted by allegedly less harmful substitutes such as bisphenols S, F, B, and AF. However, evidence suggests that all bisphenols can have endocrine-disruptive effects, while the extent of these effects is unknown. This study aimed to determine effect of BPA, BPAF, BPB, BPF, and BPS on viability and steroidogenesis in human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line in vitro. The cytotoxicity of bisphenols was shown to be considerable at higher doses. However, at low concentrations, it improved viability as well as steroid hormone secretion, indicating that bisphenols have a biphasic, hormetic effect in biological systems. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that bisphenols selectively inhibit some steroidogenic enzymes. These findings suggest that bisphenols have the potential to disrupt cellular steroidogenesis in humans, but substantially more detailed and systematic research is needed to gain a better understanding of the risks associated with bisphenols and their endocrine-disrupting effect on humans and wildlife.

Bisphenol AF Induces Prostatic Dorsal Lobe Hyperplasia in Rats through Activation of the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Bisphenol AF (BPAF) represents a common environmental estrogenic compound renowned for its capacity to induce endocrine disruptions. Notably, BPAF exhibits an enhanced binding affinity to estrogen receptors, which may have more potent estrogenic activity compared with its precursor bisphenol A (BPA). Notwithstanding, the existing studies on BPAF-induced prostate toxicity remain limited, with related toxicological research residing in the preliminary stage. Our previous studies have confirmed the role of BPAF in the induction of ventral prostatic hyperplasia, but its role in the dorsal lobe is not clear. In this study, BPAF (10, 90 μg/kg) and the inhibitor of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC, 100 mg/kg), were administered intragastrically in rats for four weeks. Through comprehensive anatomical and pathological observations, as well as the assessment of PCNA over-expression, we asserted that BPAF at lower doses may foster dorsal prostatic hyperplasia in rats. The results of IHC and ELISA indicated that BPAF induced hyperplastic responses in the dorsal lobe of the prostate by interfering with a series of biomarkers in NF-κB signaling pathways, containing NF-κB p65, COX-2, TNF-α, and EGFR. These findings confirm the toxic effect of BPAF on prostate health and emphasize the potential corresponding mechanisms.

Association between Urinary BPA Substitutes and Precocious Puberty among Girls: A Single-Exposure and Mixed Exposure Approach from a Chinese Case-Control Study

There is an argument that BPA substitutes may have the same or more deleterious health effects as BPA due to their structural similarity. This study explored the association between urinary BPA substitutes and precocious puberty among girls by including 120 girls with precocious puberty (cases) aged 2-10 years enrolled at Nanjing Children's Hospital Department of Endocrinology in China between April 2021 to September 2021 and 145 healthy girls (controls) recruited from a primary school. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of single exposures, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and quantile-based g-computation were used for the mixed effect. In the multivariate logistic regression, BPS (bisphenol S), TBBPA (tetrabromobisphenol A), and BPFL (bisphenol-FL) were significantly associated with increased risk of precocious puberty (odds ratio (OR) = 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 2.76, p = 0.014), (OR = 1.46, CI: 1.06, 2.05; p = 0.023), and (OR = 1.47, CI: 1.01, 2.18; p = 0.047), respectively. The BMKR and quantile-based g-computation models revealed consistent associations for single exposures and there was insufficient evidence for the associations of the mixed exposure of bisphenols with precocious puberty. In conclusion, BPA substitutes such as BPS, TBBPA, and BPFL may be associated with an increased risk of precocious puberty in girls.

A Quadruplex Ultrasensitive Immunoassay for Simultaneous Assessment of Human Reproductive Hormone Proteins in Multiple Biofluid Samples

Reproductive hormones play vital roles in reproductive health and can be used to assess a woman's ovarian function and diagnose diseases associated with reproductive endocrine disorders. As these hormones are important biomarkers for reproductive health monitoring and diagnosis, a rapid, high-throughput, and low-invasive detection and simultaneous assessment of the levels of multiple reproductive hormones has important clinical applications. In this work, a quadruplex ultrasensitive immunoassay was developed for simultaneous assessment of 4 human reproductive hormone proteins (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)) in a variety of human biofluid samples. This assay takes advantage of single-molecule imaging of microwell arrays and capture antibody beads as a reaction interface to construct multiplex bead array immunoassays. The analyte-bound beads can easily be parsed to individual wells and detected via fluorophores, emitting distinct wavelengths associated to the beads. As a result, this proposed quadruplex immunoassay exhibits four good 4-parameter logistic calibration curves ranging from 2.7 to 2000, 1.6 to 1200, 1.8 to 1300, and 0.3 to 220 pg/mL with limits of detection of 0.32, 0.28, 0.14, and 0.02 pg/mL for FSH, LH, PRL, and AMH, respectively. Furthermore, the developed quadruplex immunoassay was used to test clinical venous serum samples where it showed remarkable consistency with clinical test results in methodological comparison and the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition, we successfully applied the ultrasensitive capability of this assay to the simultaneous testing and evaluation of four proteins in fingertip blood as well as urine samples, in which the urinary AMH level (1.42-156 pg/mL) was measured and assessed quantitatively for the first time.

In vivo exposure to bisphenol F induces oxidative testicular toxicity: role of Erβ and p53/Bcl-2 signaling pathway

Introduction

Bisphenol F (BPF), an alternative to bisphenol A has been implicated as a gonadotoxic substance. BPF has been shown to induce hormonal imbalance and testicular oxidative damage. However, the mechanism associated with BPF-induced testicular toxicity has not been fully explored. This study was designed to explore the role of tumor protein (p53)/ B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCl-2) signaling and oestrogen receptor beta (Erβ) in BPF-induced testicular toxicity.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were randomized into control (Cntrl), BPF-treated (10, 30, and 50 mg/kg for low dose (BPF-L), medium dose (BPF-M), and high dose (BPF-H) respectively), and BPF-treated recovery (Cntrl-R, BPF-L-R, BPF-M-R, and BPF-H-R). The administration was via gavage and lasted for 28 days and the animals in the recovery groups were allowed 28-days exposure free period for recovery from BPF exposure.

Results

BPF resulted in the distortion of the testicular histoarchitecture, which was accompanied by a significant rise in testicular gamma-lutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities but a decline in sorbitol dehydrogenase activities. Also, BPF caused a significant reduction in plasma gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone, which was associated with the downregulation of testicular 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities. Furthermore, BPF induced testicular inflammation, redox imbalance, and apoptosis, accompanied by distortion in p53/BCl-2 signaling and overexpression of Erβ. Again, the observed toxic effects of BPF were dose-dependent and not completely reversed by BPF cessation.

Discussion

Bisphenol F induced gonadotoxicity by distorting p53/BCl2 signaling and the expression of Erβ. These observed alterations were not completely reversed after the cessation of BPF exposure.

An Overview of the Health Effects of Bisphenol A from a One Health Perspective

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound, considered as an "emerging pollutant", that appears ubiquitously, contaminating the environment and food. It is an endocrine disruptor, found in a multitude of consumer products, as it is a constituent of polycarbonate used in the manufacture of plastics and epoxy resins. Many studies have evaluated the effects of BPA, using a wide range of doses and animal models. In this work, we carried out a review of relevant research related to the effects of BPA on health, through studies performed at different doses, in different animal models, and in human monitoring studies. Numerous effects of BPA on health have been described; in different animal species, it has been reported that it interferes with fertility in both females and males and causes alterations in their offspring, as well as being associated with an increase in hormone-dependent pathologies. Similarly, exposure to BPA has been related to other diseases of great relevance in public health such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or neurodevelopmental disorders. Its ubiquity and nonmonotonic behavior, triggering effects at exposure levels considered "safe", make it especially relevant when both animal and human populations are constantly and inadvertently exposed to this compound. Its effects at low exposure levels make it essential to establish safe exposure levels, and research into the effects of BPA must continue and be focused from a "One Health" perspective to take into account all the factors that could intervene in the development of a disease in any exposed organism.

Genetic background in the rat affects endocrine and metabolic outcomes of bisphenol F exposure

Environmental bisphenol compounds like bisphenol F (BPF) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) affecting adipose and classical endocrine systems. Genetic factors that influence EDC exposure outcomes are poorly understood and are unaccounted variables that may contribute to the large range of reported outcomes in the human population. We previously demonstrated that BPF exposure increased body growth and adiposity in male N/NIH heterogeneous stock (HS) rats, a genetically heterogeneous outbred population. We hypothesize that the founder strains of the HS rat exhibit EDC effects that were strain- and sex-dependent. Weanling littermate pairs of male and female ACI, BN, BUF, F344, M520, and WKY rats randomly received either vehicle (0.1% EtOH) or 1.125 mg BPF/l in 0.1% EtOH for 10 weeks in drinking water. Body weight and fluid intake were measured weekly, metabolic parameters were assessed, and blood and tissues were collected. BPF increased thyroid weight in ACI males, thymus and kidney weight in BUF females, adrenal weight in WKY males, and possibly increased pituitary weight in BN males. BUF females also developed a disruption in activity and metabolic rate with BPF exposure. These sex- and strain-specific exposure outcomes illustrate that HS rat founders possess diverse bisphenol-exposure risk alleles and suggest that BPF exposure may intensify inherent organ system dysfunction existing in the HS rat founders. We propose that the HS rat will be an invaluable model for dissecting gene EDC interactions on health.

FTO-Nrf2 axis regulates bisphenol F-induced leydig cell toxicity in an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent manner

Studies have shown that Bisphenol F (BPF) as an emerging bisphenol pollutant also has caused many hazards to the reproductive systems of humans and animals. However, its specific mechanism is still unclear. The mouse TM3 Leydig cell was used to explore the mechanism of BPF-induced reproductive toxicity in this study. The results showed BPF (0, 20, 40 and 80 μM) exposure for 72 h significantly increased cell apoptosis and decreased cell viability. Correspondingly, BPF increased the expression of P53 and BAX, and decreased the expression of BCL2. Moreover, BPF significantly increased the intracellular ROS level in TM3 cells, and significantly decreased oxidative stress-related molecule Nrf2. BPF decreased the expression of FTO and YTHDF2, and increased the total cellular m6A level. ChIP results showed that AhR transcriptionally regulated FTO. Differential expression of FTO revealed that FTO reduced the apoptosis rate of BPF-exposed TM3 cells and increased the expression of Nrf2, MeRIP confirmed that overexpression of FTO reduced the m6A of Nrf2 mRNA. After differential expression of YTHDF2, it was found that YTHDF2 enhanced the stability of Nrf2, and RIP assay showed that YTHDF2 was bound to Nrf2 mRNA. Nrf2 agonist enhanced the protective effect of FTO on TM3 cells exposure to BPF. Our study is the first to demonstrate that AhR transcriptionally regulated FTO, and then FTO regulated Nrf2 in a m6A-modified manner through YTHDF2, thereby affecting apoptosis in BPF-exposed TM3 cells to induce reproductive damage. It provides new insights into the importance of FTO-YTHDF2-Nrf2 signaling axis in BPF-induced reproductive toxicity and provided a new idea for the prevention of male reproductive injury.

Multi-immunoaffinity column for the simultaneous analysis of bisphenol A and its analogues in Chinese foods by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Bisphenol A (BPA) and its four analogues have been receiving considerable attention owing to their potential endocrine disrupting effects. The European Food Safety Authority has proposed 0.04 ng/kg·body weight/day of thetemporary tolerable daily intake for BPA. Therefore, a more sensitive analytical method was urgently needed for the necessity of the risk reassessment of bisphenols (BPs). The matrix effect of Chinese foods is a challenge for the analysis of ultra-trace analytes due to the presence of various spices. A multi-immunoaffinity column (mIAC) was prepared for the purification of BPA, BPB, BPF, BPS, and BPAF in Chinese foods following ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detection (UHLPC-MS/MS). The recoveries of each of BPs were ranged from 84.6% to 116.7%, and the intra-day precision and inter-day precision were ranged from 1.6% to 12.4%, and from 4.1% to 14.0%, respectively. This is the first report on the mIACs for simultaneous clean-up and analysis of BPs in complex Chinese foods.

Urinary bisphenol A and S are associated with diminished ovarian reserve in women from an infertility clinic in Northern China

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been demonstrated to cause ovarian toxicity including disruption of steroidogenesis and inhibition of follicle growth. Still, human evidence is lacking on its analogs such as bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the associations between exposure to BPA, BPF, and BPS with ovarian reserve in women of childbearing age. We recruited 111 women from an infertility clinic in Shenyang, North China between September 2020 and February 2021. Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2) were measured as indicators of ovarian reserve. Urinary BPA, BPF, and BPS concentrations were quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Linear and logistic regression models were applied to assess the associations between urinary BPA, BPF, and BPS levels and indicators of ovarian reserve and DOR, respectively. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were further utilized to explore potential non-linear associations. Our results showed that urinary BPS concentrations were negatively associated with AMH (β = - 0.287, 95 %CI: - 0.505, - 0.070, P = 0.010) and this inverse relationship was further confirmed in the RCS model. In addition, higher levels of BPA and BPS exposure were associated with increased DOR risk (BPA: OR = 7.112, 95 %CI: 1.247, 40.588, P = 0.027; BPS: OR = 6.851, 95 %CI: 1.241, 37.818, P = 0.027). No significant associations of BPF exposure with ovarian reserve. Our findings implied that higher BPA and BPS exposure may be related to decreased ovarian reserve.

RNA binding protein YTHDF1 mediates bisphenol S-induced Leydig cell damage by regulating the mitochondrial pathway of BCL2 and the expression of CDK2-CyclinE1

Bisphenol S (BPS) causes reproductive adverse effects on humans and animals. However, the detailed mechanism is still unclear. This research aimed to clarify the role of RNA binding protein YTHDF1 in Leydig cell damage induced by BPS. The mouse TM3 Leydig cells were exposed to BPS of 0, 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L for 72 h. Results showed that TM3 Leydig cells apoptosis rate markedly increased in BPS exposure group. Meanwhile, the apoptosis-related molecule BCL2 protein level decreased significantly, and Caspase9, Caspase3, and BAX increased significantly. Moreover, the cell cycle was blocked in the G1/S phase, CDK2 and CyclinE1 were considerably down-regulated in BPS exposure groups, and the protein level of RNA binding protein YTHDF1 decreased sharply. Furthermore, after overexpression of YTHDF1, the cell viability significantly increased, and the apoptosis rate significantly decreased in TM3 Leydig cells. In the meantime, BCL2, CDK2, and CyclinE1 were significantly up-regulated, and BAX, Caspase9, and Caspase3 were significantly down-regulated. Conversely, interference with YTHDF1 decreased cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Importantly, overexpression of YTHDF1 alleviated the cell viability decrease induced by BPS, and interference with YTHDF1 exacerbated the situation. RIP assays showed that the binding of YTHDF1 to CDK2, CyclinE1, and BCL2 significantly increased after overexpressing YTHDF1. Collectively, our study suggested that YTHDF1 plays an essential role in BPS-induced TM3 Leydig cell damage by regulating CDK2-CyclinE1 and BCL2 mitochondrial pathway at the translational level.

Modified birnessite MnO2 as efficient Fenton-like catalysts through electron transfer process between the simultaneously surface-activated peroxymonosulfate and pollutants

The development of efficient and eco-friendly Mn-based hybrids for the degradation of biorefractory organic pollutants via peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation is highly desired. In this study, a novel graphite nanosheet (GNs)-based Fe-Mn bimetallic oxide (Fe doped birnessite MnO₂, FeMn/GNs) was synthesized under mild conditions. Compared with monometallic Fe or Mn oxide on GNs, FeMn/GNs exhibited a higher surface area, decreased Mn oxidation states, stronger interaction with GNs, and more active sites for PMS adsorption. Among different Fe/Mn ratios, Fe₂Mn₁/GNs showed the optimum performance for bisphenol A (BPA) degradation with the first-order rate constant of 0.22 min^-1, which was about 8.5 and 12.9 times higher than that of Mn/GNs and Fe/GNs, respectively. Different from the pollutant-catalyst-PMS electron transfer mechanism for Mn/GNs, the direct two-electron transfer in FeMn/GNs+PMS system, was mainly processed between the simultaneously activated BPA and PMS. This was probably based on the double adsorption sites of Fe and Mn species on the same catalyst: PMS was adsorbed by Fe species through hydroxyl groups, while BPA was mainly coordinated with Mn species due to the layered structure and hydrophobicity of the Mn oxide. This study is expected to provide the rational design of efficient Mn-based hybrids for PMS activation.

Associations between urinary concentrations of bisphenols and serum concentrations of sex hormones among US. Males

BACKGROUND

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and its structural analogs (BPS and BPF) might cause endocrine alterations and adverse physiological effects. Few studies to date have directly explored the association between its structural analogs (BPS, BPF) and sex hormones in adult male participants. Therefore, we aimed to assess the associations between BPA, BPS, BPF, and sex hormones in American adult men.

METHODS

We used data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2016. We excluded participants without data available on sex hormones and urinary bisphenols. Furthermore, participants consuming sex hormone medications were excluded. Multivariable regression models were performed to assess the association between bisphenols and sex hormones.

RESULTS

In this study, 2367 participants were included. Of 2367, in 1575 participants, the data on BPS and BPF were available. We found that a per unit increase in BPF was associated with 0.575 ng/dL higher total testosterone (TT) (Model 2: 95% CI: 0.047, 1.103, P = 0.033). However, there was no significant association between BPA or BPS and TT. Furthermore, increased BPA and BPS levels were associated with higher levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (Model 2: β = 0.364, 95% CI: 0.158, 0.571; β = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.071, 0.429, respectively). Additionally, participants in the highest BPA exposure quartile (quartile 4) had 4.072 nmol/L higher levels of SHBG than those in quartile 1 (Model 2: 95% CI: 0.746, 7.397, P = 0.017; P for trend =0.005). Both BPA and BPS were negatively associated with free testosterone (FT, nmol/L) after full adjustment (Model 2, β = - 0.01%, P = 0.0211, P = 0.0211; Model 2, β = - 0.01%, P = 0.0258, respectively). However, BPF was positively associated with FT (Model 2, β = 0.0029%, P = 0.0028).

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that exposure to both BPA and its substitutions could alter sex hormone levels. This finding supports the possibility that human exposure to bisphenols at environmental levels might affect the endogenous hormone balance.