Title:Bisphenol A as a Factor in the Mosaic of Autoimmunity
Volume: 22
Issue: 7
Author(s): Zora Lazurova*, Ivica Lazurova and Yehuda Shoenfeld
Affiliation:
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty of University of PJ Safarik, Kosice, Slovakia
Keywords:
Bisphenol A, environmental estrogen, mosaic of autoimmunity, autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus, thyroid autoimmunity.
Abstract:
The population worldwide is largely exposed to bisphenol A (BPA), a commonly used
plasticizer, that has a similar molecular structure to endogenous estrogens. Therefore, it is able to
influence physiological processes in the human body, taking part in pathophysiology of various endocrinopathies,
as well as, cardiovascular, neurological and oncological diseases. BPA has been
found to affect the immune system, leading to the development of autoimmunity and allergies, too.
In the last few decades, the prevalence of autoimmune diseases has significantly increased that
could be explained by a rising exposure of the population to environmental factors, such as BPA.
BPA has been found to play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases and also
organ-specific autoimmunity (thyroid autoimmunity, diabetes mellitus type 1, myocarditis, inflammatory
bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, encephalomyelitis etc), but the results of some studies
still remain controversial, so further research is needed.