Title:Comprehending the Role of Endocrine Disruptors in Inducing Epigenetic
Toxicity
Volume: 22
Issue: 11
Author(s): Arikath Kirtana and Barathi Seetharaman*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, 603 203, India
Keywords:
Endocrine disruptors, epigenetics, DNA methylation, histone modification, mRNA disruption, placental toxicity, fetal toxicity, estrogen and androgen toxicity, thyroid disruption, transgenerational toxicity.
Abstract: Endocrine disruptors are natural or man-made chemicals that interfere with the body’s
endocrine system leading to hormone synthesis and production defects. These chemicals are
categorized as plasticizers and cosmetic chemicals, heavy metals, phytoestrogens, pesticides,
detergents, surfactants, and flame retardants. Some of the most common endocrine disruptors
are dioxins, bisphenol A, phthalates, perchlorate, perfluoroalkyl, and poly-fluoroalkyl substances
(PFAs), phytoestrogens, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCB), triclosan, atrazine, lead, arsenic, mercury, organophosphate pesticides, and glycol
ethers. Epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and miRNA
regulation have been observed to play a major role in many diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative
diseases, PCOS, cardiovascular diseases, and various other disorders. In recent times,
there has been a focus on endocrine-disrupting chemicals in epigenetic alterations. This review
concentrates on estrogen and androgen disrupting effects, placental, and fetal effects, thyroid
disrupting effects, and transgenerational effects of endocrine disruptors.