Assessment of Five Pesticides as Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Effects on Estrogen Receptors and Aromatase.

Marta Gea,Gianfranco Gilardi,Tiziana Schilirò,Giovanna Di Nardo,Roberta Tota,Chao Zhang

doi:10.3390/ijerph19041959

Marta Gea, Gianfranco Gilardi + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19041959

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Abstract

Pesticides are widely applied all over the world, and pesticide exposure can induce different biological effects posing a possible threat to human health. Due to their effects on the endocrine system, some pesticides are classified as endocrine disruptors. The aim of the study is to assess the interference of five pesticides on estrogen biosynthesis and estrogen signaling. Three neonicotinoid insecticides (Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, and Thiamethoxam), a carbamate insecticide (Methiocarb) and a herbicide (Oxadiazon) were tested. The effect of pesticides on estrogen biosynthesis was studied through an ELISA assay using a recombinant form of human aromatase, the enzyme that catalyzes the transformation of androgens to estrogens. Moreover, the effect of pesticides on estrogen signaling was assessed using a gene reporter assay on MELN cells, which measures estrogen receptor-mediated estrogenic activity. The results of the ELISA assay showed that the pesticides did not alter aromatase activity (no interference with estrogen biosynthesis), while the results of the gene reporter assay showed that only Methiocarb was able to alter estrogen signaling at high doses. The estrogenic activity of Methiocarb, expressed as 17β-estradiol equivalency factor (EEF), was equal to 8.0 × 10−8. In conclusion, this study suggested that Methiocarb should be considered a potential endocrine disruptor.

Highlights

IntroductionA significant increase in world food production has become necessary to sustain global population growth [1]
During the last century, a significant increase in world food production has become necessary to sustain global population growth [1]
Among the different biological effects that can be induced by pesticides, recently a great deal of attention has been paid to the ability of pesticides to alter the function of the endocrine system

Summary

Introduction

A significant increase in world food production has become necessary to sustain global population growth [1]. Pesticides are considered a quick, easy, and inexpensive solution for controlling pests and their use has contributed to the leap in agricultural yield, but has helped to fight vector-borne and food-borne diseases [3,4]. Due to these advantages, great quantities of pesticides are ap-plied every year. Pesticides are extensively applied in agricultural sector; in the European Union alone, the sales of plant protection products per hectare of agricultural area amount to 2.3 kg [3].

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