Abstract
Endocrine disruptors are a group of chemical compounds that, even in low concentrations, cause a hormonal imbalance in the body, contributing to the development of various harmful health disorders. Many industry compounds, due to their important commercial value and numerous applications, are produced on a global scale, while the mechanism of their endocrine action has not been fully understood. In recent years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have gained the interest of major international health organizations, and thus more and more studies have been aimed to explain the toxicity of these compounds. PFASs were firstly synthesized in the 1950s and broadly used in the industry in the production of firefighting agents, cosmetics and herbicides. The numerous industrial applications of PFASs, combined with the exceptionally long half-life of these substances in the human body and extreme environmental persistence, result in a common and chronic exposure of the general population to their action. Available data have suggested that human exposure to PFASs can occur during different stages of development and may cause short- or/and long-term health effects. This paper synthetizes the current literature reports on the presence, bioaccumulation and, particularly, endocrine toxicity of selected long- and short-chain PFASs, with a special emphasis on the mechanisms underlying their endocrine actions.
Highlights
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are largely widespread compounds in the environment and human surroundings, exhibit hormone-like properties even in low-doses and induce adverse health effects associated with hormonal system deregulation [1]
Results association between serum PFOS level and increased thyroid stimulating hormone; positive association between repeated measures of serum PFNA and total T4 level in women disturbance of thyroid hormone homeostasis positive association between polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure with overweight and increased waist circumference each ln-unit increase in maternal serum PFOS and PFOA levels during pregnancy increased odds for overweight or/and obesity in children prenatal exposure to PFOA and PFOS was associated with girls % body fatness
Exposure and 3% longer during PFDeA exposure); association between selected perfluoroalkyl substances and lower pregnancy probability positive association between high concentrations of PFOS and breast cancer risk clinically significant hepatic cell dysfunction positive association between the changes in activity of ALT, ALP, and GGT after PFASs exposure and changes in circulating bilirubin level association between PFOA and ALT, a marker of hepatocellular damage but no evidence that PFOA increases the risk of clinically diagnosed liver disease
Summary
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are largely widespread compounds in the environment and human surroundings, exhibit hormone-like properties even in low-doses and induce adverse health effects associated with hormonal system deregulation [1]. The mechanisms of EDCs action are complex and can be mediated both by the genomic (involving intracellular, nuclear and cytoplasmic receptors) and by the pathway via membrane receptors and secondary signaling transductors [2]. Despite of a large body of scientific evidence, the mechanisms of action of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are still unclear
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
