Metabolic Syndrome and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: An Overview of Exposure and Health Effects.

Elsi Haverinen,Vicente Mustieles,Mariana F Fernandez,Hanna Tolonen

doi:10.3390/ijerph182413047

Abstract

Increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is causing a significant health burden among the European population. Current knowledge supports the notion that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with human metabolism and hormonal balance, contributing to the conventionally recognized lifestyle-related MetS risk factors. This review aims to identify epidemiological studies focusing on the association between MetS or its individual components (e.g., obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension) and eight HBM4EU priority substances (bisphenol A (BPA), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides and heavy metals (cadmium, arsenic and mercury)). Thus far, human biomonitoring (HBM) studies have presented evidence supporting the role of EDC exposures on the development of individual MetS components. The strength of the association varies between the components and EDCs. Current evidence on metabolic disturbances and EDCs is still limited and heterogeneous, and mainly represent studies from North America and Asia, highlighting the need for well-conducted and harmonized HBM programmes among the European population. Rigorous and ongoing HBM in combination with health monitoring can help to identify the most concerning EDC exposures, to guide future risk assessment and policy actions.

Highlights

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing worldwide and expanding rapidly, affecting adults and children and adolescents [1]
NCDs share common risk factors such as sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets, increasing the risk of obesity, hypertension, and distorted lipid and glucose metabolism, which together are known as metabolic syndrome (MetS), a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality
During the HBM4EU initiative 2017–2021, two sets of priority substances were identified by international research teams, substance experts and other public health professionals. [19,20] This prioritization led to the identification of 18 compounds or groups of substances: acrylamide, aniline family, aprotic solvents, arsenic, benzophenones, bisphenols, cadmium (Cd), chromium VI (Cr VI), flame retardants, lead (Ld), mercury (Hg), mycotoxins, per-/polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS), non-persistent pesticides, phthalates and HexamollDINCH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chemical mixtures, and emerging chemicals

Summary

Introduction

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing worldwide and expanding rapidly, affecting adults and children and adolescents [1]. NCDs share common risk factors such as sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets, increasing the risk of obesity, hypertension, and distorted lipid and glucose metabolism, which together are known as metabolic syndrome (MetS), a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. The latest MetS definition is from the Joint Interim Statement (JIS), developed jointly by the International Diabetes Federation, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the American Heart Association, the World Heart Federation, the International Atherosclerosis. MetS requires that at least three of the following five clinical findings are met: elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and/or elevated fasting glucose [2].

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