Abstract
Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are defined as chemicals that mimic, block, or interfere with hormones in the body’s endocrine systems and have been associated with a diverse array of health issues. The concept of endocrine disruption has recently been extended to metabolic alterations that may result in diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease, and constitute an increasing health concern worldwide. However, while epidemiological and experimental data on the close association of EDs and adverse metabolic effects are mounting, predictive methods and models to evaluate the detailed mechanisms and pathways behind these observed effects are lacking, thus restricting the regulatory risk assessment of EDs. The EDCMET (Metabolic effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: novel testing METhods and adverse outcome pathways) project brings together systems toxicologists; experimental biologists with a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms of metabolic disease and comprehensive in vitro and in vivo methodological skills; and, ultimately, epidemiologists linking environmental exposure to adverse metabolic outcomes. During its 5-year journey, EDCMET aims to identify novel ED mechanisms of action, to generate (pre)validated test methods to assess the metabolic effects of Eds, and to predict emergent adverse biological phenotypes by following the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) paradigm.
Highlights
The prevalence of metabolic diseases, such as type II diabetes (T2D) and obesity, is rapidly increasing
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 460 million people suffer from T2D and 650 million adults are obese, making these diseases major health problems and a significant economic burden worldwide [1,2]
A cluster of interrelated metabolic risk factors, including elevated blood pressure, abdominal obesity, as well as high plasma glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels, predispose patients to metabolic disorders [3]. This adverse metabolic phenotype further increases the risk of developing T2D [4], non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [5], as well as cardiovascular complications, such as heart disease and stroke [6]
Summary
The prevalence of metabolic diseases, such as type II diabetes (T2D) and obesity, is rapidly increasing. A cluster of interrelated metabolic risk factors, including elevated blood pressure, abdominal obesity, as well as high plasma glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels, predispose patients to metabolic disorders [3] This adverse metabolic phenotype further increases the risk of developing T2D [4], non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [5], as well as cardiovascular complications, such as heart disease and stroke [6]. EDs regulate the activity of various NRs and transcription factors, thereby changing the expression of chromatin regulators, such as DNA, histone methyl transferases, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and may interfere with metabolic pathways by inducing epigenetic changes in an NR-dependent manner [44]. BPA: Bisphenol A, PBDE: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, POP: Persistent organic pollutants, PCB: Polychlorinated biphenyl, DDT: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, DEHP: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, PFOS: Perfluorooctanoic acid, CAR: Constitutive androstane receptor, ERR: Estrogen-related receptor, GR: Glucocorticoid receptor, TR: Thyroid hormone receptor, VDR: Vitamin D receptor, PPAR: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, LXR: Liver X receptor, FXR: Farnesoid X receptor, AhR: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor, RXR: Retinoid X receptor, ER: Estrogen receptor, AR: Androgen receptor, ncRNA: non-coding RNA
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
