Hormonally active substances are chemicals that are found in many everyday objects, including in cosmetics, children's toys, boxes, paints and varnishes. For many years, these substances have been "under the scrutiny" of international organizations dealing with he alth protection. Scientific research shows that hormonally active substances contribute to the development of many diseases, including obesity and endometriosis. What are hormonally active substances and how do they affect he alth? How to avoid them in everyday life?

Contents:

  1. Hormonally active substances: what are they?
  2. Hormonally active substances: mechanism of action
  3. Hormonally active substances: types
  4. Hormonally active substances: routes of exposure
  5. Hormonally active substances: impact on he alth
  6. Hormonally active substances: effects on the reproductive system
  7. Hormonally active substances: influence on obesity and metabolic diseases
  8. Hormonally active substances: legal regulations
  9. Hormonally active substances: how to avoid?

Hormonally active substances: what are they?

According to the definition of the World He alth Organization (WHO), hormonally active substances (EDC,endocrine disrupting chemicals ) are exogenous (not constituting components of the human body) chemical compounds or their mixtures, which change the functions of the endocrine system, and consequently have a negative effect on the human body and its offspring.

Chemically, hormonally active substances constitute a heterogeneous group of compounds. Most of them belong to the organochlorine group and contain chlorine or bromine substituents. In addition, they can be of natural origin, e.g. soybean genistein or synthetic, e.g. bisphenol A from plastic packaging.

Hormonally active substances: mechanism of action

Hormonally active substances primarily affect the endocrine system, which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis throughout the body. Hormones, as informational molecules, act on specific tissues by means of receptors located outside or inside the cells. Receptors are receivers of information that hormones carry with them. The appearance of hormonally active substances in the body disrupts its functionsendocrine system, as they are similar in structure to hormones. By binding to the same receptors as the hormones produced by the human body, hormonally active substances produce a similar or the same biological effect. The particular similarity of hormonally active substances to steroid hormones explains their ability to bind with steroid receptors for estrogens, progesterone and androgens.

Often, the argument that hormonally active substances are not harmful to he alth is that these substances have thousands or even a million times lower affinity for receptors than hormones. According to this assumption, despite the similar structure of both substances, hormones will always have priority to the receptor. However, as it turns out, hormonally active substances may show a stronger biological effect in cells precisely in low (usually lower than those for which the toxic activity of substances is calculated), and not in high concentrations as previously thought.

Therefore, the mechanism of molecular similarity is the simplest one that explains the effect of hormonally active substances on the body. Research has shown that hormonally active substances can work in a much more complicated way that we do not fully understand. It turns out that these substances can change the pattern of gene expression (epigenetic changes) in cells, which, although they do not change the sequence of the DNA itself, can have a detrimental effect even on the next generation.

Hormonally active substances: types

Currently, over 800 hormonally active substances are described, including:

  • industrial solvents and their by-products, e.g. polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyls,
  • plastics and plasticizers, e.g. bisphenol A and phthalates,
  • pesticides e.g. dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane,
  • dioxins,
  • pharmaceuticals, e.g. diethylstilbestrol,
  • fungicides e.g. vinclozolin,
  • heavy metals, e.g. arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury,
  • parabens,
  • phytoestrogens, e.g. genistein and coumestrol,
  • mycotoxins.

Bisphenol A, phthalates, and polychlorinated biphenyls are considered the best researched and the most dangerous to he alth.

PHTHALANES - watch out for medications!

Animal studies have shown that phthalates can act in the body through estrogen receptors and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). The latter play an important role in the metabolism of adipose tissue. Phthalates are believed to interfere with the formation and maturation of eggs by inhibiting the production of oestradiol in the ovaries.and may also be involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers to improve the flexibility of polyvinyl chloride. Phthalates are found in pill casings of drugs and supplements, building materials, cosmetics and cleaning agents, medical devices, children's toys, printing inks, and textiles. Like BPA, phthalates easily enter the human environment, e.g. through food.

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS in contaminated food

The harmful effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on female eggs have been well documented. PCB affects, among others. on the maturation of the ovarian follicles and reduces the secretion of estrogens. Moreover, like phthalates, PCBs can interact with the PPAR receptor and participate in the pathogenesis of obesity. PCBs are used in industrial chemistry to manufacture transformers, capacitors and cooling fluids. They are easily soluble in fats and can accumulate in organisms, which is why humans are exposed to PCBs mainly through the consumption of contaminated food, e.g. fish, meat.

Hormonally active substances: routes of exposure

Hormonally active substances are found practically everywhere in the human environment. They have been found in air, soil, drinking water, food, cosmetics, household products, electronic devices and textiles. They are not only located at the production site, but are also transported over long distances by water and wind. Hence, the complete elimination of hormonally active substances from our environment is practically impossible.

A large part of hormonally active substances is resistant to degradation. Therefore, although the production and use of some of them were banned many years ago, we still have contact with them in the environment. In addition, hormonally active substances accumulate in the food chain, human being at its end and therefore being the most vulnerable. In addition, most of them are lipophilic, which means that they dissolve easily in fats and can easily penetrate the skin.

Remember that hormonally active substances also include compounds found naturally in plants, e.g. phytoestrogens in soybeans. However, a rather beneficial effect on human he alth is attributed.

Hormonally active substances: impact on he alth

The first reports on the harmful effects of hormonally active substances come from the 1970s, when the non-steroidal synthetic estrogen - diethylstilbestrol, after administration to pregnant women, caused disturbances in their offspring.fertility and vaginal cancer. After many years of research, in 1991, at the Wingspread Conference, experts from various fields of science officially recognized that various environmental substances can interfere with the endocrine system and introduced the term hormone active substances. Then, in 2002, WHO published an official report presenting the current evidence on hormonally active substances for he alth, which it then updated in 2012.

In 2015, the Society of Endocrinology issued a statement on hormonally active substances in which it listed, among others :

  • obesity,
  • diabetes,
  • disorders of female and male reproductive functions,
  • hormone-dependent tumors in women,
  • prostate cancer,
  • thyroid disease

as diseases potentially related to exposure to hormonally active substances.

However, although the amount of evidence pointing to the adverse he alth effects of hormonally active substances is large, the cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been fully established. A large part of the research confirming the negative impact of hormonally active substances on human he alth still comes from animal studies. Other research difficulties that do not allow for a simple determination of such a relationship are, for example, the minimum toxic dose for individual compounds, because hormonally active substances already show biological activity at concentrations lower than those for which their toxic activity is calculated. This may delay the consequences of exposure in time. An additional problem is that the human body is exposed to the simultaneous action of several hormonally active substances, which may accumulate their negative he alth effect. In addition, their impact will depend on the sex, age, genotype, metabolism, and body composition of the exposed person.

Everyone agrees, however, that children are the most exposed to the effects of hormonally active substances. Currently, it is believed that exposure of the fetus may lead to disorders of its development and permanent changes in gene expression (epigenetic changes). Which in adulthood may result in an increased risk of certain diseases.

Another risk is the accumulation of hormonally active substances in human adipose tissue, but also in biological fluids such as blood, urine, milk or amniotic fluid.

Research has confirmed that hormonally active substances can cause biological effects in the next three generations!

Hormonally active substances: effects on the reproductive system

Current scientific evidence points to participationhormonally active substances in pathogenesis:

  • polycystic ovary syndrome,
  • premature ovarian extinction,
  • endometriosis,
  • malformations of male and female sexual organs,
  • fertility disorders in men and women,
  • breast cancer, testicular and prostate cancer.

It is estimated that the average sperm count in men has decreased by almost 50% in the last 50 years. Although the causes of this phenomenon are complex, it is believed that one of the factors influencing the quality of semen in men may be chronic exposure to hormonally active substances. Certain phthalates (monobenzyl and monobutyl phthalate) and PCBs have been shown to reduce sperm count and motility.

Hormonally active substances: influence on obesity and metabolic diseases

Most of the hormonally active substances are classified as so-called obesogens, i.e. substances that may contribute to the development of obesity. Obesogens affect the processes of the formation and decomposition of adipose tissue, which may directly or indirectly affect the accumulation of adipose tissue. It has been shown that obesogens can influence the formation of obesity by modifying the basal metabolism, controlling the formation of fat cells, modifying the composition of the intestinal microbiota, and regulating the hunger and satiety center.

It is assumed that obesogens may affect the body in utero, as there is a correlation between prenatal estrogen exposure and the body weight of the offspring during adulthood.

It has been proved in animal studies that, among others, dioxins, pesticides and BPA can cause insulin resistance and interfere with pancreatic beta cells. On the other hand, epidemiological analyzes showed a relationship between high levels of dioxins and an increased risk of carbohydrate disorders and diabetes. It has also been shown that long-term exposure to BPA can lead to insulin resistance, and the concentration of some phthalate metabolites in the urine correlates positively with blood glucose and insulin levels.

Hormonally active substances: legal regulations

Control over hormonally active substances is performed by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). .European Chemicals Agency ). In the European Union system, ECHA is responsible for the evaluation of biocidal products, and EFSA assesses the safety of hormonally active substances used in pesticides. Since 1999, the European Commission has been implementing a strategy in the field ofhormonally active substances. This strategy was taken into account in subsequent changes introduced in EU regulations. In June 2007, the REACH Regulation ( Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals ) on chemicals in the European Union entered into force. The main aim of the regulation is to improve the protection of human he alth and the environment against the risks posed by chemicals. The REACH regulation applies to all chemicals that are found in everyday products, such as cleaning agents, paints, as well as clothing, furniture, toys and electronic devices.

Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 on plant protection products and Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 on biocidal products provide for scientific criteria for the identification of endocrine disruptors.

On June 15, 2016, the European Commission adopted a communication outlining the state of play on hormonally active substances and further action plans. The Commission also adopted two draft legislation setting out scientific criteria for the identification of hormonally active substances.

ECHA and EFSA published guidelines in 2022 on how to identify hormonally active substances in plant protection and biocidal products.

Hormonally active substances: how to avoid?

Currently, hormonally active substances are at the center of attention of many international he alth organizations. Therefore, even if the he alth effects of hormonally active substances are not fully proven, it is worth being careful when dealing with products that contain hormonally active substances. This advice applies especially to pregnant women or people planning a family.

To limit contact with hormonally active substances:
  • avoid buying and storing food in plastic packages marked 3, 6 and 7 as they are the most toxic,
  • if you have to use plastic packaging, buy and store food in those labeled 1, 2, 4, 5, as they are less toxic,
  • have better to store and heat food in glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers,
  • avoid heating food in a microwave oven in plastic packages, even if they are intended for this purpose,
  • taking food to go ask for packaging that is not made of polystyrene,
  • cook groats and rice in bulk, no bags,
  • reduce the consumption of canned products,
  • buy organic products without pesticides,
  • wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them,
  • consider using a water filter,
  • Avoid cosmetics containing artificial fragrances and choose cosmetics labeled "phthalate-free", "BPA-free" and "paraben-free",
  • minimize contact with shop receipts and wash your hands after handling them,
  • use baby bottles and children's toys that are labeled "BPA free."

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