Year: 2012
Type: review
Abstract: Endocrine disrupting chemicals that are structurally similar to steroid or amine hormones have the potential to mimic endocrine endpoints at the receptor level. However, more recently, epigenetic-induced alteration in gene expression has emerged as an alternative way in which environmental compounds may exert endocrine effects. We review concepts related to environmental epigenetics and relevance for endocrinology through three broad examples: 1) effect of early-life nutritional exposures on future obesity and insulin resistance, 2) effect of lifetime environmental exposures such as ionizing radiation on endocrine cancer risk, and 3) potential for compounds previously classified as endocrine disrupting to additionally or alternatively exert effects through epigenetic mechanisms. The field of environmental epigenetics is still nascent, and additional studies are needed to confirm and reinforce data derived from animal models and preliminary human studies. Current evidence suggests that environmental exposures may significantly impact expression of endocrine-related genes and thereby affect clinical endocrine outcomes.
DOI: 10.1530/jme-12-0066
Institutions: Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Awards: G1302521607, Superfund Metal Mixtures, Biomarkers and Neurodevelopment, DNA Methylation and Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Exposure in Children, Harvard Chan School NIEHS Center for Environmental Health, Micro-RNA Profiling and Cardiovascular Effects of Traffic Particle Exposure, Environment, Fetal Tissue DNA Methylation & Birthweight, CHILD HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM, Stress-Air Pollution Interactions and Adolescent Neurobehavior, Statistical Methods for Analysis of Massive Genetic and Genomic Data in Cancer Research
OpenAlex ID: W2153796004