engleski

Metali kao endokrini dizruptori reprodukcije u žena / Metals as endocrine disruptors of reproduction in women

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been a focus for major concern since early 1990-ies. These are natural or synthetic agents that can mimic, enhance, or inhibit the action of endogenous hormones that are responsible for maintaining homeostasis and controlling normal development. Although numerous xenobiotic chemicals have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system of wildlife and laboratory animals, this is still scientifically controversial issue in humans. The most known synthetic EDCs so far were the pesticides and nowadays these are phthalates. Recent findings provide evidence that metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, tributyltin, antimony, barium, chromium, nickel) have potential to act as EDCs. For illustration, our recent results attained from different experimental paradigms add considerably to the evidence identifying cadmium as an endocrine disrupting chemical in the female reproductive system. The capacity of cadmium to alter the rates of ovarian and placental steroidogenesis and adversely impact female reproductive function has been demonstrated in human and animal studies within the last two decades. The metal may also function as a potent xenoestrogen (metalloestrogen) that can mimic or block the effects of endogenous estrogens. Mechanistic studies provide evidence on direct effects of cadmium in both humans and animals (on specific components of the steroidogenic pathway, via both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms, and by regulation hormone binding and intracellular second messenger pathways). A better understanding of the endocrine effects of metal exposure bears great clinical relevance, as metals constitute an important part of our ecosystem and life-style, the production and use of which is unlikely to be discontinued in the foreseeable future.

cadmium; endocrine disruptors; female reproductive system; metalloestrogens; steroidogenesis; xenobiotics;

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