Vol 79, No 11 (2008)
ARTICLES
Xenoestrogens: endocrine disrupting compounds
Marek Murias, Milena Woźniak
Vol 79, No 11 (2008)
ARTICLES
Abstract
Summary In recent years much attention has been paid to the issues of chemicals that disrupt the normal function of endocrine system, namely xenoestrogens. These chemicals can mimic the activity of endogenous estrogens, antagonize their interaction with estrogen receptors or disrupt the synthesis, metabolism and functions of endogenous female hormones. Due to the fact that they act thanks to many different mechanisms, it is very difficult to estimate their estrogenic activity by means of a simple tests. The important issue remains the fact that xenoestrogens may have a positive or negative influence on the function of the endocrine system. It seems to be very important that there are many sources of xenoestrogens, that is not only vegetables and fruit (phytoestrogens), but also metals (Co, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb), dental appliances (alkilphenols), food containers or blood containers (PVC – polyvinyl chloride, DEHP – di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), cosmetics (parabens) and pesticides (DDT - dichlor-diphenyl-trichlorethylane, endosulfane).
Abstract
Summary In recent years much attention has been paid to the issues of chemicals that disrupt the normal function of endocrine system, namely xenoestrogens. These chemicals can mimic the activity of endogenous estrogens, antagonize their interaction with estrogen receptors or disrupt the synthesis, metabolism and functions of endogenous female hormones. Due to the fact that they act thanks to many different mechanisms, it is very difficult to estimate their estrogenic activity by means of a simple tests. The important issue remains the fact that xenoestrogens may have a positive or negative influence on the function of the endocrine system. It seems to be very important that there are many sources of xenoestrogens, that is not only vegetables and fruit (phytoestrogens), but also metals (Co, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb), dental appliances (alkilphenols), food containers or blood containers (PVC – polyvinyl chloride, DEHP – di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), cosmetics (parabens) and pesticides (DDT - dichlor-diphenyl-trichlorethylane, endosulfane).
Keywords
Endocrine System, mechanism of action, sources of xenoestrogens, Xenoestrogens
Title
Xenoestrogens: endocrine disrupting compounds
Journal
Ginekologia Polska
Issue
Vol 79, No 11 (2008)
Page views
1023
Article views/downloads
4978
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2008;79(11).
Keywords
Endocrine System
mechanism of action
sources of xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens
Authors
Marek Murias
Milena Woźniak
About this article