Endocrine Aspects of Environmental “Obesogen” Pollutants

Francesca Nappi, Luigi Barrea, Carolina Di Somma, Maria Cristina Savanelli, Giovanna Muscogiuri, Francesco Orio and Silvia Savastano
Additional contact information
Francesca Nappi: I.O.S. & COLEMAN Srl; 80100 Naples, Italy
Luigi Barrea: I.O.S. & COLEMAN Srl; 80100 Naples, Italy
Carolina Di Somma: IRCCS SDN, Napoli Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
Maria Cristina Savanelli: I.O.S. & COLEMAN Srl; 80100 Naples, Italy
Giovanna Muscogiuri: I.O.S. & COLEMAN Srl; 80100 Naples, Italy
Francesco Orio: Department of Sports Science and Wellness, “Parthenope” University of Naples, 80133 Naples, Italy
Silvia Savastano: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Growing evidence suggests the causal link between the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and the global obesity epidemics, in the context in the so-called “obesogenic environment”. Dietary intake of contaminated foods and water, especially in association with unhealthy eating pattern, and inhalation of airborne pollutants represent the major sources of human exposure to EDCs. This is of particular concern in view of the potential impact of obesity on chronic non-transmissible diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hormone-sensitive cancers. The key concept is the identification of adipose tissue not only as a preferential site of storage of EDCs, but also as an endocrine organ and, as such, susceptible to endocrine disruption. The timing of exposure to EDCs is critical to the outcome of that exposure, with early lifetime exposures (e.g., fetal or early postnatal) particularly detrimental because of their permanent effects on obesity later in life. Despite that the mechanisms operating in EDCs effects might vary enormously, this minireview is aimed to provide a general overview on the possible association between the pandemics of obesity and EDCs, briefly describing the endocrine mechanisms linking EDCs exposure and latent onset of obesity.

Keywords: endocrine-disrupting chemicals; obesity; inflammation; obesogenic environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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