Assessment of Five Pesticides as Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Effects on Estrogen Receptors and Aromatase

Marta Gea, Chao Zhang, Roberta Tota, Gianfranco Gilardi, Giovanna Di Nardo and Tiziana Schilirò
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Marta Gea: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
Chao Zhang: Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
Roberta Tota: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
Gianfranco Gilardi: Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
Giovanna Di Nardo: Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
Tiziana Schilirò: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-10

Abstract: Pesticides are widely applied all over the world, and pesticide exposure can induce different biological effects posing a possible threat to human health. Due to their effects on the endocrine system, some pesticides are classified as endocrine disruptors. The aim of the study is to assess the interference of five pesticides on estrogen biosynthesis and estrogen signaling. Three neonicotinoid insecticides (Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, and Thiamethoxam), a carbamate insecticide (Methiocarb) and a herbicide (Oxadiazon) were tested. The effect of pesticides on estrogen biosynthesis was studied through an ELISA assay using a recombinant form of human aromatase, the enzyme that catalyzes the transformation of androgens to estrogens. Moreover, the effect of pesticides on estrogen signaling was assessed using a gene reporter assay on MELN cells, which measures estrogen receptor-mediated estrogenic activity. The results of the ELISA assay showed that the pesticides did not alter aromatase activity (no interference with estrogen biosynthesis), while the results of the gene reporter assay showed that only Methiocarb was able to alter estrogen signaling at high doses. The estrogenic activity of Methiocarb, expressed as 17β-estradiol equivalency factor (EEF), was equal to 8.0 × 10 −8 . In conclusion, this study suggested that Methiocarb should be considered a potential endocrine disruptor.

Keywords: estrogen receptors; aromatase; pesticides; estrogenic activity; gene reporter assay; endocrine-disrupting chemicals; neonicotinoids; estrogen synthesis; estrogen signaling; estrogen equivalency factor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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