What do we know about effects of the endocrine disruptors on metabolism and obesity

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT EFFECTS OF THE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS ON METABOLISM AND OBESITY? Some endocrine disruptors (EDs) are suspected to be involved in the increase of the prevalence of obesity and metabolic diseases. Data from epidemiological, in vivo, in vitro and in silico studies suggest that EDs may exert their effects on numerous tissues involved in energy metabolism and in the regulation of appetite: adipose tissue, liver, muscle, pancreas, gut and hypothalamus. Their effects are due to: disruptions of the carbohydrate and lipid homeostasis in these organs, via the activation of specific nuclear receptors or transcriptional factors, disturbances in communication between these organs, and epigenetic mechanisms, involved for example in intergenerational effects. The characterization of the effects of EDs on endocrine systems is still under investigations in several European and international projects and initiatives, with the aim to establish new validated regulatory tests for ED identification.