title: Nonylphenol effects on the HPA axis of the bioindicator vertebrate, Podarcis sicula lizard.
abstract: Nonylphenol (NP) is an endocrine disruptor widely distributed in the environment. It accumulates in the lipids of living organisms and enters the human food chain. The main source of human exposure is expected to be food, drinking water and foodstuff contaminated through leaching from packaging or pesticide formulation applications. NP acts as an estrogenic compound and it is able to mimic the action of estradiol 17β (E2) by binding to the estrogen receptor (ER). The aim of the present study was to investigate the NP effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA) axis of the bioindicator Podarcis sicula lizard. A time-dependent stimulation of the HPA axis and variations of both catecholamine plasma levels were showed. Moreover, NP effects on adrenal gland morphology were evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopy. Clear morphological signs of adrenal gland stimulation such as an increase of steroidogenic cord diameter and vascularization, a strong escalation of adrenaline cell number and a decrease of noradrenaline cells were observed. The notably elevated levels of adrenal hormones suggested a permanent turning on of hypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) secretion together with a lack of the negative feedback of HPA axis, perturbing systemic responses of the organism. Our data may help to predict the biological alterations induced by NP and to extend its impact upon adrenal function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: madefalco@unina.it.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Falco
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sellitti
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Sannio, Via Port'Arsa 11, 82100 Benevento, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sciarrillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capaldo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valiante
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iachetta
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forte
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laforgia
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D008116:Lizards / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010636:Phenols; C025256:nonylphenol; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine
keywords: Bioindicator; Bioindicator organism; Endocrine disruptors; Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal gland axis; Non-mammalian species; Nonylphenol