title: Endocrine Aspects of Environmental "Obesogen" Pollutants.
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.
authors.affiliation: I.O.S. &amp; COLEMAN Srl; 80100 Naples, Italy. dott.ssa.nappi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.affiliation: I.O.S. &amp; COLEMAN Srl; 80100 Naples, Italy. luigi.barrea@unina.it.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barrea
authors.affiliation: IRCCS SDN, Napoli Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy. cdisomma@unina.it.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Somma
authors.affiliation: I.O.S. &amp; COLEMAN Srl; 80100 Naples, Italy. cristysav@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Savanelli
authors.affiliation: I.O.S. &amp; COLEMAN Srl; 80100 Naples, Italy. giovanna.muscogiuri@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muscogiuri
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Science and Wellness, "Parthenope" University of Naples, 80133 Naples, Italy. francescoorio@virgilio.it.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orio
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. sisavast@unina.it.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Savastano
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D060766:Drinking Water; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005506:Food Contamination; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D060766:Drinking Water; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: endocrine-disrupting chemicals; inflammation; obesity; obesogenic environment