title: Zearalenone as an endocrine disruptor in humans.
abstract: Zearalenone (ZEA), a fungal mycotoxin, is present in a wide range of human foods. Many animal studies have found ZEA to possess a disruptive effect on the hormonal balance, mainly due to its similarity to naturally-occurring estrogens. With increasing consciousness of the adverse effects of endocrine disruptors on human health, it is becoming more important to monitor ZEA concentrations in food and identify its potential effects on human health. Based on a review of recent studies on animal models and molecular pathways in which ZEA is reported to have an influence on humans, we postulate that ZEA might act as an endocrine disruptor in humans in a similar way to animals. Moreover, its endocrine-disrupting effect might be also a causative factor in carcinogenesis. This review article summarizes the latest knowledge about the influence of ZEA on the human hormonal balance.
authors: Department of Comparative Endocrinology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Postgraduate Training, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, Lodz 90-752, Poland.
authors: Karolina
authors: K
authors: Kowalska
authors: Department of Comparative Endocrinology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Postgraduate Training, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, Lodz 90-752, Poland.
authors: Dominika Ewa
authors: DE
authors: Habrowska-Górczyńska
authors: Department of Comparative Endocrinology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Postgraduate Training, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, Lodz 90-752, Poland. Electronic address: agnieszka.piastowska@umed.lodz.pl.
authors: Agnieszka Wanda
authors: AW
authors: Piastowska-Ciesielska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D015025:Zearalenone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D006728:Hormones; D015025:Zearalenone
keywords: Endocrine disruptor; Fungal mycotoxin; Hormone balance; Zearalenone