After menopause, when estrogen levels decrease, there is room for the activity of anthropogenic substances with estrogenic properties - endocrine disruptors (EDs) - that can interfere with bone remodeling and changes in calcium-phosphate metabolism. Selected unconjugated EDs of the bisphenol group - BPA, BPS, BPF, BPAF, and the paraben family - methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, and benzyl-parabens - were measured by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in the plasma of 24 postmenopausal women. Parameters of calcium-phosphate metabolism and bone mineral density were assessed. Osteoporosis was classified in 14 women, and 10 women were put into the control group. The impact of EDs on calcium-phosphate metabolism was evaluated by multiple linear regressions. In women with osteoporosis, concentrations of BPA ranged from the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) - 104 pg/ml and methyl paraben (MP) from LLOQ - 1120 pg/ml. The alternative bisphenols BPS, BPF and BPAF were all under the LLOQ. Except for MP, no further parabens were detected in the majority of samples. The multiple linear regression model found a positive association of BPA (β=0.07, p<0.05) on calcium (Ca) concentrations. Furthermore, MP (β=-0.232, p<0.05) was negatively associated with C-terminal telopeptide. These preliminary results suggest that these EDs may have effects on calcium-phosphate metabolism., J. Vitku, L. Kolatorova, L. Franekova, J. Blahos, M. Simkova, M. Duskova, T. Skodova, L. Starka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. They are known to possess estrogenic effects, and therefore have been classified as endocrine disruptors. In addition to the classical endocrine organs, other tissues have endocrine activity, including adipose tissue. Several chemicals are known to cause obesogenic effects, and parabens are currently being studied in this context. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible connections of paraben exposure and obesity. Blood plasma from 27 healthy women was collected during their menstrual cycle. Basal anthropometric measures, levels of parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben and propylparaben), adipokines (adiponectin, adipsin, leptin, resistin and visfatin) and hormones affecting energy balance and metabolic health (c-peptide, ghreline, GIP, GLP-1, glucagon, insulin, PAI-1) were measured. A Kolmogorov- Smirnov test showed higher methylparaben and propylparaben levels in women with BMI 25-34.9 compared to those with BMI 18.5-24.9. Plasma levels of methylparaben as well as the sum of parabens were positively associated with the plasma adipsin levels. Negative associations for methylparaben were found for glucagon, leptin and PAI-1. In accordance with other experimental studies we observed important associations of methylparaben and hormones affecting energy balance and metabolic health, indicating its obesogenic potential., L. Kolatorova, M. Sramkova, J. Vitku, J. Vcelak, O. Lischkova, L. Starka, M. Duskova., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are known to have harmful effects on the human endocrine system; special effort is actually given to the exposure during pregnancy. Humans are usually exposed to a mixture of EDs, which may potentiate or antagonize each other, and the combined effect may be difficult to estimate. The main phthalate monoesters monoethyl-, mono-n -butyl-, monoisobutyl-, monobenzyl-, mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-, mono-(2- ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)- and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate were determined in 18 maternal (37th week of pregnancy) and cord plasma samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Previously determined levels of selected bisphenols, parabens and steroids were also considered in this study. In cord blood, there were significantly higher mono-n-butyl phthalate levels than in maternal blood (p=0.043). The results of multiple regression models showed that maternal plasma phthalates were negatively associated with cord plasma androstenedione, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone and positively associated with estradiol and estriol. For estriol, a cumulative association was also observed for Σbisphenols. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first pilot study evaluating the effect of prenatal exposure by multiple EDs on newborn steroidogenesis. Our results confirmed phthalate accumulation in the fetal area and disruption of fetal steroidogenesis. This preliminary study highlights the negative impacts of in utero EDs exposure on fetal steroidogenesis., L. Kolatorova, J. Vitku, A. Vavrous, R. Hampl, K. Adamcova, M. Simkova, A. Parizek, L. Starka, M. Duskova., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In modern societies, living organisms are exposed daily to multiform pollution from industrial chemical products. Some of these substances have been shown to affect the endocrine system, and have been termed endocrine disruptors (EDs). Bisphenol A (BPA), which can leach from plastics, and parabens, used in cosmetic products, are among the most well-studied. Prenatal development is a vulnerable phase of human life, and disruptions during this period may have lifelong consequences. Since EDs are known to cross the placental barrier and BPA may accumulate in the fetus, "BPA-free" products have been introduced to the market. However, such products often contain alternative bisphenols (e.g. BPS, BPF) that have not yet been extensively examined or regulated. Moreover, alternative bisphenols often occur together with BPA. The human organism is thus exposed to a mixture of EDs, some of which can have additive or synergic effects. Recent findings have also shown that paraben exposure can alter bisphenol pharmacokinetics. Taking into account the widespread occurrence of various EDs and the potential multiplicity of their effects, doses of EDs currently considered safe may not actually be as safe as they appear, especially during pregnancy., L. Kolatorova, M. Duskova, J. Vitku, L. Starka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
7β-hydroxy-epiandrosterone (7β-OH-EpiA) is an endogenous androgen metabolite that has been shown to exert neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-estrogenic effects. However, to the best of our knowledge no information is available about this androgen steroid in relation to sperm quality. We analyzed 7β-OH-EpiA in plasma and seminal plasma using a newly developed isotope dilution ultra-high performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry method. Validation met the requirements of FDA guidelines. Levels of 7β-OH-EpiA were measured in 191 men with different degrees of infertility. One-way analysis of variance followed by multiple comparison and correlation analysis adjusted for age, BMI and abstinence time were performed to evaluate the relationships between this steroid and sperm quality. Concentrations of 7β-OH-EpiA in seminal plasma were significantly higher in severely infertile men in comparison with healthy men and slightly infertile men. The same trend was found when blood plasma was evaluated. Furthermore, plasma 7β-OH-EpiA negatively correlated with sperm concentration (-0.215; p<0.01) and total count (-0.15; p<0.05). Seminal 7β-OH-EpiA was negatively associated with motility (-0.26; p<0.01), progressively motile spermatozoa (-0.233; p<0.01) and nonprogressively motile spermatozoa (-0.188; p<0.05). 7β-OH-EpiA is associated with lower sperm quality and deserves more research in that respect., J. Vitku, L. Kolatorova, C. Ricco, C. Ferroud, O. Hennebert, T. Skodova, J. Heracek, L. Starka., and Obsahuje bibliografii