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Endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) are similar to steroid hormones in molecular structure, and may have steroid-like disrupting effects on the immune system and influence the risk of allergic diseases. For example, bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan (TCS) are commonly EDCs existing in the environment, and both BPA and TCS are widely added to daily necessities and catering products. Animal experiments found that prenatal BPA exposure may be associated with higher risk of respiratory allergic diseases in offspring. It was also founda few epidemiological studies that TCS exposure was associated with higher risks of eczema, and allergic disorders in respiratory system and digestive tracts in children. EDCs may increase cytokines and immunoglobulins levelsinterrupting the function of helper T cells (Th1/Th2) so as to affect the immune system, which might be associated with allergic reactions. This review mainly focused on the correlation between EDCs (BPA and TCS) and childhood allergic diseases and the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective . To investigate tne effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on the development and neurobehavior of zebrafish. Methods . The zebrafish fertilized eggs that developed to 4 hpf (hours post-fertilization) were treated with different concentrations of BPA (0, 2.5, 25, 250, and 2 500 μg/L). Survival rates, malformation rates, hatching rates, 24 hpf autonomic movement, and 48 hpf heart rates in the groups were observed and recorded. And the neurobehavioral test of larval zebrafish that developed to 144 hpf was performed. Results . The BPA exposure did not affect the survival rates, malformation rates and hatching rates of zebrafish. Compared with the control group, the autonomic movement in 24 hpf and heart rate in 48 hpf of zebrafish embryos that exposed to 2 500 μg/L BPA decreased (7M>.000), and the total distance and average speed of larval zebrafish that developed to 144 hpf also decreased (P=0.000). The behavior of larval zebrafish exposed to 250 μg/L and 2 500 ug/L BPA changed on light-cvoked startle escape response activity, mainly including the decrease of total distance under strong light stimulation (P<0.05). Conclusion . BPA exposure during embryonic phase has developmental toxicity and neurotoxicity on zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective · To compare urine sample collection methods for measuring urinary concentrations of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals including bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), and 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP) in pregnant women. Methods · Urine samples were collected from women at late pregnancy by two methods: urine catheter and collection bag (n=176), urine collecting containers made of polypropylene (PP) (n=642). Urinary concentrations of BPA, TCS and 4-n-NP were measured with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method. Confirmation experiment used PP containers, urine catheter and collection bags, as well as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) tubes and glass containers as both negative controls to collect urine samples from each of the 5 women. Results · Geometric mean (GM) of urinary BPA concentration collected by urine catheter and collection bags was 82.5 ng/mL (95% CI 71.4-95.4 ng/mL), which was 63 times higher than that from PP containers (GM 1.3 ng/mL; 95% CI 1.3-1.5 ng/mL). Concentrations of urinary 4-n-NP and creatinine were similar between two collection methods. Confirmation experiment showed that urinary BPA concentration collected by urine catheter and collection bags was much higher than those collected by other three methods. Conclusion · In collection of urine samples for measuring phenolic chemicals, PP urine collection container as well as LDPE containers are adequate for use in epidemiologic studies, but urine catheter and collection bag is not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective · To investigate whether vitamin E could reverse the disruptive effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on steroidogenesis and to explore the optimal vitamin E concentration. Methods · Rat primary granulosa cells were extracted and exposed to BPA (0, 0.01, 0.1,1,10,100 μmol/L). After 48 h of incubation, culture medium was collected and estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) were measured using ELISA kits. Then, granulosa cells were incubated with 5 μmol/L(average concentration in follicular fluid) or 25 μmol/L (high concentration in follicular fluid) vitamin E (α-tocopherol) or vitamin E (5 μmol/L or 25 μmol/L) plus BPA (10 μmol/L or 100 μmol/L) for 48 h, E2 and P4 were measured. Results · BPA at 10 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L suppressed E2 and P4 production in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Vitamin E at 25 μmol/L significantly increased E2 and P4 levels by (44.89±15.18) % and (43.33±8.82) % (P<0.05), respectively. Coincubation of the granulosa cells with BPA and vitamin E (5 μmol/L or 25 μmol/L) restored the productions of E2 and P4, which were not significantly different from the control group (P>0.05). Conclusion · Vitamin E (5 μmol/L/25 μmol/L) could reverse BPA-induced reduction in steroid hormone production in rat ovary granulosa cells, and the antagonistic effect of 25 μmol/L vitamin E was more obvious than that of 5 μmol/L vitamin E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective·To investigate the bisphenol A (BPA) level in serum and follicular fluid from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and its association with pregnancy outcomes. Methods·Serum and follicular fluid from 138 patients undergoing IVF-ET in Renji Hospital affiliated to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between January 2014 and December 2015 were collected on ovum harvest day. BPA levels in serum and follicular fluid were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. The association between serum and follicular fluid BPA levels, and BPA levels and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Results·Of 138 patients, BPA was detected in serum and follicular fluid from 60 patients with average serum and follicular fluid BPA levels of 14.8 ng/ml and 5.2 ng/mL. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.000). BPA levels in serum and follicular fluid were positively correlated (r=0.51, P=0.000). Of 138 patients, 59 underwent clinical transplantation and 31 (52.5%) of them were pregnant. Among these 31 patients, BPA was detected in 7 patients and was not detected in 24 cases. Patients without detection of BPA had a significantly higher pregnancy rate (77.4%) than patients with detection of BPA (22.6%). Pregnant patients had a lower follicular fluid BPA level (4.6 ng/mL) than patients failed to pregnancy (10.7 ng/mL) and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.015). Pregnant patients had a lower serum BPA level (5.9 ng/mL) than patients failed to pregnancy (16.7 ng/mL) and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.005). There was no significant difference in infertility age between patients with and without detection of BPA in serum or follicular fluid. The average age of patients with detection of BPA was older than that of patients without detection of BPA, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion·BPA can be detected in serum and follicular fluid of some patients undergoing IVF-ET. The detection rate increases with the age. The serum BPA level can predict the follicular fluid BPA level. High serum BPA level may affect embryo implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]