A new identity of microcystins: Environmental endocrine disruptors? An evidence-based review

Microcystins (MCs) are widely distributed cyanobacterial toxins in eutrophic waters. At present, the endocrine -disrupting effects of MCs have been extensively studied, but whether MCs can be classified as environmental endocrine disruptors (EDCs) is still unclear. This review is aimed to evaluate the rationality for MCs as to be classified as EDCs based on the available evidence. It has been identified that MCs meet eight of ten key characteristics of chemicals that can be classified as EDCs. MCs interfere with the six processes, including synthesis, release, circulation, metabo-lism, binding and action of natural hormones in the body. Also, they are fit two other characteristics of EDC: altering the fate of producing/responding cells and epigenetic modification. Further evidence indicates that the endocrine -disrupting effect of MCs may be an important cause of adverse health outcomes such as metabolic disorders, reproduc-tive disorders and effects on the growth and development of offspring. Generally, MCs have endocrine-disrupting properties, suggesting that it is reasonable for them to be considered EDCs. This is of great importance in understand-ing and evaluating the harm done by MCs on humans.

Automated summary

This review evaluates the rationality of classifying MCs as environmental endocrine disruptors (EDCs) and finds that MCs meet most of the key characteristics of EDCs and have endocrine-disrupting properties. The endocrine-disrupting effect of MCs may be an important cause of adverse health outcomes such as metabolic disorders and reproductive disorders.