Perspectives on endocrine disruptor effects on metabolic sensors

Endocrine disrupting (EDs) chemicals can increase or block the metabolism of endogenous peptidergic or steroid hormones by activating or antagonizing nuclear receptors in the hypothalamus, besides adipose tissue, liver and gonads. Toxicological and epidemiological studies have suggested the involvement of different EDs in an increasing number of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. The aim of this review is to summarize the literature from experimental animal studies demonstrating the impairment of body weight raised by the deregulation of peptidergic signals as well as by the activation of key metabolic molecular targets. Regarding the modification of gene transcription levels induced by EDs, new data on DEHP effect on food intake and lipid metabolism in the experimental model zebrafish (Danio redo) have also been included in this review providing evidences about the dangerousness of DEHP low doses. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.