Search

Parabens and benzophenones are compounds widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. Although human exposure is widespread there is a limited number of epidemiological studies assessing the relationship between exposure to these chemicals and female reproductive health. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between paraben and benzophenone concentrations and reproductive outcomes among women attending a fertility center. This prospective cohort included 450 women undergoing in vitro treatment (IVF) at fertility clinic in Poland. The validated gas chromatography ion-tap mass spectrometry to assess concentrations of parabens in urine (methyl (MP), ethyl (EP), propyl (PP), butyl paraben (BP)) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) was used. To explore the relationship between concentrations of examined chemicals and reproductive outcomes (methaphase II (MII) oocyte yield, total oocyte yield, implantation rate, fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy, live births), multivariable generalized linear mixed model was used for the analysis. Increased exposure to butyl paraben was associated with a significant decrease in MII oocyte count (p = 0.007) when exposure to BP was treated as the continuous variable. Additionally, the exposure to BP in the highest quartile of exposure also decreases MII oocyte count (p = 0.02) compared to the lowest quartile. Urinary concentrations of BP were not related to total oocyte count, fertilization and implantation rate, clinical pregnancy, and live birth when the exposure variable was continuous variable or in the quartiles of exposure. Exposure to MP, EP, PP, the sum of examined parabens, and benzophenone-3 were not related to any of the examined reproductive outcomes. Exposure to butyl paraben was associated with a decrease in MII oocyte count among women attending fertility clinic rinsing concerns that exposure may have a potential adverse impact on embryological outcomes. The results emphasize the importance to reduce chemicals in the environment in order to minimize exposure. As this is the first study showing such an association, further research is needed to confirm these novel results in other populations. Graphical Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is regarded as a potential endocrine disruptor. However, the exact mechanism by which this metal may interfere with the reproductive system has not yet been elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of subacute Cd oral administration at daily doses of 0.09, 1.8, and 4.5 mgCd/kg b.w. and the impact of Cd on sex hormones (estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P)) in the plasma and uterus, as well as on estrous cyclicity and histopathological changes in uterine and ovary in female rats after terminating the exposure and after a prolonged observation period (3 months). Moreover, Cd bioaccumulation in the uterine and brain tissue of rats was analyzed. The study revealed that oral Cd exposure induced changes in the plasma levels of steroid hormones: decrease in E2 and increase in P after the highest dose of Cd. Probably, for the first time, it was evidenced that circulation sex hormone disturbances in Cd-exposed rats caused irregular estrous cycle, persisting for 3 months after exposure termination; no alterations in these hormone levels in uterine tissue were noted. Cd did not induce estradiol-like hyperplasia of endometrium, but resulted in endometrial edema irrespective of the dose, and caused damage of the ovaries after the highest dose. In summary, subacute oral exposure of female rats to Cd may lead to long-term disturbances in reproductive system.

Pathophysiological changes in the prostate take the form of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa). In prostate, zinc is particularly important to its normal functioning, especially in terms of the consequences of hormone disturbance. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of Zn, Cu, Ca, Mg, and Se in the prostate dependent on the character of patological changes. Zinc, copper, magnesium and calcium were determined by AAS and selenium with spectrofluorometric method. Zn levels in BPH patients were over twofold higher than in controls. On the other hand, in the patients with PCa, the levels of Zn were found almost three times lower than in BPH patients and by almost 50% lower than in controls. In this study, significant changes in the levels of other essential elements were observed. The results apparently confirm the disturbed homeostasis of zinc and other essential elements in the etiology of BPH and PCa.

Derivatives of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBBt) and 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzimidazole (TBBi) with IC50 in the low micromolar range and with high selectivity belong to the most promising inhibitors of protein kinase CK2 (casein kinase 2). Treatment of various cell lines with TBBt, TBBi or 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole (DMAT) affected cell viability with simultaneous induction of apoptosis. The inhibitory activity of newly synthesized hydroxyalkyl derivatives of TBBi and TBBt depends on the length of the alkyl chain. The hydroxypropyl substituted derivatives show higher or similar inhibitory activity than the parent compounds when tested with human protein kinase CK2. To test the distribution of this class of compounds in mammals, [14C] TBBi was synthesized.