Effect of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in obesity and neurodevelopment: The genetic and microbiota link

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 852; p. 158219
• Main Authors: Ramírez, Viviana, González-Palacios, Patricia, Baca, Miguel A., González-Domenech, Pablo José, Fernández-Cabezas, María, Álvarez-Cubero, María Jesús, Rodrigo, Lourdes, Rivas, Ana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.12.2022
• Subjects: Endocrine disrupting chemicals; Genetic variation; Gut microbiota; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Obesity; Gut microbiota; Obesity; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Genetic variation; Endocrine disrupting chemicals
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158219

Current evidence highlights the importance of the genetic component in obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID)), given that these diseases have reported an elevated heritability. Additionally, environmental stressors, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been classified as obesogens, neuroendocrine disruptors, and microbiota disrupting chemicals (MDCs). For this reason, the importance of this work lies in examining two possible biological mechanistic pathways linking obesity and neurodevelopmental/behavioural disorders: EDCs – gene and EDCs – microbiota interactions. First, we summarise the shared mechanisms of action of EDCs and the common genetic profile in the bidirectional link between obesity and neurodevelopment. In relation to interaction models, evidence from the reviewed studies reveals significant interactions between pesticides/heavy metals and gene polymorphisms of detoxifying and neurotransmission systems and metal homeostasis on cognitive development, ASD and ADHD symptomatology. Nonetheless, available literature about obesity is quite limited. Importantly, EDCs have been found to induce gut microbiota changes through gut-brain-microbiota axis conferring susceptibility to obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders. In view of the lack of studies assessing the impact of EDCs – gene interactions and EDCs – mediated dysbiosis jointly in obesity and neurodevelopment, we support considering genetics, EDCs exposure, and microbiota as interactive factors rather than individual contributors to the risk for developing obesity and neurodevelopmental disabilities at the same time. [Display omitted] •EDCs-gene interaction is an important contributor to obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders risk.•EDCs-mediated gut microbiota changes could predispose to obesity and neurodevelopmental deficits.•EDCs, genetics and microbiota might constitute a causal crosstalk in the bidirectional obesity and neurodevelopment link.