Unexamined Endocrine Disruption? Pesticides Inhibit Prostaglandin Activity

This study is thought to be the first to test pesticides for these effects. OPP is applied to citrus fruits and other crops after harvest to prevent spoilage. The general population is thought to consume levels of OPP well below recommended limits, although workers likely receive greater exposures.12 It is unknown whether OPP causes human health effects. © David Thurber/Corbis Prostaglandins serve many purposes—from the promotion and resolution of the immune system’s inflammatory response7 to male sexual development in utero.5 Previous studies have suggested that synthesis of prostaglandin-D2 (PGD2) may serve as a back-up mechanism for androgen-driven differentiation of Sertoli cells8—testicular cells that play an important role in the development and production of sperm. A variety of mild analgesics (including acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen) have been shown to suppress PGD2 synthesis in human and rodent cell lines.9 In one study, self-reported use of aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen during pregnancy was associated with cryptorchidism in some boys but not others, and experimental findings for rats indicated shorter anogenital distance with exposure to acetaminophen or aspirin.10 According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, acetaminophen is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy, but this assessment is based on limited evidence.11 Pregnant women are advised to use aspirin and ibuprofen only under a doctor’s supervision.11 In the cur...
Source: EHP Research - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Featured News Science Selection April 2016 Source Type: research