A comprehensive evaluation of the endocrine-disrupting effects of emerging organophosphate esters

Quan Zhang; Liuqing Yang; Huiyun Wang; Chengwang Wu; Rui Cao; Meirong Zhao; Guanyong Su; Cui Wang

Environment International (Nov 2024)

A comprehensive evaluation of the endocrine-disrupting effects of emerging organophosphate esters

Quan Zhang,
Liuqing Yang,
Huiyun Wang,
Chengwang Wu,
Rui Cao,
Meirong Zhao,
Guanyong Su,
Cui Wang

Affiliations

Quan Zhang: College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, China
Liuqing Yang: College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, China
Huiyun Wang: College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, China
Chengwang Wu: College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, China
Rui Cao: College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, China
Meirong Zhao: College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, China
Guanyong Su: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
Cui Wang: School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 193
p. 109120

Abstract

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The ubiquitous presence of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in the environment has prompted growing concerns about their potential health risks, particularly their endocrine-disrupting effects. This study comprehensively evaluated the endocrine-disrupting properties of six emerging OPEs: five aryl-OPEs (2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP), tris (2-biphenylyl) phosphate (TBPP), resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate) (RDP), 4-hydroxyphenyl diphenyl phosphate (para-OH-TPHP), and 3-hydroxyphenyl diphenyl phosphate (meta-OH-TPHP) and one alkyl-OPE, triallyl phosphate (TAP). Our findings revealed that all tested aryl-OPEs exhibited antagonistic effects on one or more hormone receptors. Importantly, para-OH-TPHP demonstrated the most potent antagonistic activity, inhibiting estrogen receptor α (ERα), thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) with the concentration of test compounds showing 20 % relative inhibitory concentration (RIC20) value below 10−6 mol/L (M). RDP antagonized ERα and cortical receptors (GR and MR), TBPP affected TRβ and GR, while EHDPP and meta-OH-TPHP targeted MR. Regarding steroidogenesis, para-OH-TPHP significantly inhibited genes for estrogen (cyp19) and cortisol synthesis (cyp11b2), and along with meta-OH-TPHP, EHDPP, TAP, and RDP downregulated cyp11a1, a rate-limiting enzyme in hormone synthesis. All compounds caused malformations and swimming abnormalities in zebrafish embryos/larvae at concentrations of 10−7 M or higher, with para-OH-TPHP showing nearly 50 % peak induction. Furthermore, the six compounds tested influenced genes associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis in both zebrafish larvae and adult female zebrafish, in addition to affecting the reproductive behavior of zebrafish. A weighted scoring system was employed to rank the endocrine-disrupting potency of the OPEs, with para-OH-TPHP exhibiting the highest risk, followed by EHDPP, RDP, TBPP, meta-OH-TPHP, and TAP. Collectively, our results highlight the significant endocrine-disrupting effects of emerging OPEs, underscoring the urgent need for further research to assess their potential health implications.

Published in Environment International

ISSN: 0160-4120 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environment-international

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