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DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1275832
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Endokrin aktive Substanzen in der Umwelt (Endocrine Disruptors): Gefahr für den Menschen?
Endocrine disruptors: hormone-active chemicals from the environment: a risk to humans?Publication History
eingereicht: 3.5.2010
akzeptiert: 27.1.2011
Publication Date:
27 April 2011 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/dmw/201118/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-0031-1275832-1.jpg)
Zusammenfassung
Zahlreiche Substanzen aus der technischen und natürlichen Umwelt können Schädigungen des Endokriniums bewirken. Tierversuche belegen, dass sogenannte Endocrine Disruptors (ED), z. B. Pestizide, Fungizide, Weichmacher (Phthalate), Bisphenol A (BPA), zinnorganische Verbindungen, zu erheblichen Störungen führen können. Aus in vitro Untersuchungen an humanen Zellen und Geweben sowie aufgrund vieler klinischer Hinweise darf man schließen, dass auch der Mensch betroffen sein kann. Auch zeigen bestimmte medizinische Therapieverfahren, wie sehr empfindlich das endokrine System des Menschen ist. Angriffspunkte der ED sind vor allem die Schlüsselenzyme des Sexualhormon-Metabolismus und die hormonelle Signalübertragung in die und innerhalb der jeweiligen Zielzelle. Im Vordergrund stehen Störungen der Reproduktion wie Beeinträchtigung der Spermatogenese, verminderte Testosteronsynthese und Missbildungen der externen Genitalien sowie Tumoren wie z. B. das Mammakarzinom. Beim Menschen ist es jedoch schwierig, Störungen des Hormonsystems bzw. der Reproduktionsfunktion auf bestimmte ED zurückzuführen. Die Fülle der Befunde veranlassten die amerikanische FDA u. a. präventiv zu empfehlen, die Produktion BPA-haltiger Plastikflaschen und Babyfläschchen zu stoppen. Die EU fördert Verbundprojekte wie COMPRENDO, mit Studien über das Gefährdungspotential und die Risikoabschätzung bestimmter Chemikalien für die Gesundheit. Bemerkenswert ist, dass bei manchen EDs die Dosis-Wirkungsbeziehung nicht monoton sondern u-förmig verläuft und dass zahlreiche Chemikalien bei extrem niedrigen Konzentrationen stark schädigend wirken können (Low Dose Impact). Weitere Forschungen sind erforderlich, um zu klären, ob die beobachteten Befunde nur Assoziationen oder kausale Ergebnisse darstellen.
Abstract
Many substances from the technical and natural environment can cause damage to the endocrine system. Animal tests show that so-called endocrine disruptors (ED), such as pesticides, fungicides, plasticizers (phthalates), bisphenol A (BPA), and organotin compounds can interfere with the endocrine system. In humans, it is difficult to attribute such changes to specific ED. Nevertheless, in vitro studies with human cells and tissues clearly show that ED are able to interfere with endogenous hormones, i. e. affecting the steroid hormone metabolism and intracellular signaling. Several clinical studies show that humans are also affected, including reproductive disorders like reduction of spermatogenesis, decreased testosterone production or malformation of the genitals or induction of tumors like mammary carcinoma. Facing the body of reports documenting the effects of ED, the European Union supported – inter alia – COMPRENDO, a project addressing risk assessment of particular ED in human and wildlife species, while the FDA supports the industry’s actions to stop producing BPA-containing baby bottles and infant feeding cups. Some ED show an u-shaped dose response curve and specific ED have effects at levels dramatically lower than thought relevant to traditional toxicology, a phenomenon termed „Low Dose Impact”. Further research is needed to clarify whether the observed findings represent associations or causal results.
Schlüsselwörter
endokrine Disruptoren - Umweltchemikalien - Phthalate - Bisphenol A - Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome
Keywords
endocrine disruptors - environmental chemicals - phthalates - bisphenol A - testicular dysgenesis syndrome
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Prof. Dr. Dietrich Klingmüller
Arzt für Innere Medizin – Endokrinologie
Institut
für Klinische Chemie und Pharmakologie
Universitätsklinikum
Bonn
Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25
53105 Bonn
Phone: 0228/2871-6513
Fax: 0228/2871-5028
Email: d.klingmueller@uni-bonn.de