Department of Biology, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.
Department of Biology, Section of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University Federico II of Naples, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.
Chemosphere. 2014 Jun;104:190-6. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.11.014. Epub 2013 Nov 28.
Nonylphenol (NP) is an endocrine disruptor widely distributed in the environment. It accumulates in the lipids of living organisms and enters the human food chain. The main source of human exposure is expected to be food, drinking water and foodstuff contaminated through leaching from packaging or pesticide formulation applications. NP acts as an estrogenic compound and it is able to mimic the action of estradiol 17β (E2) by binding to the estrogen receptor (ER). The aim of the present study was to investigate the NP effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA) axis of the bioindicator Podarcis sicula lizard. A time-dependent stimulation of the HPA axis and variations of both catecholamine plasma levels were showed. Moreover, NP effects on adrenal gland morphology were evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopy. Clear morphological signs of adrenal gland stimulation such as an increase of steroidogenic cord diameter and vascularization, a strong escalation of adrenaline cell number and a decrease of noradrenaline cells were observed. The notably elevated levels of adrenal hormones suggested a permanent turning on of hypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) secretion together with a lack of the negative feedback of HPA axis, perturbing systemic responses of the organism. Our data may help to predict the biological alterations induced by NP and to extend its impact upon adrenal function.
壬基酚（NP）是一种广泛分布于环境中的内分泌干扰物。它在生物体内的脂质中积累，并进入人类食物链。人类接触的主要来源预计是食物、饮用水以及通过包装或农药制剂应用的浸出物污染的食品。NP 作为一种雌激素化合物，能够通过与雌激素受体（ER）结合来模拟雌二醇 17β（E2）的作用。本研究旨在研究壬基酚对生物标志物蜥蜴 Podarcis sicula 下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺（HPA）轴的影响。结果显示，HPA 轴呈时间依赖性刺激，儿茶酚胺的血浆水平也发生变化。此外，还通过光镜和透射电镜评估了 NP 对肾上腺形态的影响。观察到明显的肾上腺刺激的形态学迹象，如类固醇生成带直径和血管化增加，肾上腺素细胞数量急剧增加，去甲肾上腺素细胞减少。明显升高的肾上腺激素水平提示下丘脑促皮质释放因子（CRF）分泌的持续开启，同时缺乏 HPA 轴的负反馈，扰乱了机体的全身反应。我们的数据可能有助于预测 NP 诱导的生物学改变，并扩大其对肾上腺功能的影响。
