İnkaya E N, Tokgöz E, Barlas N
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2025 Mar;136(3):e70003. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.70003.
The pineal gland secretes melatonin, which regulates various physiological processes; damage to this gland disrupts these functions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of nonylphenol on the pineal gland and the pituitary-adrenal axis, which is associated with this system. The study was initiated using Wistar albino male rats on their postnatal 21st day, a critical developmental stage for endocrine regulation. Nonylphenol was administered via oral gavage at doses of 5, 25 and 125 mg/kg/day, while bisphenol-A was given at 50 mg/kg/day as a positive control. At the end of the treatment period, liver, kidney, pituitary, pineal and adrenal tissues were examined histopathologically. Hormone levels were analysed in serum samples. Significant changes in adrenocorticotropic hormone, melatonin and aldosterone levels were detected in hormone analyses. In contrast, no differences in corticosterone and glucose levels were detected. Histopathological findings showed structural changes in tissues. The effects of nonylphenol on the pituitary-adrenal axis and melatonin vary depending on the experimental protocols employed. However, it is clear that nonylphenol and bisphenol A have negative effects on the pituitary-adrenal axis, pineal gland, liver and kidney. In conclusion, future research should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects and developing environmentally friendly strategies to eliminate nonylphenol and bisphenol-A contamination.
松果体分泌褪黑素，它调节各种生理过程；该腺体受损会扰乱这些功能。本研究旨在调查壬基酚对松果体以及与该系统相关的垂体 - 肾上腺轴的影响。研究从出生后第21天的Wistar白化雄性大鼠开始，这是内分泌调节的关键发育阶段。壬基酚通过口服灌胃给药，剂量为5、25和125毫克/千克/天，而双酚A以50毫克/千克/天作为阳性对照给药。在治疗期结束时，对肝脏、肾脏、垂体、松果体和肾上腺组织进行了组织病理学检查。对血清样本中的激素水平进行了分析。在激素分析中检测到促肾上腺皮质激素、褪黑素和醛固酮水平有显著变化。相比之下，未检测到皮质酮和葡萄糖水平的差异。组织病理学结果显示组织有结构变化。壬基酚对垂体 - 肾上腺轴和褪黑素的影响因所采用的实验方案而异。然而，很明显壬基酚和双酚A对垂体 - 肾上腺轴、松果体、肝脏和肾脏有负面影响。总之，未来的研究应集中在阐明这些影响背后的分子机制以及制定消除壬基酚和双酚A污染的环保策略上。
