Impact Of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors in the Development of Metabolic Disorders in Zebrafish and Other Animal Models

Abstract

Diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity have been reported to be caused by chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system of the body (EDCs). It is a document that reports the metabolic effects of EDCs on the model organism, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), the first of its kind. Researchers predict that EDCs will have adverse effects on glucose metabolism and lipid function. The zebrafish were exposed to a mixture of EDCs, i.e., bisphenol A, phthalates, and nonylphenol EDCs, and left to be exposed for eight weeks. The primary metabolic indicators were measured, such as blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin sensitivity. Insulin and lipid metabolism were also examined to identify gene expression in the liver, diabetes-related hormones, and liver structure using histological analysis. The study also extends the scope of EDC exposure beyond the human context to illustrate the effects of these chemicals on animal health, particularly in wildlife species that may be exposed to EDCs in the wild, such as freshwater fish. Metabolic integrity of the organism was impaired, as evidenced by increased blood glucose, lipid metabolism, and cholesterol and triglycerides. This led to the infiltration of the liver by lipids, and thus hepatotoxicity was the result of such metabolic disorders. It also showed an imbalanced hormonal secretion as a result of cortisol elevation and disruption of thyroid hormones. Gene expression was also observed to change, and the genes that were involved in the synthesis of lipids and insulin production were altered. The results show that metabolic health is devastating in the long-term consequences of chronic exposure to EDCs among zebrafish, which predicts the long-term effects of energy metabolism and risk of diseases on both humans and wildlife. In this study, the wider rationale of the impact of EDC exposure is clearly brought to the fore, especially as it relates to the conservation of wildlife species that are exposed to environmental pollutants in their natural environments. The study article has established that exposure to EDCs needs to be reduced, and spawning zebrafish has been identified as one of the promising studies in the future of endocrine disruption and metabolic disorders.