Phthalates and epigenetics: An emerging public health concern

作者：Ankita Singh, Nadeem Khan Ghani, Mahua Choudhury, Padmalatha Rai Satwadi, Shama Prasada Kabekkodu · 发表于：Current Research in Toxicology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.crtox.2025.100267 · 被引用次数：9 · 研究领域：Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals、Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging、Polymer Science and PVC

• Phthalate exposure induces organ-specific epigenetic alterations , including in genes regulating hormone signaling and development. • We synthesize evidence for transgenerational inheritance of phthalate-induced epigenetic marks in animal models. • Key mechanisms are detailed, such as the disruption of DNMT and HAT activity and the role of androgen receptor signaling . • Epigenetic changes are critically linked to ADHD, infertility, metabolic syndrome, and testicular dysgenesis . • We discuss the potential and significant limitations of epigenetic therapies in counteracting phthalate toxicity. Phthalates are a group of phthalic acid esters that are commonly used as plasticizers in many consumer products to improve elasticity, transparency, durability, and toughness. Phthalates are also ubiquitously found throughout our environment. In recent years, research has indicated a growing concern over the potential negative health effects that phthalates have on the human body. Considering their presence in a wide range of consumer goods, including food packaging, household goods, medical equipment, and personal hygiene products, humans are continuously exposed to many phthalates in their everyday lives. More strikingly, exposure to phthalates has been shown to induce abnormal epigenetic changes in noncoding RNA expression, DNA methylation, and histone modification. Epigenetic changes are critical in governing gene expression while leaving the DNA sequence intact. Previous studies ...