358
Keywords Insulin resistance · Lipid metabolism · Endocrine disrupting chemicals
· Metabolic disorders
Introduction
A number of very crucial physiological functions in human body are controlled,
coordinated, and regulated by the endocrine system which consists of hormone producing endocrine glands and their receptors. The important roles of endocrine system include regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, body growth and
development, embryonic development, and primary sex characters, etc. These physiological functions are controlled and coordinated by the hormones; the chemical
messengers secreted directly into the circulatory system. However, it has been
observed that a number of compounds do interfere in the normal functioning of the
endocrine system by disrupting the hormonal-synthesis and secretions, their transportation process and binding properties, coordinated and well-mechanized actions
[1]. Resultantly, such non-targeted interacting compounds inhibit or enhance the
functional properties of hormones, thus termed as endocrine disrupting chemicals
(EDCs). Such EDCs are also regarded as endocrine-modulators or endocrine disruptors and are ubiquitous in nature and make their way passively into human body
through skin, water-intake, inhalation, and digestion as the humans are always
exposed to their multiple sources in routine daily life [2]. Broadly speaking, the list
of EDCs includes but not limited to environmental toxicants, pesticides, herbicides,
and pharmaceuticals (Fig. 21.1). These EDCs impair the normal functions of hormones and the adverse effects are observed in the form of neurological disorders,
sexual abnormalities in both genders, psychological and behavioral issues. They also
cause metabolic disorders leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes [3, 4]. The pharmaceutical products happen to act as EDCs (Fig. 21.2) in at least two different ways:
• The pharmaceutical wastes discharged directly from pharmaceutical industry
find their way into human body and act as EDCs by interacting with normal functions of the endocrine system in healthy subjects.
• The pharmaceutical products used as medication come across non-target interactions with the endocrine system, thus impair the normal physiological
functions.
The regulation of blood glucose level is one of the prime health parameters in
humans established through the glucose homeostasis by the adequate production
and action of insulin. It suppresses the glucose production and lipolysis to maintain
the blood sugar level. It accelerates the energy production or helps to store the
extra glucose in muscles, adipose tissues, and liver in the form of triglycerides or
glycogen. The elevated glucose level in serum excites pancreatic β-cells to produce
insulin [5]. However, amino acids, ketone bodies, and free fatty acids also influence the insulin production. In fact, they alter the cationic flux around the Ca
+2
/K
+
A. Hameed et al.
Keywords Insulin resistance · Lipid metabolism · Endocrine disrupting chemicals
· Metabolic disorders
Introduction
A number of very crucial physiological functions in human body are controlled,
coordinated, and regulated by the endocrine system which consists of hormone producing endocrine glands and their receptors. The important roles of endocrine system include regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, body growth and
development, embryonic development, and primary sex characters, etc. These physiological functions are controlled and coordinated by the hormones; the chemical
messengers secreted directly into the circulatory system. However, it has been
observed that a number of compounds do interfere in the normal functioning of the
endocrine system by disrupting the hormonal-synthesis and secretions, their transportation process and binding properties, coordinated and well-mechanized actions
[1]. Resultantly, such non-targeted interacting compounds inhibit or enhance the
functional properties of hormones, thus termed as endocrine disrupting chemicals
(EDCs). Such EDCs are also regarded as endocrine-modulators or endocrine disruptors and are ubiquitous in nature and make their way passively into human body
through skin, water-intake, inhalation, and digestion as the humans are always
exposed to their multiple sources in routine daily life [2]. Broadly speaking, the list
of EDCs includes but not limited to environmental toxicants, pesticides, herbicides,
and pharmaceuticals (Fig. 21.1). These EDCs impair the normal functions of hormones and the adverse effects are observed in the form of neurological disorders,
sexual abnormalities in both genders, psychological and behavioral issues. They also
cause metabolic disorders leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes [3, 4]. The pharmaceutical products happen to act as EDCs (Fig. 21.2) in at least two different ways:
• The pharmaceutical wastes discharged directly from pharmaceutical industry
find their way into human body and act as EDCs by interacting with normal functions of the endocrine system in healthy subjects.
• The pharmaceutical products used as medication come across non-target interactions with the endocrine system, thus impair the normal physiological
functions.
The regulation of blood glucose level is one of the prime health parameters in
humans established through the glucose homeostasis by the adequate production
and action of insulin. It suppresses the glucose production and lipolysis to maintain
the blood sugar level. It accelerates the energy production or helps to store the
extra glucose in muscles, adipose tissues, and liver in the form of triglycerides or
glycogen. The elevated glucose level in serum excites pancreatic β-cells to produce
insulin [5]. However, amino acids, ketone bodies, and free fatty acids also influence the insulin production. In fact, they alter the cationic flux around the Ca
+2
/K
+
A. Hameed et al.