Oestrogenic Activity in Girls with Signs of Precocious Puberty as Exposure Biomarker to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: A Pilot Study

Marta Gea; Anna Toso; Giuseppe Nicolò Bentivegna; Raffaele Buganza; Enrica Abrigo; Luisa De Sanctis; Tiziana Schilirò

doi:10.3390/ijerph20010014

Oestrogenic Activity in Girls with Signs of Precocious Puberty as Exposure Biomarker to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: A Pilot Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Dec 20;20(1):14. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010014.

Authors

Marta Gea¹, Anna Toso^{1

2}, Giuseppe Nicolò Bentivegna¹, Raffaele Buganza³, Enrica Abrigo³, Luisa De Sanctis^{1

3}, Tiziana Schilirò¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
² Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), Université Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France.
³ Unit of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.

Abstract

The relationship between endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure and Precocious Puberty (PP) was investigated in this pilot study, involving girls with signs of PP (P) and pre-pubertal girls (C). Risk factors for PP were assessed through questionnaires, while 17β-oestradiol (E2) levels and oestrogenic activity were quantified on sera. The oestrogenic activity, expressed as E2 equivalent concentration (EEQ), was applied as EDC exposure biomarker. Questionnaires showed a low EDC knowledge, a high EDC exposure, and a potential relationship between some habits at risk for EDC exposure and PP. EEQs were similar between C and P; however, they were significantly higher in girls living in an urban environment than in girls living in a rural environment, suggesting a potential higher EDC exposure in cities. The results of this pilot study highlighted the need to raise awareness on EDCs and can be considered a starting point to clarify the relationship between EDC exposure and PP.

Keywords: MELN gene reporter assay; early puberty; endocrine disruptors; exposure biomarker; oestradiol equivalent concentration; urban environment.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biomarkers
Endocrine Disruptors* / toxicity
Estradiol
Estrone
Female
Humans
Pilot Projects
Puberty, Precocious* / chemically induced

Substances

Endocrine Disruptors
Estradiol
Estrone
Biomarkers

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Fondazione CRT (Cassa di Risparmio di Torino), a private, non-profit Italian organisation with full statutory and management autonomy (CRT funding n° 2018.2300). Fondazione CRT projects and resources target various sectors: from the preservation and promotion of the artistic heritage and cultural activities to scientific research; from education and training to healthcare and assistance for vulnerable social groups; from civil protection and environmental safeguards to innovation in local institutions and support of economic development.