Perturbateurs endocriniens : responsabilités dans l'obésité et le diabète de type 2

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are natural or synthetic molecules found in everyday products (plastic bottles, metal cans, toys, cosmetics, pesticides…) and used in the manufacture of food. They can interfere with different hormonal pathways (synthesis, secretion, transport, activity and/or elimination), but also with glucose and lipids metabolism. Therefore, they can induce a wide range of adverse effects (developmental and reproductive effects, hormone-dependent tumors, such as breast, testis, colon or prostate cancers). Epidemiological studies in humans together with accidental acute exposure reports strongly suggest an association between metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2D) and exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which must be considered as insulin resistance factors. There is now sufficient evidence suggesting that EDCs may also explain an important part in the incidence of metabolic diseases (metabolic syndrome, obesity, and T2D), with an attributable direct cost estimated at €20 billion in the EU.