Bisphenol A (BPA) Leading to Obesity and Cardiovascular Complications: A Compilation of Current In Vivo Study

Abstract

BPA is one of the most common endocrine disruptors that is widely being manufactured daily nationwide. Although scientific evidence supports claims of negative effects of BPA on humans, there is also evidence suggesting that a low level of BPA is safe. However, numerous in vivo trials contraindicate with this claim and there is a high possibility of BPA exposure could lead to obesity. It has been speculated that this does not stop with the exposed subjects only, but may also cause transgenerational effects. Direct disruption of endocrine regulation, neuroimmune and signaling pathways, as well as gut microbiata, has been identified to be interrupted by BPA exposure, leading to overweight or obesity. In these instances, cardiovascular complications are one of the primary notable clinical signs. In regard to this claim, this review paper discusses the role of BPA on obesity in the perspective of endocrine disruptions and possible cardiovascular complications that may arise due to BPA. Thus, the aim of this review is to outline the changes in gut microbiota and neuroimmune or signaling mechanisms involved in obesity in relation to BPA. To identify potentially relevant articles, a depth search was done on the databases Nature, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, and Medline & Ovid from the past 5 years. According to Boolean operator guideline, selected keywords such as (1) BPA OR environmental chemical AND fat OR LDL OR obese AND transgenerational effects or phenocopy (2) Endocrine disruptors OR chemical AND lipodystrophy AND phenocopy (3) Lipid profile OR weight changes AND cardiovascular effect (4) BPA AND neuroimmune OR gene signaling, were used as search terms. Upon screening, 11 articles were finalized to be further reviewed and data extraction tables containing information on (1) the type of animal model (2) duration and dosage of BPA exposure (3) changes in the lipid profile or weight (4) genes, signaling mechanism, or any neuroimmune signal involved, and (5) transgenerational effects were created. In toto, the study indicates there are high chances of BPA exposure affecting lipid profile and gene associated with lipolysis, leading to obesity. Therefore, this scoping review recapitulates the possible effects of BPA that may lead to obesity with the evidence of current in vivo trials. The biomarkers, safety concerns, recommended dosage, and the impact of COVID-19 on BPA are also briefly described.

Potential Pro-Tumorigenic Effect of Bisphenol A in Breast Cancer via Altering the Tumor Microenvironment

“…In both epidemiologic and experimental studies, exposure to BPA has been shown to increase the risk of developing obesity [ 142 , 143 ]. Continuous exposure to low-dose BPA (0.01–1 μM for 14–21 days) enhanced adipogenic differentiation of both human adipose-derived stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells through an increase in gene expression related to adipogenesis (e.g., PPAR-γ, CCCAAT-enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP-α), and lipoprotein lipase) via ER activation [ 144 , 145 ].…”

Endocrine disruptor chemicals as obesogen and diabetogen: Clinical and mechanistic evidence

“…Up-regulation of FABP4 in adipose tissue prevents fatty acid ß oxidation. Increased fatty acid levels go to the ectopic organs such as the liver resulting in lipotoxicity[ 113 ]. Besides a lipid accumulation effect of BPA leading to obesity, two other mechanisms to explain obesity due to BPA exposure is defined (Figure 3 ).…”

“…BPA also can have an effect on gut bacterial dysbiosis. BPA reduces gut small chain fatty acid (SCFA) and increases systemic lipopolysaccharide levels resulting in chronic low-grade inflammation and altered lipid homeostasis[ 113 ] (Figure 3 ).…”

Recent Progress in Nanotechnology-Based Approaches for Food Monitoring

“…The sensor exhibits a limit of detection of ≤0.042 pg/mL [ 248 ]. The presence of bisphenol-A in foods was reported to cause endocrine disruption, which imitates human hormones and interferes with other biological products in the body [ 249 , 250 , 251 ]. Different types of nanostructure were developed for electrochemical sensing of bisphenol-A, such as graphene oxide and β-Cyclodextrin-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCN) with a limit of detection of 6 nM [ 252 ], and nanocomposite of MWCN with copper ferrite with a limit of detection of 3.2 nM [ 253 ].…”