Could Kallikrein-Related Serine Peptidase 3 Be an Early Biomarker of Environmental Exposure in Young Women?

Abstract

Bisphenols and phthalates affect androgen receptor-mediated signaling that directly regulates Kallikrein-Related serine Peptidase 3 (KLK3) secretion, indicating that environmental factors may play a role in KLK3 secretion. With the aim of obtaining preliminary data on whether KLK3 could serve as an early marker of environmental pollution effects, in 61 and 58 healthy women living in a high environmental impact (HEI) and low environmental impact (LEI) area, respectively, serum KLK3 levels at different phases of menstrual cycle were measured. KLK3 values resulted in always being higher in the HEI group with respect to the LEI group. These differences were particularly relevant in the ovulatory phase (cycle day 12°–13°) of the menstrual cycle. The differences in KLK3 values during the three phases of the menstrual cycle were significant in the LEI group differently from the HEI group. In addition, higher progesterone levels were observed in the LEI group with respect to the HEI group in the luteal phase, indicating an opposite trend of KLK3 and progesterone in this phase of the menstrual cycle. Although changes in KLK3 could also depend on other factors, these preliminary data could be an early indication of an expanding study of the role of biomarkers in assessing early environmental effects for female reproductive health.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in the Environment: Occupational and Exposure Events, Effects on Human Health and Fertility

“…Environmental pollution also has a significant bearing on the susceptibility of a given population to various diseases, and semen quality has been found to be a potential indicator of susceptibility to viral insults in those highly polluted areas, capable of helping to predict the risk of harmful effects of viral outbreaks [ 227 , 228 ]. Very recently it has also been demonstrated that kallikrein-related serine peptidase 3 appears to be an early biomarker of environmental exposure in young women [ 229 ]. For these reasons, biosensors have been developed for environmental pollution along with new technologies, especially because altered environmental conditions, together with the direct and indirect short- and long-term effects of viral infection, have the potential to produce a deterioration in sperm quality with significant implications for male fertility, particularly in those areas with a greater environmental impact [ 230 ].…”

Mediterranean Diet as a Shield against Male Infertility and Cancer Risk Induced by Environmental Pollutants: A Focus on Flavonoids

“…Communities living in polluted areas are recognized to experience a higher incidence of cancer, NCDs and male infertility. Therefore, in parallel to regulatory actions, evidencebased lifestyle intervention models should be designed in order to mitigate the impact of environmental pollutants on human health [63,[87][88][89][90][91].…”

Reprotoxic Impact of Environment, Diet, and Behavior

“…Evidence are provided that, along with a threat to female fertility, the BPA's main deleterious effects are associated with offspring development during perinatal exposure, possibly generating dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitaryovarian axis, placing the following generations at risk of developing BPA-related diseases themselves [61]. Furthermore, BPA has been proven to affect female androgen receptormediated signaling, which regulates Kallikrein-Related serine Peptidase 3 secretion [62].…”