The effects of bisphenols on the cardiovascular system

Abstract

Bisphenols, endocrine disrupting chemicals, have frequently been used for producing food packaging materials. The best-known member, bisphenol A (BPA), has been linked to impaired foetal development in animals. Possible negative effects of BPA on human health have resulted in the production of novel, so-called next-generation (NextGen) bisphenols whose effects on humans are much less explored or even missing. This review aimed to summarise and critically assess the main findings and shortages in current bisphenol research in relation to their potential impact on the cardiovascular system in real biological exposure. Because of the common presence of bisphenols in daily use products, humans are clearly exposed to these compounds. Most data are available on BPA, where total serum levels (i.e. included conjugated metabolite) can reach up to ∼430 nM, while free bisphenol levels have been reported up to ∼80 nM. Limited data are available for other bisphenols, but maximal serum levels of bisphenol S have been reported (680 nM). Such levels seem to be negligible, although in vitro studies have showed effects on ion channels, and thyroid, oestrogenic and androgenic receptors in low micromolar concentrations. Ex vivo studies suggest vasodilatory effects of bisphenols. This stays in clear contrast to the elevation of arterial blood pressure documented in vivo and in observatory cross-sectional human studies. Bisphenols are also claimed to have a negative effect on lipidic spectrum and coronary artery disease. Regardless, the reported data are generally inconsistent and unsatisfactory. Hence novel well-designed studies, testing in particular NextGen bisphenols, are needed.

Keywords:

• NextGen bisphenol
• blood vessels
• vascular
• endocrine-disruptor
• atherosclerosis
• heart

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank to Mrs. Lucie Butcher (the BESTtranslation) for English corrections.This study was supported by Charles University (SVV 260-549 and GAUK 136120/C) and by the Slovenian Research Agency (Grant No. Program P1-0208). P.M. also acknowledges support from the EFSA-CDN project (grant number: CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000841, co-funded by the ERDF). Finally, we thank the Editor, Dr. Roger O. McClellan, and the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments that helped to improve the quality of this manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The affiliations of the authors are reported above. All individuals who contributed to the preparation of the paper are mentioned as co-authors or listed in the acknowledgements. The authors have sole responsibility for the preparation, analysis, interpretation and writing of the content of this manuscript. The authors report no conflict of interest. No other individuals or entities had input into the text, and the funders had no role in the written content. The content of this critical review represents the views and professional opinions of the authors. In addition, the authors have no connection with any legal or regulatory agency related to the contents of the manuscript.