The possible DNA damage induced by environmental organic compounds: The case of Nonylphenol

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2018 Aug 30:158:171-181. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.04.023. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

Abstract

Human impact on the environment leads to the release of many pollutants that produce artificial compounds, which can have harmful effects on the body's endocrine system; these are known as endocrine disruptors (EDs). Nonylphenol (NP) is a chemical compound with a nonyl group that is attached to a phenol ring. NP-induced H2AX is a sensitive genotoxic biomarker for detecting possible DNA damage; it also causes male infertility and carcinogenesis. We attempt to comprehensively review all the available evidence about the different ways with descriptive mechanisms for explaining the possible DNA damage that is induced by NP. We systematically searched several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and gray literature, such as Google Scholar by using medical subheading (MeSH) terms and various combinations of selected keywords from January 1970 to August 2017. The initial search identified 62,737 potentially eligible studies; of these studies, 33 were included according to the established inclusion criteria. Thirty-three selected studies, include the topics of animal model (n = 21), cell line (n = 6), human model (n = 4), microorganisms (n = 1), solid DNA (n = 1), infertility (n = 4), apoptosis (n = 6), and carcinogenesis (n = 3). This review highlighted the possible deleterious effects of NP on DNA damage through the ability to produce ROS/RNS. Finally, it is significant to observe caution at this stage with the continued use of environmental pollutants such as NP, which may induce DNA damage and apoptosis.

Keywords: DNA damage; Genotoxicity; H(2)AX; Nonylphenol; Oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endocrine Disruptors / toxicity
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / chemically induced
  • Infertility, Male / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Phenols / toxicity*

Substances

  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Phenols
  • nonylphenol