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Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research

October, 2019, Volume 21, 4, pp 16073-16079

Research article

Research article

Endometrial Carcinoma and Bisphenol A: A Pilot Case-Control Study

Carmen Imma Aquino1, Jacopo Troisi1,2,3, Antonio D’Antonio1, Luigi Giugliano1, Antonio Raffone4, Laura Sarno4*, Gabriele Saccone4, Giovanni Scala2 and Maurizio Guida1,2

Author Affiliations

1Department of Medicine and Surgery and Dentistry, “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Italy

2Theoreo srl – Spin-off company of the University of Salerno, Italy

3European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno (EBRIS), Via S. De Renzi, 50, 84125 Salerno (Italy)

4Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples (Italy)

Received: September 25, 2019 | Published: October 01, 2019

Corresponding author: Laura Sarno, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2019.21.003641

Abstract

Aim: Endometrial cancer evolves from a hyperestrogenic pattern. Bisphenol A (BPA) can act as estrogen-mimetic at low doses. The aim of this pilot observational case-control study is to evaluate the possible hormone-dependent effects of BPA in endometrial cancer.

Methods: Biological samples from seventeen women affected by endometrial cancer and seven controls affected by benign uterine disease were collected. Two aliquots of 0.5mL or 25mg were taken from each blood, urine or tissue sample, one for total BPA measurement (free BPA plus BPA glucuronide and sulfate), and one for free BPA.

Results: The concentration of BPA in blood and urine was higher in cases, while BPA concentration at uterine level was higher in controls. In the blood, higher BPA concentrations were found in cases compared to controls for free BPA (0.59±0.19 Vs 0.54±0.12), BPA conjugate (1.43±0.26 Vs 0.94±0.18) and total BPA (2.01±0.31 Vs 1.48±0.22), though not statistically significant. Similarly, in urine higher free BPA (2.00±0.84 Vs 1.56±0.34, p<0.001), conjugated BPA (4.33±1.29 Vs 2.98±0.82, p<0.05) and total BPA (6.34±1.38 Vs 4.54±0.65, p<0.01) concentrations were found in cases compared to controls. In uterine samples, free BPA, conjugated BPA and total BPA were lower in cases than controls (0.03±0.01 Vs 0.10±0.03, p<0.001; 0.06±0.01 Vs 0.17±0.06, p<0.001 and 0.08±0.01 Vs 0.26±0.08, p<0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: Evaluating our results in the perspective of the literature, we hypothesized that BPA could induce an indirect abnormal cell proliferation at the uterine level. It probably acts as an hyperestrogenic central trigger, through a possible exacerbation of the action of the well-known risk factors . More studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms at the bases of the described process.

Keywords: Endometrial Cancer; Bisphenol A; Endocrine Disruptors; Hyperestrogenism

Introduction

Female cancers represent one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the adult population. Scientific research has allowed a significative increase in the early diagnosis for some of them (e.g. cervical cancer) but not for all, as for the endometrial neoplasia. Endometrial cancer is the fifth most common malignant tumor of the female reproductive tract in developed countries [1,2]. It represents about 5% of the total female tumors, with an incidence ranging from 3% among women below 49 years old to 7% in women between 50-69 years old [3]. In 90% of cases, endometrial cancer is sporadic, the remaining 10% is hereditary [4]. The observed racial and geographic differences suggest that the onset of endometrial cancer is strictly affected by genetic and environmental elements. In about 80% of these conditions, hyperestrogenism plays a key role [5]. Nowadays, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists underlines that we don’t have non- -invasive cost-benefit diagnostic methods of screening for asymptomatic endometrial carcinoma. When indicated, the diagnostic route involves ultrasonography and biopsy hysteroscopy [6].

More innovative techniques have been proposed, such as: recent metabolic test, multidepth genetic sequencing, and evaluation of small non-coding miRNAs (sncRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lng RNAs) [7,8]. However, these techniques are not routinely used yet. Of the two types of endometrial cancer, type 2 endometrial cancer develops mostly from atrophic endometrium, is rarer and appears to be less associated with anovulation, infertility, obesity or diabetes mellitus; while risk factors mostly concern type 1, which is more related to estrogens effects. Several risk factors for type 1 were reported: reproductive, metabolic, genetic, hormonal [9-16]. Among the hormonal risk factors, scientific evidences suggest that the so-called “endocrine disruptors”, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), should be included [17-19]. Endocrine or xenormon disruptors are exogenous chemicals that mimic or antagonize hormonal biological activity [20]. For many years, endocrine disruptors have been studied for possible obstetric and pediatric complications [21,22]. As illustrated, direct or indirect estrogenic action of BPA could favor the hormonal dysregulation at the base of the endometrial neoplasm and/or contribute to proliferation, for example as the proven effects on neoangiogenesis and/or acting on epidermal growth factor (EGF) and/or on microRNAs (miRNAs) regulation [17,21,23-28].

Starting from the knowledge that endometrial cancer evolves from a hyperestrogenic pattern and given the estrogen-mimetic action of BPA, our study aimed to formulate some hypothesis of this mechanism of action, eventually correlated with endometrial carcinogenesis [29]. Considering that the literature describes extensively the hyperestrogenism at the basis of the most common type 1 endometrial carcinoma, it is interesting to look at the effects of the hormone-stimulating factors present in our daily life. In these recent years, the attention of the social media has been constantly focused on environmental pollution. Our research has been addressed to BPA, to which we are exposed frequently and in an underhand way. Despite there are protective European laws, exposure to BPA is really ubiquitous and every woman in her life experiences more or less massive contact [30]. Serum concentration of BPA has been documented to be 0.2ng/ml (0.1-10μmol/l) in the general population, with possible negative effects on human health even at low doses [27] [31]. Thus, aim of this observational, longitudinal, prospective, case-control study is to report the BPA concentrations in urine blood and uterine samples of patients affected by endometrial cancer (type 1) and to compare them to those of patients affected by benign uterine conditions.

Materials and Methods

Study Design and Study Population

This is a case-control prospective study performed at University of Salerno from December 2016 to May 2017.

We screened all the patients referred to our hospital due to metrorrhagia or with the following criteria: women between 50 and 80 years old, being in menopause, overweight or obese (Body Mass Index >25), with a familiarity for uterus, breast or ovarian cancer. Diagnosis of endometrial cancer was performed by transvaginal ultrasound, followed by office hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy, in case of abnormal ultrasound findings (i.e. thickening and endometrial heterogeneity). All the patients with a diagnosis of endometrial cancer were included as cases. Cases were compared to a control group (CTRLs) of patients affected by benign uterine conditions, such as uterine myoma or simple endometrial hyperplasia without atypia, that had an indication for hysterectomy. All the diagnosis were confirmed via histological examination performed by the Pathological Anatomy Unit of S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona Hospital, according to the criteria of the World Health Organization. The oncologic staging was defined according to the criteria of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [32]. The enrollment was proposed during preoperative examinations. All the included patients signed a written consent form. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of University of Salerno ASL Napoli3Sud, prot.91/2016. At enrollment, demographic, clinical, anthropometric and anamnestic data were collected and recorded on a dedicated database.

Sample Collection

Human tissue collection strictly adhered to the guidelines outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki IV edition.

We collected a blood and urine sample for each included patient. Blood samples were collected immediately before surgery from an antecubital vein, using a BD vacutainer (Becton Dickinson, Oxfordshire, UK) blood collection red tube (with no additives). After centrifugation for 20 min at 3000rpm, the serum was collected in a sterilized Eppendorf Lock Tube and immediately frozen to -80°C until the time of analysis. All patients were asked to respect a 12-hours fast before blood collection. A sample of urine mid-stream was collected in a screw-top container and frozen at -80°C. During the surgical treatment, a small endometrial sample (about 0.5cm of length) was collected by a cold blade, taken and immediately inserted into the vacuum and sterilized Eppendorf Lock Tube. In detail, a macroscopically healthy endometrial sample was taken for both the cases and the controls, while from the cases was also taken a macroscopically pathological sample. In all the cases, there was histological confirmation afterwards. All the tubes were frozen at -80 °C until the time of the analysis.

BPA Analysis

The determination of free BPA and its conjugated metabolite was obtained as described by Kosarac et al., with some minor changes [33]. Two aliquots of 0.5mL or 25mg were obtained from each serum, urine or tissue sample respectively, one for total BPA determination (free BPA plus BPA glucuronide and sulfate), and one for the determination of free BPA. BPA conjugate range was deduced from the difference between the two determinations. For free BPA calculation, 20μl of d16-BPA at a concentration of 100μg/L, 1mL of a saturated solution of (NH4)2SO4, 2mL of ethanol and 4mL of hexane were added. These substances were then vortex agitated for 30 s and then left at rest to permit the two phases to separate from each other. The upper organic phase was eliminated. The nonpolar phase was further defatted with 4mL of hexane. After another utilization of vortex, separating the two phases left and eliminating the non-polar phase, 3mL of dichloromethane were added. The sample, agitating again for 30 s, was sonicated at 30 °C for 10 min. The lower organic phase was inserted into a new vial, the solvent removed by a stream of nitrogen in a water bath at 40 °C and the sample reconstituted with 2mL of ultrapure water grade.

The extracted sample was purified in two successive SPE steps, one with a Florisil solid phase and the other with a C18 solid phase. The Florisil column (1g, 6mL) was conditioned with 10mL of dichloromethane followed by 10mL of hexane and the extracted sample (2mL) was loaded. Ten mL of hexane were eluted (this fraction containing fatty residue was removed), then the BPA was eluted with 25mL of di-chloromethane. The sample collected was brought to dryness with a stream of nitrogen in a bath at 40 °C and then reconstituted with 3mL of ultrapure water. In the second step, the C18 SPE cartridge (0.5g, 6mL) was conditioned with 9mL of acetone, 9mL of methanol and 5mL of ultrapure water. After loading the 3 mL of sample, the column was dried under vacuum and then eluted with 6mL of methanol followed by 5 mL of acetone. The eluate was dried in a stream of nitrogen in a bath at 40 °C and dissolved in 50 μl of pyridine. Fifty μL of BSTFA were added for the derivatization and the reaction was conducted for 4 h at 70 °C, 1 μl of derivatized sample was then analyzed by GC–MS/MS. The deconjugation reaction was carried out on an aliquot of 0.5mL of sample.

Before the enzymatic process, 20μL of d16-BPA at a concentration of 100μg/L were utilized as an internal standard. Then 50μl of -glucuronidase/sulfatase (4414/168 U/L) were added; the deconjugation reaction was carried out for 3 h in a shaking water bath at 37 °C. After the hydrolysis, 100μL of 2 N HCl were added to deactivate the enzymes and the BPA was extracted and purified in the same modality as free BPA. The instrumental analysis method is based on a gas chromatographic column Supleco SLB-5 ms with a length of 10 m and an internal diameter of 0.1mm, with a film thickness of 0.1μm. The GC oven program is based on an initial phase of 1.5 min at 160 °C and two ramps: the first at 20 °C/ min up to 260 °C, the second at 40 °C/min up to 320 °C; the injection temperature was set at 260 °C and the linear velocity of the carrier gas (He) was 70 cm/s. This method needs a first pressure of 654kPa and a linear flow of 1.12mL/min.

The total analytical time is 8 min, these fast analyses need high-speed data acquisition. Our laboratory used two acquisition channels, one in SCAN mode be-tween m/z = 50 and m/z = 500 and one in MRM mode: 357.10 > 191.20m/z for BPA and 370.50 > 73.10m/z for the d16-BPA. The event time for the SCAN mode was set to 0.07 s (corresponding to a scan speed of 10,000amu/s, the maximum obtainable using the TQ-8030). Calibration was obtained using nine standard solutions and a blank. The standard ranged from 0.01μg/L up to 100μg/L and each standard was evaluated in triplicate. Two recovery tests were conducted at 0.5 and at 80μg/L, showing a recovery of 79% at low concentration level and 85% at high concentration, according to Kosarac et al. [33]. The results were corrected according to the nearest recovery value. Quantization was obtained with the isotopic dilution method using d16-BPA as an internal standard. Every 10 samples, a blank sample and two calibration solutions: 25μg/L, and 0.01μg/L were analyzed. The tolerance criteria adopted were <LOQ for blank, ±30% for the solution of 0.01μg/L and ±10% for the 25μg/L.

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica software (StatSoft, Oklahoma, USA) and Minitab (Minitab Inc, Pennsylvania, USA). Data were reported as number (percentage) for categorical variables and median (interquartile range) for continuous variables. The comparison between groups was made with the Rank Sum Test according to Mann–Whitney or by means of analysis of variance on rank preformed single way (according to Kruskal–Wallis), also using the post hoc test of Dunn. The normal distribution of data was verified using the Shapiro–Wilks test. The alpha value was set to 0.05.

Results

We screened 150 patients at risk of endometrial cancer from December 2016 to May 2017. Fifty-one (34%) showed abnormal ultrasound findings (i.e. thickening and endometrial heterogeneity), for which it was suggested to perform an office hysteroscopy. This outpatient procedure allowed the identification of 17 cases of endometrial cancer, as confirmed by a separate trained pathologist. Seven controls were enrolled among women affected by benign uterine conditions, (6 uterine myomas and one simple endometrial hyperplasia without atypia). Patients’ characteristics are reported in Table 1. Cases and CTRLs were similar for age (59 (56-69) vs 57(50-61)) years old and BMI (31 (29-36) vs 30 (27.5-30.5) kg/ m2). The mean average of children for each patient is 2.BPA values in both groups are reported in Table 2. The concentration of BPA in blood and urine was higher in cases, while BPA concentration at uterine level was higher in controls.

Table 1: Patients’ characteristics.

In the blood, higher BPA concentrations were found in cases compared to controls for free BPA (0.59±0.19 Vs 0.54±0.12), BPA conjugate (1.43±0.26 Vs 0.94±0.18) and total BPA (2.01±0.31 Vs 1.48±0.22), even if the difference was not statistically significant, maybe due to the small sample size of the study. Similarly, in urine higher BPA concentrations were found in cases compared to controls, considering free BPA (2.00±0.84 Vs 1.56±0.34, p<0.001), conjugated BPA (4.33±1.29 Vs 2.98±0.82, p<0.05) and total BPA (6.34±1.38 Vs 4.54±0.65, p<0.01). In uterine samples, free BPA, conjugated BPA and total BPA were lower in cases than controls (0.03±0.01 Vs 0.10±0.03, p<0.001; 0.06±0.01 Vs 0.17±0.06, p<0.001 and 0.08±0.01 Vs 0.26±0.08, p<0.001, respectively). We calculated the endometrium/urine BPA ratios in order to compare BPA concentration at uterine level and in urine; as shown in Table 2 and in Figure 1, it was lower in cases compared to CTRLs (free BPA 6.16±1.87 vs 1.35±0.61; conjugate BPA 5.70±1.53 vs 1.36±0.63; total BPA 5.81±1.54 vs 1.30±0.53; p<0.001).

Table 2: Bisphenol A (BPA) concentration in blood, urine and tissue samples.

Figure 1: Endometrium/Urine BPA concentration ratio. *** indicates a p-value<0.001.

Discussion

Our pilot study tried to evaluate the correlation between BPA and endometrial cancer through measurements of the endocrine disruptor in blood, urine and uterine samples as sensitive index of the exposure. Aim of this study was to begin understanding the role played by BPA in carcinogenesis and tumor progression, evaluating also the future therapeutic potential and the ability to prevent endometrial carcinoma. We found higher concentration of free, conjugated and total BPA in urine and blood samples of cases compared to controls and surprisingly lower concentrations of this endocrine disruptor in uterine samples of cases compared to controls. Given the estrogen-mimetic action of BPA and the wellknown hyperestrogenism present in type 1 endometrial carcinoma, the first hypothesized result included a general increase of the endocrine disruptor in all biological samples of cases.

To understand our results, it should be noted that unbound (free) BPA represents the active portion, while the conjugated BPA, mirror of the metabolic capacity of the endocrine interferent, represents the inactive portion from the point of view of its endocrine activity. The two metabolites, BPA-glucuronidate and BPA-sulphate, do not alter the biological processes of the organism; conversely, BPA unmodified in inactive metabolites binds to plasma proteins and interferes with biological processes [18]. Contrary to what has been described in literature for other pathological effects (for example, fetal malformations) [22], the evaluation of the percentage of conjugated BPA (Table 2) in the analyzed biological samples was probably not correlated with the condition of “poor metabolizer” but with a direct proportionality to environmental exposure, complicating the concept of a predisposing metabolic susceptibility for tumorigenesis in some women compared to others. The results of our research find supporting elements in scientific works conducted in vitro [17], on animals [19][34] and on humans [18].

Aghanova et al. analyzed human endometrial fibroblasts, finding that BPA was significantly lower in oncologic endometrial samples than in the benign ones [17]. This was explained by the fact that at significant exposures (>50μmol/ L) BPA decreases the expression of stromal endometrial fibroblasts, with direct action on the mRNA expression of P450scc (enzyme that converts cholesterol into pregnenolone), even promoting a decidual endometrial phenotype [17]. However, Pollock et al. put a low dose of radioactive BPA in food of female mice, whose measurement at uterine level after 24 hours showed a significant amount of the endocrine disruptor [19]. After administering BPA and estradiol at the same time, however, the level of uterine BPA decreased significantly with respect to the assumption of BPA alone. The murine experiments of Pollock et al. showed an initial greater distribution of BPA in the major organs, glands and reproductive tissues, where ERα and ERβ are widely represented: however, BPA concentrations result decreased at uterine level after administration of estradiol [19].

One of the most plausible hypotheses that Pollock at al. used to explain the decreased BPA levels of cases in uterine specimens is related to the 1000- fold greater estrogenic affinity for receptors compared to BPA. In fact, under hyperestrogenism conditions, estrogen can saturate the uterine receptor structures preventing the binding of the endocrine disruptors [19][25]. Another study, performed on ovariectomized monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) exposed to BPA, estradiol or a combination of the two, found that in monkeys treated with BPA, estradiol or both (but not in controls) there is an increased endometrial proliferation [34]. The explanation provided by these researchers indicates that BPA together with estrogens could result in an alteration in hormonal balance and an increase in estrogenic response, predominantly in an indirectly way [34].

Finally, considering the possible effects of BPA on endometrium, Hiroi et al. evaluated patients with and without endometrial cancer and found a higher level of BPA in serum but a lower concentration at uterine level in cases than controls. These results suggested, as observed in our study, a complex indirect mode of action of endocrine disrupters in the oncogenesis (Figure 2) [18].

Figure 2: Possible BPA actions as hyperestrogenic promotor.

This pilot study could be an interesting starter point to consider BPA as potentially related to endometrial tumorigenesis in humans, probably linked to an increased exposure.The main limitation of our study is the small sample size and our results must be confirmed in a larger population. Given the observational nature of our study, we could try to explain the surprising correlations of BPA and endometrial neoplasia thanks also to the assumptions of the literature listed so far. We identified the possible hyperestrogenic behavior of BPA due to a potential promoting action on risk factors, and a direct or an indirect action (Figure 2). For the promoting action, BPA could trigger the vicious cycle of hyperestrogenism acting on the several known risk factors: for example, obesity (with hyperactivity of aromatase) or diabetes (with dysfunctional signaling of insulin), but also acting on hypertension and PCOS [35,36].

The direct route, in which BPA upregulates receptorial genomic domains determining an altered estrogenic balance, appeared to be too simplistic, and may be is not the main hypothesis.The most potentially valid hypothesis could be about an indirect BPA mechanism of action in disrupting the hormonal equilibrium, as seems to be demonstrated in vitro and animals [18,19,37-39]. Moreover, the female reproductive sphere is very articulated: it is also under the control of the central nervous system, that regulates the estrogen-progestin balance by GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone). Endocrine disruptors (such as BPA) could indirectly influence estrogen-dependent tumorigenesis by acting as trigger on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.

It has been hypothesized that, at the hypothalamus and pituitary level, the excess of circulating BPA may cause central alterations of the gonadotropin secretion feedback [40].

Another possible different mode of action is as an anti-estrogen factor, because of its different behavior depending on tissue [40]: in this way, BPA can increase GnRH and LH secretion (with positive feedback) stimulating ovaries to a steroid hyperproliferation [18,19,34,41].At the uterine level, this excess of estrogen would thus lead to a receptor hyper-saturation that would prevent BPA from occupying the endometrial estrogenic receptors, cause its lower affinity [18,37-39]. Hence, our hypothesis of the “rejected BPA” at endometrial level is the possible explanation of the results of our study. In conclusion, our results want to start focusing on a possible trigger action of BPA in endometrial carcinogenesis as result of environmental exposure. According to this hypothesized theory, BPA could induce an indirect abnormal cell proliferation at the uterine level, maybe acting as hyperestrogenic central trigger, through a possible exacerbation of the action of the well-known risk factors. Other studies are certainly necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms at the bases of the described process. The importance of these informations is related not only to the simple interesting scientific discovery, but also to the indispensable analysis of epidemiological and clinical effects.

References

Research article

Endometrial Carcinoma and Bisphenol A: A Pilot Case-Control Study

Carmen Imma Aquino1, Jacopo Troisi1,2,3, Antonio D’Antonio1, Luigi Giugliano1, Antonio Raffone4, Laura Sarno4*, Gabriele Saccone4, Giovanni Scala2 and Maurizio Guida1,2

Author Affiliations

1Department of Medicine and Surgery and Dentistry, “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Italy

2Theoreo srl – Spin-off company of the University of Salerno, Italy

3European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno (EBRIS), Via S. De Renzi, 50, 84125 Salerno (Italy)

4Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples (Italy)

Received: September 25, 2019 | Published: October 01, 2019

Corresponding author: Laura Sarno, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2019.21.003641

Abstract

Aim: Endometrial cancer evolves from a hyperestrogenic pattern. Bisphenol A (BPA) can act as estrogen-mimetic at low doses. The aim of this pilot observational case-control study is to evaluate the possible hormone-dependent effects of BPA in endometrial cancer.

Methods: Biological samples from seventeen women affected by endometrial cancer and seven controls affected by benign uterine disease were collected. Two aliquots of 0.5mL or 25mg were taken from each blood, urine or tissue sample, one for total BPA measurement (free BPA plus BPA glucuronide and sulfate), and one for free BPA.

Results: The concentration of BPA in blood and urine was higher in cases, while BPA concentration at uterine level was higher in controls. In the blood, higher BPA concentrations were found in cases compared to controls for free BPA (0.59±0.19 Vs 0.54±0.12), BPA conjugate (1.43±0.26 Vs 0.94±0.18) and total BPA (2.01±0.31 Vs 1.48±0.22), though not statistically significant. Similarly, in urine higher free BPA (2.00±0.84 Vs 1.56±0.34, p<0.001), conjugated BPA (4.33±1.29 Vs 2.98±0.82, p<0.05) and total BPA (6.34±1.38 Vs 4.54±0.65, p<0.01) concentrations were found in cases compared to controls. In uterine samples, free BPA, conjugated BPA and total BPA were lower in cases than controls (0.03±0.01 Vs 0.10±0.03, p<0.001; 0.06±0.01 Vs 0.17±0.06, p<0.001 and 0.08±0.01 Vs 0.26±0.08, p<0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: Evaluating our results in the perspective of the literature, we hypothesized that BPA could induce an indirect abnormal cell proliferation at the uterine level. It probably acts as an hyperestrogenic central trigger, through a possible exacerbation of the action of the well-known risk factors . More studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms at the bases of the described process.

Keywords: Endometrial Cancer; Bisphenol A; Endocrine Disruptors; Hyperestrogenism