Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD John Libbey Eurotext
Résumé : International audience
Prostate cancer is the most frequent cancer affecting men in most Western countries. Certain risk factors have been identified (age, family history, ethnic origin), but the aetiology of this cancer remains largely unknown. However, a role for environmental factors is strongly suspected. Questions have been raised concerning the role of the chemical substances generated by human activities in the occurrence of this disease. Diverse studies have consistently demonstrated a higher risk of prostate cancer in agricultural populations than in the general population. The hypothesis that this higher risk is linked to the use of pesticides has been tested in a number of studies, mostly in North America and Europe. However, to date, with a few possible exceptions, it has been impossible to demonstrate a significant association between exposure to pesticides or a chemical family of pesticides and prostate cancer. In the face of these uncertainties, rigorous studies are required, with objective measurements of exposure, taking into account confounding factors and individual risk factors, making it possible to assess gene-environment interactions.
ISSN: 0007-4551

inserm-00504733
http://www.hal.inserm.fr/inserm-00504733
DOI : 10.1684/bdc.2008.0812
PUBMED : 19258224

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD BioScientifica
Résumé : International audience
BACKGROUND: Differences in circulating steroid hormone levels have been hypothesized to explain ethnic differences in steroid-related diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of a wide panel of steroid hormones, both androgens and estrogens, in healthy middle-aged African-Caribbean and European men. DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum steroid hormone levels were determined in men participating in a systematic public health study funded by the French National Health Insurance system. Blood was collected in the morning from 304 healthy African-Caribbean and European men aged between 40 and 69 years. Serum steroids were measured by mass spectrometry-gas chromatography, except for DHEAS and sex hormone-binding globulin, which were determined by RIA. Data were analyzed in 10-year age intervals by analysis of covariance, with adjustment for age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and season of sampling. RESULTS: Compared with Europeans, African-Caribbean men presented significantly higher serum levels of measured bioavailable testosterone, 4-androstenedione (4-dione), and estrone (E1) regardless of the age group, of 5-androstenediol (5-diol) in those aged 40-49 and 50-59 years, and of testosterone (TT) and dihydrotestosterone in those aged 40-49 years. In contrast, European men aged 40-69 years showed significantly higher serum levels of DHEA and DHEAS. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in serum steroid hormone levels were observed in middle-aged African-Caribbean and European men. Whether such differences could contribute to ethnic differences in disease risk in adult men remains to be investigated. Some steroids, such as bioavailable TT, 4-dione, 5-diol, and E1, deserve particular attention.
ISSN: 0804-4643

hal-00876034
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00876034
DOI : 10.1530/EJE-11-0551
PUBMED : 21951700

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Society of Clinical Oncology
Résumé : International audience
PURPOSE: Determining whether environmental estrogens are associated with the risk of prostate cancer may have important implications for our general understanding of this disease. The estrogenic insecticide chlordecone was used extensively in the French West Indies, contaminating the population for more than 30 years. We analyzed the relationship between exposure to chlordecone and the risk of prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated 623 men with prostate cancer and 671 controls. Exposure was analyzed according to case-control status, using either current plasma concentration or a cumulative exposure index based on years of exposure. We genotyped two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs3829125 and rs17134592) in the gene encoding chlordecone reductase. RESULTS: We found a significant increase in the risk of prostate cancer with increasing plasma chlordecone concentration (odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% CI, 1.21 to 2.58 for the highest tertile of values above the limit of detection [LD]; P trend = .002) and for cumulative exposure index (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.88 for the highest quartile; P trend = .004). Stronger associations were observed among those with a positive family history of prostate cancer and among those who had lived in a Western country. The rs3829125 and rs17134592 allele variants were in complete linkage disequilibrium and were found at low frequency (0.04). Among subjects with plasma chlordecone concentrations above the LD, carriers of the allele variants had a higher risk of prostate cancer (OR, 5.23; 95% CI, 0.82 to 33.32). CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that exposure to environmental estrogens increases the risk of prostate cancer.
ISSN: 0732-183X

inserm-00518099
http://www.hal.inserm.fr/inserm-00518099
DOI : 10.1200/JCO.2009.27.2153
PUBMED : 20566993

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier Elsevier Masson
Résumé : International audience
Prostate cancer is the most frequent cancer affecting men in most Western countries. Certain risk factors have been identified (age, family history, ethnic origin), but the aetiology of this cancer remains largely unknown. However, a role for environmental factors is strongly suspected. Questions have been raised concerning the role of the chemical substances generated by human activities in the occurrence of this disease. Diverse studies have consistently demonstrated a higher risk of prostate cancer in agricultural populations than in the general population. The hypothesis that this higher risk is linked to the use of pesticides has been tested in a number of studies, mostly in North America and Europe. However, to date, with a few possible exceptions, it has been impossible to demonstrate a significant association between exposure to pesticides or a chemical family of pesticides and prostate cancer. Studies have also been carried out on the role of exposure to trace metals, such as cadmium, or to pollutants from industry, such as polychlorobiphenyls. However, no firm conclusions have been drawn. Finally, the effect of chemical substances with endocrine disruptor activity on the occurrence of prostate cancer remains largely unexplored in epidemiological studies. In the face of these uncertainties, rigorous studies are required, with objective measurements of exposure, taking into account confounding factors and individual risk factors, making it possible to assess gene-environment interactions.
ISSN: 1297-9589

inserm-00524579
http://www.hal.inserm.fr/inserm-00524579
DOI : 10.1016/j.gyobfe.2008.07.005
PUBMED : 18693059

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley
Résumé : International audience
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess whether HIV infection is associated with a higher risk of invasive cervical cancer (ICC). METHODS: We conducted a region-wide, population-based observational cohort study of 1232 HIV-infected women over the age of 15 years in Guadeloupe, a French Caribbean archipelago, during the period 1999-2006. The observed numbers of incident cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and ICC were compared with the expected numbers of cases based on the incidence rates for the general population, and the standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: The incidence rate of CIN was higher in the HIV-infected women than in the general population for all grades (SIR 10.1, 95% CI 6.8-14.6 for CIN grade 1; SIR 9.9, 95% CI 6.1-15.3 for CIN grade 2; and SIR 5.2, 95% CI 3.4-7.7 for CIN grade 3). However, no increase in the risk of ICC was observed (SIR 1.7, 95% CI 0.3-4.9). CONCLUSIONS: Despite an increase in the occurrence of cervical cancer precursors, no increase in the risk of cervical cancer was found in a population of HIV-infected women who receive treatment for their infection and have access to ICC prevention services.
ISSN: 1464-2662

hal-00682744
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00682744
DOI : 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2011.00939.x
PUBMED : 21819528

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that reproductive abnormalities are increasing in frequency in both human population and among wild fauna. This increase is probably related to exposure to toxic contaminants in the environment. The use of sentinel species to raise alarms relating to human reproductive health has been strongly recommended. However, no simultaneous studies at the same site have been carried out in recent decades to evaluate the utility of wild animals for monitoring human reproductive disorders. We carried out a joint study in Guadeloupe assessing the reproductive function of workers exposed to pesticides in banana plantations and of male wild rats living in these plantations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed to assess semen quality and reproductive hormones in banana workers and in men working in non-agricultural sectors. These reproductive parameters were also assessed in wild rats captured in the plantations and were compared with those in rats from areas not directly polluted by humans. RESULTS: No significant difference in sperm characteristics and/or hormones was found between workers exposed and not exposed to pesticide. By contrast, rats captured in the banana plantations had lower testosterone levels and gonadosomatic indices than control rats. CONCLUSION: Wild rats seem to be more sensitive than humans to the effects of pesticide exposure on reproductive health. We conclude that the concept of sentinel species must be carefully validated as the actual nature of exposure may varies between human and wild species as well as the vulnerable time period of exposure and various ecological factors.
Environmental health : a global access science source [electronic resource]

hal-00669505
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00669505
DOI : 10.1186/1476-069X-7-40
PUBMED : 18667078

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier Masson
Résumé : International audience
Depuis quelques années, l'expression " perturbateur endocrinien " fait partie du langage commun scientifique et populaire. Cette expression fait référence aux substances chimiques, d'origine anthropique ou naturelle, susceptibles de générer des effets nocifs sur la santé humaine et animale par le biais de leurs propriétés hormonales. Mais la définition même des perturbateurs endocriniens fait encore l'objet de discussions. De très nombreux processus physiologiques font intervenir des systèmes de communication hormonale. Les substances chimiques pouvant interférer avec ces systèmes sont très diverses. Les systèmes endocriniens sont multiples. De ce fait, les conséquences sanitaires potentielles peuvent être très variées. À ce jour et à quelques rares exceptions, les conséquences délétères des expositions aux perturbateurs endocriniens sur la santé humaine n'ont pas été prouvées. La science qui s'est développée autour des perturbateurs endocriniens présente des contours particulièrement larges et flous. Cette science en pleine évolution est donc soumise à de nombreuses incertitudes, Cependant, sur le plan strictement scientifique, c'est une opportunité d'accroître les connaissances du fonctionnement des systèmes endocriniens et de leurs pathologies. Sur un plan sociétal, c'est l'occasion de s'interroger sur les activités de l'homme et sur ses conséquences néfastes sur sa santé, son devenir et son environnement.
ISSN: 1775-8785

hal-00671943
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00671943

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Métabolismes Hormones Diabètes Nutrition

hal-00688470
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00688470

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD John Libbey Eurotext
ISSN: 1635-0421

hal-00688468
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00688468
DOI : 10.1684/ers.2007.0121