The endocrine disruptor is an exogenous substance or a mixture of related chemicals that may alter the function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, its progeny or (sub)populations. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardants used in a variety of consumer products. PBDEs have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants. They have been detected in soil, air, sediments, birds, marine species, fish, house dust, and human tissues, blood and breast milk. Diet and house dust appear to be the major sources of PBDE exposure in the general population, though occupational exposure can also occur. Because of the persistent nature, this organic pollutant PBDEs is able to accumulate in adipose cells of biological organisms. Adipokines secreted from adipose cells regulate energy metabolism, endocrine system and immune homeostasis. Several reports have indicated that adipokines, such as leptin and adiponectin, regulate thyroid function at the hypothalamic-hypophyseal level. The biological organisms exposed PBDEs and its accumulation in adipose tissue might affect the adipokinegenesis resulting unbalanced homeostasis. Epigenetics can transmit the information of genome stability without the change of DNA sequence. DNA methylation is an epigenetic event that affects the cell function by the altering gene expression and important regulator of gene transcription. The DNA methylation induced by environmental factors might be inherited to offspring and change the gene expression. This study will investigate the association between PBDEs exposure and adipokines gene methylation, and using animal model to evaluate the bioaccumulation in the adipose tissue and the consequence of offspring health effect. There are three specific aims proposed for this study: Aim 1: To investigate the characteristics of DNA methylation of leptin and adiponectin genes in PBDEs-exposed adipose cell line. Aim 2: To investigate the association between protein secretion of leptin and adiponectin and their DNA methylation in PBDEs-exposed rats. Aim 3: To evaluate the health effect on offspring rats potential from pregnant PBDEs-exposed rats.
