Lead exposure, glucocorticoids, and physiological stress across the life course: A systematic review.

ABSTRACT: The biological pathways linking lead exposure to adverse outcomes are beginning to be understood. Rodent models suggest lead exposure induces dysfunction within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and glucocorticoid regulation, a primary physiological stress response system. Over time, HPA axis and glucocorticoid dysfunction has been associated with adverse neurocognitive and cardiometabolic health, much like lead exposure. This systematic review utilized PRISMA guidelines to synthesize the literature regarding associations between lead exposure and downstream effector hormones of the HPA axis, including cortisol, a glucocorticoid, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a glucocorticoid antagonist. We additionally determined the state of the evidence regarding lead exposure and allos

SUBMITTER: Halabicky OM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12817149 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature