Can xenobiotics contribute to the increase in the incidence of endocrine diseases by inducing autoimmune processes?

In recent decades, there has been an increase in the incidence of both autoimmune and endocrine diseases, mainly in industrialized countries and may be partly due to human exposure to increasing levels of environmental pollutants. Research shows that environmental pollutants, specifically endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), adversely affect gonadal and thyroid function and are linked to type 1 diabetes development. Current data illustrates that the immune system is also a target of EDCs, including the possible exacerbation of autoimmune processes, which are the causes of many endocrine diseases. In this paper, we have presented evidence that environmental pollutants, in addition to directly affecting endocrine glands, can also damage them by intensifying autoimmune processes. We collected experimental and epidemiological data on the effects of EDCs on testicular, ovarian and thyroid function, as well as on the impact of these compounds on the development of type 1 diabetes. The available data demonstrating the potential for particular EDCs to exacerbate autoimmune processes in selected autoimmune endocrine diseases, such as autoimmune orchitis, premature ovarian failure, autoimmune thyroid diseases, and type 1 diabetes were also shown. Because research demonstrating the effects of EDCs on the immune system and the involvement of these compounds in the pathogenesis of autoimmune endocrine diseases is in its early stages, we also presented scientific doubts about this problem and directions for further research. Confirmation of this mechanism of action of EDCs in further studies would help to clarify the current controversies regarding the assessment of their effects in humans.