Pharmaco- and toxicokinetics of selected exogenous and endogenous estrogens: A review of the data and identification of knowledge gaps

Abstract Chemicals with estrogenic activity are derived from many different natural and synthetic processes and products, including endogenous production (e.g., estradiol, conjugated estrogens), drugs (e.g., ethinyl estradiol, conjugated estrogens), plants used as foods (phytoestrogens such as genistein, daidzein, S-equol), and man-made chemicals (xenoestrogens such as bisphenol A). Human exposure to low doses of endogenous estrogens, estrogenic drugs, phytoestrogens, and xenoestrogens has the potential to improve health or disrupt normal endocrine activity, as well as impact the diverse systems with which estrogens interact, including the cardiovascular system, and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Mechanisms of action and diversity of adverse and non-adverse effects following human exposure to low doses of estrogen active chemicals (EACs, defined as chemicals which interact with an estrogen receptor [ER]) are poorly understood. This review summarizes our current understanding of the pharmacological action with a focus on pharmacokinetics (PK) and toxicokinetics (TK) of several representative EACs in both physiological and pathological processes. The goal of this review is to assess the current state-of-the-science on: (i) the potential for EACs to interfere with endocrine activity, (ii) factors which contribute to endocrine-related clinical outcomes, and (iii) existing knowledge gaps. While classical PK approaches (compartmental or non-compartmental) can be used to characterize absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of EACs, many of the detailed pharmacological characteristics necessary to understand benefit-risk balance have not yet been clarified. Pharmacological complexities mirror the complexity of determining whether and under what conditions exposure to estrogens in drugs, foods or to xenoestrogenic chemicals are beneficial or harmful to human health.