Unmasking metabolic disruptors: The NEMESIS project's quest for Novel Biomarkers, Evidence on Adverse Effects, and Efficient Methodologies

Metabolism disrupting chemicals (MDCs) elicit negative effects on metabolically active organs such as the liver and the pancreas, altering normal metabolic processes. Chemicals that are known, or suspected MDCs include compounds found in everyday consumer products and food, making low-dose, continuous exposure inevitable for humans. Through the discovery of chemically induced metabolic disruption, a concern has surfaced whether and how MDCs impact human health and the development of metabolic diseases. This has accelerated research around the topic, and it has been found that exposure to MDCs is linked to increased incidence of metabolic diseases including obesity and liver steatosis. Effective regulatory action is hindered by the lack of accurate methods to identify MDCs. The NEMESIS project addresses this regulatory gap by investigating the mechanisms through which MDCs cause metabolic disruption. The project aims at identifying novel biomarkers of exposure and link exposure to disease outcomes. As chemical toxicity testing is rapidly moving towards new approach methodologies (NAMs), NEMESIS promotes non-animal methodologies by employing state-of-the-art <i>in vitro</i> methods, epidemiological data, systems biology approaches, and seeks to replace mammalian <i>in vivo</i> experiments with alternative models. By understanding mechanisms of MDC-induced metabolic health effects, and through the development of reliable effect biomarkers and testing strategies, the NEMESIS project aims to facilitate more effective regulatory measures to improve and protect the health and well-being of EU citizens. The project is particularly focused on maximizing its impact through effective dissemination and communication efforts, to ensure that the project's message and results reach a broad audience and are tailored to different population groups. These actions will improve the risk assessment of MDCs and ensure that the EU citizens are informed and protected from the harmful effects of MDCs and can adapt their consumer patterns and behaviors to prevent exposure.

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Publication Details

Journal
Open Research Europe
Published
2025-12-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.18439.2
Primary Topic
Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Unmasking metabolic disruptors: The NEMESIS project's quest for Novel Biomarkers, Evidence on Adverse Effects, and Efficient Methodologies

Cristina Isabel Albuquerque Godinho, Anna–Liisa Levonen, Adonina Tardón, Laura Aliisa Saarimäki et al.
Open Research Europe
Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
article

Unmasking metabolic disruptors: The NEMESIS project's quest for Novel Biomarkers, Evidence on Adverse Effects, and Efficient Methodologies

Cristina Isabel Albuquerque Godinho, Anna–Liisa Levonen, Adonina Tardón, Laura Aliisa Saarimäki, Vittorio Fortino, Nanna Fyhrquist, Susana Viegas, Sini Pitkänen, Henriikka Hakomäki, Jukka Hakkola, Dario Greco, Jaana Rysä, Toshiaki Sawatani, Paavo Honkakoski, Volker Martin Lauschke, Ludovic Vallier, Miriam Cnop, Joan O. Grimalt, Jenni Küblbeck, Marie‐Therese Vinnars, Tim S. Nawrot, Janne Hukkanen, Antreas Afantitis, Sophia Harlid, Nicoletta D’Alessandro, Emma Wincent, Tereso J Guzman
article en

Abstract

Metabolism disrupting chemicals (MDCs) elicit negative effects on metabolically active organs such as the liver and the pancreas, altering normal metabolic processes. Chemicals that are known, or suspected MDCs include compounds found in everyday consumer products and food, making low-dose, continuous exposure inevitable for humans. Through the discovery of chemically induced metabolic disruption, a concern has surfaced whether and how MDCs impact human health and the development of metabolic diseases. This has accelerated research around the topic, and it has been found that exposure to MDCs is linked to increased incidence of metabolic diseases including obesity and liver steatosis. Effective regulatory action is hindered by the lack of accurate methods to identify MDCs. The NEMESIS project addresses this regulatory gap by investigating the mechanisms through which MDCs cause metabolic disruption. The project aims at identifying novel biomarkers of exposure and link exposure to disease outcomes. As chemical toxicity testing is rapidly moving towards new approach methodologies (NAMs), NEMESIS promotes non-animal methodologies by employing state-of-the-art <i>in vitro</i> methods, epidemiological data, systems biology approaches, and seeks to replace mammalian <i>in vivo</i> experiments with alternative models. By understanding mechanisms of MDC-induced metabolic health effects, and through the development of reliable effect biomarkers and testing strategies, the NEMESIS project aims to facilitate more effective regulatory measures to improve and protect the health and well-being of EU citizens. The project is particularly focused on maximizing its impact through effective dissemination and communication efforts, to ensure that the project's message and results reach a broad audience and are tailored to different population groups. These actions will improve the risk assessment of MDCs and ensure that the EU citizens are informed and protected from the harmful effects of MDCs and can adapt their consumer patterns and behaviors to prevent exposure.

Open Research EuropeVol. 4
Université Libre de Bruxelles (BE), Karolinska University Hospital (SE), Tampere University of Applied Sciences (FI), University of Eastern Finland (FI), Oulu University Hospital (FI), Erasmus Hospital (BE), Karolinska Institutet (SE), National School of Public Health (GR), Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch-Institute of Clinical Pharmacology (DE), Tampere University (FI), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (ES), NovaMechanics (Cyprus) (CY), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE), Walloon Excellence in Lifesciences and Biotechnology (BE), Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (DE), Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (ES), Department of Public Health (MM), Department of Public Health (US), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ES), Karlstad University (SE), Oulu University of Applied Sciences (FI), University of Tübingen (DE), Hasselt University (BE), Umeå University (SE), University of Oulu (FI)
Openalex Percentile: Top 52%
Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
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