The endocrine disruptor chlorpyrifos alters hypothalamic Npy and Agrp expression via ERβ-dependent regulation in vitro and in vivo
Our findings indicate that CPF acts as a central endocrine disruptor by shifting estrogen receptor signaling toward ERβ dominance, thereby promoting orexigenic neuropeptide expression. Together with the increased <i>Lepr</i> expression, this mechanism may contribute to hypothalamic dysfunction and metabolic imbalance. The evolutionary conservation of hypothalamic circuits suggests that similar mechanisms may operate across species and impact metabolic health.
Authors
- Gregory Alexander Raciti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2742-5634)
- Michele Campitelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7592-5022)
- Francesco Bèguinot (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4946-7803)
- Concetta Ambrosino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3954-8842)
- Antonella Desiderio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3510-7663)
- Cecilia Nigro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8924-9731)
- Monica Pastorino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7317-6903)
- Claudia Miele
- Teresa Peluso
- Erica Perrella
- Mario De Felice
Institutions
- Biogem (IT)
- Federico II University Hospital (IT)
- National Research Council (LK)
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Endocrinology
- Published
- 2026-01-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2025.1726498
- Primary Topic
- Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- European Commission
- Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca