<p>Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life forms on Earth. In recent decades, anthropogenic activities have driven an alarming decline in biodiversity, with profound repercussions not only for ecological balance but also for endocrine and metabolic health. This work explores the interconnection between biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, climate change, and endocrine disruptors (EDCs), adopting an integrated <i>One Health</i> perspective that recognises the interdependence of environmental, animal, and human health. Pollution and climate change are major drivers of ecosystem degradation. Raising greenhouse gas emissions, ocean acidification, and eutrophication are disrupting natural habitats and biogeochemical cycles. Among the most persistent pollutants, microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5&#xa0;mm) represent an emerging environmental hazard. These contaminants accumulate in terrestrial and aquatic systems, impairing plant growth, animal physiology, and human health. Moreover, microplastics act as vectors for toxic chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting compounds, thereby amplifying their biological effects and altering microbial biodiversity and gut microbiota composition. Endocrine disruptors are synthetic or natural chemicals that interfere with hormonal signalling by mimicking, blocking, or altering hormonal activity. Compounds such as bisphenol A, phthalates, pesticides, cadmium, and PFAS are widely distributed in industrial and agricultural processes. These substances have been linked to reproductive, metabolic, and developmental disorders, as well as to reduced ecosystem resilience. Their bioaccumulation within food webs and their persistence in soil and water affect both wildlife and human populations. At the microbial level, EDCs and pollutants contribute to dysbiosis of the human and environmental microbiome, further influencing metabolic homeostasis and disease susceptibility. The decline in biodiversity, therefore, extends beyond species extinction: it encompasses genetic erosion and the loss of microbial diversity, ultimately threatening ecological and physiological balance. New analytical tools combined with artificial intelligence are enhancing pollutant detection and environmental monitoring. Sustainable food systems also play a pivotal role. Modern diets rich in ultra-processed foods rely heavily on plastic packaging, contributing to the environmental dissemination of endocrine disruptors. Promoting sustainable diets and reducing plastic use are essential strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss. In conclusion, the decline of biodiversity is closely intertwined with endocrine disruption and environmental contamination. Addressing this multifactorial crisis requires an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, uniting ecology, endocrinology, toxicology, and data science. Through global cooperation and sustainable innovation, it is possible to restore ecological balance and safeguard planetary and human endocrine health.</p>

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Declino della biodiversità e endocrinologia

  • Silvia Migliaccio,
  • Marianna Minnetti,
  • Maria Pintavalle,
  • Olivia Di Vincenzo,
  • Elisabetta Ferretti,
  • Roberto Baldelli,
  • Edoardo Mocini,
  • Luca Muzzioli

摘要

Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life forms on Earth. In recent decades, anthropogenic activities have driven an alarming decline in biodiversity, with profound repercussions not only for ecological balance but also for endocrine and metabolic health. This work explores the interconnection between biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, climate change, and endocrine disruptors (EDCs), adopting an integrated One Health perspective that recognises the interdependence of environmental, animal, and human health. Pollution and climate change are major drivers of ecosystem degradation. Raising greenhouse gas emissions, ocean acidification, and eutrophication are disrupting natural habitats and biogeochemical cycles. Among the most persistent pollutants, microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5 mm) represent an emerging environmental hazard. These contaminants accumulate in terrestrial and aquatic systems, impairing plant growth, animal physiology, and human health. Moreover, microplastics act as vectors for toxic chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting compounds, thereby amplifying their biological effects and altering microbial biodiversity and gut microbiota composition. Endocrine disruptors are synthetic or natural chemicals that interfere with hormonal signalling by mimicking, blocking, or altering hormonal activity. Compounds such as bisphenol A, phthalates, pesticides, cadmium, and PFAS are widely distributed in industrial and agricultural processes. These substances have been linked to reproductive, metabolic, and developmental disorders, as well as to reduced ecosystem resilience. Their bioaccumulation within food webs and their persistence in soil and water affect both wildlife and human populations. At the microbial level, EDCs and pollutants contribute to dysbiosis of the human and environmental microbiome, further influencing metabolic homeostasis and disease susceptibility. The decline in biodiversity, therefore, extends beyond species extinction: it encompasses genetic erosion and the loss of microbial diversity, ultimately threatening ecological and physiological balance. New analytical tools combined with artificial intelligence are enhancing pollutant detection and environmental monitoring. Sustainable food systems also play a pivotal role. Modern diets rich in ultra-processed foods rely heavily on plastic packaging, contributing to the environmental dissemination of endocrine disruptors. Promoting sustainable diets and reducing plastic use are essential strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss. In conclusion, the decline of biodiversity is closely intertwined with endocrine disruption and environmental contamination. Addressing this multifactorial crisis requires an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, uniting ecology, endocrinology, toxicology, and data science. Through global cooperation and sustainable innovation, it is possible to restore ecological balance and safeguard planetary and human endocrine health.