CREDO- Cluster of Research on Endocrine Disruption in Europe

The European Union (EU) has recently announced a substantial investment into research on endocrine disruption. CREDO- Cluster of Research on Endocrine Disruption in Europe is a 4 year, $23 million program based on the collaboration of 60 research laboratories. CREDO will focus on the development of tests and assays to detect endocrine disruption activity in chemicals before they are released into the market and to detect activity in chemicals currently in use. Specific research objectives include a focus on androgenic or anti-androgenic compounds that mimic or block, respectively, the actions of male hormones such as testosterone. This research is designed to counterbalance the wealth of research on estrogenic and anti-estrogenic compounds commonly conducted by other groups.

Another initiative will study invertebrates such as sea urchins and snails that inhabit polluted environments. Changes in the physiology of these animals may be indicative of the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals. These invertebrate 'sentries' may be useful to incorporate in ecosystem tests to detect the presence of chemicals prior to impacts on human health.

Research will focus on the risks posed by bromine-containing flame retardants commonly used in polymers and textiles. As these chemicals have been accumulating in aquatic food chains and share similar biochemical properties to PCBs, which have themselves been implicated as endocrine disrupters, characterization of the endocrine disrupting properties of these chemicals is essential to manage risks to human health.

Development of test methodology and assessment strategies continues to be a priority. Exposure assays to measure the effects of chemicals at low doses will be developed. Investigations of the interactions of hormone-mimicking chemicals with each other will enable a better understanding of the risks of individual chemicals in mixtures to human health.

Finally, research will focus on the effects of endocrine disruption on non-reproductive organs. Organs which are regulated by the endocrine system may be potential targets for adverse health effects. The effects of estrogenic chemicals such as pesticides, UV absorbers in sunscreens and phytoestrogens used in hormone replacement therapy on gene expression in non-reproductive organs will be examined.

The founding of CREDO promises to produce many exciting research initiatives to more fully explain the science of endocrine disruption. Collaborations between laboratories are essential for the development of consistent methodologies, assays and models to explain mechanisms of action of endocrine disrupting chemicals.