MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF THE CHANGE OF CELL METABOLISM BY THE FOOD CHAIN CONTAMINANTS

The food can present risks if they contain a toxic molecule whose presence is either natural, or related to the human activity. Among the various toxic molecule detected in the food we found: PCB and dioxins, phthalates, organochlorine pesticides. All these molecules have the characteristic to be bioaccumulable. The dioxins act via the Ah receptor and their principal effects on the population are: attacks of the functions of reproduction, increase in cancers, chloracne, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases. The phthalates found in milk, cheese, fish, meats, activate PPAR a receptor. They decrease the male fertility in animals and human and increase the animal carcinogenesis. The organochlorine pesticides are endocrine-disrupting chemicals acting through ER receptor. They lead to a reduction in the animal and human fertility and probably to an increase in breast cancer risk.