Bisphenol A and its replacement chemicals as endocrine disruptors and obesogens

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common material widely used in the plastic production and processing industry. As BPA is an environmental endocrine disruptor that causes metabolic disorders, leading to the progression of diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, its use has been banned in many countries. Chemicals such as bisphenol S, bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol AF, and tetramethyl BPF have been used to replace BPA. Given the similar chemical structures of BPA and its replacement chemicals, previous studies have demonstrated the potential risks of endocrine disruption and obesity. This review aims to summarize the endocrine-disrupting effects and the underlying mechanisms of BPA and its replacement chemicals based on existing experimental and epidemiological studies and to investigate BPA and its replacement chemicals linked to endocrine disruption and obesity to provide better recommendations for the safe use of BPA and its replacement chemicals. • The adverse effects of BPA and its replacements, including BPS, BPF, BPAF, and TMBPF. • Endocrine disrupting effect of BPA via dysregulation of different receptors and signaling pathways. • Mechanisms of metabolic disorders and obesity caused by BPA exposure. • Mechanisms of metabolic disorders and obesity caused by BPS, BPF, BPAF, and TMBPF.