Shared molecular mechanisms of bisphenol A and phthalates in endometriosis: A bioinformatics and molecular docking study

OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence links endometriosis with co-exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates; however, their combined toxicogenomic mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the shared molecular pathways of BPA and phthalates-Diethyl phthalate (DEP), Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and Dioctyl phthalate (DOP)-in endometriosis pathogenesis. METHODS: Bioinformatics and molecular docking analyses were integrated to characterize the chemical-pathway interactions in endometriosis development. RESULTS: We identified 81 shared targets of BPA/phthalates associated with endometriosis. Functional enrichment revealed their involvement in estrogen signaling, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell proliferation/migration. PPI network analysis prioritized four hub targets (HSP90AA1, AKT1, SRC, IGF1) validated in endometriotic lesions and functionally linked to PI3K-Akt signaling and a dual hyperinflammatory-immunosuppressive imbalance. Molecular docking demonstrated that BPA and phthalates bind these proteins at shared sites, suggesting mechanistic convergence. CONCLUSION: BPA and phthalates co-promote endometriosis through overlapping signaling pathways. These findings provide mechanistic insights into their combined effects and establish a framework for understanding environmental chemical synergism in disease etiology.