Carcinogenesis studies of benzophenone in rats and mice

Abstract

Benzophenone, an aryl ketone, is used primarily as a photoinitiator and fragrance enhancer. Groups of 50 male and 50 female F344 rats and B6C3 F1 mice were fed diets containing 0, 312, 625, and 1, 250 ppm benzophenone for 105 weeks. Survival of males exposed to 1, 250 ppm benzophenone was significantly less than that of controls. There was a positive trend in the incidence of renal tubule adenoma in male rats; these neoplasms were accompanied by significantly increased incidences of renal tubule hyperplasia. Increased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia were observed in male rats exposed to 312 or 625 ppm benzophenone and in female rats exposed to 625 ppm benzophenone. Liver lesions observed included significantly increased incidences of hepatocytic centrilobular hypertrophy in all exposed groups of rats. In mice, survival of all exposed groups was generally similar to that of the control groups. In male mice, there were significantly increased incidences of hepatocellular adenoma in the 625 and 1, 250 ppm groups. In female mice, the incidences of hepatocellular adenoma in the 625 and 1,250 ppm groups were higher than expected after adjusting for the lower body weights in these groups. The incidences of kidney nephropathy in exposed groups of female mice, as well as the severity of nephropathy in exposed groups of males, were significantly increased. The incidences of metaplasia of the olfactory epithelium were significantly increased in 1, 250 ppm mice. Rare histiocytic sarcomas were observed in female rats and mice in the 625 and 1,250 ppm groups.Under the conditions of these 2-year studies, there was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzophenone in male F344/N rats based on increased incidences of renal tubule adenoma. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzophenone in female F344/N rats based on the marginal increased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia and histiocytic sarcoma. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzophenone in male B6C3F 1 mice based on increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms, primarily adenoma. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzophenone in female B6C3F 1 mice based on increased incidences of histiocytic sarcoma; the incidences of hepatocellular adenoma in female B6C3F 1 mice may have been related to benzophenone exposure.

Simplified matrix solid phase dispersion procedure for the determination of parabens and benzophenone-ultraviolet filters in human placental tissue samples

“…In vivo animal models have suggested very strong relationships between the exposure and carcinogenesis, abnormal sexual development and erratic behaviours [26][27][28].…”

Observation of Emerging Photoinitiator Additives in Household Environment and Sewage Sludge in China

“…10 Estrogenic and androgenic activities of EHDAB were reported using in vitro assays, 11 and BP was demonstrated to have carcinogenic activities in mice and rats. 12 4,4′-Bis(dimethylamino) benzophenone (Michler's ketone, MK) was also found to be a potential carcinogen. 13 On the basis of these toxic properties, residues of the PIs in packaged food have been controlled in Switzerland.…”

Innovative Sunscreen Formulation Based on Benzophenone-3-Loaded Chitosan-Coated Polymeric Nanocapsules

“…problems such as estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity [10][11][12][13] as well as to a carcinogenic effect [14] . Furthermore, they are also well-known photosensitizers, photoirritants and photoallergens [15] .…”