Estrogenic Activity of Phenolic Additives Determined by an In Vitro Yeast Bioassay

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) andBrogan & Partners are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Environmental Health Perspectives.We used a recombinant yeast estrogen assay to assess the activity of 73 phenolic additives that are used as sunscreens, preservatives, disinfectants, antioxidants, flavorings, or for perfumery. Thirtytwo of these compounds displayed activity: 22 with potencies relative to 17P3-estradiol, ranging from 1/3,000 to < 1/3,000,000, and 10 compounds with an impaired response that could not be directly compared with 17P3-estradiol. Forty-one compounds were inactive. The major criteria for activity appear to be the presence of an unhindered phenolic OH group in a para position and a molecular weight of 140-250 Da. Key words: estrogenic activity, phenolic additives, recombinant yeast assay. Environ Health Perspect 109:133-138 (2001). [Online 19 January 2001] http://lehpnetl. niehs. nih.gov/docs/2001/109pl33-138miller/abstract.html

Effects of the Environmental Oestrogens Bisphenol A, Tetrachlorobisphenol A, Tetrabromobisphenol A, 4‐Hydroxybiphenyl and 4,4′‐Dihydroxybiphenyl on Oestrogen Receptor Binding, Cell Proliferation and Regulation of Oestrogen Sensitive Proteins in the Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF‐7

“…From these criteria only bisphenol A and 4-OHBP appeared to be true agonists, whereas the lower growth induction by 4,4-OHBP, TeClBPA, TeBrBPA were in accordance with a partial agonistic effect in MCF-7 cells. No such distinction between 4-OHBP, 4,4-OHBP and bisphenol A were reported from a yeast oestrogen screening system (Miller et al 2001). This could indicate that the lower proliferative effect of 4,4-OHBP is not related to its more hydrophilic character (Waller et al 1995).…”

“…In the present study, we also included two hydroxylated biphenyls due to their structural relationship with bisphenol A. Hydroxylated biphenyl is one of the top ten active ingredients in household pesticides and is the second most widely used ingredient for indoor pesticide applications (Grossman 1995). Interestingly, 4-hydroxybiphenyl (4-OHBP) and 4,4ø-dihydroxybiphenyl (4,4-OHBP) have previously been reported to have some oestrogen-like activity in vitro (Soto et al 1995;Kuiper et al 1998;Miller et al 2001).…”

Combining xenoestrogens at levels below individual no-observed-effect concentrations dramatically enhances steroid hormone action.

“…All other chemicals used were research grade from Sigma Chemical Company, unless otherwise stated. We selected many of the compounds that were used by Miller et al (2001).…”

Occurrence of parabens in foodstuffs from China and its implications for human dietary exposure

“…Concern in regard to the safety of parabens has been raised since the first report of the accumulation of MeP in human breast tumors (Darbre et al, 2004). Although controversy still surrounds the carcinogenic potential of parabens (Darbre et al, 2004;Golden et al, 2005), these compounds elicit weak estrogenic effects in animal studies (Byford et al, 2002;Darbre and Harvey, 2008;Lemini et al, 2003;Miller et al, 2001;Okubo et al, 2001;Pugazhendhi et al, 2005;Witorsch and Thomas, 2010). The estrogenic activity of parabens increases with the length of the alkyl chain; MeP, EtP, PrP, and BuP exhibit estrogenic potencies that are 2 500 000-, 150 000-, 30 000-, and 10 000-fold, respectively, less than that of 17β-estradiol (Routledge et al, 1998).…”