In vitro and in vivo estrogenicity of UV screens.

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) screens are increasingly used as a result of growing concern about UV radiation and skin cancer; they are also added to cosmetics and other products for light stability. Recent data on bioaccumulation in wildlife and humans point to a need for in-depth analyses of systemic toxicology, in particular with respect to reproduction and ontogeny. We examined six frequently used UVA and UVB screens for estrogenicity in vitro and in vivo. In MCF-7 breast cancer cells, five out of six chemicals, that is, benzophenone-3 (Bp-3), homosalate (HMS), 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC), octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC), and octyl-dimethyl-PABA (OD-PABA), increased cell proliferation with median effective concentrations (EC(50)) values between 1.56 and 3.73 microM, whereas butyl-methoxydibenzoylmethane (B-MDM) was inactive. Further evidence for estrogenic activity was the induction of pS2 protein in MCF-7 cells and the blockade of the proliferative effect of 4-MBC by the estrogen antagonist ICI 182,780. In the uterotrophic assay using immature Long-Evans rats that received the chemicals for 4 days in powdered feed, uterine weight was dose-dependently increased by 4-MBC (ED(50 )309mg/kg/day), OMC (ED(50) 935 mg/kg/day), and weakly by Bp-3 (active at 1,525 mg/kg/day). Three compounds were inactive by the oral route in the doses tested. Dermal application of 4-MBC to immature hairless (hr/hr) rats also increased uterine weight at concentrations of 5 and 7.5% in olive oil. Our findings indicate that UV screens should be tested for endocrine activity, in view of possible long-term effects in humans and wildlife.

Occurrence of widely used organic UV filters in lake and river sediments

“…Some in vivo tests with vertebrates (fish, rats and mice) and in vitro tests with isolated receptors and human cell lines elucidate the endocrine disrupting and toxic potency of these substances. [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] Although the investigated UV filters seem not to be persistent, the peak concentrations in summer combined with the widespread distribution may cause adverse effects in aquatic wildlife. Further investigations will address this issue by performing studies with sediment-dwelling organisms.…”

Concentrations of environmental phenols and parabens in milk, urine and serum of lactating North Carolina women

“…Certain phenols and parabens have endocrine disrupting effects in cell lines and animal models [10-12]. In laboratory animals, exposures to some phenols and parabens have been linked to pathologies or disorders such as obesity, thyroid dysfunction, and breast cell hyper-proliferation [13-17].…”

Bisphenol A, benzophenone-type ultraviolet filters, and phthalates in relation to uterine leiomyoma

“…Phthalates are found in cosmetics, and other common consumer products (Guo and Kannan, 2013; Blount et al, 2000), seem to exhibit antiandrogenic effects and may reduce estrogen production (Okubo et al, 2003). Exposure to the UV filter 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (2OH-4MeO-BP or BP-3) comes from dermal exposure to sunscreen products (Benson, 2000; Liao and Kannan, 2014) and this compound exhibits estrogenic activity (Schlumpf et al, 2001; Kunz and Fent, 2006). Toxicologic evidence suggests possible reproductive and developmental toxicity of BP-3 (Honma et al, 2002; Krause et al, 2012; Kay et al, 2013).…”