The estrogenic potential of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), 4-octylphenol (4-OP), p-t-octylphenol (p-t-OP) and three trace elements, lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd(NO3)2 and CdCl2), were compared in two different tests, a proliferation assay with estrogen receptor-positive human MCF-7 breast cancer cells (E-screen) and the induction of vitellogenin (Vtg) in juvenile goldfish (Carassius auratus). The results showed differences in the bioassays' sensitivity and potency with the following order: E-screenNVtg. Among alkylphenols, both in vitro and in vivo, 4-NP and 4-OP showed the highest estrogen-like activity while p-t-OP was inferior. For trace elements, Pb and Cu showed estrogenic activity in vitro and they were also active in vivo. A range of estrogenicity was observed for different species of cadmium (Cd(NO3)2 and CdCl2) which showed the highest relative proliferative effect (RPE %) in vitro, when compared with the 17β-estradiol (E2; RPE=100%) but, Cd(NO3)2 was not estrogenic in vivo. The results suggest that an integrated approach using in vitro and in vivo assays is necessary for a correct risk assessment of the endocrine disrupting activity induced by environmental contaminants.
E-screen and vtg-assay for the detection of the estrogenic activity of alkylphenols and trace elements
PALERMO, Francesco Alessandro;
2010-01-01
Abstract
The estrogenic potential of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), 4-octylphenol (4-OP), p-t-octylphenol (p-t-OP) and three trace elements, lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd(NO3)2 and CdCl2), were compared in two different tests, a proliferation assay with estrogen receptor-positive human MCF-7 breast cancer cells (E-screen) and the induction of vitellogenin (Vtg) in juvenile goldfish (Carassius auratus). The results showed differences in the bioassays' sensitivity and potency with the following order: E-screenNVtg. Among alkylphenols, both in vitro and in vivo, 4-NP and 4-OP showed the highest estrogen-like activity while p-t-OP was inferior. For trace elements, Pb and Cu showed estrogenic activity in vitro and they were also active in vivo. A range of estrogenicity was observed for different species of cadmium (Cd(NO3)2 and CdCl2) which showed the highest relative proliferative effect (RPE %) in vitro, when compared with the 17β-estradiol (E2; RPE=100%) but, Cd(NO3)2 was not estrogenic in vivo. The results suggest that an integrated approach using in vitro and in vivo assays is necessary for a correct risk assessment of the endocrine disrupting activity induced by environmental contaminants.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
