E-screen and vitellogenin assay for the detection of the estrogenic activity of alkylphenols and trace elements.

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(NO(3))(2) and CdCl(2)), 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-screen>Vtg. 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(NO(3))(2) and CdCl(2)) which showed the highest relative proliferative effect (RPE %) in vitro, when compared with the 17beta-estradiol (E(2); RPE=100%) but, Cd(NO(3))(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.

• Authors: Marina Isidori, Margherita Cangiano, Francesco A Palermo, Alfredo Parrella
• Journal: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology : CBP (Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol) Vol. 152 Issue 1 Pg. 51-6 (Jun 2010) ISSN: 1532-0456 [Print] United States
• PMID: 20197112 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Phenols
• Receptors, Estrogen
• Trace Elements
• Vitellogenins

Topics

• Animals
• Biological Assay (methods)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Goldfish (blood)
• Humans
• Phenols (metabolism, toxicity)
• Receptors, Estrogen (metabolism)
• Trace Elements (metabolism, toxicity)
• Vitellogenins (blood)