Antibacterial acts as endocrine disrupter

Researchers find that a widely used antibacterial compound amplifies natural hormone effects.

 

Triclocarban, an antibacterial compound widely used for about 45 years in personal-care and cleaning products such as soaps, lotions, and sanitizing wipes, exacerbates the effects of natural testosterone, according to a study published online November 29 in Endocrinology (2007, DOI: 10.1210/en.2007-1057). Other known endocrine disrupters are estrogenic, antiestrogenic, antiandrogenic, or androgen mimics.

 

In the new study, researchers from the University of California Davis and Yale University exposed human cells and live rats to either triclocarban or one of a few other polychlorinated diphenyl urea compounds, either alone or with testosterone, at levels similar to those that can occur in people. Triclocarban amplified the effects of testosterone, which is present in men, women, and children. In vitro tests with human cells showed that the interaction of triclocarban and testosterone was synergistic, including a signaling increase of 45% in one test. In rats, the combination showed additive effects of increased mass in several accessory sex organs.

 

Read full here