The environmental estrogen bisphenol a inhibits estradiol-induced hippocampal synaptogenesis.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic chemical that is widely used in the manufacture of plastics and epoxy resins. Because BPA leaches out of plastic food and drink containers, as well as the BPA-containing plastics used in dental prostheses and sealants, considerable potential exists for human exposure to this compound. In this article we show that treatment of ovariectomized rats with BPA dose-dependently inhibits the estrogen-induced formation of dendritic spine synapses on pyramidal neurons in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. Significant inhibitory effects of BPA were observed at a dose of only 40 microg/kg, below the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reference daily limit for human exposure. Because synaptic remodeling has been postulated to contribute to the rapid effects of estrogen on hippocampus-dependent memory, these data suggest that environmental BPA exposure may interfere with the development and expression of normal sex differences in cognitive function, via inhibition of estrogen-dependent hippocampal synapse formation. It may also exacerbate the impairment of hippocampal function observed during normal aging, as endogenous estrogen production declines.
MacLusky
Neil J
NJ
Center for Neural Recovery and Rehabilitation Research, Helen Hayes Hospital, New York, New York 10993-1195, USA. macluskyn@helenhayeshosp.org
Hajszan
Tibor
T
Leranth
Csaba
C
D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004958:Estradiol; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010636:Phenols / Q000633:toxicity*; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D004958:Estradiol; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D010636:Phenols; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds