Xenoestrogens: the emerging story of bisphenol a.
Xenoestrogens are chemicals with diverse structure that mimic estrogen. Bisphenol A (BPA), a monomer of polycarbonate and epoxy resins, has been detected in canned food and human saliva. BPA stimulates cell proliferation and induces expression of estrogen-responsive genes in vitro, albeit with a relatively low potency. In vivo, BPA increases prolactin release and stimulates uterine, vaginal and mammary growth and differentiation. BPA shares similarities in structure, metabolism and action with diethylstilbestrol (DES), a known human teratogen and carcinogen. This review considers the hypothesis that BPA is converted in vivo to hydroxylated metabolite(s) with enhanced estrogenicity and genotoxicity.
Ben-Jonathan
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Department of Cell Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Steinmetz
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