E-screen and vitellogenin assay for the detection of the estrogenic activity of alkylphenols and trace elements.
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.
Isidori
Marina
M
Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via A. Vivaldi, 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy.
Cangiano
Margherita
M
Palermo
Francesco A
FA
Parrella
Alfredo
A
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006054:Goldfish / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D010636:Phenols; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014131:Trace Elements; D014819:Vitellogenins