title: The effect of nonylphenol on the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nonylphenol (NP) is a well-known environmental hormone recognized as detrimental to the reproductive systems of aquatic animals and humans. The effect of NP on probiotics in the human gastrointestinal tract remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of NP on the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.
  
  
  METHODS
  L. acidophilus and B. bifidum were grown in anaerobic cultures. Both strains were incubated with and without NP. The dose effects of NP on the growth of both probiotics were compared, and the effects of NP on the growth of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum in different concentrations were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NP 5 to 10 microg/mL inhibited the growth of L. acidophilus (p < 0.05), but was ineffective at 2.5 microg/mL (p > 0.05). NP significantly inhibited the growth of B. bifidum in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). NP inhibited the growth of different concentrations of L. acidophilus (6.25 x 10(4); to 2.5 x 10(5); colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) and B. bifidum (1.25 x 10(9); to 5.0 x 10(9); CFU/mL) [p < 0.05].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Growth of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum was inhibited by NP. This finding suggests that NP may interfere with normal gastrointestinal microbiota. This may alter immunomodulation in the intestinal mucosa and may be correlated with an increase in the incidence of allergic diseases or other gastrointestinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wan Ting
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Tzu Hsun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Eddy Essen
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chih Hsing
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Ay Lin
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Tzu Ching
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: You Hsuan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yi Sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Chien Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019936:Probiotics
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D010636:Phenols; C025256:nonylphenol