widesprdenvironmental carcinogen possiblyresponsible for breast cancer susceptibility

[Lani]

OPEN ACCESS: Prenatal Bisphenol A Exposure Induces Preneoplastic Lesions in the Mammary Gland in Wistar Rats [Environmental Health Perspectives]
Background: Humans are routinely exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) , an estrogenic compound that leaches from dental materials, food and beverage containers, and other consumer products. Prenatal exposure to BPA has produced long-lasting and profound effects on rodent hormone-dependent tissues that are manifested 1-6 months after the end of exposure.

Objective: The aim of the present work was to examine whether in utero exposure to BPA alters mammary gland development and increases its susceptibility to the carcinogen N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) .

Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to BPA (25 ?g/kg body weight per day) or to vehicle. Female offspring were sacrificed on postnatal day (PND) 30, 50, 110, or 180. On PND50 a group of rats received a single subcarcinogenic dose of NMU (25 mg/kg) and they were sacrificed on either PND110 or PND180.

Results: At puberty, animals exposed prenatally to BPA showed an increased proliferation/apoptosis ratio in both the epithelial and stromal compartments. During adulthood (PND110 and PND180) , BPA-exposed animals showed an increased number of hyperplastic ducts and augmented stromal nuclear density. Moreover, the stroma associated with hyperplastic ducts showed signs of desmoplasia and contained an increased number of mast cells, suggesting a heightened risk of neoplastic transformation. Administration of a subcarcinogenic dose of NMU to animals exposed prenatally to BPA increased the percentage of hyperplastic ducts and induced the development of neoplastic lesions.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that the prenatal exposure to low doses of BPA perturbs mammary gland histoarchitecture and increases the carcinogenic susceptibility to a chemical challenge administered 50 days after the end of BPA exposure.

[penelope]

just curious what it is

[R.B.]

This is the industries perspective. Clearly a subject in its own right. It would be interesting to see a trial at doses similar to claimed human exposure.

RB

ABSTRACT

"Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical building block that is used primarily to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Over four decades of extensive safety research on BPA shows that consumer products made with BPA are safe for their intended uses and pose no known risks to human health.

Polycarbonate plastic is a lightweight, high-performance plastic that possesses a unique balance of toughness, optical clarity, high heat resistance and excellent electrical resistance. Because of these attributes, polycarbonate is used in a wide variety of common products including digital media (e.g., CDs, DVDs), electrical and electronic equipment, automobiles, sports safety equipment, reusable food and drink containers, and many other products.

Epoxy resins have many uses including engineering applications such as electrical laminates for printed circuit boards, composites, paints and adhesives, as well as in a variety of protective coatings. Cured epoxy resins are inert materials used as protective liners in metal cans to maintain the quality of canned foods and beverages, and have achieved wide acceptance for use as protective coatings because of their exceptional combination of toughness, adhesion, formability, and chemical resistance."


......"The potential human exposure to BPA is more than 400 times lower than the U.S. EPA reference dose. This minimal level of exposure to BPA poses no known risk to human health.

The use of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins for food contact applications has been and continues to be recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Commission Scientific Committee on Food, the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency, the Japanese Ministry for Health, Labor and Welfare, and other regulatory authorities worldwide."

http://www.bisphenol-a.org/

[penelope]

plastic causing cancer. Didn't see that one coming! I have contended this for years, even before my diagnosis. Our world is just slathered in petroleum products, right down to the die in our food. It is just gross. Although I probably carry a genetic mutation, I have long tried to stay away from petroleum products.

Thanks for clearing up the ambiguity of the abbreviation.

[Bev]

I'm not saying BPA is not a problem, but many of us because of our age, were not likely exposed to it prenatally. I guess that doesn't rule out later exposure as a problem either. Can't wait til they figure this all out.