ABSTRACT
Background: Bisphenol-A [BPA] is an organic synthetic polycarbonate compound [[CH[3]]2 C[C[6]H[4]OH][2]] which is widely incorporated into many plastic industries worldwide. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that exhibits hormone-like properties which may promote adverse effects in humans, triggering estrogenic signals in target tissues, which raise concern about its suitability in some consumer products and food containers. Since 2008, several governments have investigated BPA safety, which prompted some retailers to withdraw polycarbonate products. A 2010 report from the United States [US] Food and Drug Administration [FDA] identified possible hazards of BPA to fetuses, infants, and young children. However, the FDA has ended its authorization of the use of BPA in baby bottles and infant formula packaging, based on market abandonment, not safety
Aim of the work: This study aimed to investigate the antitoxic effects of the anti-estrogen drug Tamoxifen [Nolvadex] and the recovery period on the female albino rats which received BPA
Materials and Methods: This study was performed on forty female albino rats with an average body weight of 140-160 grams. The animals were divided into four groups [10 rats per cage]; Group I [Control untreated for 30 days], Group II [BPA treated for 15 days, then sacrificed], Group III [BPA treated first for 15 days, then left to a recovery period of another 15 days], and Group IV [BPA treated first for 15 days, then treated with the anti-estrogen drug Nolvadex for another 15 days]. The following analyses were done to all groups; ALT [alanine amino-transferase], AST [aspartate amino-transferase], GGT [gamma glutamyl-transferase], total proteins, albumin, globulins, A/G ratio [i.e., liver function tests], creatinine, uric acid, A/C [albumin/creatinine] ratio [i.e., renal function tests], total lipids, total cholesterol, LDL-C [low density lipoprotein cholesterol], HDL-C [high density lipoprotein cholesterol], and triglycerides [i.e., lipids profile]
Results: In the BPA treated group II the biochemical results showed highly significant increase [P<0.01] in the enzymatic activities of ALT, AST, and GGT with concomitant increase in globulins [P<0.05], creatinine, uric acid, total lipids, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides levels when compared to the control group. On the other hand, there was highly significant decrease [P<0.01] in total proteins, albumin, A/G [albumin/globulin] ratio, A/C [albumin/creatinine] ratio, and HDL-C levels when compared to the control group. These results turned back to normal control values after stopping the use of BPA alone [Group III] or stopping BPA and treatment with the anti-estrogen drug Nolvadex in the recovery period, except for ALT which was elevated [P<0.05] with Nolvadex [Group IV]
Conclusion: It could be concluded that BPA has dangerous toxic effects on the liver and kidney functions as well as on the lipids profile. Moreover, the recovery period [i.e., 15 days without treatment] is better than the use of the anti-estrogens [as Tamoxifen] which have no antitoxic effects to BPA, but caused hepatic toxicity instead which is noted by an increase in ALT levels. So, we recommend minimizing utilization of this compound [BPA] to protect people from its hazardous effects