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Cited by 721Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicalsEstrogen and related hormone effectsPhytoestrogen effects and research

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 31 of the 31 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Some Alkyl Hydroxy Benzoate Preservatives (Parabens) Are Estrogenic

Routledge, Edwin J., Parker, Joanne, Odum, Jenny, Ashby, John, Sumpter, John P.·1998·Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
DOI 10.1006/taap.1998.8544
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Abstract

The inadvertent estrogenicity of certain synthetic chemicals, and their subsequent effects on the endocrine system of humans and wildlife, is of concern. In this paper we report findings from in vitro and in vivo (uterotrophic) studies which confirm that a range of alkyl hydroxy benzoate preservatives (parabens) are weakly estrogenic. In a receptor-binding assay, butylparaben was able to compete with 3H-estradiol for binding to the rat estrogen receptor with an affinity approximately 5 orders of magnitude lower than that of diethylstilboestrol, and between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude less than nonylphenol. In an in vitro yeast-based estrogen assay, the four most widely used parabens (namely methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben) were all found to be weakly estrogenic with the most potent (butylparaben) being 10,000-fold less potent than 17 beta-estradiol. The estrogenic activity of parabens was inhibited by 4-hydroxy tamoxifen in vitro, illustrating the requirement of these chemicals to interact with the estrogen receptor in order to activate the yeast. When administered orally to immature rats, the parabens were inactive. However, subcutaneous administration of butylparaben produced a positive uterotrophic response in vivo, although it was approximately 100,000 times less potent than 17 beta-estradiol. Given their use in a wide range of commercially available topical preparations, it is suggested that the safety in use of these chemicals should be reassessed, with parti…

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Maddox, 1982, The role of p-hydroxy-benzoates in modern cosmetics, Cosm. Toilet., 97, 85
  2. Sherma, 1982, Determination of paraben preservatives in liquid products, Am. Lab., 14, 26
  3. Twist, 1986, Influence of solvents on paraben permeation through idealised skin model membranes, J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem., 37, 429

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Metadata

Authors
Routledge, E. J., Parker, J., Odum, J., Ashby, J., & Sumpter, J. P.
Affiliations
  • Brunel University of London (GB)
  • Zeneca Central Toxicology Laboratory (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1998-11
Volume
153
Issue
1
Pages
12-19
ISSN
0041-008X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1006/taap.1998.8544
OpenAlex
W1999057925
Cited by
721
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 50 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 50 · 2012: 33
FWCI
10.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Endocrinology › Estrogen and related hormone effects
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Phytoestrogen effects and research
Keywords
parabens, estrogenic activity, butylparaben, estrogen receptor binding, uterotrophic response, endocrine disruption, human exposure assessment
MeSH terms
Animals, Binding, Competitive, Female, Food Preservatives, Organ Size, Parabens, Receptors, Estrogen, Tamoxifen, Uterus, Yeasts, Rats

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