Antibacterial agent could cause pregnancy problems

November 9, 2010 by Admin

A chemical found in everything from antibacterial soaps and lotions to socks and toothpaste may disrupt an enzyme that plays an important role in pregnancy, University of Florida researchers say. Thought to be harmless, triclosan gives many soaps and lotions their antibacterial oomph and is found in hundreds of popular products. But a team of UF researchers led by Margaret O. James has discovered that the chemical hinders an enzyme linked to the metabolism of estrogen. The researchers' findings are reported in the November print issue of the journal Environment International.

In pregnancy, this enzyme, called estrogen sulfotransferase, helps metabolize estrogen and move it through the placenta into the developing fetus. There, the estrogen plays a crucial role in brain development and the regulation of genes.

"We suspect that makes this substance dangerous in pregnancy if enough of the triclosan gets through to the placenta to affect the enzyme," said James, a professor and chairwoman of medicinal chemistry in the UF College of Pharmacy. "We know for sure it is a very potent inhibitor. What we don't know is the kinds of levels you would have to be exposed to to see a negative effect.

"We know it is a problem, but we don't know how much of a problem. We need to move forward and do additional studies."

In pregnancy, the placenta basically serves as a developing baby's in-womb survival kit. Almost everything the fetus gets from its mother - namely food and oxygen - comes through the placenta. It also creates important hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen.

Adapted from SciGuru.com