BPA Studies Presented at Annual Endocrine Society of the United States Meeting

Posted by Andrew on 29 June 2010 | 0 Comments

Tags: News, IBWA

At the Endocrine Society of the United States annual meeting in San Diego, there were two studies presented that dealt with Bisphenol-A. The first was a study to determine whether BPA would have harmful effects on the cells of male rats.

 

In the testicular function study of male rats, Benson Akingbemi, Ph.D., found harmful effects of BPA at the cellular level, particularly in Leydig cells (the cells that secrete testosterone and are located in the male testis). Testosterone is a sex hormone that promotes male fertility.

 

The study found that testosterone secretion declined in male offspring of female rats that received BPA orally while pregnant and nursing. The researchers noted that effects were seen at a dose of 25 μg/kg body weight per day.

 

While this particular study found possible harmful effects of BPA, it is important to note (as the IBWA does) that similar studies have failed to find similar effects. This clearly shows why there is still much debate concerning the safety of BPA and its use in food containers.

 

The other study presented at the meeting concerned findings that showed elevated levels of BPA in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

 

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) study noted by the Endocrine Society found elevated levels on BPA in the circulation of women with PCOS. In addition, this study associated with BPA the higher levels of male hormones found in the blood of women with PCOS when compared with blood samples from healthy women. Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis, M.D., Ph.D., study co-author and professor at the University of Athens Medical School in Greece, noted that no research had yet proved that reducing BPA in PCOS would have beneficial effects.

 

Diana Wu, M.D., a clinical fellow in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Center for Reproductive Health, University of Cincinnati, stated that "[t]his is an association study." Dr. Wu cautioned, "You can't really determine cause-and-effect." Thus, this study may only indicate that these women metabolize BPA at a slower rate than women without the syndrome.

 

It is important to continue to perform studies of this nature to determine whether or not BPA has harmful health effects. However, many studies continue to show contradictory effects that seem to suggest, at the very least, that BPA is not a serious threat to our health. That's why regulatory agencies in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Japan, etc. have not seen fit to take action against BPA. Until they decide to, we see no reason to ban its use, as some groups would like to see.