375
interfere with normal estrogen level [67]. In addition to this, estrogenic effect of
parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butyl-) was reported in the estrogen dependent human breast cancer cell line MCF7 [68]. Finally, we can summarize that
paraben’s use should be minimized in women specially to avert breast cancer risks.
This can be done by no or minimum use of cosmetics, safeguarding their breast
cancer risks as well as other consequences due to estrogenic effects.
Conclusion and Future Prospective
The aforementioned convincingly studies suggest that parabens are being largely
used in cosmetics, medications and also food products owing to their preservative
activity and relatively less toxicity. Undoubtedly, their presence imparts particular
attributes to products and they can relatively be stored for longer period of time. But
unfortunately, despite their suitable characteristics, these also possesses some undesirable effects on human health. Their major harmful effect on human body is their
endocrine disrupting potential, which interfere with numerous physiological endocrine functions. Ultimately, leading towards many metabolic disorders.
The major endocrine disrupting effects which are consequences of paraben’s
exposure include thyroid gland dysfunction, leading towards hyperthyroidism or
hypothyroidism. This problem is more troublesome for fetus during pregnancy. The
reason is that fetus depends upon maternal thyroid hormone, any disturbance in
maternal thyroid gland functioning during pregnancy give rise to defects in fetal
neuronal development as well as brain differentiation. Furthermore, paraben exposure is associated with decrease in testosterone level in males. Further, this diminished testosterone level is interlinked with various abnormalities in reproductive
system, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular problems. In addition to this, parabens also promote adipocytes differentiation and increase obesity epidemic in the
exposed population. Also, parabens possess estrogenic effects. Generally, females
are more prone to all undesirable effects owing to parabens. The reason is as more
cosmetic products are utilized by females in comparison to males. Additionally,
paraben’s exposure by topical products is more harmful as compared to oral route,
as oral route limits systemic exposure of parabens by pre-systemic elimination process, causing less undesirable effects. Likewise, parabens evidently worsen the predisposing factors for metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, disturbance in
thyroid gland functions, impairment in sex hormones, cardiovascular problems as
well as obesity.
Although, certain paraben mediated effects are more commonly and easily
observed in animals, yet human studies are lacking. Hence, well-designed human
studies should be conducted and evaluated to estimate consequences in human body
rather than in animals. Keeping in view all above mentioned aspects, we can summarize that these should be used within the ranges as described by FDA and it is
also necessary to minimize their usage or these may be replaced by other substances
with less or no undesirable effects.
22 Parabens as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Their Association…
interfere with normal estrogen level [67]. In addition to this, estrogenic effect of
parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butyl-) was reported in the estrogen dependent human breast cancer cell line MCF7 [68]. Finally, we can summarize that
paraben’s use should be minimized in women specially to avert breast cancer risks.
This can be done by no or minimum use of cosmetics, safeguarding their breast
cancer risks as well as other consequences due to estrogenic effects.
Conclusion and Future Prospective
The aforementioned convincingly studies suggest that parabens are being largely
used in cosmetics, medications and also food products owing to their preservative
activity and relatively less toxicity. Undoubtedly, their presence imparts particular
attributes to products and they can relatively be stored for longer period of time. But
unfortunately, despite their suitable characteristics, these also possesses some undesirable effects on human health. Their major harmful effect on human body is their
endocrine disrupting potential, which interfere with numerous physiological endocrine functions. Ultimately, leading towards many metabolic disorders.
The major endocrine disrupting effects which are consequences of paraben’s
exposure include thyroid gland dysfunction, leading towards hyperthyroidism or
hypothyroidism. This problem is more troublesome for fetus during pregnancy. The
reason is that fetus depends upon maternal thyroid hormone, any disturbance in
maternal thyroid gland functioning during pregnancy give rise to defects in fetal
neuronal development as well as brain differentiation. Furthermore, paraben exposure is associated with decrease in testosterone level in males. Further, this diminished testosterone level is interlinked with various abnormalities in reproductive
system, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular problems. In addition to this, parabens also promote adipocytes differentiation and increase obesity epidemic in the
exposed population. Also, parabens possess estrogenic effects. Generally, females
are more prone to all undesirable effects owing to parabens. The reason is as more
cosmetic products are utilized by females in comparison to males. Additionally,
paraben’s exposure by topical products is more harmful as compared to oral route,
as oral route limits systemic exposure of parabens by pre-systemic elimination process, causing less undesirable effects. Likewise, parabens evidently worsen the predisposing factors for metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, disturbance in
thyroid gland functions, impairment in sex hormones, cardiovascular problems as
well as obesity.
Although, certain paraben mediated effects are more commonly and easily
observed in animals, yet human studies are lacking. Hence, well-designed human
studies should be conducted and evaluated to estimate consequences in human body
rather than in animals. Keeping in view all above mentioned aspects, we can summarize that these should be used within the ranges as described by FDA and it is
also necessary to minimize their usage or these may be replaced by other substances
with less or no undesirable effects.
22 Parabens as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Their Association…