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Early Estrogen Exposure Increases Risk of Prostate Cancer

By admin | June 1, 2006

New research published in the June 1 edition of Cancer Research shows that low doses of bisphenol A (BPA) delivered to female rats during pregnancy increases the risk of their male offspring developing prostate cancer later in life. The cause was found to be associated with the elevated level of eastradiol in the aging male rat, which is highly correlated with older human males as a result of increasing body fat and declining testosterone levels.

BPA is used in the manufacture of plastics and epoxy resins, and have been found to be present in human blood serum, some pregnant women, and the human fetus.

The researchers found evidence that the increased risk of precancerous lesions of the prostate was correlated with a permanent change in methylation of certain genes within the neonate’s prostate cells. Specifically, expression of the gene phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4D4) was found to be highly expressed in male rats exposed to BPA in utero, while expression of the gene in normal male prostate cells was turned off. Prostate cancer cell lines also showed high expression of PDE4D4. This finding could be used to develop a way for identifying men with a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Link

Update: Co-author Jessica Belmonte de Frausto contacted us with a slight correction: “This study was conducted on neonate rats, not on pregnant rats and their offspring. Although it is important to note that the neonate period in rats does in fact correspond to to the second and third trimester in humans.”

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    • Topics: cancer, environmental alterations, news links, research articles |

    One Response to “Early Estrogen Exposure Increases Risk of Prostate Cancer”

    1. Jessica Belmonte de Frausto Says:
      June 6th, 2006 at 2:30 pm

      Thanks for mentioning us! One comment- this study was conducted on neonate rats, not on pregnant rats and their offspring. Although it is important to note that the neonate period in rats does in fact correspond to to the second and third trimester in humans.
      Jessica Belmonte de Frausto