Research Article: A rapid approach to assess estrogenic transcriptional activity of bisphenol A in the liver of goldfish

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic compound widely used in types of consumer goods and medical tools. It has been shown that BPA acts as an endocrine disruptor chemical casuing negative impact on reproductive functions. The present study used an in vitro approach to assess estrogenic transcriptional activity of BPA as a rapid and sensitive method. The cultured pieces of hepatic tissue of goldfish (Carassius auratus) were exposed to 1, 5, 25 μg/L BPA and 1 µg/L E2 for comparison over 24 h. Compared to control, the mRNA transcript of erβ-I showed a significant increase in the hepatic tissues exposed to all doses of BPA and E2. The mRNA transcript of erβ-II was signifincantly increased in hepatic tissues exposed to 1 and 5 μg/L BPA and E2. The mRNA transcripts of vtg in the hepatic tissues treated with 5 μg/L BPA and E2 were also increased, significantly. Finally, cyp1a mRNA transcript showed a significant increase in the hepatic tissues exposed to 5 and 25 μg/L BPA and E2. These results show an estrogenic activity of BPA similar to E2, and suggest that in vitro approach can be used as an alternative to in vivo test to detect estrogenic effects of BPA.