Parabens and their effects on the endocrine system

• Published in: Molecular and cellular endocrinology Vol. 474; pp. 238 - 251
• Main Authors: Nowak, Karolina, Ratajczak–Wrona, Wioletta, Górska, Maria, Jabłońska, Ewa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 15.10.2018
• Subjects: Animals; cosmetics; drugs; Endocrine disrupting chemicals; endocrine system; Endocrine System - drug effects; Environmental Monitoring; Estrogen; foods; human physiology; Humans; ingredients; metabolism; microbial growth; Nuclear receptors; p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters; Parabens; Parabens - chemistry; Parabens - metabolism; Parabens - toxicity; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor; preservatives; shelf life; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor; p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters; Nuclear receptors; Estrogen; Parabens; Endocrine disrupting chemicals
• ISSN: 0303-7207; 1872-8057; 1872-8057
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.03.014

Preservatives (ingredients which inhibit growth of microorganisms) are used to prolong shelf life of various foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. Parabens are one of the most popular preservatives used in the aforementioned products and is currently being used worldwide. Parabens are easily absorbed by the human body. Thus, it is important to discuss about their safety with respect to human physiology. In view of the current literature, which classifies parabens as a group of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), it seems that the precise assessment of their influence on the human endocrine system is particularly important. Disruption of the endocrine homoeostasis might lead to multidirectional implications causing disruption of fitness and functions of the body. Therefore, in this review article, we aimed to summarize the current literature on properties, occurrence, and metabolism of parabens as well as to present recent progress in knowledge about their influence on the human endocrine system. [Display omitted] •Parabens interfere in the functioning of endocrine organs.•Nuclear receptors of hormones like estrogens are targets of parabens action.•Some of effects in the animal models did not find a confirmation in human studies.•Studies of parabens impact on immunological and nervous systems are needed.