Failure to Confirm Estrogenic Activity for Benzoic Acid and Clofibrate: Implications for Lists of Endocrine-Disrupting Agents

• Published in: Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 96 - 101
• Main Authors: Ashby, J., Lefevre, P.A., Odum, J., Tinwell, H., Kennedy, S.J., Beresford, N., Sumpter, J.P.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01.08.1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Benzoates - toxicity; Benzoic Acid; Biological and medical sciences; Clofibrate - toxicity; Drug Combinations; Estrogens - toxicity; Female; Food Preservatives - toxicity; General aspects. Methods; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents - toxicity; Medical sciences; Organ Size - drug effects; Rats; Receptors, Estrogen - drug effects; Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism; Toxicology; Uterine Diseases - chemically induced; Uterine Diseases - pathology; Uterus - drug effects; Uterus - pathology; Benzoic acid; Clofibrate; Fibrate derivatives; Toxicity; Biomimetic compound; Food additive; Biological activity; Antilipemic agent
• ISSN: 0273-2300; 1096-0295
• DOI: 10.1006/rtph.1997.1158

Earlier reports that benzoic acid is uterotrophic to the rat and mouse and that clofibrate is uterotrophic to the rat have not been confirmed. The studies reported here involved the use of a range of test protocols and dose levels, including the protocols/dose levels used by the original investigators. In addition, both chemicals were inactive in a human estrogen receptor (hERα) yeast estrogenicity assay. It is concluded that benzoic acid and clofibrate are not estrogenic in the assays used here. This conclusion has implications for the compilation of lists of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.