Bisphenol A induces permanent squamous change in mouse prostatic epithelium.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Developmental Biology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used plastic monomer with known estrogenic activity.
• Prostatic epithelial differentiation is crucial for normal prostate function.
• Environmental exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA is a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) on prostatic epithelial differentiation in male mice.
• To determine if BPA exposure during adult or fetal periods can alter prostate development.
• To assess the dose-dependent effects of BPA on specific prostatic epithelial markers.

Main Methods:

• Adult male BALB/c mice were treated with BPA via subcutaneous implants.
• Organ culture of adult mouse prostates was used to study direct effects of BPA.
• Fetal mice were exposed to low-dose BPA during critical developmental periods (gestation days 13-18).
• Cytokeratin 10 (CK10) expression and squamous metaplasia were analyzed as indicators of differentiation changes.

Main Results:

• Adult BPA exposure induced cytokeratin 10 (CK10) expression in prostatic basal cells in a dose-dependent manner.
• In vitro organ culture showed BPA induced CK10 expression and squamous metaplasia.
• Fetal exposure to low-dose BPA (20 microg/kg/day) resulted in permanent CK10 expression in adult prostates, similar to diethylstilbestrol (DES).

Conclusions:

• BPA can directly induce CK10 expression and squamous changes in mouse prostatic epithelium.
• Low-dose BPA exposure during fetal development can cause permanent alterations in prostatic basal cells.
• These findings suggest potential risks of fetal BPA exposure for human prostate development.