Effects of triclocarban on intact immature male rat: augmentation of androgen action

Reprod Sci. 2011 Feb;18(2):119-27. doi: 10.1177/1933719110382581. Epub 2010 Oct 1.

Abstract

Triclocarban (TCC; 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide) is an antimicrobial agent used widely in various personal hygiene products including soaps. Recently, TCC has been shown to enhance testosterone-induced effects in vitro and to enlarge accessory sex organs in castrated male rats. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of TCC on intact age-matched male rats and on human prostate LNCaP and C4-2B cells. Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats received either a normal diet or a diet supplemented with TCC (0.25% in diet) for 10 days. Triclocarban induced hyperplasia of accessory sex organs in the absence of significant qualitative histological changes. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone were not significantly altered by TCC treatment. In prostate cancer-derived LNCaP and C4-2B cells, TCC potentiated androgen actions via androgen receptor-dependent actions. In conclusion, TCC significantly affects intact male reproductive organs and potentiates androgen effects in prostate cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / toxicity*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Carbanilides / toxicity*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood*
  • Male
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Prostate / drug effects*
  • Prostate / pathology
  • Prostate / physiopathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Sexual Maturation / drug effects
  • Testosterone / blood*
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Carbanilides
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Water
  • Testosterone
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • triclocarban