Analysis of the damage shows numerous characteristics that are common with a recently identified pathology of tooth enamel that affects roughly 18% of children between the ages of 6 and 8.
These results have been published in the American Journal of Pathology.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used in the composition of plastics and resins. It is used for example to manufacture food containers such as bottles or babies' bottles. It is also used for the protective films inside drinks cans and food tins, or as developers on sales receipts. Significant amounts of BPA have also been found in human blood, urine, amniotic liquid and placentas. Recent studies have shown that this industrial compound has adverse effects on the reproduction, development and metabolism of laboratory animals. It is strongly suspected of having the same effects on humans.
As a precautionary measure, the manufacture and commercialisation of babies' bottles containing bisphenol A were prohibited in Europe in January 2011. The prohibition will be extended to all food containers in France as from July 2015.
So this study shows that teeth are the latest in an already long list of victims of BPA. The Inserm researchers have shown that the incisors of rats treated with low daily doses of BPA (5 microgrammes/kg/day) could be damaged by this. This effect has also been observed within a development window of no more than 30 days post-birth in rats, thus demonstrating a range of sensitivity to exposure.
Analysis of these teeth showed numerous characteristics that are common with a tooth enamel pathology known as MIH (Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation) that selectively affects first molars and permanent incisors. This enamel pathology is found in roughly 18% of children between the ages of 6 and 8. Children affected by this pathology present with teeth that are hypersensitive to pain and liable to cavities. It is interesting to note that the period during which these teeth are formed (the first years of life) correspond to the period during which humans are most sensitive to bisphenol A.
Amongst the earliest observations made was the appearance of "white marks" on the incisors of rats treated with endocrine disruptors, one of which was bisphenol A (BPA). The researchers decided to define the characteristics of incisors of rats treated with low doses of BPA and to compare these with the characteristics of teeth in humans suffering from MIH Macroscopic observation of marks on both series of teeth showed similarities, in particular fragile and brittle enamel.
Microscope observation of the enamel showed a significant reduction of the Ca/P and the Ca/C ratios in affected teeth. This leads to mineral depletion, making the teeth more fragile and more liable to cavities. Finally, analysis of the proteins present in the tooth matrix of rats showed an increased quantity of enamelin, a key protein for enamel formation, and a buildup of albumin leading to hypomineralisation. Analysis of the expression of key enamel genes highlighted two BPA target genes: enamelin and kallicrein 4.
According to Sylvie Babajko, the latest author of this article, "Insofar as BPA has the same mechanism of action in rats as in men, it could also be a causal agent of MIH. Therefore, teeth could be used as early markers of exposure to endocrine disruptors acting in the same way as BPA and so could help in early detection of serious pathologies that would otherwise have occurred several years later".
Sources
Enamel defects reflect exposure to perinatal bisphenol A
Katia Jedeon1,2,3,4, Muriel De la Dure-Molla1,2,3,4,5, Steven J. Brookes6, Sophia Loiodice1,2,33 Clémence Marciano1,2,3, Jennifer Kirkham6, Marie-Chantal Canivenc Lavier74 , Sofiane Boudalia7, Raymond Bergès7, Hidemitsu Harada8, Ariane Berdal1,2,3,4,5, Sylvie Babajko1,2,3
1Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM UMRS 872, Laboratory of Molecular Oral Pathophysiology, Paris, F-75006 France.
2 Université Paris-Descartes, Paris, F-75006 France.
3 Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris, Paris, F-75006 France.
4 Université Paris-Diderot, UFR d'Odontologie, F-75006, Paris, France.
5 Centre de Référence des maladies rares de la face et de la cavité buccale MAFACE hôpital Rothschild, AP-HP, Paris, France.
6 Leeds Dental Institute, Department of Oral Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9LU,16 UK.
7 Équipe Formation et dynamique du comportement alimentaire, Centre des sciences du gout et de l'alimentation, UMR 1324 INRA-Université de Bourgogne, 17 Rue-Sully - BP 86 510,21 065 Dijon, France.
8 Iwate Medical University, Department of Anatomy, Division of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, 2-1-1, Nishitokuda, Yahaba, Shiwa-gun, Iwate 020-3694, Japan.
American Journal of Pathology
Journal
American Journal Of Pathology