抄録
Background. Benzophenones used as chemical UV filters are substantially absorbed by the skin when applied topically and enter the body via consuming contaminated food. If benzophenones pass into the brain in a significant concentration they may be involved in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and/or psychiatric disorders. Since benzophenone-3 (BP-3) is the most common UV filter and in an in vivo model neither its brain concentrations nor effects on nerve cells have been studied, the purpose of the present study was to determine its concentration in selected brain structures and its effect on the total antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation in brain. Since the effects of xenobiotics on the brain are the strongest in the prenatal period rats were exposed to this compound during the prenatal period and then in adulthood.
Methods. BP-3 was administered dermally to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats and next to their male offspring at 7 and 8 weeks of age. 24h after the last BP-3 administration animals were killed by rapid decapitation, blood was collected and brain regions (hippocampus and frontal cortex) were dissected. The concentration of BP-3 was assayed by LC-MS method while total antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation by colorimetric method.
Results. It has been found that after dermal BP-3 administration concentrations of this compound in frontal cortex and hippocampus were similar (about 50ng/g wet tissue), whereas serum concentrations of BP-3 was 200 ng/ml. In both studied brain structures total antioxidant activity was significantly decreased, while lipid peroxidation was increased.
Conclusion. It has been proven that the BP-3 passes through the blood-brain barrier, and after dermal administration its concentration in the brain was relatively high. This compound adversely affected frontal cortex and hippocampus, i.e. the most susceptible to damage brain structures, by decreasing their antioxidant status and intensification of lipid peroxidation, considered as a marker of oxidative stress action. These results indicate that exposure to BP-3 in the prenatal period and then during adulthood may affect the viability of nerve cells and, as a result, increase a risk of neurodegenerative and/or psychiatric disorders development.
Acknowledgments: This research was funded by a grant No.2014/15/B/NZ7/00892 (National Science Center, Poland)
