Bisphenol A (BPA)-Induced Changes in the Number of Serotonin-Positive Cells in the Mucosal Layer of Porcine Small Intestine-the Preliminary Studies.

Slawomir Gonkowski

doi:10.3390/ijms21031079

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a substance used in the production of plastics which has a negative impact on many internal organs. Because BPA is normally toxic for the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the intestine is especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of this substance. The aim of this investigation was to study the influence of two doses of BPA (0.05 mg and 0.5 mg/kg body weight/day) on the number of mucosal cells in the porcine small intestine and containing serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). During the experiment, it was demonstrated that both applied BPA doses caused an increase in the number of 5-HT-positive cells located in the mucosal layer of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. These changes may be connected with the direct impact of BPA on the intestinal mucosa, the pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of this substance, and/or the influence of BPA on the neurochemical characterization of nervous structures supplying the intestine.

Highlights

Bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly used in the manufacture of plastics and is, present in numerous everyday objects including household goods, office supplies, car equipment, toys, thermal paper, and more [1]
It should be pointed out that about 95% of the serotonin in the body is located in the GI tract, and the majority of gastrointestinal serotonin is found in the enterochromaffin cells (ECs) in the gastrointestinal mucosa [11]
The influence of BPA on 5-HT-positive cells in the gastrointestinal tract has not been studied at all and, the aim of the present investigation was to study the influence of various doses of BPA on the number of 5-HT-positive cells in the mucosal layer within the small intestine of the domestic pig which, due to the similarities in anatomical and biochemical organization of the GI tract to man, is considered as a good animal model for investigations of phenomena occurring in the human GI tract [17]

Summary

Introduction

Bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly used in the manufacture of plastics and is, present in numerous everyday objects including household goods, office supplies, car equipment, toys, thermal paper, and more [1]. In light of previous studies, it is known that BPA may impair the functioning of internal organs and systems, including (among others) the nervous, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, reproductive, and excretory systems [1,2]. The influence of BPA on 5-HT-positive cells in the gastrointestinal tract has not been studied at all and, the aim of the present investigation was to study the influence of various doses of BPA on the number of 5-HT-positive cells in the mucosal layer within the small intestine of the domestic pig which, due to the similarities in anatomical and biochemical organization of the GI tract to man, is considered as a good animal model for investigations of phenomena occurring in the human GI tract [17]

Results

Discussion

Findings

Materials and Methods