Meeting Abstract

P3-276  Saturday, Jan. 6 15:30 – 17:30  Preservatives that synergize with xenoestrogens: effects of co-administration of BHT and BPA on regeneration in Planaria MASSENA, K*; FUNK, A; WILLS, N; CHABRIA, T; PINSKY, B; DANISEWICZ, E; THOM, Z; MASS, S; SUNY New Paltz; SUNY New Paltz; SUNY New Paltz; SUNY New Paltz; SUNY New Paltz; SUNY New Paltz; SUNY New Paltz; SUNY New Paltz massenak1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a commonly used food additive and antioxidant. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a known xenoestrogen which is used to synthesize polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins and numerous plastic materials used in packaging. Interestingly, BHT and BPA are found together in cases where plastic packaging is used for food, cosmetic and household products. While BHT is an FDA approved additive for food, health and beauty products, it has known toxicity, especially in aquatics, and has long been suspected as a possible carcinogen. Prior work in our lab has shown that BPA can have deleterious effects on planarian regeneration. In this study we demonstrate that BPA synergizes the lethal effects of BHT at high doses in planaria (LC50 BHT ~64 μM; whereas ~15 μM in presence of sublethal dose of BPA) and examine the effects of coadministration of BHT with BPA on regeneration in planaria.