Scientists link soap ingredient to liver tumors in mice

Scientists have revealed that an antimicrobial commonly that is found in soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and many other household items causes liver fibrosis and cancer in laboratory mice through molecular mechanisms that are also relevant in humans.

The researchers said that there can be potentially serious consequences of long-term exposure of Triclosan.

Robert H. Tukey, PhD, professor in the departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Pharmacology, said that Triclosan's increasing detection in environmental samples and its increasingly broad use in consumer products may overcome its moderate benefit and present a very real risk of liver toxicity for people, as it does in mice, particularly when combined with other compounds with similar action.

It was found that triclosan disrupted liver integrity and compromised liver function in mouse models. Mice exposed to triclosan for six months (roughly equivalent to 18 human years) were more susceptible to chemical-induced liver tumors. Their tumors were also larger and more frequent than in mice not exposed to triclosan.

The study suggests triclosan may do its damage by interfering with the constitutive androstane receptor, a protein responsible for detoxifying (clearing away) foreign chemicals in the body. To compensate for this stress, liver cells proliferate and turn fibrotic over time. Repeated triclosan exposure and continued liver fibrosis eventually promote tumor formation.

The study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.