NTU Undergraduates' research April 2014 - Biosciences | Seite 77

Shelby Hatt

N0373683

Research Project

The effect of xenobiotic compounds on placental cell function
Abstract
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an oestrogen-mimicking, xenobiotic compound which is released from a range of
consumer products, resulting in potential human exposure. The effects of BPA on human health are
widely disputed, therefore we decided to investigate the in vitro effects of BPA on the human
trophoblastic cell line, BeWo. Firstly, we demonstrated that BPA doses of 100µM and 500µM exert a
cytotoxic effect on BeWo cells. We then confirmed that in serum-starved BeWo cells, BPA displays a
protective capacity at 10µM and 50µM. Our results also established that in the presence of hydrogen
peroxide, BPA concentrations of 10µM and 50µM promote BeWo cell viability. Furthermore, we
revealed that low concentrations of BPA, 10µM and 50µM, present an antioxidant capacity, whereas
higher concentrations of 100µM and 500µM BPA exhibit oxidant effects. These results suggest that
placental exposure to BPA can cause adverse effects to human health, potentially leading to oncogenic
concerns and pregnancy disorders, such as preeclampsia. However our findings also propose the
antioxidant capacity of BPA at low doses, which to our knowledge has not yet been demonstrated by
previous studies and therefore provides as an encouraging subject for further investigation.

Shelby Hatt