Novel Detection Method of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Utilizing Liposomes as Cell Membrane Model

Abstract

A novel detection method of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is proposed. Liposomes encapsulating fluorescence dye was prepared as a cell membrane model and applied to detect EDCs. Leakages of dye from liposomes were observed after their exposure to EDCs. Fluorescence intensity increased significantly when the liposomes were exposed to 5 ppm EDCs. The increases showed a good correlation with EDCs' dipole moment. Therefore, polarizability is suggested as one of the factors of the liposome-EDC interaction. At lower than 5 ppm, the increases depended on EDCs' concentration. The tendency of the results was in accordance with reported estrogenic activity of EDCs.

Keywords:

• Cell membrane model
• endocrine disrupting chemicals
• fluorometry
• liposomes

Notes

^a Hansch et al. (1995).

^b IPCS 2008.