Abstract

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plastic toxin widely used in manufacturing of plastic containers. It is known to produce a variety of toxic effects on body functions including reproduction, metabolism, and development. Despite the fact that the gastrointestinal tract is chronically exposed to food containing BPA, its effect on the gut motility is poorly understood.

Aims and Objectives: The present study attempted to assess the small and large gut contractility in vitro in male rats fed with BPA-mixed food for 28 days.

Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in 8 adult male albino rats of 150-200 g weight. One group (4 rats) was subjected to daily oral administration of BPA (50 μg/kg/day) for 28 days. Another group of 4 rats was Sham-fed and served as control. With the help of organ bath preparations and computerized data acquisition system, in vitro isometric contraction (spontaneous and agonist-induced) was recorded from small gut (distal ileum) and large gut (mid colon) segments.

Results: Recordings of spontaneous contractions revealed significantly (P < 0.05) decreased contractile tension in small gut and a decrease in both tension and frequency in large gut of the BPA-fed group of rats.

Conclusion: Chronic exposure of BPA depresses spontaneous and agonist-induced contractility of small and large gut of rats.

Key words: Bisphenol A; Contractility; Ileum; Colon; Acetylch‾ Serotonin; Histamine