Background: Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic antioxidant which is absorbed mainly through gastrointestinal tract following oral administration. It was introduced to the food industry as a safe preservative and to the pharmaceutical industry in cosmetics manufacturing and as an additive to fat-soluble vitamins to prevent rancidity. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves BHA as a safe food additive in a maximum oral dose of 150 mg/ kg, meanwhile it is a potential allergen.
A new question has been raised if BHA is a potential human carcinogen? another potential hazard is also a recent concern as the compound has been linked with some endocrine disruption. The endocrine effect of BHA is associated with sex hormones, a little has been known about the exact effect neither on them nor on other hormones.
Aim of the Work: This work aimed to assess the possible disrupting effect of different doses of BHA on thyroid follicular cells.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 30 adult male albino rats. 12 as control and 18 divided equally to 3 groups and received 10, 100 and 500 mg/kg body weight of BHA dissolved in corn oil orally for 42 days. All animals were examined for body and thyroid weight, thyroid hormones and oxidative markers levels. Semithin and ultrastructural examination of thyroid follicles were done for all. All data were statistically analyzed.
Results: All data revealed dose defendant disrupting effect of BHA on thyroid and follicular cells. Variable follicular shapes and multiple layers of vacuolated cells and dilated endoplasmic reticulum. Histological findings were confirmed by both anatomical and biochemical examinations.
Conclusion: BHA has a possible thyroid disrupting effect in long term intake. This effect is dose dependent and significantly recognized in moderate and high doses intake.