Sunscreen alters Gene Expression related to Brain Development

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Sunscreen alters Gene Expression related to Brain Development
	7.30.09 - Sunscreen absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight and thus helps protect against sunburn. Sunscreens contain one or more UV filters. One of the filter types are inorganic particulates that reflect, scatter, and absorb UV light (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or a combination of both).
Medical organizations such as the American Cancer Society recommend the use of sunscreen because it prevents the squamous cell carcinoma and the basal cell carcinoma. However, the use of sunscreens is controversial for various reasons. Many do not block UVA radiation, which does not cause sunburn but can increase the rate of melanoma (another kind of skin cancer), so people using sunscreens may be getting too much UVA without realizing it. On top of that scientists have now shown that maternal exposure to nanoparticulate titanium dioxide during the prenatal period alters gene expression related to brain development in the mouse. Scientists and Ken Takeda from the University of Tokio injected nanoparticulate titanium dioxide into pregnant mice. As a result the expression levels of hundreds of genes were changed significantly in the brain of the fetus. This study showed that maternal exposure to anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles caused the changes in the expression of genes associated with brain development, cell death, response to oxidative stress, and mitochondria in the brain during the prenatal period, and those associated with inflammation and neurotransmitters in the later stage. "Our results support the concerns that nanoparticles have the potential to negatively impact human's health", commented Takeda in a note to the study. To learn more about Takeda's study click here. If you want to learn more about Genetics and DNA check out our Genetics & DNA Kit.

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