Mode of Action Assessment of Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) Exposure in Animal Studies

This review analyzed several modes of action (MoA) that may account for the observed effects from TBBPA exposure seen in animal studies. The study concluded that the potential MoA for thyroid changes induced by TBBPA are expected to exhibit a threshold for adverse effects.1 Source: Lai, David Y., Sam Kacew, and Wolfgang Dekant. “Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA): Possible modes of action of toxicity and carcinogenicity in rodents.” Food and Chemical Toxicology 80 (2015): 206-214.

Key Takeaways:

  • Concluded that the potential modes of action for thyroid changes induced by TBBPA are expected to exhibit a threshold.
  • Evaluation found that even if the uterine tumors induced by TBBPA in rats are qualitatively applicable to humans via this MOA, it is unlikely that this MoA is quantitatively plausible for humans, especially taking into account absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination, as well as kinetics factors.
  • Due to the absence of a genotoxic MoA for uterine tumor induction by TBBPA and the low levels of human exposure, a tumor risk in humans after environmental exposures to TBBPA is expected to be low.