Triclocarban

Triclocarban, or 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorphenyl)urea, is a substance with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that is used in disinfectants, soaps and other household products.

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The mechanism of action involves inhibition of the enzyme enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR).^{[citation needed]} This enzyme is absent in humans but is essential in building cell membranes of many bacteria and fungi.

09-Dec-2007 ... Researchers at UC Davis have reported results showing Triclocarban can act as an endocrine hormone disruptor. This raises some con cerns due to the 45 years it has been used in consumer products and the current surge in popularity of anti-bacterial products. The authors commented in the UC David press release that the mechanism of the disruption is unusual.

"The researchers found two key effects: In human cells in the laboratory, triclocarban increased gene expression that is normally regulated by testosterone. And when male rats were fed triclocarban, testosterone-dependent organs such as the prostate gland grew abnormally large.

Also, the authors said their discovery that triclocarban increased hormone effects was new. All previous studies of endocrine disruptors had found that they generally act by blocking or decreasing hormone effects." (quote from UC Davis Press release [1]

Paper - Jiangang Chen, Ki Chang Ahn, Nancy A. Gee, Mohamed I. Mohamed, Antoni J. Duleba, Ling Zhao, Shirley J. Gee, Bruce D. Hammock, and Bill L. Lasley Triclocarban enhances testosterone action: A new type of endocrine disruptor? Endocrinology published November 29, 2007 as doi:10.1210/en.2007-1057

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