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Toxicity of Diethylstilbestrol

Jan 19，2022

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a nonsteroidal, synthetic stilbene derivative with estrogenic activity. It is an odorless, white crystalline powder, with a molecular weight of 268.36. Its cisisomer tends to revert to the trans-form.

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Uses

Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen that was formerly used in estrogenic hormone therapy (for menstrual disorders, postpartum breast engorgement, postcoital contraceptive, prevention of spontaneous abortion) and in chemotherapy of various cancers, including postmenopausal breast cancer and prostate cancer. It was also used in biomedical research and veterinary medicine (growth promoter for cattle and sheep; veterinary drug to treat estrogen deficiency disorders).

Environmental Fate

Diethylstilbestrol’s production and use in biochemical research, medicine, and veterinary medicine may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. It may also be released to the environment during transport, storage, or disposal. If released to soil, diethylstilbestrol is predicted to strongly adsorb to the soil. Volatilization from the dry or wet soil surface would probably be unlikely. The extent of biodegradation in soil is not known, although diethylstilbestrol has been shown to be resistant to degradation in activated sludge.

If released to water, diethylstilbestrol may bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms and strongly adsorb to suspended solids and sediments. Diethylstilbestrol is expected to be essentially nonvolatile on water surfaces. Diethylstilbestrol would not be susceptible to hydrolysis. The extent of biodegradation in natural waters is not certain, although diethylstilbestrol has been shown to be resistant to degradation in activated sludge. If released to the atmosphere, diethylstilbestrol vapors should rapidly oxidize, primarily by reaction with ozone. It is expected to exist solely in the particulate phase in an ambient atmosphere. Particulatephase diethylstilbestrol may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition.

Mechanism of Toxicity

Diethylstilbestrol is a known teratogen and carcinogen. Experimental studies using transgenic estrogen receptor knockout animals suggest that binding and activation of the estrogen receptor is required to elicit diethylstilbestrol toxicity. Hence, diethylstilbestrol lesions primarily appear in tissues enriched with estrogen receptors. Diethylstilbestrol binds to the estrogen receptor with a very high affinity and forms a complex with the target tissue. The complex then internalizes in to the cell and translocates to the nucleus. Once in the nucleus, diethylstilbestrol may directly bind with the cellular DNA and cause mutations and unscheduled DNA synthesis. Diethylstilbestrol is also known to induce aneuploidy.

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