According to a new study, an antibacterial agent, called triclosan,
which is commonly used in various house hold products including soaps, face washes and toothpaste may cause muscle problems.
The researchers say that ‘Triclosan’ may interfere with the process by which muscles receive signals from the brain. They conducted tests on mice and fish and found that the substance caused reduced muscle strength including heart function. The fish were unable to swim normally after they were exposed to the antibacterial.
Isaac Pessah, professor and chair of the Department of Molecular Biosciences in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and prime investigator of the study warned that ‘Triclosan’ can be commonly found in most households.
He said, “Triclosan is found in virtually everyone’s home and is pervasive in the environment. These findings provide strong evidence that the chemical is of concern to both human and environmental health.”
The researchers found that triclosan impairs heart and skeletal muscle contractility in animals. The exposed mice showed a 25 per cent reduction in heart function after 20 minutes of exposure. Nipavan Chiamvimonvat, professor of cardiovascular medicine at UC Davis and a study co-author pointed out that the Triclosan caused dramatic effects on heart functions.
Bruce Hammock, a study co-author and professor in the University of California Davis’ Department of Entomology expressed by the large degree by which Triclosan affected muscle function.
The findings were published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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