Research Article

Concentration of aluminium in breast cyst fluids collected from women affected by gross cystic breast disease

  1. Ferdinando Mannello1,
  2. Gaetana A. Tonti1,
  3. Philippa D. Darbre2,*

Article first published online: 12 SEP 2008

DOI: 10.1002/jat.1384

Issue

Journal of Applied Toxicology

Journal of Applied Toxicology

Volume 29, Issue 1, pages 1–6, January 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mannello, F., Tonti, G. A. and Darbre, P. D. (2009), Concentration of aluminium in breast cyst fluids collected from women affected by gross cystic breast disease. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 29: 1–6. doi: 10.1002/jat.1384

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University ‘Carlo Bo’, 61029 Urbino, Italy

  2. 2

    School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK

*School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 4 DEC 2008
  2. Article first published online: 12 SEP 2008
  3. Manuscript Revised: 31 JUL 2008
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 31 JUL 2008
  5. Manuscript Received: 16 MAY 2008

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Keywords:

  • aluminium;
  • antiperspirant;
  • gross cystic breast disease;
  • breast cyst fluid;
  • cosmetics;
  • benign breast disease;
  • breast cancer

To investigate whether the use of aluminium-based antiperspirant salts might be involved in the etiology of gross cystic breast disease, aluminium was measured by ICP-MS in 48 samples of human breast cyst fluid (BCF). The median level of aluminium was significantly higher in apocrine Type I BCF (n=27, 150 μg/L ) than in transudative Type II BCF (n=21, 32 μg/L; p < 0.0001) and this was compared to 6 μg/L in human serum and 25 μg/L in human breast milk.

Abstract

Gross cystic breast disease (GCBD) is the most common benign breast disorder, but the molecular basis of cyst formation remains to be identified. If the use of aluminium-based antiperspirant salts is involved in the etiology of gross breast cyst formation, it might be expected that aluminium would be at elevated levels in human breast cyst fluid (BCF). Aluminium was measured by ICP-MS in 48 samples of BCF, 30 samples of human blood serum and 45 samples of human breast milk at different stages of lactation (colostrum, intermediate, mature). The median level of aluminium in apocrine type I BCF (n = 27, 150 µg l−1) was significantly higher than in transudative type II BCF (n = 21, 32 µg l−1; P <0.0001). By comparison, aluminium measurements gave a median concentration of 6 µg l−1 in human serum and 25 µg l−1 in human breast milk, with no difference between colostrum, intermediate and mature milk. Levels of aluminium were significantly higher in both types of BCF than in human serum (P <0.0001). However when compared with human breast milk, aluminium levels were only significantly higher in apocrine type I BCF (P <0.0001) and not in transudative type II BCF (P = 0.152). It remains to be identified why such high levels of aluminium were found in the apocrine type I BCF and from where the aluminium originated. However, if aluminium-based antiperspirants are found to be the source and to play any causal role in development of breast cysts, then it might become possible to prevent this common breast disorder. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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