Cosmetics ingredient Triclosan linked to impair muscle function; Study

Triclosan, a common ingredient used in anti-bacterial soaps, deodorants and mouthwashes, could be hazardous to muscle development, according to new study from researchers at University of California, Davis, and the University of Colorado.

As per the study, the ingredient impedes muscle contractions at a cellular level, which was observed to slow down the rate of swimming in fish and reduces muscular strength in mice.

The investigators performed several experiments to evaluate the effects of triclosan on muscle activity, using doses similar to those that people and animals may be exposed to during everyday life.

The researchers found that the animals exposed to realistic doses of the chemical suffered from inhibited muscle contractions, especially in the heart and skeletal tissue.

Triclosan exposure in mice resulted in an 18% reduction in gripping strength as well as a 25% reduction in heart function, which was observed within an hour of the chemical’s introduction.

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Molecular Biosciences department professor Isaac Pessah told Times of India that 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," said Pessah.

The researchers observed that triclosan is capable of altering the activity of type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1), which is found in heart muscle cells and is involved in their contraction.

Electrical stimulation (excitation) of isolated muscle fibres under experimental conditions causes a muscle contraction, a condition known as ‘excitation-contraction coupling’ (ECC).

The researchers said in the presence of triclosan skeletal and cardiac muscle failure is caused, owing to the normal communication between two proteins that function as calcium channels being impairedes.