Novel Detection Method of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Utilizing Liposomes as Cell Membrane Model

A novel detection method of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is proposed. Liposomes encapsulating fluorescence dye was prepared as a cell membrane model and applied to detect EDCs. Leakages of dye from liposomes were observed after their exposure to EDCs. Fluorescence intensity increased significantly when the liposomes were exposed to 5ppm EDCs. The increases showed a good correlation with EDCs' dipole moment. Therefore, polarizability is suggested as one of the factors of the liposome-EDC interaction. At lower than 5ppm, the increases depended on EDCs' concentration. The tendency of the results was in accordance with reported estrogenic activity of EDCs.