Butylated hydroxytoluene and liver enzyme genes in human cells
What it found
In cultured human liver cells, butylated hydroxytoluene raised levels of two liver enzyme genes over 72 hours.
It also increased one related enzyme activity.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Gene message levels rose
In human liver cells, 200 microM BHT raised CYP2B6 gene messages about 12-fold over 72 hours. It raised CYP3A4 messages about 7-fold.
Enzyme activity increased
Treating human liver cells with BHT boosted an enzyme activity that depends on CYP3A. This activity helps break down testosterone.
Other chemicals tested
Two other food chemicals, propyl gallate and curcumin, had little or no effect on these gene messages. They were also tested on human liver cells for 72 hours.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that BHT increases CYP2B and CYP3A enzyme forms in human liver cells.
- Their results show it acts as an inducer of these specific liver enzymes.
How it was done
The authors wanted to see how four food chemicals affect certain liver enzymes called cytochrome P450 forms. They tested these chemicals on human liver cells grown in the lab.
They treated cultured human liver cells with four food chemicals for 72 hours. They measured changes in gene messages and enzyme activity linked to liver enzymes. Doses ranged up to 200 microM.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These are lab tests on isolated human liver cells, not whole people. They cannot show what happens when someone eats food containing this ingredient.
- Cell studies measure short-term changes in genes and enzymes. They do not reveal long-term health effects.
The paper
- Title
- Effect of butylated hydroxytoluene, curcumin, propyl gallate and thiabendazole on cytochrome P450 forms in cultured human hepatocytes
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Price RJ, Scott MP, Giddings AM, et al (2008). Effect of butylated hydroxytoluene, curcumin, propyl gallate and thiabendazole on cytochrome P450 forms in cultured human hepatocytes. Xenobiotica; the fate of foreign compounds in biological systems. doi:10.1080/00498250802008615PubMed 18570159DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error