BHT and liver enzyme changes in cultured human cells
What it found
In human liver cells grown in the lab, BHT raised the levels of two liver enzymes, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4.
The other two food chemicals tested, propyl gallate and curcumin, had little or no effect.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
BHT raised two enzymes
In human liver cells, BHT raised CYP2B6 mRNA levels about 12-fold and CYP3A4 mRNA levels about 7-fold at the highest concentration tested, 200 microM.
BHT and enzyme activity
BHT also increased the activity of a CYP3A-dependent enzyme in the cells.
Thiabendazole had wider effect
Thiabendazole raised CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 mRNA levels in a concentration-dependent way, by around 48-, 21- and 9-fold respectively at 200 microM.
Curcumin and propyl gallate
Curcumin and propyl gallate had little or no effect on the cytochrome P450 mRNA levels measured.
What the authors conclude
“In summary, the results demonstrate that TB is a mixed inducer of CYP forms in human hepatocytes inducing CYP1A, CYP2B and CYP3A forms, whereas BHT is an inducer of CYP2B and CYP3A forms.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that thiabendazole is a mixed inducer of CYP forms in human hepatocytes, inducing CYP1A, CYP2B and CYP3A forms.
- They conclude that BHT is an inducer of CYP2B and CYP3A forms.
How it was done
The authors wanted to find out how four food chemicals affect cytochrome P450 enzymes, a family of liver enzymes that break down substances in the body.
They treated cultured human liver cells with BHT, curcumin, propyl gallate or thiabendazole for 72 hours. They then measured the levels of several cytochrome P450 enzymes and their activity.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These are lab-grown human liver cells, not people. They can't show what doses of BHT would do to liver enzymes in a living person.
- The cells were exposed for 72 hours. The study can't show what happens with longer or repeated exposure.
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 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error