• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2004

In this study, we examined effects of environmental endocrine disruptor bisphenol A on the reproduction of Xiphophorus maculatus. We exposed the males of X. maculatus to the bisphenol A adjusted to the various concentrations such as 100 ppb, 200 ppb, 400 ppb and 800 ppb for 3 months for the experimental groups and then inbreeded with normal females that was not any treated. We counted the number of second generation for confirmation of fertilizing ability of first generation. Also, we observed the ratios of female and male, the abnormality and mortality, and spermatogenesis of the second generation was exposed to bisphenol A for 6 months. As the result, the number of fry in the second generation was $11.50{\pm}2.22$ in 100 ppb, $6.40{\pm}2.76$ in 200 ppb, $5.70{\pm}1.34$ in 400 ppb and $3.70{\pm}2.11$ in 800 ppb at the experimental groups while it was $19.00{\pm}3.02$ at the control group which was not treated with bisphenol A. This result showed that the experimental groups exhibited a decreasing tendency according to the increase of bisphenol A concentration comparing with the control group. The ratio of female and male of the second generation had no relations with the concentration of bisphenol A, and the ratios of abnormality and mortality were 0%. The spermatogenesis of experimental groups was normal in 800 ppb as well as 100 ppb, 200 ppb, 400 ppb after even 6 months.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.259-265
• /
• 2002

Phthalate analogues are a plasticizer and solvent used in industry. Phthalates were reported to be a potential carcinogen classified in the category of suspected endocrine disruptors. Most common human exposure to these compounds may occur with contaminated food. They may migrate into food from plastic wrap or may enter food from general environmental contamination. Since these substances are not limited to the original products, and enter the environment, they have become widespread environmental pollutants, thus leading to a variety of phthalates that possibly threaten the public health. Concern about their use has been mounting. To screen and elucidate the endocrine disrupting activity and their mechanism of phthalate analogues, first of all, E-screen assay was performed in MCF7 human breast cancer cells with seven phthalate analogues. In this cell proliferation assay, only dibutyl phthalate (DBP) showed weak estrogenic activity. Also the yeast-based transcription assay to assess the interactions of DBP with the estrogen, androgen, and progesterone receptors was conducted. DBP in the concentration ranges from 10$^{-16}$ to 10$^{-11}$ M was active in the estrogen transcriptional assay, but it did not show the effect on $\beta$-galactosidase activity in the progesterone and androgen transcriptional assays. These data indicate that DBP shows estrogenic potential and can be classified as weak and/or suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.423-426
• /
• 2003

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
• /
• 2001.05a
• /
• pp.165-166
• /
• 2001

Genistein, a soybean-originated isoflavone, is an anticancer agent preventing various cancers including prostate, uterus, and mammary gland cancers. However, recently, genistein has been classified into a potential endocrine disruptor, because it binds to estrogen receptors and causes reproductive disturbances in some animals.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.183-183
• /
• 2001

Atrazine, one of herbicide widely used in agriculture, is classified as a possible human carcinogen (2B group) that may cause breast and ovarian cancers by IARC, and is known as an endocrine disruptor. Atrazine has been subjected to broad ranges of genotoxicity tests with predominantly negative results, but reported conflicting results across two or more independent tests as well. This fact indicates that a more comprehensive genotoxicity assessment needs for atrazine.(omitted)

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.59-64
• /
• 2002

Substantial evidences have been accumulated about the hormone-like effects of exogenous substances such as pesticides and industrial chemicals during past years. The effects of these substances on the endocrine system are believed to be either enhancing or reducing of various endocrine action. It is necessary to identify putative causal agents by the batter system and to assess their ability to disrupt the endocrine system. A variety of in vitro and In vivo approaches have been used to determine the androgenic effects of environmental chemicals. To establish the method for assessment of the putative endocrine disruptors with androgenic activity, we carried out the cell proliferation assay by MTS method after treatment with the various concentration of testosterone in LNCaP cells (human prostatic cancer cell line) and also observed the expression of androgen-related genes by quantitative RT-PCR. In the cell proliferation assay, the results showed that the grouth of LNCaP cells increased within level of at least 10pM testosterone. We measured by quantitative RT-PCR method on the effects of testosterone on mRNA expression of androgen receptor (AR), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and BMP receptor (BMPR) In LNCaP cells. The results demonstrated that mRNA expression of PSA and BMPR-IB was observed differently within level of at least 0.01 pM testosterone compared with non-treated control. These observations suggest that the detection of PSA and BMPR-IB mRNA by the quantitative RT-PCR in LNCaP cells is very sensitive method to identify the endocrine disruptors to have the androgenic effects.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.53-58
• /
• 2006

Normally, environmental toxicants are classified as endocrine disruptors if they interfere with regulation of cellular function by endogeneous steroids through inhibition of receptor binding and/or transcriptional activation. So, many studies have been performed about agonist/antagonist of hormone receptor to study mechanisms of endocrine disruptors. If toxicants affect steroid biosynthesis and/or degradation and alter hormone homeostasis, these also are classified as endocrine disruptors. But there are not many studies of the mechanisms of endocrine disruptors on the basis of alteration of steroid biosynthesis and/or degradation. Isolation and culture of Leydig cells from testis is one of methods for the steroidogenesis screening assays to evaluate a substance for altering steroidogenesis. Leydig cells were harvested using the method described by Klinefelter with modifications. Leydig cells were purified by perfusion of testis and incubation ($34^{\circ}C$, 80cycles/minute, 20 minutes) with collagenase (0.25 mg/kg), centrifugal elutriation, percoll gradient centrifugation and BSA multidensity gradient centrifugation. To confirm if this method is one of appropriate tools to evaluate a substance for altering steroidogenesis, ketoconazole, positive control was administered to purified Leydig cells. Ketoconazole ($10^{-8}M$ and above) significantly reduced testosterone production in purified Leydig cells. From above results, we suggest that this method for steroidogenesis screening assay appears to be a appropriate tool to detect suspected compounds for altering steroidogenesis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.403-406
• /
• 2004

Environmental endocrine disruptors (EDs) are toxic, hormone-like chemicals which can be found in our normal daily life. We have examined if EDs can inhibit the monocellular microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria or if the growth of lactic acid bacteria could be resistant to the endocrine disruptors. We have used Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei (KCTC No. 3165) as an experimental strain and bisphenol A, benzophenone and phenylphenol for the comparison purpose. Experiments included the evaluation of turbidity, absorbance and actual cell counts. We found that No.3165 was somewhat resistant to EDs naturally, however, high concentration of EDs could inhibit the growth of No. 3165 completely. Different EDs showed different spectrum of inhibit. This study should contribute to the development of more resistant lactic acid bacteria to EDs and to the development of functional fermented beverage.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2006

Many of endocrine disrupting chemicals induce effects via interaction with hormone receptors and responsive elements in target cells. We investigated endocrine disrupting effects of some food additives and contaminants including BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propionic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, CPM, aflatoxin B1, cadmium chloride, genistein, TCDD and PCBs in yeast transformants expressing human steroid hormone receptors along with steroid responsive elements. The response limit of genetically recombinant yeast to $17{\beta}$-estradiol, testosterone and progesterone was $1{\times}10^{-16},\;1{\times}10^{-12}\;and\;1{\times}10^{-13}M$, respectively. BHT induced weak transcriptional activity in estrogen sensitive yeast, while BHA and sorbic acid interacted weakly with androgen receptor/responsive element. CPM induced transcriptional activities in all types of yeasts sensitive to steroid hormones. Zearalenone and genistein induced high transcriptional activation in estrogen sensitive yeast with relative potencies almost $10^8$ folds lower than $17{\beta}$-estradiol. TCDD induced transcriptional activation weakly in estrogen- and progesterone- sensitive yeasts. This study elucidated that recombinant yeast is a sensitive and high-throughput system and can be used for the direct assessment on chemical interactions with steroid receptors and responsive elements. Also, the present study raises the requirement of evaluation on the endocrine disrupting effects of BHT, BHA, sorbic acid, CPM and TCDD for their transcription activity in yeast screening system though weak in intensity.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.393-396
• /
• 2002

This study was carried out to evaluate the ostrogenic/antiandrogenic activity of Puerariae Radix in Sprague-Dawley rats. It has known that diverse phytoestrogen were included in some Puerariae Radix, especially in Pueraria mirifica. The Uterotrophic assay and Hershberger assay were performed to evaluate the ostogenic/antiandrogenic activity of various Puerariae Radix (Pueraria thunbergiana, Pueraria mirifica and Butea superba). In Uterotrophic assay, the extracts of Puerariae Radix were administered subcutaneously to immature female SD rats from 19 to 21 days of age. The wet uterus and vaginal weighs significantly increased in the group only treated with extracts of Pueraria mirifica. But, in Hersh-berger assay, all extracts of Puerariae Radix did not show any effects in the castrated rats. These results suggest that Pueraria mirifica has not undrogenic/antiandrogenic effect but potent estrogenic effect. It is possible that components of Pueraria mirifica may act as endocrine disruptor in human body.