• Toxicological Research
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.331-337
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• 2015

Synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) are the most common pesticides which are recently used for indoor pest control. The widespread use of SPs has resulted in the increased exposure to wild animals and humans. Recently, some SPs are suspected as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and have been assessed for their potential estrogenicity by adopting various analyzing assays. In this study, we examined the estrogenic effects of lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) and cypermethrin (CP), the most commonly used pesticides in Korea, using BG-1 ovarian cancer cells expressing estrogen receptors (ERs). To evaluate the estrogenic activities of two SPs, LC and CP, we employed MTT assay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in LC or CP treated BG-1 ovarian cancer cells. In MTT assay, LC ($10^{-6}M$) and CP ($10^{-5}M$) significantly induced the growth of BG-1 cancer cells. LC or CP-induced cell growth was antagonized by addition of ICI 182,720 ($10^{-8}M$), an ER antagonist, suggesting that this effect appears to be mediated by an ER-dependent manner. Moreover, RT-PCR results showed that transcriptional level of cyclin D1, a cell cycle-regulating gene, was significantly up-regulated by LC and CP, while these effects were reversed by co-treatment of ICI 182,780. However, p21, a cyclin D-ckd-4 inhibitor gene, was not altered by LC or CP. Moreover, $ER{\alpha}$ expression was not significantly changed by LC and CP, while down-regulated by E2. Finally, in xenografted mouse model transplanted with human BG-1 ovarian cancer cells, E2 significantly increased the tumor volume compare to a negative control, but LC did not. Taken together, these results suggest that LC and CP may possess estrogenic potentials by stimulating the growth of BG-1 ovarian cancer cells via partially ER signaling pathway associated with cell cycle as did E2, but this estrogenic effect was not found in in vivo mouse model.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제26권
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• pp.5.1-5.11
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• 2011

Objectives: In order to identify the possibility of slender bitterling (SB) (Acheilognathus yamatsutae) being used as a test species for estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EEDCs), we carried out the cloning and sequence characterization of the estrogen receptor (ER). Methods: The ER from a slender bitterling was obtained by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'-RACE and 3'-RACE) and T-vector cloning. The expression of ER mRNA was also analyzed in six tissues (brain, liver, kidney, gill, gonad, and intestines) by real-time PCR. Results: We obtained an ER from the slender bitterling. The SB ER cDNA was 2189 base pairs (bp) in length and contained a 1707 bp open reading frame that encoded 568 amino acid residues. The SB ER amino acid sequence clustered in a monophyletic group with the $ER{\alpha}$ of other fish, and was more closely related to zebrafish $ER{\alpha}$(88% identity) than to the $ER{\alpha}$ of other fish. The SB ER cDNA was divided into A/B, C, D, E and F domains. The SB ER has conserved important sequences for ER functions, such as the DNA binding domain (D domain), which are consistent with those of other teleosts. Conclusions: The ER of the slender bitterling could provide basic information in toxicological studies of EEDCs in the slender bitterling.

• 한국환경독성학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국환경독성학회 2001년도 춘계심포지움 및 학술발표회
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• pp.127-127
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• 2001

There is a concern that chemicals in our environment are affecting human health by disrupting a normal endocrine function. Much of the concern has focused on chemicals that can interact directly with steroid hormone receptors. The ability of certain man-made chemicals to mimic the effects of natural steroid hormones and their potential to disrupt the delicate balance of the endocrine system in animals are of increasing concern. (omitted)

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.229-237
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• 2008

Recently, parabens have been believed to act as xenoestrogens, an identified class of endocrine disruptors (EDs). These environmental compounds are the most well-known as preservatives in many commercial products, including food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. It has been demonstrated that the human health risks of parabens result from a long-term exposure to skin in which this chemical group is rapidly absorbed through the skin. On the other hand, parabens are also completely absorbed from gastrointestinal tract. It has reported that these substances possess several biological effects in which inhibitory property involved in membrane transports and mitochondrial functions is considered to be important for their action. Testing of parabens has revealed that estrogen-like activities of these chemicals are much less potent than natural estrogen, $17{\beta}$ estradiol (E2). Additionally, the estrogenicity of individual paraben- compounds is distinct depending upon their biochemical structure. Recent findings of paraben-estrogenic activities have shown that these compounds may affect breast cancer incidence in women, suggesting adverse ecological outcomes of this environmental group on human and animal health. Although the biological and toxicological effects of parabens have been demonstrated in many previous studies, possible mechanism(s) of their action are required to be explored in order to bring the better understanding in the detrimental impacts of parabens in human and wildlife. There have several different types of parabens which are the most widely used as preservatives. These include methyl-paraben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, a major metabolite of parabens. In this review, we summarize current database based on in vitro and in vivo assays for estrogenic activities and health risk assessment of paraben- EDs which have been published previously.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.121-130
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• 2017

4-Nonylphenol (NP) is a surfactant that is a well-known and widespread estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Although it has been known that the affinity of NP to ERs is low, it has been suggested that low-dose NP has toxicity. In the present study, the endocrine disrupting effects on reproduction, and the weight of gonads, epididymis, and uterus were evaluated with the chronic lower-dose NP exposing. This study was designed by following the OECD test guideline 443 and subjected to a complete necropsy. In male, NP had an effect on the weight of the testis and epididymis in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. In females, NP decreased the weight of ovary and uterus in $F_0$ but not in pre-pubertal $F_1$ pubs. Fertility of male and female in $F_0$ or $F_1$ was no related with NP administration. The number of caudal-epididymal sperm by body weight (BW) was not different between groups in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. Besides, the difference of the sperm number between generations was not detected. The number of ovulated oocytes was similar between groups in $F_0$, but significantly decreased in NP 50 group of $F_1$. The litter size and sex ratios of offspring in $F_1$ and $F_2$ were not different. The accumulated mating rate and gestation period were not affected by the NP administration. Those results shows that chronic lower-dose NP administration has an effect of endocrine disruptor on the weight of gonads and epididymis of $F_0$ and $F_1$ but not in reproduction. Based on the results, it is suggested that chronic lower-dose NP exposing causes endocrine disruption in the weight of gonad and epididymis but not in the reproductive ability of next generations.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.201-209
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• 2000

In association with the international validation program to establish a rodent uterotrophic assay, we conducted preliminary uterotrophic assay proposed by GECD using immature female rats. In the present study, oral and subcutaneous routes were chosen to compare the effects of estrogenic com-pounds in the two dosing regimens. The reference compound ethinyl estradiol (EE) and the antagonist ZM189154(ZM) were administered by gavage or subcutaneously (s.c.) to immature female SD rats from 20 to 22 days of age. For each study, sixty-six female rats were randomly assigned to eleven groups: Untreated control, EE 0,0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0,3.0 and 10.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, EE 3.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg(gavage)/0.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg(s.c) & ZM 0.1 mg/kg, and EE 3.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg(gavage)/0.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg (s.c) & ZM 1.0 mg/kg. There were no treatment-related changes in clinical signs, body weights, food consumption, and necropsy findings in any groups of two studies. The wet and blotted uterus weights increased dose-dependently. Histopathological examination revealed that diameter of uterine duct, height of uterine luminal epithelium. and height oj vaginal epithelium increased dose-dependently. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactive cells were increased in number dose-dependently. The estrogenic effects observed in the present studies occurred at $\geq$ 0.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg of oral dose and $\geq$ 0.1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg of s.c. dose. An antagonistic effect of ZM against EE was found in both uterus weight and histopathological parameters. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that dose-dependence of the uterotrophic assay using EE and ZM was well demonstrated by gavage and subcutaneous administration and that the estrogenic effects of EE by s.c. dose were higher than those by gavage administration. In addition, blotted uterus weight was more sensitive than wet uterus weight and vaginal epithelial height was found to be the most sensitive parameter among the parameters examined.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.179-185
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• 2007

Estrogen과 estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals(EDCs)는 주로 스테로이드 수용체와 작용하여 다양한 표적 단백질 유전자의 전사를 조절한다. 구조적으로 estrogen 수용체와 유사한 estrogen 수용체형 수용체(estrogen receptorrelated receptor, ERR)는 포유동물에서 배발생 후기에 외배엽 형성과 관련되어 있다고 알려진 고아핵수용체(orphan nuclear receptor)이다. 본 연구에서는 해양무척추동물인 둥근성게(Strongylocentrotus nudus)의 발생배를 재료로 estradiol-$17{\beta}(E_2)$과 EDCs의 일종인 nonylphenol(NP)이 발생과정의 형태학적 변화와 $ERR{\beta}$ like 1의 mRNA발현에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. $E_2$와 NP가 처리된 발생배는 발생속도가 지연되었으며, 초기 유생기에 가까운 후기배의 비정상적인 발달형태가 관찰되었다. 수정란부터 초기 유생기까지 측정한 결과, 이들 화학물질에 의해 $ERR{\beta}$ like 1 mRNA는 포배기에 급격히 감소하는 패턴을 보였다. 이상의 결과는 둥근성게의 초기 배가 $E_2$와 NP에 의해 비정상적으로 발생되며, $ERR{\beta}$ like 1의 감소가 이 비정상적 배발생과 관련되어 있음을 시사한다.

• 약학회지
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.694-700
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• 2001

Synthetic pyrethroids are analysis of a natural chemical moiety, pyrethrin derived from the pyrethrum plant Chrysanthemum. The natural pyrethrin structure has been modified to be highly lipophilic and photostable, creating an effective pesticide and resulting in an increased presence in the environment. Worldwide, they are commonly used insecticides against ticks, mites, mosquitoes, and as treatment for human head lice and scabies. Therefore, human exposure to their compounds in extensive. Several studies on the effects of pyrethroids on thyroid hormone regulation, estrogen and androgen function have been reported and yet little has been done try assess their potential hormonal activities. Among humans, a pyrethroid compound was suggested to be the causal agent for gynecomastia in a group of Haitian men. The reports suggest that some pyrethroid compounds are capable of disrupting endocrine function. Therefore, we examined estrogenic/antiestrogenic potential of three pyrethroid insecticides, that is permethrin, allethrin and fenvalerate in human breast cancer cell and action mechanism mediated by the estrogen receptor. Fenvalerate showed weak estrogenic activity but aallethrin and permethrin showed no effect. In combination with high levels (10$^{-10}$ M, 10$^{-11}$ M) of 17$\beta$-estradiol and three synthetic pyrethroids inhibited cert proliferations in MCF7-BUS cell by 17$\beta$-estradiol. Whereas, fenvalerate increased cell proliferative activity at lower level of estradiol (10$^{-12}$ M, 10$^{-13}$ M). The relative affinities to the estrogen receptor were observed by allethrin and permethrin treatment, but not by fenvalerate. These results indicated that some of pyrethroid insecticides may modulate estrogen functions in human breast cancer cell. The action mechanisms of estrogen receptor mediated antiestrogenicity by allethrin and permethrin were postulated.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.227-235
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• 2003

Bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) are known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with estrogenic activity in fish. This study compared the effects of BPA, NP and OP on in vitro vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis in primary cultures of hepatocytes of the Chinese minnow Phoxinus oxycephalus. The VTG secreted into the culture medium was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which we developed in this study using an antibody prepared from homogenates of Chinese minnow egg. VTG synthesis was induced by estradiol-17$\beta$ ($E_2$) and phenols (BPA, NP and OP) treatment. $E_2$ at concentrations of 10$^{-6}$ M or higher increased VTG levels significantly (P < 0.05). Exposure to 10^5\;M\;BPA\;or\;10^-4$M NP and OPinduced in vitro VTG synthesis (P < 0.01). However, $10^-3$ M BPA, NP or OP did not induce VTG synthesis. These results suggest that SPA has the highest estrogenic potential in Chinese minnow hepatocytes. Tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen, drastically blocked the production of VTG by phenols (BPA, NP and OP) suggesting that phenols (BPA, NP and OP) may act via binding to estrogen receptor (ER) in Chinese minnow hepatocytes.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.13-21
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of bisphenol A (BPA), which is known to have estrogenic activity, on the early development of medaka fish (Oryzias latipes). The fertilized eggs of medaka were treated with BPA at different concentrations for 3 weeks. Embryonic growth, deformation, hatching success, and gonadal differentiation were determined to observe the effects of this chemical. Also we tried to measure the estrogenic activity of bisphenol A using ELISA and RT-PCR methods. By using this techniques, we evaluated the induction of vitellogenin, an estrogen-regulated gene from the whole body-homogenates of larvae. At results, a reduced blood circulation was seen in embryos and peritoneal edema and hindrance of yolk-sac absorption were observed in larvae of treated group. However, BPA at the concentrations tested (2～200 ㎍/L) did not have severe adverse effects on the early life-stages. According to the observation of gonadal histology, inter-sex or sex -reversal was not found in all test fish. After the exposure was ended, vitellogenin mRNA and protein levels were measured in larvae and then their levels were found to be increased in treated group with 200㎍/L. These results indicate that BPA can induce the expression of vitellogenin in early life-stages as well as in adult male fish.