• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.249-255
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• 2020

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μM (PM_2.5) is one of the major environmental pollutants. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), an endocrine disrupting chemical in PM_2.5, has been utilized for the manufacturing of polyvinyl chloride to increase the flexibility of final products. In the present study, we investigated the ecotoxicological effect of DEHP on the viability of skin keratinocytes (HaCaT). DEHP induced apoptotic cell death mediated by phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase through the production of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Interestingly, we found that DEHP induces the phosphorylation of the nuclear factor-kappa B responsible for the expression of cleaved caspase-3 as an executional cell death protease in HaCaT cells. On the basis of these results, we suggest that DEHP in PM_2.5 induces the apoptotic death of human keratinocytes via ROS-mediated signaling events.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.241-247
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• 2020

Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN) has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine in Korea. In the present study, we investigated the anti-ecotoxic potential of a 116 kDa glycoprotein isolated from UDN (UDN glycoprot ein) in regulating fecal malodor and feed efficiency in mice. We found that UDN glycoprotein (200 μg/ml) has an inhibitory effect on the cell death induced by an ecotoxicological endocrine disrupting chemical, bisphenol A, in colon epithelial HT-29 cells. UDN glycoprotein did not show significant differences regarding the weight of ecotoxicity-related organs (liver, heart, kidneys, and spleen) and the levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase in mice for 2 weeks, compared to the control. Additionally, UDN glycoprotein reduced the levels of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia as markers of fecal malodor in mice. Interestingly, UDN glycoprotein can improve the mouse feed efficiency. In conclusion, our data indicate that anti-ecotoxicological UDN glycoprotein has the ability to increase the feed efficiency and reduce the fecal malodor by maintaining the viability of colonic epithelial cells in mice.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.254-259
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• 2005

Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, has been widely used to protect domestic animals and the public health, as well as in agriculture against a variety of pests, which provides potential for environmental exposure. Permethrin is classified as possible human carcinogen and endocrine disrupting chemical by many international authorities. However, its developmental effects have been rarely studied. This study investigated the effects of permethrin during embryo-genesis. Developmental toxicity of permethrin was evaluated using short-term in vitro battery system. Gestation day 9.5 rat embryos (organogenesis) were cultured with permethrin (0.1,0.4 and 0.8 mg/ml) for 48 hours using whole embryo culture system. All the treatments exhibited significant decreases in the total morphological score. Permethrin induced significant growth retardation and the developmental abnormality at doses of 0.4 and 0.8 mg/ml. Moreover, the DNA and protein contents of embryos decreased in dose-dependent manner. These observations suggest that permethrin contributes to toxicity on embryonic developments in rats.

• 한국환경생물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국환경생물학회 2003년도 학술대회
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• pp.7-11
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• 2003

Interactions of both feminizing and masculinizing chemicals inducing imposex in gastropod were investigated with a long-term exposure experiment. Imposex-free rock shell(Thais-clavigera)was exposed to TBT and other antagonistic chemicals (nonylphenol and DDT), P450 inducer (phenobarbital) and natural sex hormone (estrogen) mixtures for 60 days. None of imposexed-females were found in control, sham (ethanol) and testosterone exposure group, on the other hand imposex was induced in the TBT and all the TBT+antagonist mixture groups. After 60-day exposure, frequency of imposexed-female ranged from 31-68%. Female mean penis length (FMPL) of imposexed-female ranged from 0.87-2.58 mm, and relative penis length indices were from 7.2 to 21.2%. However, the degrees of imposex were different among the exposure groups. The FMPLS of three exposure groups (TBT+estrogen, + DDT and +nonylphe- not) were less than that of the TBT exposure group. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities in gastropod decreased in the TBT and all the TBT+antagonist ekposure groups compared to the control group. A negative correlation was abtained between TBT body residue and EROD activity, while a positive relationship was obtained between 737 body residue and the degree of imposex except for the TBT +DDT exposure group. Although 737 concentration was relatively high in the TBT+DDT exposure group, the TBT +DDT exposure group demonstrated low EROD activity and low degree of imposex. These results indicate that a certain antagonistic effect of DDT occurred in induction of imposex by TBT.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.23-31
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• 2022

As a herbal supplement, Dioscorea batatas Decne (DBD) presents potent antioxidant activity and diverse health benefits. In the present study, functions of a 30 kDa glycoprotein isolated from DBD (hereafter, DBD glycoprotein) in the regulation of feed efficiency and fecal malodor in mice were explored. DBD glycoprotein produced protective effect against cytotoxicity induced by the ecotoxicological endocrine-disrupting substance bisphenol A in gastrointestinal epithelial HT-29 cells. To investigate its potential roles in the regulation of feed efficiency and fecal malodor, mice were administered an oral injection of DBD glycoprotein for 2 weeks. Compared with the control values, the weight of internal organs (liver, heart, kidney, and spleen) and levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase were not significantly changed during DBD glycoprotein administration for 2 weeks. Interestingly, DBD glycoprotein improved feed efficiency and reduced hydrogen sulfide concentration without altering the ammonia level in mouse feces. Collectively, these results indicate that DBD glycoprotein is a functional agent that exerts gastrointestinal protective effects against ecotoxicological substances, improves feed efficiency, and reduces fecal malodor.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.251-261
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• 2004

A large number of chemical pollutants including phthalates, alkylphenolic compounds and organochlorine pesticides have the ability to disrupt endocrine function in animals, and alter cog-nitive function. Because hormone mediated events play an important role in central nervous system development and function, the changes in cognitive function seem to be mediated by the endocrine-like action of these chemicals. The present study therefore was designed to investigate effect of bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical on neuro-behavial patterns, and expression of estrogen receptors and tyrosine hydroxylase, a limiting enzyme of dopamine synthesis pathway. BPA was treated orally for 3 weeks into 3 week old mice, and then the neuro-behavial patterns (stereo-type behaviors such as jumping rearing and forepaw tremor, climbing behavior, tail flick, rotarod and locomotor activity), and the expression of estrogen receptors and tyrosine hydroxylase were deter-mined every 3 week for 9 weeks. During the treatment of BPA, the food uptake and body weight increase were not significantly changed. BPA resulted in the increased stereotype behaviors (jump-ing, rearing and forepaw tremor) 6 or 9 weeks after treatment. The time response to tail flick and locomotor activity were decreased by the treatment of BPA, whereas the time for rotarod was increased by the treatment of BPA. The expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta was increased in the brain and pituitary gland. Maximum expression was found in the brain after 9 week of 100 mg/kg BPA treatment and in the pituitary gland after 6 week of 100 mg/kg BPA treatment. Tyrosine hydroxylase was increased in dose and time dependent manners in the brain but no change was found in the pituitary gland. The present data show that exposure of BPA in the young mice could alter expression of estrogen receptors and dopamine synthesis pathway, thereby modulate neuro-behavial patterns (increase of stereotype behaviors but decrease locomotor activity).

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.247-254
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• 2006

내분비 교란물질들이 연안 어류의 정상적인 성적 발달을 위협할 수 있다는 사실은 잘 알려져 있지만, 해산 어종에 대한 이러한 위협을 파악하는 데 이용할 수 있는 적절한 시험 어종은 아직 개발되지 못했다. 그 이유 중의 하나는 성분화 초기에 어류의 생식소가 외형으로나 조직학적으로 암수 구분이 불분명한 경우가 많기 때문이다. 본 연구에서는 조피 볼락 Sebastes schlegeli의 자연 성비, 생식소 구조, 그리고 외인성 성스테로이드 호르몬에 의한 성분화 교란 여부 등을 조사하여 이 종이 시험 어종으로 개발될 수 있는 지를 조사하였다. 1년생 조피볼락 240마리의 생식소를 조사한 결과, 이들의 성비(암수 비율)는 통계학적으로 1:1을 벗어나지 않았으며, 암컷은 유백색의 두터운 생식소를, 수컷은 검은색의 가느다란 생식소를 가지고 있었다. 성분화 시기의 조피볼락 치어를 $estradiol-17\;{\beta}(E_2)$ 또는 $17\;{\alpha}-methyltestosterone$ (MT)으로 처리하여 성분화 교란 여부를 조사한 결과, $E_2$ 처리는 93%의 암컷 유도율을 보였으나, MT 처리의 경우 수컷은 53%였고, 38%가 암수의 생식소 구조를 모두 갖는 intersex로 나타났다. 본 연구에 의하면 조피볼락은 미성숙 시기에도 암수 생식소의 형태가 뚜렷이 다르고, 외인성 성스테로이드 호르몬에 의해 뚜렷한 성분화 교란 현상이 초래되어 시험 어종으로 개발될 수 있는 가능성 있다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.93-99
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• 2019

Nonylphenols (NPs) are widely used industrial materials, and are considered as potent endocrine disrupting chemical. Present study was undertaken to clarify the effect of subchronic low-dose NP exposure to F1 generation male mice. Mice were divided into 2 groups; (1) CON, control animals and (2) NP-50 ($50{\mu}g/L$), animals were treated with NP via drinking water. NP exposures were continuously conducted from parental pre-mating period until the postnatal day (PND) 55 of F1 offsprings. Mice were sacrificed on PND 55 and the tissue weights were measured. The initial body weights (at PND 21) and terminal body weights (PND 55) of the NP-50 animals were significantly lower than those of control animals (p<0.05). NP exposure induced a significant increase in the absolute weight of the testes (p<0.05). Conversely, the NP exposure caused significant decrease in the absolute weights of the epididymis (p<0.01), prostate (p<0.05) and seminal vesicle (p<0.05). Histopathological studies revealed that NP-treated animals exerted decreased seminiferous tubule diameters, reduced luminal area, and lower number of germ cells. Also some sloughing morphologies in the tubules were observed. In the caudal epididymis, fewer mature sperms and swollen epithelial cells were found in the NP-treated group. Our results confirmed that the subchronic low-dose NP exposure altered some male parameters and induced histopathological abnormalities in testis and epididymis of F1 mice. Since the NP dose used in this study is close to the average human daily NP exposure, our results could provide practically meaningful understanding of adverse effect of EDC in human.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.203-209
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• 2007

생활하수, 공장폐수, 농경유출수에 의해 수생태계로 유입된 다양한 화학물질들은 수서곤충이나 어류와 같은 수생생물에게 나쁜 영향을 주곤 한다. 비스페놀A와 노닐페놀을 포함하는 많은 화학물질들이 내분비계 장애물질(EDCs)로 의심되고 있고, 그들은 환경속에서 서로 다른 혼합형태로 공존하기도 한다. 따라서 비스페놀A와 노닐페놀의 혼합물이 독성과 생식학적 반응에 미치는 영향을 살펴보기 위해 일본산 송사리의 수정란 치사율, 부화율 및 부화시간, 치어의 성장율 및 비텔로제닌 농도 등이 측정되었다. 수정된 지 24시간 이내의 수정란을 대조군, 양성대조군($17{\beta}-estradiol$), 그리고 서로 다른 농도의 비스페놀A와 노닐페놀의 혼합물에 부화 후 60일까지 유수식 조건하에 노출시켰다. 수정란${\sim}$치자어 단계에서는 대조군과 비교하여 실험군의 치사율 및 부화율, 부화시간에 차이가 나타나지 않았으며, 부화 후 60일간의 노출 후 성장(길이, 무게)에 있어서도 비록 양성대조군에서 낮은 성장상태를 보였지만 다른 혼합물의 실험군들과는 차이를 보이지 않았다. 한편 체내 비텔로제닌 농도는 혼합물의 농도증가에 따라 증가하였으며 수컷의 경우 최저농도의 혼합물(Treatment A)을 제외한 실험군에서 농도증가에 따라 증가하였다. 반면 양성대조군의 경우 수컷이 발견되지 않았고 암컷 체내의 비텔로제닌 농도는 최고농도의 혼합물(Treatment D) 실험군과 비슷한 경향을 보였다. 위 실험을 통해 각각의 내분비계 장애물질이 개별적으론 생식발달 및 비텔로제닌 유도에 무영향농도(NOEC)라 하더라도 혼합된 경우 영향이 나타날 수 있다는 것을 보여주었으며, 이는 수환경 내 다양한 화학물들의 혼합효과(combination effect)가 생태위해성평가를 좀더 면밀하게 하기 위해서 주의 깊게 고려되어야 한다고 제안한다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.255-262
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• 2019

Previously, we reported negative effects of low-dose nonylphenol (NP) exposure on the reproductive organs of F1 male mice. In the present study was further investigated the endocrine disrupting effect of NP exposure to F2 generation male mice. Mice were divided into 2 groups; (1) CON, control animals and (2) NP-50 ($50{\mu}g/L$), animals were treated with NP via drinking water. NP exposures were continuously conducted from parental pre-mating period until the postnatal day (PND) 55 of F2 offsprings. Mice were sacrificed on PND 55 and the reproductive tissue weights were measured. The initial (at PND 21) and terminal (PND 55) body weights of the NP-50 group animals were not significantly different from those of control group animals. NP exposure fail to induce a significant weight change of the testes, seminal vesicle and prostate except absolute epididymal weight (p<0.05). However, pathohistological studies revealed that NP-treated F2 animals showed evident decrease in seminiferous tubule diameters, reduced luminal area and number of germ cells. Also, sloughing morphologies in the tubules were notable. In the caudal epididymis, fewer mature sperms and swollen epithelial cells were found in the NP-treated group. The present study demonstrated that the subchronic low-dose NP exposure induced pathohistological abnormalities in testis and epididymis of F2 mice, and we assumed that these 'qualitative' changes in reproductive tissues could be derived from the epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone modification, altered DNA accessibility and chromatin structure. Further studies are needed to achieve a better understanding on the multi- or trans-generational effects of NP on the reproductive health and a human application.