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Riepsamen AH, Donoghoe MW, Indran IR, Hechtman L, Robertson DM, Gilchrist RB, Ledger WL, Yong E. Serum GDF9 and BMP15 as potential markers of ovarian function in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2023; 98:567-577. [PMID: 36372988 PMCID: PMC10952143 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP15) are critical paracrine regulators of female fertility and are predominantly expressed by oocytes. However, it is unknown if serum concentrations reflect changes in ovarian function and/or reproductive endocrine disorders. This study aimed to determine if serum GDF9/BMP15 are associated with ovarian, pituitary, oestrogenic, androgenic and metabolic characteristics and the ovarian pathologies, polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN Women aged 21-45 years (n = 381) were included from a cross-sectional study at the National University Hospital, Singapore. PATIENTS Participants were volunteers and patients with possible PCOS. MEASUREMENTS Anthropometric measurements, transvaginal ultrasound scans and serum sampling were performed and a questionnairecompleted. Serum GDF9 and BMP15 concentrations were matched with menstrual cycle length, ovarian protein and steroid hormone production, pituitary hormone production and metabolic assessments in women with PCOM or PCOS and those with neither (control). RESULTS Serum GDF9 and BMP15 were detectable in 40% and 41% of women, respectively and were positively correlated with each other (r = 0.08, p = 0.003). GDF9, but not BMP15, was positively correlated with ovarian volume (p = 0.02) and antral follicle count (AFC) (p = 0.004), but not with anti-Müllerian hormone (p = 0.05). However, serum GDF9 and BMP15 concentrations were not significantly different between control, PCOM and PCOS women, nor associated with androgenic or metabolic PCOS features. However, the relationship between GDF9 and AFC differed between control, PCOM and PCOS women (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Serum GDF9 and BMP15 concentrations somewhat reflect ovarian but not androgenic or metabolic characteristics of PCOS, with increased GDF9 reflecting high AFC as seen in PCOM/PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelique H. Riepsamen
- Fertility & Research Centre, School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of New South Wales SydneyNew South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Mark W. Donoghoe
- Stats Central, Mark Wainwright Analytical CentreUniversity of New South Wales SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Inthrani R. Indran
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Leah Hechtman
- Fertility & Research Centre, School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of New South Wales SydneyNew South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - David M. Robertson
- Fertility & Research Centre, School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of New South Wales SydneyNew South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Robert B. Gilchrist
- Fertility & Research Centre, School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of New South Wales SydneyNew South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - William L. Ledger
- Fertility & Research Centre, School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of New South Wales SydneyNew South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Eu‐Leong Yong
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
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Cocci P, Capriotti M, Mosconi G, Campanelli A, Frapiccini E, Marini M, Caprioli G, Sagratini G, Aretusi G, Palermo FA. Alterations of gene expression indicating effects on estrogen signaling and lipid homeostasis in seabream hepatocytes exposed to extracts of seawater sampled from a coastal area of the central Adriatic Sea (Italy). MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 123:25-37. [PMID: 27855314 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidences suggest that the toxicological effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) involve multiple nuclear receptor-mediated pathways, including estrogen receptor (ER) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling systems. Thus, our objective in this study was to detect the summated endocrine effects of EDCs with metabolic activity in coastal waters of the central Adriatic Sea by means of a toxicogenomic approach using seabream hepatocytes. Gene expression patterns were also correlated with seawater levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We found that seawater extracts taken at certain areas induced gene expression profiles of ERα/vitellogenin, PPARα/Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1A, cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) and metallothionein. These increased levels of biomarkers responses correlated with spatial distribution of PAHs/PCBs concentrations observed by chemical analysis in the different study areas. Collectively, our data give a snapshot of the presence of complex EDC mixtures that are able to perturb metabolic signaling in coastal marine waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Cocci
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III Da Varano, I-62032 Camerino MC, Italy
| | - Martina Capriotti
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III Da Varano, I-62032 Camerino MC, Italy
| | - Gilberto Mosconi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III Da Varano, I-62032 Camerino MC, Italy
| | - Alessandra Campanelli
- National Research Council, Institute of Marine Science CNR-ISMAR, L.go Fiera della Pesca, 2, 60125 Ancona, Italy
| | - Emanuela Frapiccini
- National Research Council, Institute of Marine Science CNR-ISMAR, L.go Fiera della Pesca, 2, 60125 Ancona, Italy
| | - Mauro Marini
- National Research Council, Institute of Marine Science CNR-ISMAR, L.go Fiera della Pesca, 2, 60125 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Caprioli
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Sant'Agostino 1, I-62032 Camerino MC, Italy
| | - Gianni Sagratini
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Sant'Agostino 1, I-62032 Camerino MC, Italy
| | - Graziano Aretusi
- Controllo Statistico, Pescara, Italy(1); Marine Protected Area Torre del Cerrano, 64025 Pineto, TE, Italy
| | - Francesco Alessandro Palermo
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III Da Varano, I-62032 Camerino MC, Italy.
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Gong Y, Wang X, Indran IR, Zhang SJ, Lv Z, Li J, Holmes M, Tang YZ, Yong EL. Phytoplankton blooms: an overlooked marine source of natural endocrine disrupting chemicals. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2014; 107:126-132. [PMID: 24927389 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We had previously reported high androgenic and estrogenic activities in seawaters in confined clusters close to Singapore. Further investigations revealed a hitherto unsuspected link between estrogenic/androgenic activity and net phytoplankton count. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to investigate the cause of a correlation between net phytoplankton and endocrine activity, and corroborate this observation, and rule out other possible confounding factors. Our secondary objective was to study if these estrogenic secretions can impact human health. METHODS Five species of phytoplankton, Gymnodinium catenatum, Prorocentrum minimum, Alexandrium leei, Chattonella marina, and Fibrocapsa japonica, were isolated from Singapore waters and mass cultured and the cells and culture media screened for estrogenic and androgenic activity using human cell-based bioassays. RESULTS The raphidophytes C. marina and F. japonica displayed significant estrogenic activity whilst the dinoflagellates G. catenatum and P. minimum displayed significant androgenic activity in both the cell extracts and the cell culture media extract. CONCLUSIONS Our data shows that selected phytoplankton isolates are potent secretors of estrogenic and androgenic substances, which are potential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). As the harmful nature of EDCs is largely due to their bioaccumulation in the aquatic food chain our findings imply that the impact of these phytoplankton secretions needs to be investigated especially for seafoods, which are only a single trophic level away from phytoplankton. Alternatively, should these phytoplankton-origin EDCs not accumulate through marine food chains to significantly impact humans or marine mammals, our results indicate that functional assays could greatly over-estimate the risk from naturally occurring EDCs produced by marine phytoplankton. It remains to be determined if these EDCs affect zooplankton and other organisms that directly feed on marine phytoplankton, or if the secreted EDCs can directly impact other marine fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhan Gong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, S2S, 18 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119227
| | - Xiaochong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228
| | - Inthrani Raja Indran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228
| | - Shi-Jun Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228
| | - Zhengbing Lv
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228
| | - Michael Holmes
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, S2S, 18 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119227
| | - Ying Zhong Tang
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000, USA
| | - E L Yong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228.
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Su L, Khunjar WO, Aga DS. Analysis of trace organic pollutants in wastewater to assess biodegradation using wrong-way-round ionization in liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2014; 28:1265-1272. [PMID: 24760567 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.6895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2014] [Revised: 03/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Monitoring the concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in wastewater is an integral step toward understanding the fate of these contaminants in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This paper aims to develop a method that allows for the simultaneous analysis of multiple classes of PPCPs that can be used as tracers to assess the performance of WWTPs. METHODS Five PPCP tracers - carbamazepine (CBZ), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), nonylphenol (NP), salicylic acid (SA), and trimethoprim (TMP) - were analyzed by liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) using a highly basic mobile phase (pH 10.3). Conventionally, TMP (pKa 7.12) and CBZ (pKa 13.94) are analyzed in positive ion mode using an acidic mobile phase. However, the high pH mobile phase allowed the quantification of all the tracers by polarity switching, with TMP undergoing wrong-way-round (WWR) ionization. RESULTS The instrument limits of detection for the five tracers, without solid-phase extraction, were in the range of 1.3 to 5.9 ng/mL, except for NP, which was 238 ng/mL. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios for TMP and CBZ with the mobile phase at pH 10.3 were higher than the S/N ratios observed at pH 2.7 under positive electrospray ionization. The mechanism of WWR ionization for TMP was investigated, and we propose that a charge transfer from solvent clusters to TMP molecules due to electrolytic reactions at the surface of the droplet leads to WWR ionization in electrospray. CONCLUSIONS A method to simultaneously analyze five representative PPCP tracers with a wide range of pKa values using WWR ionization in LC/MS/MS with polarity switching was developed. The method was successfully used to monitor the selected PPCPs in samples from full-scale WWTPs to assess their biodegradation under various treatment conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Su
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
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Zhang H, Kong FX, Yu Y, Shi XL, Zhang M, Tian HE. Assessing the combination effects of environmental estrogens in fish. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2010; 19:1476-1486. [PMID: 20711811 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-010-0533-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The method on combined effects of environmental estrogens and mixture environmental risk assessment was discussed. Batch tests were conducted to assess the in vivo potency of mixtures of estrogens using plasma vitellogenin concentrations in male crucian carp (Carassius carassius) as the endpoint. A nonlinear regression was determined on the concentration response relationship for the single chemical of 17β-estradiol (E(2)), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE(2)), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), bisphenol A (BPA), and that of the mixed compounds at equipotent concentrations (E(2)-EE(2), E(2)-EE(2)-OP-BPA), the mixture was tested using a fixed-ratio design. On the basis of statistical selection criteria, the best-fit model is chosen individually for each set of data. Furthermore, the bootstrap methodology is applied for constructing confidence intervals for the estimated effect concentrations. The combined effects of the mixture can be predicted using biomathematical models based on the concentration and potency of the individual mixture components. The finding of non-monotonic dose-response relationship and the combined effects can be accurately predicted in whole range of exposure concentration by the reference models, whereas the outcome of simple effect summation with a great deal of indetermination. Results suggested that there can be a risk of mixture effects. The potential impact of components on mixture would depend predominantly on its concentration, the mixture ratio, and its relative potency. Existing environmental risk assessment procedures are limited in their ability to evaluate the combined effects of chemical mixtures, therefore further improvement is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No 73 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China
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Robertson LS, Iwanowicz LR, Marranca JM. Identification of centrarchid hepcidins and evidence that 17beta-estradiol disrupts constitutive expression of hepcidin-1 and inducible expression of hepcidin-2 in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 26:898-907. [PMID: 19376234 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2009.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2008] [Revised: 03/25/2009] [Accepted: 03/30/2009] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepcidin is a highly conserved antimicrobial peptide and iron-regulatory hormone. Here, we identify two hepcidin genes (hep-1 and hep-2) in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). Hepcidin-1 contains a putative ATCUN metal-binding site in the amino-terminus that is missing in hepcidin-2, suggesting that hepcidin-1 may function as an iron-regulatory hormone. Both hepcidins are predominately expressed in the liver of largemouth bass, similar to other fish and mammals. Experimental exposure of pond-raised largemouth bass to 17beta-estradiol and/or the bacteria Edwardsiella ictaluri led to distinct changes in expression of hep-1 and hep-2. Estradiol reduced the constitutive expression of hep-1 in the liver. Bacterial exposure induced expression of hep-2, suggesting that hepcidin-2 may have an antimicrobial function, and this induction was abolished by estradiol. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the regulation of hepcidin expression by estradiol in either fish or mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Robertson
- Leetown Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA.
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Bioassays for Estrogenic Activity: Development and Validation of Estrogen Receptor (ERα/ERβ) and Breast Cancer Proliferation Bioassays to Measure Serum Estrogenic Activity in Clinical Studies. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2009; 7:80-9. [DOI: 10.1089/adt.2008.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Pinto B, Garritano SL, Cristofani R, Ortaggi G, Giuliano A, Amodio-Cocchieri R, Cirillo T, De Giusti M, Boccia A, Reali D. Monitoring of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination and estrogenic activity in water, commercial feed and farmed seafood. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2008; 144:445-453. [PMID: 17999158 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-007-0007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2007] [Accepted: 09/26/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated the concentration and congener distribution of seven "target" polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) present in water collected in different aquaculture farms of the Mediterranean area, commercial feeds, and farmed seafood. PCBs were present in feed and in tissues of all the analysed organisms at levels ranging from 1.96 ng g(-1) to 124.00 ng g(-1) wet weight, and in 10.5% of the water samples, at levels from under detection limit to 33.0 ng l(-1) with total PCB concentrations significantly higher in samples from the Tyrrhenian Sea than the Adriatic Sea. PCB congener distribution in tissues resembled that of feed, suggesting that commercial feed is an important source of PCBs. The estrogenicity of organic extracts of the samples was also evaluated by using an in vitro yeast reporter assay. Estrogenic activity higher than 10% of the activity induced by 10 nM 17 beta-estradiol was observed in 20.0% of seafood samples and 15.8% of water samples. Seafood and water samples from the Tyrrhenian Sea were more frequently estrogenic than the Adriatic ones (16.45 versus 4.08%). A significant correlation of total PCB concentrations on biological activity was observed for sea bass and mussels from the Adriatic Sea (p < 0.045 and p < 0.04, respectively), and for sea bass of the Tyrrhenian Sea (p = 0.05). These results indicate the need of an integral approach in the exposure assessment to potential toxic compounds for human via food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Pinto
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Medical Biotechnology, Infectivology and Epidemiology, University of Pisa, via San Zeno 37, Pisa, Italy.
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Pinto B, Bertoli A, Noccioli C, Garritano S, Reali D, Pistelli L. Estradiol-antagonistic activity of phenolic compounds from leguminous plants. Phytother Res 2008; 22:362-6. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Li QQ, Loganath A, Chong YS, Tan J, Obbard JP. Persistent organic pollutants and adverse health effects in humans. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2006; 69:1987-2005. [PMID: 16982537 DOI: 10.1080/15287390600751447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are synthetic chemicals that have an intrinsic resistance to natural degradation processes, and are therefore environmentally persistent. The introduction of POPs into the environment from anthropogenic activities resulted in their widespread dispersal and accumulation in soils and water bodies, as well as in human and ecological food chains, where they are known to induce toxic effects. Due to their ubiquity in the environment and lipophilic properties, there is mounting concern over the potential risks of human exposure to POPs. This has led to the establishment of monitoring programs worldwide to determine prevailing levels of POPs in the population and to investigate the adverse health risks associated with background exposure. This article reviews the state of knowledge regarding residual levels of POPs in human adipose tissue worldwide, and highlights research data for POPs in the environment and human maternal adipose tissue in Singapore. Although concentrations are comparable to those observed elsewhere, longer term monitoring of a larger cross section of the population is warranted in order to establish temporal trends and potential risks to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Qing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Lim LS, Shen P, Gong YH, Lee LS, Yong EL. Dynamics of progestogenic activity in serum following administration of Ligusticum chuanxiong. Life Sci 2006; 79:1274-80. [PMID: 16650443 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2006.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2005] [Revised: 03/09/2006] [Accepted: 03/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Many women are using botanical alternatives for menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because current progestins, compounds with progesterone activity, have adverse risk profiles. However the development of phyto-progestins for HRT is hampered by the absence of basic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data due to the lack of methods to capture summated effects of the numerous compounds that contribute to bioactivity in vivo. In this study, we explored the utility of progesterone receptor (PR)-driven bioassays to track changes in serum progestogenic activity following administration of traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Ligusticum chuanxiong, with potent progestogenic activity. Sensitive and specific (>300-fold) increases in progestogenic activity were observed when HeLa cells transfected with PR and a PR-driven promoter were exposed to the progestogenic drug, medroxy-progesterone acetate (MPA), suggesting the utility of the bioassay to measure progestogenic effects for PK/PD studies. Progestogens were administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats and serum extracted for measurement of progestogenic activity. Effect-time studies indicate that injection of MPA and L. chuanxiong extract raised area-under-curve of progestogenic activity in sera by 8.2-fold (p<0.001) and 4.5-fold (p<0.01) respectively, compared to sera from rats administered vehicle only. Administration of MPA and L. chuanxiong extract by the oral route resulted in a 5.4 (p<0.001) and 2.3-fold (p=0.07) increase respectively. Our data suggest that PR-responsive reporter gene bioassays can measure bioavailability of compounds, known and unknown, of complex botanicals for hormone replacement therapy. L. chuanxiong extracts exert progestogenic activity in vivo, and may have utility for progesterone-replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Lim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National University Hospital, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Republic of Singapore 119074
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Garritano S, Pinto B, Calderisi M, Cirillo T, Amodio-Cocchieri R, Reali D. Estrogen-like activity of seafood related to environmental chemical contaminants. Environ Health 2006; 5:9. [PMID: 16573822 PMCID: PMC1484473 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-5-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2005] [Accepted: 03/30/2006] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A wide variety of environmental pollutants occur in surface waters, including estuarine and marine waters. Many of these contaminants are recognised as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which can adversely affect the male and female reproductive system by binding the estrogen receptor and exhibiting hormone-like activities. In this study the estrogenic activity of extracts of edible marine organisms for human consumption from the Mediterranean Sea was assayed. METHODS Marine organisms were collected in two different areas of the Mediterranean Sea. The estrogenic activity of tissues was assessed using an in vitro yeast reporter gene assay (S. cerevisiae RMY 326 ER-ERE). Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (congeners 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) in fish tissue was also evaluated. RESULTS Thirty-eight percent of extracts showed a hormone-like activity higher than 10% of the activity elicited by 10 nM 17b-estradiol (E2) used as control. Total PCB concentrations ranged from 0.002 up to 1.785 ng/g wet weight. Chemical analyses detected different levels of contamination among the species collected in the two areas, with the ones collected in the Adriatic Sea showing concentrations significantly higher than those collected in the Tyrrhenian Sea (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION The more frequent combination of chemicals in the samples that showed higher estrogenic activity was PCB 28, PCB 101, PCB 153, PCB 180. The content of PCBs and estrogenic activity did not reveal any significant correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Pinto
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Medical Biotechnology, Infectivology and Epidemiology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Calderisi
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Medical Biotechnology, Infectivology and Epidemiology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Teresa Cirillo
- Department of Food Science, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Renata Amodio-Cocchieri
- Department of Food Science, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Daniela Reali
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Medical Biotechnology, Infectivology and Epidemiology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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Pinto B, Garritano S, Reali D. Occurrence of estrogen-like substances in the marine environment of the Northern Mediterranean Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2005; 50:1681-5. [PMID: 16243363 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2005.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Evidence has been presented that a number of environmental agents perturbs the function of the sex hormone signalling pathways in marine animals. In this work the estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity of coastal marine water samples from five sites of the Northern Mediterranean Sea was assayed using a recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain (RMY326 ER-ERE) transfected with the human estrogen receptor alpha. Extraction of potential EDCs from seawater was performed in columns packed with XAD-2 resins. The estrogenic activity was calculated as percentage of the activity of 17beta-estradiol (10 nM) and it ranged from 4.8% and 59.03%, significantly depending on sampling site (p=0.0013) and season (p<0.05). Antagonistic activity of extracts was also detected and the percentage of inhibition of estradiol-dependent beta-galactosidase induction ranged to 52.8%. These results point the reliability of the yeast assay as a first level screening test to assess the quality of aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Pinto
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Medical Biotechnology, Infectivology, Epidemiology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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Bayen S, Gong Y, Chin HS, Lee HK, Leong YE, Obbard JP. Androgenic and estrogenic response of green mussel extracts from Singapore's coastal environment using a human cell-based bioassay. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2004; 112:1467-71. [PMID: 15531429 PMCID: PMC1247608 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.6990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2004] [Accepted: 07/14/2004] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, evidence of endocrine disruption in biota exposed to environmental pollutants has raised serious concern. Human cell-based bioassays have been developed to evaluate induced androgenic and estrogenic activities of chemical compounds. However, bioassays have been sparsely applied to environmental samples. In this study we present data on sex hormone activities in the green mussel, Perna viridis, in Singapore's coastal waters. P.viridis is a common bioindicator of marine contamination, and this study is a follow-up to an earlier investigation that reported the presence of sex hormone activities in seawater samples from Singapore's coastal environment. Specimens were collected from eight locations around the Singapore coastline and analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals. Tissue extracts were then screened for activities on androgen receptors (ARs) and estrogen receptors (ER-alpha and ER-beta) using a reporter gene bioassay based on a HeLa human cell line. Mussel extracts alone did not exhibit AR activity, but in the presence of the reference androgenic hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), activities were up to 340% higher than those observed for DHT alone. Peak activities were observed in locations adjacent to industrial and shipping activities. Estrogenic activities of the mussel extract both alone and in the presence of reference hormone were positive. Correlations were statistically investigated between sex hormone activities, levels of pollutants in the mussel tissues, and various biological parameters (specimen size, sex ratio, lipid and moisture content). Significant correlations exist between AR activities, in the presence of DHT, and total concentration of POPs (r= 0.725, p < 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Bayen
- Department of Chemistry and the Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
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