• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1180-1186
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• 1999

A wide ranges of chemicals released into the environment have potential to interfere with physiological and development process by disrupting endocrine pathways. Endocrine system embraces a multitude of mechanisms of action, including effect on growth, behavior, reproduction and immune function. These environmental endocrine disruptors are present in environment and pose potential health consequences to human and wildlife. The best known form in endocrine distruptors involves substances which mimic or block the action of natural hormone in the body. Endocrine disruptor have been variously defined as exogenous agents that interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action or elimination of the natural hormones in the body which are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis, reproduction developmental and/or behavior. Many compounds polluted into the environment by human activity are capable of disrupting the endocrine system of animals, including fish, wildlife, and humans. Among these chemicals are pesticides, industrial chemicals, and other anthropogenic products. It has been alleged that several adverse effects on human health are linked with exposure to chemicals which are claimed to be endocrine disrupters, that is, increased incidence of testicular, prostate and female breast cancer, time dependent reductions in sperm quality and quantity, increased incidence of cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias(malformation of the penis), altered physical and mental de velopment in children. This observation is currently the only example of chemically mediated endocrine disruption which has resulted in a clear effect at the population level.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.237-243
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• 2010

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been shown to interfere with physiological systems, i.e., adversely affecting hormone balance (endocrine system), or disrupting normal function, in the female and male reproductive organs. Although endocrine disruption is a global concern for human health, its impact and significance and the screening strategy for detecting these synthetic or man-made chemicals are not clearly understood in female and male reproductive functions. Thus, in this review, we summarize the interference of environmental EDCs on reproductive development and function, and toxicological mechanism(s) of EDCs in in vitro and in vivo models of male and female reproductive system. In addition, this review highlights the effect of exposure to multiple EDCs on reproductive functions, and brings attention to their toxicological mechanism(s) through estrogen receptors.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.54-60
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• 2001

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2002

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals which can be found in our normal daily life. They can be easily ingested through plastic food containers, pesticides, etc. They include DDT, bisphenol A, benzophenone and phenylphenol, etc. Endocrine disruptor can be very harmful and toxic because it disrupts the normal function of the endogenous endocrine system. It has been reported that endocrine disruptor can cause the fatal strike in reproductive system central nervous system and the other part of the body. We have examined if the growth of lactic acid bacteria could be resistant to the endocrine disruptor. We have used Lactobacillus delbruekii as an experimental strain and benzophenone and phenylphenol for the comparison purpose. Experiments included the evaluation of turbidity, absorbance and actual cell counts. Although Lactobacillus delbruekii showed the higher resistance to benzophenone than phenylphenol it was still resistant to both benzophenone and phenylphenol. Because the experimental concentrations of benzophenone and phenylphenol were so high to compare with the actual concentration we meet in daily life, Lactobacillus delbruekii was considered to be sufficient to survive in the environmental concentration of these endocrine disruptors. This study should contribute to the development of fermented beverage with beneficial effect by lactic acid bacteria.

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

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.207-210
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• 2007

The study was designed to determine the estrogenic effect of some penicillins on endocrine function in adult Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Vitellogenin (Vtg) produced in male fish has been used for a biomarker to study endocrine disrupters. $17\beta-estradiol\;(E_2)$ was used a positive control that was induced Vtg in male fish. Result of total protein qantification and ELISA for female and male fish were exposed to $17\beta-estradiol$ 10ng/ml for $3\sim5$ days. As a result, male fish exposed to amoxicillin respectively appeared 0.75, 0.23, 8.21 and $9.36\%_{\circ}$ of 1, 10, 100 and 1000 ppm respectively, that value was elevated compared with control male fish. Male fish exposed to ampicillin respectively appeared 1.85, 4.68, 0.85 and $39.59\%_{\circ}$ of 1, 10, 100 and 1000 ppm respectively, that value was elevated compared with control male fish. This study is one of the first reports suggesting potential endocrine disruption of some penicillins in aquatic ecosystem. These results suggest that vitellogenin and estrogen receptor induction patterns alter in male medaka treated with selected estrogenic compounds, and that these results may be useful molecular biomarkers for screening estrogenic EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals) in the shortest possible time.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2014

This study was to determine the correlation between endothelial function and neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) network through observing the changes of NEI network under the different endothelial dysfunction models. Three endothelial dysfunction models were established in male Wistar rats after exposure to homocysteine (Hcy), high fat diet (HFD) and Hcy+HFD. The results showed that there was endothelial dysfunction in all three models with varying degrees. However, the expression of NEI network was totally different. Interestingly, treatment with simvastatin was able to improve vascular endothelial function and restored the imbalance of the NEI network, observed in the Hcy+HFD group. The results indicated that NEI network may have a strong association with endothelial function, and this relationship can be used to distinguish different risk factors and evaluate drug effects.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

The safety of human exposure to an ever-increasing number and diversity of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources both at work and at home has become a public health issue. To date, many in vivo and in vitro studies have revealed that EMF exposure can alter cellular homeostasis, endocrine function, reproductive function, and fetal development in animal systems. Reproductive parameters reported to be altered by EMF exposure include male germ cell death, the estrous cycle, reproductive endocrine hormones, reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, early embryonic development, and pregnancy success. At the cellular level, an increase in free radicals and $[Ca^{2+}]i$ may mediate the effect of EMFs and lead to cell growth inhibition, protein misfolding, and DNA breaks. The effect of EMF exposure on reproductive function differs according to frequency and wave, strength (energy), and duration of exposure. In the present review, the effects of EMFs on reproductive function are summarized according to the types of EMF, wave type, strength, and duration of exposure at cellular and organism levels.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.99-106
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• 2019

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that is capable of interfering with the normal function of the endocrine system in the body. Exposure to this chemical from BPA-containing materials and the environment is associated with deleterious health effects, including male reproductive abnormalities. A search of the literature demonstrated that BPA, as a toxicant, directly affects the cellular oxidative stress response machinery. Because of its hormone-like properties, it can also bind with specific receptors in target cells. Therefore, the tissue-specific effects of BPA mostly depend on its endocrine-disrupting capabilities and the expression of those particular receptors in target cells. Although studies have shown the possible mechanisms of BPA action in various cell types, a clear consensus has yet to be established. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of BPA action in spermatozoa by compiling existing information in the literature.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.146-154
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• 1996

The impact of stress on immune function is known to be associated with the interactions among the central nervous system(CNS), neuroendocrine system, and immune system. The main pathways between stress and immune system are wiring of lymphoid organs and neuroendocrine system. Immune system also produces neuropeptides, which modulate immune system. Mediators of psychosocial influences on immune function are found to be peptides released by the pituitry, hormones, md autonomic nervous system. Hypothalamus integrates endocrine, neural and immune systems. Particularly, paraventricular nucleus appears to play a central role in this integration. On the other hand, endocrine system receives feedback from the immune system. The major regulatory pathways which pituitary modulates include the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-thymic(HPAT) axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-thymic(HPGT) axis, pineal-hypothalamic-pituitary(PHP) axis. Bidirectional pathways such as feedforward and feedback pathways are suggested in the interaction between stress and immune system. It suggests that psychosocial inputs affect immune function, but also that immunological inputs affect psychosocial function. Thus, prospective studies for elucidating the relationship between stress and immune function should incorporate measures of immune function as well as measures of endocrine, autonomic, and brain activities at the same time.