• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.193-198
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• 2023

Several chemicals have been developed owing to the progression of industrialization, among which endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs; essential for plastic production) are used as plasticizers and flame retardants. Plastics have become an essential element in modern life because they provide convenience, thus increasing EDCs exposure to humans. EDCs cause adverse effects such as deterioration of reproductive function, cancer, and neurological abnormalities by disrupting the endocrine system and hence are classified as "dangerous substances." Additionally, they are toxic to various organs but continue to be used. Therefore, it is necessary to review the contamination status of EDCs, select potentially hazardous substances for management, and monitor the safety standards. In addition, it is necessary to discover substances that can protect against EDC toxicity and conduct active research on the protective effects of these substances. According to recent research, Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) exhibits protective effects against several toxicities caused by EDCs to humans. In this review, the effects of EDCs on the human body and the role of KRG in protection against EDC toxicity are discussed.

• 수면정신생리
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.5-10
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• 2012

The release of hormones and the metabolism of human body are controlled by the circadian rhythm related to sleep-wake cycle. Growth hormone, prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone, cortisol, glucose, and insulin-secretion rates fluctuate according to the sleep-wake cycle. In addition, sleep is related to the appetite regulation and carbohydrate and other energy metabolism. Hypocretin (orexin), an excitatory neuropeptide, regulates waking and diet intake, and the poor sleep increases diet intake. The short sleep duration increases one's body mass index and impairs the function of the endocrine and metabolism, causing increases in the risk of glucose intolerance and diabetes. The poor sleep quality and sleep disorders have similar impact on the metabolic function. In short, the sleep loss and the poor quality of sleep have a detrimental effect on the endocrine and energy metabolism. The improvement of sleep quality by the future research and appropriate clinical treatment would contribute to the decrease of the metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권8호
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• pp.1118-1126
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• 2010

Male reproduction is influenced by a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including environmental endocrine disruptors. Testosterone is a well recognized intrinsic regulator for development and function of the male reproductive tract, and thus male fertility. The testis and semen of many mammalians contain an unusually high concentration of estrogen. Testosterone is converted into estrogen by the enzymatic action of cytochrome P450 aromatase complex (Cyp19a1). Of the male reproductive tract, the efferent ductules (EDs) possess exceptionally elevated levels of estrogen receptors (ERs), ER${\alpha}$ and ER${\beta}$, indicating that estrogen, in addition to testosterone, would have a functional role in regulation of male reproduction. First, this review has focused on description and summary of what is currently known for functions of estrogen in the EDs. The biosynthetic pathway of estrogen occurring in the testis is briefly covered, following by detailed explanation of the morphology and physiology of EDs. In the next section, the sources and targets of estrogen in the male reproductive tract are highlighted, and possible functional roles of estrogen in the EDs are justified from the aspect of physiology, molecular biology, and morphology in adult animal models. Also, this section covers the importance of estrogen and ERs in maintaining normal function and morphology of the EDs during postnatal development. In the last part of this review, the effects of extrinsic factors, especially environmental endocrine-disruptors, on the EDs is summarized. The intent of this review is to emphasize the importance of estrogen for regulation of physiological function of the EDs, and thus male fertility.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.251-259
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• 2016

Background: Estrogen signaling pathways are modulated by exogenous factors. Panax ginseng exerts multiple activities in biological systems and is classified as an adaptogen. Zearalenol is a potent mycoestrogen that may be present in herbs and crops arising from contamination or endophytic association. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of P. ginseng, zearalenol and estradiol in tests on spermatozoal function. Methods: The affinity of these compounds for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and beta ($ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$)-was assessed in receptor binding assays. Functional tests on boar spermatozoa motility, movement and kinematic parameters were conducted using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Tests for capacitation, acrosome reaction (AR), and chromatin decondensation in spermatozoa were performed using microscopic analysis. Results: Zearalenol-but not estradiol ($E_2$)- or ginseng-treated spermatozoa-decreased the percentage of overall, progressive, and rapid motile cells. Zearalenol also decreased spontaneous AR and increased chromatin decondensation. Ginseng decreased chromatin decondensation in response to calcium ionophore and decreased AR in response to progesterone ($P_4$) and ionophore. Conclusion: Zearalenol has adverse effects on sperm motility and function by targeting multiple signaling cascades, including $P_4$, $E_2$, and calcium pathways. Ginseng protects against chromatin damage and thus may be beneficial to reproductive fitness.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.246-257
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• 1998

Endocrine cells in the thymus of duck(Anas platyrhynchos platyrhyncos, Linne) were studied immunohistochemically from 23 days of incubation to 32 weeks of age. Somatostatin-, growth hormone(GH)-, gastrin/cholecystokinin(Gas/CCK)-, polypeptide YY(PYY)-, S-100 protein(S-100 P)-, dopamine-, serotonin(5-HT)-, and bovine chromogranin (BCG)-immunoreactive cells were detected in the duck thymus by the PAP techniques. These immunoreactive cells were observed in the medulla and in the juxtacortical medulla. No immunoreactivity of calcitonin and bovine pancreatic polypeptide(BPP) antiserum were observed. The argyrophil cells by Grimelius techniques were observed from 23 days of incubation to 32 weeks of age and peaked in 5 weeks of age. In the early develpmental stage, the argyrophil cells were distributed only in the medulla, while these cells were distributed mainly in the medulla and a few cells were distributed in the corticomedullary junction from 3 weeks of age. These immunoreactive cells were generally round, oval and elliptical and occasionally spindle, polygonal and polymorphous with the long cytopslasmic processes in shape. The present study suggests that the intrathymic endocrine cells may associate with the functional maturation of T-lymphocytes on the establishment of immunity. The further study will be needed to elucidate the function of these thymic endocrine cells.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.379-384
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• 1998

Endocrine disruptor is an exogenous substance that changes endocrine function and causes adverse effects at the level of the organism, its progeny, and/or (sub)populations of the organisms. Purported adverse effects are cancers, declines in reproductive health, developmental learning disabilities in humans, and declining populations, altered morphology, physiology or behavior in wildlife. In these days, expert groups on chemicals in IPCS, IFCS and OECD are intensively discussing the identification of endocrine disruptors and the proper management of those chemicals. In this study, we screened the endocrine disrupting effects of lead using fertilized eggs of Oryzias latipes. In brief, the eggs were exposed to lead with different concentrations at Ringer's solution, and the mortality, the incidence of deformation, the body movement and the hatching success were determined after incubation. The histological analysis of normal and deformed larvae was also carried out. Compared to control, the mortality and the heart rate of eggs and/or larvae increased, but the hatching success and the tail movement decreased. The morphological observation showed the asymmetrical deformation of larvae and the distortion of spinal cord. The absorption of the liquid in yolk sac was hindered. The adverse effects of lead in the ontogeny of fertilized eggs of Oryzias latipes seemed to be stronger in pH5.6 than in pH7.5 solution. In summary, lead showed adverse effects on the ontogeny of fish fertilized eggs plays critical role in regulating biological systems and controlling developmental processes as an endocrine disruptor.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.372-377
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• 2007

The orphan nuclear receptor, SF-1, plays a pivotal role in the development and differentiation of the endocrine and reproductive systems, and also regulates the transcription of a host of genes, including those encoding several steroidogenic enzymes and gonadotropins. We found that a previously unidentified repressor, EID-1, is an SF-1-interacting protein that inhibits the transactivation of SF-1. A transient transfection assay revealed that EID-1 inhibits SF-1, but not LRH-1, $ERR{\gamma}$, or mCAR. Using the yeast two hybrid and GST pull-down assays, we determined that EID-1 interacted strongly with SF-1. In addition, it colocalized with SF-1 in mammalian cells and interacted specifically with the AF-2 domain of SF-1, competing with SRC-1 to inhibit SF-1 transactivation. EID-1 is expressed in the mouse testis, and its expression decreases during testis development. The results of the present study suggest that EID-1 can act as a repressor, regulating the function of SF-1.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.199-208
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• 2007

Although many studies have focused on the biological and toxicological effects of phenol products, in particular, in reproductive tracts, the data about their effects in this estrogenic responsive tissue are much less clear. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo data concerning ED-adverse impacts in other endocrine organs, i.e. pituitary gland, are not understood well either. Thus, a further study is needed for providing a new insight into possible impacts of estrogenic EDs including phenol products in humans and wildlife. A combination of in vitro and in vivo system for examining EDs may bring better understanding into the regulatory mechanisms underlying EDs-induced events. In addition, this information may support for developing optimal screening methods of estrogenic EDs, in particular, phenol products.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.85-93
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• 2005

스테로이드 호르몬인 에스트로겐은 여러 조직의 발생 및 분화에 영향을 주는 것으로 알려져 있다. 최근 에스트로겐의 영향을 평가하는데 있어 전통적인 여성 호르몬이라는 인식을 탈피하여 수컷 생식계상의 역할에 관한 연구가 활발하게 이루어지고 있다. 특히 내분비계 교란물질에 관한 다양한 연구 결과가 보고되면서, 수컷에서의 에스트로겐 역할에 대한 관심이 증대되고 있는 실정이다. 따라서 에스트로겐의 정확한 역할을 파악하기 위해서 발생 단계에 따른 에스트로겐 수용체의 수컷 생식기관 내 분포를 정리해 보고, 내분비계 교란물질의 노출에 따른 수컷 생식계의 발생 및 분화 이상과 정자형성과정의 장애 등을 알아보고자 하였다. 끝으로 외인성 화학물의 에스트로겐성을 평가하기 위한 지표인자들을 정리하여, 남성 생식기관의 발생, 분화, 기능에 관련된 에스트로겐의 역할에 대한 실제적인 정보를 얻을 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.205-211
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• 2004

Concern that some chemicals in our environment may affect human health by disrupt-ing normal endocrine function has prompted a research on interactions of environmental contaminants with steroid hormone receptor. Toxaphene and chlordane are among the 12 persistent organic pollutants identified by the United Nations Environment Programme as requiring urgent attention. We compared the estrogenic activity of two organochlorine pesticides, toxaphene and chlordane, at estrogen receptor a (ER$\alpha$) and estrogen receptor $\beta$ (ER$\beta$). Human hepatoma cells (HepG2) were transiently transfected with rat ER$\alpha$ or ER$\beta$ plus an estrogen-responsive complement C3-luciferase (C3-Luc) reporter gene. After transfection, cells were treated with various concentrations of toxaphene and chlordane to investigate agonism or antagonism of these chemicals. Both toxaphene and chlordane were potent agonists in HepG2 cells for ER$\alpha$. In contrast, these chemicals had a minimal agonist activity with ER$\beta$ and almost abolished 17$\beta$-estradiol-induced ER$\beta$-mediated activity. Therefore, toxaphene and chlordane behaved as an ER$\alpha$ agonist and an ER$\beta$ antagonist with estrogen-responsive reporter plasmid C3-Luc, and exposure to these organochlorine pesticides could have a crictical effect on normal endocrine function.