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Nanomaterials in the Work Environment
Published in Małgorzata Pośniak, Emerging Chemical Risks in the Work Environment, 2020
Lidia Zapór, Przemysław Oberbek
Another important mechanism of xenobiotic interference with the endocrine system is the effect on the functioning of the key enzymes involved in the synthesis and metabolism of endogenic steroids. Steroid hormones are one of the key factors in the regulation of vertebrate reproduction, as well as in a number of processes connected to growth and development [Larson et al. 2014]. ENMs’ reprotoxicity seems to be supported by the results of in vivo and in vitro studies, in which morphological changes in the testicles and ovaries, damage to DNA in sperm cells, decrease in sperm mobility, and spermatogenesis and oogenesis disorders, as well as changes in the secretion of testosterone and 17β-estradiol by, among others, silver, copper, gold, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, and palladium nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes were observed [Iavicoli et al. 2013; Yang et al. 2017; Leso et al. 2018]. Moreover, quantum dot exposure can affect in vivo testicular function in mammals [Jain et al. 2012].
Thin-Layer Chromatography in Clinical Chemistry
Published in Bernard Fried, Joseph Sherma, Practical Thin-Layer Chromatography, 2017
Steroid hormones are secreted by the adernal cortex, ovary, testis, corpus luteum, and placenta. They are derivatives of tetracyclic hydrocarbons and are based on the cyclopenta-[a]-phenanthrene skeleton. The steroid hormones are defined by their physiological functions. The main classes of steroid hormones include androgens, testrogens, progestogens, glucocorticoids, mineral corticoids, and vitamin D. The estrogens and androgens are female and male sex hormones. The progestogens are involved in the preparation and maintenance of pregnancy. The glucocorticoids have a distinct effect on carbohydrate metabolism. Excessive secretion of glucocorticoids causes Cushing’s syndrome, and deficiency causes Addison’s disease. They also have remarkable anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic action. Mineral corticoids promote the retention of Na+ and the loss of K+ by the kidneys. Through this action, mineralocorticoids maintain water and salt balance in the body. Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of calcium transport.
Anti-Inflammatory Dendrimers
Published in Delphine Felder-Flesch, Dendrimers in Nanomedicine, 2016
Cédric-Olivier Turrin, Anne-Marie Caminade
Treatment of inflammation is often a gradual response involving a wide range of drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs are widely used and inhibit the prostaglandin synthase, also name cyclooxygenase (COX) involved in the first step of synthesis of some inflammation mediators. Glucocorticoid derivatives are steroidal hormone analogous to endogenous cortisol, which affect several physiological processes, including immune response, regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate and protein metabolisms. Biologics or biological products refer to as blood components, cells tissues and recombinant proteins, and contrarily to synthetic drugs, these complex mixtures produced by living organisms are not easily identified or characterized. Biologics like soluble receptors or monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) that target a specific cell-derived or plasma protein-derived chemical mediators of inflammatory processes are widely used in firstline treatments for CIDs.
Phthalate esters and dexamethasone synergistically activate glucocorticoid receptor
Published in Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 2020
Yue Leng, Yonghai Sun, Wei Huang, Chengyu Lv, Jingyan Cui, Tiezhu Li, Yongjun Wang
Glucocorticoids (GCs), owing to their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities, are steroid hormones successfully used in therapeutic administration.[12,13] GCs regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis play key roles in the regulation of homeostasis, central nervous system function, glucose and lipid metabolism and immune response.[14–16] For this reason, GCs become the mainstay in the treatment of various typical disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus and other inflammatory diseases.[17,18] In target cells, GCs exert their major actions via activating GR. On binding glucocorticoid, the receptor undergoes several conformational changes, which result in nuclear translocation.[19] The GR complex (GRC) interacts with specific target DNA sequences as a homodimer and regulates transcriptional activation or repression.[20,21] Recently, a few studies suggest that several of the PAEs have the potential to disturb GR and regulate downstream genes. DEHP reportedly possesses glucocorticoid-like activity.[22] In addition, dicyclohexyl phthalate and mono-cyclohexyl phthalate can also stimulate GR activity.[23,24] However, the detailed mechanisms how PAEs bind to GR have not been clarified.
Copper affects steroidogenesis and viability of human adrenocortical carcinoma (NCI-H295R) cell line in vitro
Published in Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 2020
Jana Bilcikova, Veronika Fialkova, Hana Duranova, Eva Kovacikova, Zsolt Forgacs, Agnieszka Gren, Peter Massanyi, Norbert Lukac, Shubhadeep Roychoudhury, Zuzana Knazicka
Sexual steroid hormones are considered to be the key factors in the regulation of reproduction in vertebrates and are also involved in numerous other processes related to development and growth. Hence, chemical substances that can disrupt the production of steroid hormones are believed to have direct links with adverse outcomes. [58] Cell lines are considered ideal for direct study of biological effects as well as toxicity of chemical substances, including the process of steroidogenesis. The present study investigated the effects of copper sulfate (CuSO4.5H2O) on cytotoxicity as well as steroidogenesis using human adrenocortical carcinoma (NCI-H295R) cell line. Specifically, we examined the dose-dependent changes of CuSO4.5H2O as an endocrine disruptor in relation to release of sexual steroid hormones (progesterone and testosterone) by adrenocortical carcinoma cells in vitro.
Environmental impact and biological removal processes of pharmaceutically active compounds: The particular case of sulfonamides, anticonvulsants and steroid estrogens
Published in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2020
Cristiano S. Leal, Daniela P. Mesquita, António Luís Amaral, Almerinda M. Amaral, Eugénio C. Ferreira
Steroid hormones are a group of biologically active compounds synthesized from cholesterol and with a common cyclopentane-perhydro phenanthrene ring (Ying, Kookana, & Ru, 2002). Four of the estrogens most commonly found in wastewater include 3 natural steroids (17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and estriol (E3)) and one synthetic compound (17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2)) (Racz & Goel, 2010). E2 is a naturally occurring steroid hormone, being the major female sex hormone, and is essential factor in the regulation of the menstrual cycle, in the development of puberty and in secondary female sex characteristics. E2 can also be present in hormone therapy products, such as reduced estrogen production (menopausal and peri-menopausal symptoms), treatment of hypoestrogenism, palliative treatment of breast and prostate cancer, as well as for transgender hormone therapy (Drugbank, 2016c). EE2 is used mainly for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with the menopause, female hypogonadism, prostatic carcinoma-palliative therapy, treatment of breast cancer, and contraceptive purposes (Drugbank, 2016d).