Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) has been associated with several human metabolic disorders and is converted from inactive 11-keto form to glucocorticoid (GC or cortisol). GC overproduction or hypercortisolism is a major diagnostic factor of Cushing syndrome and Anorexia. GCs regulate carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.Materials and methods: Previously we established porcine fibroblasts overexpressing 11&#...

It has been proposed that cellular Ca2+ signals activate hormone secretion. In pancreatic β cells, which produce insulin, Ca2+ signals have been known to contribute to insulin secretion. In previous study, demonstrated that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as bisphenol A (BPA) and Octylphenol (OP) could cause increase in insulin level and insulin transcription factors. But in regulations of plasma glucose level were not decreased as much as...

Introduction: Phthalates are chemicals used to improve the plasticity of industrial polymers and used in commercial products such as toys, paints, packaging materials, medicals devices and personal care items. Phthalates, endocrine disrupting chemicals, have been documented to cause adverse effects to the human health such as breast cancer in female, reduced uroogenital distance and changed the expression of steroidogenesis and folliculogenessis. In this study, we investigated...

Glucocorticoid, known as cortisol, is a steroid hormone essential to the maintenance of homeostasis, and is released in response to stress and low blood glucose concentration. It is converted from cortisone by 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β HSD1). The liver plays a major organ in metabolism, has numerous functions, mostly consists of hepatocytes, and is a principal target of cortisol. In murine model, it was observed that too much cortisol or overexpres...

Sex steroid hormones effect on the early embryo-development and regulate the calcium signaling in cardiac muscle. Progesterone (P4) has been reported to affect both blood pressure and other aspects of the cardiovascular system. To confirm the effect of P4 on early differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells into cardiomyocytes, the hanging-drop method was performed to form embryoid bodies (EB). The mouse EBs (mEB) were suspended, attached onto six well plates and cultu...

It has been proposed that cellular Ca2+ signals activate hormone secretion. In pancreatic β cells, which produce insulin, Ca2+ signals have been known to contribute to insulin secretion. Prior to this study, we confirmed that Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k) was responsible for regulation of the distribution of free calcium in the cytoplasm. We also confirmed that insulin-secreting β cells express CaBP-9k, and assumed that CaBP-9k play a role in β c...

Placenta exchanges vital factors including oxygen, carbon dioxide, cation (copper, iron, calcium) and glucose that are essential to fetal growth. Copper, iron, calcium cation and glucose transfer genes are regulated by reproduction-related hormones, vitamin D and human placental lactogen. These molecules are transferred by specific receptors located on cell membrane or cytoplasm in placenta. These substances disturb action of reproduction-related hormones (ex> estrogen, pr...

Synthesized chemicals that not existed in the environment have been troubled endocrine physiology. These endocrine disruptors (EDs) had been noted and replaced with other chemicals. Most of compound banned for production act as an estrogen. But other than estrogen, especially thyroid hormone related EDs are noted for early brain and neural development. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are representative known as thyroid disruptor because of its structural similarity. 2,4,6-t...

Calcium ion is important for physiological functions in all tissues and organs, and is essential for many vital functions. Calcium in lumen is absorbed to cytosol, and Calbindin-D9k binds calcium. It can remove calcium to extracellular through PMCA1 and NCX1. However, in the rat esophagus, the calcium related gene regulations and localizations were not well documented. We evaluated calcium related genes including Calbindin-D9k, PMCA1, and NCX1. Immature rats were daily treated...

Hypoxia causes oxidative stress and is known to affect cardiovascular dysfunction and the programming of cardiovascular disease. Melatonin is the hormone released primarily from the pineal gland and has been proven to be an antioxidant. Melatonin promotes the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. To confirm the effect of hypoxia on the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) into cardiomyocytes, hypoxia condition induced dur...