Bisphenol A [2, 2 bis (4-hydoxyphenyl) propane; BPA] is a widely used endocrine disruptors and has estrogenic activities. Although interests on biological effect of BPA are rising, evidences of its effect on immune system are lacking. We investigated that the effect of BPA on immune parameters to postulate the mechanism, and BPA interruptions between neuroendocrine and immune system. BPA was administrated to mice by p.o. (as a drinking water) dose on 0.015, 1.5 and 30 mg/ml for 4 weeks. The BPA treatment did not result in any change in body weight, spleen weight and distribution of lymphocyte subpopulation collected from spleen. BPA induced prolactin production in spleen, and exposure of BPA increased the activity of splenocyte proliferation in response to Con A (p<0.001). The production of a strong Th-1 type cytokine (IFN-gamma) was induced while Th-2 type (IL-4) was suppressed by BPA treatment. These were consistent with RT-PCR results of transcription factor GATA-3 and IRF-1. These findings suggested that stimulation of prolactin production by estrogenic effects of BPA would affect cytokine profiles, and lead to imbalanced cellular immune response. In addition, we could speculate that prolactin and cytokine is important mediator involved in network between neuroendocrine and immune system by BPA.
The physical adsorption of nitrogen and gas flow experiments on the silica layer in rice husk indicated that an existence of nano meter sized through holes. In this study, the external shape of the holes on the cross section of the layer was investigated with a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer, an atomic force microscope and scanning tunneling microscope. In the energy dispersive mapping image, 2-5 micron thick silica layer under outer cellulose layer, silica nano particles in the middle cellulose layer and sub micron silica layer in inner cellulose layer were observed. The cross section of the layer showed 20 nm building units with approximately 100 nm convexities. The atomic force microscopic image also showed the approximately 100 nm convexities as well as a roughness of approximately 20 nm. When osmium was coated on the silica layer, the wells with 2 approximately 5 nm horizontal and approximately 2 nm vertical lengths were observed on the plate surface in scanning tunneling microscopic image. From the results, it was suggested that the holes in the rice husk silica layer are almost straight and not zigzag spaces originated from the simple packing of nano particles.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.