Endocrine Modulators in the Environment

Abstract

The subject of endocrine modulators in the environment has been addressed many times during the last 5 years. To date, all evidence indicates that endocrine modulation by xenobiotics is primarily an ecotoxicologic issue, mainly involving the reproduction of marine invertebrates and other wildlife populations (3,4,11,13,15,16,(19)(20)(21)23 There are 5 endocrine modulating effects: the regulation of energy availability, the maintenance of the internal environment, development, growth, and reproduction. Interpreting hormonal dysfunction is also very difficult (Figure 1). Important factors determining endocrine modulating effect in humans include the individual's status prior to exposure, i.e., nutritional status, age and gender, diet and life style habits, and chronic use of endocrine drugs. In addition, definition of the postexposure effect is also essential, i.e., gradation/staging of the effect and exposure (1,12,27).In humans during the last 30 years, endocrine intervention or modulation has taken place in western countries. Factors include obesity and consumption of low-FIGURE l.-Interpretation of hormonal dysfunction. A = area of pure hypofunctioning of the target endocrine gland; B = area of pure hypofunctioning of the trophic endocrine gland: C = area of hyperfunctioning (not subject to feedback) of the trophic endocrine gland or resistance to secretion of target gland hormone; D = area of pure hyperfunctioning (not subject to feedback) of the target gland hormone.

2‐DE proteome analysis of a proliferating and differentiating human neuronal stem cell line (ReNcell VM)

“…Originally, this protein was described as an autoantibody to a nuclear antigen in proliferating cells [44] and further characterized as a protein correlating to the proliferative state of cells [46]. PCNA as well as other cycle-associated proteins turned out to be common markers of proliferating cells [47]. PCNA interacts with multiple partners mainly involved in DNA replication, DNA repair and cell cycle control and other cellular events like maintenance of chromosome structure [48].…”