Dietary phytoestrogens are well known to have potential hormonal effects owing to their interaction with estrogen receptors [1]. Abnormalities in reproductive health due to a high intake of phytoestrogens have been reported in several women [2,3]. Interestingly, genistein–a type of phytoestrogen–is known to have estrogenic properties, and various hormonal effects of this compound have been repo...

Background: Phytoestrogens, a group of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds have recently come into considerable attention due to the increasing information on their potential adverse effects in human health. Some of phytoestrogens show estrogenic activity that may be carcinogenic for human. In the present study, we investigated the transcriptional effects of variety of phytoestrogens&nbsp...

Donahue, Henry J., Zhongyong Li, Zhiyi Zhou, and Clare E. Yellowley. Differentiation of human fetal osteoblastic cells and gap junctional intercellular communication. Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 278: C315–C322, 2000.—Gap junctional channels facilitate intercellular communication and in doing so may contribute to cellular differentiation. To test this hypothesis, we examined gap junction expre...

BACKGROUND Reactive oxygen species play critical roles in homeostasis and cell signaling. Dexmedetomidine, a specific agonist of the α2-adrenoceptor, has been commonly used for sedation, and it has been reported to have a protective effect against oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated whether dexmedetomidine has a protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and the mechan...

Background: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy; risk factors include exposure to oestrogens and high body mass index. Expression of enzymes involved in biosynthesis of oestrogens and prostaglandins (PG) is often higher in endometrial cancers when compared with levels detected in normal endometrium. Oestrogens bind one of two receptors (ERα and ERβ) encoded by separa...

This paper brings up regarding the plant derived compounds with estrogenic activity. The authors correctly emphasize the need for control of estrogenicity of foods containing phyto-oestrogens in view of the significant health effects of various estrogenic derivatives. This is particularly essential in the light of the current wave of enthusiasm for vegetarian food in general and phytooestrogens...

BACKGROUND Estradiol (E2) mediates various intracellular signaling cascades from the plasma membrane via several estrogen receptors (ERs). The pituitary is an estrogen-responsive tissue, and we have previously reported that E2 can activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as ERK1/2 and JNK1/2/3 in the membrane ERalpha (mERalpha)-enriched GH3/B6/F10 rat pituitary tumor cell line. P...

The binding sites of the oestrogen receptors alpha and beta have a structural requirement for ligands with two oxygen atoms (one of which is phenolic) spaced 11-12 A apart. They are open to many non-steroidal compounds, such as those from plants and the chemical industry. The importance of this interaction is the subject of current food safety research. This article examines the methods of asse...

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are abundant in our environment. A number of EDCs, including bisphenol A (BPA) can bind to the estrogen receptors (ER), ERα and ERβ, and may contribute to estrogen-linked diseases such as breast cancer. Early exposure is of particular concern; many EDCs cross the placenta and infants have measurable levels of, eg, BPA. In addition, infants are frequently fed...

This study investigated that whether a 2 mT, 60 Hz, sinusoidal electromagnetic field (EMF) alters the structure and function of cells. This research compared the effects of EMF on four kinds of cell lines: hFOB 1.19 (fetal osteoblast), T/G HA-VSMC (aortic vascular smooth muscle cell), RPMI 7666 (B lymphoblast), and HCN-2 (cortical neuronal cell). Over 14 days, cells were exposed to EMF for 1, 3...