Environment-Friendly Removal Methods for Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

In the past few decades, many emerging pollutants have been detected and monitored in different water sources because of their universal consumption and improper disposal. Among these, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), a group of organic chemicals, have received global attention due to their estrogen effect, toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation. For the removal of EDCs, conventional wastewater treatment methods include flocculation, precipitation, adsorption, etc. However, there are some limitations on these common methods. Herein, in order to enhance the public’s understanding of environmental EDCs, the definition of EDCs and the characteristics of several typical EDCs (physical and chemical properties, sources, usage, concentrations in the environment) are reviewed and summarized in this paper. In particular, the methods of EDC removal are reviewed, including the traditional methods of EDC removal, photocatalysis, biodegradation of EDCs and the latest research results of EDC removal. It is proposed that photocatalysis and biodegradation could be used as an environmentally friendly and efficient EDC removal technology. Photocatalytic technology could be one of the water treatment methods with the most potential, with great development prospects due to its high catalytic efficiency and low energy consumption. Biodegradation is expected to replace traditional water treatment methods and is also considered to be a highly promising method for efficient removal of EDCs. Besides, we summarize several photocatalysts with high catalytic activity and some fungi, bacteria and algae with strong biodegradability.

Side Effects and Determinant of the Use of 3-Month Contraceptive Injection

Acceptor of contraceptive injection increased from 11.7% to 27.8% since 2010-2013. Contraceptive injection of Depo Medroxy Progesterone Acetate (DMPA) is given every 3 months by intramuscular. The long-term use of 3-month contraceptive injetion for more than two years can cause side effects such as menstrual disorders and decreased libido due to accumulation of progesterone hormone in the body that suppressed estrogen effect. This study aimed to analyze the association in long-term use of 3-month contraceptive injetion with menstrual disorders and decreased libido in Puskesmas (Primary health care) Puri, Mojokerto Regency in 2016. The study was observational analytics with cross sectional approach with sample 73 contraceptive acceptors. The data were analyzed by using univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis with logistic regression and multivariate general model. The results showed that the duration of use of 3-month contraceptive injetion was significant with side effect of menstrual disorders (PR=0.142; 95%CI: 0.040-0.502) and decreased libido (PR=0.275; 95%CI: 0.100-0.756). Conclusion: menstrual disorders and decreased libido associated with the duration of use of 3-month contraceptive injetion.

Letrozole vs. Placebo Pretreatment in the Medical Management of First Trimester Missed Miscarriage: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction Misoprostol is used for the medical management of miscarriage as it is more effective in the early stages of pregnancy. Letrozole has an anti-estrogen effect and is used for the pretreatment of miscarriage with misoprostol. Aim The aim of this study was compare the efficacy and safety of letrozole with placebo pretreatment in the medical management of first trimester missed miscarriage. Design This was a prospective randomized case-control study. Patients and Methods Four hundred and thirty-eight women were randomly divided into two groups of 219; the placebo group received placebo tablets twice daily for 3 days, followed by 800 micrograms of misoprostol vaginally on the fourth day of enrolment, while the letrozole group received letrozole 10 mg twice daily for three days followed by 800 micrograms misoprostol administered vaginally. Symptoms and side effects were recorded, and the women advised to return to hospital if they experienced severe pain or bleeding or intolerable side effects and to report to hospital for a check-up one week after misoprostol administration. Ultrasound was done seven days after misoprostol administration to monitor outcomes. Surgical evacuation was carried out if medical management failed. Results There were significant differences between the two groups, with better outcomes found for the letrozole group in terms of rates of complete miscarriage, onset of vaginal bleeding, and interval between induction and onset of expulsion (p < 0.001). A higher rate of nausea and vomiting was reported for the letrozole group (p = 0.002). Differences between groups with regard to pre- and post-termination hemoglobin levels, fever, severe pain and severe bleeding needing evacuation were not statistically significant. Conclusion Adding letrozole to misoprostol improves the success rate and decreases the interval between induction and expulsion in cases of first trimester miscarriage; however, nausea and vomiting is higher with letrozole.

Perubahan Kadar Estradiol dan Histologi Uterus Mencit (Mus musculus) Betina dengan Induksi Progesteron Sintetik

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of progesterone to estradiol levels and histology of uterus, to test the effect of estrous cycle to uterus histology of females’ mice after treated by progesterone in birth control pills. This research used Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Females Mus musculus Balb-C and synthetic progesterone (cyproterone acetate) contained in ‘Diane-35’ birth control pills were used in this study. The research consisted of two treatment groups, i.e. group K had no treatment and group P treated by a solution of Diane-35 at a dose of 2.6 mg per 5 mL distilled water. Results on the effects of progesterone on endometrial thickness suggested that there were significant differences between treatment groups. Meanwhile, the effect of progesterone on estradiol levels indicated that there were no significant differences among treatment groups. This means that the thickness of the endometrium was strongly influenced by the presence of a synthetic progesterone hormone and induced endometrium growth thicker. The levels of estradiol are not significantly different due to a negative feedback mechanism of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (estrogen effect) and Luteinizing Hormone (progesterone effect). The greatest thickness of endometrium of estrous cycle was treated by progesterone, which was 0.2500 mm2.

The Influence of Smoking and Cessation on the Human Reproductive Hormonal Balance

Smoking is the most widespread substance dependence in the world. Nicotine and some other components of the cigarette smoke cause various endocrine imbalances, and have negative effects on pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, testicular and ovarian functions. Here, we examined studies that describe the influence of smoking and smoking cessation on the male and female reproductive systems. We also focused on studies providing an account of differences in cessation success rates between men and women. In men, the most common effects associated with smoking are erectile dysfunction and decreasing spermiogram quality. Several groups have studied the effects of cigarette smoking on testosterone levels in men. However, the results have been conflicting. In women, nicotine has an anti-estrogen effect and increases the ratio of androgens to estrogens throughout life. Beside nicotine, other cigarette toxins also cause dysregulation of reproductive and hormonal system, and essentially influence the probability of a successful pregnancy not only in cases of assisted reproduction but also in healthy women. Tobacco addiction is one of the forms of addiction that are generally thought to be different for men and for women. Women are less successful than men in quitting smoking, and nicotine replacement therapy is less effective in female smokers. We also summarize recent studies that have indicated possible reasons.

Abstract P317: Sex Differences in the Hemodynamic and Sympathetic Responses to Centrally Administered Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Rats

Introduction: Accumulating evidence indicates that sex differences exist in the clinical and experimental outcomes of various cardiovascular diseases. In addition to its protective effect on renin-angiotensin system activity, estrogen has an anti-inflammatory influence. The central actions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs) contribute significantly to cardiovascular and autonomic dysfunction in hypertension and heart failure. In male adult rat, central administration of PICs induces substantial increases in blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and blocking PICs reduces sympathetic excitation in experimental models of hypertension and heart failure. Whether PICs have similar central sympatho-excitatory effects in the female rat remains unknown. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that female rats may be protected from the central cardiovascular and autonomic effects of PICs. Methods: Urethane anesthetized male and female Sprague Dawley rats (10-12 weeks) underwent an intracerebrovascular (ICV) injection of the prototypical PIC tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, 100 ng). BP (mmHg), HR (beats/min) and RSNA (% change) responses were continuously recorded for 4-5 hours. Results: In male rats (n=6), ICV TNF-α induced a dramatic and long-lasting increase (*p<0.001 vs. baseline) in BP (23.1 ± 2.5*), HR (82 ± 8*) and RSNA (109.5 ± 4.3 %*), that began within 20-30 mins and peaked at 90-120 mins after ICV injection. In the female rats (n=6), ICV TNF-α elicited significantly (p<0.05) smaller increases (*p<0.001 vs. baseline) in BP (14.8 ± 1.8*), HR (55 ± 6*) and RSNA (78.5 ± 6.3*), compared with the male rats. Conclusion: These data demonstrate a sex difference in the cardiovascular and sympathetic responses to centrally administered PICs. Whether the observed differences can be explained by an estrogen effect on TNF-α signaling per se or by an estrogen effect on TNF-α-induced renin-angiotensin activity remains to be determined. However, a reduced response of female rats to central inflammation may be an important contributor to sex differences in pathophysiology of hypertension and heart failure.