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Protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng against toxicity of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. J Ginseng Res 2023; 47:193-198. [PMID: 36926605 PMCID: PMC10014227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Several chemicals have been developed owing to the progression of industrialization, among which endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs; essential for plastic production) are used as plasticizers and flame retardants. Plastics have become an essential element in modern life because they provide convenience, thus increasing EDCs exposure to humans. EDCs cause adverse effects such as deterioration of reproductive function, cancer, and neurological abnormalities by disrupting the endocrine system and hence are classified as "dangerous substances." Additionally, they are toxic to various organs but continue to be used. Therefore, it is necessary to review the contamination status of EDCs, select potentially hazardous substances for management, and monitor the safety standards. In addition, it is necessary to discover substances that can protect against EDC toxicity and conduct active research on the protective effects of these substances. According to recent research, Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) exhibits protective effects against several toxicities caused by EDCs to humans. In this review, the effects of EDCs on the human body and the role of KRG in protection against EDC toxicity are discussed.
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Zhang J, Cui S, Shen L, Gao Y, Liu W, Zhang C, Zhuang S. Promotion of Bladder Cancer Cell Metastasis by 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole via Its Activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Transcription: Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Cell-Based Assays, and Machine Learning-Driven Prediction. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:13254-13263. [PMID: 36087060 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) is an industrial chemical widely used for rubber products, corrosion inhibitors, and polymer materials with multiple environmental and exposure pathways. A growing body of evidence suggests its potential bladder cancer (BC) risk as a public health concern; however, the molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrate the activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by MBT and reveal key events in carcinogenesis associated with BC. MBT alters conformational changes of AhR ligand binding domain (LBD) as revealed by 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations and activates AhR transcription with upregulation of AhR-target genes CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 to approximately 1.5-fold. MBT upregulates the expression of MMP1, the cancer cell metastasis biomarker, to 3.2-fold and promotes BC cell invasion through an AhR-mediated manner. MBT is further revealed to induce differentially expressed genes (DEGs) most enriched in cancer pathways by transcriptome profiling. The exposure of MBT at environmentally relevant concentrations induces BC risk via AhR signaling disruption, transcriptome aberration, and malignant cell metastasis. A machine learning-based model with an AUC value of 0.881 is constructed to successfully predict 31 MBT analogues. Overall, we provide molecular insight into the BC risk of MBT and develop an effective tool for rapid screening of AhR agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Shixuan Cui
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lilai Shen
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuchen Gao
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chunlong Zhang
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77058, United States
| | - Shulin Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
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