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High-pressure and temperature extraction (HPTE) can effectively recover bioactive compounds from olive pomace (OP). HPTE extract obtained by extracting OP with ethanol and water (50:50 v/v) at 180 °C for 90 min demonstrated a pronounced ability to preserve intracellular calcium homeostasis, shielding neurons from the harmful effects induced by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) overactivation, such as aberrant calpain activation. In this study, the extraction temperature was changed from 37 to 180 °C, and the extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant potency and ability to preserve crucial intracellular Ca2+-homeostasis necessary for neuronal survival. Additionally, to verify the temperature-induced activity of the extract, further extractions on the exhausted olive pomace were conducted, aiming to identify variations in the quality and quantity of extracted phenolic molecules through HPLC analysis. The results revealed a significant increase in bioactive compounds as a function of temperature variation, reaching 6.31 ± 0.09 mgCAE/mL extract for the extraction performed at 180 °C. Subsequent extraction of the exhausted residues yielded extracts that remained active in preventing calcium-induced cell death. Moreover, despite increased antiradical power, extracts re-treated at 180 °C did not display cell protection activity. Our results indicate that the molecules able to maintain physiological Ca2+-homeostasis in murine cortical neurons in conditions of cytotoxic stimulation of NMDAR are wholly recovered from olive pomace only following extraction performed at 180 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-pressure and temperature extraction (HPTE) can effectively recover bioactive compounds from olive pomace (OP). HPTE extract obtained by extracting OP with ethanol and water (50:50 v/v) at 180 °C for 90 min demonstrated a pronounced ability to preserve intracellular calcium homeostasis, shielding neurons from the harmful effects induced by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) overactivation, such as aberrant calpain activation. In this study, the extraction temperature was changed from 37 to 180 °C, and the extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant potency and ability to preserve crucial intracellular Ca2+-homeostasis necessary for neuronal survival. Additionally, to verify the temperature-induced activity of the extract, further extractions on the exhausted olive pomace were conducted, aiming to identify variations in the quality and quantity of extracted phenolic molecules through HPLC analysis. The results revealed a significant increase in bioactive compounds as a function of temperature variation, reaching 6.31 ± 0.09 mgCAE/mL extract for the extraction performed at 180 °C. Subsequent extraction of the exhausted residues yielded extracts that remained active in preventing calcium-induced cell death. Moreover, despite increased antiradical power, extracts re-treated at 180 °C did not display cell protection activity. Our results indicate that the molecules able to maintain physiological Ca2+-homeostasis in murine cortical neurons in conditions of cytotoxic stimulation of NMDAR are wholly recovered from olive pomace only following extraction performed at 180 °C.

Abstract Pasteurella multocida infection frequently causes fowl cholera outbreaks, leading to huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. This study developed a novel live attenuated P. multocida vaccine strain for ducks named PMZ2 with deletion of the gatA gene and first four bases of the hptE gene, both of which are required for the synthesis of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) outer core. PMZ2 produced a truncated LPS phenotype and was highly attenuated in ducks with a > 105-fold higher LD50 than the wild-type strain. PMZ2 colonized the blood and organs, including the spleen, liver and lung, at remarkably reduced levels, and its high dose of oral infection did not cause adverse effects on body temperatures and body weights in ducks. To evaluate the vaccine efficacy of the mutant, ducklings were inoculated orally or intranasally with PMZ2 or PBS twice and subsequently subjected to a lethal challenge. Compared with the PBS control, PMZ2 immunization stimulated significantly elevated serum IgG, bile IgA and tracheal IgA responses, especially after the boost immunization in both the oral and intranasal groups, and the induced serum had significant bactericidal effects against the wild-type strain. Furthermore, the two PMZ2 immunization groups exhibited alleviated tissue lesions and significantly decreased bacterial loads in the blood and organs compared with the PBS group post-challenge. All the ducks in the PMZ2 oral and intranasal groups survived the challenge, while 70% of ducks in the PBS group succumbed to the challenge. Thus, the P. multocida mutant with mutation of the gatA gene and part of the hptE gene proved to be an effective live attenuated vaccine candidate for prevention of fowl cholera in ducks.

Abstract Fowl cholera caused by Pasteurella multocida exerts a massive economic burden on the poultry industry. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is essential for the growth of P. multocida genotype L1 strains in chickens and specific truncations to the full length LPS structure can attenuate bacterial virulence. Here we further dissected the roles of the outer core transferase genes pcgD and hptE in bacterial resistance to duck serum, outer membrane permeability and virulence in ducks. Two P. multocida mutants, ΔpcgD and ΔhptE, were constructed, and silver staining confirmed that they all produced truncated LPS profiles. Inactivation of pcgD or hptE did not affect bacterial susceptibility to duck serum and outer membrane permeability but resulted in attenuated virulence in ducks to some extent. After high-dose inoculation, ΔpcgD showed remarkably reduced colonization levels in the blood and spleen but not in the lung and liver and caused decreased injuries in the spleen and liver compared with the wild-type strain. In contrast, the ΔhptE loads declined only in the blood, and ΔhptE infection caused decreased splenic lesions but also induced severe hepatic lesions. Furthermore, compared with the wild-type strain, ΔpcgD was significantly attenuated upon oral or intramuscular challenge, whereas ΔhptE exhibited reduced virulence only upon oral infection. Therefore, the pcgD deletion caused greater virulence attenuation in ducks, indicating the critical role of pcgD in P. multocida infection establishment and survival.

In this study the effect of high-pressure torsion extrusion (HPTE) and artificial aging (AA) on the strength and electrical conductivity of an Al–Mg–Si alloy was investigated. The resulting material shows remarkable improvement in ultimate strength reaching 380 MPa and in electrical conductivity with 53 % IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard), after post-processing aging at 160 °C for 10 h. X-ray diffraction analysis and electron backscatter diffraction were employed to analyze the structure of the alloy caused HPTE followed by AA. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy were used to study the morphology, elemental composition, and crystal structure of the secondary phases. The study confirms that Guinier-Preston (GP) zones and nano-scale precipitates created during the deformation and subsequent heat treatment are evenly distributed inside the grains. Chemical composition analysis of the precipitates indicated the presence of one main phase based on the Mg/Si ratio coexisting with a low volume fraction of other phases in this Al grade. High-resolution TEM revealed precipitates either with a partially ordered structure or a fully crystalline structure. Strength and electrical conductivity modeling were carried out based on the microstructural characterization results. The findings of this study indicate that HPTE together with thermal treatment has the potential as new approach for processing of commercially significant aluminum alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pasteurella multocida infection frequently causes fowl cholera outbreaks, leading to huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. This study developed a novel live attenuated P. multocida vaccine strain for ducks named PMZ2 with deletion of the gatA gene and first four bases of the hptE gene, both of which are required for the synthesis of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) outer core. PMZ2 produced a truncated LPS phenotype and was highly attenuated in ducks with a > 105-fold higher LD50 than the wild-type strain. PMZ2 colonized the blood and organs, including the spleen, liver and lung, at remarkably reduced levels, and its high dose of oral infection did not cause adverse effects on body temperatures and body weights in ducks. To evaluate the vaccine efficacy of the mutant, ducklings were inoculated orally or intranasally with PMZ2 or PBS twice and subsequently subjected to a lethal challenge. Compared with the PBS control, PMZ2 immunization stimulated significantly elevated serum IgG, bile IgA and tracheal IgA responses, especially after the boost immunization in both the oral and intranasal groups, and the induced serum had significant bactericidal effects against the wild-type strain. Furthermore, the two PMZ2 immunization groups exhibited alleviated tissue lesions and significantly decreased bacterial loads in the blood and organs compared with the PBS group post-challenge. All the ducks in the PMZ2 oral and intranasal groups survived the challenge, while 70% of ducks in the PBS group succumbed to the challenge. Thus, the P. multocida mutant with mutation of the gatA gene and part of the hptE gene proved to be an effective live attenuated vaccine candidate for prevention of fowl cholera in ducks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fowl cholera caused by Pasteurella multocida exerts a massive economic burden on the poultry industry. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is essential for the growth of P. multocida genotype L1 strains in chickens and specific truncations to the full length LPS structure can attenuate bacterial virulence. Here we further dissected the roles of the outer core transferase genes pcgD and hptE in bacterial resistance to duck serum, outer membrane permeability and virulence in ducks. Two P. multocida mutants, ΔpcgD and ΔhptE, were constructed, and silver staining confirmed that they all produced truncated LPS profiles. Inactivation of pcgD or hptE did not affect bacterial susceptibility to duck serum and outer membrane permeability but resulted in attenuated virulence in ducks to some extent. After high-dose inoculation, ΔpcgD showed remarkably reduced colonization levels in the blood and spleen but not in the lung and liver and caused decreased injuries in the spleen and liver compared with the wild-type strain. In contrast, the ΔhptE loads declined only in the blood, and ΔhptE infection caused decreased splenic lesions but also induced severe hepatic lesions. Furthermore, compared with the wild-type strain, ΔpcgD was significantly attenuated upon oral or intramuscular challenge, whereas ΔhptE exhibited reduced virulence only upon oral infection. Therefore, the pcgD deletion caused greater virulence attenuation in ducks, indicating the critical role of pcgD in P. multocida infection establishment and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are widespread in the built and natural environments. Heightened public awareness of their potential danger has led to concern about whether EDC and their metabolites have significant negative biological effects. Studies have shown that EDC like DDT and other organochlorine pesticides, such as methoxychlor (MXC), have adverse effects on immune cells, but no studies have addressed the impact of HPTE, the primary metabolite of MXC. To elucidate the presence and significance of HPTE adverse effects, this study explored the impact of HPTE on a critical window and component of immune system development, embryonic T-cell development. Lesions at this phase of development can lead to lifelong immune dysfunction and increased incidence of immune disease, such as autoimmunity. Embry-onic thymocytes (GD 16-18) from C57BL/6 mice were subjected to an in vitro differentiation culture that mimicked early steps in thymocyte development in the presence of 0.005, 0.05, 0.5, 5, or 50 μM HPTE, or a model endocrine disruptor, DES. The results indicated that compared to the vehicle control, HPTE- and DES-induced death of thymocytes. Annexin-V staining and Caspase 8, markers of programed cell death, revealed that the loss of cells was due at least in part to induction of apoptosis. Moreover, HPTE-induced cell death not only resulted in selective loss of double positive thymocytes, but also loss of developing CD4 intermediate cells (post-double positive partially differentiated thymocyte population). Phenotypic analysis of thymocyte maturation (T-cell receptor, TCR) and TCR ligation (CD5) surface markers revealed that surviving embryonic thymocytes expressed low levels of both. Taken together these data demonstrate that immature embryonic thymocytes are sensitive to HPTE exposure and that HPTE exposure targets thymocyte populations undergoing critical differentiation steps. These findings suggest HPTE may play a pivotal role in MXC exposure-induced immune dysfunction.

Organochlorine pesticides, such as DDT, methoxychlor, and their metabolites, have been characterized as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); suggesting that their modes of action involve interaction with or abrogation of endogenous endocrine function. This study examined whether embryonic thymocyte death and alteration of differentiation induced by the primary metabolite of methoxychlor, HPTE, rely upon estrogen receptor binding and concurrent T cell receptor signaling. Estrogen receptor inhibition of ERα or GPER did not rescue embryonic thymocyte death induced by HPTE or the model estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES). Moreover, adverse effects induced by HPTE or DES were worsened by concurrent TCR and CD2 differentiation signaling, compared with EDC exposure post-signaling. Together, these data suggest that HPTE- and DES-induced adverse effects on embryonic thymocytes do not rely solely on ER alpha or GPER but may require both. These results also provide evidence of a potential collaborative signaling mechanism between TCR and estrogen receptors to mediate adverse effects on embryonic thymocytes, as well as highlight a window of sensitivity that modulates EDC exposure severity.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are widespread in the built and natural environments. Heightened public awareness of their potential danger has led to concern about whether EDC and their metabolites have significant negative biological effects. Studies have shown that EDC like DDT and other organochlorine pesticides, such as methoxychlor (MXC), have adverse effects on immune cells, but no studies have addressed the impact of HPTE, the primary metabolite of MXC. To elucidate the presence and significance of HPTE adverse effects, this study explored the impact of HPTE on a critical window and component of immune system development, embryonic T-cell development. Lesions at this phase of development can lead to lifelong immune dysfunction and increased incidence of immune disease, such as autoimmunity. Embry-onic thymocytes (GD 16-18) from C57BL/6 mice were subjected to an in vitro differentiation culture that mimicked early steps in thymocyte development in the presence of 0.005, 0.05, 0.5, 5, or 50 μM HPTE, or a model endocrine disruptor, DES. The results indicated that compared to the vehicle control, HPTE- and DES-induced death of thymocytes. Annexin-V staining and Caspase 8, markers of programed cell death, revealed that the loss of cells was due at least in part to induction of apoptosis. Moreover, HPTE-induced cell death not only resulted in selective loss of double positive thymocytes, but also loss of developing CD4 intermediate cells (post-double positive partially differentiated thymocyte population). Phenotypic analysis of thymocyte maturation (T-cell receptor, TCR) and TCR ligation (CD5) surface markers revealed that surviving embryonic thymocytes expressed low levels of both. Taken together these data demonstrate that immature embryonic thymocytes are sensitive to HPTE exposure and that HPTE exposure targets thymocyte populations undergoing critical differentiation steps. These findings suggest HPTE may play a pivotal role in MXC exposure-induced immune dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • MXC and HPTE inhibit synthesis of neurosteroids. • HPTE competitively inhibits AKR1C14 and RDH2. • HPTE is more potent to inhibit the activity of AKR1C14 than that of RDH2. • Docking shows that MXC and HPTE bind to the steroid-binding pocket. Abstract Methoxychlor is primarily used as an insecticide and it is widely present in the environment. The objective of the present study was to investigate the direct effects of methoxychlor and its metabolite hydroxychlor (HPTE) on rat neurosteroidogenic 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C14) and retinol dehydrogenase 2 (RDH2) activities. Rat AKR1C14 and RDH2 were cloned and expressed in COS-1 cells, and the effects of methoxychlor and HPTE on these enzymes were measured. HPTE was more potent to inhibit AKR1C14 and RDH2 activities than methoxychlor, with IC 50 values of 2.602 ± 0.057 μM and 20.473 ± 0.049 μM, respectively, while those of methoxychlor were over 100 μM. HPTE competitively inhibited AKR1C14 and RDH2 when steroid substrates were used, while it showed a mode of mixed inhibition on these enzymes when NADPH/NAD+ were used. We elucidated the binding mode of methoxychlor and HPTE to the crystal structure of AKR1C14 by molecular docking and found that HPTE had higher affinity with the enzyme than methoxychlor. In conclusion, HPTE is more potent than methoxychlor to inhibit both AKR1C14 and RDH2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are involved in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous compounds. Human and rat liver microsomes were used to investigate the inhibitory effects of methoxychlor (MXC) and its metabolite 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE) on the activities of corresponding human and rat CYPs. Probe drugs were used to test the inhibitory effects of MXC and HPTE on human and rat CYPs. The results showed that MXC and HPTE inhibited both human CYP2C9 and rat liver CYP2C11 activity, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 15.47 ± 0.36 (MXC) and 8.87 ± 0.53 μmol/l (HPTE) for human CYP2C9, and of 22.45 ± 1.48 (MXC) and 24.63 ± 1.35 μmol/l (HPTE) for rat CYP2C11. MXC and HPTE had no effects on human CYP2C19 activity but inhibited rat CYP2C6 activity with IC50 values of 14.84 ± 0.04 (MXC) and 8.72 ± 0.25 μmol/l (HPTE). With regard to human CYP2D6 and rat CYP2D2 activity, only HPTE potently inhibited human CYP2D6 activity, with an IC50 value of 16.56 ± 0.69 μmol/l. Both chemicals had no effect on human CYP3A4 and rat CYP3A1 activity. In summary, MXC and HPTE are potent inhibitors of some human and rat CYPs. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major metabolite of the estrogenic pesticide methoxychlor (MXC) HPTE is a stronger ESR1 agonist than MXC and acts also as an ESR2 antagonist. In granulosa cells (GCs), FSH stimulates estradiol via the second messenger cAMP. HPTE inhibits estradiol biosynthesis, and this effect is greater in FSH-treated GCs than in cAMP-treated GCs. Therefore; we examined the effect of MXC/HPTE on FSH-stimulated cAMP production in cultured GCs. To test involvement of ESR-signaling, we used the ESR1 and ESR2 antagonist ICI 182,780, ESR2 selective antagonist PHTPP, and ESR2 selective agonist DPN. ESR1 and ESR2 mRNA and protein levels were quantified. Both HPTE and MXC inhibited the FSH-induced cAMP production. ICI 182,780 and PHTPP mimicked the inhibitory action of HPTE. MXC/HPTE reduced FSH-stimulated Esr2 mRNA and protein to basal levels. MXC/HPTE also inhibited FSH-stimulated Esr1 . The greater inhibition on FSH-stimulated GCs is likely due to reduced cAMP level that involves ESR-signaling, through ESR2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] HPTE inhibits 17α-hydroxylase. [•] HPTE is an uncompetitive inhibitor. [•] HPTE inhibits androgen production by rat Leydig cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Methoxychlor (MXC) is primarily used as a pesticide and widely present in the environment. The objective of the present study is to investigate the direct effects of MXC and its metabolite 2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE) on two isoforms of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2) in vitro. Human liver microsome, rat testis microsome and adult Leydig cells were used for the measurement of 11β-HSD1 activity. Human placental and rat kidney microsomes were used for 11β-HSD2 activity. The IC50 values on human 11β-HSD1 by MXC and HPTE were 1.91±0.07 and 8.88±0.08μM, respectively. HPTE inhibited rat 11β-HSD1 with IC50 of 9.15±0.05μM, while MXC did not inhibit the enzyme. MXC and HPTE were competitive inhibitors of 11β-HSD1. HPTE also inhibited human and rat 11β-HSD2 with IC50 values of 55.57±0.08 and 12.96±0.11μM, respectively, while MXC did not inhibit 11β-HSD2. In summary, our results showed that MXC and its metabolite HPTE inhibited both isoforms of 11β-HSD in a species- and chemical structure-dependent manner. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The methoxychlor metabolite, HPTE, was shown to inhibit P450-cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc) activity resulting in decreased progesterone production by cultured ovarian follicular cells in previous studies. It is not known whether HPTE has any effect on progesterone formation by the corpus luteum. Results: Exposure to 100nM HPTE reduced progesterone production by luteal cells with progressive declines to <22% of control at 500nM HPTE. Similarly, HPTE progressively inhibited progesterone formation and P450scc catalytic activity of hCG- or 8 Br-cAMP-stimulated luteal cells. However, HPTE did not alter mRNA and protein levels of P450scc. Compounds acting as estrogen (17β-estradiol, bisphenol-A or octylphenol), antiestrogen (ICI) or antiandrogen (monobutyl phthalate, flutamide or M-2) added alone to luteal cells did not mimic the action of HPTE on progesterone and P450scc activity. These results suggest that HPTE directly inhibits P450scc catalytic activity resulting in reduced progesterone formation, and this action was not mediated through estrogen or androgen receptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Methoxychlor (MXC), an organochlorine pesticide, and its metabolites, mono-hydroxy MXC (MOH) and bis-hydroxy MXC (HPTE) are known ovarian toxicants and can cause inhibition of antral follicle growth. Since these chemicals bind to estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), we hypothesized that ovaries overexpressing ESR1 (ESR1 OE) would be more susceptible to toxicity induced by MXC and its metabolites because the chemicals can bind to more ESR1 in the antral follicles. We cultured antral follicles from controls and ESR1 OE mouse ovaries with either the vehicle dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), MXC, MOH, or HPTE. The data show that at 96 h, the cultured antral follicles from ESR1 OE antral follicles are more susceptible to toxicity induced by MXC, MOH, and HPTE because low doses of these chemicals cause follicle growth inhibition in ESR1 OE mice but not in control mice. On comparing gene expression levels of nuclear receptors in the cultured antral follicles of ESR1 OE and control follicles, we found differential messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Esr1, estrogen receptor beta (Esr2), androgen receptor (Ar), progesterone receptor (Pr), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) between the genotypes. We also analyzed mRNA levels of Cyp3a41a, the enzyme metabolizing MOH and HPTE, in the cultured follicles and found that Cyp3a41a was significantly lower in DMSO-treated ESR1 OE follicles compared with controls. In ESR1 OE livers, we found that Cyp3a41a levels were significantly lower compared with control livers. Collectively, these data suggest that MXC and its metabolites cause differential gene expression in ESR1 OE mice compared with controls. The results also suggest that the increased sensitivity of ESR1 OE mouse ovaries to toxicity induced by MXC and its metabolites is due to low clearance of the metabolites by the liver and ovary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human and rat testis microsomes were used to investigate direct inhibitory activities of methoxychlor (MXC) and its metabolite 2,2- bis( p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE) on 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17β-HSD3). The 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD3 enzymes are involved in the reactions that culminate in androgen biosynthesis in Leydig cells. The results demonstrated that MXC and HPTE inhibited human 3β-HSD activity at a concentration of 10 n. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) for MXC inhibition of 3β-HSD was 53.21 ± 15.52 μ (human) and 46.15 ± 17.94 μ (rat), and for HPTE, it was 8.29 ± 2.49 μ (human) and 13.82 ± 2.26 μ (rat). At the higher concentration of 100 μ, MXC did not affect human and rat 17β-HSD3 activity. However, the IC for HPTE inhibition of 17β-HSD3 was 12.1 ± 1.9 μ (human) and 32 .0 ± 8.6 μ (rat). The mode of action of MXC and HPTE on 3β-HSD activity was non-competitive with the substrate pregnenolone, but was competitive with the cofactor NAD. The mode of HPTE inhibition of 17β-HSD3 was non-competitive with the substrate androstenedione, but was competitive with the cofactor NADPH. In summary, our results showed that HPTE, which is the biologically active metabolite of MXC, has the capacity for direct inhibition of 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD3 enzyme activity. Inhibition of enzyme activity is presumably associated with suppression of steroidogenesis in gonadal tissues and has implications for testis function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interest and concern regarding potentially estrogenic substances have resulted in development of model systems to evaluate mechanisms of such chemicals. Microarray studies have indicated that estradiol (E2)-stimulated uterine responses can be divided into early and late phases. Comparison of E2 uterine transcript profiles and those of other estrogenic chemicals of interest in vivo indicates mechanisms and activities of test compounds. Objectives: We compared transcript responses and mechanisms of response using mouse reproductive tracts after treatment with E2, estriol (E3), bisphenol A (BPA), and 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE). Methods: Uterine RNA from ovariectomized wild-type mice, estrogen receptor α (ERα) knockout (αERKO) mice, and mice expressing a DNA-binding-deficient ERα (KIKO) treated with E2, E3, BPA, or HPTE for 2 or 24 hr was analyzed by microarray. Resulting regulated transcripts were compared by hierarchical clustering and correlation analysis, and response patterns were verified by reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Both xenoestrogens, BPA and HPTE, showed profiles highly correlated to that of E2 in the early response phase (2 hr), but the correlation diminished in the later response phase (24 hr), similar to the known weak estrogen E3. Both xenoestrogens also mimicked E2 in samples from KIKO mice, indicating that they are able to utilize the indirect tethering mode of ERα signaling. No response was detected in ERα-null uteri, indicating that ERα mediates the responses. Conclusion: Our study forms a basis on which patterns of response and molecular mechanisms of potentially estrogenic chemicals can be assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Exposure to the pesticide methoxychlor in rodents is linked to impaired steroid production, ovarian atrophy and reduced fertility. Following in vivo administration, it is rapidly converted by the liver to 2,2-bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE), the reported active metabolite. Both methoxychlor and HPTE have weak estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities, and these effects are thought to be mediated through the estrogen and androgen receptors, respectively. Previous in vivo studies on methoxychlor exposure to female animals have demonstrated decreased progesterone production but no change in serum estrogen levels. We recently showed that HPTE specifically inhibits the P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc, CYP11A1) step resulting in decreased androgen production by cultured rat testicular Leydig cells. The current studies examined the mechanism of action of HPTE on progesterone production by cultured ovarian cells (granulosa and theca-interstitial) from pregnant mare serum gonadotropin-primed immature rats. In addition, we evaluated whether the effects of HPTE on rat ovarian cell progesterone biosynthesis were mediated through the estrogen or androgen receptors. Exposure to HPTE (0, 10, 50 or 100nM) alone progressively inhibited progesterone formation in cultured theca-interstitial and granulosa cells and the P450scc catalytic activity in theca-interstitial cells in a dose-dependent manner with significant declines starting at 50nM. However, HPTE did not change mRNA levels of the P450scc system (P450scc, adrenodoxin reductase and adrenodoxin) as well as P450scc protein levels. Of interest, estradiol, xenoestrogens (bisphenol-A or 4-tert-octylphenol), a pure antiestrogen (ICI 182,780), or antiandrogens (4-hydroxyflutamide or the vinclozolin metabolite M-2), had no effect on progesterone production even at 1000nM. Co-treatment of HPTE with ICI 182,780 did not block the effect of HPTE on progesterone formation. These studies suggest that the decline in progesterone formation following exposure to HPTE in cultured ovarian cells is associated with the inhibition of catalytic activity of P450scc at least in theca-interstitial cells. This action does not appear to be mediated through the estrogen or androgen receptor signaling pathways, and other chemicals exhibiting estrogenic, antiestrogenic or antiandrogenic properties do not mimic its effect on ovarian steroid production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The exquisitely balanced hormonal mechanisms that control female fertility can be affected by several internal and external factors including pathogens, genetic maladies, and environmental agents. In the latter group are natural and synthetic agents known as endocrine disruptors. One such compound, 2,2-bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE), is the predominant metabolite of the pesticide methoxychlor. The effects of HPTE on ovarian steroidogenesis have not been previously reported and were investigated in the present study. Granulosa cells harvested from immature rats were treated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or N6,2′-O-dibutyryladenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (db-cAMP) in the presence or absence of HPTE. After 48h, progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17β (E2) concentrations were measured in the culture media. Steady-state levels of the mRNAs encoding steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (3β-HSD), and P450 aromatase (P450arom) were examined using real-time PCR. Both FSH- and db-cAMP-stimulated P4 accumulation were impaired by HPTE. In contrast, FSH-, but not db-cAMP-stimulated, E2 content was suppressed by HPTE. The FSH-dependent increase in the abundance of P450scc, 3β-HSD, and P450arom mRNAs was blocked by HPTE; however, StAR expression was not altered. Although db-cAMP-dependent P450arom was moderately reduced by HPTE, the levels of db-cAMP-dependent StAR, P450scc, and 3β-HSD mRNAs were increased in the presence of HPTE. These data collectively show that HPTE can disrupt P4 and E2 production in granulosa cells, with implications for sites of action both preceding and following the generation of cAMP. The steroid-modulatory effects of HPTE in granulosa cells appear to involve the general suppression of the FSH-dependent expression of mRNAs encoding steroid pathway proteins, whereas the disparate effects of HPTE on cAMP-dependent mRNA content in this regard suggest a broader and more complex mechanism of action. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Methoxychlor (MC) is an insecticide that is presently used on agricultural crops, especially after the ban on the use of 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT) in the United States. Following administration in vivo, MC is converted to 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE), which is thought to be the active agent. However, both MC and HPTE have been reported to have weak estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities, and they are thought to exert their potential adverse (endocrine disruptive) effects through the estrogen and androgen receptors, respectively. In a recent study, HPTE was shown to inhibit both basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone production by cultured Leydig cells from immature and adult rats, and these effects were reported to be mediated through the estrogen receptor. Because fetal Leydig cells represent a separate population from adult Leydig cells and many of the reported adverse actions of endocrine disruptors are thought to have their effects during gestational exposure, the present studies examined the effects of HPTE on testosterone formation by cultured fetal Leydig cells from neonatal rats to determine whether these cells are sensitive to HPTE. Our studies demonstrated that HPTE inhibited both basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone formation in a dose-dependent manner. Significant declines in testosterone were observed at about 100nM HPTE, and this effect was detected as early as 1h after exposure. The main effects of HPTE appeared to be localized to the cholesterol side-chain cleavage step which converts cholesterol to pregnenolone. In addition, this effect did not appear to be mediated through the estrogen receptor as a weak estrogen or the androgen receptor as an antiandrogen, which are the currently proposed modes of action of MC and HPTE. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Methoxychlor (MC) is an insecticide that is currently used on a variety of agricultural crops, especially following the ban of 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT) use in the United States. Following in vivo administration, MC is converted to 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE), which is proposed to be the active agent. Both MC and HPTE have been demonstrated to exhibit weak estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities, and they are thought to exert their effects through estrogen or androgen receptors, respectively. A recent study reported that HPTE inhibited both basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone formation by immature and adult cultured rat Leydig cells and that this effect was mediated through the estrogen receptor. In the current studies, we examined the effects of HPTE on basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone formation by cultured Leydig cells from young adult rats. In addition, we evaluated whether the effects of HPTE on rat Leydig cell testosterone biosynthesis were mediated through the estrogen receptor as an estrogen agonist or the androgen receptor as an antiandrogen. The current studies demonstrated that HPTE inhibited both basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone formation in a dose-dependent manner with significant declines in testosterone being observed at ∼100nM. The effects of HPTE were localized to the cholesterol side-chain cleavage step; however, these effects were not mediated through the classic estrogen receptor or by its acting as an antiandrogen, the currently recognized modes of action of MC and HPTE. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed that in vitro assays for estrogen receptor (ER)- and androgen receptor (AR)-mediated actions be included in a Tier-I screening battery to detect hormonally active chemicals. Herein we describe the development of a novel stable cell line, MDA-kb2, for screening of androgen agonist and antagonists and to characterize its specificity and sensitivity to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-453, was stably transformed with the MMTV.luciferase.neo reporter gene construct. Since both GR and AR are present in the MDA-MB-453 cells, and both receptors can act through the MMTV promoter, compounds that act through either AR or GR activate the MMTV luciferase reporter. As expected, AR agonists such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and GR agonists such as dexamethasone (DEX), corticosterone, and aldosterone induce luciferase expression at appropriate concentrations. DHT consistently produced 3–9-fold induction at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 nM. At 1 to 1000 nM, DEX induced luciferase activity 1.3–19.5-fold. To distinguish AR- from GR-mediated ligands, chemicals were assayed concurrently with the antiandrogen, hydroxyflutamide (OHF), which blocks AR- but not GR-mediated responses. In addition, known AR antagonists, including hydroxyflutamide, vinclozolin, vinclozolin metabolites M1 and M2, p,p`-DDE, and linuron inhibited DHT-induced luciferase gene expression at appropriate concentrations in this system. We have found that these cells are relatively easy to culture and maintain. Responsiveness was monitored over time and was stable for more than 80 passages. Some advantages of this assay are that it is relatively rapid (2 days), eliminates the need for transfection, can be conducted in a 96-well plate format, and produces consistent reproducible results. In summary, we have developed a cell line that can be used to screen chemicals, not just for AR- but for GR-mediated activities as well. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The reproductive and developmental effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) and methoxychlor (MXC) observed in treated rodents appear to be linked to some unique but also overlapping patterns of gene expression. The MXC metabolite 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE) was previously shown to have selective agonist activity through estrogen receptor α (ERα) and antagonist activity through ERβ and androgen receptor (AR). To discover gene families regulated by HPTE and E2, and to characterize similarities and differences in patterns of gene expression induced by these selective ER ligands, we analyzed tissues from mice treated for 3 days with a combined treatment of E2 and HPTE (E2 + HPTE), or the antiandrogen flutamide (FLU). RNA from uteri and ovaries was analyzed with cDNA microarrays and real-time RT-PCR. Results indicate that HPTE and E2 acted similarly to regulate most gene families in the uterus, which expresses predominantly ERα. However, in both the uterus and the ovary, there were a few genes that displayed differential patterns of gene regulation by E2 or HPTE treatment, presumably through ERβ, AR, or other unidentified pathways. In the uterus, progesterone receptor, ERα, AR, insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5, and clusterin mRNAs were significantly reduced with both E2 or HPTE treatments, whereas cathepsin B was induced. Conversely, in the ovary, induction of cathepsin B by E2 was reversed after cotreatment with HPTE, and ERβ expression was induced similarly by HPTE and FLU but not by E2. In addition, E2 uniquely regulated glutathione peroxidase 3, glutathione S-transferase, and cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase, with no effect of HPTE or FLU treatments. This analysis demonstrated several gene families that appear to be regulated in a ligand-specific pattern, which may explain the unique but overlapping reproductive tissue pathologies following exposure to E2 and MXC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Organochlorine pesticides, such as DDT, methoxychlor, and their metabolites, have been characterized as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); suggesting that their modes of action involve interaction with or abrogation of endogenous endocrine function. This study examined whether embryonic thymocyte death and alteration of differentiation induced by the primary metabolite of methoxychlor, HPTE, rely upon estrogen receptor binding and concurrent T cell receptor signaling. Estrogen receptor inhibition of ERα or GPER did not rescue embryonic thymocyte death induced by HPTE or the model estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES). Moreover, adverse effects induced by HPTE or DES were worsened by concurrent TCR and CD2 differentiation signaling, compared with EDC exposure post-signaling. Together, these data suggest that HPTE- and DES-induced adverse effects on embryonic thymocytes do not rely solely on ER alpha or GPER but may require both. These results also provide evidence of a potential collaborative signaling mechanism between TCR and estrogen receptors to mediate adverse effects on embryonic thymocytes, as well as highlight a window of sensitivity that modulates EDC exposure severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To optimise recovery of phenolics from Vitex agnus-castus Linn., a non-conventional high-pressure (2–24 bar) and temperature (100–180°C) extraction method was used under nitrogen atmosphere with methanol as a solvent. Optimal temperature was between 100 and 140°C, and optimal extraction time was about one half that of conventional solid/liquid extraction at room temperature. Final yields of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, o-diphenols and anthocyanins extraction were 2.0, 3.0, 2.5 and 11-fold those obtained by conventional extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]