Journal of Health Science 

About: Journal of Health Science is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Health care. It has an ISSN identifier of 1344-9702. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 3571 publications have been published receiving 24187 citations.

Estrogenic Activities of 517 Chemicals by Yeast Two-Hybrid Assay

Abstract: One of the urgent tasks in understanding endocrine disruptors (EDs) is to compile a list of suspected substances among the huge number of chemicals by using the screening test method. We developed a simple and rapid screening method using the yeast two-hybrid system based on the ligand-dependent interaction of nuclear hormone receptors with coactivators. To date, we have tested the estrogenic activity of more than 500 chemicals including natural substances, medicines, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. 64 compounds were evaluated as positive, and most of these demonstrated a common structure; phenol with a hydrophobic moiety at the para-position without bulky groups at the ortho-position. These results are expected to facilitate further risk assessment of chemicals.

Nanoparticles Transferred from Pregnant Mice to Their Offspring Can Damage the Genital and Cranial Nerve Systems

Abstract: Nanomaterials are being used increasingly for commercial purposes, yet little is known about the potential health hazards such materials may pose to consumers and workers. Here we show that nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is used widely as a photo-catalyst and in consumer products, administered subcutaneously to pregnant mice is transferred to the offspring and affects the genital and cranial nerve systems of the male offspring. Nanoparticles identified as TiO2 by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were found in testis and brain of exposed 6-week-old male mice. In the offspring of TiO2-injected mice, various functional and pathologic disorders, such as reduced daily sperm production and numerous caspase-3 (a biomarker of apoptosis) positive cells in the olfactory bulb of the brain, were observed. Our findings suggest the need for great caution to handle the nanomaterials for workers and consumers.

Antibacterial Activity of Extracts Prepared from Tropical and Subtropical Plants on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract: The antibacterial activity of the extracts prepared from 181 species (75 families) of tropical and subtropical plants was screened against various types of pathogenic bacteria. Among the 505 extracts tested, 53 of them inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The active extracts obtained from barks of Shorea hemsleyana and roots of Cyphostemma bainessi were separated to their components, some of which greatly reduced the viable cell number of MRSA. These active compounds were all identified as stilbene derivatives. Hemsleyanol d, one of the stilbene tetramer isolated from S. hemsleyana, was the most effective compound and had MIC of 2 μg/ml.

Metabolomics of Selenium: Se Metabolites Based on Speciation Studies

Abstract: Selenium is a trace element essential for the normal function of the body. This metalloid is quite unique in its metabolism compared with typical essential metals such as copper and zinc. In the present communication, the metabolism of selenium in the body was reviewed from the viewpoint of metabolomics based on speciation studies. Both inorganic and organic forms of slenium can be the nutritional source, and they are transformed to the common intermediate, selenide or its equivalent. Selenite and selenate are reduced simply to selenide for further utilization and/or excretion. On the other hand, organic selenocysteine is directly lysed to selenide, while selenomethionine is transformed to selenocysteine (trans-selenation pathway), similarly to the trans-sulfuration pathway for methionine to cysteine, and then lysed to selenide. Selenide is known to be transformed to selenocysteine on tRNA, and the selenocysteinyl residue is incorporated into selenoprotein sequences by the codon specific to selenocysteine, UGA. Diverse selenium chemicals in foods seem to be recognized as selenium species and transformed to selenide, and then utilized for the synthesis of selenoproteins. Surplus selenium is methylated stepwise to methylated selenium metabolites from the common intermediate selenide. The major urinary metabolite is 1β-methylseleno-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (selenosugar). Trimethylselenonium has been recognized as the urinary metabolite excreted in response to excessive doses and as a biological marker for excessive doses. However, recent results contradicted this.

Anti-Diabetic Activity of Fruits of Terminalia chebula on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract: The present study was aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of Terminalia chebula (T. chebula) fruits on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental diabetes in rats. Oral administration of ethanolic extract of the fruits (200 mg/kg body weight/rat/day) for 30 days significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic rats. Determination of plasma insulin levels revealed the insulin stimulating action of the fruit extract. Also, the alterations observed in the activities of carbohydrate and glycogen metabolising enzymes were reverted back to near normal after 30 days of treatment with the extract. Electron microscopic studies showed significant morphological changes in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum of pancreatic β cells of STZinduced diabetic rats. Also, a decrease in the number of secretory granules of β-cells was observed in the STZinduced diabetic rats and a these pathological abnormalities were normalized after treatment with T. chebula extract. The efficacy of the fruit extract was comparable with glibenclamide, a well known hypoglycemic drug.