Publications by authors named "Huitao Li"

Curcuminoids, including curcumin and its derivatives, show potent inhibition of aromatase (CYP19A1), crucial for estradiol synthesis and breast cancer metastasis. Our study evaluated the efficacy and mechanism of 10 curcuminoids and their metabolites against human and rat CYP19A1 using placental microsomes, revealing species-specific IC values. Cyclocurcumin (IC, 4.

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This research investigated the impact of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a mycotoxin, on the function of progenitor Leydig cells (PLCs) in prepubertal male rats, focusing on its potential disruption of mitochondrial integrity through mitofusin 1 (MFN1) modulation. In vivo, Sprague Dawley rats received CPA (0.2, 1, 5 mg/kg/day) via gavage from postnatal days 21-28 to evaluate PLC function and mitochondrial morphology using serum hormone levels, histology, qPCR, and Western blot analyses.

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Parabens are widely used as preservatives in personal care products and are linked to potential disruptions in placental steroidogenesis. However, their exact impact remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the inhibition, mechanisms, structure-activity relationships (SAR) of parabens on human placental 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (h3β-HSD1) and its rat counterpart, r3β-HSD4.

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Aim: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common morbidity in extremely premature infants. Previous studies demonstrated the important role of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in inflammation in BPD. However, the role of LPA and its receptors in hyperoxia-induced vascular malformations in BPD remains to be elucidated.

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This study delved into the impacts of 10 parabens on the activity of human and rat gonadal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) within human KGN cell and rat testicular microsomes, as well as on the secretion of progesterone in KGN cells and the inhibitory potency was compared between human and rats. Intriguingly, the outcomes revealed that ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl, heptyl, nonyl, phenyl, and benzyl parabens displayed varying IC values for human 3β-HSD2, from 4.15 to 139.

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Article Synopsis
  • Parabens, used as preservatives in personal care products and pharmaceuticals, were studied for their effects on the enzyme SRD5A1, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone in human and rat brain cells.
  • The study found that various parabens inhibited SRD5A1, with nonylparaben showing the strongest inhibitory effect, ultimately reducing dihydrotestosterone production in glioblastoma cells.
  • While rat SRD5A1 was less affected by parabens, both human and rat versions showed that these compounds bind to a specific site on the enzyme, indicating significant implications for hormone production and regulation.
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Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues are widely used industrial chemicals. Placental 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3β-HSDs) catalyse the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone. However, the potency of BPA analogues in inhibiting 3β-HSDs activity remains unclear.

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Bisphenol H (BPH) has emerged as a potential alternative to bisphenol A (BPA), which has been curtailed for use due to concerns over its reproductive and endocrine toxicity. This study investigates whether BPH exerts antiandrogenic effects by impairing Leydig cell function, a critical component in testosterone production. We administered orally BPH to adult male rats at doses of 0, 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg/day for 7 days.

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In this study, we have explored the role of the KATNB1 gene, a microtubule-severing protein, in the seminiferous epithelium of the rat testis. Our data have shown that KATNB1 expressed in rat brain, testes, and Sertoli cells. KATNB1 was found to co-localize with α-tubulin showing a unique stage-specific distribution across the seminiferous epithelium.

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Article Synopsis
  • Prostate cancer is a significant health issue globally, and the study focuses on NL13, a new curcumin analogue that targets PLK4, which plays a crucial role in cancer progression and cell cycle regulation.
  • Research showed that NL13 was significantly more effective than curcumin in reducing the viability of prostate cancer cells and inhibiting PLK4 activity, along with triggering cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
  • The study concluded that NL13 demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for prostate cancer by disrupting key molecular pathways, indicating its promise for future cancer treatments.
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Triclosan is a potent antibacterial compound widely used in everyday products. Whether triclosan affects Leydig cell function in adult male rats remains unknown. In this study, 0, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day triclosan was gavaged to Sprague-Dawley male rats from 56 to 63 days postpartum.

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Prenatal exposure to diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) has been linked with a decline in testosterone levels in adult male rats, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the potential epigenetic regulation, particularly focusing on N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, as a possible mechanism. Dams were gavaged with DEHP (0, 10, 100, and 750 mg/kg/day) from gestational day 14 to day 21.

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Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a prevalent congenital cardiac malformation, which lacks effective early biological diagnosis and intervention. MicroRNAs, as epigenetic regulators of cardiac development, provide potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of CHD. However, the mechanisms underlying miRNAs-mediated regulation of cardiac development and CHD malformation remain to be further elucidated.

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Morphine is an analgesic in the opiate family, isolated from many plants. It can inhibit androgen biosynthesis by Leydig cells. Whether morphine directly inhibits androgen biosynthesis and underlying mechanism remains unclear.

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Butorphanol is a synthetic opioid analgesic medication that is primarily used for the management of pain. Butorphanol may have an inhibitory effect on androgen biosynthesis and metabolism in rat immature Leydig cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of butorphanol on androgen secretion by rat Leydig cells isolated from the 35-day-old male rats.

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Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA) is a novel perfluoroalkyl substance that ubiquitously exists in the environment. However, whether PFTeDA affects adrenal cortex function remains unclear. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (age of 60 days) were daily administered with PFTeDA (0, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg body weight) through gavage for 28 days.

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Chlorinated bisphenol A (BPA) derivatives are formed during chlorination process of drinking water, whereas bisphenol S (BPS) and brominated BPA and BPS (TBBPA and TBBPS) were synthesized for many industrial uses such as fire retardants. However, the effect of halogenated BPA and BPS derivatives on glucocorticoid metabolizing enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) remains unclear. The inhibitory effects of 6 BPA derivatives in the inhibition of human and rat 11β-HSD1 were investigated.

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Tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA), a halogenated flame retardant and endocrine disruptor, has been detected in human urine and serum. While previous research has shown its impact on the reproductive system, investigations into its mechanisms during puberty remain limited. This study aims to explore the effects of TCBPA on Leydig cells in adolescent mice and potential underlying mechanisms.

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The potential inhibitory effects of flavonoids on gonadal steroid biosynthesis have gained attention due to their widespread presence in natural plant sources. Specifically, our study focused on evaluating the inhibitory efficacy of these compounds on human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (h3β-HSD2) and rat homolog r3β-HSD1, enzymes responsible for the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone. Through our investigations, we observed that the potency of flavonoids was silymarin (IC, 1.

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Chalcones from licorice and its related plants have many pharmacological effects. However, the effects of chalcones on the activity of human and rat 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2), and associated side effects remain unclear. The inhibition of 11 chalcones on human and rat 11β-HSD2 were evaluated in microsomes and a 3D-quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) was analyzed.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commonly used plastic with potential endocrine-disrupting effects, leading to a search for alternative compounds, though concerns have arisen about their safety as well.
  • - This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of 11 BPA analogues on the aromatase enzyme (CYP19A1) in humans and rats, finding that bisphenol H was the most potent inhibitor, while others were less effective or not effective at all.
  • - The research revealed that the binding of these analogues to CYP19A1, their lipophilicity, and water solubility were important factors influencing their ability to inhibit estradiol production in human cells.
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The use of alternative substances to replace bisphenol A (BPA) has been encouraged. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of BPA and 9 BPA alternatives on human and rat aromatase (CYP19A1) in human and rat placental microsomes. The results revealed that bisphenol A, AP, B, C, E, F, FL, S, and Z, and 4,4'-thiodiphenol (TDP) inhibited human CYP19A1 and bisphenol A, AP, B, C, FL, Z, and TDP inhibited rat CYP19A1.

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Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used plastic material and its potential endocrine disrupting effect has restricted its use and increasing use of BPA alternatives has raised health concerns. However, the effect of bisphenol alternatives on steroidogenesis remains unclear. The objective of this study was to compare inhibitory potencies of 10 BPA alternatives in the inhibition of gonadal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in three species (human, rat and mouse).

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Bisphenol A (BPA) analogues are developed to replace BPA usage. However, their effects on 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) are largely unknown. The inhibitory effects of BPA and 10 BPA analogues with the substituents on the bridge moiety on human and rat 11β-HSD1 were explored in human and rat liver microsomes.

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