Nippon Eiseigaku Zasshi (Japanese Journal of Hygiene)
Online ISSN : 1882-6482
Print ISSN : 0021-5082
ISSN-L : 0021-5082
Issues on the Mini Symposium: Young Scientists Project
Effects of Nanoparticle-Rich-Diesel Exhaust on Steroidogenesis in Rats and the Mechanism Underlying Such Effects
Nozomi YAMAGISHIYuki ITODoni Hikmat RAMDHANTamie NAKAJIMA
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2011 Volume 66 Issue 4 Pages 634-637

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Abstract

Diesel exhaust (DE) is one of the major air pollutants in the world. DE disrupts steroid hormone levels, which may result from the disruption of spermatogenesis. Steroidogenesis occurs not only in the testis but also in the brain. Therefore, we investigated the effects of nanoparticle-rich DE (NR-DE) on steroidogenesis in both the testis and hippocampus. Exposure to NR-DE at concentrations comparable to the environmental standard for particulate matters 2.5 (PM2.5) in Japan increased plasma testosterone level. This exposure increased the expression levels of genes involved in steroidogenesis in the testis, but not in the hippocampus, suggesting that NR-DE disrupts steroid hormone balance. This finding suggests the need to reconsider the environmental limit of PM2.5 in Japan.

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© 2011 The Japanese Society for Hygiene
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