Endocrine Disruptors

            There are a number of compounds that can obstruct endocrine system pathways and cause harmful effects on the human body. These chemicals are known as endocrine disruptors, substances that may mimic or interfere with the function of hormones in the body. These compounds are also known as “endocrine modulators, environmental hormones and endocrine active compounds.” We are unknowingly exposed to these compounds in our daily life in the form of plastic products, makeup, canned food, detergent and pesticides/herbicides.

Endocrine disruptors work by three different mechanisms. They can imitate endocrine hormones (thyroid and sex hormone) and trigger their effects. Endocrine disruptors attach to receptors inside the target cells and obstruct the naturally occurring hormones from attaching. In this way, the signal is not produced and the body is not able to react correctly. Endocrine disruptors also can obstruct or control the pathway by which endocrine hormones are made. They affect at low concentrations and cause a variety of diseases. Some studies show that they decrease fertility and increase progression of diseases.

People are exposed to endocrine disruptors through the mouth, skin and respiratory tract. Some of these chemical such as dioxins, DDT and polychlorinated biphenyls are extremely persistent and decompose gradually. They are broadly distributed in our surroundings. Kids are at a higher risk from exposure to endocrine disruptors because they are generally more susceptible than adults. The endocrine system is responsible for development of body and it is adversely affected by the disruptor. To decrease the hazard from disruptors we can take some precautions from our side, such as reduce use of pesticides, use organic foods, do not use plastic containers or wraps to store foods, and do not provide your child with soft plastics toys etc.

Work Cited :

(1) http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/index.cfm (endocrine – endocrine disruptors.pdf) (2) http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/qendoc.asp

Arial Donnell

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. There are three stages to the disease, mild, moderate, and severe. Currently there isn’t any cure for the disease and symptoms tend to worsen as the years progress and the individual moves into the later stages.

During a study, researchers used mouse models to test a protein, amyloid beta, to see how the loss of smell occurs in the brain. They found a tiny amount of amyloid beta causes smell loss in mouse models. In the beginning, the olfactory bulb, which receives input about odors detected by the nasal cavity, became hyperactive. Over years, amyloid beta increased inside the bulb and the more hypoactive the bulb became. Despite the longer period of sniffing, the mice were unable to remember smells and incapable of differentiating between odors. Same as in humans, as mice age they lose their sense of smell. To show a reverse of effects, researches then gave the mouse a synthetic liver x-receptor agonist, which is a drug that clears the protein, amyloid beta, from the brain. The mice were able to distinguish different smells again within two weeks. However, after one week of withdrawal, symptoms returned yet again.

Alzheimer’s disease not only affects the individual, but it also affects every person who plays a role in that individual’s life. With the findings and discovery, hopefully a cure for the disease will soon be made available. A cure will be greatly needed since studies show by 2050 Alzheimer’s disease is expected to triple to 16 million.

(1.) “Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet.” National Institute on Aging. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 13 July 2013.

(2.) Case Western Reserve University. “Early sign of Alzheimer’s reversed in lab.” ScienceDaily, 1 Dec. 2011. Web. 12 Jul. 2013.

Childhood Obesity and Taste Buds

Taste is something that most people don’t even think about experiencing in daily life other than after a delicious meal or, inversely, a terrible meal.  However, it is a complex system that is accomplished through the use of taste buds.  These taste buds allow us to taste five primary flavors: sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami, with umami tasting like meat.  Although we can taste all of these flavors, we have a higher sensitivity to sour and bitter substances likely due to survival needs.

The experiments conducted on the almost 200 children, with a little over half being obese, were tasting tests that determined whether a child could differentiate between the five flavors and explain the intensity at which a flavor was administered.  The study found that obese children, when compared to normal weight children, would have difficulties distinguishing between both intensities and certain flavors.  These flavors were the salty, umami, and bitter tastes.  This study concluded that obese children have taste buds that are less sensitive than that of their normal weight counterparts.

As we begin to better understand childhood obesity, we can more easily attempt to stop it from happening.  Because we believe that these children have less sensitive taste buds and could be a contributing factor of the obesity, scientists could find a way to heighten the sensitivity of the taste buds.  Another solution could be to find foods with very high intensities to satisfy the cravings that these children have.  Ultimately, this will help the individual from suffering from conditions and diseases that the obese are prone to obtaining.

Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson. 2012. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13^th ed., John Wiley and Sons

BMJ-British Medical Journal (2012, September 19). Obese children have less sensitive taste-buds than those of normal weight. ScienceDaily. 12. Jul. 2013. Web.