Objective: To determine whether bisphenol S (BPS), a common substitute for bisphenol A (BPA), induces cell proliferation and migration in human endometrial epithelial cells (Ishikawa) and adult mouse uterine tissues. Methodology: Human endometrial Ishikawa cells were exposed to low doses of BPS (1 nM and 100 nM) for 72 hours. Cell proliferation was assessed through the viability assays MTT and CellTiter-Glo®. Wound healing assays were also used to evaluate the migration potential of the cell line. The expression of genes related to proliferation and migration was also determined. Similarly, adult mice were exposed to BPS at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight/day for 21 days, after which, the uterus was sent for histopathologic assessment. Results: BPS increased cell number and stimulated migration in Ishikawa cells, in association with the upregulation of estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) and vimentin (VIM). In addition, mice exposed to BPS showed a significantly higher mean number of endometrial glands within the endometrium. Conclusion Overall, in vitro and in vivo results obtained in this study showed that BPS could significantly promote endometrial epithelial cell proliferation and migration, a phenotype also observed with BPA exposure. Hence, the use of BPS in BPA-free products must be reassessed, as it may pose adverse reproductive health effects to humans.
endocrine-disrupting chemicals ; uterus ; hyperplasia

Background: Peperomia pellucida, locally known in the Philippines as pansit-pansitan, is an annual herb with many ethnomedicinal properties. Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the antihypercholesterolemic property of P. pellucida methanolic extract (PPME) through measurement of its effects on total blood cholesterol level and liver histology of hypercholesterolemic rats. Methodology: Thirty experimental male rats were divided into six groups: Group I was fed with standard diet; Group II was fed with High Cholesterol Diet (HCD) only; Groups III, IV and V were fed with HCD and treated with PPME at 200, 400 and 800 mg kg-1 bwt respectively; Group VI was fed with HCD and treated with atorvastatin; and, Group 7 was fed with 400mg/kg PPME. Total Blood Cholesterol (TBC) levels were monitored, liver histology was analysed, and results were compared with the control and atorvastatin-treated group. Results: Administration of different doses of PPME in hypercholesterolemic rats significantly reduced total blood cholesterol similar to Atorvastatin, a known anticholesterolemic drug. Furthermore, PPME particularly at a concentration of 400mg kg-1 bwt was effective in ameliorating liver damages induced by high cholesterol diet as shown by qualitative and quantitative histological assessment. Conclusion This investigation suggests that PPME at a concentration of 400 mg/kg bwt is a potential antihypercholesterolemic agent. Further studies have to be taken to better the understanding on the mechanisms of actions of PPME on how it modulates liver damage in hypercholesterolemic conditions.
Liver ; Histology

BACKGROUND: Patellar tendinopathy is an overuse injury characterized by pain on the distal part of the patella caused by specific movement patterns like jumping. To assess the severity of patellar tendinopathy, the self-administered VISA-P questionnaire was developed in the English language. The purpose of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the VISA-P questionnaire into Filipino and determine its psychometric properties. METHODS: A psychometric study design was used in this study. The VISA-P was translated from English to Filipino following the guidelines set by Beaton et al. and Sousa et al. There were six stages: (1) forward translation to Filipino, (2) synthesis, (3) backward translation, (4) expert committee review, (5) pilot testing/cognitive briefing, and (6) preliminary psychometric testing. The psychometric testing was conducted on eight patients with patellar tendinopathy and eight healthy subjects. RESULTS: The Filipino VISA-P questionnaire (VISA-P-Fil) successfully underwent translation and cross-cultural adaptation. It exhibited excellent face, content validity (Item-Content Validity index and Scale-Content Validity Index= 1.00), construct validity (p>0.05, except for Item 6), internal consistency (Cronbach α= 0.81) as well as reliability (ICC= 0.99; 95% CI: 0.994 – 0.999; SEM= 0.42; minimum detectable change at 95% confidence level= 1.79). No ceiling and floor effects were noted for the VISA-PFil. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the VISA-P-Fil questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted successfully with good validity. Preliminary testing also showed its excellent reliability.
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