Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Estrogen Receptor Modulators”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources

The reversible effects of raloxifene on luteinizing hormone levels and ovarian morphology in mice.

Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has estrogen agonist effects on bone and serum lipids and estrogen antagonist effects on breast and uterine tissues. This study assessed the effects of raloxifene hydrochloride (HCl) treatment on circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and ovarian morphology in sexually mature, 15-week-old, female CD-1 mice. Mice were maintained on diets providing average daily doses of 0 or 233 mg/kg raloxifene for 2 weeks (Study 1) or 0, 7.9, or 236 mg/kg raloxifene for 4 weeks (Study 2). At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected every 2 hours for 24 h in Study 1 (5 mice per group) and at 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. in Study 2 (8 mice per group). Serum LH levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Ovarian histomorphology was evaluated in the 10 mice per group (Study 1) and the 8 mice per group (Study 2). For the reversibility phase (Study 2), mice were fed untreated diets for 3 weeks; serum LH levels and ovarian histomorphology were then assessed. Raloxifene treatment at 233 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks (Study 1) significantly elevated circulating LH levels by 4- to 7-fold compared with control. Raloxifene-treated mice had elevated LH levels sustained over the 24-h sampling period and did not exhibit the preovulatory LH surge evident in some control mice at the 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 8:00 p. m. time points. Mice treated with 236 mg/day raloxifene for 4 weeks (Study 2) had elevated LH levels (4.4-fold compared to control), whereas mice exposed to 7.9 mg/kg/day raloxifene had a slight, nonsignificant increase in LH (2-fold compared to control). In both dose groups, LH levels were indistinguishable from controls 3 weeks after raloxifene treatment was discontinued. The ovaries in six of the eight mice treated with 7.9 mg/kg/day raloxifene had dilated and/or anovulatory follicles. One mouse in this group had a single hemorrhagic follicle; however, corpora lutea distribution was normal, indicating that ovulation was occurring. Raloxifene-treated mice in Study 1 and mice treated with a comparable raloxifene dose (236 mg/day) in Study 2 had histomorphological changes in the ovary indicative of arrested follicular maturation, including anovulatory hemorrhagic follicles, some developing follicles, and very few corpora lutea. At the end of the reversibility phase, hemorrhagic follicles were no longer evident and follicular maturation and corpora lutea distribution were normal. Raloxifene treatment in mice produces a dose-dependent, sustained elevation in serum LH levels and is associated with changes in ovarian follicular morphology. These changes are reversible upon discontinuation of raloxifene treatment.

Animals↗

Raloxifene and estradiol benzoate both fully restore hippocampal choline acetyltransferase activity in ovariectomized rats.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) demonstrate tissue-specific estrogen receptor (ER) agonist or antagonist properties. Raloxifene, a prototypical SERM, has ER agonist properties in bone and on cholesterol metabolism but full antagonist properties in the uterus and breast. To characterize the ER agonist/antagonist profile of raloxifene in the brain, we have examined its effect on the activity of a known estrogen-responsive gene product, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), in the hippocampus and other brain regions of 6-month-old ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague-Dawley rats. Three weeks post-ovariectomy, animals received estradiol benzoate (EB, 0.03 mg or 0.3 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 3 or 10 days); raloxifene HCl (3.0 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 3 or 10 days), tamoxifen (3.0 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 10 days) or vehicle (20% CDX). As previously reported, ChAT activity decreased by approximately 20%-50% in the hippocampus of OVX compared with SHAM-operated control rats with no change in ChAT activity observed in the hypothalamus. Raloxifene or EB reversed the OVX-induced decrease in ChAT activity in the hippocampus but did not change ChAT activity in the hypothalamus. Animals that received combined EB (0.03 mg/kg) plus raloxifene (1 mg/kg) or tamoxifen alone (3.0 or 10 mg/kg) also showed increased hippocampal ChAT activity. Raloxifene failed to increase uterine weight and blocked the estrogen-induced increase in uterine weight, while another SERM, tamoxifen, increased uterine weight. These data demonstrate that raloxifene has estrogen-like properties on hippocampal ChAT activity in vivo, and suggest that benzothiophene SERMs may exert estrogen-like beneficial effects on cholinergic neurotransmission in brain without producing peripheral stimulation of breast or uterine tissue.

Alzheimer Disease↗

[Raloxifene].

Raloxifene belongs to the group of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). It interacts with both estrogen receptor alpha and beta, but the postreceptor responses differ from those of estrogens. Raloxifene exerts tissue specific responses that differ from estrogens. The drug increases bone mass by 2-3% and inhibits the risk of subsequent vertebral fractures by 30-50%. Raloxifene reduces the risk of breast cancer by 76% after treatment for four years and builds an atrophic endometrium without any bleedings. Furthermore, the risk of endometrial cancer is not increased. The drug exerts positive effects on plasma lipids, but the effects of these changes on subsequent risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death are still unknown. The main side effects are leg cramps, increases in hot flushes and peripheral oedema. Like estrogen, the drug increases the relative risk for venous thrombosis by a factor three.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Proliferative effects of different hormone regimens on mammary glands in ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the proliferative effect of different hormone regimens and estrogen receptor modulation on mammary glands in a rat model of surgical menopause. DESIGN: Experimental animal study. SETTING: University Hospital. INTERVENTION: In a rat model of surgical menopause, 78 adult Sprague Dawley female rats were ovariectomized and treated with estrogen, estrogen combined with continuous or intermittent progesterone or the estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene and their respective vehicle controls. Following intraperitoneal drug administration for 20 days, rats were perfused, mammary glands were removed, tissues were processed for immunohistochemical (Ki-67) and hematoxylin-eosin staining, and investigated under light microscope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Histopathological examination of mammary glands and Ki-67 positive cells (proliferation index). RESULTS: Histological examination showed dilatation in the duct cysts and vacuolization in the epithelial cells in groups receiving progestin, either intermittent or continuous. Histological findings in the raloxifene group were no different from the control group, and the atrophic terminal ductal lobular unit in adipose tissue rich stroma was similar to postmenopausal breast. In animals with a proliferative response, increased proliferation started and dominated in the terminal ductal lobular unit epithelium. Comparison of Ki-67 proliferation indices between groups revealed that estrogen alone or combined with intermittent progesterone yielded significantly higher Ki-67 indices compared to controls; estrogen combined with continuous progesterone also resulted in increasing the probability of proliferation, but the effect was not as pronounced as the other two groups. Raloxifene treatment, on the other hand, did not cause proliferation. CONCLUSION: Estrogen alone or combined with progesterone may increase the risk of breast cancer by enhancing proliferation in the TDLU; raloxifen does not induce proliferation and may be a safe estrogen receptor modulator regarding its effects on mammary glands during menopause.

Animals↗

Nonpolar and short side chain groups at C-11beta of estradiol result in antiestrogens.

We have previously found that esters of 11beta-estradiol carboxylates are transformed from an estrogen into an antiestrogen when the 11beta-side chain is increased in length from four to five non-hydrogen atoms (n > or = 5). To understand the structural requirements for this transformation and obtain metabolically stable analogues that are not susceptible to esterase cleavage, we have synthesized other compounds having an 11beta-side chain composed of other functional groups: ketones, amides, ethers, and thiono esters. With the exception of amides, which bind poorly to the estrogen receptor (ER), all of these compounds exhibit antiestrogenic action when the side chain length is n > or = 5. Ethers (n > or = 5), studied in more detail, inhibit the action of estradiol with either ERalpha or ERbeta. In rat uteri they are estrogen antagonists/weak agonists and decrease the concentration of cholesterol in blood (an hepatic estrogenic action). Thus, these short chain and nonpolar 11beta-analogues of estradiol have tissue specific antiestrogenic/estrogenic actions, characteristics of selective estrogen receptor modulators.

Amides↗

Effects of raloxifene on endothelium-dependent dilation, lipoproteins, and markers of vascular function in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the effects of raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, on arterial physiology and biology in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease (CAD). BACKGROUND: Raloxifene improves endothelial function and markers of vascular health in vitro in experimental animals and in healthy postmenopausal women. In women whose arteries are affected by advanced atherosclerosis, however, the vascular effects of estrogen receptor modulation are unknown. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of raloxifene, 60 mg/day for 8 weeks, in 33 consecutively eligible and consenting postmenopausal women age 50 to 75 years with known CAD. Parameters measured at the beginning and end of each treatment period included brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), the primary end point, as well as nitroglycerin-induced dilation, peripheral artery tonometry, serum lipoprotein levels, and markers of vascular function, including urinary prostaglandin, serum endothelin-1, and fibrinogen levels. RESULTS: Baseline FMD was impaired in these women, as expected (2.84 +/- 0.60%), but there was no significant difference between the effect of raloxifene (0.26 +/- 0.66% increase) and placebo (0.01 +/- 0.63% decrease) on this marker of endothelial function (p = 0.82). No significant raloxifene-related effects were observed on derived aortic pressure, pulse pressure, augmentation index, total cholesterol or low- and high-density lipoprotein subfractions, markers of thrombosis, or vasoconstrictor or vasodilator substances. CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal women with treated CAD, selective estrogen receptor modulation with raloxifene does not improve a comprehensive set of parameters examining vascular function and serum lipoprotein levels.

Aged↗

[Clinical experience with raloxifene].

Selective receptor modulators (SERMs) are drugs which act via the estrogen receptors and possess tissue specific estrogenic or anti-estrogenic properties. The bone and cardiovascular effects of SERMs are estrogen-like, while they have an effect as estrogen antagonist in the mammary tissues. Raloxifene is the first representative of selective estrogen receptor modulators which does not cause estrogenic effects in the uterus. Based on numerous recently completed controlled clinical trials, the authors characterize the clinical features of raloxifene to assess its therapeutic potency.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Molecular mechanisms of estrogen action: selective ligands and receptor pharmacology.

Estrogens exert profound effects on the physiology of diverse target cells and these effects appear to be mediated by two estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ERalpha and ERbeta. We have investigated how ER ligands, ranging from pure agonists to antagonists, interact with ERalpha and ERbeta, and regulate their transcriptional activity on different genes. Mutational mapping-structure activity studies indicate that different residues of the ER ligand binding domain are involved in the recognition of structurally distinct estrogens and antiestrogens. We have identified from ligands of diverse structure, several particularly interesting ones that are high potency selective agonists via ERalpha and others that are full agonists through ERalpha while being full antagonists through ERbeta. Antiestrogens such as hydroxytamoxifen, which are mixed agonist/antagonists through ERalpha, are pure antagonists through ERbeta at estrogen response element-containing gene sites. Studies with ERalpha/beta chimeric proteins reveal that tamoxifen agonism requires the activation function 1 region of ERalpha. Through two-hybrid assays, we have isolated an ER-specific coregulator that potentiates antiestrogen antagonist effectiveness and represses ER transcriptional activity. We have also focused on understanding the distinct pharmacologies of antiestrogen- and estrogen-regulated genes. Although antiestrogens are thought to largely act by antagonizing the actions of estrogens, we have found among several new ER-regulated genes, quinone reductase (QR), a detoxifying phase II antioxidant enzyme, that has its activity up-regulated by antiestrogens in an ER-dependent manner in breast cancer cells. This response is antagonized by estrogens, thus showing 'reversed pharmacology'. Increased QR activity by antiestrogens requires a functional ER (ERalpha or ERbeta) and is, interestingly, mediated via the electrophile response element in the QR gene 5' regulatory region. The up-regulation of QR may contribute to the beneficial effects of tamoxifen, raloxifene, and other antiestrogens in breast cancer prevention and treatment. Estrogens rapidly up-regulate expression of several genes associated with cell cytoarchitectural changes including NHE-RF, the sodium hydrogen exchanger regulatory factor, also known as EBP50. NHE-RF/EBP50 is enriched in microvilli, and may serve as a scaffold adaptor protein in regulating early changes in cell architecture and signal transduction events induced by estrogen. Analyses of the regulatory regions of these primary response genes, and the antioxidant and other signaling pathways involved, are providing considerable insight into the mechanisms by which ligands, that function as selective estrogen receptor modulators or SERMs, exert their marked effects on the activities and properties of target cells. The intriguing biology of estrogens in its diverse target cells is thus determined by the structure of the ligand, the ER subtype involved, the nature of the hormone-responsive gene promoter, and the character and balance of coactivators and corepressors that modulate the cellular response to the ER-ligand complex. The continuing development of ligands that function as selective estrogens or antiestrogens for ERalpha or ERbeta should allow optimized tissue selectivity of these agents for menopausal hormone replacement therapy and the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.

Estrogen Antagonists↗

beta-estradiol influences differentiation of hippocampal neurons in vitro through an estrogen receptor-mediated process.

We utilized morphometric analysis of 3 day cultures of hippocampal neurons to determine the effects of both estradiol and the synthetic estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene on several parameters of neuronal growth and differentiation. These measurements included survival, neurite production, dendrite number, and axon and dendrite length and branching. 17 beta-Estradiol (10 nM) selectively stimulated dendrite branching; this effect was neither mimicked by alpha-estradiol, nor blocked by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780. The selective estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene (100 nM) neither mimicked nor reversed the effects of estradiol on dendritic branching. Western immunoblotting for the alpha and beta subtypes of estrogen receptor revealed the presence of alpha, but not beta, estrogen receptors in our hippocampal cultures. There is growing recognition of the effects of 17 beta-estradiol on neuronal development and physiology, with implications for brain sexual dimorphism, plasticity, cognition, and the maintenance of cognitive function during aging. The role of estradiol in hippocampal neuronal differentiation and function has particular implications for learning and memory. These data support the hypothesis that 17 beta-estradiol is acting via alpha estrogen receptors in influencing hippocampal development in vitro. Raloxifene, prescribed to combat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women, is a selective estrogen receptor modulator with tissue-specific agonist/antagonist properties. Because raloxifene had no effect on dendritic branching, we hypothesize that it does not interact with the alpha estrogen receptor in this experimental paradigm.

Animals↗

Differential regulation of K+ and Ca2+ channel gene expression by chronic treatment with estrogen and tamoxifen in rat aorta.

The beneficial effect of estrogen on the vascular system is partly associated with its ability to reduce vascular contractility. Estrogen acutely activates large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (BK(Ca)) and inhibits L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel (VGCC) in vascular smooth muscle cells. However, a long-term influence of estrogen, estrogen deficiency, or selective estrogen receptor modulators on gene expression of these ion channels is unclear. This study was therefore aimed to determine the relative mRNA expression levels of alpha- and beta-subunits of BK(Ca), K(V)1.5 subtype of delayed rectifier K(+) channel (K(V)), and alpha(1C) subunit of L-type VGCC in endothelium-denuded aortas from female rats by a semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Rats were divided into four experimental groups: (i) sham-operated control, (ii) ovariectomized, (iii) ovariectomized with 17 beta-estradiol treatment and (iv) ovariectomized with tamoxifen treatment. The results showed that ovariectomy decreased the mRNA expression of K(V)1.5 while it increased the mRNA expression of alpha(1C) subunit of L-type VGCC. Ovariectomy-induced modulation of gene expression of these ion channels was completely prevented in ovariectomized rats receiving chronic treatment with estrogen or tamoxifen. In contrast, the expression levels of genes encoding both alpha- and beta-subunits of BK(Ca) remained the same in the four animal groups. The present study has provided the first line of evidence suggesting the long-term beneficial effects of estrogen and tamoxifen therapy on vascular ion channel expressions, which may be an important mechanism by which the favorable modulation of vessel tone by estrogen or selective estrogen receptor modulators is mediated.

Animals↗

[The modulators of the estrogenic activity].

The biological, pharmacological and therapeutic properties of estrogens/antiestrogens are related to their chemical structure. Tamoxifen, used for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer, and other analogue derivatives of triarylethylene or presenting a cyclic or heterocyclic structure, mimic some of the activities of estrogens. They have major therapeutic potential as selective estrogen receptor modulators in the prevention of breast cancer and various post-menopausal conditions.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Osteoporosis therapies for rheumatoid arthritis patients: minimizing gastrointestinal side effects.

OBJECTIVE: This manuscript identifies characteristics that put people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at high risk for osteoporosis or gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances. The manuscript then reviews therapies available for osteoporosis in the United States and makes recommendations about choosing therapies that minimize GI adverse effects in RA patients at high risk for such events. DATA SOURCES: References identified through MEDLINE, abstracts, and prescribing information for individual drugs. DATA EXTRACTION: Characteristics that predispose patients to osteoporosis and GI problems were identified. Data on individual osteoporosis therapies were assessed by risk-benefit analysis and appropriateness for use in patients at risk for GI disturbances. DATA SYNTHESIS: High risk of osteoporosis in people with RA is caused by disease activity, medication effects, physical inactivity, and standard risk factors such as postmenopausal status and increased age. Patients with RA are frequently at high GI risk if they are receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. Because of the high potential for erosive esophagitis and other upper GI disorders with alendronate, caution is warranted in prescribing alendronate to RA patients with high GI risk. In such patients, estrogen replacement therapy, selective estrogen receptor modulators, or calcitonin should be considered for treatment, and either estrogen replacement therapy or selective estrogen receptor modulators should be considered for osteoporosis prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of GI risk is important in patients with RA and osteoporosis. Risk factors should be considered when choosing osteoporosis therapies.

Alendronate↗

Clinical significance of estrogen receptor beta in breast cancer.

Ever since the estrogen receptor (ER) beta was discovered in 1996, we have been trying to determine its value as a prognostic and/or predictive factor in breast cancer and its potential as a novel target for pharmacological intervention. Recent progress in cellular experiments has shown that ERbeta works as counter partner of ERalpha through inhibition of the transactivating function of ERalpha by heterodimerization, distinct regulation on several specific promoters by ERalpha or ERbeta, and ERbeta-specific regulated genes which are probably related to its anti-proliferative properties. Accumulated data from protein studies in breast cancer tissues indicate that positive expression of ERbeta appears to correlate with a favorable prognosis. Although the number of studies is small, a positive response to tamoxifen treatment is observed in both ERalpha- and ERbeta-positive populations. The significance of ERbeta2/cx, a splicing variant of ERbeta, remains controversial and needs to be analyzed in further studies. We postulate that a combined evaluation of ERbetacx with progesterone receptor may help the stratification of ERalpha-positive breast cancer. Epidemiological studies of hormone replacement therapy and isoflavone (genistein) consumption indicate the possible contribution of ERbeta-specific signaling in breast cancer prevention. A selective estrogen receptor modulator, which works as an antagonist of ERalpha and an agonist of ERbeta, may be a promising chemo-preventive treatment.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Dimethyl sulfoxide is a potent modulator of estrogen receptor isoforms and xenoestrogen biomarker responses in primary culture of salmon hepatocytes.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been frequently used as carrier solvent in toxicological experiments where the most compelling DMSO attributes are its exceptionally low toxicity and environmental impact. We were inspired by recent and consistent observations that ethanol and DMSO modulate endocrine-disruptor biomarker responses in both in vitro and in vivo studies in our laboratory, to take a critical evaluation of these effects. Quantitative (real-time) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with specific primer pairs was used in this study to measure DMSO-induced time-dependent modulation of estrogen receptor (ER) isoforms, vitellogenin (Vtg) and zona radiata-protein (Zr-protein) gene expression patterns in primary culture of salmon hepatocytes. In addition, immunochemical analysis, using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with monoclonal (Vtg) and polyclonal (Zr-proteins) antibodies was used to detect and measure Vtg and Zr-proteins secreted in culture media. Salmon hepatocytes were isolated by a two-step collagenase perfusion method and exposed to 0.1% or 10 microL/L of DMSO after 48 h pre-culture. Cells were harvested at 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after exposure and analysed for ERalpha, ERbeta, Vtg and Zr-protein gene expression using real-time PCR method. Media samples were collected at similar time-intervals for protein analysis. Our data show that DMSO-induced significant increase in ERalpha, ERbeta, Vtg and Zr-protein genes in a time-dependent manner. Indirect ELISA analysis showed a time-specific effect of DMSO. The use of DMSO as carrier solvent in fish endocrine disruption studies should be re-evaluated. We recommend more investigation, using other endocrine-disruptor biomarkers in order to validate the suitability of common carrier solvents used in toxicology with the aim of setting new maximum allowable concentrations. In particular, given the high sensitivity of genomic approaches in toxicology, these results may have serious consequences for the interpretation of biomarker responses.

Animals↗

Tamoxifen induces gonadotropin-releasing hormone self-priming through an estrogen-dependent progesterone receptor expression in the gonadotrope of the rat.

Tamoxifen (TX) is an antiestrogen with varying levels of antagonist/agonist activity on the reproductive axis of the rat. It has been reported that TX, in contrast to other selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), increases the content of cytosolic estrogen receptors (ER) in the gonadotrope and induces gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) self-priming in the absence of E. GnRH priming is believed to be a consequence of E-dependent progesterone receptor (PR) activation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether TX induces PR expression in the gonadotrope in an E-dependent manner, and whether the blockade of PR activation affects TX-dependent GnRH self-priming in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Chronic OVX rats were injected (sc) over 3 days with 25 microg estradiol benzoate (EB), 3 mg TX, 0.5 mg RU58668, a 'pure' anti-E (aE), 2 mg RU38486, an anti-P at the receptor (aP), TX+aE and TX+aP. Controls were given 0.2 ml oil. While EB and TX increased mRNA for both PR A+B and PR B expression and the number and intensity of nuclei immunoreactive (IR) for PR in the gonadotrope, the aE and aP given alone had no effect on either PR mRNA levels or nuclear PR-IR. The aE reduced the effect of TX on PR expression (mRNA and nuclear IR) while the aP slightly reduced nuclear PR-IR only. In addition, pituitaries from each of the seven groups were incubated with: 10(-8)M E(2), 10(-7)M TX, 10(-8)M aE, 10(-8)M aP, TX+aE, TX+aP or medium alone, respectively. Pituitaries were tested for GnRH self-priming (two pulses of 15 min 1 h apart) and the secretion of LH and PRL determined by specific RIAs. Pituitaries from rats treated with EB and incubated with E(2) had increased basal and GnRH-stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion and GnRH self-priming. TX reduced basal and stimulated LH secretion, increased PRL secretion and induced a robust GnRH self-priming. All these effects of TX were blocked by the aE, while the aP blocked GnRH self-priming only. In conclusion, tamoxifen induced PR expression (mRNA and nuclear IR) in the gonadotrope in an E-dependent manner, while activation of these PR through intracellular signaling of GnRH induced GnRH self-priming.

Animals↗

[SERM].

SERM is the abbreviation of the selective estrogen receptor modulator which is the synthetic ligands of estrogen receptor (ER) acting estrogenically or anti-estrogenically among various tissues through modifying the ER function. Clomifene, tamoxifen, toremifene and raloxifene are generally classified as SERM in the clinical use. The main cause of postmenopausal osteoporosis is estrogen deficiency and it was revealed that the continuous combined use of conjugated estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate reduced the relative risk of femoral neck fracture to 0.66, however increased the relative risk of cardiovascular event and breast cancer to 1.29 or 1.26, respectively. From the standpoint of safe and clinical compliance for the breast and uterine tissue, raloxifene is recommendable for middle aged postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Female↗

Raloxifene reduces fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

UNLABELLED: Recently, selective estrogen receptor modulators have been developed for the management of osteoporosis based on antiosteoclastic properties similar to that of estrogens but with a safety profile including potential benefits on the breast, heart, and cognitive function. Raloxifene, the first selective estrogen receptor modulator to be marketed for the treatment of osteoporosis has shown reduction in spinal fracture risk in patients with low bone mineral density with (48%) or without (35%) prevalent vertebral fracture. Raloxifene also reduces nonvertebral fractures in high risk patients (47%). The decrease in Type I procollagen N-terminal propeptide at 1 year accounts for 28% of the total reduction in vertebral fracture risk. Raloxifene reduced the risk of estrogen receptor-positive invasive breast cancer by 84%. Among subjects with increased cardiovascular risk at baseline, those assigned to raloxifene had a 40% decrease in the risk of cardiovascular events compared with placebo. The definite anti-fracture efficacy of raloxifene at the spine, its plausible effect on non-spine fracture in high-risk patients and its beneficial effect on breast and heart make this compound an interesting approach for women presenting with osteoporosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level II (lesser quality randomized controlled trial [eg, < 80% followup, no blinding, or improper randomization]). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of the levels of evidence.

Animals↗

De novo design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel nonsteroidal phenanthrene ligands for the estrogen receptor.

Although there are many estrogen receptor antagonists with improved tissue selectivity profiles compared with tamoxifen, optimal tissue selectivity has not yet been demonstrated. As such there is still a need for additional diversity and new chemical scaffolds to allow for exploration of improved tissue selectivity. Here, we describe the discovery of a novel phenanthrene scaffold for estrogen receptor ligands utilizing a ligand based de novo design approach. The nanomolar binding of phenanthrenes, 12b,c, 14b,c, and 15 against human recombinant ER(alpha) indicates that our ligand based de novo design approach was successful. From a gene transfection assay, 12b,c, 14b,c, and 15 displayed only antagonistic activity with no observable agonistic activity. The alkyl 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene 16 (presumably a racemic mixture) was a substantially more potent ER binder than the phenanthrenes. It also displayed only antagonistic activity and was effective at inhibiting estradiol stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation. These results demonstrate that this phenanthrene (and 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene) scaffold warrants further study as potential selective estrogen receptor modulators and/or pure antiestrogens.

Animals↗