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Relationships between immunoreactive estrone and estradiol in milk, blood, and urine of dairy cows.

Quantities of immunoreactive estrone and estradiol in blood plasma, urine, and milk were measured during the estrous cycle and pregnancy of cows. The objectives were to develop a radioimmunoassay procedure for quantifying estrogen in milk and urine and to compare changes in milk estrogen with those in blood plasma and urine. Concentrations of estrone and estradiol in milk varied during the estrous cycle. Relative concentrations of estradiol in blood plasma and milk were not different, but average estrone concentrations in milk were four times greater than those in blood plasma. Concentration of total estrogen (estradiol plus estrone) exceeded 1 ng/ml in colostrum and milk from cows milked prepartum, and was correlated with total estrogen in blood plasma and urine before and after calving. Blood plasma estrone was correlated only with milk estrone whereas blood plasma estradiol was correlated with urinary estradiol, milk estrone, and milk estradiol during the estrous cycle. These results raise possibilities that mammary gland of the lactating cow may concentrate preferentially estrone or convert estradiol to estrone. However, estimated excretion of estrogen through the milk represents no more than a fraction of 1% of the total excreted during the estrous cycle, and the proportion becomes less as gestation progresses up to at least 7 mo.

Animals↗

Effects of fenprostalene and estradiol-17 beta benzoate on parturition and retained placenta in dairy cows and heifers.

It was hypothesized that a high dose of estrogen in conjunction with a long-acting PGF2 alpha analog would synchronize parturition within a narrow time frame and reduce the incidence of retained placenta. On d 276 of gestation, 14 animals (9 cows and 5 heifers) per group received a placebo (group A), 1 mg of fenprostalene (group B), 50 mg of estradiol-17 beta benzoate (group C), or both (group D). Treatment with estradiol-17 beta benzoate increased serum concentrations of estradiol-17 beta from 228 pg/ml at treatment to 642 and 683 pg/ml at 24 h posttreatment for groups C and D, respectively. Concentration of estradiol-17 beta in group A increased gradually to 526 pg/ml at 24 h prepartum. Progesterone concentrations were reduced by fenprostalene but not by estradiol-17 beta benzoate. Estradiol-17 beta benzoate did not reduce incidence of retained placenta in animals treated with fenprostalene (group B vs. group D) but tended to reduce incidence in uninduced animals (group A vs. group C). Thus, short-term elevation of estradiol-17 beta to normal prepartum concentrations did not regress the corpus luteum, induce parturition, or reduce incidence of retained placenta. However, elevation of estradiol-17 beta for longer periods might enhance placental separation. Conversely, fenprostalene induced calving approximately 2 d after treatment. In this study, 90% of animals treated with fenprostalene calved within a 20-h period, but with a high incidence of retained placenta.

Animals↗

The effective free fraction of estradiol and xenoestrogens in human serum measured by whole cell uptake assays: physiology of delivery modifies estrogenic activity.

The biological activity of natural estrogens is influenced by the degree to which they bind to serum proteins. To determine directly how serum affected the uptake of estradiol, we compared the whole cell uptake of [3H]estradiol in intact MCF-7 human breast cancer cells from serum-free medium with the uptake from 100% serum from adult men. In estrogen receptor saturation assays, 28.9 times more estradiol was required in serum to occupy the same number of estrogen receptors as was required in serum-free medium (SFM), suggesting that the effective free fraction of estradiol in adult male serum was 3.46% (1/28.9). Since most xenoestrogens are not available in tritium-labeled form, the cell uptake of unlabeled xenoestrogens could not be measured directly with saturation analysis. Therefore, we developed the relative binding affinity-serum modified access (RBA-SMA) assay to determine the effect of serum on the access of nonradioactive xenoestrogens to estrogen receptors within intact MCF-7 cells. Serum modified access (SMA) was calculated by dividing the relative binding affinity (RBA, relative to estradiol) measured in 100% serum, by the RBA measured in serum-free medium. An SMA > 1 indicated that the xenoestrogen had greater access to estrogen receptors than estradiol from serum. In contrast, an SMA < 1 indicated that the xenoestrogen had less access to estrogen receptors from serum than did estradiol. The synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) binds poorly to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and DES showed enhanced access in serum, SMA = 6.2. Additional calculations through the Ki (inhibition constant) indicated that this corresponded to an effective free fraction of 26.9% for DES in serum. The phytoestrogens, coumestrol, genistein, and equol, showed substantial enhanced access in serum, over 10-fold relative to estradiol (SMA = 12.1, 10.3, and 11.3, respectively), and effective free fractions in serum of 47.8, 45.8, and 49.7%, respectively. Since most in vitro assays of xenoestrogens do not address how serum influences their bioactivity, the estrogenic activity of these phytoestrogens would be underestimated. Conversely, biochanin A showed decreased access from serum (SMA = 0.44) and had an effective free fraction of 2.4%; its estrogenic activity would be overestimated in serum-free assays.

Benzhydryl Compounds↗

Protective effect of estradiol on hepatocytic oxidative damage.

AIM: To examine the protective effect of estradiol on the cultured hepatocytes under oxidative stress. METHODS: Hepatocytes of rat were isolated by using perfusion method, and oxidative stress was induced by a serum-free medium and FeNTA. MDA level was determined with TBA method. Cell damage was assessed by LDH assay. Apoptosis of hepatocytes was assessed with cytoflowmetric analysis. Expression of Bcl-xl in cultured hepatocytes was detected by Western blot. The radical-scavenging activity of estradiol was valued by its ability to scavenge the stable free radical of DDPH. RESULTS: Oxidative stress increased LDH from 168 +/- 25 x 10(-6)IU.cell(-1) to 780 +/- 62 x 10(-6)IU.cell(-1) and MDA(from 0.28 +/- 0.07 x 10(-6)nmol.cell(-1) to 1.35 +/- 0.12 x 10(-6)nmol.cell(-1)) levels in cultured hepatocyte, and estradiol inhibited both LDH and MDA production in a dose dependent manner. In the presence of estradiol 10(-6)mol.L(-1), 10( -7 )mol.L(-1) and 10(-8)mol.L(-1),the LDH levels are 410 +/- 53 x 10(-6)IU.cell(-1) (P<0.01 vs oxidative group), 530 +/- 37 X 10(-6)IU.cell(-1 ) (P<0.01 vs oxidative group), 687+/-42 x 10(-6)IU.cell(-1) (P<0.05 vs oxidative group) respectively, and the MDA level are 0.71+/-0.12 x 10(-6)nmol.cell(-1) (P<0.01 vs oxidative group),0.97+/-0.11 x 10(-6)nmol.cell(-1 )(P<0.01 vs oxidative group) and 1.27+/-0.19 x 10(-6)nmol.cell(-1) respectively. Estradiol suppressed apoptosis of hepatocytes induced by oxidative stress, administration of estradiol(10(-6)mol/L)decreased the apoptotic rate of hepatocytes under oxidative stress from 18.6 +/- 1.2% to 6.5 +/-2.5%, P<0.01. Bcl-xl expression was related to the degree of liver cell damage due to oxidative stress, and estradiol showed a protective action. CONCLUSION: Estradiol protects hepatocytes from oxidative damage by means of its antioxidant activity.

Animals↗

Estradiol treatment redirects the isotype of the autoantibody response and prevents the development of autoimmune arthritis.

A number of clinical and experimental observations have been made relating elevated estrogen levels with the amelioration of autoimmune diseases, yet questions remain about the levels required for efficacy as well as the mechanism of disease inhibition. Using the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model, we have studied the effects of physiological, sustained levels of 17beta-estradiol in preventing the development of autoimmune arthritis and analyzed the changes in the autoimmune response. Using time-release pellets of 17beta-estradiol, arthritis development was significantly inhibited in three different strains of CIA-susceptible mice compared with the effect of placebo treatment, and serum estradiol levels similar to those of mice in estrus were found to be equally effective as higher estradiol concentrations. Analysis of the autoimmune response in the estradiol-treated mice indicated that T cell production of IFN-gamma was markedly decreased, and significant decreases were also observed in levels of IL-10 and GM-CSF produced by lymph nodes cells from estradiol-treated mice. Although the total IgG anti-CII response was only minimally affected by estrogen treatment, a significant reduction in the levels of IgG2a anti-CII Abs and an increase in the levels of IgG1 anti-CII Abs were observed in estradiol-treated mice. These data indicate that estradiol treatment altered the Th profile of the autoimmune T cell response, which, in turn, altered the production of IgG Abs to an isotype that is poor at fixing complement, an important component in the immunopathogenesis of CIA.

Animals↗

Association of hypogonadism and estradiol levels with bone mineral density in elderly men from the Framingham study.

BACKGROUND: Both hypogonadism and low estrogen levels adversely affect bone health in young men. In elderly men, who are at greatest risk for osteoporotic fracture, the influence of hypogonadism on bone mineral density remains unclear, as does the relative effect of estrogen status compared to hypogonadism. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation of hypogonadism and estrogen status to bone mineral density in elderly men. DESIGN: Community-based, prospective cohort study. SETTING: Framingham, Massachusetts. PATIENTS: Male participants of the Framingham Study. MEASUREMENTS: Total testosterone, total estradiol, and luteinizing hormone were measured in participants at all four biennial examinations from 1981 to 1989. Values from at least three of four examinations were averaged. Hypogonadism was defined as a mean testosterone level less than 10.4 nmol/L (<3.0 ng/mL) or a mean luteinizing hormone level of 20 IU/L or greater. An alternate definition of hypogonadism based only on a mean testosterone level less than 10.4 nmol/L (<3.0 ng/mL) was also used. In 1988-1989, bone mineral density was measured at the proximal femur (femoral neck, Ward triangle, and trochanter) and lumbar spine by using dual-photon absorptiometry and at the radial shaft by using single-photon absorptiometry. The association of hypogonadism with bone mineral density was examined with adjustment for confounders, including estradiol levels. A similar model that adjusted for hypogonadism was used to examine the association of estradiol level (ranked as quartiles) with bone mineral density. RESULTS: Of 448 men with bone mineral density measurements, 405 had evaluable hormone levels (mean age, 75.7 years [range, 68 to 96 years]); 71 (17.5%) of the 405 men were hypogonadal. Bone mineral density at any site did not significantly differ in hypogonadal men compared with eugonadal men (for example, bone mineral density at the femoral neck was 0.89 g/cm(2) vs. 0.87 g/cm(2), respectively; P > 0.2), even when alternate definitions of hypogonadism were used. In contrast, compared with the lowest estradiol quartile, men with higher estradiol levels had greater mean bone mineral density at all sites (for example, bone mineral density at the femoral neck was 0.84 g/cm(2), 0.88 g/cm(2), 0.86 g/cm(2), and 0.91 g/cm(2) from the lowest to the highest estradiol quartile; P for trend = 0.002). The difference in mean bone mineral density between men in the lowest and those in the highest estradiol quartile levels was similar to the effect of 10 years of aging on bone mineral density. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly men, hypogonadism related to aging has little influence on bone mineral density, but serum estradiol levels have a strong and positive association with bone mineral density.

Aged↗

Synchronization of estrus in beef cattle with norgestomet and estradiol valerate.

Fifty-six cows received a norgestomet implant and an injection of norgestomet and estradiol valerate; half (n = 28) received 500 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) at implant removal, 9 d later. A third group (n = 25) received 2 doses of cloprostenol (500 micrograms) 11 d apart. Estrous rate was higher (P < 0.05) for cows given norgestomet and estradiol plus 500 IU eCG (75.0%) than for those receiving cloprostenol (44.0%); for those receiving norgestomet and estradiol alone, it was intermediate (67.8%). Pregnancy rates to artificial insemination (after estrus or timed) were higher (P < 0.05) for cows given norgestomet and estradiol than for those given cloprostenol (23 of 28, 82.1% vs 13 of 25, 52.0%), and intermediate (67.8%) for those given norgestomet and estradiol plus eCG. In a second experiment, for heifers treated with norgestomet and estradiol plus eCG (n = 15) or with 2 doses of cloprostenol (n = 16), estrous rates were 66.7% vs 56.2% (P > 0.5), ovulation rates were 100.0% vs 81.2% (P = 0.08), intervals from implant removal or cloprostenol treatment to estrus were 48.0 +/- 4.4 hours vs 61.3 +/- 7.0 hours (P = 0.12) and to ovulation were 70.4 +/- 4.4 hours vs 93.2 +/- 7.5 hours (P < 0.01), respectively; pregnancy rates were 41.7 and 35.7%, respectively (P > 0.5). Norgestomet and estradiol were as good as (heifers) or superior to (cows) a 2-dose cloprostenol regimen. In cows given norgestomet and estradiol, injecting eCG at implant removal did not significantly improve estrous or pregnancy rates.

Analysis of Variance↗

Plasma levels of estradiol and plasma protein binding of sex steroids in dogs. An investigation with special reference to development of hip dysplasia in growing individuals.

Peripheral plasma levels of estradiol were determined in 39 dogs of three breeds (Greyhound, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever). Blood samples were collected weekly from 3 weeks up to 17--21 weeks of age. The pups from all three breeds had mean levels of estradiol varying between 4--8 pg/ml. The lowest levels were found in pups which developed hip dysplasia. There was a significant difference (0.01 less than p less than 0.005) between the estradiol levels of German Shepherd pups with normal and dysplastic hip joints. In female Greyhounds, the peripheral plasma levels of estradiol were examined from 17 weeks of age through the first heat. No increase of the estradiol level was seen with increasing age. The ability of dog plasma to bind dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol was examined in three dogs. It was found that there are at least three types of binding components for DHT: one with high affinity and extremely low capacity, which is heat labile, another which is also heat labile but has a high capacity and low affinity, and a third which appears to be albumin. Estrogen administration to the three dogs lowered the binding of DHT. It was concluded that it is most unlikely that hyperestrogenism is an etiologic factor in canine hip dysplasia. Unphysiologically high doses of estradiol have been used for experimental induction of hip dysplasia. There is a possibility that the levels of plasma proteins, which bind steroids, could be of importance for the etiology of hip dysplasia. A low plasma level of estradiol could be biologically highly significant if there is a low level of a specific binding protein.

Animals↗

[Hormone replacement therapy with 17 beta-estradiol dydrogesterone: results of a 3-month open-label study].

Hormone replacement therapy is well known for its beneficial effects on climacteric symptoms and is also used for the prevention of osteoporosis. In a prospective open label study we evaluated the efficacy and safety of hormone replacement therapy with 17 beta estradiol dydrogesterone (Femoston, 17 beta estradiol/continuously and dydrogesterone/sequentially). We observed 704 women who were treated with 17 beta estradiol-dydrogesterone over three months. 448 of the women previously had not used hormone replacement therapy, 224 women had been treated with a different hormone replacement therapy before they were entered into the study; for 20 women this information was not available. The physicians were asked to assess the severity of climacteric symptoms at baseline and after three months of hormone replacement therapy. In addition, the following parameters were evaluated before and at the end of the study: blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyltransferase. Twelve women did not tolerate 17 beta estradiol-dydrogesterone and therefore dropped out of the study. Climacteric symptoms clearly improved after treatment with 17 beta estradiol-dydrogesterone. During our open label prospective study, a significant decrease in blood pressure and serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and the LDL/HDL ratio were observed, whereas serum levels of HDL cholesterol increased significantly. Surprisingly, triglyceride levels also decreased significantly. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly in women who had received a different hormone replacement therapy before they took 17 beta estradiol-dydrogesterone. We conclude that hormone replacement therapy with 17 beta estradiol-dydrogesterone is highly effective and well tolerated. Hormone replacement therapy with 17 beta estradiol-dydrogesterone appears to have a positive effect on blood pressure and the serum lipid profile. We therefore hypothesise that prolonged treatment with 17 beta estradiol-dydrogesterone may reduce morbidity and mortality secondary to cardiovascular diseases.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Stimulatory effect of clofibrate and gemfibrozil administration on the formation of fatty acid esters of estradiol by rat liver microsomes.

Fatty acyl-coenzyme A (CoA):estradiol acyltransferase in liver microsomes catalyzes the formation of estradiol fatty acid esters. These esters are lipophilic and have prolonged hormonal activity because they are slowly metabolized and because they slowly release estradiol. In the present study, we have shown that treatment of rats with clofibrate or gemfibrozil (peroxisome proliferators that are commonly used hypolipidemic drugs) markedly stimulate the liver microsomal esterification of estradiol. Administration of 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, or 0.60% clofibrate in an AIN-76A diet to female rats for 4 weeks stimulated fatty acyl-CoA:estradiol acyltransferase activity per milligram of microsomal protein by 4-, 8-, 14- and 16-fold, respectively, when estradiol was incubated with liver microsomes and a fatty acyl-CoA. Additional studies showed that incubation of (3)H-labeled estradiol with liver microsomes, ATP, and coenzyme A resulted in the formation of multiple fatty acid esters of estradiol from endogenous fatty acids in liver microsomes, and the formation of these esters was stimulated manyfold by pretreatment of rats with clofibrate. This study provides the first demonstration of a stimulatory effect of an environmental agent on the esterification of an estrogen.

Acyltransferases↗

17-beta-estradiol induces an inhibitor of active caspases.

We have shown previously that caspase-6 activity is lethal to human neurons (LeBlanc et al., 1999; Zhang et al., 2000). Here we find that 17-beta-estradiol but not 17-alpha-estradiol prevents caspase-6-mediated neuronal cell death. 17-beta-estradiol-treated neuronal extracts directly inhibit recombinant active caspase-6, caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-8 in vitro. We conclude that 17-beta-estradiol induces a caspase inhibitory factor (CIF) that is preventing neuronal apoptosis. The induction of CIF occurs within 10 min of 17-beta-estradiol exposure to neurons, does not require de novo protein synthesis, and involves mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. The effect is antagonized by the estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen. In contrast, 17-beta-estradiol does not induce CIF or prevent caspase-mediated cell death in cultured astrocytes. CIF does not act through oxidation of the caspase active site. CIF activity copurifies with proteins of between 12 and 14 kDa in size. Our results indicate that 17-beta-estradiol induces an inhibitor of active caspases through a receptor-mediated nongenomic pathway and provide an additional mechanism for the neuroprotective action of 17-beta-estradiol that is likely highly relevant to the understanding of the role of estrogen against Alzheimer's disease.

Apoptosis↗

Role of cytochrome P450 in estradiol metabolism in vitro.

AIM: Catechol estrogens and 16alpha-hydroxy estrogen are important metabolites that cause carcinogenesis. This study was aimed to stud y the role of cytochrome P450 in estradiol metabolism. METHODS: The estradiol metabolites were determined with HPLC-ECD. Correlation of estradiol metabolites production between cytochrome P450 activity, the inhibitory effect of specific inhibitors and enzyme catalyzing kinetics were studied in cDNA-expressed P450 or human liver microsomes. RESULT: CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2C9 catalyze the estradiol 2-hydroxylation. CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2C8 have high activity in catalyzing 17beta-hydroxy dehydrogenation in cDNA expressed P450, but CYP1A2 is the most important enzyme in catalyzing estradiol 2-hydroxylation. Using furafyllin and troleandomycin to inhibit CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in liver microsomes, it was found that the 2-hydroxylation had been inhibited about the same amount. This result suggests that in human liver microsomes CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 play an important role in 2-hydroxy estradiol formation. At low substrate concentration, 17beta -hydroxy dehydrogenation dominated the estradiol metabolism, but at high substrate concentration, 2-hydroxylation exceeded 17beta-hydroxy dehydrogenation to become the important mechanism. CONCLUSION: CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 are two important enzymes catalyzing the main estradiol 2-hydroxylation metabolism pathway at high substrate concentrations. 17beta-hydroxy dehydrogenation is the main metabolism pathway at low concentrations, and CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2C8 may have high catalyzing activity.

Adult↗

Serum 17 beta-estradiol in newborn and neonatal hip instability.

This study evaluates the association between the level of 17 beta-estradiol in the umbilical cord blood and neonatal hip instability (NHI) in a population-based prospective case-control study comprising 2,185 consecutively newborns. beta-Estradiol levels were measured with a standard fluoroimmunoassay kit. Neonatal hip instability was determined by the anterior dynamic ultrasound method. An increased risk of NHI was found after breech malposition and in girls. Levels of beta-estradiol were higher in boys without NHI than in girls. A negative association between beta-estradiol level and parity was found. A significant association between beta-estradiol level and NHI was shown in boys with low serum concentrations. High levels of beta-estradiol tended to be associated with an increased risk of NHI in girls. An association was found between gender, parity, and beta-estradiol level in cord blood. No firm conclusion on the association between NHI and beta-estradiol level can be made; the possible association may be gender-dependent.

Biomarkers↗

Inhibition of beta-estradiol on trachea smooth muscle contraction in vitro and in vivo.

AIM: To investigate the effect of beta-estradiol on trachea smooth muscle contraction in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: (1) Rabbit tracheas were incubated in organ baths filled with Krebs solution and supplied with a mixed gas of 95 % O2 and 5 % CO2. The isometric force was measured by ink-writing recorders. (2) The incubation period of asthma induced by histamine and acetylcholine (ACh) in guinea pig were measured before and after beta-estradiol (1 mg/kg) were given intramuscularly. RESULTS: (1) Administration of beta-estradiol (0.1 mmol/L) caused relaxation of isolated trachea muscle strips (TMS) in rabbits pre-contracted by ACh and KCl (39 % +/- 5 % and 45 % +/- 19 %). The presence of indomethacin or methylene blue partly decreased the relaxation to beta-estradiol (26 % +/- 8 % and 28 % +/- 13 %), but Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and propranolol and epithelium removal did not affect it (38 % +/- 10 %, 40 % +/- 15 %, 37 % +/- 8 %). beta-Estradiol can shifted the concentration-response curves of ACh and CaCl2 to the rightward (pD2 = 3.98 and 4.75). In addition, it could also significantly inhibit the contraction of phase caused by ACh, but did not affect the contraction of phase II caused by CaCl2. (2) The incubation period of asthma in guinea pig were delayed by beta-estradiol (1 mg/kg) given intramuscularly. CONCLUSION: (1) The relaxation of beta-estradiol in vitro was epithelium independent and associated with the inhibition of potential-dependent channel and release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasm reticulum induced by ACh. In addition, release of prostaglandins from trachea smooth muscle cells and relaxation through cGMP approach were also included. beta-Adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation was not involved. (2) beta-Estradiol can relax the trachea in vivo in guniea pig.

Acetylcholine↗

Endometrial safety and bleeding patterns during a 2-year study of 1 or 2 mg 17 beta-estradiol combined with sequential 5-20 mg dydrogesterone.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the endometrial safety and bleeding patterns of 17 beta-estradiol sequentially combined with dydrogesterone. METHODS: Endometrial safety and bleeding patterns were assessed in 579 postmenopausal women randomized to oral treatment with placebo, 1 mg/day 17 beta-estradiol sequentially combined with 5 or 10 mg/day dydrogesterone for the last 14 days of each 28-day cycle, or 2 mg/day 17 beta-estradiol sequentially combined with 10 or 20 mg/day dydrogesterone for the last 14 days of each 28-day cycle. Treatment was continued for 26 cycles. Proliferative endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial malignancy in the end-of-study biopsy were considered as inadequate progestational responses. RESULTS: Biopsies were not available in 137 women mainly because of an insufficient treatment period or non-compliance. An adequate progestational response was seen in more than 98% of the 442 women who underwent biopsy after treatment. Bleeding data were not available in 193 women, most of whom did not remain on treatment for the full 26 cycles. The 1-mg 17 beta-estradiol dose was associated with less cyclic and intermittent bleeding than the 2-mg dose. Higher doses of dydrogesterone were associated with a higher incidence of cyclic bleeds and a later day of onset, while duration, severity and regularity were similar in all groups irrespective of estradiol or dydrogesterone dose. CONCLUSION: Sequential combinations of 1 mg 17 beta-estradiol with 5 or 10 mg dydrogesterone and 2 mg 17 beta-estradiol with 10 or 20 mg dydrogesterone are associated with very good endometrial safety. The incidence of bleeding is lower with the 1-mg dose of 17 beta-estradiol.

Aged↗

Dose-dependent inhibition of mitochondrial ATP synthase by 17 beta-estradiol.

Mitochondria produce energy through oxidative phosphorylation. A key enzyme in this pathway is F0F1-ATP synthase, catalyzing ATP production from ADP and inorganic phosphate. Recently a subunit of F0F1-ATP synthase, oligomycin sensitivity-conferring protein, was identified as a new estradiol-binding protein. Estradiol could directly modulate mitochondrial ATP synthase activity through this subunit. In addition, intracellular ATP levels play a role in apoptotic death, which is an energy-dependent process requiring functioning mitochondria. Here we examined the effect of 17 beta-estradiol on F0F1-ATP synthase directly (in permeabilized cells) and in intact osteoclastic FLG 29.1 cells, a model of inducible apoptosis. The baseline F0F1-ATP synthase activity of FLG 29.1 cells was 4.485 nmol/min per mg. Estradiol rapidly inhibited F0F1-ATP synthase activity in the physiological range (half-inhibition concentration, IC50, of 30 nmol/l). With 1 nmol/l of estradiol, the inhibition was already significant (8-10% inhibition, p < 0.01) and with 100 nmol/l residual enzyme activity was only 15% (85% inhibition, p < 0.01). In addition, the effect of estradiol appeared to be directed towards F0F1-ATP synthase, since succinate-sustained respiration, uncoupled from the electron transport chain, was unaffected by estradiol. We assayed F0F1-ATP synthase activity in FLG 29.1 cells during inducible apoptosis. No significant difference of ATP synthesis was detected in apoptotic cells versus controls. In conclusion, we showed a new non-genomic effect of estradiol on a key mitochondrial enzyme, which thereby directly modulates cellular energy metabolism.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Inhibin B, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol and their relationship to the regulation of follicle development in girls during childhood and puberty.

Inhibin B, produced by granulosa cells in the ovary, is a heterodimeric glycoprotein suppressing synthesis and secretion of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The aim of the present study was to determine hormone profiles of inhibin B, FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol in girls during childhood and puberty and to evaluate whether inhibin B is a marker of follicle development. We examined the correlation between inhibin B and gonadotropins and estradiol during the first two years and across the pubertal development. Using a specific two-side enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), inhibin B levels were measured in the serum of 53 healthy girls divided into 8 groups according to age. In addition, serum FSH, LH, and estradiol were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay in all serum samples. A rise in serum levels of inhibin B (55.2+/-7.3 ng/l, mean +/- S.E.M.) and FSH (1.78+/-0.26 UI/l), concomitant with a moderate increment of serum LH (0.36+/-0.09 UI/l) and estradiol (45.8+/-12.2 pmol/l) concentrations was observed during the first three months of life and declined to prepubertal concentrations thereafter. A strong positive correlation between inhibin B and FSH (r = 0.48, p<0.05), LH (r = 0.68, p<0.001) and estradiol (r = 0.59, p<0.01) was demonstrated during the first 2 years of life. A rise in serum levels of inhibin B, FSH, LH, and estradiol was found throughout puberty. Inhibin B had a strong positive correlation with FSH (stage I of puberty: r = 0.64, p<0.05; stage II of puberty: r = 0.86, p<0.01), LH (I: r = 0.61, p<0.05; II: r = 0.67, p<0.05), and estradiol (II: r = 0.62, p<0.05) in early puberty. From pubertal stage II, inhibin B lost this relationship to gonadotropins and estradiol. Serum inhibin B and FSH levels increased significantly during pubertal development, with the highest peak found in stage III of puberty (133.5+/-14.3 ng/l), and decreased thereafter. In conclusion, inhibin B is produced in a specific pattern in response to gonadotropin stimulation and plays an important role in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis during childhood and puberty in girls. Inhibin B is involved in regulatory functions in developing follicles and seems to be a sensitive marker of ovarian follicle development.

Adolescent↗

Estradiol and progesterone can prevent rat mammary cancer when administered concomitantly with carcinogen but do not modify surviving tumor histology, estrogen receptor alpha status or Ha-ras mutation frequency.

An early full-term pregnancy is protective against mammary cancer in both humans and rodents. Treating rats with two hormones of pregnancy, estradiol and progesterone, for 5 weeks renders the rat mammary glands refractory to carcinogenesis. Our objectives was to determine if a shortened regimen (3 weeks) would be as effective as the 5-week regimen and to determine if the mammary gland was vulnerable to carcinogenic insult during the hormone treatments. We also examined cancers that survived the chemopreventive regimen to see if those tumors were particularly aggressive compared to control tumors (i.e., less differentiated, estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha)-negative or harbored mutations in Ha-ras). In the first experiment, Lewis rats were injected with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU, 50 mg/kg) at 50 days of age. At 60 days of age, the rats were either mated and allowed to nurse their young for 3 weeks, treated with hormone vehicle for 5 weeks, or 17 beta-estradiol (E, 20 micrograms) and progesterone (P, 4 mg) 5 times per week for 3 or 5 weeks. All the rats exposed to MNU but not estradiol and progesterone developed multiple mammary cancers. Pregnancy reduced multiplicity to 0.40 cancers/rat. Treatments of estradiol and progesterone for 3 or 5 weeks reduced cancer multiplicity and increased latency to a similar degree as pregnancy. Mammary cancers from each group displayed a similar spectra of histologic class, estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) content and Ha-ras mutation status. In the second experiment, 50-day-old rats were treated for five weeks with either estradiol and progesterone or vehicle as above beginning at 60 days of age and treated with MNU at 50, 64, 78 or 92 days of age. In each case, estradiol and progesterone treatments resulted in significantly reduced mammary tumor frequency. These results demonstrate that a three-week regimen of estradiol and progesterone can protect the mammary gland from chemically-induced carcinogenesis even when carcinogen exposure occurs concomitant with estradiol and progesterone stimulation.

Animals↗