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Estradiol induction of rhodamine 123 efflux and the multidrug resistance pump in rat pituitary tumor cells.

Rhodamine 123 is a fluorescent dye that localizes in mitochondria, is a substrate for the multidrug resistance pump, and is retained for long periods of time by carcinoma cells. 17 beta-Estradiol causes GH4C1 cells (rat pituitary tumor cells) to lose rhodamine 123 fluorescence faster than untreated cells. We found that estradiol induces accumulation of the mRNA for the multidrug resistance pump 3-5-fold, with maximum induction occurring within 1 day at 10(-9) M estradiol. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that estradiol induces a protein of 150 kDa that reacts with an antibody to P-glycoprotein, the multidrug resistance pump. The reduced retention of rhodamine 123 caused by estradiol is prevented by verapamil and cyclosporin, inhibitors of the pump. A clone resistant to the effects of estradiol on rhodamine 123 has greatly reduced levels of mRNA for the pump. The effect of estradiol is more marked on rhodamine 123 retention than it is on that of rhodamine 110 or tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester. We conclude that estradiol enhances rhodamine 123 efflux by inducing the multidrug resistance gene. The specificity for rhodamine 123, compared with other analogs, may be caused by differences in accessibility to the pump.

Animals↗

[A specific radioimmunologi determination of plasma estradiol without chromatography during the cycle and in pregnancy and determination of the free non-protein-bound fraction using dialysis].

The plasma concentrations of estradiol were measured by radioimmunoassay without chromatography. The antibody against estradiol was produced in rabbits immunized with 17beta-estra-diol-6-(0-carboxymethyloxime): bovine-serum-albumin. The lower limit of quantitation is 2.6 pg estradiol. A coefficient of variation of 5.9% was ascertained. The recovery of this method is 93% in the range of 89.8 to 95.2%. The concentrations of estradiol during the menstrual cycle are from 30 pg/ml to 300 pg/ml. Estradiol levels during the anovulatory cycle were found below 70 pg/ml. Similar values (2.0 to 2.5%) of percent of unbound estradiol in normal and anovulatory cycle were calculated. The concentrations of estradiol increase in pregnancy on an average of 16 ng/ml. The percentage of free estradiol decreases (up to the 24 weeks of pregnancy) from 2.3% to 1.2%.

Dialysis↗

Zinc enhancement of 17beta-estradiol's anabolic effect in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

The anabolic effect of 17beta-estradiol in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells was investigated. The cells were cultured for 3 days in the medium containing either vehicle or 17beta-estradiol (10(-11)-10(-9) M). 17beta-Estradiol significantly increased alkaline phosphatase activity and protein concentration in the cells. The steroid (10(-9) M) also significantly elevated the cell numbers and the cellular DNA content. The anabolic effect by 17beta-estradiol was blocked by the presence of dipicolinate (10(-3) M), a chelator of zinc ion, suggesting a role of cellular zinc in osteoblastic cell function. The presence of zinc sulfate (10(-5) M) or beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc (AHZ) (10(-5) M) significantly enhanced the 17beta-estradiol (10(-10) or 10(-9) M)-induced increase of alkaline phosphatase activity and protein concentration in the cells; the effect of AHZ was greater than that of zinc sulfate. The enhancement by zinc compounds was not based on the augmentation of osteoblastic cell numbers. The co-addition of cycloheximide (10(-6) M), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, completely blocked the zinc compound (10(-5) M)-induced enhancement of 17beta-estradiol's (10(-9) M) effect to increase alkaline phosphatase activity and protein concentration in the cells. Moreover, the anabolic effect of 17beta-estradiol together with or without zinc compounds was abolished by the presence of staurosporine (10(-8) M), an inhibitor of protein kinase C, or of okadaic acid (10(-7) M), an inhibitor of protein phosphatase. The present study demonstrates that the anabolic effect of 17beta-estradiol is enhanced by zinc-chelating dipeptide in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, and that the enhancing effect may involve protein synthesis and protein kinase activity.

3T3 Cells↗

Estradiol increases dendritic spine density by reducing GABA neurotransmission in hippocampal neurons.

We have previously shown that estradiol causes a twofold rise in dendritic spine density in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, as it does in vivo. More recently, estrogen receptors have been localized to aspiny inhibitory hippocampal interneurons, indicating that their effect on spiny pyramidal neurons may be indirect. We therefore examined the possibility that estradiol affects spine density by regulating inhibition in cultured hippocampal interneurons. Immunocytochemically, estrogen receptors were found to be co-localized with glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)-positive neurons (approximately 21% of total neurons in the culture). Exposure of cultures to estradiol for 1 d caused a marked decrease (up to 80%) in the GAD content of the interneurons, measured both by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Also, the number of GAD-positive neurons in the cultures decreased to 12% of the total cell population. Moreover, GABAergic miniature IPSCs were reduced in both size and frequency by estradiol, whereas miniature EPSCs increased in frequency. We then mimicked the proposed effects of estradiol by blocking GABA synthesis with mercaptopropionic acid (MA). Cultures treated with MA expressed a dose-dependent decrease in GABA immunostaining that mimicked that seen with estradiol. MA-treated cultures displayed a significant 50% increase in dendritic spine density over controls, similar to that produced by estradiol. These results indicate that estradiol decreases GABAergic inhibition in the hippocampus, which appears to effectively increase the excitatory drive on pyramidal cells, and thus may provide a mechanism for formation of new dendritic spines.

Animals↗

The interaction of clomiphene, estradiol, and progesterone in the control of rat uterine glycogen metabolism.

Uterine glycogen accumulation was studied in ovariectomized rats treated with all combinations of clomiphene citrate (0.25 mg/kg) estradiol (1.0 micron g) and progesterone (5.0 mg). The rats were given three consecutive daily dosages and killed 24 hours after the final dosage. Based on biochemical data, either estradiol or clomiphene increased uterine glycogen concentration and total glycogen, but progesterone did not. Progesterone significantly suppressed both the estradiol and clomiphene-induced glycogen increases. Based on the histochemical results, progesterone also suppressed the estradiol and clomiphene-induced glycogen responses, but the tissue affected differed. Clomiphene markedly increased luminal epithelial glycogen whereas estradiol induced primarily myometrial glycogenesis. Progesterone completely suppressed the clomiphene-induced epithelial effect and partially suppressed the estradiol-induced myometrial effect. Clomiphene also suppressed the estradiol-induced myometrial response. The results indicate that progesterone does have a significant interaction with clomiphene in the control of uterine morphology and biochemistry. The results also stress the importance of correlated histochemical and biochemical studies in the study of clomiphene-induced uterine glycognesis.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics of ethinyl estradiol and mestranol.

Pharmacokinetally, a 50 micrograms oral dose of mestranol (which itself is inactive) is bioequivalent to a 35 micrograms dose of ethinyl estradiol. Physiologically, mestranol ranges from 50% to 100% of the activity of ethinyl estradiol, depending on the endpoint chosen. Compounds such as these, which are metabolized with a first-pass effect and are enterohepatically recirculated, demonstrate large interindividual and intraindividual variability in their pharmacokinetics. Thus a given dose of ethinyl estradiol in one person may produce an effect equivalent to a substantially larger (or smaller) dose in another person. This wide variability confounds efforts to establish tight dose-response relationships, a point rarely considered in clinical or epidemiologic studies of these compounds. The circulating levels of ethinyl estradiol sulfates may be higher than those of free ethinyl estradiol itself. It has been thought that these sulfates represent a "reservoir" of ethinyl estradiol. Our studies show that this idea is untenable because the half-life of the sulfates is not long enough for such an effect. Differences in the pharmacokinetics of ethinyl estradiol and mestranol have been observed in studies of various populations. The reality of these group differences is affirmed by analyses of urinary metabolite patterns.

Biological Availability↗

Luteinizing hormone response to estradiol benzoate in cows postpartum and cows with ovarian cysts.

Twenty-seven dairy cows were evenly assigned to one of three groups and given an intramuscular injection of 2 mg estradiol benzoate. Cows in group 1 were greater than 30 days postpartum at treatment and had been diagnosed via rectal palpation to have ovarian cysts. Cows in groups 2 and 3 were 12 to 14 and 30 to 40 days postpartum, respectively. Blood plasma was collected from all cows before treatment and then every three hours for 36 hours post-treatment. Concentrations of LH, estradiol-17 beta and progesterone in plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. Four, zero and five cows in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, had concentrations of progesterone greater than 1.0 ng/ml before estradiol benzoate treatment. None of these cows had a peak LH release greater than 5 ng/ml following estradiol benzoate treatment. The numbers of cows with progesterone concentrations less than 1 ng/ml that released LH (>5 ng/ml) in response to estradiol benzoate were 3 of 5, 3 of 9, and 4 of 4 for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively; the proportion for group 3 was higher (P<.05) than for group 2. Of the cows that released LH, mean peak LH concentrations were 33.3+/-5.4, 14.8+/-7.2 and 24.6+/-9.8 ng/ml for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, and the duration of the LH increase was 8.0+/-1.0, 8.0+/-2.0 and 13.0+/-4.0 hours. The time from estradiol benzoate treatment to peak LH release for cows with ovarian cysts (25+/-2 hours) was delayed (P<.05) compared with that for cows 30 to 40 days postpartum without ovarian cysts (16+/-1 hour). In summary, responsiveness to estradiol benzoate is regained between 2 to 4 weeks postpartum in most cows. In addition, some cows with ovarian cysts can release LH in response to estradiol benzoate, but peak LH release is delayed compared to cows at a comparable stage postpartum without ovarian cysts.

Journal Article↗

Metabolites of estradiol in serum, bile, intestine and feces of the domestic cat (Felis catus ).

We wished to develop an efficient, noninvasive method for monitoring ovarian function in domestic and nondomestic Felidae. We hypothesized that the method could be based on measurement of one of the major excreted estrogen metabolites. To identify and characterize the major excreted metabolites, a bolus of (14)C-estradiol was administered into the femoral vein of adult female cats. We measured the amounts of total radioactivity per unit time contained in unconjugated and conjugated estradiol metabolites, in conjugated metabolites that were hydrolyzable, and in those not hydrolyzable by beta Glucuronidase / aryl sulfatase (the enzyme). Radionuclide levels were determined in voided feces and urine, in jugular vein plasma, bile, contents of the duodenum, and in the small intestine. Metabolites of (14)C-estradiol were voided preferentially in feces and in equal amounts either as unconjugated estradiol or as conjugates not hydrolyzable by the enzyme. In plasma, conjugated estrogens comprised an increasing proportion of the total radioactivity during the first 40 min after administration. Plasma pools of samples from 0.5 to 30 min and 40 to 360 min contained a monoconjugate and a diconjugate, respectively; both were hydrolyzable by the enzyme. Bile and intestinal samples were collected at 360 min after administration. In the bile, 99% of the total radioactivity was in conjugated compounds, only 20% of which were not hydrolysable by the enzyme. The proportion of unconjugated metabolites increased to 18% in the duodenum and to 45% in the small intestine. The major conjugates contained in voided feces not hydrolyzable by the enzyme were estradiol sulfate (m/z = 351.6836), distributed as the 3-sulfate (20%) and 17-sulfate (80%); of the latter, 70% were 17alpha- and 30% 17beta-estradiol sulfates. These data document the fate of estradiol in the circulation of the cat, they demonstrate that a large portion of the voided estradiol metabolites are not hydrolyzable by the enzyme, and account for those conjugates previously termed nonhydrolyzable.

Journal Article↗

Oxytocin and estradiol concentrations in follicular fluid as a means for the classification of large bovine follicles.

Large antral follicles (13 to 20 mm in diameter) were collected from ovaries of 109 cows and 17 heifers that also had a regressed corpus luteum at slaughter. Thirty percent of the animals had been injected once with prostaglandin F(2)alpha 48 hours before slaughter. Follicles were divided into 3 groups based on estradiol and oxytocin concentrations in the follicular fluid: Group I follicles, estradiol>/=100 ng/ml and oxytocin<65 pg/ml (preovulatory and assumed pre-gonadotropin surge); Group II follicles, estradiol<100 ng/ml and oxytocin>/=65 pg/ml (preovulatory and assumed post-gonadotropin surge); and Group III follicles, estradiol<100 ng/ml and oxytocin<65 pg/ml (atretic follicles). Treatment with prostaglandin F(2)alpha significantly increased the number of viable granulosa cells and estradiol content in Group I follicles. The estradiol: progesterone ratio was significantly higher in Group I vs Groups II and III, but it was similar for Group II healthy follicles and Group III atretic follicles. To ascertain the classification of follicles, PGF(2)alpha was administered on Day 6 of the cycle to induce corpus luteum regression, and a GnRH analog was administered 24 hours later. At 23 hours after GnRH analog treatment, follicular oxytocin levels significantly rose to 103 pg/ml. Concomitantly, estradiol concentrations fell to below 100 ng/ml. This response was not evident by 13 h after injection of the GnRH analog. The results indicate that follicular estradiol and oxytocin concentrations may be used as a means for the physiological classification of large bovine follicles.

Journal Article↗

Variable progesterone response and estradiol secretion in prepubertal beef heifers following treatment with norgestomet implants.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of norgestomet ear implants on progesterone response and estradiol secretion in prepubertal beef heifers. In the first experiment, 47 beef heifers were treated with norgestomet. The implants were implanted subcutaneously for 9 d. After implant removal, blood samples were taken from heifers 2 to 4 d per week for 40 d. Following progesterone determination in jugular venous plasma, heifers were classified according to their progesterone response: 1) no response (Group 1); no rise in progesterone above 1 ng/ml throughout the sampling period; 2) one cycle (Group 2); one increase in progesterone above 1 ng/ml for at least 2 d followed by no further increase in progesterone during the sampling period; and 3) two cycles (Group 3); a rise in progesterone above 1 ng/ml for at least 2 d followed by another cycle of normal duration. Heifers treated with norgestomet were classified as 23 with no response, 9 with 1 cycle and 15 with 2 cycles. Concentrations of estradiol were measured in jugular venous samples on Day 2 after implant removal. Mean concentrations of estradiol were greater in Group 3 than in Group 1 (P < or = 0.01). In Experiment 2, 29 prepubertal beef heifers were assigned randomly to either a 9-d treatment with norgestomet (n = 14) or to serve as untreated controls (n = 15). Blood plasma samples were collected daily from Days 0 to 44 after implant removal. After progesterone determination, heifers were classified as 8 with no response, 4 with 1 cycle and 3 with 2 cycles in the control group, and 5 with no response, 3 with 1 cycle and 6 with 2 cycles in the norgestomet group (frequencies did not differ; P > 0.1). Jugular venous blood plasma was also collected at 4-h intervals from 0 h to 96 h after implant removal and concentrations of estradiol were measured. Patterns of estradiol secretion differed (P < or = 0.05) and overall mean concentrations of estradiol over the first 96 h following implant removal were greater (P < or = 0.01) in norgestomet-treated heifers versus the controls. We conclude that norgestomet can produce a variable progesterone response with heifers with 2 cycles secreting more estradiol. Implants of norgestomet also causes more acute secretion of estradiol in prepubertal beef heifers.

Journal Article↗

Estradiol and progesterone modulation of angiotensin II receptors in the arcuate nucleus of ovariectomized and lactating rats.

The expression of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors in the brain is modulated by estradiol and progesterone. Considering that Ang II plays a critical role in controlling prolactin secretion and that neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) are the main regulator of this function, the present study aimed to evaluate ARC Ang II receptor binding in 2 experimental models with different estradiol and progesterone plasma levels. Animals were divided into 4 groups: ovariectomy (OVX) plus oil vehicle, OVX plus estradiol and progesterone replacement, lactating rats on day 7 postpartum, and lactating rats on day 20. Animals were killed by decapitation, and the brains were removed. Ang II receptors were quantified by autoradiography in ARC. Trunk blood samples were collected, and plasma estradiol and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. Treatment of OVX rats with estradiol and progesterone increased Ang II receptor binding when compared to OVX vehicle-treated animals. Plasma estradiol (r = +0.77) and progesterone (r = +0.87) were highly correlated with Ang II receptors in ovariectomized animals. Lactating rats (day 20) showed a significant decrease in Ang II receptor binding and plasma progesterone when compared to lactating rats (day 7), however, no difference was seen in plasma estradiol. Plasma levels of progesterone (r = +0.81), but not estradiol (r = +0.32), were highly correlated with Ang II receptors in lactating rats. In conclusion, present results show that ARC Ang II receptors decreases on day 20 of lactation compared to day 7 and are highly correlated with plasma progesterone, indicating a pivotal role for progesterone in this regulation.

Animals↗

Proestrus levels of estradiol during transient global cerebral ischemia improves the histological outcome of the hippocampal CA1 region: perfusion-dependent and-independent mechanisms.

We conducted this study to determine whether high physiological levels of estradiol (proestrus) could protect the hippocampal CA1 neurons following transient global ischemia. Ovariectomized or ovary-intact female rats were subjected to 20 min of ischemia and allowed to survive for 96 h. Estradiol was administered subcutaneously in a group of ovariectomized rats 24 h before ischemia induction. Ending serum estrogen levels were correlated to cerebral blood flow (CBF), histologic assessment and immunofluorescent caspase-3 active peptide (C-3AP) positive cell count. Estradiol administration significantly improved CBF in the hippocampus (compared with intact or ovariectomized rats) but not in the parietal cortex. No significant differences in CBF between intact or ovariectomized rats were noted. Estradiol administration maintained serum levels of the steroid in estradiol-treated rats-about 10 times that of intact animals and more than 20 times that of ovariectomized animals. Morphologically, live cell counts in estradiol-treated rats were significantly higher than in intact or ovariectomized rats. Live cell counts were also significantly higher in intact than ovariectomized rats. C-3AP positive cell counts were much higher in ovariectomized rats than in intact and estradiol-treated rats. In conclusion, proestrus levels of 17beta-estradiol protect hippocampal CA1 neurons against transient global ischemia, through mechanisms that appear to involve improvement of perfusion and inhibition of caspase-3 activity.

Animals↗

Suppression of testosterone-estradiol binding globulin by medroxyprogesterone acetate in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Serum androgen binding capacity is decreased in hirsute women and normal women receiving medroxyprogesterone acetate. A sensitive radioimmunoassay was used to measure the main androgen binding protein, testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin, in 13 patients with hirsutism and the polycystic ovary syndrome. Testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin concentrations were determined before, during, and after treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate. Testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin was lower in untreated polycystic ovary syndrome patients than in normal controls (21.9 +/- 3.7 versus 64 +/- 4 nmol/L, P less than .01). Administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (400 mg intramuscularly every 15 days for nine months) to polycystic ovary syndrome patients caused a decrease of serum testosterone and further lowering of testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin (7.6 +/- 1.9 nmol/L, P less than .01). In two patients the concentration of testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin reached values as low as 0.9 and 0.8 nmol/L, approximately 1/60 and 1/70 of the normal level. Testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin returned to basal levels (15.1 +/- 1.3 nmol/L) between one and two years after discontinuation of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Corticosteroid binding globulin levels were normal in polycystic ovary syndrome and did not change with medroxyprogesterone acetate. It was concluded that: medroxyprogesterone acetate causes marked lowering of plasma testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin; the effect is not mediated by sex hormone levels; and the decrease in testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin offsets, at least partially, the beneficial action of medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Female↗

Effects of exogenous 17(&bgr;)-estradiol on the reproductive physiology and reproductive performance of european starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

Egg mass shows large intraspecific variation in birds and yet the mechanisms underlying this variation remain unknown. We hypothesized that estradiol would play a central role in determining egg mass, since this hormone stimulates the production of yolk precursors (vitellogenin and very-low density lipoprotein, VLDL) by the liver, and of albumen by the oviduct. We gave European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) silastic implants containing estradiol prior to egg formation, which we predicted would increase egg mass. As expected, exogenous estradiol stimulated a marked (49 %) increase in plasma vitellogenin levels at the beginning of laying. At clutch completion, plasma VLDL levels and oviduct mass were also elevated in estradiol-treated females compared with controls. However, estradiol had no effect on fresh egg mass or clutch size. Estradiol treatment actually decreased the mass of yolk protein and lipid, perhaps by decreasing the rate of uptake of yolk precursors at the ovary. The failure of estradiol to increase egg mass indicates that this phenotype may be regulated at higher levels of organization (e.g. negative feedback, uptake of yolk precursors) than those studied in this experiment. Despite elevating yolk precursor levels, treatment with estradiol had no effect on the mass of the liver or endogenous stores of protein and lipid at clutch completion.

Journal Article↗

Changes in the concentration of hypothalamic and hypophyseal receptors for estradiol in pregnant and postpartum ewes.

The sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to estradiol was evaluated by monitoring changes in the concentration of receptors for estradiol during gestation and the postpartum period of the ewe. Ewes that had been bred during anestrus so that lambing would occur during the breeding season were killed on d 50 and 140 of gestation or on d 2, 13, 22 and 35 postpartum. Total cytosolic receptors for estradiol were quantified in the anterior and posterior hypothalamus, median eminence, anterior pituitary and cerebral cortex. Concentration and total number of receptors for estradiol in the anterior and posterior hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland during gestation through d 13 postpartum were similar but increased (P less than .05) by d 22 and 35 postpartum. Changes in the concentration of receptors for estradiol were tissue-specific because stage of reproduction did not influence the number of receptors for estradiol in the median eminence or cerebral cortex. Increases in the concentration of receptors for estradiol in hypothalamic and pituitary tissues on d 22 postpartum immediately preceded the onset of normal ovarian cyclicity in ewes. From these data we conclude that resumption of reproductive cycles in postpartum ewes occurs about the time concentrations of receptors for estradiol in the anterior pituitary gland and hypothalamus increase.

Animals↗

Estradiol and EGF requirements for cell-cycle progression of normal human mammary epithelial cells in culture.

The purpose of our study was to show the feasibility of accurately investigating the factors likely to control cell proliferation of normal human mammary epithelial (HME) cells, using a scanning cytometric method. The methodology was previously developed with the SAMBA 200 cell image processor to characterize in situ the cell-cycle phases of HME cells. Since various compartments constitute the mammary epithelium, cells obtained after reduction mammoplasty were cultured in a medium with a low calcium content (0.06 mM) to provide proliferating normal HME cells while maintaining their differentiation characteristics. Estradiol and EGF requirements for cell-cycle phase progression of these cells were examined. Then, we showed that 2 normal HME cell cultures displaying different phenotypic characteristics may differently progress through the cell cycle under the same hormonally defined conditions. Cell-cycle progression of the epithelial cells presenting luminal phenotype was induced only by sequential stimulation/pretreatment with estradiol followed by EGF treatment; this progression was enhanced when estradiol was maintained during EGF treatment. This definite order demonstrated that estradiol could have a permissive effect on EGF mitogenic activity. In contrast, epithelial cells likely to be localized in the basal position in the mammary gland showed the same proliferating activity whatever the estradiol and EGF treatment. These cells progressed profusely in cell cycle, independent of exogenous estradiol and EGF contribution, but they remained sensitive to estradiol regarding EGF-receptor detection. Our results suggest autonomous proliferation of these cells through an autocrine pathway, in the absence of negative regulators.

Adult↗

Effects of ABT-761, a novel 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, on the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel in healthy female volunteers.

ABT-761 is a second-generation 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor in clinical development for the treatment of asthma. The effects of ABT-761 on the pharmacokinetics of an oral contraceptive were assessed in 21 female adult volunteers in a phase I, multiple-dose, open-label study. Subjects received a single dose of oral contraceptive (30 microg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel) on each of days 1 and 29. Oral doses of 300 mg of ABT-761 were administered once daily beginning on day 15 continuing through day 29. Statistically significant decreases in maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of ethinyl estradiol were observed when oral contraceptive was administered concomitantly with ABT-761 compared with administration of oral contraceptive alone. The mean elimination rate constant of ethinyl estradiol increased by 30% (a mean decrease of 3.8 hours in half-life), and the mean apparent volume of distribution during the terminal phase (Vd(beta)/F) of ethinyl estradiol increased by 73% in the presence of ABT-761. Mean Cmax and AUC values for norgestrel decreased by 12% and 10%, respectively, when administered with ABT-761. Mean values for time to Cmax (tmax), terminal rate constant (beta), half-life (t1/2), and Vd(beta)/F of norgestrel were similar when oral contraceptive was administered alone or concomitantly with ABT-761. The mechanism responsible for the effect of ABT-761 on the clearance of ethinyl estradiol remains undefined. Because results of previous multiple-dose studies of ABT-761 do not provide any evidence of autoinduction, the effects of ABT-761 on the pharmacokinetics of ethinyl estradiol are more likely related to absorption of ethinyl estradiol.

Adult↗

Immunogold labelling of estradiol receptor in MCF7 cells.

The distribution of estradiol receptor in serial sections of estradiol-deprived and estradiol-stimulated MCF7 cells was studied by using mouse monoclonal antibodies reacting with different domains of the receptor and goat-antimouse IgG/6 nm gold. In the nucleus and the cytoplasm of estradiol-deprived cells, the receptor was detected by all three monoclonals (13H2, HT 65 and MA1-310). The antibodies 13H2 and MA1-310 detected receptor associated to the microfilament bundles in the cytoplasm. Higher densities of antireceptor attachment to the nuclear areas were accompanied by a reduction in the attachment to the cytoplasm after estradiol stimulation of the cells. The results confirm earlier observations on the presence of cytoplasmic estrogen receptor in estradiol-deprived cells and support the premise of an estradiol-induced translocation of this ligand-dependent transcription regulator.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗