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Venkatesh VS, Nie T, Golub S, Stok KS, Hemmatian H, Desai R, Handelsman DJ, Zajac JD, Grossmann M, Davey RA. High circulating concentrations of estradiol are anabolic for bone mass and strength in an adult male to female transgender mouse model. Bone 2024; 186:117143. [PMID: 38866125 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2024.117143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The effects of gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on bone microarchitecture and fracture risk in adult transgender women is unclear. To investigate the concept that skeletal integrity and strength in trans women may be improved by treatment with a higher dose of GAHT than commonly prescribed, we treated adult male mice with a sustained, high dose of estradiol. Adult male mice at 16 weeks of age were administered ~1.3 mg estradiol by silastic implant, implanted intraperitoneally, for 12 weeks. Controls included vehicle treated intact females and males. High-dose estradiol treatment in males stimulated the endocortical deposition of bone at the femoral mid-diaphysis, increasing cortical thickness and bone area. This led to higher stiffness, maximum force, and the work required to fracture the bone compared to male controls, while post-yield displacement was unaffected. Assessment of the material properties of the bone showed an increase in both elastic modulus and ultimate stress in the estradiol treated males. Treatment of male mice with high dose estradiol was also anabolic for trabecular bone, markedly increasing trabecular bone volume, number and thickness in the distal metaphysis which was accompanied by an increase in the histomorphometric markers of bone remodelling, mineralizing surface/bone surface, bone formation rate and osteoclast number. In conclusion, a high dose of estradiol is anabolic for cortical and trabecular bone in a male to female transgender mouse model, increasing both stiffness and strength. These findings suggest that increasing the current dose of GAHT administered to trans women, while considering other potential adverse effects, may be beneficial to preserving their bone microstructure and strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun S Venkatesh
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Tian Nie
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
| | - Suzanne Golub
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
| | - Kathryn S Stok
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Haniyeh Hemmatian
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
| | - Reena Desai
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Andrology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales 2137, Australia.
| | - David J Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Andrology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales 2137, Australia.
| | - Jeffrey D Zajac
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
| | - Mathis Grossmann
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Rachel A Davey
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
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Horton AC, Wilkinson MM, Kilanowski-Doroh I, Dong Z, Liu J, Ogola BO, Visniauskas B, Lindsey SH. Dihydrotestosterone induces arterial stiffening in female mice. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:9. [PMID: 38263051 PMCID: PMC10804721 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00586-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Androgens are important sex hormones in both men and women and are supplemented when endogenous levels are low, for gender transitioning, or to increase libido. Androgens also circulate at higher levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition that increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and arterial stiffness. Since our previous work shows an important role for the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in arterial stiffness, we hypothesized that other hormones including androgens may impact arterial stiffness in female mice via downregulation of GPER. METHODS The impact of the non-aromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the glucocorticoid dexamethasone, and the progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (all 100 nM for 24 h) on GPER and ERα expression was assessed in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). To assess the in vivo impact of the DHT-induced downregulation of GPER, female ovary-intact C57Bl/6 mice at 15-16 weeks of age were treated with silastic capsules containing DHT for 4 weeks, one with a dosage expected to mimic human male DHT levels and another to double the expected human concentration (n = 8-9/group). RESULTS In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, GPER mRNA was decreased by DHT (P = 0.001) but was not impacted by dexamethasone or medroxyprogesterone. In contrast, ERα expression in cultured cells was significantly suppressed by all three hormones (P < 0.0001). In control mice or mice treated with a single or double dose of DHT, a dose-dependent increase in body weight was observed (control 22 ± 2 g, single dose 24 ± 2 g, double dose 26 ± 2 g; P = 0.0002). Intracarotid stiffness measured via pulse wave velocity showed a more than two-fold increase in both DHT-treated groups (control 1.9 ± 0.3 m/s, single dose 4.3 ± 0.8 m/s, double dose 4.8 ± 1.0 m/s). This increase in arterial stiffness occurred independent of changes in blood pressure (P = 0.59). Histological analysis of aortic sections using Masson's trichrome showed a significant decrease in collagen between the control group (24 ± 5%) and the double dose group (17 ± 3%, P = 0.007), despite no changes in aortic wall thickness or smooth muscle content. Lastly, ddPCR showed that in vivo DHT treatment decreased aortic expression of both GPER (control 20 ± 5, single dose 10.5 ± 5.6, double dose 10 ± 4 copies/ng; P = 0.001) and ERα (control 54 ± 2, single dose 24 ± 13, and double dose 23 ± 12 copies/ng; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that androgen promotes arterial stiffening and cardiovascular damage in female mice and is associated with decreased estrogen receptor expression. These data are important for transgender men, women using testosterone for fitness or reduced libido, as well as patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec C Horton
- Department of Pharmacology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Mary M Wilkinson
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | | | - Zhejun Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane School of Medicine, Hayward Genetics Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jiao Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane School of Medicine, Hayward Genetics Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Benard O Ogola
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Bruna Visniauskas
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Sarah H Lindsey
- Department of Pharmacology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
- Tulane Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Biology and Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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3
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Nie T, Venkatesh VS, Golub S, Stok KS, Hemmatian H, Desai R, Handelsman DJ, Zajac JD, Grossmann M, Davey RA. Estradiol increases cortical and trabecular bone accrual and bone strength in an adolescent male-to-female mouse model of gender-affirming hormone therapy. Bone Res 2024; 12:1. [PMID: 38212599 PMCID: PMC10784310 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-023-00308-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on the skeletal integrity and fracture risk in transitioning adolescent trans girls are unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we developed a mouse model to simulate male-to-female transition in human adolescents in whom puberty is first arrested by using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogs with subsequent estradiol treatment. Puberty was suppressed by orchidectomy in male mice at 5 weeks of age. At 3 weeks post-surgery, male-to-female mice were treated with a high dose of estradiol (~0.85 mg) by intraperitoneal silastic implantation for 12 weeks. Controls included intact and orchidectomized males at 3 weeks post-surgery, vehicle-treated intact males, intact females and orchidectomized males at 12 weeks post-treatment. Compared to male controls, orchidectomized males exhibited decreased peak bone mass accrual and a decreased maximal force the bone could withstand prior to fracture. Estradiol treatment in orchidectomized male-to-female mice compared to mice in all control groups was associated with an increased cortical thickness in the mid-diaphysis, while the periosteal circumference increased to a level that was intermediate between intact male and female controls, resulting in increased maximal force and stiffness. In trabecular bone, estradiol treatment increased newly formed trabeculae arising from the growth plate as well as mineralizing surface/bone surface and bone formation rate, consistent with the anabolic action of estradiol on osteoblast proliferation. These data support the concept that skeletal integrity can be preserved and that long-term fractures may be prevented in trans girls treated with GnRHa and a sufficiently high dose of GAHT. Further study is needed to identify an optimal dose of estradiol that protects the bone without adverse side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Nie
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Varun S Venkatesh
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Suzanne Golub
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Kathryn S Stok
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Haniyeh Hemmatian
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Reena Desai
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Andrology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW, 2137, Australia
| | - David J Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Andrology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW, 2137, Australia
| | - Jeffrey D Zajac
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Mathis Grossmann
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Rachel A Davey
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.
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4
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Venkatesh VS, Nie T, Zajac JD, Grossmann M, Davey RA. The Utility of Preclinical Models in Understanding the Bone Health of Transgender Individuals Undergoing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2023; 21:825-841. [PMID: 37707757 PMCID: PMC10724092 DOI: 10.1007/s11914-023-00818-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarise the evidence regarding the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on bone health in transgender people, to identify key knowledge gaps and how these gaps can be addressed using preclinical rodent models. RECENT FINDINGS Sex hormones play a critical role in bone physiology, yet there is a paucity of research regarding the effects of GAHT on bone microstructure and fracture risk in transgender individuals. The controlled clinical studies required to yield fracture data are unethical to conduct making clinically translatable preclinical research of the utmost importance. Novel genetic and surgical preclinical models have yielded significant mechanistic insight into the roles of sex steroids on skeletal integrity. Preclinical models of GAHT have the potential inform clinical approaches to preserve skeletal integrity and prevent fractures in transgender people undergoing GAHT. This review highlights the key considerations required to ensure the information gained from preclinical models of GAHT are informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun S Venkatesh
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
| | - Tian Nie
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
| | - Jeffrey D Zajac
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
| | - Mathis Grossmann
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
| | - Rachel A Davey
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.
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5
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Unger CA, Hope MC, Aladhami AK, Cotham WE, Socia CE, Rice BC, Clegg DJ, Velázquez KT, LaVoie HA, Hollis F, Enos RT. A Novel Tissue-Specific Insight into Sex Steroid Fluctuations Throughout the Murine Estrous Cycle. Endocrinology 2023; 165:bqad175. [PMID: 37967240 PMCID: PMC11032246 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Serum sex steroid levels fluctuate throughout the reproductive cycle. However, the degree to which sex steroid tissue content mimics circulating content is unknown. Understanding the flux and physiological quantity of tissue steroid content is imperative for targeted hormonal therapy development. Utilizing a gold-standard ultrasensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method we determined sex steroid (17β-estradiol [E2], testosterone, androstenedione, and progesterone) fluctuations in serum and in 15 tissues throughout the murine estrous cycle (proestrus, estrus, and diestrus I) and in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. We observed dynamic fluctuations in serum and tissue steroid content throughout the estrous cycle with proestrus generally presenting the highest content of E2, testosterone, and androstenedione, and lowest content of progesterone. In general, the trend in circulating steroid content between the stages of the estrous cycle was mimicked in tissue. However, the absolute amounts of steroid levels when normalized to tissue weight were found to be significantly different between the tissues with the serum steroid quantity often being significantly lower than the tissue quantity. Additionally, we found that OVX mice generally displayed a depletion of all steroids in the various tissues assessed, except in the adrenal glands which were determined to be the main site of peripheral E2 production after ovary removal. This investigation provides a comprehensive analysis of steroid content throughout the estrous cycle in a multitude of tissues and serum. We believe this information will help serve as the basis for the development of physiologically relevant, tissue-specific hormonal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A Unger
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina-School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - Marion C Hope
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina-School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - Ahmed K Aladhami
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina-School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - William E Cotham
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Arts and Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Cassidy E Socia
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina-School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - Barton C Rice
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina-School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - Deborah J Clegg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 7995, USA
| | - Kandy T Velázquez
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina-School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - Holly A LaVoie
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - Fiona Hollis
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - Reilly T Enos
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina-School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
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Massa MG, Aghi K, Hill MJ. Deconstructing sex: Strategies for undoing binary thinking in neuroendocrinology and behavior. Horm Behav 2023; 156:105441. [PMID: 37862978 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The scientific community widely recognizes that "sex" is a complex category composed of multiple physiologies. Yet in practice, basic scientific research often treats "sex" as a single, internally consistent, and often binary variable. This practice occludes important physiological factors and processes, and thus limits the scientific value of our findings. In human-oriented biomedical research, the use of simplistic (and often binary) models of sex ignores the existence of intersex, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people and contributes to a medical paradigm that neglects their needs and interests. More broadly, our collective reliance on these models legitimizes a false paradigm of human biology that undergirds harmful medical practices and anti-trans political movements. Herein, we continue the conversations begun at the SBN 2022 Symposium on Hormones and Trans Health, providing guiding questions to help scientists deconstruct and rethink the use of "sex" across the stages of the scientific method. We offer these as a step toward a scientific paradigm that more accurately recognizes and represents sexed physiologies as multiple, interacting, variable, and unbounded by gendered preconceptions. We hope this paper will serve as a useful resource for scientists who seek a new paradigm for researching and understanding sexed physiologies that improves our science, widens the applicability of our findings, and deters the misuse of our research against marginalized groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G Massa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America.
| | - Krisha Aghi
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
| | - M J Hill
- Department of Sociology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
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7
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Massa MG, Scott RL, Cara AL, Cortes LR, Vander PB, Sandoval NP, Park JW, Ali SL, Velez LM, Wang HB, Ati SS, Tesfaye B, Reue K, van Veen JE, Seldin MM, Correa SM. Feeding neurons integrate metabolic and reproductive states in mice. iScience 2023; 26:107918. [PMID: 37817932 PMCID: PMC10561062 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Balance between metabolic and reproductive processes is important for survival, particularly in mammals that gestate their young. How the nervous system coordinates this balance is an active area of study. Herein, we demonstrate that somatostatin (SST) neurons of the tuberal hypothalamus alter feeding in a manner sensitive to metabolic and reproductive states in mice. Whereas chemogenetic activation of SST neurons increased food intake across sexes, ablation decreased food intake only in female mice during proestrus. This ablation effect was only apparent in animals with low body mass. Fat transplantation and bioinformatics analysis of SST neuronal transcriptomes revealed white adipose as a key modulator of these effects. These studies indicate that SST hypothalamic neurons integrate metabolic and reproductive cues by responding to varying levels of circulating estrogens to modulate feeding differentially based on energy stores. Thus, gonadal steroid modulation of neuronal circuits can be context dependent and gated by metabolic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G. Massa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Doctoral Program, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rachel L. Scott
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Alexandra L. Cara
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Laura R. Cortes
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Paul B. Vander
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Norma P. Sandoval
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jae W. Park
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sahara L. Ali
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Leandro M. Velez
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Huei-Bin Wang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shomik S. Ati
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Bethlehem Tesfaye
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - J. Edward van Veen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Marcus M. Seldin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California – Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Stephanie M. Correa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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8
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Massa MG, Scott RL, Cara AL, Cortes LR, Sandoval NP, Park JW, Ali S, Velez LM, Tesfaye B, Reue K, van Veen JE, Seldin M, Correa SM. Feeding Neurons Integrate Metabolic and Reproductive States in Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.25.525595. [PMID: 36747631 PMCID: PMC9900829 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.25.525595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Trade-offs between metabolic and reproductive processes are important for survival, particularly in mammals that gestate their young. Puberty and reproduction, as energetically taxing life stages, are often gated by metabolic availability in animals with ovaries. How the nervous system coordinates these trade-offs is an active area of study. We identify somatostatin neurons of the tuberal nucleus (TNSST) as a node of the feeding circuit that alters feeding in a manner sensitive to metabolic and reproductive states in mice. Whereas chemogenetic activation of TNSST neurons increased food intake across sexes, selective ablation decreased food intake only in female mice during proestrus. Interestingly, this ablation effect was only apparent in animals with a low body mass. Fat transplantation and bioinformatics analysis of TNSST neuronal transcriptomes revealed white adipose as a key modulator of the effects of TNSST neurons on food intake. Together, these studies point to a mechanism whereby TNSST hypothalamic neurons modulate feeding by responding to varying levels of circulating estrogens differentially based on energy stores. This research provides insight into how neural circuits integrate reproductive and metabolic signals, and illustrates how gonadal steroid modulation of neuronal circuits can be context-dependent and gated by metabolic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G Massa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Rachel L Scott
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Alexandra L Cara
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Laura R Cortes
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Norma P Sandoval
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jae W Park
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Sahara Ali
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Leandro M Velez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Bethlehem Tesfaye
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - J Edward van Veen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Marcus Seldin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Stephanie M Correa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
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9
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Phan MAT, Gibson E, Golebiowski B, Stapleton F, Jenner AM, Bucknall MP. Analysis of sex steroids in human tears using LC-MS and GC-MS: Considerations and developments to improve method sensitivity and accuracy. Exp Eye Res 2022; 225:109283. [PMID: 36273577 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroids play a role in regulation of tear film function and may exert their action locally at the ocular surface. However, measurement of sex steroids in tears is difficult due to small-volume tear samples and very low concentrations of the hormones. This short communication highlights what has been achieved to date in the analysis of tear sex steroids using ultra-performance LC-MS (UPLC-MS) as previously published, and reports further and more recent investigations toward optimising mass spectrometry method sensitivity and accuracy. The published UPLC-MS method successfully measured progesterone, androsterone glucuronide and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol in pooled basal tears of postmenopausal women, and fourteen sex steroid standards in methanol. Limitations included sub-optimal limits of detection (LOD) and lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) for some analytes (particularly oestrogens), exclusion of sample matrix effects and no use of internal standards. This update reports on further experiments carried out to improve sensitivity and accuracy. Sample matrix effects, internal standard spiking, and derivatisation with dansyl chloride and oximes were investigated. Dansylation significantly improved the LOD and LLOQ of oestrogens and their metabolites, by a factor of 10 for oestradiol and a factor of 5 for oestrone, but sensitivity of this updated method is not sufficient however for analysis of these oestrogens in human tears. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as an alternative technique to LC-MS, improved sensitivity for derivatised oestradiol is reported. This work demonstrates the need to develop higher sensitivity methods and points researchers towards specific MS ionisation techniques for future analysis of sex steroids in tears, in order to progress current understanding of the role of sex steroids in tear function and dry eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh Anh Thu Phan
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Emma Gibson
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Optometry, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Blanka Golebiowski
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Fiona Stapleton
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Andrew M Jenner
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Martin P Bucknall
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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Chan HW, Dharmage S, Dobson A, Chung HF, Loxton D, Doust J, Montgomery G, Stamatakis E, Huxley RR, Hamer M, Abbott J, Yeap BB, Visser JA, McIntyre H, Mielke GI, Mishra GD. Cohort profile: a prospective Australian cohort study of women's reproductive characteristics and risk of chronic disease from menarche to premenopause (M-PreM). BMJ Open 2022; 12:e064333. [PMID: 36307154 PMCID: PMC9621184 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies have identified associations between individual reproductive factors and chronic disease risk among postmenopausal women. However, few have investigated the association of different markers of reproductive function, their interactions and risk factors of chronic disease among women approaching menopause. The Menarche-to-PreMenopause (M-PreM) Study aims to examine the relationship between reproductive factors across the reproductive lifespan and risk indicators for chronic disease among women in their early-to-mid-40s. The purpose of this cohort profile paper is to describe the rationale, study design and participant characteristics of the M-PreM Study. PARTICIPANTS Women born in 1973-1978 who participated in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) were invited to undertake a clinical or self-administered assessment. A total of 1278 women were recruited from June 2019 to June 2021. FINDINGS TO DATE The study measures included functional, cognitive and cardiometabolic tests, anthropometry, spirometry, respiratory health questionnaires, physical activity, sleep patterns, sex hormones, and cardiovascular and metabolic markers; whereas blood and saliva samples were used for the analysis of genetic variants of genes associated with reproductive characteristics and chronic disease. The mean age of the clinic and self-assessed participants was 44.6 and 45.3 years, respectively. The menopausal status of participants was similar between the two arms of the study: 38%-41% premenopausal, 20% perimenopausal, and 36% took oral contraception or hormone replacement therapy. Approximately 80% of women had at least one child and participants reported experiencing pregnancy complications: preterm birth (8%-13% of pregnancies), gestational diabetes (10%) and gestational hypertension (10%-15%). FUTURE PLANS The biomedical data collected in the M-PreM Study will be linked to existing ALSWH survey data on sociodemographic factors, health behaviour, reproductive function, and early life factors collected over the past 20 years and health administrative data. The association between reproductive factors and risk indicators of chronic disease will be analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Wen Chan
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Shyamali Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Annette Dobson
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hsin-Fang Chung
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Deborah Loxton
- Centre for Women's Health Research, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jenny Doust
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Grant Montgomery
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Stamatakis
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachel R Huxley
- Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Hamer
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jason Abbott
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Gynaecological Research and Clinical Evaluation (GRACE) Unit, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bu Beng Yeap
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jenny A Visser
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harold McIntyre
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Mater Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gregore Iven Mielke
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gita D Mishra
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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11
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Aladhami AK, Unger CA, Hope MC, Cotham WE, Velázquez KT, Enos RT. Augmenting Skeletal Muscle Estrogen Does not Prevent or Rescue Obesity-linked Metabolic Impairments in Female Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6678809. [PMID: 36039699 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We developed a novel mouse model with increased skeletal muscle estrogen content via inducible, skeletal-muscle-specific aromatase overexpression (SkM-Arom↑). We proposed to examine the effect that increased skeletal muscle estrogen both in gonadally intact and ovariectomized (OVX) female mice has on preventing or rescuing high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. METHODS In the prevention experiment, gonadally intact and OVX SkM-Arom↑ mice and littermate controls were fed a low-fat diet (LFD) or HFD for 13 weeks. SkM-Arom↑ was induced at the initiation of dietary treatment. In the intervention experiment, gonadally intact and OVX SkM-Arom↑ mice and littermate controls were fed an HFD for 14 weeks before induction of SkM-Arom↑ for 6 weeks. Glucose tolerance, insulin action, adipose tissue inflammation, and body composition were assessed. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine circulating and skeletal muscle steroid content. RESULTS SkM-Arom↑ significantly increased skeletal muscle 17β-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) in both experiments. Interestingly, this resulted in leakage of estrogens into circulation, producing a physiologically relevant E2 concentration. Consequently, bone mineral density (BMD) was enhanced and adipose tissue inflammation was reduced in the prevention experiment only. However, no benefits were seen with respect to changes in adiposity or metabolic outcomes. CONCLUSION We show that increasing skeletal muscle estrogen content does not provide a metabolic benefit in gonadally intact and OVX female mice in the setting of obesity. However, a chronic physiological concentration of circulating E2 can improve BMD and reduce adipose tissue inflammation independently of a metabolic benefit or changes in adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed K Aladhami
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina 29209, USA
- University of Baghdad, Nursing College, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Christian A Unger
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina 29209, USA
| | - Marion C Hope
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina 29209, USA
| | - William E Cotham
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Arts and Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, USA
| | - Kandy T Velázquez
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina 29209, USA
| | - Reilly T Enos
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina 29209, USA
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12
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Hokenson RE, Alam YH, Short AK, Jung S, Jang C, Baram TZ. Sex-dependent effects of multiple acute concurrent stresses on memory: a role for hippocampal estrogens. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:984494. [PMID: 36160685 PMCID: PMC9492881 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.984494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory disruption commonly follows chronic stress, whereas acute stressors are generally benign. However, acute traumas such as mass shootings or natural disasters—lasting minutes to hours and consisting of simultaneous physical, social, and emotional stresses—are increasingly recognized as significant risk factors for memory problems and PTSD. Our prior work has revealed that these complex stresses (concurrent multiple acute stresses: MAS) disrupt hippocampus-dependent memory in male rodents. In females, the impacts of MAS are estrous cycle-dependent: MAS impairs memory during early proestrus (high estrogens phase), whereas the memory of female mice stressed during estrus (low estrogens phase) is protected. Female memory impairments limited to high estrogens phases suggest that higher levels of estrogens are necessary for MAS to disrupt memory, supported by evidence that males have higher hippocampal estradiol than estrous females. To test the role of estrogens in stress-induced memory deficits, we blocked estrogen production using aromatase inhibitors. A week of blockade protected male and female mice from MAS-induced memory disturbances, suggesting that high levels of estrogens are required for stress-provoked memory impairments in both males and females. To directly quantify 17β-estradiol in murine hippocampus we employed both ELISA and mass spectrometry and identified significant confounders in both procedures. Taken together, the cross-cycle and aromatase studies in males and females support the role for high hippocampal estrogens in mediating the effect of complex acute stress on memory. Future studies focus on the receptors involved, the longevity of these effects, and their relation to PTSD-like behaviors in experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E. Hokenson
- Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Rachael E. Hokenson
| | - Yasmine H. Alam
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Annabel K. Short
- Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA =, United States
| | - Sunhee Jung
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Cholsoon Jang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Tallie Z. Baram
- Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA =, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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13
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Bertelsen BE, Viste K, Helland T, Hagland M, Søiland H, Geisler J, Lende TH, Lønning PE, Sagen JV, Mellgren G, Almås B. Simultaneous Quantification of Aromatase Inhibitors and Estrogens in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:1368-1374. [PMID: 34958096 PMCID: PMC9016448 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Currently there are no assays that can simultaneously quantify serum levels of the third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs): letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane, and the ultra-low levels of estrogens in postmenopausal breast cancer patients on AI treatment. Such measurements may be pivotal for the determination of optimal and individualized treatment regimens. We aimed at developing a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method for simultaneous assessment of letrozole, anastrozole, exemestane, and 17-hydroxyexemestane as well as subpicomolar levels of estradiol and estrone. METHODS Internal standards, calibrators, serum samples, and quality controls were in fully automated steps transferred to a deep-well plate for a 2-step liquid-liquid extraction. The extracts were reconstituted and analytes were separated chromatographically using 2 serially coupled columns, then subject to MS/MS in electrospray ionization mode. The method was thoroughly validated and is traceable to 2 accredited estrogen methods. RESULTS The measurement range for estrone and estradiol was 0.2 to 12 000 pmol/L and 0.8 to 13 000 pmol/L, and covered the expected therapeutic range for the AIs. All analytes had a precision of less than or equal to 13%, and accuracies within 100 ± 8%. As proof of concept, AI and estrogen levels were determined in serum samples from postmenopausal breast cancer patients under treatment. CONCLUSION We present here an assay suitable for the simultaneous measurement of serum levels of all third-generation AIs and ultra-low levels of estrogens, providing a powerful new tool to study drug efficacy and compliance. The method is highly valuable for postmenopausal patients whose pretreatment estradiol levels are below the threshold of detection for most routine assays, but still require suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjørn-Erik Bertelsen
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Vestland, 5009, Norway
| | - Kristin Viste
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Vestland, 5009, Norway
| | - Thomas Helland
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Vestland, 5009, Norway
| | - Magnus Hagland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5021, Norway
| | - Håvard Søiland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5021, Norway
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger 4011, Norway
| | - Jürgen Geisler
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog 1478, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Campus AHUS 0318, Norway
| | - Tone Hoel Lende
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger 4011, Norway
| | - Per Eystein Lønning
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5021, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen 5021, Norway
| | - Jørn V Sagen
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Vestland, 5009, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5021, Norway
| | - Gunnar Mellgren
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Vestland, 5009, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5021, Norway
| | - Bjørg Almås
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Vestland, 5009, Norway
- Correspondence: Bjørg Almås, PhD, Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Haukelandsbakken, Bergen, Vestland, 5009 Norway.
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14
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Ohlsson C, Langenskiöld M, Smidfelt K, Poutanen M, Ryberg H, Norlén AK, Nordanstig J, Bergström G, Tivesten Å. Low Progesterone and Low Estradiol Levels Associate With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e1413-e1425. [PMID: 34865072 PMCID: PMC8947245 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Male sex is a major risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) but few studies have addressed associations between sex hormone levels and AAA. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe the associations between serum sex steroids and early, screening-detected AAA in men. METHODS We validated a high-sensitivity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for comprehensive serum sex hormone profiling. This assay was then employed in a case-control study including 147 men with AAA (infrarenal aorta ≥ 30 mm) and 251 AAA-free controls recruited at the general population-based ultrasound screening for AAA in 65-year-old Swedish men. OUTCOMES INCLUDED associations between dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, estrone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol and AAA presence. RESULTS Dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, and estradiol, but not the other hormones, were lower in men with AAA. In models with adjustments for known AAA risk factors and comorbidity, only progesterone (odds ratio per SD decrease 1.62 [95% CI, 1.18-2.22]) and estradiol (1.40 [95% CI, 1.04-1.87]) remained inversely associated with the presence of AAA. Progesterone and estradiol contributed with independent additive information for prediction of AAA presence; compared with men with high (above median) levels, men with low (below median) levels of both hormones had a 4-fold increased odds ratio for AAA (4.06 [95% CI, 2.25-7.31]). CONCLUSION Measured by a high-performance sex steroid assay, progesterone and estradiol are inversely associated with AAA in men, independent of known risk factors. Future studies should explore whether progesterone and estradiol, which are important reproductive hormones in women, are protective in human AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claes Ohlsson
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Drug Treatment, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marcus Langenskiöld
- The Vascular Surgery Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristian Smidfelt
- The Vascular Surgery Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Matti Poutanen
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Henrik Ryberg
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna-Karin Norlén
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joakim Nordanstig
- The Vascular Surgery Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Göran Bergström
- Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Åsa Tivesten
- Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Correspondence: Åsa Tivesten, MD, PhD, Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Bruna Stråket 16, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.
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15
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Colldén H, Nilsson ME, Norlén AK, Landin A, Windahl SH, Wu J, Gustafsson KL, Poutanen M, Ryberg H, Vandenput L, Ohlsson C. Comprehensive Sex Steroid Profiling in Multiple Tissues Reveals Novel Insights in Sex Steroid Distribution in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6498862. [PMID: 34999782 PMCID: PMC8807178 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A comprehensive atlas of sex steroid distribution in multiple tissues is currently lacking, and how circulating and tissue sex steroid levels correlate remains unknown. Here, we adapted and validated a gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous measurement of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione, progesterone (Prog), estradiol, and estrone in mouse tissues. We then mapped the sex steroid pattern in 10 different endocrine, reproductive, and major body compartment tissues and serum of gonadal intact and orchiectomized (ORX) male mice. In gonadal intact males, high levels of DHT were observed in reproductive tissues, but also in white adipose tissue (WAT). A major part of the total body reservoir of androgens (T and DHT) and Prog was found in WAT. Serum levels of androgens and Prog were strongly correlated with corresponding levels in the brain while only modestly correlated with corresponding levels in WAT. After orchiectomy, the levels of the active androgens T and DHT decreased markedly while Prog levels in male reproductive tissues increased slightly. In ORX mice, Prog was by far the most abundant sex steroid, and, again, WAT constituted the major reservoir of Prog in the body. In conclusion, we present a comprehensive atlas of tissue and serum concentrations of sex hormones in male mice, revealing novel insights in sex steroid distribution. Brain sex steroid levels are well reflected by serum levels and WAT constitutes a large reservoir of sex steroids in male mice. In addition, Prog is the most abundant sex hormone in ORX mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Colldén
- Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Drug Treatment, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria E Nilsson
- Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg SE-413 45, Sweden
| | - Anna-Karin Norlén
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg SE-413 45, Sweden
| | - Andreas Landin
- Department of Drug Treatment, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sara H Windahl
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge,Sweden
| | - Jianyao Wu
- Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin L Gustafsson
- Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Matti Poutanen
- Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014,Finland
| | - Henrik Ryberg
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg SE-413 45, Sweden
| | - Liesbeth Vandenput
- Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Claes Ohlsson
- Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Drug Treatment, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Correspondence: Claes Ohlsson, MD, PhD, Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Vita Stråket 11, SE-41345 Göteborg, Sweden.
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16
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Porteous R, Haden P, Hackwell ECR, Singline A, Herde MK, Desai R, Handelsman DJ, Grattan DR, Herbison AE. Reformulation of PULSAR for Analysis of Pulsatile LH Secretion and a Revised Model of Estrogen-Negative Feedback in Mice. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6349057. [PMID: 34383026 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The recent use of the tail-tip bleeding approach in mice has enabled researchers to generate detailed pulse and surge profiles of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in mice. However, the analysis of pulsatile LH secretion is piecemeal across the field with each laboratory using their own methodology. We have reformulated the once-popular PULSAR algorithm of Merriam and Wachter to operate on contemporary computer systems and provide downloadable and online pulse analysis platforms. As it is now possible to record the activity of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator in freely behaving mice, we have been able to unambiguously define LH pulses in intact and gonadectomized male and female mice. These data sets were used to determine the appropriate PULSAR parameter sets for analyzing pulsatile LH secretion in the mouse. This was then used to establish an accurate model of estrogen negative feedback in the mouse. Intact and ovariectomized mice given Silastic capsules containing 1, 2, and 4 μg 17-β-estradiol/20 g body weight were tail-tip bled at 6-min intervals, and the resultant LH profiles were analyzed with PULSAR. Only the 4 μg 17-β-estradiol capsule treatment was found to return LH pulse amplitude and frequency to that of intact diestrous mice. Ultrasensitive mass spectrometry analysis showed that the 4 μg 17-β-estradiol capsule generated circulating estradiol levels equivalent to that of diestrous mice. It is hoped that the reformulation of PULSAR and generation of a realistic model of estrogen-negative feedback will provide a platform for the more uniform assessment of pulsatile hormone secretion in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Porteous
- Department of Physiology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Patricia Haden
- RTIS Scientific Programming, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Eleni C R Hackwell
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Aaron Singline
- Department of Physiology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michel K Herde
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Reena Desai
- ANZAC Research Institute, Andrology Department, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - David J Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, Andrology Department, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - David R Grattan
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Allan E Herbison
- Department of Physiology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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