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Durcik M, Grobin A, Roškar R, Trontelj J, Peterlin Mašič L. Estrogenic potency of endocrine disrupting chemicals and their mixtures detected in environmental waters and wastewaters. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 330:138712. [PMID: 37068617 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals such as natural and synthetic steroid hormones and bisphenols are among the most important pollutants in the aquatic environment. We performed an environmental chemical analysis of five Slovenian water samples, two rivers, one groundwater, and the influent and effluent of wastewater treatment plants, with a highly sensitive analysis of twenty-five endocrine-disrupting compounds belonging to the groups of natural hormones, synthetic hormones, and bisphenols. Since these compounds are simultaneously present in the environment, it is important to study their individual effects as well as the effects of mixtures. We investigated in vitro the estrogenic potency of selected natural and synthetic steroid hormones and bisphenols detected in surface, ground and waste water in Slovenia using the OECD-validated transactivation assay on the cell line Hela9903. We predicted their mixture effects using the concentration addition model and compared them with experimentally determined values. Two mixing designs were used: a balanced design in which chemicals were combined in proportion to their individual EC50 values, and an unbalanced design with compounds in proportion to their measured concentrations in the environmental samples. The estrogenic effects of the experimental mixtures followed the concentration addition model. Real water samples exhibited weaker estrogenic effects, showing the great heterogeneity of the real water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Durcik
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Grobin
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Roškar
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jurij Trontelj
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Lucija Peterlin Mašič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Enríquez J, Sosa-Larios T, Díaz-Díaz E, Morimoto S. The potent contraceptive gestodene exerts insulinotropic effects through its a-ring reduced metabolites with intrinsic estrogen-like activity in pancreatic β-cells. J Endocrinol Invest 2023:10.1007/s40618-022-01977-2. [PMID: 36705838 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01977-2] [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: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The contraceptive gestodene is a potent synthetic progestin used in several low-dose contraceptive formulations. Clinical studies reported a relationship between long-term use of combined oral contraceptives containing gestodene (GDN) and profound alterations in glucose metabolism in women. The observation that contraceptive synthetic progestins exert hormone-like effects other than their progestational activities, prompted us to investigate whether GDN may induce estrogen-like effects, even though GDN does not interact with estrogen receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether GDN affect pancreatic β-cell activity, directly or through its conversion to other bioactive metabolites. METHODS The effects of GDN and its two derivatives 3β,5α-tetrahydro-GDN and 3α,5α-tetrahydro-GDN on insulin 2 (Ins II) and glucokinase (Gk) expression and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were determined in pancreatic islets from female rats. RESULTS Gestodene did exert significant effects on islet β-cells activity. The most striking finding was that 3β,5α-tetrahydro-GDN and 3α,5α-tetrahydro-GDN had greater stimulatory effects on Ins II and Gk expression than that observed with GDN, consistent with their effects on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The effects on gene expression induced by GDN-derivatives were abolished by ICI 182,780 and MPP. In addition, the presence of inhibitors of androgen and progestin-metabolizing enzymes eliminated gene expression induced by GDN. These results indicated that GDN is metabolized to A-ring reduced metabolites with estrogen-like activities and through this mechanism, GDN may affect β-cell activity. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, the data suggest that 19-nortestosterone-derived contraceptives such as GDN, possess insulinotropic effects through their conversion into metabolites with intrinsic estrogen-like activity in pancreatic β-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Enríquez
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas Y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Mexico City, 14080, México.
| | - T Sosa-Larios
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas Y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Mexico City, 14080, México
| | - E Díaz-Díaz
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas Y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Mexico City, 14080, México
| | - S Morimoto
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas Y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Mexico City, 14080, México
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Enríquez J, García G, Herrero B, Larrea F. The synthetic progestin, gestodene, affects functional biomarkers in neonatal rat osteoblasts through an estrogen receptor-related mechanism of action. Endocr Res 2017; 42:269-280. [PMID: 28328298 DOI: 10.1080/07435800.2017.1294603] [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] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical studies have shown that gestodene (GDN), a potent third-generation synthetic progestin, affects bone resorption. However, its mode of action in bone cells is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to establish whether GDN affects bone directly or through its bioconversion to other metabolites with different biological activities. METHODS In this study, we investigated the effects of GDN and its A-ring reduced metabolites on proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of calvarial osteoblasts isolated from neonatal rat and their capacity to displace [3H]-E2 at ER binding sites. RESULTS In contrast to progesterone, gestodene did exert significant effects on osteoblast activities. The most striking finding was the observation that the A-ring reduced derivatives 3β,5α-tetrahydro-GDN and 3α,5α-tetrahydro-GDN, though to a lesser extent, had greater stimulatory effects on the osteoblast activity than those observed with GDN. The effects on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation induced by GDN-reduced derivatives were abolished by the antiestrogen ICI 182780, consistent with their binding affinities for the estrogen receptor. In addition, the presence of a 5α-reductase inhibitor or inhibitors of aldo-keto hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases abolished the GDN-induced enhancement of osteoblast differentiation. These results indicated that GDN is metabolized to the A-ring reduced metabolites with estrogen-like activities and through this mechanism, GDN may affect the osteoblast activity. CONCLUSION Together, the data suggest that synthetic progestins derived from 19-nortestosterone such as GDN, have beneficial effects on bone due to their biotransformation into metabolites with intrinsic estrogenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juana Enríquez
- a Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Carlos Gual Castro , Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ) , Ciudad de México , México
| | - Gustavo García
- b Departamento de Química Orgánica , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) , Ciudad de México , México
| | - Bertha Herrero
- c Departamento de Nefrología y Metabolismo Mineral , INCMNSZ , Ciudad de México , México
| | - Fernando Larrea
- a Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Carlos Gual Castro , Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ) , Ciudad de México , México
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García-Becerra R, Berno V, Ordaz-Rosado D, Sharp ZD, Cooney AJ, Mancini MA, Larrea F. Ligand-induced large-scale chromatin dynamics as a biosensor for the detection of estrogen receptor subtype selective ligands. Gene 2010; 458:37-44. [PMID: 20347019 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2010.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2008] [Revised: 03/04/2010] [Accepted: 03/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptors (ER), members of the nuclear steroid receptor superfamily, act to activate transcription through ligand-dependent recruitment of coregulators and chromatin modifications. A series of synthetic A-ring reduced 19-nortestosterone-derived progestins has the capacity to selectively bind ERalpha for activated transcription, and to recruit coregulatory factors. In this study, we have analyzed the ability of synthetic 19-nortestosterone derivatives to visibly alter the configuration of ER-target gene chromatin using a novel mammalian promoter transcriptional biosensor (PRL-array) stably transfected into the genome of HeLa cells (PRL-HeLa cells). Results from synthetic steroid-treated cells expressing functional GFP-ERalpha or YFP-ERbeta chimeras were compared to those obtained with estradiol (E(2)) and the antiestrogen tamoxifen. In the presence of synthetic ligands or E(2) a concentration-dependent increase in area of the biosensor array was observed in GFP-ERalpha-expressing PRL-HeLa cells. No significant differences were found between the effects obtained with natural and synthetic steroids. Similarly, E(2) or synthetic steroids-treated PRL-HeLa cells also resulted in similar colocalization of SRC-1- and RNAPII-immunofluorescence at the array. YFP-ERbeta-expressing PRL-HeLa cells treated with E(2) showed increases in array area that were similar to ERalpha; however, treatment of YFP-ERbeta-expressing cells with synthetic ligands was indistinguishable from vehicle controls. These data indicate that A-ring reduced 19-nortestosterone derivatives have an estrogen-like effect on chromatin, including recruitment of transcription factors through selective interactions with ERalpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio García-Becerra
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Mexico City 14000, Mexico
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Besse JP, Garric J. Progestagens for human use, exposure and hazard assessment for the aquatic environment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2009; 157:3485-3494. [PMID: 19615798 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2009] [Revised: 05/14/2009] [Accepted: 06/10/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Little information is available on the environmental occurrence and ecotoxicological effects of pharmaceutical gestagens released in the aquatic environment. Since eighteen different gestagens were found to be used in France, preliminary exposure and hazard assessment were done. Predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) suggest that if parent gestagens are expected to be found in the ng l(-1) range, some active metabolites could be present at higher concentrations, although limited data on metabolism and environmental fate limit the relevance of PECs. The biological effects are not expected to be restricted to progestagenic activity. Both anti-androgenic activity (mainly for cyproterone acetate, chlormadinone acetate and their metabolites) and estrogenic activity (mainly for reduced metabolites of levonorgestrel and norethisterone) should also occur. All these molecules are likely to have a cumulative effect among themselves or with other xenoestrogens. Studies on occurrence, toxicity and degradation time are therefore needed for several of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Besse
- Unité Biologie des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, Laboratoire d'écotoxicologie, Cemagref, 69336 Lyon cedex 09, France
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García-Becerra R, Borja-Cacho E, Cooney AJ, Smith CL, Lemus AE, Pérez-Palacios G, Larrea F. Synthetic 19-nortestosterone derivatives as estrogen receptor alpha subtype-selective ligands induce similar receptor conformational changes and steroid receptor coactivator recruitment than natural estrogens. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2006; 99:108-14. [PMID: 16616843 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2006.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2005] [Accepted: 01/09/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The binding of estradiol (E(2)) to estrogen receptors (ER) is followed by conformational changes resulting in coactivator or corepressor recruitment that influences gene transcription. A series of synthetic A-ring reduced 19-nortestosterone-derived progestins has the capacity to selectively bind and activate transcription through the ERalpha. Herein, the molecular mechanisms involved in ER subtype-selective interactions of these compounds as assessed by their effects upon both ERalpha and ERbeta structural conformation and their ability to induce recruitment of steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) to ERalpha were investigated. The results demonstrated that all synthetic A-ring 3beta,5alpha-tetrahydro-reduced derivatives of 19-nortestosterone induced an ERalpha trypsin digestion pattern similar to that seen with E(2), without effects upon ERbeta. In addition, these compounds had the ability to recruit SRC-1 to the ligand-binding domain of ERalpha similar to E(2). Our data indicate that A-ring 3beta,5alpha-tetrahydro-reduced 19-nortestosterone-derived progestins behave as selective ERalpha agonists with ligand-receptor structural and functional responses similar to those induced with natural E(2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio García-Becerra
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Mexico City 14000, Mexico
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Shields-Botella J, Chetrite G, Meschi S, Pasqualini JR. Effect of nomegestrol acetate on estrogen biosynthesis and transformation in MCF-7 and T47-D breast cancer cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2005; 93:1-13. [PMID: 15748827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2004.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2004] [Accepted: 11/19/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Although ovaries serve as the primary source of estrogen for pre-menopausal women, after menopause estrogen biosynthesis from circulating precursors occurs in peripheral tissues by the action of several enzymes, 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (17beta-HSD1), aromatase and estrogen sulfatase. In the breast, both normal and tumoral tissues have been shown to be capable of synthesizing estrogens, and this local estrogen production can be implicated in the development of breast tumors. In these tissues, estradiol (E(2)) can be synthesized by three pathways: (1) estrone sulfatase transforms estrogen sulfates into bioactive estrogens, (2) 17beta-HSD1 converts estrone (E(1)) into E(2), (3) aromatase which converts androgens into estrogens is also present and contributes to the in situ synthesis of active estrogens but to a far lesser extent than estrone sulfatase. Quantitative assessment of E(2) formation in human breast tumors indicates that metabolism of estrone sulfate (E(1)S) via the sulfatase pathway produces 100-500 times more E(2) than androgen aromatization. Breast tissue also possesses the estrogen sulfotransferase involved in the conversion of estrogens into their sulfates that are biologically inactive. In the present review, we summarized the action of the 19-nor-progestin nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC) on the sulfatase, 17beta-HSD1 and sulfotransferase activities in the hormone-dependent MCF-7 and T47-D human breast cancer cell lines. Using physiological doses of substrates NOMAC blocks very significantly the conversion of E(1)S to E(2). It inhibits the transformation of E(1) to E(2). NOMAC has a stimulatory effect on sulfotransferase activity in both cell lines, with a strong stimulating effect at low doses but only a weak effect at high concentrations. The effects on the three enzymes are always stronger in the progesterone-receptor rich T47-D cell line as compared with the MCF-7 cell line. Besides, no effect is found for NOMAC on the transformation of androstenedione to E(1) in the aromatase-rich choriocarcinoma cell line JEG-3. In conclusion, the inhibitory effect provoked by NOMAC on the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of E(2) (sulfatase and 17HSD pathways) in estrogen-dependent breast cancer, as well as the stimulatory effect on the formation of the inactive E(1)S, can open attractive perspectives for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Shields-Botella
- Non-Clinical Research and Development Department, Théramex, 6 Avenue Prince Héréditaire Albert, 98000, Monaco.
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García-Becerra R, Cooney AJ, Borja-Cacho E, Lemus AE, Pérez-Palacios G, Larrea F. Comparative evaluation of androgen and progesterone receptor transcription selectivity indices of 19-nortestosterone-derived progestins. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2004; 91:21-7. [PMID: 15261304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2004.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2003] [Accepted: 02/02/2004] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic 19-nortestosterone-derived progestins show affinity for the androgen receptor (AR) and retain varying degrees of androgenic activity. In this study, AR- and progesterone receptor (PR)-dependent transcriptional activation induced by norethisterone (NET), levonorgestrel (LNG) and gestodene (GSD), and their 5alpha-reduced derivatives, including limited trypsin digestion of AR in the presence of natural and synthetic progestins were investigated. The results confirmed the progestogenic activity of the three 19-nortestosterone derivatives, which decreases after reduction of the 4-ene-double bound. These compounds were able to activate AR-dependent reporter gene expression, LNG and GSD being the stronger activators. 5alpha-Reduction of LNG and GSD did not change their androgenic transcriptional activity; however, the activation of AR by 5alpha-NET was four-fold higher than NET. The highest selectivity transcriptional index, as a measure of progestogenicity versus androgenicity, was obtained for NET. The 5alpha-reduced derivatives had values significantly lower than those of their parent compounds. Non-reduced and 5alpha-reduced 19-nortestosterone progestins induced virtually identical proteolysis fragmentation patterns of the AR to those observed with DHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio García-Becerra
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Quiroga No. 15, México City 14000, Mexico
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Shields-Botella J, Duc I, Duranti E, Puccio F, Bonnet P, Delansorne R, Paris J. An overview of nomegestrol acetate selective receptor binding and lack of estrogenic action on hormone-dependent cancer cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2003; 87:111-22. [PMID: 14672731 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2003.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The specific pharmacological profile of the 19-norprogestin nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC) is, at least in part, defined by its pattern of binding affinities to the different steroid hormone receptors. In the present study, its affinity to the progesterone receptor (PgR), the androgen receptor (AR) and the estrogen receptor (ER) was re-evaluated and compared to those obtained for progesterone (P) and several progestins. The characteristics of binding to the PgR in rat uterus were determined and Ki were found to be roughly similar with 22.8 and 34.3 nM for NOMAC and P, respectively. The binding characteristics of 3H-NOMAC were also determined and compared to that of 3H-ORG2058 with Kd of 5 and 0.6 nM, respectively for rat uterus and 4 and 3 nM, respectively for human T47-D cells. Structure-affinity and -activity relationships were studied on a variety of compounds related to NOMAC in order to assess its specificity as a progestin. The effects of NOMAC on the binding of androgen to the AR were investigated, using rat ventral prostate as target model. Contrary to what was observed for MPA, the RBA of NOMAC was found to decline with time, showing anti-androgenic rather than androgenic potential, a result that was confirmed in vivo. Regarding the ER, since none of the progestins were able to compete with estrogen for binding in rat uterus as well as in Ishikawa cells, the induction of alkaline phosphatase activity (APase) was used as an estrogen-specific response. It confirmed the intrinsic estrogenicity of progestins derived from 19-nor-testosterone (19NT), norethisterone acetate (NETA), levonorgestrel (LNG) or norgestimate (NGM) and others. In contrast, all P and 19-norP derivatives remained inactive. Finally, to complete this overview of NOMAC at the sex steroid receptor levels, the lack of estrogenic or estrogenic-like activity was checked out in different in vitro models. Data from this study have demonstrated that NOMAC is a progestin that has greater steroid receptor selectivity compared to MPA or some other synthetic progestins. It may provide a better pharmacological profile than those progestins currently in use in HRT and OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Shields-Botella
- Non-Clinical Research and Development Department, Théramex, 6 Avenue Prince Héréditaire Albert, 98000, Principauté de Monaco, Monaco.
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Kemmeren JM, Algra A, Meijers JCM, Tans G, Bouma BN, Curvers J, Rosing J, Grobbee DE. Effect of second- and third-generation oral contraceptives on the protein C system in the absence or presence of the factor VLeiden mutation: a randomized trial. Blood 2003; 103:927-33. [PMID: 14551147 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2003-04-1285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A plausible mechanism to explain thrombotic risk differences associated with the use of second- and third-generation oral contraceptives (OCs), particularly in carriers of factor V(Leiden), is still lacking. In a double-blind trial, 51 women without and 35 women with factor V(Leiden) were randomized to either a second- (30 microg ethinylestradiol/150 microg levonorgestrel) or third- (30 microg ethinylestradiol/150 microg desogestrel) generation OC. After 2 cycles of use and a wash-out of 2 cycles, the participants continued with the corresponding progestagen-only preparation. Hemostatic variables that probe the activity of the anticoagulant protein C system were determined. Compared with levonorgestrel, desogestrel-containing OCs significantly decreased protein S and increased activated protein C (APC) resistance in both groups. OCs with desogestrel had the most pronounced effects in carriers of factor V(Leiden). Progestagen-only preparations caused changes of anticoagulant parameters opposite to those of combined OCs, which in a number of cases were more pronounced with levonorgestrel. Our data show that progestagens in combined OCs counteract the thrombotic effect of the estrogen component. The higher thrombotic risk associated with third-generation OCs compared with second-generation OCs may be explained by the fact that desogestrel appeared less antithrombotic than levonorgestrel, especially in women with factor V(Leiden).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanet M Kemmeren
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Room D.01.335, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Moralí G, Lemus AE, Munguía R, García GA, Grillasca I, Pérez-Palacios G. Hormone-like behavioral effects of levonorgestrel and its metabolites in the male rat. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2002; 73:951-61. [PMID: 12213542 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-3057(02)00946-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Levonorgestrel (LNG), a contraceptive progestin, exhibits, besides its progestational activity, other hormone-like effects at the peripheral level. To assess whether LNG and its metabolites exert androgenic and/or estrogenic actions at the central nervous system (CNS), their effects on male sexual behavior in castrated rats were examined. LNG, 5alpha-dihydro LNG (5alphaLNG), and the 3alpha,5alpha- and 3beta,5alpha-tetrahydro derivatives of LNG (3alphaLNG and 3betaLNG, respectively) were administered for 3 weeks either alone (1000 microg/day) or in combination (300 microg/day) with 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT, 300 microg/day) or with estradiol-17beta (E(2), 5 microg/day). Copulatory behavior was assessed twice per week and sex accessory organs weights recorded at the end of treatments. LNG restored full copulatory behavior comparable to that of testosterone treated animals, although with a slight delay, whereas 5alphaLNG induced male sexual behavior in a significantly lower number of subjects. 3betaLNG and 3alphaLNG induced mounting but failed to restore intromission and ejaculation. Combined LNG+E(2) treatment fully activated mounting and intromission, but ejaculation was only partially restored. Combined 5alphaLNG+E(2) treatment and the combinations of 3alphaLNG or 3betaLNG with E(2) were significantly less effective, activating fewer intromissions and ejaculations. 3alphaLNG and 5alphaLNG, in combination with DHT, restored male sexual behavior. LNG, but not its metabolites, induced a significant increase on the weight of sex accessory organs. The overall results demonstrated that high doses of LNG induce a potent androgen agonistic behavioral effect and that its A-ring reduction diminishes this potency and enables a shift towards a weak estrogen-like effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Moralí
- Pharmacology Medical Research Unit, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, DF 06725, Mexico
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García-Becerra R, Borja-Cacho E, Cooney AJ, Jackson KJ, Lemus AE, Pérez-Palacios G, Larrea F. The intrinsic transcriptional estrogenic activity of a non-phenolic derivative of levonorgestrel is mediated via the estrogen receptor-alpha. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2002; 82:333-41. [PMID: 12589940 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-0760(02)00192-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Levonorgestrel (LNG), a 19-nor-testosterone derivative, is widely used in contraceptive formulations. This compound does not bind to the estrogen receptor (ER), but it shows estrogen-like effects under in vivo and in vitro conditions. The estrogenicity of LNG may be attributed to its bio-transformation into non-phenolic metabolites. In this study, the ability of A-ring reduced LNG metabolites to activate transcription via an estrogenic mechanism of action, including differences between ER alpha and ER beta subtypes, were investigated. Transactivation assays were performed in HeLa cells transfected with expression vectors for ER alpha and ER beta and an estrogen-responsive reporter gene. Cells were also transfected with expression vectors for both progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms (A or B). As expected, the tetrahydro derivatives of LNG (3 alpha,5 alpha- and 3 beta,5 alpha-LNG) showed significantly lower PR-mediated transcriptional activities through both isoforms when compared with progesterone (P(4)) and LNG. In contrast, the 3 beta,5 alpha-tetrahydro derivative resulted in a significant activation of estrogen-dependent gene transcription. This effect was selectively confined to the ER alpha, since little if any activity could be observed with the ER beta and no antagonistic activities were demonstrated. This study provides structural and molecular clues for the well documented in vitro and in vivo intrinsic estrogenicity of 19-nor-testosterone-derived progestins and ligand requirements for ER alpha recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio García-Becerra
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Quiroga No. 15, Mexico City 14000 D.F., Mexico
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Pasapera AM, Gutiérrez-Sagal R, Herrera J, Galicia-Canales N, García de la Mora G, Ulloa-Aguirre A. Norethisterone is bioconverted to oestrogenic compounds that activate both the oestrogen receptor alpha and oestrogen receptor beta in vitro. Eur J Pharmacol 2002; 452:347-55. [PMID: 12359276 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-2999(02)02337-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we used [3H]norethisterone to explore the bioconversion of this compound to A-ring reduced metabolites in African Green Monkey Kidney CV-1 cells and breast cancer T-47D cells. Additionally, we analyzed the capability of each norethisterone tetrahydro-reduced compound to bind the human oestrogen receptors alpha and beta and transactivate an oestrogen-sensitive reporter gene. The results showed that norethisterone is mainly metabolized to 3 alpha,5 alpha-norethisterone (>85% of total [3H]norethisterone added) by CV-1 and T-47D cells, and that both A-ring tetrahydro-reduced metabolites exhibit different capabilities to displace [3H]17beta-oestradiol from the oestrogen receptor alpha and beta, being 3 alpha,5 alpha-norethisterone the weakest competitor. We also found that 3 alpha,5 alpha-norethisterone and 3beta,5 alpha-norethisterone activate both oestrogen receptors at nanomolar concentrations and that the transactivation induced by the oestrogen receptor alpha was generally higher (1.7- to 4.0-fold) than that provoked by the beta receptor isoform. In oestrogen receptor alpha-transfected CV-1 and T-47 D cells, the oestrogenic-like potency of the 3beta,5 alpha-tetrahydro-reduced form was similar to that exhibited by 17beta-oestradiol and 2.5- to 4.0-fold higher than that shown by the 3 alpha,5 alpha-reduced compound; conversely, in the oestrogen receptor beta system the potency of the natural ligand was higher than that presented by the 3beta,5 alpha-tetrahydro-reduced metabolite. In CV-1 cells expressing the oestrogen receptor beta, the transactivation potency of 3beta,5 alpha-norethisterone was approximately 2-fold higher than that exhibited by its 3 alpha,5 alpha-tetrahydro-reduced isomer, whereas in T-47D cells the potency of the 3 alpha,5 alpha-tetrahydro-reduced compound was slightly higher than that shown by the 3beta,5 alpha A-ring reduced norethisterone metabolite. These results demonstrate that CV-1 and T-47D cells possess the enzymatic machinery to bioconvert norethisterone into the 5 alpha-reduced, 3 alpha-hydroxylated form and that neither 3 alpha,5 alpha- or 3beta,5 alpha-norethisterone exhibit preference or selectivity towards a particular oestrogen receptor isoform to induce a particular oestrogenic effect in these cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Pasapera
- Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia "Luis Castelazo Ayala", Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Apdo Postal 99-065, Unidad Independencia, CP 10101, Mexico.
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14
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Santillán R, Pérez-Palacios G, Reyes M, Damián-Matsumura P, García GA, Grillasca I, Lemus AE. Assessment of the oestrogenic activity of the contraceptive progestin levonorgestrel and its non-phenolic metabolites. Eur J Pharmacol 2001; 427:167-74. [PMID: 11557270 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-2999(01)01263-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Levonorgestrel (13beta-ethyl-17alpha-ethynyl-17beta-hydroxy-4-gonen-3-one), a potent contraceptive progestin stimulates growth and proliferation of cultured breast cancer cells through a receptor-mediated mechanism, even though levonorgestrel does not bind to the oestrogen receptor (ER). To assess whether the oestrogen-like effects induced by this synthetic progestin are exerted via its metabolic conversion products, we studied the binding affinity of three A-ring levonorgestrel derivatives to the ER and their capability to transactivate an oestrogen-dependent yeast system co-transfected with the human ER gene and oestrogen responsive elements fused to a beta-galactosidase reporter vector. The results demonstrated that the 3beta,5alpha reduced levonorgestrel derivative and to a lesser extent its 3alpha isomer interact with the oestrogen receptor, with a significantly lower relative binding affinity (2.4% and 0.4%, respectively) than that of oestradiol (100%), while levonorgestrel does not. Both levonorgestrel metabolites were able to activate, in a dose-dependent manner, the beta-galactosidase reporter gene in the yeast expression system, an effect that was precluded by a steroidal antioestrogen. The oestrogenic potency of levonorgestrel metabolites was significantly lower (750-fold) than that of oestradiol. Furthermore, high doses of 3beta,5alpha levonorgestrel (2.5 mg/day/6 days) induced an increase of oestrogen-dependent progestin receptor in the anterior pituitary of castrated rats. The overall data offer a plausible explanation for the weak oestrogenic effects induced by high, non-pharmacological doses of levonorgestrel.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Binding, Competitive
- Contraceptive Agents, Female/metabolism
- Contraceptive Agents, Female/pharmacology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Estradiol/analogs & derivatives
- Estradiol/pharmacology
- Estrogen Antagonists/pharmacology
- Estrogens/metabolism
- Estrogens/pharmacology
- Female
- Fulvestrant
- Humans
- Levonorgestrel/analogs & derivatives
- Levonorgestrel/metabolism
- Levonorgestrel/pharmacology
- Pituitary Gland, Anterior/drug effects
- Pituitary Gland, Anterior/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, Estrogen/genetics
- Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism
- Receptors, Progesterone/drug effects
- Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/drug effects
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics
- beta-Galactosidase/drug effects
- beta-Galactosidase/genetics
- beta-Galactosidase/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- R Santillán
- Department of Reproductive Biology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition S. Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Mexico City, C.P. 14000, Mexico
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15
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Larrea F, García-Becerra R, Lemus AE, García GA, Pérez-Palacios G, Jackson KJ, Coleman KM, Dace R, Smith CL, Cooney AJ. A-ring reduced metabolites of 19-nor synthetic progestins as subtype selective agonists for ER alpha. Endocrinology 2001; 142:3791-9. [PMID: 11517155 DOI: 10.1210/endo.142.9.8401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
It has previously been demonstrated that 19-nor contraceptive progestins undergo in vivo and in vitro enzyme-mediated A-ring double bond hydrogenation. Bioconversion of 19-nor progestins to their corresponding tetrahydro derivatives results in the loss of progestational activity and acquisition of estrogenic activities and binding to the ER. Herein, we report subtype-selective differences in ligand binding and transcriptional potency of nonphenolic synthetic 19-nor derivatives between ER alpha and ER beta. In this study, we have examined both ER- and PR-mediated transcriptional activity of a number of A-ring chemically reduced derivatives of norethisterone and Gestodene. Double bond hydrogenation decreased the transcriptional potency of norethisterone and Gestodene through both PR isoforms with a 100- to 1,000-fold difference, respectively. In terms of the effects of norethisterone and Gestodene and their corresponding 5 alpha-dihydro (5 alpha-norethisterone and 5 alpha-Gestodene), or 3 alpha,5 alpha-tetrahydro or 3 beta,5 alpha-tetrahydro derivatives (3 alpha,5 alpha-norethisterone/3 alpha,5 alpha-Gestodene and 3 beta,5 alpha-norethisterone/3beta,5 alpha-Gestodene, respectively) on estrogen-mediated transcriptional regulation, the 3 beta,5 alpha-tetrahydro derivatives of both norethisterone and Gestodene showed the highest induction when HeLa cells were transiently transfected with an expression vector for ER alpha. This activity could be inhibited with tamoxifen. These compounds did not activate gene transcription via ER beta, and none of them showed antagonistic activities through either ER subtype. The 3 beta,5 alpha-tetrahydro derivatives of both norethisterone and Gestodene were active in other cells in addition to HeLa cells and activated reporter expression through the oxytocin promoter. In summary, two ER alpha selective agonists have been identified. These compounds, with ER alpha vs. ER beta selective agonist activity, may be useful in evaluating the distinct role of these receptors as well as in providing useful insights into ER action.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Larrea
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico 14000.
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16
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Lemus AE, Santillán R, Damián-Matsumura P, García GA, Grillasca I, Pérez-Palacios G. In vitro metabolism of gestodene in target organs: formation of A-ring reduced derivatives with oestrogenic activity. Eur J Pharmacol 2001; 417:249-56. [PMID: 11334857 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-2999(01)00893-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gestodene (13beta-ethyl-17alpha-ethynyl-17beta-hydroxy-4,5-gonadien-3-one), the most potent progestin ever synthesized, stimulates breast cancer cell growth through an oestrogen receptor-mediated mechanism, and its use in hormonal contraception has been associated with side effects attributable to oestrogenic actions. These observations have remained controversial, since gestodene does not bind to the oestrogen receptor or exert oestrogen-like activities. Recently, we have demonstrated that non-phenolic gestodene derivatives interact with oestrogen receptors and induce oestrogenic effects in cell expression systems. To assess whether gestodene is biotransformed to metabolites with intrinsic oestrogenic potency, [3H]- and [14C]-labelled gestodene were incubated in vitro with rat anterior pituitary, hypothalamus and ventral prostate homogenates under different experimental conditions. The most remarkable finding was the isolation and identification of 3beta,5alpha-tetrahydrogestodene and 3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydrogestodene as metabolic conversion products of gestodene, presumably with 5alpha-dihydrogestodene as intermediate. The overall results seem to indicate that the weak oestrogenic effects attributable to gestodene could be mediated by its tetrahydro metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Lemus
- Department of Reproductive Biology, National Institute of Nutrition, S. Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Mexico City, C.P. 14000, Mexico.
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