Estrogens and SERMS as adjunctive treatments for schizophrenia

More than thirty years have passed since sex and gender differences were noted in the age of onset, course and outcomes for schizophrenia. The ‘estrogen hypothesis” was coined in the 1990′s to describe neuroprotective effects of estrogen.Intervention studies in schizophrenia patients with estradiol and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are promising but psychiatrists and other health practitioners do not generally take up this useful adjunctive treatment for their female patients with schizophrenia. The reasons for this are manifold, but overall a cultural shift in the practice of psychiatry is needed to recognise the specific needs of women with schizophrenia and tailor treatments, such as hormone adjuncts to improve the outcomes for this significant population.The two main aims of this article are to review the evidence and theory of estrogen treatments in schizophrenia and to recommend translation of adjunctive estrogen treatment into clinical practice for women with schizophrenia.     

Short-term aromatase inhibition induces prostatic alterations in adult wistar rat: A biochemical,histopathological and immunohistochemical study

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of estrogen reduction on amyloid deposition, some lipid metabolism and oxidative stress markers, PSA-like production and p63 expression in the prostate of the adult rat.MethodsAromatase inhibitor: Formestane (4-OHA), was administrated to male rats, at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg b.w./day, for 10 days. The control group (CONT) received the same volume of placebo injection (NaCl 0.9%).Results4-OHA treatment induced a significant accumulation of intraprostatic cholesterol (138.90 ± 17.64 vs 85.12 ± 2.87, p = 0.01); against an insignificant diminution of malondialdehyde (412.6 ± 54.35 vs 842.70 ± 336.50, p > 0.05) and glutathione (2.40 ± 0.23 vs 3.65 ± 0.88, p > 0.05). This was associated with a significant decrease of nitric oxide (31.76 ± 7.07 vs 179.40 ± 58.35, p = 0.024). Additionally, 4-OHA significantly increased the intraprostatic production of PSA-like (11.12 ± 2.78 vs 3.91 ± 0.43, p = 0.043). The prostatic histology revealed an amyloid deposition, in all prostatic lobes and a smooth muscle layer growth (p < 0.05); especially significant in the dorsal and lateral lobes. Theses lobes manifested a basal cells proliferation, with a 3-fold increase of p63 expression (p < 0.001). The ventral lobe presented epithelial atrophy (37.80 ± 16.20 vs 167.60 ± 5.16, p < 0.05); with occasional and significant proliferative foci (247.00 ± 9.573 vs 167.60 ± 5.16 p < 0.05).Discussion and conclusionAromatase inhibition, in the adult male rat, alters the prostatic function by reducing nitric oxide availability and inducing amyloid deposition along with limiting the differentiation of basal cells, through a lobe-specific p63-overexpression.     

17β-雌二醇对涎腺黏液表皮样癌高转移细胞Mc3黏附、侵袭和移动力的影响

目的研究17β-雌二醇对涎腺黏液表皮样癌高转移细胞Mc3黏附、侵袭和移动力的作用。方法采用细胞体外黏附实验、体外移动实验、化学趋化性实验以及明胶底物SDS—PAGE凝胶电泳对基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）活性测定的方法研究17β-雌二醇对Mc3细胞黏附、侵袭和移动力可能存在的作用，用免疫组化的办法检测Mc3细胞的雌激素受体的表达。结果不同浓度（10^-9、10^-8、10^-7、10^-6mol／L）的17β-雌二醇处殚Mc3细胞72h后，其黏附率分别为38．3％、50．4％、69．2％、91．1％；而对照组为25．0％；作用48h后，10^-9、10^-8、10^-7、10^-6mol／L的17β-雌二醇对Mc3细胞在纤维连接蛋白（FN）上的移动促进率分别为16．9％、40．9％、36．4％、38．8％。在10^-6mol／L的17β-雌二醇的作用下，其对FN的化学趋化性增加60．3％。10^-9、10^-8、10^-7、10^-6mol／L的17β-雌二醇均可不同程度的促进Mc3细胞基质金属蛋白酶（MMP-2）的活性，在10^-6mol／L时尤为显著。在Mc3细胞中有雌激素核受体的表达。结论生理浓度的雌激素可促进Mc3细胞的黏附、侵袭和移动力。     

雌激素对慢性间歇性低氧大鼠颏舌肌线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶活性及其亚基表达的影响

目的 通过研究雌激素对慢性间歇性低氧(chronic intermittent hypoxia,CIH)大鼠颏舌肌线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶(cytochreme C oxidase,COX)活性及其亚基(COX Ⅰ、COXⅣ)表达的影响,探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)发病中雌激素所起的作用.方法 3个月龄健康雄性SD大鼠48只,分为正常对照组(NC组)、慢性间歇性低氧组(CIH组)及慢性间歇性低氧+雌激素干预组(E+CIH组).后两组建立CIH模型,同时E+CIH组给予苯甲酸雌二醇0.2 mg/kg,NC组、CIH组给予无菌橄榄油0.2 ml/次,2次/周,肌肉注射.密度梯度离心法分离大鼠颏舌肌线粒体,极谱法测量COX活性;Western blotting分析COX Ⅰ和COXⅣ蛋白表达;实时聚合酶链反应(real-time polymerase chain action)法检测COX Ⅰ和COXⅣ的基因表达.结果 CIH组大鼠颏舌肌线粒体COX活性为(0.143±0.029)μkat/mg,与NC组[(0.273±0.058)μkat/mg]相比显著降低(P＜0.01),E+CIH组COX活性[(0.203±0.073)μkat/mg]较CIH组有所回升(P＜0.05),但仍显著低于NC组(P＜0.05).CIH组与E+CIH组COX Ⅰ蛋白表达分别为(10.789±8.144)和(25.593±11.108),与NC组(47.325±7.502)相比均显著降低(P＜0.01),且E+CIH组COX Ⅰ蛋白表达显著高于CIH组(P＜0.05).3组COXⅣ蛋白表达的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);3组COX Ⅰ、COXⅣmRNA表达量的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 CIH可抑制大鼠颏舌肌线粒体COX蛋白表达及活性,而雌激素干预可部分恢复COX蛋白表达及活性.     

TRIM25: A central factor in breast cancer

TRIM25 is emerging as a central factor in breast cancer due to its regulation and function. In particular, it has been shown that: (1) Estrogens modulate TRIM25 gene expression; (2) TRIM25 has activity as an E3-ligase enzyme for ubiquitin; and (3) TRIM25 is also an E3 ligase for interferon-stimulated gene 15 protein in the ISGylation system. Consequently, the proteome of mammary tissue is affected by TRIM25-associated pathways, involved in tumor development and metastasis. Here, we discuss the findings on the mechanisms involved in regulating TRIM25 expression and its functional relevance in breast cancer progression. These studies suggest that TRIM25 may be a biomarker and a therapeutic target for breast cancer.     

怀槐异黄酮抗妊娠小鼠肝损伤的作用

目的观察怀槐异黄酮对雌激素诱导小鼠肝损伤的保护作用并探讨其作用机制。方法选择BALB/c孕鼠随机分为正常组、溶剂组、肝损伤模型组和大、中、小剂量异黄酮给药组,每组10只,给药组从受孕第7天开始分别灌胃异黄酮,每天1次,共7 d。除正常组外,各组从妊娠10 d起连续4 d皮下注射17-α-乙炔雌二醇1.0μg/g体重。常规检测孕鼠血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)活性水平和肝脏组织病理。结果给异黄酮的孕鼠血清ALT、AST活性水平显著下降,与肝损伤模型孕鼠比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),其肝脏组织病理学结果也证实给药孕鼠肝脏病理明显改善。结论怀槐异黄酮对雌激素诱导的小鼠肝损伤有显著保护作用。     

Role of mass spectrometry in steroid assays

In addition to protein hormones, steroids measurement constitutes the basis of modern endocrinology. Immunoassays have shown their limits in this field. In contrast, mass spectrometry shows an excellent sensitivity and specificity that make it the method of choice for steroids assays. The recent introduction of UHPLC-MS is a major advance which reinforces this position. In fact, mass spectrometry provides a lot of advantages such as determination of certain steroids in saliva, diagnosis of enzyme deficiencies, or measurement of molecules previously inaccessible like aldosterone. However, standardization is still needed to ensure good comparability of results between laboratories. In the future, mass spectrometry should not replace the immunoassays but rather complement it.     

Causes and treatment of idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo based on endocrinological and other metabolic factors

The genesis of the Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) seems to be related to some metabolic factors. These factors, such as vitamin D, glucocorticoids, and even thyroid and growth hormones, can affect bone metabolism and the mineralization of otoconia. It also seems to link to factors related to aging or nutritional habits. Besides, since the incidence of BPPV is quantitatively higher in women than in men, female sex steroids could be associated with this process. It could be useful to understand how these factors act in otoconial mineralization if we want to develop treatments aimed at preventing or delaying BPPV recurrences. In this review, we will analyze the role of these metabolic and hormonal factors in otoconial mineralization and in the treatment of BPPV.     

Estrogens and the regulation of glucose metabolism

The main estrogens: estradiol, estrone, and their acyl-esters have been studied essentially related to their classical estrogenic and pharmacologic functions. However, their main effect in the body is probably the sustained control of core energy metabolism. Estrogen nuclear and membrane receptors show an extraordinary flexibility in the modulation of metabolic responses, and largely explain gender and age differences in energy metabolism: part of these mechanisms is already sufficiently known to justify both. With regard to energy, the estrogen molecular species act essentially through four key functions:(1) Facilitation of insulin secretion and control of glucose availability;(2) Modulation of energy partition, favoring the use of lipid as the main energy substrate when more available than carbohydrates;(3) Functional protection through antioxidant mechanisms; and(4) Central effects(largely through neural modulation) on whole body energy management. Analyzing the different actions of estrone, estradiol and their acyl esters, a tentative classification based on structure/effects has been postulated. Either separately or as a group, estrogens provide a comprehensive explanation that not all their quite diverse actions are related solely to specific molecules. As a group, they constitute a powerful synergic action complex. In consequence, estrogens may be considered wardens of energy homeostasis.