Androstenedione conversion in human peripheral blood lymphocytes

The ability of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to convert the androgenic steroid metabolite androstenedione diminishes in women over 45 years old or during menopause. In patients with breast cancer in menopause the ability of lymphocytes to convert androstenedione is enhanced compared with the control. The intensity of conversion in circulating lymphocytes correlates with the blood concentration of sex steroids. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 517–519, May, 1994 Presented by A. N. Klimov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences