Immunohistochemical analysis of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isozymes in human ovarian surface epithelium and epithelial ovarian carcinoma

Epidemiological studies have indicated a relationship between gonadal steroid hormones, primarily estrogens, and epithelial ovarian carcinoma. In situ estrogen metabolism and synthesis have been considered to play important roles in the development of the progression of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17β-HSDs) are a group of intracellular isozymes catalyzing interconversions between estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1). In the last step of steroidogenesis, 17β-HSD type 1 catalyzes the 17β-reduction and produces E2 from E1. The oxidative enzymes known as types 2, 4, and 8 are potent estrogen-inactivating enzymes that convert E2 to E1. Here we report the immunoexpression of 17β-HSD types 1, 2, 4, and 8 in normal human ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) and epithelial ovarian carcinoma. For this study, novel polyclonal antibodies were generated against each type of 17β-HSD. Of the six normal OSE cases investigated, 17β-HSD types 1, 4, and 8, but not type 2, were found in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. In 58 cases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (45 serous, 4 endometrioid, 4 mucinous, and 5 clear cell), estrogen-inactivating 17β-HSDs were commonly found (type 2, 84.5%; type 4, 82.8%; type 8, 86.2%), whereas type 1 was detected in only 10 cases (17.2%). These results indicate that 17β-HSDs may be involved in the protective and/or suppressive effects against the estrogen-dependent proliferation of epithelial ovarian carcinoma.     

Systemic hypertension in two patients with ASL deficiency: A result of nitric oxide deficiency?

Argininosuccinic aciduria (ASA) is an inborn error of ureagenesis which if untreated leads to hyperammonemia, accumulation of argininosuccinic acid and arginine depletion. The presence of high blood pressure in patients with ASA has been reported so far as transient in one newborn. We describe the first two patients, one child and one young adult, with ASA and persistent systemic hypertension. Extensive evaluation of both patients excluded secondary causes of systemic hypertension. The intriguing link between nitric oxide (NO) production and hypertension lead us to hypothesize that the deficiency of endogenously synthesized arginine caused by ASL deficiency is responsible for the increased blood pressure.     

Activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in tissues of hypertensive NISAG rats

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the kidneys of NISAG rats (rat strain with hereditary stress-induced arterial hypertension) was 1.5-fold higher than in WAG rats. An inverse relationship was observed in the liver of these animals. After stress exposure 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity remained unchanged in the kidneys of NISAG and WAG rats, but significantly increased in the liver of NISAG rats. Functional activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase probably reflects the hypertensive state of NISAG rats. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 1, pp. 35–37, January, 2006     

Changes in the metabolic profile of rat liver after α-tocopherol deficiency as revealed by metabolomics analysis

Metabolomics is an approach in which the profiles of metabolites in different tissues and/or biofluids are investigated to understand the changes induced following a modulation. We used this approach to investigate the biochemical effects of α‐tocopherol in the liver using a rat model. Rats (21‐day‐old) were fed either an α‐tocopherol‐sufficient control (n = 10) or an α‐tocopherol‐deficient (n = 10) diet for 2 months before sacrifice. Livers were homogenized in methanol–chloroform–water (3 : 1 : 1, v/v/v), and the polar phase extracts of the liver samples were analyzed using ¹H NMR. Multivariate statistical analysis of the data was performed using principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares‐discriminant analysis. Identification of ¹H NMR signals was performed primarily using the Human Metabolome Database, Biological Magnetic Resonance Data Bank and previous literature, and confirmed by spiking with metabolites and applying two‐dimensional NMR. The statistical analysis revealed that α‐tocopherol deficiency caused an increase in carnitine, choline, L ‐valine, L ‐lysine, tyrosine and inosine content and a reduction in glucose and uridine 5′‐monophosphate content. Changes in carnitine and glucose suggest a possible shift in energy metabolism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

β-Glucocerebrosidase gene mutations in two cohorts of Greek patients with sporadic Parkinson's disease

An increasing number of clinical, neuropathological and experimental evidence linking Gaucher disease and a spectrum of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD) has emerged over the last decade. In particular, several studies, despite individual differences, have shown that mutations in the β-glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA) are a risk factor for PD. Recently a study from Northern Greece has shown a significant overrepresentation of such mutations only in patients with early onset PD. In the present study 8 different GBA mutations covering 87% of the mutations identified in Gaucher disease patients diagnosed in Greece were investigated in two ethnic Greek cohorts of patients with sporadic Parkinson's disease. Cohort A included patients residing and originating from Thessaly, Central Greece (n=100) and cohort B included patients residing and/or originating from the greater area of Athens (n=105). Age-gender-ethnicity matched healthy individuals from the same areas were included as controls (n=206). In patients of cohort A 11 carriers of GBA mutations were identified (5/11:N370S, 2/11:L444P, 2/11: D409H;H255Q, 1/11:H255Q, 1/11D409H) as opposed to 3 in the controls (n=105) (1/3:N370S, 1/3:H255Q, 1/3:Y108C) (p=0.021, OR 4.2, 95% CI=1.14-15.54). In patients of cohort B 10 carriers of GBA mutations were identified (4/10:L444P, 4/10:D409H;H255Q, 1/10:N370S, 1/10:IVS10-1G→A) as opposed to 4 in controls (n=101) (3/4:N370S, 1/4:L444P). However the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.113, OR 2.5, 95% CI=0.77-8.42). In both cohorts, patients with PD harboring a GBA mutation had an earlier onset of symptoms than non-carriers (p=0.034, p=0.004). The overall difference in the number of carriers identified in PD patients and controls was statistically significant (p=0.006; OR 3.24; 95% CI=1.35-7.81). The association was reinforced in the early onset PD patients (EOPD; n=28, p=0.000, OR 11.37; 95% CI=3.73-34.6). In conclusion GBA mutations were identified with increased frequency in both geographical cohorts of patients with sporadic PD studied compared to control individuals, with the difference being statistically significant only in cohort A. An impressive association with EOPD was found and one third of the EOPD patients examined harbored a GBA mutation. Qualitative differences regarding the type of mutations and/or their relative frequencies were observed between cohorts A and B of PD patients. Genetic and/or environmental factors may account for the observed differences.     

Chemical synthesis, characterisation and biological evaluation of furanic-estradiol derivatives as inhibitors of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1

Local biosynthesis of estrogens, especially estradiol (E2), is thought to be important for the maintenance and growth of estrogen-sensitive diseases. To control E2 formation, we have investigated a series of epoxide and furanic E2 derivatives as inhibitors of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1), the enzyme responsible for the conversion of estrone (E1) into E2. We report here a strategy to synthesize a series of E2-furanic derivatives from E1. An intermediate epoxide was first obtained and then reduced to give a furanic steroid, which allowed us to introduce a molecular diversity like alcohol, bromide, ester, acid and amide. The inhibition of the transformation of [(14)C]-E1 (100 nM) into [(14)C]-E2 by these compounds was first evaluated with homogenated HEK-293 cells overexpressing 17β-HSD1. The epoxide and butylamide derivatives showed the best inhibitions with 72% and 66%, respectively, at 10 μM. All furanic compounds showed a lower 17β-HSD1 inhibitory potency in intact T47-D breast cancer cells than in homogenated cells, but a great improvement of the inhibitory activity was observed for the epoxide, which gave 62% and 90% of inhibition of the [(14)C]-E1 (60 nM) into [(14)C]-E2 transformation at 1 and 10 μM, respectively.     

IL-10 genotype analysis in patients with Behçet's disease

Beh?et's disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent orogenital ulceration, ocular inflammation, and skin lesions. The etiology of the disease is currently unknown but evidence suggests that there is a strong genetic component mediating the chronicity of the disorder. We have examined the association between polymorphisms at position -1082, and -819 in the promoter region of the gene encoding IL-10 in patients with Beh?et's disease from two distinct patient populations. The IL-10 -1082AA genotype was weakly associated with BD when all patients were analyzed as a group (pc = 0.04, OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.9), but not in the UK or Middle Eastern (ME) cohorts of patients alone compared to local controls. An association with IL-10 -819T was evident in all BD patients, (pc = 0.02, OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.0), and this was because of an association in the UK but not ME patients (pc = 0.0004, OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.3). The -1082A/-819T haplotype, which is linked to low production of this cytokine, was not significantly associated with Beh?et's disease. This link between BD, a chronic, relapsing, autoinflammatory condition, and a genotype associated with low IL-10 production provides evidence that abnormalities in the genetic control of cytokine levels may be relevant in influencing the immune response in Beh?et's disease in some patient groups.     

Effects of 17β-estradiol and its isomer 17α-estradiol on learning in rats with chronic cholinergic deficiency in the brain

It was shown for the first time that estrogens 17β- and 17α-estradiols compensate impaired cognitive functions in rats with partial chronic deprivation of cholinergic functions in the central nervous system induced by intracerebral administration of selective cholinergic neurotoxin AF64A. 17β-Estradiol produced strong dose-dependent changes in the weights of hormone-sensitive endocrine glands, while 17α-estradiol did not affect the weight of the gonads and slightly influenced (in high concentration) the weights of the adrenal glands and thymus. The positive effects of exogenous 17β- and 17α-estradiols on cognitive functions are due to their antioxidant properties, rather than due to specific action on hormone-sensitive endocrine glands. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 129, No. 5, pp. 525–527, May, 2000     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clonality analysis of lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

The aim of this study was to clarify the nature of the clonal lymphocyte infiltration in Sjögren''s syndrome (SS) patients associated with lymphoproliferative disorders. We examined B cell clonality in lymphoproliferative tissues from six primary SS patients associated with lymphoproliferative disorders or lymphoma by cloning and sequencing of the gene rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (IgVH–CDR3). Three patients with sequential observation showed progressional clonal expansion with the presence of the same subclone in different tissues during the course of disease. Among them, one patient developed mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in glandular parotid. The other three SS patients concomitant with malignant B cells lymphomas showed different clonal expansion of B cells between nodal sites and salivary glands. The cloanality analysis indicated that monoclonal B cell population could spread from one glandular site to another site during the course of SS, suggesting that the malignant clone may arise from the general abnormal microenvironment, not restricted to the glandular tissue, in some SS patients.