Comparison of the actions of the antiprogestin mifepristone (RU486), the progestin megestrol acetate, the LHRH analog buserelin, and ovariectomy in treatment of rat mammary tumors

The effects of the synthetic antiprogestin mifepristone (RU486) on growth of dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors in female rats were investigated. Prophylactic treatment with mifepristone (10 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks starting from the day of first DMBA injection resulted in a doubling of the average tumor latency period (81 +/- 16 days, n = 17 treated, versus 39 +/- 5 days, n = 75 controls; P less than 0.005) and was accompanied by a significant growth retardation as shown by lower body weight increments. A 3-week therapeutic treatment of rats bearing mammary tumors was performed by administration of different dosages of mifepristone (2.5, 10, or 40 mg/kg/day) or megestrol acetate (2.5 or 10 mg/kg/day), with the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist buserelin (40 micrograms/kg/day), buserelin plus mifepristone (10 mg/kg/day), or by ovariectomy. The effects of treatment on tumor load, pituitary, adrenal and reproductive organ weights, steroid receptor contents of mammary tumors, and blood plasma hormone concentrations were investigated. Mifepristone and megestrol acetate treatment gave rise to inhibition of mammary tumor growth with all dosages studied, in which mifepristone was more potent than megestrol acetate (80%-90% vs 40% inhibition, P less than 0.01). In contrast, buserelin treatment and ovariectomy resulted not only in inhibition, but in tumor remission by about 50%. Combined treatment with buserelin and mifepristone gave the same tumor remission as resulted from ovariectomy or single treatment with buserelin. Estradiol-stimulated growth of the human mammary cancer MCF-7 cells in culture was fully abolished by mifepristone (3.6 X 10(-8) M) or tamoxifen (4 X 10(-8) M), whereas growth of MCF-7 cells under control incubation was not affected by either agent. Therefore, a direct inhibition of the growth of rat mammary tumor cells by mifepristone appears likely. Based on the effects of mifepristone on plasma hormone levels (increased: luteinizing hormone, estradiol, progesterone; unchanged: follicle-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone), organ weights (increased: pituitary, ovaries, uterus; unchanged: adrenals) and steroid receptor contents of mammary tumors (decreased: estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor contents), the main mechanism of action is probably a direct antiprogestational effect at the level of the mammary tumor cells through occupancy of the progesterone receptor.     

Endocrine and antitumor effects of combined treatment with an antiprogestin and antiestrogen or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist in female rats bearing mammary tumors

Rats bearing mammary tumors induced with dimethylbenzanthracene were treated with the antiprogestin mifepristone (RU486; 10 mg/kg.day, sc), the antiestrogen tamoxifen (400 micrograms/kg.day, sc), LHRH agonists administered by either sc injections (buserelin; 40 micrograms/kg.day) or implant (buserelin or zoladex), or combinations of mifepristone and tamoxifen or LHRH agonists. Single treatment with mifepristone or tamoxifen caused a significant inhibition of tumor growth (90% and 75%, respectively), but no tumor remission. In contrast, single treatment with LHRH agonists caused remission of mammary tumor growth by 50% (injection) or 70% (implant), respectively. Combined treatment with mifepristone and tamoxifen caused additive tumor growth inhibitory effects resulting in the same extent of tumor remission as that observed after treatment with LHRH agonist injections alone. Combination of mifepristone with either manner of LHRH agonist administration resulted in the highest tumor remission (approximately 75%). Significant reductions in cytosolic steroid (estrogen and progesterone) receptor contents of mammary tumors were noted after various treatment modalities. The most pronounced decrements were observed after combined treatment with mifepristone and tamoxifen (residual estrogen receptor; 10%; residual progesterone receptor, 0%). On the other hand, suppression of pituitary-ovarian function was most pronounced after treatment with LHRH agonist implants alone or in combination with mifepristone. It is concluded that combination treatment with an antiprogestin and an antiestrogen or an LHRH agonist may be of great value in the endocrine therapy of breast cancer.     

Differential responses of sex steroid target tissues of rats treated with 4-hydroxyandrostenedione

4-Hydroxyandrostene-3,17-dione (4-OHA) inhibits ovarian aromatase activity and causes regression of carcinogen-induced hormone-dependent mammary tumors in rats. Although estrogen levels were reduced, LH levels did not increase nor did uterine weight decline in 4-OHA-treated animals. These findings are in contrast to those in animals deprived of estrogen by ovariectomy. The possible direct action of 4-OHA on gonadotropin secretion and uterine growth was, therefore, investigated in ovariectomized rats not treated with the carcinogen. Treatment with 4-OHA for 2 weeks prevented regression of the uterus and the increase in gonadotropin secretion in ovariectomized rats in a dose-dependent manner. The effect on gonadotropin secretion of 4-OHA at 50 mg/kg.day was similar to that of dihydrotestosterone at 0.5 mg/kg.day and could be completely antagonized by administration of the antiandrogen flutamide. The stimulation of uterine growth by 4-OHA was also blocked by flutamide, but not by the antiestrogen enclomiphene. The trophic action of 4-OHA at 50 mg/kg.day was equivalent to that of 1.8 mg/kg.day dihydrotestosterone. Furthermore, treatment with 4-OHA caused a reduction in uterine estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor levels. The reduction in uterine estrogen and progesterone receptor levels was also counteracted by the concomitant injection of flutamide, but not by enclomiphene. The results suggest that in the rat 4-OHA has multiple actions on sex steroid target tissues in addition to inhibition of aromatase. The effects appear to be related to the androgenic rather than estrogenic activity of the compound. Inhibition of gonadotropins may help maintain reduced ovarian estrogen secretion and contribute to the antitumor activity of this compound.     

Involvement of the adrenergic system on the release of prolactin and lactogenesis at the end of pregnancy in the rat

The part played by the adrenergic system on the release of prolactin and lactogenesis induced by prostaglandin F2 alpha and the antiprogesterone RU 486 was studied in pregnant rats. Two doses of prostaglandin F2 alpha (150 micrograms) administered at 08.00 and 12.00 h on day 19 of pregnancy induced, at 12.00 h on day 20 (24 h after administration), a significant increase in the serum concentration of prolactin, with a significant decrease in serum progesterone levels. These hormonal changes significantly augmented casein and lactose levels in the mammary gland. Treatment with RU 486 (2 mg/kg) at 08.00 h on day 19 augmented casein and lactose concentrations in the mammary gland at 12.00 h on day 20 without modifying serum concentrations of prolactin and progesterone. The adrenergic antagonists, propranolol (3 mg/kg), metoprolol (10 mg/kg), ICI 118,551 (200 micrograms/kg), idazoxan (100 micrograms/kg) and prazosin (10 mg/kg), were administered s.c. at 12.00 and 20.00 h on day 19 and 08.00 h on day 20 of pregnancy to intact rats or to rats previously treated with RU 486 or prostaglandin F2 alpha. These adrenergic antagonists did not modify serum prolactin or progesterone levels in intact or RU 486-treated rats, but serum prolactin levels in the prostaglandin F2 alpha-treated group were significantly reduced by treatment with propranolol, metoprolol or prazosin. In addition, propranolol and ICI 118,551 also decreased the casein and lactose concentrations in the mammary glands of RU 486- and prostaglandin F2 alpha-treated rats, while the other compounds had no effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Direct actions of estradiol on the anterior pituitary gland are required for hypothalamus-dependent lactotrope proliferation and secretory surges of luteinizing hormone but not of prolactin in female rats

Estradiol induces surges of prolactin (PRL) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion as well as lactotrope proliferation in female rats. We examined whether these hypothalamus-dependent events require the direct action of estradiol on the anterior pituitary gland by selective blockade of its peripheral actions, using ICI182,780 (ICI), an antiestrogen that cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Injection of ICI into ovariectomized rats, at a dose of 250 microg/day for 4 days, almost completely inhibited estradiol-induced growth of the uterus, proliferation of lactotropes as determined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, and afternoon surges of LH secretion. However, ICI only partially inhibited estradiol-induced surges of PRL secretion and had no effect on estradiol-induced tonic inhibition of LH secretion even at the highest dose of 1,000 microg/day. The inhibitory effects of ICI found at 250 microg/day were attributable to its selective peripheral, but not central actions since ICI did not alter hypothalamic expression of progesterone receptors, an estradiol-dependent brain process. Estradiol-induced increases in the number of progesterone receptor-immunoreactive cells in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus and the medial preoptic area were not inhibited by this dose of ICI but were inhibited by 500 microg/day tamoxifen, an antiestrogen that can cross the blood-brain barrier. Treatment of cycling female rats with 250 microg/day ICI beginning from diestrus day 2 was also effective in blocking estrous lactotrope proliferation and preovulatory surges of LH secretion but not PRL secretion. Finally, in ovariectomized estradiol-treated pup-deprived lactating rats, ICI did not affect suckling-induced PRL secretion but completely blocked lactotrope proliferation. These results suggest that a direct estradiol action on the anterior pituitary gland is required for lactotrope proliferation and the positive feedback action on LH secretion but not for the secretory surges of PRL or for negative feedback.     

Effects of the antiprogestin RU486 on progesterone-dependent uterine development and bioassay of progestational activity in estrogen-primed immature female dogs

A bioassay for progesterone activity in dogs was established based on uterine weight (mg/kg body weight) in immature beagles administered progesterone for 10 days starting 9 days after priming with estradiol cypionate (50 micrograms/kg, im). Progesterone doses of 0, 0.17, 0.5, 1.5, 13.5 and 40.5 mg/kg per day, im, produced dose-dependent increases in the weights of uterine horns obtained after 5 or 10 days of treatment. The total uterine responses (horn removed at 5 days plus horn and fundus removed at 10 days) to those were (mean +/- SEM) 374 +/- 33, 465 +/- 97, 684 +/- 68, 795 +/- 96, 1005 +/- 38, 1232 +/- 15 mg/kg, respectively. Responses to the 13.5 mg/kg per day dose of progesterone in dogs given the steroid antagonist RU486 at daily oral doses of 5, 20 and 50 mg/kg were reduced to values of 634 +/- 24, 464 +/- 74 and 468 +/- 18 mg/kg, respectively, vs 1005 +/- 38 mg/kg in controls. Mean progesterone levels were 27 +/- 1 micrograms/l. The RU486 did not produce any consistent alterations in serum cortisol levels. The results suggest that, in immature bitches, uterine weight changes can be used to bioassay progestin activity following estrogen priming, RU486 is more potent as an antiprogestin than as an antiglucocorticoid, and RU486 at oral doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg exerts submaximal and maximal antiprogestin activity, respectively, in the presence of physiological levels of progesterone.     

Opposing biological actions of antiestrogens in vitro and in vivo: induction of progesterone receptor in the rat and mouse uterus

The nonsteroidal antiestrogen tamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, and Ly117018 inhibited the estradiol-stimulated induction of progesterone receptors in primary cultures of immature rat uterine cells. This effect was found to be completely reversible with increased concentrations of estradiol. These compounds possessed no estrogenic activity. In contrast, ICI 47,699 (the cis geometric isomer of tamoxifen) and ICI 77,949 (tamoxifen without the dimethylaminoethyl side chain) were fully estrogenic, and bisphenol (4-hydroxytamoxifen without the dimethylaminoethyl side chain) possessed mixed estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity. In primary uterine cell cultures derived from mature ovariectomized mice, 4-hydroxytamoxifen was, again, nonestrogenic and inhibited the estradiol-stimulated induction of progesterone receptors. The antiestrogenic activity of 4-hydroxytamoxifen was effective against both steroidal and nonsteroidal estrogens in either rat- or mouse-derived uterine cell cultures. Using the 3-day uterine assay in vivo, 4-hydroxytamoxifen partially stimulated progesterone receptor induction in the immature rat, whereas it fully stimulated the same end point in the mature ovariectomized mouse. These results emphasize the difference between antiestrogen activity in vivo and in vitro, and also indicate that the increased agonist activity of 4-hydroxytamoxifen in the mouse compared to that in the rat in vivo is not reflected in vitro. Therefore, we have extended the model of antiestrogen action previously described in primary pituitary cell cultures to progesterone receptor induction in two murine uterine cell cultures.     

Hormonal regulation of casein synthesis at the end of pregnancy

Ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy on day 18 of pregnancy augmented mammary beta-casein content 28 h later. Progesterone injected immediately and 12 h after ovariectomy showed a clear inhibitory effect on casein synthesis. Estrogen induced a significant increase in mammary beta-casein content when injected 12 h after surgery. Treatment with CB-154 to prevent prolactin release did not affect the increase of casein induced by ovariectomy. When CB-154 was injected to ovariohysterectomized pregnant rats, significant reduction of casein synthesis was obtained. According to these findings, rat placental lactogen in the absence of prolactin and progesterone induces beta-casein synthesis. Therefore prolactin, ovarian and placental hormones interplay at the end of pregnancy for full expression of the mammary gland genome.     

Effect of oestradiol benzoate and tamoxifen on the growth of and induction of progesterone receptors in the uterus and mammary gland of immature pigs.

Intramuscular injection of oestradiol benzoate (0.1, 1 or 10 micrograms/kg per day) and tamoxifen (0.1 or 1 mg/kg per day) to 6-week-old immature pigs for 7 days induced a dose-dependent increase in the wet weight of the uterus and in the total content of uterine DNA, RNA and protein. Both compounds also stimulated a dose-dependent increase in the concentration of progesterone receptors in uterine cytosolic extracts (in terms of either fmol/mg DNA or fmol/g uterus). The concurrent administration of tamoxifen with oestradiol benzoate provoked significant (P less than 0.05) increases in total uterine protein and in the concentration of progesterone receptors (P less than 0.01) compared with treatment with oestradiol benzoate alone. Hence tamoxifen is an oestrogen agonist in the uterus of immature pigs. The effects of oestradiol benzoate and tamoxifen on mammary growth in immature pigs were assessed by image analysis of mammary sections across the gland (in a ventro-dorsal direction through the teat). Oestradiol benzoate at 10 micrograms/kg per day stimulated a fourfold increase in mammary duct area (P less than 0.01), and tamoxifen, at doses of 0.1 or 1 mg/kg per day, stimulated a threefold increase (P less than 0.05). Tamoxifen partially inhibited (P less than 0.05) the effect of oestradiol benzoate. The concentration of progesterone receptors was found to be very heterogeneous in cytosol extracts of mammary tissue of immature pigs and independent of treatment with oestradiol benzoate and/or tamoxifen.     

The effect of concomitant administration of dehydroepiandrosterone with progesterone on decidual growth in the rat (author's transl)]

Studies were made on the effect of concomitant administration of dehydroepiandrosterone acetate (DHA-Ac) with progesterone on decidual growth in the rat. Virgin female rats of Wistar strain weighing about 250 g were used. Daily vaginal smears were recorded and, during the time of vaginal cornification, the animals were made pseudopregnant by tapping the uterine cervix. Day 1 of the pseudopregnancy was designated as the day that the vaginal smears contained primarily leucocytes. On day 4 of the pseudopregnancy, each animal was laparotomized midventrally, and bilateral ovariectomy and scratching of the uterine endometrium were performed. Progesterone, alone or in combination with DHA-Ac, was injected from day 4 of the pseudopregnancy (immediately after ovariectomy) through day 8. On day 9 of the pseudopregnancy all animals were killed. The weights of the uterus, and the deciduoma-inducing score, etc, were estimated. Massive deciduomata weighing 2768 +/- 84 mg per uterus were induced in intact pseudopregnant rats. Treatment with 2 mg progesterone evoked maximal responses of only 754 +/- 101 mg. The concomitant administration of 20 mg DHA-Ac with 2 mg progesterone reproduced the decidual weight observed in intact rats, but 2.5 mg or 5 mg DHA-Ac in combination with 2 mg progesterone was only slightly effective. The weights of the uterus, the deciduoma-inducing score, the histological findings, and the effects of the DHA-Ac were discussed.     

ICI 182,780 penetrates brain and hypothalamic tissue and has functional effects in the brain after systemic dosing

Previous reports suggest the antiestrogen ICI 182,780 (ICI) does not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, this hypothesis has never been directly tested. In the present study, we tested whether ICI crosses the BBB, penetrates into brain and hypothalamic tissues, and affects known neuroendocrine functions in ovariectomized rats. Using HPLC with mass spectrometry, ICI (1.0 mg/kg.d, 3 d) was detected in plasma and brain and hypothalamic tissues for up to 24 h with maximum concentrations of 43.1 ng/ml, and 31.6 and 38.8 ng/g, respectively. To evaluate antiestrogenic effects of ICI in the brain after systemic dosing, we tested its ability to block the effect of 17 alpha-ethinyl estradiol (EE) (0.3 mg/kg, 8 d) on tail-skin temperature abatement in the morphine-dependent model of hot flush and on body weight change. In the morphine-dependent model, EE abated 64% of the naloxone-induced tail-skin temperature increase. ICI pretreatment (1.0, 3.0 mg/kg.d) dose dependently inhibited this effect. ICI (3.0 mg/kg.d) alone showed estrogenic-like actions, abating 30% the naloxone-induced flush. In body weight studies, EE-treated rats weighed 58.5 g less than vehicle-treated rats after 8 d dosing. This effect was partially blocked by ICI (3.0 mg/kg.d) pretreatment. Similar to EE treatment, rats receiving 1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg.d ICI alone showed little weight gain compared with vehicle-treated controls. Thus, ICI crosses the BBB, penetrates into brain and hypothalamic tissues, and has both antiestrogenic and estrogenic-like actions on neuroendocrine-related functions.     

Inhibition of mammary tumor growth in rats and mice by administration of agonistic and antagonistic analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.

Experiments were undertaken with estrogen-dependent mammary carcinomas in rats and mice to determine the antitumor activities of agonistic and antagonistic analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH). Chronic administration of the agonist [D-Trp6]LH-RH or of antagonist 1 ( [NAc-D-p-Cl-Phe1,2-Phe3,D-Arg6-D-Ala10]LH-RH) at doses of 25 and 50 micrograms/day, respectively, for 21 days to mice bearing the MXT mammary carcinoma significantly decreased tumor weight and volume. The weight of the ovaries and serum progesterone levels in mice treated with [D-Trp6]LH-RH or antagonist 1 were also significantly reduced. In rats bearing the MT/W9A mammary adenocarcinoma, chronic administration of [D-Trp6]LH-RH at a dose of 25 micrograms twice a day or of antagonist 2 ( [NAc-D-p-Cl-Phe1,2,D-Trp3,D-Arg6,D-Ala10]LH-RH) at a dose of 50 micrograms twice a day for 28 days significantly decreased tumor weight and volume. Chronic treatment with either [D-Trp6]LH-RH or antagonist 2 markedly diminished the weight of the ovaries and serum levels of both estrogen and progesterone. Serum luteinizing hormone was significantly decreased in rats treated with antagonist 2 but not in rats treated with [D-Trp6]LH-RH. There was a significant drop in serum prolactin levels in rats treated with [D-Trp6]LH-RH but not in those receiving antagonist 2. Regression of mammary tumors in rats and mice in response to chronic administration of [D-Trp6]LH-RH and the two antagonistic analogs of LH-RH suggests that these compounds should be considered for the development of a new hormone therapy for breast cancer in women.     

Inhibitory effect of progesterone on the lactogenic and abortive action of prostaglandin F2alpha.

The effect of ovariectomy, progesterone and prolactin treatment on the action of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) was determined in pregnant rats. PGF2alpha (150 mug times 2) injected i.p. on day 1. or 18 of pregnancy induced lactogenesis about 25 h later and abortion on days 20 and 21 of pregnancy. Treatment with PGF2alpha (100 mug times 2 or 50 mug times 2) on day 19 induced lactogenesis around 22 or 38 h later, respectively, and abortion on day 21. PHF2alpha treatment on day 17 was less effective. Unilateral ovariectomy on day 17 of pregnancy induced lactogenesis 32 h later but not abortion. PGF2alpha (150 mug times 2) given on the day of surgery advanced lactogenesis 12 h and rats aborted on day 19. Bilateral overiectomy on day 17 induced abortion between days 20 to 21, but if a single dose of PGF2alpha (300 mug) was injected on day 18. all the ovariectomized rats aborted on day 19. Progesterone (10 mg) injected into rats treated with PGF2alpha (150 mug times 2) on day 18, prevented abortion and delayed lactogenesis. Prolactin (1 mg times 4) treatment delayed only abortion. Serum prolactin levels were significantly higher 12 h after the last dose of PGF2alpha (150 mug times 2) in rats treated on days 17, 18 or 19 of pregnancy. Pretreatment with progesterone prevented the rise in prolactin concentration. These result suggest that the lactogenic and abortive action of PGF2alpha may be dependent on the uterine and plasma concentration of progesterone.     

Importance of the alkylaminoethoxy side-chain for the estrogenic and antiestrogenic actions of tamoxifen and trioxifene in the immature rat uterus

The estrogenic and antiestrogenic properties of tamoxifen and trioxifene were compared with their phenolic derivatives (ICI 77949 and LY 126412, respectively) without the alkylaminoethoxy side-chain. Trioxifene was a more potent antiestrogen than tamoxifen in immature rat uterine weight tests and both compounds were partial estrogen agonists. Removal of the side-chain from tamoxifen to produce ICI 77949 converted the compound from a partial estrogen agonist to a full estrogen agonist. Tamoxifen, trioxifene and ICI 77949, produced an estradiol-like increase in uterine progesterone receptor concentrations (as determined by sucrose density gradient analysis) and a dose-related, estradiol-like, increase in the size and shape of uterine luminal epithelial cells. In contrast, removal of the side-chain from trioxifene to produce LY 126412 converted the compound from a partial estrogen agonist, with antiestrogenic properties, to one with a very low affinity for the estrogen receptor and no biological activity in vivo at the daily doses tested (1–64 μg). This was established by uterine wet weight tests, histological examination of luminal epithelial cells and determination of progesterone receptor concentrations. The alkylaminoethoxy side-chain is not only necessary for the antiestrogenic properties of both tamoxifen and trioxifene but also essential for the effective estrogen receptor binding and pharmacological actions of trioxifene.     

The future of antihormone therapy: innovations based on an established principle

Endocrine therapy of mammary and prostate cancer has been established for decades. The therapies available to block sex-hormone-receptor-mediated tumor growth are based on two principles: (i) ligand depletion, which can be achieved surgically, by use of luteinizinghormone-releasing hormone analogues or inhibitors of enzymes involved in steroid biosynthesis or by interfering with the feedback mechanisms of sex hormone synthesis at the pituitary/hypothalamic level; (ii) blockade of sex hormone receptor function by use of antihormones. The antiestrogen tamoxifen, which is the compound of choice for the treatment of mammary carcinoma, has the drawback of being a partial agonist. A complete blockade of estrogen receptor (ER) function can be achieved by a new class of compounds, pure antiestrogens. In contrast to aromatase inhibitors, pure antiestrogens are able to block ER activation by ligands other than estradiol and can also interfere with ligand-independent ER activation. In addition to estradiol, progesterone has a strong proliferative effect in mammary carcinomas. Antiprogestins are promising new tools for clinical breast cancer therapy. These compounds clearly need a functionally expressed progesterone receptor to block tumor growth, but there is strong experimental evidence that their tumor inhibition is based on more than just progesterone antagonism. The ability of these compounds to induce tumor cell differentiation that leads to apoptosis is unique among all other endocrine therapeutics. In prostate tumors that have relapsed from current androgen-ablation therapies the androgen receptor (AR) is still expressed and, compared to the primary tumors, its level is often even enhanced. Mutated AR that can be activated by other compounds such as adrenal steroids, estrogens, progestins and even antiandrogens have been detected in recurrent tumors. Thus, relapse of tumors under the selective pressure of common androgen-ablation therapies can be caused by acquired androgen hypersensitivity and AR activation by ligands other than (dihydro-)testosterone. There is a clinical need for future compounds that produce a complete blockade of AR activity even in recurrent tumors. Preclinical experiments indicate that combination therapy as well as the extension of endocrine treatments to several other tumor entities are promising approaches for further developments. Examples are the combination of antiestrogens and antiprogestins for breast cancer treatment, or the treatment of prostate carcinomas with antiprogestins.Abbreviations LH luteinizing hormone - LHRH luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone - PR progesterone receptor - ER estrogen receptor - AR androgen receptor - CPA cyproterone acetate - EGF epidermal growth factor     

Feedback effects of steroids and gonatrophin control in adult rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

Summary The effects of long- and short-term streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus on the control of gonadotrophin secretion have been investigated in adult intact rats. A high dose of streptozotocin (80 mg/kg), administered intraperitoneally 3 days before experimentation, inhibited ovulation and reduced the pituitary luteinizing hormone response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in proestrous rats. A lower dose (40 mg/kg) did not inhibit ovulation but abolished the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone-priming effect on the pituitary which normally occurs on proestrus, prior to ovulation. Oestrous cyclicity was lost when diabetes was induced for 14 or 56 days, but there was no effect on pituitary responsiveness to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone compared with control animals. Similar observations were made with rats placed on a food-restricted diet. In all experiments there was no difference between diabetic and control animals in the pituitary luteinizing hormone content, the hypothalamic content of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone or the ovarian weights. Ovariectomized rats treated with streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) were used to investigate the effects of diabetes on steroid feedback mechanisms. There was an attenuated luteinizing hormone response to ovariectomy in diabetic compared with control animals, and an impaired positive feedback effect of progesterone in oestrogen-primed animals. The results show that streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus inhibits feedback action of gonadal steroids and this could account for both the loss of oestrous cyclicity and the reduced pituitary sensitivity to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.     

Inhibition by estradiol of the lactogenic effect of prolactin in primate mammary tissue: reversal by antiestrogens LY 156758 and tamoxifen.

Increasing concentrations of estradiol (E2) ranging from 0.01 to 10 nM were found to inhibit partially but significantly the lactogenic effect of ovine prolactin (oPRL) on alpha-lactalbumin production in primate mammary tissues maintained in organ culture for 9 days. E2 at 10 nM inhibited by 38% (mean) PRL-stimulated alpha-lactalbumin production measured by radioimmunoassay. E2 antagonized the effect of oPRL by reducing new alpha-lactalbumin synthesis as determined by specific immunoprecipitation of alpha-lactalbumin and by analysis with NaDodSO4 gel electrophoresis. In immunoprecipitation studies, the mean inhibition of alpha-lactalbumin production was 57.6%. E2 in the absence of oPRL had no effect on alpha-lactalbumin production. In contrast to previous observations in rodents, progesterone was found to be a much weaker inhibitor of PRL-induced alpha-lactalbumin production than was E2 in primate breast tissues. Mean inhibition of oPRL-stimulated alpha-lactalbumin production was 32.3% with 10 microM progesterone and 8.3% with 10 nM. The inhibitory effect of E2 on oPRL-stimulated alpha-lactalbumin production was significantly reversed by both tamoxifen and a new antiestrogen, LY 156758. Although exact comparison of the effects of these two antiestrogens was not possible, it was apparent that LY 156758 was more potent in blocking the E2 inhibitory effect. In summary, these studies provide evidence that physiologic concentrations of estradiol partially block the lactogenic effect of PRL in primate mammary glands, suggesting a new role for estrogen in mammary physiology. The inhibitory effect of estrogen treatment on milk production in women after parturition may possibly be explained by this direct antagonism between E2 and PRL.     

Relationships among placental, uterine, and circulating concentrations of progesterone and fetal survival in the ovariectomized pregnant rat.

Pregnant rats were ovariectomized or sham operated on day 15 postcoitum. Four days later, progesterone was measured by RIA in peripheral and uterine vein plasma, in uteri, and in placentae. Maintenance of pregnancy was not critically affected by ovariectomy, since fetal survival was 65.7 +/- 5.1% (mean +/- SEM) despite a large decrease of peripheral plasma progesterone from 115.7 +/- 3.4 to 9.3 +/- 0.5 ng/ml. Peripheral and uterine vein plasma progesterone (8.3 +/- 0.9 ng/ml) were identical. In contrast, placental progesterone decreased only slightly, although significantly, from 27.3 +/- 1.3 to 20.3 +/- 1.0 ng/mg. The concentrations of uterine progesterone were variable and positively correlated with the concentrations of peripheral plasma progesterone. It was concluded that uterine progesterone originates from peripheral blood but not from placentae and that fetal survival is positively correlated with residual progesterone concentrations in peripheral plasma and in uterus but not in placentae.     

Geometric isomers of substituted triphenylethylenes and antiestrogen action

The estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities of tamoxifen ICI 47,699, enclomiphene, zuclomiphene, and the geometric isomers of monohydroxytamoxifen and CI628 were determined in the 3-day immature rat uterine weight test. Tamoxifen, enclomiphene, and the releated geometric isomers of monohydroxytamoxifen and CI628 were partially estrogenic with antiestrogenic properties. ICI 47,699 and zuclomiphene were predominantly estrogenic; however, an antiestrogen effect for zuclomiphene (100 micrograms daily) was demonstrable and large doses of ICI 47,699 (1 or 10 mg daily) inhibited full estrogen action. In contrast, the geometric isomers of monohydroxytamoxifen and CI628 related to ICI 47,699 and zuclomiphene were partially estrogenic with antiestrogenic properties. The estrogenic properties of ICI 47,699 were classified in three ways: elevation of uterine wet weight, increase in whole uterine DNA, and increase in the mitotic activity of luminal epithelial cells. In general, ICI 47,699 was able to initiate estrogenic responses of DNA synthesis or mitosis by translocation of fewer cytoplasmic estrogen receptors to the nuclear compartment than tamoxifen. A model is proposed to explain antiestrogen action in terms of the geometric requirements for receptor binding. It is suggested that the position in space of the alkylaminoethoxyside chain is of fundamental importance. Overall, these data lend support to the view that a structurally specific ligand-estrogen receptor complex can influence the future events within a target tissue to produce either an agonist or an antagonist response.