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Biomedical subjects

H Adlercreutz

Publications and source records attributed to H Adlercreutz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

2,6-Bis((3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-methylene)cyclohexanone (BDHPC)-induced apoptosis and p53-independent growth inhibition: synergism with genistein.

Estrogen binds to two classes of proteins in the cells, the high-affinity estrogen receptor (ER) as well as a low affinity estrogen type II binding site (EBS-II). Methyl p-hydroxyphenyllactate (MeHPLA) is an endogenous ligand for EBS-II. Binding of MeHPLA to EBS-II has a growth regulatory effect in estrogen-responsive cells, and levels of MeHPLA are decreased in breast cancer due to degradation by a specific esterase. 2,6-bis((3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-methylene) cyclohexanone (BDHPC) is an esterase-resistant analogue of MeHPLA which binds irreversibly to EBS-II and inhibits growth of breast cancer cells. In the present study, we analyzed the mechanism of growth inhibition by BDHPC. Treatment with BDHPC resulted in accumulation of cells in G1 phase and apoptosis. The G1 accumulation was not dependent on a functional p53 gene. The G1-specific growth inhibition by BDHPC was found to act synergistically with the G2/M-specific inhibition induced by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, suggesting this drug combination could be effectively used in cancer treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents

Flavonoids, dietary-derived inhibitors of cell proliferation and in vitro angiogenesis.

Consumption of a plant-based diet can prevent the development and progression of chronic diseases associated with extensive neovascularization, including solid malignant tumors. In previous studies, we have shown that the plant-derived isoflavonoid genistein is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation and in vitro angiogenesis. In the present study, we report that certain structurally related flavonoids are more potent inhibitors than genistein. Indeed, 3-hydroxyflavone, 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone, 2',3'-dihydroxyflavone, fisetin, apigenin, and luteolin inhibited the proliferation of normal and tumor cells, as well as in vitro angiogenesis, at half-maximal concentrations in the low micromolar range. We have previously demonstrated that genistein concentrations in the urine of subjects consuming a plant-based diet is 30-fold higher than in subjects consuming a traditional Western diet. The wider distribution and the more abundant presence of flavonoids in the plant kingdom, together with the present results, suggest that flavonoids may contribute to the preventive effect of a plant-based diet on chronic diseases, including solid tumors.

Animals

Changes in levels of urinary estrogen metabolites after oral indole-3-carbinol treatment in humans.

BACKGROUND: The oxidative metabolism of estrogens in humans is mediated primarily by cytochrome P450, many isoenzymes of which are inducible by dietary and pharmacologic agents. One major pathway, 2-hydroxylation, is induced by dietary indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which is present in cruciferous vegetables (e.g., cabbage and broccoli). PURPOSE: Because the pool of available estrogen substrates for all pathways is limited, we hypothesized that increased 2-hydroxylation of estrogens would lead to decreased activity in competing metabolic pathways. METHODS: Urine samples were collected from subjects before and after oral ingestion of I3C (6-7 mg/kg per day). In the first study, seven men received I3C for 1 week; in the second study, 10 women received I3C for 2 months. A profile of 13 estrogens was measured in each sample by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In both men and women, I3C significantly increased the urinary excretion of C-2 estrogens. The urinary concentrations of nearly all other estrogen metabolites, including levels of estradiol, estrone, estriol, and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone, were lower after I3C treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the hypothesis that I3C-induced estrogen 2-hydroxylation results in decreased concentrations of several metabolites known to activate the estrogen receptor. This effect may lower estrogenic stimulation in women. IMPLICATIONS: I3C may have chemopreventive activity against breast cancer in humans, although the long-term effects of higher catechol estrogen levels in women require further investigation.

Adult

A novel radioimmunoassay for daidzein.

A radioimmunoassay for daidzein was established, based on polyclonal antibodies against daidzein-4'-O-(carboxymethyl)ether-BSA. The sensitivity of the assay was 0.4 pg/tube; the intra- and interassay coefficients of variation varied from 4.1 to 11.5% and from 5.6 to 21.7%, respectively, depending upon the method (direct or extraction) and concentration of daidzein in the sample. The cross reactivities with other chemically related compounds, with the exception of 4'-derivatives of daidzein, were 2.4% for dihydrodaidzein, 1.3% for genistein, 1.5% for biochanin A, and 1.6% for equol, respectively. The method was used for measurement of daidzein levels in 105 normal human subjects and in three volunteers after consumption of a meal prepared from 125 g of cooked whole soybeans. The daidzein values obtained following diethyl ether extraction of human sera was only 8% of that obtained by direct radioimmunoassay. We suggest that this difference is caused by cross-reacting daidzein 4'-glucuronides and -sulfates present in serum. Using ether extraction, the basal serum levels of free daidzein were 0.11 ng/mL (0.43 nmol/L), with 14 subjects showing no detectable levels. Levels were detectable in all subjects with the direct assay with a mean value of 7.1 ng/mL (28.0 nmol/L). Peak levels were reached 4 hours after ingestion of the soybeans. The levels were 10.3 +/- 3.6 ng/mL (40.4 +/- 14.3 nmol/L) for free daidzein and 129.4 +/- 36.1 ng/mL (509 +/- 142 nmol/L) for total immunoreactive compounds. After 24 hours, the levels were still clearly distinguishable from the basal levels; the concentrations were 0.43 +/- 0.15 ng/mL (1.69 +/- 0.59 nmol/L) and 24.36 +/- 6.07 ng/mL (95.9 +/- 23.9) for free and total immunoreactive material, respectively. It is concluded that this is the first immunoassay for a phytoestrogen in human biological fluids, and for the first time serial assays of unconjugated daidzein in plasma have been possible.

Animals

Quantifying estrogen metabolism: an evaluation of the reproducibility and validity of enzyme immunoassays for 2-hydroxyestrone and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone in urine.

Rapid and simple enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) were recently developed to measure 2-hydroxyestrone and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone in unextracted urine. The balance between these competing estrogen metabolism pathways may serve as a biomarker of breast cancer risk. Before testing these assays in epidemiologic studies, we evaluated their reproducibility, and validity relative to gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Overnight 12-hr urine collections from five midfollicular premenopausal women, five midluteal premenopausal women, and five postmenopausal women were aliquoted and stored at -70 degrees C. Two aliquots from each woman were assayed with the EIAs in a random, blinded order, monthly over 4 months and 1 year later. Reproducibility over 4 months was good for both metabolites in premenopausal women (coefficient of variation = 8-14%) and satisfactory in postmenopausal women (approximately 19%). Reproducibility over 12 months remained good in premenopausal women, but was poor in postmenopausal women, with mean readings increasing 50 to 100%. Wide variation in estrogen metabolite levels enabled a single EIA measurement to characterize individual differences among premenopausal women in midfollicular (intraclass correlation coefficient = 98-99%) and midluteal phase (85-91%). A narrower range in metabolite levels among postmenopausal women reduced discrimination (78-82%). The correlation between EIA and GC-MS measurement was excellent for both metabolites (r>0.9), except for 2-hydroxyestrone in postmenopausal women (r=0.6). Analysis of absolute agreement suggested that both EIAs were less sensitive than GC-MS, and each detected nonspecific background. The low concentration of estrogen metabolites in urine from postmenopausal women may explain the problems with reproducibility and validity in this menstrual group. Accordingly, more sensitive EIAs have been developed and are now being evaluated.

Adult

Phyto-oestrogens and Western diseases.

Incidences of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer are high in the Western world compared to countries in Asia. We have postulated that the Western diet compared to the semivegetarian diet in some Asian countries may alter hormone production, metabolism or action at the cellular level by some biochemical mechanisms. Our interest has been focused on two groups of hormone-like diphenolic phyto-oestrogens of dietary origin, the lignans and isoflavonoids abundant in plasma of subjects living in areas with low cancer incidence. The precursors of the biologically active compounds detected in man are found in soybean products, whole-grain cereal food, seeds, and berries. The plant lignan and isoflavonoid glycosides are converted by intestinal bacteria to hormone-like compounds. The weakly oestrogenic diphenols formed influence sex-hormone production, metabolism and biological activity, intracellular enzymes, protein synthesis, growth factor action, malignant cell proliferation, differentiation, cell adhesion and angiogenesis in such a way as to make them strong candidates for a role as natural cancer-protective compounds. Their effect on some of the most important steroid biosynthetic enzymes may result in beneficial modulation of hormone concentrations and action in the cells preventing development of cancer. Owing to their oestrogenic activity they reduce hot flushes and vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women and may to some degree inhibit osteoporosis, but alone they may be insufficient for complete protection. Soy intake prevents oxidation of the low-density lipoproteins in vitro when isolated from soy-treated individuals and affect favourably plasma lipid concentrations. Animal experiments provide evidence suggesting that both lignans and isoflavonoids may prevent the development of cancer as well as atherosclerosis. However, in some of these experiments it has not been possible to separate the phyto-oestrogen effect from the effect of other components in the food. The isoflavonoids and lignans may play a significant inhibitory role in cancer development particularly in the promotional phase of the disease, but recent evidence points also to a role in the initiation stage of carcinogenesis. At present, however, no definite recommendations can be made as to the dietary amounts needed for prevention of disease. This review deals with all the above-mentioned aspects of phyto-oestrogens.

Diet

Binding of daidzein to liposomes.

Turbidity and differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed the plant derived antineoplastic isoflavone, daidzein, to bind to large unilamellar liposomes. Comparing different unsaturated phospholipids most pronounced aggregation due to daidzein was observed for phosphatidylinositol (PI) while the inclusion of cholesterol strongly attenuated the aggregation. Interestingly, aggregation was not observed for the structurally very closely related isoflavone, genistein. The extent of aggregation was nonlinearly dependent on the content of PI in egg phosphatidylcholine (eggPC) vesicles. The saturated dimyristoyl phospholipids, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidic acid, as well as phophatidylglycerol were also extensively aggregated by daidzein at 10 degrees C, i.e., below their main phase transition temperature whereas their aggregation at 35 degrees C in the fluid phase was strongly reduced. Vesicle aggregation could be accompanied by membrane fusion, however, neither contents mixing nor lipid mixing of the LUVs (large unilamellar vesicles) was observed in the presence of daidzein. Strong perturbation of the thermal phase behaviour of both dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoyl phosphatidylserine (DMPS) multilamellar vesicles by daidzein was revealed by differential scanning calorimetry. More specifically, for DMPC increasing quantities of daidzein progressively decreased both the main transition temperature Tm and its enthalpy whereas for DMPS a decrease in delta H was not observed, thus indicating the modes of interaction of daidzein with these phospholipids to differ. Our results indicate daidzein to reside in the polar headgroup/interfacial region of PI and PS membranes. The interactions of daidzein with phospholipids could represent an additional contributor to the growing list of effects of this isoflavone on cellular functions.

Antineoplastic Agents

2-Methoxyestradiol arrests cells in mitosis without depolymerizing tubulin.

The endogenous estrogen metabolite 2-methoxyestradiol (2-MeOE2) suppresses experimental tumor growth in vivo and inhibits angiogenesis activity in vitro. Moreover, 2-MeOE2 has been observed to block mitosis in cell cultures. As high concentrations of 2-MeOE2 prevent microtubule assembly in vitro, the mitotic arrest has been attributed to inhibition of tubulin polymerization. Here we report that concentrations of 2-MeOE2 that cause complete metaphasal arrest do not inhibit the assembly of mitotic spindles. In contrast to the chromosomal dispersal seen in cells arrested by the tubulin depolymerizing drug colcemid, the chromosomes of cells treated with 2-MeOE2 remained in the metaphasal plate indicating a functional defect of the mitotic spindle. The 2-MeOE2 arrest resembles those induced by compounds affecting microtubule dynamics such as taxol and vinblastine. The 2-MeOE2 block is also similar to that induced by several anti-calmodulin agents. Given that metaphase to anaphase transition is a calmodulin-dependent step and our observation that 2-MeOE2 inhibits calmodulin activity in vitro, we suggest that the 2-MeOE2 metaphasal arrest may occur via inhibition of calmodulin.

2-Methoxyestradiol

Isotope dilution gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the determination of isoflavonoids, coumestrol, and lignans in food samples.

We present a method for the quantitative determination of the phytoestrogens formononetin, biochanin A, daidzein, genistein, and coumestrol and simultaneously the lignans secoisolariciresinol (SECO) and matairesinol in plant-derived foods. These compounds are measured by isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode (ID/GC/MS/SIM) using synthesized deuterated internal standards for the correction of losses during the procedure. A three-step hydrolysis--a rehydration with distilled H2O, followed by enzymatic and acid hydrolysis--has been applied in order to convert the diphenolic glycosides into their respective aglycones. Purification and separation are carried out in two ion-exchange chromatographic steps followed by derivatization and GC-MS. The within-assay imprecision values vary 3.1-9.6% and the between-assay imprecision 7.0-21.2%. The mean recovery of authentic standards processed through the whole procedure varied from 95.5 to 105.5%. Values for some different food samples are presented. The simultaneous determination of the biologically most interesting phytoestrogens and lignans in foods has not been carried out previously and the method will be useful for screening of important foods in populations with different risk of cancer and coronary heart disease, and for metabolic studies.

Anion Exchange Resins

Influence of plasma estrogen levels on the length of the disease-free interval in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

The influence of plasma estrogen levels on disease-free interval (time from primary treatment to first relapse, DFI) in breast cancer patients is not known. Any relation between plasma estrogens and the outcome in breast cancer patients may have implications considering use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in patients treated for breast cancer. We measured plasma estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and estrone sulfate (E1S) in 92 postmenopausal women with breast cancer relapse and correlated plasma estrogen levels to the length of their disease-free interval (DFI1) and the length of the DFI in the subgroup of patients in whom this extended a time period of more than 2 years (DFI2). The length of DFI2 correlated negatively to plasma level of E1S (p < 0.025) and E2 (p < 0.05) and to the E2/E1 and E1S/E1 ratios (p < 0.05), while the length of DFI1 correlated negatively to plasma level of E1S (p < 0.025) and the E1S/E1 ratio (p < 0.005). We also analyzed for possible correlations between DFIs and plasma estrogen levels in subgroups based on tumor stage at diagnosis and previous therapy. In general, these subgroup analyses revealed negative correlations of statistical significance or borderline significance between the DFI1 and DFI2 and E2 and the E2/E1 ratio and non-significant negative correlations between plasma levels of E1S and DFI1 and DFI2. In particular, strong negative correlations between plasma estrogen levels and the length of DFI1 and DFI2 were found among patients responding to first line endocrine treatment for relapse and among patients with primar stage III tumors. Our findings suggest plasma E2 and E1S to stimulate the growth of micrometastases in patients treated for breast cancer.

Aged

Pituitary-adrenocortical function in abdominal obesity of males: evidence for decreased 21-hydroxylase activity.

Certain differences in regional fat distribution might be explicable by subtle hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We examined prospectively PA function relative to abdominal obesity defined by waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR) in 71 normotensive men aged 30-55 years. Basal PA activity was assessed by measurements of serum cortisol and plasma corticotropin (ACTH) concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Functional activity was examined by dexamethasone suppression and ACTH stimulation tests; responses of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), 11-deoxycortisol (S), cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione were determined. When the subjects were divided into tertiles for the WHR, the ratio of mean ACTH to mean cortisol during the OGTT was increased (p < 0.05), and the ratio of urinary cortisol to body-mass index was decreased (p < 0.01), whilst the net increments of cortisol (p < 0.05) and 17-OHP (p < 0.05) from 0 to 60 min, as well as the ratio of 17-OHP to S increments (p < 0.05) after ACTH were elevated in the highest vs lowest WHR tertile. The ratio of mean ACTH to mean cortisol (r = 0.495; p < 0.001) during the OGTT, the ratio of net 17-OHP to S increments (r = 0.404; p < 0.001), and the net DHEA (r = 0.276; p = 0.020) and 17-OHP (r = 0.336; p = 0.005) responses to ACTH at 60 min correlated with WHR. In multivariate analyses the ratio of mean ACTH to cortisol, cortisol response to ACTH, and the ratio of net 17-OHP to S increments were all significant predictors of WHR independent of smoking, physical activity, and BMI explaining 49.0% of the variance in WHR. Thus, abdominal obesity may be associated with decreased activity of adrenal 21-hydroxylase. Either obesity-related functional alteration of 21-hydroxylase activity or the high carrier prevalence of genetic defects of this enzyme may explain these findings.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone

Psychosocial stress and the insulin resistance syndrome.

We examined the association between psychosocial stress-related variables and insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) risk-factor clustering. In 90 middle-aged male volunteers, psychosocial stress-related variables, defined as feelings of excessive tiredness and as personality and behavioral factors reflecting a stress-inducing life-style (type A behavior, hostility, and anger), were significantly correlated with the hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, increased abdominal obesity, and increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen comprising the IRS. The correlations remained significant after adjusting for body mass index (BMI), age, educational level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. However, the different stress-related factors reflected different risk-factor clustering profiles. Type A behavior was associated with normotension and a normal metabolic profile (canonical r = .50, chi2(36) = 59.1, P = .008). Hostility was related to elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) and elevated triglycerides (TGs) (canonical r = .38, chi2(14) = 23.2, P = .052), whereas feelings of excessive tiredness were related to abdominal obesity, augmented glycemic responses to glucose ingestion, dyslipidemia, and increased PAI-1 antigen (canonical r = .39, chi2(24) = 36.8, P = .046). Although hostility and feelings of excessive tiredness have partly overlapping but clearly different clinical and metabolic correlates, their combination represents a full-blown IRS. Thus, even though insulin resistance is presumably to some extent genetically determined, these results suggest that considering psychosocial stress may be beneficial in understanding IRS risk-factor clustering.

Adult

Intake of rye bread ileostomists increases ileal excretion of fiber polysaccharide components and organic acids but does not increase plasma or urine lignans and isoflavonoids.

The excretion of starch, enzyme-resistant starch, dietary fiber components and organic acids (short-chain fatty acids plus lactic acid) as well as plasma and urine lignans and isoflavonoids was studied in eight ileostomists consuming mixed diets with wheat bread (low fiber diet) or rye bread (high fiber diet) in a crossover design. Average ileal excretions of enzyme-available starch were 3.5 g/d during the low fiber period and 4.1 g/d during the high fiber period. The excretion of enzyme-resistant starch was approximately the same (2.3 g/d) in both periods. In comparison with intake, similar amounts of total fiber residues were excreted both by subjects receiving the low fiber diet (3.4 g/d) and by those receiving the high fiber diet (2.7 g/d). However, subjects excreted significantly more of certain polysaccharide residues (fucose, galactose, and uronic acids) than they ingested. On average, the excretion of organic acids was 18.6 mmol/d during the low fiber period and 30.2 mmol/d during the high fiber period. No significant differences in plasma lignans were observed between the high fiber and the low fiber dietary periods. The present findings indicate that enzyme-available starch is highly digested and that a microbial breakdown of dietary fibers and probably other carbohydrates occurs in the small intestine. However, the bacterial activity in the ileostomists was not sufficient to cause an increased level in plasma lignans even when subjects consumed the high fiber rye diet.

Adult

A soy protein isolate rich in genistein and daidzein and its effects on plasma isoflavone concentrations, platelet aggregation, blood lipids and fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipid in normal men.

The effects of consuming a soy protein isolate beverage powder (60 g/d for 28 d) vs. a casein supplement was evaluated in 20 male subjects who were randomly allocated into the two groups. A dramatic rise in plasma isoflavone concentrations was observed after supplementation in the soy protein group, the levels reaching 907 +/- 245 nmol/L for genistein (a 110-fold increase) and 498 +/- 102 nmol/L for daidzein (a 150-fold increase) as measured by isotope dilution gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. These concentrations are higher than previously reported for the plasma of Japanese subjects consuming a traditional diet (276 nmol/L and 107 nmol/L, respectively). No significant differences in collagen- or 9,11-dideoxy-11alpha, 9alpha-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2alpha (U46619)-induced platelet aggregation were observed in platelet-rich plasma from the two groups; the increase in plasma isoflavonoids from soy protein supplementation is not sufficient to significantly inhibit platelet aggregation ex vivo. Similarly, plasma total and HDL-cholesterol were not affected by protein supplementation, possibly because the men were normocholesterolemic at entry. Analysis of plasma phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acid composition showed no differences between soy protein and casein supplementation. Previous investigations reported a significant alteration in fatty acid status in animals fed soy protein relative to those fed casein. The present studies indicate that although soy protein supplementation to a typical Western diet can increase plasma concentrations of isoflavones, this may not necessarily be sufficient to counter heart disease risk factors such as high plasma cholesterol and platelet aggregation.

Adult

Vital exhaustion, anger expression, and pituitary and adrenocortical hormones. Implications for the insulin resistance syndrome.

This study was undertaken to examine whether there are psychological factors that can incline an individual toward coronary heart disease and that can in turn identify a pattern of pituitary and adrenocortical responses that is associated with the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (IRS). The study was performed with 69 normotensive and 21 unmedicated borderline hypertensive men (age range, 30 to 55 years). Type A behavior, hostility (defined as cynicism, pessimism, and paranoia), vital exhaustion, and anger expressions were the behavioral variables studied. Among these, only the vital exhaustion-anger-out factor identified the neuroendocrine pattern that predicted the IRS. This neuroendocrine pattern consisted primarily of an adrenal responsiveness to ACTH and secondarily of a high mean basal cortisol-to-mean basal ACTH ratio. The contribution of this last variable was, however, slightly questionable. Instead of the traditional coronary-prone factors, ie, type A behavior and hostility, the findings emphasize the significance of vital exhaustion and emotional distress. The findings have been discussed in terms of defeat reaction, hypocortisolemia, and visceral obesity.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Isotope dilution gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the determination of unconjugated lignans and isoflavonoids in human feces, with preliminary results in omnivorous and vegetarian women.

We describe an isotope dilution gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method for the identification and quantitative determination of the lignans enterolactone, enterodiol, and matairesinol and the isoflavonoids daidzein, equol, O-desmethylangolensin, and genistein in feces. Following the addition of deuterated internal standards for all compounds, the feces samples are extracted and purified in several ion exchange chromatographic steps. Following formation of trimethylsilyl ethers, the samples are analyzed by combined capillary column GC/MS in the selective ion monitoring mode and corrected for all losses during the procedure using the deuterated internal standards. Results on the reliability of the method and values for nine Finnish omnivorous and nine vegetarian women are presented.

4-Butyrolactone

Regulation of sex-hormone-binding globulin production by endogenous estrogens in vitro.

The effect of endogenous estrogens on sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) production was studied in HepG2 cells. 17 beta-estradiol, estrone, and estrogens from both 2- and 16 alpha-hydroxylative pathways stimulated SHBG production, but not in parallel with their binding affinities for the estrogen receptor. Thus, the underlying mechanism may be other than a pure interaction with the estrogen receptor.

2-Methoxyestradiol