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[Effect of the estrogen antagonist tamoxifen in the treatment of advanced mastocarcinoma (author's transl)].

Today the endocrin therapy of the advanced mastocarcinoma is in common use. Besides the already known therapy by estrogens, androgens, gestagens, and steroids, Tamoxifen, and estrogen antagonist, is a very promising therapeutic drug. In the presented study, Tamoxifen was submitted to a critical clinical control during a period of one year from 1st October 1975 until 1st October 1976. After a three months' treatment, a rate of 41% of objective remissions could be obtained. The criteria of success were estimated according to the scheme of Karnofsky. The average remission time is 5,5 months. By a determination of the estrogen receptors it would be possible to realize a therapeutic selection and to achieve a higher remission rate. The authors made an interesting observation, i.e. a probably immuno-stimulating effect which, however, still has to be submitted to further examinations. The side effects are described in detail and the indications are established. Its is astonishing that the subjective ameliorations, i.e. cessation of pains in case of generalized formation of metastases in the bones are much more frequent than the objective remissions. We came to the conclusion that the treatment by Tamoxifen is a valuable alternative in the therapy of the mastocarcinoma, above all in the postmenopausal period if the disease is advanced and incurable.

Adult

Mechanism of action of estrogen agonists and antagonists.

The relationship between estrogen agonists and antagonists and the nuclear binding of the estrogen receptor was investigated in the immature rat uterus. Estriol (and other short acting estrogens) are antagonistic when administered as a single injection due to the inability of the receptor-estriol complex to be retained by uterine nuclei for a critical period necessary to stimulate true uterine growth. This failure of the receptor-estriol complex to be retained appears to be due to rapid clearance of estriol from uterine tissue following a single injection of the hormone. When estriol is present in a chronic fashion, it acts as an agonist because receptor estriol complex is retained at nuclear sites for long periods of time. Nonsteroid estrogen antagonists, such as Nafoxidine, also cause long term nuclear retention of the estrogen receptor and act as estrogen agonists after a single injection. However, after multiple injections these drugs are antagonistic and this effect is correlated with decrease availability of cytoplasmic estrogen receptors. In addition, these compounds appear to specifically stimulate the growth of uterine epithelial cells while minimally affecting other cell types which results in hyperestrogenization of the epithelium.

Animals

Control of uterine estrogen receptor levels by progesterone.

The mechanism by which progesterone antagonizes estrogenic stimulation of uterine growth was examined in the immature rat. Rats received daily injections of 2.5 mug estradiol (E) for 2 days and on day 3 either 2.5 mug E or 2.5 mug E plus 2.5 mg of progesterone (P). The quantity of nuclear and cytoplasmic estrogen receptor was determined by [3H]estradiol exchange at various intervals after injection of E or E + P. In both groups, nuclear receptor estrogen complex (RnE) increased dramtically one hour after injection and showed a gradual decline from 4 to 24 h after injection. The quantity of cytoplasmic receptor, Rc, decreased to low levels by one hour and began a gradual increase from 4 to 8 h in both groups. However, between 8 and 24 h after injection, the level of Rc continued to increase in the E treatment group (2.39 +/- 0.21 pmol/uterus at 24 h) but remained at the 8 h level in the E + P group (1.09 +/- 0.04 pmol/uterus at 24 h). This observation suggests that two seperate processes are involved in the replenishment of Rc and that progesterone inhibits the second phase of replenishment. The binding affinity and specificity of Rc for estrogens following E + P pretreatment were identical to those of the E pretreatment group. Therefore, P does not alter the binding properties but rather the intrauterine level of Rc. Treatment with E on day 4, when Rc levels differ between E and E + P groups, stimulated uterine weight and protein content on day 5 in the E pretreatment group. However, minimal stimulation was observed in the E + P pretreatment group. The quantity of RnE and the time of nuclear retention of RnE following E injection on day 4 was greater in the E group than in the E + P group. The effect of progesterone on Rc replenishment was dose-dependent (range, 0.1-2.5 mg; 1/2 maximal, 0.5 mg). Injection of testosterone propionate (1.0 mg), a weak estrogen antagonist, with E on day 3 resulted in slightly reduced levels of Rc on day 4. This reduction also correlated with a reduced sensitivity to treatment with E on day 4. These data, together with previous studies from our laboratory, suggest that progesterone and other estrogen antagonists such as nafoxidine and testosterone propionate inhibit estrogen action by interfering with the replenishment of Rc, thereby reducing the number of receptor estrogen complexes that are translocated and retained by uterine nuclei.

Animals

Female steroid hormones and lipoprotein synthesis in the cockerel: effects of progesterone and nafoxidine on the estrogenic stimulation of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) synthesis.

Since progesterone is known to modulate the effects of estradiol in a number of organ systems, we have studied the effects of the two hormones on very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) synthesis in the cockerel. We have also examined the effect of an estrogen antagonist, nafoxidine-HCl, on the process. When three week-old cockerels were treated with a single injection of estradiol (1 mg) or estradiol (1 mg) + progesterone (2 mg), plasma VLDL increased within 5 h, reached a peak at 48 h and returned to baseline values at 68 h. There was no significant difference between estradiol or estradiol + progesterone treated animals. Liver slices were prepared from similarly treated animals and incubated in vitro with L-[3H]lysine for 2 h. Following homogenization and centrifugation at 105,000 X g, newly synthesized VLDL were quantitiated in the supernatant fluid by immunoprecipitation with a monospecific antibody. Radioactivity incorporated into VLDL was found to increase from low baseline levels to a peak at about 17 h after treatment. There was, again, no significant difference between estradiol and estradiol + progesterone-treated animals. Estrogen priming or progesterone pretreatment also did not significantly alter the VLDL biosynthetic response in liver slices to estradiol alone or in combination with progesterone. When the estrogen-antagonist nafoxidine-HCl (5 mg) was administered simultaneously with estradiol (1 mg), it totally inhibited the VLDL biosynthetic response in liver slices in vitro. The interaction of estradio, progesterone and nafoxidine-HCl on the hepatic synthesis of VLDL should serve as a valuable model for the study of VLDL synthesis and its regulation as well as the mode of action of the sex steroid hormones in the liver.

Animals

Biological spectrum of two spirolactone derivatives with some observations on anti-fertility activity.

Bioassays were conducted to determine various endocrinological properties of two spirolactone derivatives, 4',5'-dihydrospiro-[estr-4-ene-17,2'(3'H)-furan]-3-one (Compound I) and dispiro[cyclopropane-1,6'-estr-4'-ene-17',2"(3"h)-furan]-3'-one (Compound II). They proved to be very potent estrogen antagonists in immature mice and castrate ewes and neither exhibited inherent estrogenicity. They were moderately active as progestins and gonadotropin inhibitors. Compound II possessed slight androgenic activity and was more active orally than I. Compound I underwent a limited amount of testing in normally cycling rhesus monkeys. It was found to increase viscosity of the cervical mucus and, in oral doses of 0.5 or 2.0 mg/day, prevented pregnancy. One animal given 0.5 mg/day did become pregnant in her first treatment cycle, probably before a drug effect had been established. The results obtained indicate both compounds have potential utility as low-dose oral contraceptives.

Androgens

Failure of rotenone to interfere with 17 beta-estradiol action in the rat uterus.

The involvement of rotenone in rat mammary carcinogenesis has been suggested to occur through estrogenic effects. This hypothesis was tested by determining the extent of rotenone inhibition of 17 beta-estradiol binding to the estrogen receptor and of the 17 beta-estradiol-induced uterotrophic response in ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats. Estradiol binding to the uterine estrogen receptor in the presence of rotenone was determined by charcoal assay and Scatchard analysis. Additionally, 17 beta-estradiol-receptor interactions were assessed on sucrose density gradients. No inhibition of binding was observed in either assay with ratios of rotenone/17 beta-estradiol in excess of 10,000. Finally, an in vivo approach was used to extend the in vitro data. Silastic capsules containing rotenone or 17 beta-estradiol were implanted in various combinations into eight groups of ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats (four rats/group). After five days, uteri were removed and weighed. An analysis of variance revealed that rotenone neither interfered with 17 beta-estradiol-induced uterine weight gain nor displayed any uterotrophic properties by itself. Results from these three procedures demonstrate that rotenone does not act as an estrogen or as an estrogen antagonist. Additionally, there were no other effects attributable to rotenone.

Animals

Role of estrogen in controlling the genital microflora of female rats.

Plate counts of viable bacteria recovered by lavage from rat vaginae demonstrated that the number of bacteria associated with the vaginal epithelium varied cyclically and that this pattern was abolished by ovariectomy. After ovariectomy, vaginal bacterial counts remained relatively stable at low levels. The estrogen 17beta-estradiol (1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,17beta-diol cypionate) administered to ovariectomized rats caused a significant increase in vaginal bacterial counts on day 3 post-treatment. A similar effect was seen in non-ovariectomized rats, but a larger dose of estrogen antagonist may have been present in non-ovariectomized animals. Progesterone (4-pregnene-3,20-dione) given with estradiol diminished the effect of the estrogen on vaginal bacterial counts, but did not abolish it. Progesterone administered without estradiol had no detectable effect on vaginal bacterial counts. These findings suggested that the cyclic variation in bacterial content of rat vaginae could be explained primarily as the effect of the secretory pattern of ovarian estrogen.

Animals

Mammalian endogenous peroxidases as cellular markers and as biosynthetic endpoints of hormone-mediated activity: viewpoint from cytochemistry.

Aldehyde-resistant, diaminobenzidine-stained endogenous peroxidases form ideal markers for the biochemical endpoints of hormone stimulation and differentiation of certain mammalian cells and tissues. The lactoperoxidase (LPO)-type of endogenous peroxidases are synthesized by the acinar cells of the salivary, Harderian, lacrimal and mammary glands and are present in their secretions. These LPO-type enzymes, that are inhibited by cyanide and aminotriazole, appear to operate extracellularly as bactericidal agents in milk and in other biological fluids. In the mammary gland, lactoperoxidase is a consistent marker enzyme for differentiated acinar cells engaged in lactogenesis. Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-type endogenous peroxidases are prominent markers for the GERL endomembrane system and differentiated lysosomes in certain cells of the reticuloendothelial system and phagocytes. MPO is prominent within eosinophils, peritoneal macrophages and in Kupffer cells. The MPO-type endogenous peroxidases function primarily within lysosomes as bactericidal agents. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is relegated to the cisternae of the granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, to apical cytoplasmic vesicles and to the luminar cell membrane surface of acinar cells. The enzyme is probably activated at release and functions both in the organification reaction (T leads to To) and in the biosynthesis of thyroxine. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) appears to play a key role in the regulation of TPO levels and activity in the thyroid gland. Certain tissues displaying growth-dependency on estrogen (i.e., uterus, cervix, vagina and the DMBA-induced rat mammary tumor) synthesize and secrete endogenous peroxidase into their lumina. These enzymes serve as important marker proteins of estrogen action, in that they occur distal to the binding of estrogen to its receptor protein. Estrogen antagonists, particularly CI-628 (Parke-Davis) and Nafoxidine (Upjohn) that appear to function through the estrogen receptor mechanism, also induce synthesis of the reproductive tract endogenous peroxidase but inhibit growth of these tissues. Progesterone antagonizes the synthesis of the reproductive tract peroxidases and inhibits growth of the tissues as well, in part, through the reduction of the cytosol estrogen receptor protein. Endogenous peroxidase activity appears to represent a reliable marker for rodent breast cancer tissues displaying dependency for estrogen and is of potential interest as a diagnostic marker protein in human breast cancer. Rat uterine peroxidase (UP) has been investigated by microelectrophoretic techniques. The molecular weight of UP has been determined in the range of 100,000 by using polyacrylamide gradient gels in the absence and presence of nonionic and anionic detergents. The isoelectric point of UP is located between pH 4.5 and 5.9. Employing the two-dimensional combination of isoelectric focusing and gel gradient electrophoresis, UP was separated into two subunits, one having a molecular weight of 70,000, the other less than 20,000.

Animals

A comparative study on estradiol receptor assays in human breast cancer tissue.

Standard dextran-coated charcoal assays for measuring the estrogen receptor content in human breast cancer tissue are compared. A single-point assay, using the estrogen antagonist nafoxidine as competitive inhibitor, showed good qualitative agreement with a three-point Scatchard plot assay, using radio-inert estrogen to assess the non-specific binding. Based on statistically evaluated dividing points, 116 (66.3%) of the 175 analysed primary tumor specimens were positive in the single-point assay compared to 121 (69.1%) in the Scatchard plot assay. Use of the additional dissociation constants in the evaluation of the Scatchard plot assay data gives a complete qualitative agreement between the two assays. We conclude that, in spite of the lack of specific controls inherent in the Scatchard plot assay, the single-point assay using diethylstilbestrol instead of nafoxidine is equally useful, especially if biopsy specimens are too small to provide the larger number of aliquots necessary for multiple steroid receptor analyses. Factors affecting the quantitative differences between the two assays are discussed.

Binding, Competitive

Quantitation of estrogen receptors in human breast cancer by agar gel electrophoresis.

Samples from human primary and metastatic mammary carcinomas were examined for the presence of specific estrogen-binding proteins. Cytosols were incubated with [3H]estradiol-17beta with and without an excess of unlabelled estradiol or estrogen antagonist. After incubation, the mixtures were treated with dextran-charcoal to remove non-specifically bound steroid. Low-temperature agar gel electrophoresis was used to separate receptor- and non-receptor-bound steroid. Statistically significant differences were found between the tissue protein contents of primary mammary carcinomas and skin metastases. Estrogen receptor and tissue protein contents of the tumors seem to be related to the age of the patients. Objective remissions with endocrine therapy were obtained in patients with carcinomas which possessed a substantial concentration of estrogen receptors.

Adult

Estrogen-receptor binding: relationship to estrogen-induced responses.

The relationship between nuclear binding of the receptor-estrogen complex (R-E) and estrogenic responses was examined. Nuclear-bound R-E was measured by the [3H] estradiol exchange assay, which permits the quantification of R-E as a function of either endogenous or non labeled estrogen. The quantity of nuclear R-E fluctuated as a function of blood levels of estrogen during the estrous cycle in the rat. This indicates that the accumulation of the R-E complex by the nucleus of uterine cells may be of physiologic significance and under the control of endogenous estrogen.

Animals

Tumor formation in preneoplastic mammary nodule lines in mice treated with nafoxidine, testosterone, and 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine.

The tumor potentials of five preneoplastic mammary nodule lines were examined in BALB/cCrgl mice treated with either nafoxidine, an estrogen antagonist; 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine, a prolactin suppressant; or testosterone. The inhibitory effect of any of the three agents was dependent on the individual nodule line and was not correlated with the effects of ovariectomy. Nafoxidine inhibited tumor formation only in nodule line D2; testosterone inhibited tumor formation in lines C3 and C4; and 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine failed to inhibit tumor formation in any of the nodule lines. These results provided information on the range of responses of mouse preneoplastic mammary tissues to a variety of antihormone treatments and suggested that responses to ovariectomy need not be correlated with responses to specific antihormone treatments.

Animals

Endocrine consequences of continuous antiestrogen therapy with tamoxifen in premenopausal women.

Daily administration of estrogen antagonists to premenopausal women has been incorporated into the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. We have studied the changes in reproductive hormones, pituitary responses to hypothalamic-releasing hormones, and endometrial histology during treatment with the antiestrogen tamoxifen in five healthy, premenopausal women. These studies were carried out during one menstrual cycle before and during two cycles of antiestrogen treatment. All subjects continued to have regular menses with biphasic basal body temperature records. During treatment, estradiol (E2) levels were increased but followed the usual pattern reflecting follicular maturation and corpus luteum formation. The mean E2 concentration at the midcycle peak and during the luteal phase was twice that observed during the non-treatment cycle. By contrast, the concentrations and secretory patterns of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were not greatly changed, and the gonadotropin responses to gonadotropin-releasing hormone were not suppressed. Endometrial biopsies obtained during the follicular phase of control and tamoxifen treatment cycles showed no differences whereas biopsies obtained during the luteal phase of tamoxifen cycles uniformly showed a lack of changes attributed to progesterone action with no progression of histologic changes beyond those expected on day 7-8 of the luteal phase. These observations are consistent with maturation of multiple ovarian follicles, a surprising finding considering the normal gonadotropin concentrations. The retarded development of the endometrium in the presence of supranormal serum E2 and progesterone concentrations is a morphologic demonstration of the antiprogestational effect of antiestrogens. The lack of gonadotropin suppression in the presence of hyperestrogenemia suggests a major antiestrogen action on the hypothalmus and pituitary gland.

Adult

Current status of estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is often hormone responsive, since growth or regression of tumors can often be modulated by appropriate endocrine manipulations. Estrogen and progesterone appear to be major hormones involved in regulation of breast tumor growth. It has been recently argued that a more accurate marker of hormonal responsiveness might result if an end product of an intact estrogen response system were measured instead of the initial hormone binding step. Progesterone receptor (PgR) has been investigated in this regard since it can be readily measured in human breast tumors and there is clear evidence in experimental breast tumor model systems that PgR is under acute estrogen control. PgR is rarely found in ER- metastatic breast tumors but is present in approximately 59% of ER+ metastatic tumors, especially in those tumors with high levels of ER. Preliminary clinical correlation of ER, PgR and response to endocrine therapy is encouraging. The response rate is significantly higher if the tumor contains both ER and PgR than if the tumor contains ER alone.

Adrenalectomy

A comparative trial of transsphenoidal hypophysectomy and estrogen suppression with aminoglutethimide in advanced breast cancer.

We compared two treatment regimens, transsphenoidal hypophysectomy and estrogen suppression with aminoglutethimide in women with metastatic breast carcinoma. Three of fourteen patients experienced partial objective tumor regression with a median duration of 4.6 months following hypophysectomy, whereas 10 of 21 women receiving aminoglutethimide responded (2 complete, 8 partial) with a median duration of 11.5 months. Side effects in the medical group were minimal while surgical complications included 2 cases of CSF rhinorrhea, one leading to meningitis and death. In patients receiving aminoglutethimide, urinary free cortisol and plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate fell significantly as did plasma estrone and estradiol. In the hypophysectomy group, anterior-pituitary function testing postoperatively revealed adequate suppression of gonadotropin and prolactin secretion but incomplete inhibition of the ACTH-cortisol axis in 4 of 7 surgical patients studied. Five patients initially treated with hypophysectomy experienced a further reduction of plasma (and urinary) estrone and estradiol levels when given aminoglutethimide. We conclude that estrogen suppression therapy with aminoglutethimide is a feasible alternative to surgical hypophysectomy in providing endocrine suppression and palliation in advanced breast carcinoma.

Adult