Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2001 Dec 1;99(2):226-31.
Elevated interleukin-10 and sex steroid levels in peritoneal fluid of patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Manolopoulos K, Lang U, Gips H, Braems GA.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Klinikstr 32, 35385, Giessen, Germany.

BACKGROUND: The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) following ovulation induction is characterized by a cystic enlargement of the ovaries with an acute third space fluid sequestration. Inflammatory cytokines mediate the inflammatory response (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNFalpha) and play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of OHSS. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) in OHSS and to examine its correlation with 17beta-estradiol and progesterone. STUDY DESIGN: Peritoneal fluid and serum samples were collected from 9 patients with severe OHSS after ovulation induction by administration of GnRH-analogues followed by hMG (n=5) or recombinant FSH (n=4). Patients (n=19) without pathological findings at laparoscopy served as non-pregnant controls and pregnant women (n=14) between 7 and 16 weeks of gestation served as positive controls. Samples were assayed for IL-10 by commercially available ELISA and for for 17beta-estradiol and progesterone by RIA. Statistical analysis was performed by non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test and results are presented as the median and range. RESULTS: OHSS patients had significantly higher peritoneal fluid IL-10, 17beta-estradiol and progesterone levels than patients during early pregnancy and than the control group. No correlation was found between peritoneal fluid or serum IL-10 and 17beta-estradiol or progesterone in the different groups. Serum 17beta-estradiol and progesterone, but not serum IL-10 levels were elevated in OHSS and during early pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: High concentrations of IL-10 in peritoneal fluid suggest a role of this anti-inflammatory cytokine during OHSS. 17beta-estradiol and prog




J Environ Qual. 2001 Nov-Dec;30(6):2070-6.
Persistence of estrogenic hormones in agricultural soils: I. 17Beta-estradiol and estrone.

Colucci MS, Bork H, Topp E.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch, London, ON.

The persistence and pathways of dissipation of 17beta-estradiol and estrone in soil were established in laboratory microcosm incubations. [4-14C]-17beta-Estradiol dissipation and mineralization rates were determined over a range of temperatures and moistures, and this compound was rapidly removed in soil conditions typical of a temperate growing season. 17beta-Estradiol was oxidized to estrone in both autoclaved and nonsterile loam, silt loam, and sandy loam soils, suggesting an abiological transformation. In contrast, estrone was stable in autoclaved soil, suggesting that its removal was microbially mediated. Both [4-14C]-17beta-estradiol and [4-14C]-estrone formed non-extractable residues, and soil-bound residues were only slowly mineralized, suggesting that their bioavailability was low. Determination of total estrogenicity in soil extracts by means of a recombinant yeast assay indicated that there were no other estrogenic compounds produced during 17beta-estradiol dissipation, and that total estrogenicity was rapidly dissipated below the detection limit. We suggest that environmental studies evaluating the movement and persistence of estrogenic hormones from animal wastes should include estrone in their analyses.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11790015&dopt=Abstract estradiol




J Environ Qual. 2001 Nov-Dec;30(6):2077-80.
Persistence of estrogenic hormones in agricultural soils: II. 17Alpha-ethynylestradiol.

Colucci MS, Topp E.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch, London, ON.

The persistence of 17alpha-ethynylestradiol in agricultural soil was established in laboratory microcosm studies. The hormone was rapidly dissipated in loam, sandy loam, and silt loam soils under a range of moisture and temperature conditions. Dissipation of 17alpha-ethynylestradiol correlated closely with removal of total estrogenicity determined with a recombinant yeast bioassay, indicating that extractable estrogenic transformation products did not accumulate. The stability of 17alpha-ethynylestradiol in sterile soil, decreased removal in the absence of oxygen, and the response of dissipation kinetics to variation in temperature and moisture suggested that the removal was microbially mediated. We conclude that 17alpha-ethynylestradiol is rapidly dissipated in agricultural soils under a range of conditions typical of a temperate growing season.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11790016&dopt=Abstract estradiol




J Neurol Sci. 2002 Jan 15;193(2):79-87.
Proestrus levels of estradiol during transient global cerebral ischemia improves the histological outcome of the hippocampal CA1 region: perfusion-dependent and-independent mechanisms.

He Z, He YJ, Day AL, Simpkins JW.

Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA.

We conducted this study to determine whether high physiological levels of estradiol (proestrus) could protect the hippocampal CA1 neurons following transient global ischemia. Ovariectomized or ovary-intact female rats were subjected to 20 min of ischemia and allowed to survive for 96 h. Estradiol was administered subcutaneously in a group of ovariectomized rats 24 h before ischemia induction. Ending serum estrogen levels were correlated to cerebral blood flow (CBF), histologic assessment and immunofluorescent caspase-3 active peptide (C-3AP) positive cell count. Estradiol administration significantly improved CBF in the hippocampus (compared with intact or ovariectomized rats) but not in the parietal cortex. No significant differences in CBF between intact or ovariectomized rats were noted. Estradiol administration maintained serum levels of the steroid in estradiol-treated rats-about 10 times that of intact animals and more than 20 times that of ovariectomized animals. Morphologically, live cell counts in estradiol-treated rats were significantly higher than in intact or ovariectomized rats. Live cell counts were also significantly higher in intact than ovariectomized rats. C-3AP positive cell counts were much higher in ovariectomized rats than in intact and estradiol-treated rats. In conclusion, proestrus levels of 17beta-estradiol protect hippocampal CA1 neurons against transient global ischemia, through mechanisms that appear to involve improvement of perfusion and inhibition of caspase-3 activity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11790387&dopt=Abstract estradiol




Physiol Behav. 2001 Nov-Dec;74(4-5):435-40.
Estrous cycle influences the response of female rats in the elevated plus-maze test.

Marcondes FK, Miguel KJ, Melo LL, Spadari-Bratfisch RC.

Departamento de Ciencias Fisiologicas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Av. Limeira, 901, CEP 13414-018, SP, Piracicaba, Brazil. fkleiop.unicamp.br

The aim of this study was to examine the state of anxiety and the 17beta-estradiol and progesterone levels in rats tested in the elevated plus-maze during the four phases of the estrous cycle. Male rats, female rats during each of the four phases of the estrous cycle, ovariectomized rats, and diestrus female rats treated with estradiol were tested in the elevated plus-maze between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Blood was collected from all rats for the determination of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone levels. Female rats in the proestrus group spent more time in the open arms than diestrus rats (P<.05). There were no significant differences in the percentage of entries into the open arms or in the number of entries into the closed arms among the phases of the estrous cycle or between males and normal or ovariectomized females. Serum estradiol levels were higher (P<.05) during proestrus compared to estrus, metestrus, and diestrus in control and plus-maze tested female rats, but there were no significant differences in progesterone levels. Treating diestrus female rats with estradiol to produce estradiol plasma concentrations similar to those seen during proestrus abolished the difference in the percentage of time spent in the open arms by proestrus and diestrus rats. Since the time spent in the open arms of the plus-maze is inversely related to anxiety, we conclude that the anxiety levels of female rats were lower in proestrus than during diestrus, and that the levels of estradiol modulate this response.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11790402&dopt=Abstract estradiol




Cytokine. 2001 Nov 21;16(4):126-30.
Effect of oestradiol on cytokine production in immortalized human marrow stromal cell lines.

Ramalho AC, Jullienne A, Couttet P, Graulet AM, Morieux C, de Vernejoul MC, Cohen-Solal ME.

INSERM U349, Centre Viggo Petersen and Laboratoire de Biologie Endocrinienne, Lariboisiere Hospital, Paris, France.

Oestrogen deficiency enhances bone osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Evidence of cooperation between stromal cells and osteoclast precursors in mice suggests that oestradiol acts by regulating cytokine release from stromal cells. Bone marrow stroma contains multipotent progenitors that give rise to many mesenchymal lineages, including osteoblasts that may regulate osteoclast differentiation. We immortalized and characterized six human bone marrow stromal cell lines (presence of Stro1, secretion of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, formation of lipid droplets, and presence of alpha and beta oestrogen receptors). The response of cytokines to oestradiol was then evaluated in vitro, as were the phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated cytokine levels. Cells had the characteristics of undifferentiated stromal cells (Stro1+, RANK-L+), and expressed alpha-oestrogen receptors. The osteoblast phenotype (amounts of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin) was weak and there was a poor capacity to differentiate into adipocytes. These cell lines did not respond to oestradiol by producing interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1 or tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) either constitutively or after stimulation with PMA. Moreover, RANK-L and osteoprotegerin expressions were not regulated by oestradiol in vitro. Thus, modulation of these cytokines by stromal cells do not appear to be the mechanism by which oestradiol regulates bone resorption in humans. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11792122&dopt=Abstract estradiol




J Urol. 2002 Feb;167(2 Pt 1):624-9.
Aromatase inhibitors for male infertility.

Raman JD, Schlegel PN.

Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urology Foundation, Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA.

PURPOSE: Testosterone-to-estradiol ratio levels in infertile men improve during treatment with the aromatase inhibitor, testolactone, and resulting changes in semen parameters. We evaluated the effect of anastrozole, a more selective aromatase inhibitor, on the hormonal and semen profiles of infertile men with abnormal baseline testosterone-to-estradiol ratios. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 140 subfertile men with abnormal testosterone-to-estradiol ratios were treated with 100 to 200 mg. testolactone daily or 1 mg. anastrozole daily. Changes in testosterone, estradiol, testosterone-to-estradiol ratios and semen parameters were evaluated during therapy. The effect of obesity, diagnosis of the Klinefelter syndrome, and presence of varicocele and/or history of varicocele repair on treatment results was studied. RESULTS: Men treated with testolactone had an increase in testosterone-to-estradiol ratios during therapy (mean plus or minus standard error of the mean 5.3 +/- 0.2 versus 12.4 +/- 1.1, p <0.001). This change was confirmed in subgroups of men with the Klinefelter syndrome, a history of varicocele repair and those with varicocele. A total of 12 oligospermic men had semen analysis before and during testolactone treatment with an increase in sperm concentration (5.5 versus 11.2 million sperm per ml., p <0.01), motility (14.7% versus 21.0%, p <0.05), morphology (6.5% versus 12.8%, p = 0.05), and motility index (606.3 versus 1685.2 million motile sperm per ejaculate, respectively, p <0.05) appreciated. During anastrozole treatment, similar changes in the testosterone-to-estradiol ratios were seen (7.2 +/- 0.3 versus 18.1 +/- 1.0, respectively, p <0.00




Gynecol Endocrinol. 2001 Aug;15(4):298-303.
Serum lipid peroxide levels and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Bednarek-Tupikowska G, Bohdanowicz-Pawlak A, Bidzinska B, Milewicz A, Antonowicz-Juchniewicz J, Andrzejak R.

Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, ul. Pasteura 4, Poland.

Free radical reactions are involved in processes connected with aging. Estradiol acts as antioxidant and free radical scavenger, but the mechanism of this action remains unknown. Estradiol has a hydroxyphenolic structure and may donate hydrogen atoms to lipid peroxyradicals to terminate chain reactions. There are a few reports concerning the influence of estradiol on natural antioxidant enzyme activity, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT). The aim of this study was to estimate the relationship between the levels of estradiol and lipid peroxide (LPO), a marker of membrane lipid peroxidation, and the correlation between estradiol and erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activity. The study included 13 premenopausal and 13 postmenopausal healthy women. Serum levels of estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LPO, and erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activity were estimated in all subjects. Premenopausal women revealed significantly higher estradiol levels and lower LPO concentrations, as well as significantly higher GSH-Px activity than the postmenopausal group. SOD activity did not differ between the two groups. There was a negative correlation between serum estradiol and LPO levels as well as a positive correlation between estradiol and GSH-Px activity. These results support the hypothesis that estradiol exerts its antioxidant action not only through its chemical structure but probably also through its influence on natural cellular antioxidant enzyme activity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11560104&dopt=Abstract estradiol




Gynecol Endocrinol. 2001 Aug;15(4):304-11.
Effects of hormone replacement therapy on endocrine and spirometric parameters in asthmatic postmenopausal women.

Kos-Kudla B, Ostrowska Z, Marek B, Ciesielska-Kopacz N, Kajdaniuk D, Kudla M.

Department of Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, Silesian Medical University, Pl. Traugutta 2 9A/8, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.

The aim of the study was to see if there are any correlations between changes in the endocrine system and clinical condition of asthmatic patients, in particular their lung function, caused by hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Fifty-five asthmatic and 20 healthy postmenopausal women (aged 48-60) were studied before HRT and after 6 months of cyclical transdermal 17 beta-estradiol and medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment. Serum estradiol, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations were assessed with the use of RIA, and spirometry parameters were measured. Statistically significant diminution of asthma exacerbations, reduced consumption of inhaled glucocorticosteroids and improvement in all investigated spirometry parameters was shown in patients treated with glucocorticosteroids during HRT. A reduction in mean 24-hour serum estradiol levels in asthmatic women was noted, whereas cortisol and DHEAS serum concentrations were decreased in asthmatic patients treated with glucocorticosteroids compared with the control group, before HRT. HRT produced increases in the concentrations of estradiol, cortisol and DHEAS in serum. Significant positive correlations were noted between estradiol concentrations and small and medium bronchi tests. In conclusion, HRT in postmenopausal asthmatic women has a favorable influence on the course of asthma, reduces daily use of glucocorticosteroids and frequency of asthma exacerbations and normalizes serum concentrations of estradiol, cortisol and DHEAS, which were decreased before HRT.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11560105&dopt=Abstract estradiol