• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.251-259
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• 2016

Background: Estrogen signaling pathways are modulated by exogenous factors. Panax ginseng exerts multiple activities in biological systems and is classified as an adaptogen. Zearalenol is a potent mycoestrogen that may be present in herbs and crops arising from contamination or endophytic association. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of P. ginseng, zearalenol and estradiol in tests on spermatozoal function. Methods: The affinity of these compounds for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and beta ($ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$)-was assessed in receptor binding assays. Functional tests on boar spermatozoa motility, movement and kinematic parameters were conducted using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Tests for capacitation, acrosome reaction (AR), and chromatin decondensation in spermatozoa were performed using microscopic analysis. Results: Zearalenol-but not estradiol ($E_2$)- or ginseng-treated spermatozoa-decreased the percentage of overall, progressive, and rapid motile cells. Zearalenol also decreased spontaneous AR and increased chromatin decondensation. Ginseng decreased chromatin decondensation in response to calcium ionophore and decreased AR in response to progesterone ($P_4$) and ionophore. Conclusion: Zearalenol has adverse effects on sperm motility and function by targeting multiple signaling cascades, including $P_4$, $E_2$, and calcium pathways. Ginseng protects against chromatin damage and thus may be beneficial to reproductive fitness.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.474-481
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• 2022

Objective: In this study, we investigated sex- and region-specific effects of acute trimethyltin (TMT) exposure on mitochondrial biogenesis. Methods: We treated TMT to primary neuronal cultures and 4-week-old male and female mice. We measured the mitochondrial DNA copy numbers using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. We also measured mitochondrial biogenesis related genes (sirtuin-1, estrogen-related receptor alpha, cytochrome C oxidase subunit IV) by western blotting. Results: The mitochondrial DNA copy number increased in the primary hippocampal neuron; however, it decreased in the primary cortical neuron. The mitochondrial copy number increased in the hippocampus and decreased in the cortex in the TMT treated female mice, though the mitochondrial copy number increased in both cortex and hippocampus in the TMT treated male mice. TMT treatment increased sirtuin-1 expression in the male hippocampus but did not in the female brain. In the female brain, estrogen-related receptor alpha expression decreased in the cortex though there is no significant change in the male brain. The protein level of mitochondrial protein, cytochrome C oxidase subunit IV, increased in both cortex and hippocampus after TMT injection in male mice brain, but not in female mice brain. Conclusion: Our data suggest that acute TMT exposure induces distinct sex-specific metabolic characteristics in the brain before significant sexual maturation.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2008

Estrogens, a group of steroid compounds functioning as the primary female sex hormone, play an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer. In this study, using a novel annealing control primer-based GeneFishing PCR technology, five differentially expressed genes (DEGs), expressed using 10nM mitogenic estrogens, $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) and $16{\alpha}$-hydroxyestrone ($16{\alpha}$-OHE1), were selected from the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. The DEGs, MRPL42, TUBA1B, SSBP1, KNCT2, and RUVBL1, were identified by comparison with the known genes via direct sequencing and sequence homology search in BLAST. Quantitative real-time PCR data showed that two DEGs, tubulin ${\alpha}1b$ and kinetochore associated 2, were greater than 2-fold upregulated by E2 or $16{\alpha}$-OHE1. Both genes could be new biomarkers for the treatment and prognosis of cancers, and further study may provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying development and progression of breast cancer.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.228-235
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• 2008

This study was conducted to evaluate the estrogen activity of silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupa extracts and their fractions. Powdered samples of freeze-dried silkworm pupa were extracted at room temperature (RT), $40^{\circ}C$, $60^{\circ}C$, $80^{\circ}C$, and $100^{\circ}C$ in water (D.W), chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol for 6h and then filtered (0.45 um). The extracts were then freeze-dried. The estrogenic activity of these extracts was then investigated by competition binding assays using estrogen receptor ${\alpha}\;(ER{\alpha})$ and $ER{\beta}$, and by evaluating their effects on the proliferation of the human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Among the extracts evaluated, water extracts prepared at RT showed the highest binding affinity to $ER{\alpha}$ ($IC_{50}$, 1.76 ug/ml) and $ER{\beta}$ ($IC_{50}$, 0.07 ug/ml). In addition, MCF-7 cells that were treated with 62.5 ug/ml of the RT extract showed the greatest increase in proliferation (2-fold; 1291.79%) when compared to control cells (659.82%). Next, the water extract that was prepared at RT (sample 1) was dissolved in D.W. and further fractionated using a Dowex 50W - 8X ($H^+$) column. The flow-through and wash were then pooled together and freeze-dried (sample 2). The bound materials were then eluted with 20 mM NaCl, after which they were applied to a Dowex 1X2 - 200 ($Cl^-$) column and washed with D.W. to remove the sodium ions. The eluants were then freeze-dried (sample 3). Of these fractions, sample 2 showed the highest binding affinity to ER{\alpha} ($IC_{50}$, 1.44 ug/ml) and $ER{\beta}$ ($IC_{50}$, 1.18 ug/ml). In addition, MCF-7 cells that were treated with sample 2 (15.6 ug/ml) showed the largest increase in growth (1159.39%) when compared to control cells (525.26%). Taken together, these results suggest that the fraction of the RT water extract of silkworm pupa referred to as sample 2 may be useful as a phytoestrogen.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6743-6749
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• 2013

Molecular epidemiological studies have shown that gene polymorphisms of estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR-${\alpha}$) are associated with breast cancer risk. However, previous results from many molecular studies have been inconsistent. In this study, we examined two polymorphisms (PvuII and XbaI RFLPs) of the ESR-${\alpha}$ gene in 542 breast cancer cases and 1,016 controls from China. Associations between the polymorphisms and breast cancer risk were calculated with an unconditional logistic regression model. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotypes were analyzed with the SHEsis software. In addition, we also performed a systematic meta-analysis of 24 published studies evaluating the association. No significant associations were found between the PvuII polymorphism and breast cancer risk. However, a significantly decreased risk of breast cancer was observed among carriers of the XbaI 'G' allele (age-adjusted OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.66- 0.97) compared with carriers of the 'A' allele. Haplotype analysis showed significantly decreased cancer risk for carriers of the 'CG' haplotype (OR = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.66- 0.96). In the systematic meta-analysis, the XbaI 'G' allele was associated with an overall significantly decreased risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.82- 1.00). In addition, the PvuII 'C' allele showed a 0.96- fold decreased disease risk (95% CI = 0.92- 0.99). In subgroup analysis, an association between the PvuII 'C' and XbaI 'G' alleles and breast cancer risk was significant in Asians ('C' vs. 'T': OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.85- 1.00; 'G' vs. 'A': OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.68- 0.98), but not in Euro-Americans. Thus, our results provide evidence that ESR-${\alpha}$ polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to breast cancer. These associations may largely depend on population characteristics and geographic location.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.451-457
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• 2012

One decade early onset of the breast cancer in Iranian females was reported but the basis of the observed difference has remained unclear and difference in gene silencing by epigenetic processes is suggested. Hence, this study was sought to map the methylation status of estrogen receptor (ER) gene CpG islands and its impact on clinicopathological factors of triple negative and non-triple negative ductal cell carcinoma of the breast in Iranian females. Surgically resected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast tissues from sixty Iranian women with confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma were assessed by methylation-specific PCR using primer sets encompassing some of the 29 CpGs across the ER gene CpG island. The estrogen and progesterone receptors, Her-$2^+$ overexpression, and nuclear accumulation of P53 were examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Methylated ER3, ER4, and ER5 were found in 41.7, 11.3, and 43.3% of the samples, respectively. Significantly higher methylation of ER4 was found in the tumors with nuclear accumulation of P53, and significantly higher methylation of ER5 was found in patients with lymph node involvement and tumor with bigger size or higher grades. Furthermore, significantly higher rate of ER5 methylation was found in patients with Her-$2^+$ tumors and in postmenopausal patients with $ER^-$, $PgR^-$, or $ER^-/PgR^-$ tumors. However, no significant difference in ERs methylation status was found between triple negative and non-triple negative tumors in pre- and postmenopausal patients. Findings revealed that aberrant hypermethylation of the ER-alpha gene frequently occurs in Iranian women with invasive ductal cell carcinoma of the breast. However, methylation of different CpG islands produced a diverse impact on the prognosis of breast cancer, and ER5 was found to be the most frequently methylated region in the Iranian women, and could serve as a marker of poor prognosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6761-6767
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• 2013

The nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$), is expressed in various cancer cells including breast, prostate, colorectal and cervical examples. An endogenous ligand of $PPAR{\gamma}$, 15-deoxy-${\Delta}^{12,14}$ prostaglandin $J_2$ (PGJ2), is emerging as a potent anticancer agent but the exact mechanism has not been fully elucidated, especially in breast cancer. The present study compared the anticancer effects of PGJ2 on estrogen receptor alpha ($ER{\alpha}$)-positive (MCF-7) and $ER{\alpha}$-negative (MDA-MB-231) human breast cancer cells. Based on the reported signalling cross-talk between $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\alpha}$, the effect of the $ER{\alpha}$ ligand, $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) on the anticancer activities of PGJ2 in both types of cells was also explored. Here we report that PGJ2 inhibited proliferation of both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells by inducing apoptotic cell death with active involvement of mitochondria. The presence of E2 potentiated PGJ2-induced apoptosis in MCF-7, but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. The $ER{\alpha}$ antagonist, GW9662, failed to block PGJ2-induced activities but potentiated its effects in MCF-7 cells, instead. Interestingly, GW9662 also proved capable of inducing apoptotic cell death. It can be concluded that E2 enhances $ER{\alpha}$-independent anticancer effects of PGJ2 in the presence of its receptor.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.905-911
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• 2001

Phytoestrogens, especially soy-derived isoflavones, are receiving great scrutiny as a food supplement for preventing hormone dependent diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and osteoporosis. These beneficial effects of phytoestrogens are caused by functioning as partial agonists or antagonists of estrogens. In contrast to the common usage of soy bean, Yak-kong(Rhynchosia Molubilis ; ) has been used as supplements of estrogen fir preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis in Oriental medicine. To investigate estrogenic effects of Yak-kong and soy bean on the proliferation of MG-63 osteoblastic cells, each bean was extracted with 70% methanol and dried by freeze-drying. Yak-kong treatment of MG-63 cells resulted in an increase of cell proliferation to a maximum of 76% compared to 68% of soy bean treatment. Treatment of MG-63 cells with Yak-kong extract also resulted in an increase of transactivation of an ERE(estrogen response element)-luciferase reporter plasmid and IGF-I expression selectively. Despite increased effects of both bean treatments on the expression of estrogen receptor $\alpha$(ER$\alpha$) and $\beta$(ER$\beta$), soy bean treatment decreased transactivation of an ERE-luciferase reporter plasmid and did not further enhance IGF-I expression. Together, our data demonstrates that the greater estrogenic response of Yak-kong extract for MG-63 cell proliferation is mediated by ER derived transactivation of ERE and selective induction of IGF-I expression.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.403-409
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• 2000

Objectives: Due to the heterogeneous receptor distribution and changes of receptor status over time, the biochemical measurement of estrogen receptor status of biopsy specimens is not sufficient to diagnose breast cancer. As a result, I-123 labeled estradiols have been applied for the diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to develop a suitable radioligand for imaging estrogen receptor-positive human breast tumors. Methods: Among the various estradiol derivatives, $17{\alpha}-[^{123}I]$iodovinyl estradiol ($[^{123}I]$IVE) has been prepared from $17{\alpha}$-ethynyl estradiol. Labeling of $E-17{\alpha}-[^{123}I]$iodovinyl estradiol (E-$[^{123}I]$IVE) was carried out using peracetic acid with $[^{123}I]NaI\;and\;Z-[^{123}I]IVE$ labelling was archived using chloamine-T/HCl solution with $[^{123}I]$NaI. Labeling yield was determined by silica thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and radiochemical purity was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The biodistribution of E-$[^{123}I]$IVE was measured in immature female rats at 60 min, 120 min and 300 min after injection. Results: The labeling yield of two isomers was 92% and 94% ($E-[^{123}I]IVE\;and\;Z-[^{123}I]IVE$, respectively). The radiochemical purity was more than 98% after purification. The highest uptake was observed at 120 min in uterus (3.11% ID/g for E-$[^{123}I]$IVE). Conclusion: These results suggest the possibility of using E-$[^{123}I]$IVE as an imaging agent for the evaluation of the evaluation of the presence of estrogen receptor in patients with breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3223-3228
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• 2016

Reports indicate that 15-deoxy-delta-12,14-prostaglandin-J2 (15d-PGJ2) has anticancer activities, but its mechanisms of action have yet to be fully elucidated. We therefore investigated the effects of 15d-PGJ2 on the human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 (estrogen receptor $ER{\alpha}+/ER{\beta}+$) and MDA-MB-231 ($ER{\alpha}-/ER{\beta}+$). Cellular proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays while apoptosis was determined by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry using annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) staining. ER expression was determined by Western blotting. Intracellular calcium was stained with Fluo-4 AM while intracellular caspase activities were detected with Caspase-$FLICA(R)$ and measured by flow cytometry. We showed that 15d-PGJ2 caused a significant increase in apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. $ER{\alpha}$ protein expression was reduced in treated MCF-7 cells but pre-incubation with the $ER{\alpha}$ inhibitor' ICI 182 780' did not affect the percentage of apoptotic cells. The expression of $ER{\beta}$ was unchanged in both cell lines. In addition, 15d-PGJ2 increased intracellular calcium ($Ca^{2+}$) staining and caspase 8, 9 and 3/7 activities. We therefore conclude that 15d-PGJ2 induces caspase-dependent apoptosis that is associated with an influx of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ with no involvement of ER signaling.