title: Validation of two in vitro test systems for estrogenic activities with zearalenone, phytoestrogens and cereal extracts.
abstract: In order to establish alternatives to the frequently used uterotropic assay with mice, defined estrogen-sensitive cell lines (MCF-7 cells and LeC-9 cells) were used to determine the estrogenic activities of purified compounds of vegetable origin (myco- and phytoestrogens) and zearalenone-contaminated forage cereals (wheat, barley and oats). In MCF-7 cells, a human breast cancer cell line, the induction of an estrogen-specific exoprotein served as a parameter of estrogenic activities. LeC-9 cells represent a genetically transformed cell clone derived from mouse L-cells. Here, hormone-like activities were measured by the expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene under the control of an estrogen-responsive element. Toxic effects affecting cell viability were monitored in this system by the expression of a second reporter gene (the bacterial beta-galactosidase gene controlled by the constitutive human beta-actin promoter). Relative estrogenic activities of myco- and phytoestrogens determined with both systems are concomitant, but higher as compared to the uterotropic assay with mice.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Tierernährung, Universität Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mayr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butsch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004875:Ergosterol / Q000032:analysis; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis*; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones; D051379:Mice; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D014162:Transfection / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D015025:Zearalenone / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D015025:Zearalenone; D004875:Ergosterol