Endocrine parameters and alpha-tocopherol therapy of patients with mammary dysplasia.
Patients with mammary dysplasia (17 patients) and controls (6 patients) were treated in a double-blind study with alpha-tocopherol acetate (600 units/day). Determination of serum alpha-tocopherol, estradiol, estriol., and progesterone were made from blood samples collected on Day 21 of the menstrual cycle before and during therapy. Eight-eight % of patients showed clinical response to therapy. Serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations rose after therapy in patients and controls. Serum estradiol and progesterone concentration were not statistically different in patients or controls after therapy, although patients showed a trend toward increased serum progesterone concentration. However, the ratio of progesterone to estradiol, which is abnormal in mammary dysplasia patients, rose from 30 +/- 7 (S.E.) to 53 +/- 11 in patients after alpha-tocopherol therapy (p less than 0.05). Control patients showed no significant change in progesterone/estradiol ratio. Results of this study indicate that alpha-tocopherol therapy may correct an abnormal progesterone/estradiol ratio in patients with mammary dysplasia, with implications on reducing future risk for malignant breast disease.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004964:Estriol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000188:drug therapy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014810:Vitamin E; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D004964:Estriol