title: Estrogenic and progestagenic activities of physiologic and synthetic androgens, as measured by in vitro bioassays.
abstract: Estrogenic activities of testosterone (T) and 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were detected and measured by using their specific stimulatory effects on alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells of the Ishikawa Var-1 line. These two physiologic androgens were able to induce, at microM concentrations, estrogenic effect believed to be mediated by the estrogen receptor (ER) since the antiestrogens ICI-164384 and 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHTam), but not the antiandrogens hydroxyflutamide (OHFl) or cyproterone acetate (CPA), reversed that effect. By using another in vitro bioassay, based on the progestin-specific stimulation of AP activity in cells of the T47D human breast cancer line, progestagenic activity was detected and measured in T, DHT and three synthetic androgens: nandrolone (19-nortestosterone). 7 alpha-methyl 19-nortestosterone (MENT) and mibolerone (7 alpha, 17 alpha-dimethyl 19-nortestosterone) (DMNT). While progestagenic effects of T and DHT required relatively high concentrations (microM levels), the synthetic androgens stimulated AP activity at nM or pM levels. These effects seem to be mediated by the progesterone receptor (PR), since they are completely abolished by the antiprogestins RU-486, ZK-98299 and ZK-112993, but not by the antiandrogen OHFl. These simple in vitro bioassays, expressing biological effects of the test compounds in human cells in culture, revealed dual or multiple hormonal activities coexisting in a single compound and provide quantitative information of considerable pharmacological importance concerning the complex actions of drugs.
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai School of Medicine (CUNY), Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, NY, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Markiewicz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gurpide
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005485:Flutamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D006067:Gonanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D011372:Progestins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D045165:Testosterone Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D006067:Gonanes; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D011372:Progestins; D045165:Testosterone Congeners; D013629:Tamoxifen; C016601:afimoxifene; C064879:ZK 112993; C014290:hydroxyflutamide; D015735:Mifepristone; D013739:Testosterone; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D004958:Estradiol; D005485:Flutamide; C051781:ICI 164384; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; C053238:onapristone