Induction of estradiol synthesis by probucol in the adenocarcinoma cells of an ovarian clear cell tumor.
BACKGROUND
Clear cell tumor of Müllerian organs have characteristic intracellular structures with numerous small mitochondria, free ribosomes, lamellae of granular endoplasmic reticulum and intracytoplasmic glycogen granules, but synthesize no estrogens under ordinary conditions.


METHODS
Cells from an ovarian clear cell tumor cultured with 10 micrograms/ml of the antioxidant probucol released more estradiol into the medium than cells cultured without probucol. Immunocytological analysis revealed the predominance of estradiol in the adenocarcinoma cells cultured with probucol.


RESULTS
There was no difference in the distribution of low-density lipoprotein receptors in adenocarcinoma cells according to whether they had been cultured with or without probucol. Cytochemical analysis showed that hydroxylation of estrone was accelerated in the adenocarcinoma cells cultured with probucol as compared to the cells cultured without probucol.


CONCLUSIONS
Probucol is thought to have an unknown function in the acceleration of hydroxylation of steroids in some types of cells with estrogen-producing potential.
Honda
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Medical School, Japan.
Ishiko
O
O
Wakasa
K
K
Sumi
T
T
Kawamura
N
N
Ogita
S
S
D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004970:Estrone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011341:Probucol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D004970:Estrone; D004958:Estradiol; D011341:Probucol