[Effects of phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol on normal human breast].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol (alpha-ZAL) on normal human breast.


METHODS
Ten specimens of normal human breast tissues were subcutaneously implanted into 30 athymic nude mice aged 9-10 weeks, one for 3 mice. These mice were then randomly divided into three groups: control group (without hormone treatment, n = 10), 1 mg/kg alpha-ZAL group (n = 10), and 5 mg/kg alpha-ZAL group (n = 10). All breast tissues were taken out 6 weeks later. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), inhibiting apoptosis gene Bcl-2, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) mRNA and bridging integrator protein-1 (BIN1) mRNA. Morphological features of grafts before and after treatment were also observed.


RESULTS
Alpha-ZAL had no significant effects on Bcl-2, PCNA, ER, and PR expression of mammary epithelial cells in graft specimens. Alpha-ZAL upregulated BIN1 mRNA expression in grafts, but had no significant effect on ESTmRNA expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Alpha-ZAL does not affect the morphology, proliferating, and apoptosis of epithelial cells in normal human breast tissues implanted into nude mice, but it may increase the gene expression of tumor-inhibiting BIN1, suggesting that alpha-ZAL may have potential proteotive effect on normal human breast.
Deng
Wen-hui
WH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Hospital, Beijing 100730, China. dengwenhui@hotmail.com
Wu
Yi-yong
YY
Duan
Jin-hong
JH
Yang
Li
L
Wang
Shu
S
Dai
Shun-ling
SL
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001940:Breast / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D011897:Random Allocation; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D015029:Zeranol / Q000494:pharmacology*
D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D015029:Zeranol