title: Effects of phytoestrogen extracts isolated from flax on estradiol production and ER/PR expression in MCF7 breast cancer cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we tested the effects of crude extracts from flax (Linum usitatissimum) on the production of estradiol and expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in human breast cancer MCF7 cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Isoflavone and lignan extracts from flax plant Linum usitatissimum were obtained, using different extraction methods. Breast carcinoma cells (MCF7) were incubated with various concentrations of the isolated extracts. Untreated MCF7 cells were used as controls. Supernatants were removed at designated times and tested for estradiol with an ELISA method. Furthermore, the effect of phytoestrogen extracts on the production of ERa and ERbeta as well as on PR was examined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Production of estradiol is elevated in MCF7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner after stimulation with isoflavone and lignan extracts from Linum usitatissimum. Expression of ERalpha is up-regulated after stimulation with lower concentrations of lignan extracts from flax plants, unchanged at median concentrations and down-regulated at high concentrations. Expression of ERbeta is down-regulated in a concentration-dependent manner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: D-U
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abarzua
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chrobak
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulze
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kupka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friese
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Briese
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Piechulla
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jeschke
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D017705:Lignans / Q000737:chemistry; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017705:Lignans; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol