title: Effects of phytoestrogen extracts isolated from flax on hormone production of trophoblast tumour cells Jeg 3 and BeWo.
abstract: AIM AND SETTING: To test the effects of crude extracts from flax (Linum usitatissimum) on progesterone and estradiol and ERα and β/PR production in choriocarcinoma cell lines Jeg 3 and BeWo. Tumor trophoblast cells (Jeg 3 and BeWo) were incubated in the presence of different concentrations of the flax crude extracts. Estradiol and progesterone production was measured. Estrogen receptor α and β as well as progesterone receptor expressions were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Jeg 3 cells, progesterone production was downregulated by flax root and leaves extract, while in BeWo cells only flax root extract did manage to downregulate progesterone production. ERβ expression was significantly downregulated by flax root and flax leaves extract in both cell lines; on the contrary, ERα expression was increased by flax leaves extract in BeWo cells. PR expression was downregulated by flax leaves extract in Jeg 3 and by flax root extract in BeWo cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Flax extracts derived from leaves and especially from roots can modify progesterone and possibly estradiol production, while at the same time they seem to alter ERβ expression. Further studies on animal models and adequately designed retrospective epidemiological studies are imperative to clarify this role upon progesterone.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
authors: D U
authors: DU
authors: Richter
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Abarzua
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Chrobak
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Piechulla
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Vrekoussis
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Makrigiannakis
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Scholz
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Kuhn
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Schulze
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Kupka
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Friese
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Jeschke
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax; D006801:Humans; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol