title: Biochanin A affects steroidogenesis and estrogen receptor-β expression in porcine granulosa cells.
abstract: Biochanin A, similar to other isoflavones, is present in soy and soy-based food, but predominantly in red clover. Red clover extract and biochanin A were reported to affect reproductive processes as well as to demonstrate menopause relief and anticancerogenic properties. Because porcine granulosa cells provide a suitable in vitro model for studying the intracellular mechanism of phytoestrogen action in the ovary, the objective of the study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of biochanin A on the following: (1) progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) secretion by granulosa cells, (2) viability of the granulosa cells, and (3) mRNA and protein expression of estrogen receptors α (ERα) and β (ERβ) in the granulosa cells harvested from both medium (3-6 mm) and large (≥8 mm) porcine ovarian follicles. RIA, alamarBlue assay, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and immunocytochemistry were used in the study to address the objectives. Biochanin A significantly inhibited P4 and did not affect E2 secretion by porcine granulosa cells regardless of the size of follicles that served as the source of the cells. Cell viability was not affected by the treatment. Biochanin A did not alter ERα and ERβ mRNA levels in the cultured porcine granulosa cells. In contrast, this isoflavone increased (P < 0.05) the immunoexpression of ERβ in the cells from both follicle types. In summary, biochanin A, similar to genistein and daidzein, affects follicular steroidogenesis and ER expression. Its effect on ERβ protein was more intense compared with other previously examined phytoestrogens.
authors: Department of Animal Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland; Research and Education Center, Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: anna.nynca@uwm.edu.pl.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Nynca
authors: Sylwia
authors: S
authors: Swigonska
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Piasecka
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Kolomycka
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Kaminska
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Radziewicz-Pigiel
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Gut-Nagel
authors: Renata E
authors: RE
authors: Ciereszko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D034421:Sus scrofa; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019833:Genistein; C004541:biochanin A
keywords: Biochanin A; Estrogen receptors; Granulosa cells; Phytoestrogens; Steroidogenesis