beta-Glucuronidase levels in patients with fibrocystic breast disease

Surgical Menopause and Estrogen Therapy Modulate the Gut Microbiota, Obesity Markers, and Spatial Memory in Rats

Menopause in human females and subsequent ovarian hormone deficiency, particularly concerning 17β-estradiol (E2), increase the risk for metabolic dysfunctions associated with obesity, diabetes type 2, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia. Several studies indicate that these disorders are also strongly associated with compositional changes in the intestinal microbiota; however, how E2 deficiency and hormone therapy affect the gut microbial community is not well understood. Using a rat model, we aimed to evaluate how ovariectomy (OVX) and subsequent E2 administration drive changes in metabolic health and the gut microbial community, as well as potential associations with learning and memory. Findings indicated that OVX-induced ovarian hormone deficiency and E2 treatment had significant impacts on several health-affecting parameters, including (a) the abundance of some intestinal bacterial taxa (e.g., Bifidobacteriaceae and Porphyromonadaceae), (b) the abundance of microbial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (e.g., isobutyrate), (c) weight/BMI, and (d) high-demand spatial working memory following surgical menopause. Furthermore, exploratory correlations among intestinal bacteria abundance, cognition, and BMI underscored the putative influence of surgical menopause and E2 administration on gut-brain interactions. Collectively, this study showed that surgical menopause is associated with physiological and behavioral changes, and that E2-linked compositional changes in the intestinal microbiota might contribute to some of its related negative health consequences. Overall, this study provides novel insights into interactions among endocrine and gastrointestinal systems in the post-menopausal life stage that collectively alter the risk for the development and progression of cardiovascular, metabolic, and dementia-related diseases.

Synthesis of an estradiol glucuronide derivative and investigation of its radiopharmaceutical potential

The aim of the current study was to synthesize a derivative of estradiol glucuronide, which is able to be labeled with 99mTc and to investigate its radiopharmaceutical potential using imaging and biodistribution studies. An estrogen derivative, beta-estradiol (1,3,5,[10]-estratriene-3,17beta-diol) attached to diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) was synthesized in six steps. At the end of these steps a compound of estradiol and DTPA derivative called deoxy demethyl homoestradiolyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (ESTDTPA) was synthesized. Afterwards, this compound was reacted with UDP-glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT). Following the glucuronidation reaction, the product called deoxy demethyl homoestradiolyl diethylenetriamine pentaaceticacid-glucuronide (ESTDTPAG) was obtained. Synthesized products were purified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The identification of the purified products and impurities were also established using HPLC. Synthesized compound was labeled with 99mTc. Thin layer radio chromatography (TLRC) technique was used to determine their radiochemical yields and stabilities. Labeling yield was over 96%. The biodistribution studies were performed on female Albino Wistar rats. The activity per gram tissue was calculated and time-activity curves were plotted. The target organs (tumor, as well as uterus, ovaries, adrenals and other ER containing tissues) retain the estradiol derivative longer than nontarget organs, but even these lost most of their activity within a few hours. In addition, the imaging studies were performed on normal and tumor bearing female Albino Wistar rats using Camstar XR/T gamma camera. In gamma-scintigraphic imaging studies with 99mTc-ESTDTPAG the breast tumors could be well visualized up to 24 h.

Human gross cyst breast disease and cystic fluid: bio-molecular, morphological, and clinical studies

For more than one and a half century the cystic disease of the breast has been recognized as the most frequent female benign breast lesion. Although some conundrums and controversies exist about the relation between gross cysts and breast cancer, recent evidence suggests that the multidisciplinary study of gross cystic breast disease (GCBD) may be a powerful tool for predicting the natural history of the multifaceted gross cyst pathology. A lot of papers have been published on breast cyst fluids (BCF) concerning biochemical, hormonal and morphological aspects, demonstrating that the intracystic fluid contains a wide variety of components (such as ions, lipids, proteins, enzymes, growth factors and antigens) and suggesting that their profile provides additional knowledge on both physiopathology and etiologic pathways of human gross cystic breast disease. The aim of this overview is the critical evaluation of all data accumulated in the last thirty years, in order to highlight the utility of biochemical and epidemiological studies to identify gross cysts, if any, at higher breast cancer risk.

Potential use of D-glucaric acid derivatives in cancer prevention

There is now growing evidence from animal models for the possible control of different stages of the carcinogenic process by the beta-glucuronidase inhibitor D-glucaro-1,4-lactone and its precursors such as D-glucaric acid salts, D-glucarates. D-Glucaric acid is a natural, non-toxic compound produced in small amounts by mammals, including humans. It was recently found in some vegetables and fruits. D-Glucaro-1,4-lactone and D-glucarate exhibit potent antiproliferative properties in vivo. Some human subpopulations could have reduced risk of cancer development by ingesting food rich in D-glucaric acid or self-medication with D-glucarates alone or in combination with other chemopreventive agents.

Antiproliferative effect of dietary glucarate on the Sprague-Dawley rat mammary gland

Dietary glucarate has previously been shown to inhibit chemical carcinogen-induced rat mammary tumorigenesis. It is demonstrated in this paper that in the mammary gland of the female Sprague-Dawley rat, feeding glucarate at a dose of 70 mmol/kg AIN76A diet for 2 weeks beginning at 35 days of age, markedly reduces [3H]thymidine labeling. Specific histochemical staining for beta-glucuronidase is used to show that the glucarate diet fed to rats for 2-4 weeks inhibits beta-glucuronidase activity in the mammary gland and has a marked antiproliferative effect on mammary epithelium. Glucarate may inhibit rat mammary carcinogenesis, in part, by changing the proliferative status of the target organ.