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Komane M, Avenant C, Louw-du Toit R, Africander DJ, Hapgood JP. Differential off-target glucocorticoid activity of progestins used in endocrine therapy. Steroids 2022; 182:108998. [PMID: 35271867 PMCID: PMC9081821 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2022.108998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) regulates transcription of genes involved in multiple processes. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), widely used in the injectable contraceptive Depo-MPA (DMPA), has off-target effects via the GR, which may result in side-effects in endocrine therapy. However, very little is known about the GR activity of other progestins used in endocrine therapy. This study compared GR activities for several progestins, using whole cell binding, dose-response, and GR phosphorylation assays, in both a cell line model and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). MPA, etonogestrel (ETG) and nestorone (NES) exhibit greater relative binding affinities for the GR than levonorgestrel (LNG) and norethisterone/norethindrone (NET) and are partial GR agonists for transactivation but agonists for transrepression on synthetic promoters in COS-1 cells. MPA is a potent agonist for endogenous GR-regulated GILZ and IL6 genes in PBMCs. While ETG and NES also display agonist activity on IL6, they have little effect on GILZ. In contrast, LNG and NET exhibit little to no activity in transactivation models, while both exhibit some transrepressive activity but are generally less potent and/or efficacious than MPA. Antagonist and phosphorylation assays confirmed that MPA and NES act via the GR on endogenous genes in PBMCs. Our results suggest GR-mediated dose-dependent and gene-specific transcriptional side-effects are likely to occur at physiologically relevant concentrations in vivo for MPA, may possibly occur selectively for ETG and NES, but are unlikely to occur for LNG and NET. This suggests that these progestins will exhibit differential side-effects in endocrine therapy via the GR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maleshigo Komane
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Chanel Avenant
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Renate Louw-du Toit
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - Donita J Africander
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - Janet P Hapgood
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.
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Mastorakos G, Iatrakis G, Zervoudis S, Syropoulou S. Progestins and the Risk of Breast Cancer. ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUCHAREST, ROMANIA : 2005) 2021; 17:90-100. [PMID: 34539915 DOI: 10.4183/aeb.2021.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The present paper aims to investigate the effects of both progesterone and progestin treatment mainly related to the occurrence of breast cancer in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS Extensive systematic bibliographic review of Greek and International articles was conducted through the electronic databases Pubmed, Cinahl, Uptodate, and Google Scholar for the identification of articles related to progesterone, progestins and breast cancer treatment. RESULTS Hormone therapy with the use of estrogen alone presents a small increased risk or does not present at all an increased risk of breast cancer. With ORs in some studies below 1.0 in current users for 3 plus years and safe option until 7 years, while in other studies the risk was increased with the ORs 1.29. However, the use of estrogen in combination with progestogens, depending on the type of progestogens, shows an increased risk of breast cancer, with the ORs to vary between 1.14- 2.38 from 3 to 5 years and is inversely proportional to the time of its use. This risk varies depending on the combination of the preparations. Other factors that are associated with breast cancer risk when receiving hormone therapy are the years that hormone therapy is taken, directly proportional to the risk. At higher risk are older women, women with low body mass index in menopause (BMI <25kg/m2) and women with increased mammographic breast density. Continued use of hormone therapy is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer compared to sequential. The risk became visible sooner to women who used in the past hormone therapy and were using it again. Starting hormone therapy in the immediate postmenopausal period also increased the risk for breast cancer. Hormone therapy was associated with tumors with positive estrogen and progesterone receptors, and also the lobular histological type was associated with its use. Tibolone use was associated with an increased risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - G Iatrakis
- Rea Hospital.,University West Attica of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - S Zervoudis
- Rea Hospital.,University West Attica of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - S Syropoulou
- University Kapodistrian.,Evaggelismos Hospital, Paphos, Cyprus
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Stevenson JC, Rozenberg S, Maffei S, Egarter C, Stute P, Römer T. Progestogens as a component of menopausal hormone therapy: the right molecule makes the difference. Drugs Context 2020; 9:dic-2020-10-1. [PMID: 33312219 PMCID: PMC7716720 DOI: 10.7573/dic.2020-10-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimizing menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) requires an awareness of the benefits and risks associated with the available treatments. This narrative review, which is based on the proceedings of an Advisory Board meeting and supplemented by relevant articles identified in literature searches, examines the role of progestogens in MHT, with the aim of providing practical recommendations for prescribing physicians. Progestogens are an essential component of MHT in menopausal women with a uterus to prevent endometrial hyperplasia and reduce the risk of cancer associated with using unopposed estrogen. Progestogens include natural progesterone, dydrogesterone (a stereoisomer of progesterone), and a range of synthetic compounds. Structural differences and varying affinities for other steroid receptors (androgen, glucocorticoid, and mineralocorticoid) confer a unique biological and clinical profile to each progestogen that must be considered during treatment selection. MHT, including the progestogen component, should be tailored to each woman, starting with an estrogen and a progestogen that has the safest profile with respect to breast cancer and cardiovascular effects, while addressing patient-specific needs, risk factors, and treatment goals. Micronized progesterone and dydrogesterone appear to be the safest options, with lower associated cardiovascular, thromboembolic, and breast cancer risks compared with other progestogens, and are the first-choice options for use in ‘special situations,’ such as in women with high-density breast tissue, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and risk factors for venous thromboembolism, among others.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Stevenson
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
| | - Serge Rozenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHU St Pierre, Laboratoire de santé génésique Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Silvia Maffei
- Cardiovascular Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Cardiovascular Endocrinology and Metabolism Department, Italian National Research Council - Regione Toscana 'G. Monasterio Foundation', Pisa, Italy
| | - Christian Egarter
- Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Stute
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Women's Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Römer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Evangelisches Klinikum Weyertal gGmbH, Academic Hospital, University of Cologne, Germany
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Farahmand M, Ramezani Tehrani F, Khalili D, Cheraghi L, Bahri Khomami M, Azizi F. Association between duration of endogenous estrogen exposure and cardiovascular outcomes: A population - based cohort study. Life Sci 2019; 221:335-340. [PMID: 30763578 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Duration of endogenous estrogen exposure is apparently associated with risk of cardiovascular disease, the longer durations being more cardiovascular disease protective in women. We aimed to investigate the association of cumulative duration of endogenous estrogen exposure over women's reproductive lifespans with cardiovascular disease outcomes. MAIN METHODS For the purpose of the present study, of 10,192 female participants, after excluding those using HRT (n = 84), 3656 women, aged ≥30 years, who met eligibility criteria were selected and divided into three groups based on tertiles (T1, T2, T3) of exposure durations to endogenous estrogen. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate associations between exposure durations and cardiovascular disease outcomes. KEY FINDINGS Cardiovascular events occurred in 352 participants over a median follow-up of 14.2 (13.5, 14.6) years (7.7 per 1000 person years; 95% CI: 6.9-8.5). Incidence of outcome was 10.9 per 1000 person years (CI, 9.4-12.8) in T1, 7.2 per 1000 person years (CI, 6.0-8.7) in T2, and 5.1 per 1000 person years (CI, 4.1-6.4) in T3. The hazard ratio of cardiovascular events in T1 was significantly higher than that inT3, before and after adjustment for confounding variables. Before adjustment, women in T2 had a 40% higher risk of CVD, compared to T3; after adjustment however the risk was similar to that of women in T3. SIGNIFICANCE Shorter durations of exposure to endogenous estrogen may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases among these women later in life. Future studies should target women with short duration of exposure for timely screening and implementation of preventative interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Farahmand
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Davood Khalili
- Prevention of Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Cheraghi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Bahri Khomami
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Vic, Australia
| | - Fereidoun Azizi
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
Recommendations regarding menopausal hormone therapy continue to evolve as more studies are completed. Progestogens, indicated for endometrial protection in women on estrogen therapy who have an intact uterus, seem to confer greater health risks than estrogen alone. Thus, it is important for clinicians to be well informed when prescribing these medications. This review focuses on the different types and use of progestogens in women with an intact uterus using systemic menopausal hormone therapy.
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Jiang Y, Tian W. The effects of progesterones on blood lipids in hormone replacement therapy. Lipids Health Dis 2017; 16:219. [PMID: 29157280 PMCID: PMC5697110 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-017-0612-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The safety of progestogens as a class has drawn much attention after the publication of data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) trial, particularly with respect to cardiovascular disease. Depending on the chemical structure, pharmacokinetics, receptor affinity and potency of action, progestogens have a divergent range of properties that may translate to very different clinical effects. The purpose of this review is to describe the role of varied progestogens in hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially focusing on blood lipids, which are the most important parameters for assessing cardiovascular disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Jiang
- Guizhou Provincial Center for Drug Reevaluation, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550001, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijie Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, NO.83, Zhongshan East Road, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550002, People's Republic of China.
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Hall OJ, Klein SL. Progesterone-based compounds affect immune responses and susceptibility to infections at diverse mucosal sites. Mucosal Immunol 2017; 10:1097-1107. [PMID: 28401937 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2017.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Over 100 million women worldwide are currently on progesterone-based contraceptives to improve their health outcomes through reduced maternal mortality and family planning. In addition to their role in reproduction, progesterone-based compounds modulate immune responses throughout the body, particularly at mucosal sites. By binding to receptors located in immune cells, including natural killer cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells, as well in non-immune cells, such as epithelial and endothelial cells, progesterone-based compounds alter cellular signaling and activity to affect the outcome of infections at diverse mucosal sites, including the genital, gastrointestinal, and respiratory tracts. As the use of progesterone-based compounds, in the form of contraceptives and hormone-based therapies, continue to increase worldwide, greater consideration should be given to how the immunomodulatory effects these compounds alter the outcome of diseases at mucosal sites beyond the reproductive tract, which has profound implications for women's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia J Hall
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland USA
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Louw-du Toit R, Storbeck KH, Cartwright M, Cabral A, Africander D. Progestins used in endocrine therapy and the implications for the biosynthesis and metabolism of endogenous steroid hormones. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 441:31-45. [PMID: 27616670 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Steroidogenesis refers to the de novo synthesis of steroid hormones from cholesterol by a number of sequential enzyme catalysed reactions in the adrenal and the gonads. In addition, circulating steroid hormone precursors are further metabolised in selected peripheral tissues. It has been suggested that the biosynthesis of endogenous steroid hormones can be modulated by progestins, used widely by women in female reproductive medicine. However, as a number of structurally diverse progestins with different pharmacological properties are available, it is possible that these synthetic compounds may vary in their effects on steroidogenesis. This review summarises the evidence indicating that progestins influence the biosynthesis of steroid hormones in the adrenal and gonads, as well as the metabolism of these endogenous hormones in the breast, highlighting the limitations to the current knowledge and directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate Louw-du Toit
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | - Karl-Heinz Storbeck
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | - Meghan Cartwright
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | - Angelique Cabral
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | - Donita Africander
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa.
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Tack LJW, Craen M, Dhondt K, Vanden Bossche H, Laridaen J, Cools M. Consecutive lynestrenol and cross-sex hormone treatment in biological female adolescents with gender dysphoria: a retrospective analysis. Biol Sex Differ 2016; 7:14. [PMID: 26885361 PMCID: PMC4754845 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-016-0067-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prior to the start of cross-sex hormone therapy (CSH), androgenic progestins are often used to induce amenorrhea in female to male (FtM) pubertal adolescents with gender dysphoria (GD). The aim of this single-center study is to report changes in anthropometry, side effects, safety parameters, and hormone levels in a relatively large cohort of FtM adolescents with a diagnosis of GD at Tanner stage B4 or further, who were treated with lynestrenol (Orgametril®) monotherapy and in combination with testosterone esters (Sustanon®). Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical and biochemical data obtained during at least 6 months of hormonal treatment in FtM adolescents followed at our adolescent gender clinic since 2010 (n = 45) was conducted. McNemar’s test to analyze reported side effects over time was performed. A paired Student’s t test or a Wilcoxon signed-ranks test was performed, as appropriate, on anthropometric and biochemical data. For biochemical analyses, all statistical tests were done in comparison with baseline parameters. Patients who were using oral contraceptives (OC) at intake were excluded if a Mann-Whitney U test indicated influence of OC. Results Metrorrhagia and acne were most pronounced during the first months of monotherapy and combination therapy respectively and decreased thereafter. Headaches, hot flushes, and fatigue were the most reported side effects. Over the course of treatment, an increase in musculature, hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine, and liver enzymes was seen, progressively sliding into male reference ranges. Lipid metabolism shifted to an unfavorable high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ratio; glucose metabolism was not affected. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), total testosterone, and estradiol levels decreased, and free testosterone slightly increased during monotherapy; total and free testosterone increased significantly during combination therapy. Gonadotropins were only fully suppressed during combination therapy. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) remained stable throughout the treatment. Changes occurred in the first 6 months of treatment and remained mostly stable thereafter. Conclusions Treatment of FtM gender dysphoric adolescents with lynestrenol monotherapy and in combination with testosterone esters is effective, safe, and inexpensive; however, suppression of gonadotropins is incomplete. Regular blood controls allow screening for unphysiological changes in safety parameters or hormonal levels and for medication abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd J W Tack
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium ; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Margarita Craen
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium ; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karlien Dhondt
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Heidi Vanden Bossche
- Division of Child Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jolien Laridaen
- Division of Child Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Martine Cools
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium ; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium ; Princess Elisabeth Children's Hospital, Building 3K12D, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Menopause management has undergone an eventful journey over the past decade; some dogmas got refuted, some new hypotheses took life, and the review is timely and relevant to the practice of clinical medicine in 2015. RECENT FINDINGS The field stepped out of an era of absolutes into times of patient centeredness and an individualized perspective. SUMMARY The onus now is to tailor management to address patient's needs while keeping in perspective individualized symptom burden and risks that may be unique to each aging woman.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugba Altun Ensari
- aDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey bDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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