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Agrawal H, Thakur K, Mitra S, Mitra D, Keswani C, Sircar D, Onteru S, Singh D, Singh SP, Tyagi RK, Roy P. Evaluation of (Anti)androgenic Activities of Environmental Xenobiotics in Milk Using a Human Liver Cell Line and Androgen Receptor-Based Promoter-Reporter Assay. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:41531-41547. [PMID: 36406583 PMCID: PMC9670299 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c05344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The recent reports on milk consumption and its associated risk with hormone related disorders necessitates the evaluation of dairy products for the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and ensure the safety of consumers. In view of this, we investigated the possible presence of (anti)androgenic contaminants in raw and commercialized milk samples. For this purpose, a novel HepARE-Luc cell line that stably expresses human androgen receptor (AR) and the androgen responsive luciferase reporter gene was generated and used in the present study. Treatment of this cell line with androgens and corresponding antiandrogen (flutamide) stimulated or inhibited expression of reporter luciferase, respectively. Real time polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining results exhibited transcription response and translocation of AR from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in response to androgen. Observations implied that a cell-based xenobiotic screening assay via AR response can be conducted for assessing the (anti)androgenic ligands present in food chain including milk. Therefore, the cell line was further used to screen the (anti)androgenic activity of a total of 40 milk fat samples procured as raw or commercial milk. Some of the raw and commercial milk fat samples distinctly showed antiandrogenic activities. Subsequently, some commonly used environmental chemicals were also evaluated for their (anti)androgenic activities. Initial observations with molecular docking studies of experimental compounds were performed to assess their interaction with AR ligand binding domain. Furthermore, (anti)androgenic activities of these compounds were confirmed by performing luciferase assay using the HepARE-Luc cell line. None of the test compounds showed androgenic activities rather some of them like Bisphenol A (BPA) and rifamycin showed antiandrogenic activities. In conclusion, our results provide a valuable information about the assessment of (anti)androgenic activities present in milk samples. Overall, it is proposed that a robust cell-based CALUX assay can be used to assess the (anti)androgenic activities present in milk which can be attributed to different environmental chemicals present therein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Agrawal
- Department
of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee - 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Keshav Thakur
- Special
Center for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal
Nehru University, New Delhi - 110067, Delhi, India
| | - Shreyasi Mitra
- Department
of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee - 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Debarghya Mitra
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai - 400076, Maharashtra, India
| | - Chetan Keswani
- Department
of Biochemistry, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Debabrata Sircar
- Department
of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee - 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Suneel Onteru
- Division
of Animal Biochemistry, National Dairy Research
Institute, Karnal - 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Dheer Singh
- Division
of Animal Biochemistry, National Dairy Research
Institute, Karnal - 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Surya P. Singh
- Department
of Biochemistry, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rakesh K. Tyagi
- Special
Center for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal
Nehru University, New Delhi - 110067, Delhi, India
| | - Partha Roy
- Department
of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee - 247667, Uttarakhand, India
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Dagar G, Bagchi G. Novel use of coactivators to enhance sensitivity of SEAP-based reporter assay system for visual monitoring and quantitation of androgens and antiandrogens in water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:144514. [PMID: 33736142 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Every year thousands of chemicals get discharged into the waterbodies of the world. These chemicals cause endocrine disruption and induce adverse health effects in human and aquatic life. Global environmental protection agencies emphasise the need to develop rapid and specific tests for identification of these endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs) in water. Detection of chemicals that disrupt androgen signaling is especially important because androgen input at specific phases of life is critical for proper male development. Effect-based methods such as reporter assays are suitable tools for identification of EDCs in mixtures of unknown composition. The current study describes a stable, secreted alkaline protease (SEAP)-based reporter assay system, for visual detection of androgenic/antiandrogenic activity present in water samples. A novel feature of this system is the inclusion of coactivators, GRIP1, CARM1, p300 and mZac1b, in addition to an optimal combination of androgen response element (3× HRE), androgen receptor (AR) and the SEAP reporter gene. Incorporation of the coactivators resulted in a transcriptional fold change of 162 folds, enabling visual detection at much lower concentrations of androgen (1 picomolar) within 1 h of addition of test sample. Also, non-androgenic steroids such as estrogen, progesterone and Dexamethasone did not induce significant reporter activity, except at very high concentrations. This reporter assay can be readily converted into a high throughput format for investigation in multiple samples simultaneously, and reflects the changes that can be expected to occur inside a mammalian cell. The androgenic activity in six different water sources was evaluated using this assay. The results reveal significant androgenic activity in rivers and lakes close to Industrial areas, whereas the highest androgenic activity was observed in water containing paper and pulp mill effluents. This bioassay therefore provides a rapid, visual detection tool for effect-directed analysis of androgenic/antiandrogenic compounds in water. IMPACT STATEMENT: The current SEAP-based assay allows visual detection of androgens/antiandrogens in water, at concentrations as low as 1 picomolar, within a 1 h time period, in a high throughput format, providing a very useful technique for field users and regulatory bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Dagar
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Gurgaon 122413, India
| | - Gargi Bagchi
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Gurgaon 122413, India.
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Holmboe SA, Jasuja R, Lawney B, Priskorn L, Joergensen N, Linneberg A, Jensen TK, Skakkebæk NE, Juul A, Andersson AM. Free testosterone and cardiometabolic parameters in men: comparison of algorithms. Endocr Connect 2021; 10:220-229. [PMID: 33544092 PMCID: PMC7983478 DOI: 10.1530/ec-20-0552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Calculating the free testosterone level has gained increasing interest and different indirect algorithms have been suggested. The objective was to compare free androgen index (FAI), free testosterone estimated using the linear binding model (Vermeulen: cFTV) and the binding framework accounting for allosterically coupled SHBG monomers (Zakharov: cFTZ) in relation to cardiometabolic conditions. DESIGN A prospective cohort study including 5350 men, aged 30-70 years, participating in population-based surveys (MONICA I-III and Inter99) from 1982 to 2001 and followed until December 2012 with baseline and follow-up information on cardiometabolic parameters and vital status. RESULTS Using age-standardized hormone levels, FAI was higher among men with baseline cardiometabolic conditions, whereas cFTV and cFTZ levels were lower compared to men without these conditions as also seen for total testosterone. Men in highest quartiles of cFTV or cFTZ had lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (cFTV: HR = 0.74 (0.49-1.10), cFTZ: HR = 0.59 (0.39-0.91)) than men in lowest quartile. In contrast, men with highest levels of FAI had a 74% (1.17-2.59) increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to men in lowest quartile. CONCLUSION The association of estimated free testosterone and the studied outcomes differ depending on algorithm used. cFTV and cFTZ showed similar associations to baseline and long-term cardiometabolic parameters. In contrast, an empiric ratio, FAI, showed opposite associations to several of the examined parameters and may reflect limited clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine A Holmboe
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ravi Jasuja
- Research Program in Men’s Health: Aging and Metabolism, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian Lawney
- Research Program in Men’s Health: Aging and Metabolism, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Joergensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Allan Linneberg
- Centre for Clinical Research and Prevention, Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Erik Skakkebæk
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence should be addressed to A-M Andersson:
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Szafran AT, Bolt MJ, Obkirchner CE, Mancini MG, Helsen C, Claessens F, Stossi F, Mancini MA. A Mechanistic High-Content Analysis Assay Using a Chimeric Androgen Receptor That Rapidly Characterizes Androgenic Chemicals. SLAS DISCOVERY 2020; 25:695-708. [PMID: 32392092 DOI: 10.1177/2472555220922917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human health is at risk from environmental exposures to a wide range of chemical toxicants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). As part of understanding this risk, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been pursuing new high-throughput in vitro assays and computational models to characterize EDCs. EPA models have incorporated our high-content analysis-based green fluorescent protein estrogen receptor (GFP-ER): PRL-HeLa assay, which allows direct visualization of ER binding to DNA regulatory elements. Here, we characterize a modified functional assay based on the stable expression of a chimeric androgen receptor (ARER), wherein a region containing the native AR DNA-binding domain (DBD) was replaced with the ERα DBD (amino acids 183-254). We demonstrate that the AR agonist dihydrotestosterone induces GFP-ARER nuclear translocation, PRL promoter binding, and transcriptional activity at physiologically relevant concentrations (<1 nM). In contrast, the AR antagonist bicalutamide induces only nuclear translocation of the GFP-ARER receptor (at μM concentrations). Estradiol also fails to induce visible chromatin binding, indicating androgen specificity. In a screen of reference chemicals from the EPA and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the GFP-ARER cell model identified and mechanistically grouped activity by known (anti-)androgens based on the ability to induce nuclear translocation and/or chromatin binding. Finally, the cell model was used to identify potential (anti-)androgens in environmental samples in collaboration with the Houston Ship Channel/Galveston Bay Texas A&M University EPA Superfund Research Program. Based on these data, the chromatin-binding, in vitro assay-based GFP-ARER model represents a selective tool for rapidly identifying androgenic activity associated with drugs, chemicals, and environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam T Szafran
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael J Bolt
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences & Technology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.,GCC Center for Advanced Microscopy and Image Informatics, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Maureen G Mancini
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christine Helsen
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, Europe
| | - Frank Claessens
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, Europe
| | - Fabio Stossi
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,GCC Center for Advanced Microscopy and Image Informatics, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael A Mancini
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences & Technology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.,GCC Center for Advanced Microscopy and Image Informatics, Houston, TX, USA
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5
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Zhao J, Huang J, Geng X, Chu W, Li S, Chen ZJ, Du Y. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Novel and Hub lncRNAs in the Insulin Resistance-Associated lncRNA-mRNA Network. Front Genet 2019; 10:772. [PMID: 31507635 PMCID: PMC6715451 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic and reproductive disorder with an increasing risk for type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is a common feature of women with PCOS, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to screen critical long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that might play pivotal roles in insulin resistance, which could provide candidate biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for PCOS. Gene expression profiles of the skeletal muscle in patients with PCOS accompanied by insulin resistance and healthy patients were obtained from the publicly available Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. A global triple network including RNA-binding protein, mRNA, and lncRNAs was constructed based on the data from starBase. Then, we extracted an insulin resistance-associated lncRNA–mRNA network (IRLMN) by integrating the data from starBase and GEO. We also performed a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on the differentially expressed genes between the women with and without PCOS, to identify hub lncRNAs. Additionally, the findings of key lncRNAs were examined in an independent GEO dataset. The expression level of lncRNA RP11-151A6.4 in ovarian granulosa cells was increased in patients with PCOS compared with that in control women. Levels were also increased in PCOS patients with higher BMI, hyperinsulinemia, and higher HOMA-IR values. As a result, RP11-151A6.4 was identified as a hub lncRNA based on IRLMN and WGCNA and was highly expressed in ovarian granulosa cells, skeletal muscle, and subcutaneous and omental adipose tissues of patients with insulin resistance. This study showed the differences between lncRNA and mRNA profiles from healthy women and women with PCOS and insulin resistance. Here, we demonstrated that RP11-151A6.4 might play a vital role in insulin resistance, androgen excess, and adipose dysfunction in patients with PCOS. Further study concerning RP11-151A6.4 could elucidate the underlying mechanisms of insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayu Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueying Geng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Chu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Shang Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, China
| | - Yanzhi Du
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
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6
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Cannaert A, Vandeputte M, Wille SMR, Stove CP. Activity-based reporter assays for the screening of abused substances in biological matrices. Crit Rev Toxicol 2019; 49:95-109. [DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2019.1576588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Cannaert
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Toxicology, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Federal Public Service Justice, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marthe Vandeputte
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah M. R. Wille
- Department of Toxicology, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Federal Public Service Justice, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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7
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Laurent MR, Helsen C, Antonio L, Schollaert D, Joniau S, Vos MJ, Decallonne B, Hammond GL, Vanderschueren D, Claessens F. Effects of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) on androgen bioactivity in vitro. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 437:280-291. [PMID: 27576188 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Biochemical assessments of androgen status (hyper- or hypoandrogenism) are usually based on serum testosterone concentrations. According to the free hormone hypothesis, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) determines free and bioavailable testosterone concentrations. Previous studies have suggested that in vitro androgen bioassay results may also be influenced by SHBG and correlate with free or bioavailable testosterone concentrations. To test this hypothesis, we established a stable HEK293 cell line with high expression of the human androgen receptor (AR) and a luciferase reporter downstream of a classical androgen response element. Importantly, we demonstrate that bioassay results are sensitive to dilution effects which increase apparent bioactivity in an SHBG-dependent manner. We therefore adopted a method using undiluted serum, which reduced cell proliferation but did not significantly affect the luciferase signal, cell viability or cytotoxicity. To correct for serum matrix effects, we applied signal correction based on internal controls with AR agonists or antagonists. Using this method, we provide direct evidence that in vitro androgen bioactivity reflects the inhibitory effects of SHBG, and correlates with free or bioavailable testosterone concentrations in adult hypogonadal men receiving androgen replacement therapy. In men receiving anti-androgens, serum bioactivity decreased tenfold while serum testosterone concentrations decreased only four-fold. Further pilot results in prostate cancer patients showed that androgen synthesis inhibitors result in more complete inhibition of androgen bioactivity than gonadorelin-based androgen deprivation therapy, even in patients whose testosterone concentrations were undetectable by mass spectrometry. We conclude that in vitro androgen reporter bioassays are useful tools to study how androgen bioactivity in serum is determined by androgens, anti-androgens as well as SHBG, provided that dilution and matrix effects are accounted for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël R Laurent
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO Box 901, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO Box 7003, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christine Helsen
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO Box 901, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Antonio
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO Box 901, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO Box 902, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dieter Schollaert
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO Box 901, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven Joniau
- Laboratory for Experimental Urology, Organ Systems, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO Box 7003-41, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michel J Vos
- Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1 PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Brigitte Decallonne
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO Box 902, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Geoffrey L Hammond
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, V6T 1Z3, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
| | - Dirk Vanderschueren
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO Box 902, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frank Claessens
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO Box 901, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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8
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Campana C, Rege J, Turcu AF, Pezzi V, Gomez-Sanchez CE, Robins DM, Rainey WE. Development of a novel cell based androgen screening model. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 156:17-22. [PMID: 26581480 PMCID: PMC4748855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) mediates the majority of androgen effects on target cells. The DNA cis-regulatory elements that respond to AR share sequence similarity with cis-regulatory elements for glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid and progesterone receptors (GR, MR and PR, respectively). As a result, many of the current AR screening models are complicated by inaccurate activation of reporters by one of these receptor pathways. Identification of more selective androgen testing systems would be beneficial for clinical, pharmacological and toxicologic screening of AR activators. The present study describes the development of a selective androgen-responsive reporter cell line that expresses AR but does not express GR, MR and PR. CV1 cells were stably transduced to express human AR and an androgen-responsive gaussia luciferase gene. Clonal populations of AR expressing cells were isolated. Quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) and western analysis confirmed stable integration of AR in the most responsive clonal line which was named 'CV1-ARluc'. Stimulation of CV1AR-luc with androgenic ligands (testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone) for 18h caused an increase in luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Other steroid hormones including aldosterone, cortisol, and progesterone did not stimulate luciferase response. The CV1-ARluc also increased luciferase activity when treated with human serum extracts. In conclusion, the CV1-ARluc cells provide a novel model system for screening of new AR agonists and antagonists and can determine the androgenic activity of human serum samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Campana
- Departments of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Juilee Rege
- Departments of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Adina F Turcu
- Division of Metabolism, Diabetes, and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vincenzo Pezzi
- Department of Pharmacy Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Celso E Gomez-Sanchez
- Endocrine Section, Department of Medicine, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center and University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Diane M Robins
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - William E Rainey
- Departments of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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9
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Campana C, Pezzi V, Rainey WE. Cell-based assays for screening androgen receptor ligands. Semin Reprod Med 2015; 33:225-34. [PMID: 26036905 DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1552989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR, NR3C4) mediates the majority of androgen effects on target cells. The AR is activated following ligand binding that result is enhanced of target gene transcription. Several cell-based model systems have been developed that allow sensitive detection and monitoring of steroids or other compounds with AR bioactivity. Most cell-based AR reporter models use transgenic gene constructs that include an androgen response element that controls reporter gene expression. The DNA cis-regulatory elements that respond to AR share sequence similarity with cis-regulatory elements for glucocorticoid (GR, NR3C1), mineralocorticoid (MR, NR3C2), and progesterone (PGR, NR3C3) receptors, which has compromised AR selectivity for some models. In recent years, the sensitivity and selectivity of AR bioassays have been significantly improved through careful selection of cell models, utilization of improved reporter genes, and the use of yeast two-hybrid AR systems. This review summarizes and compares the currently available androgen-responsive cell model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Campana
- Departments of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Vincenzo Pezzi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende (CS), Italy
| | - William E Rainey
- Departments of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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10
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Edouard MJ, Miao L, Fan GW, Ojong BBO, Zhen H, Zhang J, Gao XM, Zhu Y. Yang-tonifying traditional Chinese medicinal plants and their potential phytoandrogenic activity. Chin J Nat Med 2015; 12:321-34. [PMID: 24856755 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(14)60040-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The concept of phytoandrogens, plants that contain androgens or those that stimulate androgenic activity in men, is relatively new. In traditional Chinese medicine a number of phytoandrogens are classified in medicinal plant restoratives for reinforcing yang, and they find their application in the treatment of the kidney yang deficiency diseases. In this review, the phytoandrogens used in traditional Chinese medicine are listed, and their proven applications in the treatment of kidney yang deficiency diseases, such as sexual disorders, cancer, and obesity and associated metabolic syndromes are presented. As a background, the mechanism of action of androgens, their synthesis and metabolism, the interrelations of androgens and estrogens, as well as the state of art methods to detect and analyze these hormonal activities in medicinal plants are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munyangaju Jose Edouard
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
| | - Lin Miao
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
| | - Guan-Wei Fan
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
| | - Barnabas Bessem Orang Ojong
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
| | - Hu Zhen
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
| | - Ju Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiu-Mei Gao
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China; Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 750 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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Valderhaug T, Hertel J, Nordstrand N, Dale P, Hofsø D, Hjelmesæth J. The association between hyperandrogenemia and the metabolic syndrome in morbidly obese women. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2015; 7:46. [PMID: 26015809 PMCID: PMC4443598 DOI: 10.1186/s13098-015-0040-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female abdominal obesity is associated with hyperandrogenemia (HA), but few studies have addressed the possible association between HA and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among obese women. Some studies indicate that insulin resistance may cause HA through different mechanisms. On the other hand, a bidirectional relationship between HA and insulin resistance has been suggested. Thus, we aimed to investigate if morbidly obese women with HA had higher odds of MetS and its components than those without HA (controls), independent of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) status. METHODS This cross-sectional study comprised 1900 consecutive treatment seeking morbidly obese women <50 years. Free testosterone index (FTI) >0.6 defined HA. Women with previously diagnosed PCOS and those with oligo- / anovulation combined with clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism were defined as having PCOS. Multiadjusted associations between HA and MetS were assessed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Out of 1900 morbidly obese women, 1089 (57 %), 846 (45 %) and 312 (16 %) had MetS, HA and PCOS, respectively. Compared with controls (without HA), women with HA were younger (34 [1] years vs. 39 [2], p < 0.001) had a higher prevalence of MetS (62 % vs. 53 %, p < 0.001), type 2 diabetes (18 % vs. 15 %, p = 0.045), low HDL-cholesterol (65 % vs. 48 %, p < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (48 % vs. 41 %, p = 0.004), but a lower prevalence of raised blood pressure (53 % vs. 59 %, p = 0.014). Multivariable analyses showed that HA was associated with increased odds of MetS (OR 1.61 [95 % CI 1.27, 2.02]), dysglycemia (1.65 [1.28, 2.11]), low HDL-cholesterol (1.58 [1.27, 1.97]), and hypertriglyceridemia (1.43 [1.15, 1.79]). After stratification for the presence of PCOS, the results remained largely unchanged in women without PCOS; MetS (1.52 [1.18, 1.96), dysglycemia (1.71 [1.30, 2.25]), low HDL-cholesterol (1.55 [1.22, 1.98]) and hypertriglyceridemia (1.36 [1.06, 1.74]). CONCLUSION Morbidly obese women with HA had an approximately 1.5-fold increased odds of having MetS even in the absence of PCOS. Randomized controlled clinical trials, including therapeutic strategies to lower free testosterone levels, are however necessary to explore any cause-and-effect relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- T.G. Valderhaug
- />Morbid Obesity Centre, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- />Division of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology, Akershus University Hospital HF, Sykehusveien 25, 1478 Nordbyhagen, Norway
- />Division of Medicine and Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - J.K. Hertel
- />Morbid Obesity Centre, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
| | - N. Nordstrand
- />Morbid Obesity Centre, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
| | - P.O. Dale
- />Department of Surgery, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
| | - D. Hofsø
- />Morbid Obesity Centre, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
| | - J. Hjelmesæth
- />Morbid Obesity Centre, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- />Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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In vitro reporter assays for screening of chemicals that disrupt androgen signaling. J Toxicol 2014; 2014:701752. [PMID: 25435875 PMCID: PMC4241742 DOI: 10.1155/2014/701752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs) modulate hormone signaling and cause developmental and reproductive anomalies. Today, there is a global concern regarding endocrine disruption effects, particularly those mediated by the androgen receptor (AR). Androgen or male hormones are critical for the development and maintenance of male characteristics and numerous EDCs exist in the environment with the potential to disrupt androgen action. The threat is more during critical developmental windows when there is increased sensitivity to these compounds. Timely screening and detection of the EDCs is essential to minimize deleterious effects produced by these toxic chemicals. As a first line of screening, in vitro transcription assays are very useful due to their speed, convenience, and cost effectiveness. In this paper, recent in vitro reporter assays for detecting androgenic or antiandrogenic activity of EDCs have been reviewed. Two important cell systems used for this purpose, namely, the mammalian or yeast cell systems, have been discussed. Use of reporter genes such as bacterial luciferase (lux) and green fluorescent protein (gfp) has significantly improved speed and sensitivity of detection. Also, many of the current reporter assay systems can be used in a high throughput format allowing speedy evaluation of multiple potential EDCs at a lower price.
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Fang YX, Ying GG, Zhao JL, Chen F, Liu S, Zhang LJ, Yang B. Assessment of hormonal activities and genotoxicity of industrial effluents using in vitro bioassays combined with chemical analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2012; 31:1273-1282. [PMID: 22513893 DOI: 10.1002/etc.1811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Revised: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/09/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Wastewaters from various industries are a main source of the contaminants in aquatic environments. The authors evaluated the hormonal activities (estrogenic/anti-estrogenic activities, androgenic/anti-androgenic activities) and genotoxicity of various effluents from textile and dyeing plants, electronic and electroplate factories, pulp and paper mills, fine chemical factories, and municipal wastewater treatment plants in the Pearl River Delta region by using in vitro bioassays (yeast estrogen screen [YES]; yeast androgen screen [YAS]; and genotoxicity assay [umu/SOS]) combined with chemical analysis. The results demonstrated the presence of estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, and anti-androgenic activity in most industrial effluents, whereas no androgenic activities were detected in all of the effluents. The measured estrogenic activities expressed as estradiol equivalent concentrations (EEQs) ranged from below detection (3 of 26 samples) to 40.7 ng/L, with a mean of 7.33 ng/L in all effluents. A good linear relationship was found between the EEQs measured by YES bioassay and the EEQs calculated from chemical concentrations. These detected estrogenic compounds, such as 4-nonylphenol and estrone, were responsible for the estrogenic activities in the effluents. The genotoxic effects expressed as benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentrations (BaP EQs) varied between below detection and 88.2 µg/L, with a mean of 8.76 µg/L in all effluents. The target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were minor contributors to the genotoxicity in the effluents, and some nontarget compounds in the effluents were responsible for the measured genotoxicity. In terms of estrogenic activities and genotoxicity, discharge of these effluents could pose high risks to aquatic organisms in the receiving environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Xiang Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, CAS Centre for Pearl River Delta Environmental Pollution and Control Research, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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Cadwallader AB, Lim CS, Rollins DE, Botrè F. The androgen receptor and its use in biological assays: looking toward effect-based testing and its applications. J Anal Toxicol 2012; 35:594-607. [PMID: 22080898 DOI: 10.1093/anatox/35.9.594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid abuse is a growing problem among amateur and professional athletes. Because of an inundation of newly and illegally synthesized steroids with minor structural modifications and other designer steroid receptor modulators, there is a need to develop new methods of detection which do not require prior knowledge of the abused steroid structure. The number of designer steroids currently being abused is unknown because detection methods in general are only identifying substances with a known structure. The detection of doping is moving away from merely checking for exposure to prohibited substance toward detecting an effect of prohibited substances, as biological assays can do. Cell-based biological assays are the next generation of assays which should be utilized by antidoping laboratories; they can detect androgenic anabolic steroid and other human androgen receptor (hAR) ligand presence without knowledge of their structure and assess the relative biological activity of these compounds. This review summarizes the hAR and its action and discusses its relevance to sports doping and its use in biological assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy B Cadwallader
- Laboratorio Antidoping, Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana, Largo Giulio Onesti, Rome, Italy.
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Attardi BJ, Koduri S, Hild SA. Relative progestational and androgenic activity of four progestins used for male hormonal contraception assessed in vitro in relation to their ability to suppress LH secretion in the castrate male rat. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 328:16-21. [PMID: 20599585 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2010] [Revised: 06/11/2010] [Accepted: 06/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Male hormonal contraceptive regimens are generally combinations of an androgen and a progestin which suppress gonadotropin secretion and, consequently, spermatogenesis. The activities of four synthetic progestins, levonorgestrel (LNG), norethindrone acetate (NETA), cyproterone acetate (CPA), and nestorone (NES), used in combination with testosterone for male hormonal contraception were compared in vitro and in vivo. In vitro assays (steroid hormone receptor binding and transactivation) focused on their relative androgenic vs progestational potencies. The relative androgenic potencies were LNG approximately NETA>CPA>NES. Their order of potency as progestins was NES>LNG>CPA approximately NETA. A bioassay was developed using the castrate adult male rat to assess the activity of these progestins in vivo. Rats were treated with several doses (0.1-3.2mg/kg/day) of LNG, NETA, CPA, or NES for 21 days, and blood was collected at various times for measurement of LH levels in serum. LH was suppressed to baseline by LNG at 0.8 and 1.6 mg/kg/day; NETA was effective at 3.2mg/kg/day; and NES and CPA showed no or minimal LH suppression at doses up to 3.2mg/kg/day. We concluded, therefore, that suppression of LH is correlated with androgenic, rather than progestational, potency of the synthetic progestins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara J Attardi
- BIOQUAL, Inc. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Toxicology, 9600 Medical Center Dr., Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
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Whitehouse AJO, Maybery MT, Hart R, Mattes E, Newnham JP, Sloboda DM, Stanley FJ, Hickey M. Fetal androgen exposure and pragmatic language ability of girls in middle childhood: implications for the extreme male-brain theory of autism. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010; 35:1259-64. [PMID: 20206450 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2009] [Revised: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 02/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to testosterone has been shown to affect fetal brain maturation as well as postnatal cognition and behavior in animal studies. Although there are well-established sex-differences in the use of social communication (or 'pragmatic language') in humans, there has been limited investigation of the association between fetal testosterone exposure and postnatal pragmatic language ability. In this prospective study, pragmatic language skills, assessed using a pragmatic language score (PLS), were measured in 78 girls aged 10 years and correlated with testosterone levels in umbilical cord blood. A measure of the biologically active, 'free' fraction of testosterone, the free androgen index (FAI), was positively correlated with the PLS (R=.3). Regression analyses showed that the FAI was a significant, positive predictor of pragmatic language difficulties in girls after controlling for maternal and infant-health variables (B=0.02, 95% confidence interval=0.01-0.04, p=0.02). This is the first prospective study to identify an association between early life testosterone exposure and pragmatic language difficulties in girls. These novel findings are discussed with reference to the 'extreme male-brain' theory of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia.
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Abstract
This review attempts to give a synopsis of the major aspects concerning the biochemistry of endogenous androgens, supplemented with several facets of physiology, particularly with respect to testosterone. Testosterone continues to be the most common adverse finding declared by World Anti-Doping Agency accredited laboratories, such samples having an augmented testosterone to epitestosterone ratio. Knowledge regarding the precursors and metabolism of endogenous testosterone is therefore fundamental to understanding many of the issues concerning doping with testosterone and its prohormones, including the detection of their administration. Further, adverse findings for nandrolone are frequent, but this steroid and 19-norandrostenedione are also produced endogenously, an appealing hypothesis being that they are minor by-products of the aromatization of androgens. At sports tribunals pertaining to adverse analytical findings of natural androgen administration, experts often raise issues that concern some aspect of steroid biochemistry and physiology. Salient topics included within this review are the origins and interconversion of endogenous androgens, the biosynthesis of testosterone and epitestosterone, the mechanism of aromatization, the molecular biology of the androgen receptor, the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, disturbances to this axis by anabolic steroid administration, the transport (binding) of androgens in blood, and briefly the metabolism and excretion of androgens.
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19
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Current world literature. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2009; 16:260-77. [PMID: 19390324 DOI: 10.1097/med.0b013e32832c937e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common complex endocrine genetic disorder, which involves overproduction of androgens, leading to heterogeneous range of symptoms and associated with increased metabolic and cardiovascular morbidity. This review focuses on androgen biosynthesis, use, metabolism in PCOS and clinical consequences of hyperandrogenism. RECENT FINDINGS Controversial definition of the disorder and different phenotypic subgroups present a challenge for clinical and basic research. Further investigation of different phenotypes highlights the fact that PCOS probably represents a group of disorders with different etiologies. Prenatal androgen exposure and adolescent studies suggest early in life androgen excess as initiating factor of PCOS, but insufficient evidence available to confirm this hypothesis. Various intracellular signaling pathways implicated in PCOS steroidogenesis and in androgen action have been studied, however, PCOS pathogenesis remains obscure. Growing evidence links androgens with pathophysiology of PCOS and metabolic derangements. SUMMARY Despite intensive investigation, etiology and underlying mechanisms of PCOS remain unclear, warranting further investigation. Better understanding of molecular and genetic basis might lead to invention of novel therapeutic approaches. Long-term interventional studies that lower androgen levels in women with hyperandrogenism might protect against metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Nisenblat
- Robinson Institute, School of Pediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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A sensitive recombinant cell-based bioluminescent assay for detection of androgen-like compounds. Nat Protoc 2008; 3:1895-902. [DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2008.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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