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Pavlik T, Konchekov E, Shimanovskii N. Antitumor progestins activity: Cytostatic effect and immune response. Steroids 2024; 210:109474. [PMID: 39048056 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Progestins are used to treat some hormone-sensitive tumors. This review discusses the mechanisms of progestins' effects on tumor cells, the differences in the effects of progesterone and its analogs on different tumor types, and the influence of progestins on the antitumor immune response. Progestins cause a cytostatic effect, but at the same time they can suppress the antitumor immune response, and this can promote the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. Such progestins as dienogest, megestrol acetate and levonorgestrel increase the activity of NK-cells, which play a major role in the body's fight against tumor cells. The use of existing progestins and the development of new drugs with gestagenic activity may hold promise in oncotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Pavlik
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Russia; Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia.
| | - E Konchekov
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia; Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Russia
| | - N Shimanovskii
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Russia
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2
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Trivedi S, Deering-Rice CE, Aamodt SE, Huecksteadt TP, Myers EJ, Sanders KA, Paine R, Warren KJ. Progesterone amplifies allergic inflammation and airway pathology in association with higher lung ILC2 responses. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 327:L65-L78. [PMID: 38651968 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00207.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Perimenstrual worsening of asthma occurs in up to 40% of women with asthma, leading to increased acute exacerbations requiring clinical care. The role of sex hormones during these times remains unclear. In the current study, we used a translational approach to determine whether progesterone exacerbates allergic inflammation in the traditional chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA) model in BALB/c mice. Simultaneously, we used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy human donors to assess the effects of progesterone on circulating group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). Briefly, lungs of ovariectomized (OVX) or sham-operated female (F-Sham) controls were implanted with a progesterone (P4, 25 mg) (OVX-P4) or placebo pellet (OVX-Placebo), followed by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). Progesterone increased total inflammatory histologic scores, increased hyper-responsiveness to methacholine (MCh), increased select chemokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and serum, and increased ILC2 and neutrophil numbers, along the airways compared with F-Sham-OVA and OVX-Placebo-OVA animals. Lung ILC2 were sorted from F-Sham-OVA, OVX-Placebo-OVA and OVX-P4-OVA treated animals and stimulated with IL-33. OVX-P4-OVA lung ILC2 were more responsive to interleukin 33 (IL-33) compared with F-Sham-OVA treated, producing more IL-13 and chemokines following IL-33 stimulation. We confirmed the expression of the progesterone receptor (PR) on human ILC2, and showed that P4 + IL-33 stimulation also increased IL-13 and chemokine production from human ILC2. We establish that murine ILC2 are capable of responding to P4 and thereby contribute to allergic inflammation in the lung. We confirmed that human ILC2 are also hyper-responsive to P4 and IL-33 and likely contribute to airway exacerbations following allergen exposures in asthmatic women with increased symptoms around the time of menstruation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY There is a strong association between female biological sex and severe asthma. We investigated the allergic immune response, lung pathology, and airway mechanics in the well-described chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA) model with steady levels of progesterone delivered throughout the treatment period. We found that progesterone enhances the activation of mouse group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). Human ILC2 are also hyper-responsive to progesterone and interleukin 33 (IL-33), and likely contribute to airway exacerbations following allergen exposures in women with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhanshi Trivedi
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- George E. Whalen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Cassandra E Deering-Rice
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Samuel E Aamodt
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Thomas P Huecksteadt
- George E. Whalen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Elizabeth J Myers
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Karl A Sanders
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- George E. Whalen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Robert Paine
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- George E. Whalen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Kristi J Warren
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- George E. Whalen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
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Chang J, Jiang Z, Ma T, Li J, Chen J, Ye P, Feng L. Integrating transcriptomics and network analysis-based multiplexed drug repurposing to screen drug candidates for M2 macrophage-associated castration-resistant prostate cancer bone metastases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:989972. [PMID: 36389722 PMCID: PMC9643318 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.989972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) has long been considered to be associated with patient mortality. Among metastatic organs, bone is the most common metastatic site, with more than 90% of advanced patients developing bone metastases (BMs) before 24 months of death. Although patients were recommended to use bone-targeted drugs represented by bisphosphonates to treat BMs of CRPC, there was no significant improvement in patient survival. In addition, the use of immunotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy is limited due to the immunosuppressed state and resistance to antiandrogen agents in patients with bone metastases. Therefore, it is still essential to develop a safe and effective therapeutic schedule for CRPC patients with BMs. To this end, we propose a multiplex drug repurposing scheme targeting differences in patient immune cell composition. The identified drug candidates were ranked from the perspective of M2 macrophages by integrating transcriptome and network-based analysis. Meanwhile, computational chemistry and clinical trials were used to generate a comprehensive drug candidate list for the BMs of CRPC by drug redundancy structure filtering. In addition to docetaxel, which has been approved for clinical trials, the list includes norethindrone, testosterone, menthol and foretinib. This study provides a new scheme for BMs of CRPC from the perspective of M2 macrophages. It is undeniable that this multiplex drug repurposing scheme specifically for immune cell-related bone metastases can be used for drug screening of any immune-related disease, helping clinicians find promising therapeutic schedules more quickly, and providing reference information for drug R&D and clinical trials.
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Hou Z, Huang S, Mei Z, Chen L, Guo J, Gao Y, Zhuang Q, Zhang X, Tan Q, Yang T, Liu Y, Chi Y, Qi L, Jiang T, Shao X, Wu Y, Xu X, Qin J, Ren R, Tang H, Wu D, Li Z. Inhibiting 3βHSD1 to eliminate the oncogenic effects of progesterone in prostate cancer. Cell Rep Med 2022; 3:100561. [PMID: 35492874 PMCID: PMC9040187 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer continuously progresses following deprivation of circulating androgens originating from the testis and adrenal glands, indicating the existence of oncometabolites beyond androgens. In this study, mass-spectrometry-based screening of clinical specimens and a retrospective analysis on the clinical data of prostate cancer patients indicate the potential oncogenic effects of progesterone in patients. High doses of progesterone activate canonical and non-canonical androgen receptor (AR) target genes. Physiological levels of progesterone facilitate cell proliferation via GATA2. Inhibitors of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (3βHSD1) has been discovered and shown to suppress the generation of progesterone, eliminating its transient and accumulating oncogenic effects. An increase in progesterone is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients and may be used as a predictive biomarker. Overall, we demonstrate that progesterone acts as an oncogenic hormone in prostate cancer, and strategies to eliminate its oncogenic effects may benefit prostate cancer patients. High doses of progesterone activate canonical and non-canonical AR signaling Progesterone of physiological levels exerts its chronic oncogenic effect via GATA2 Targeting 3βHSD1 to suppress progesterone synthesis blocks its oncogenic effects Serum progesterone might be a predictive biomarker for abiraterone response
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Affiliation(s)
- Zemin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shengsong Huang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Zejie Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Longlong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Metabonomics and Systems Biology Laboratory at Shanghai International Centre for Molecular Phenomics, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jiacheng Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yuanyuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Qian Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xuebin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Qilong Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yongnan Chi
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Lifengrong Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ting Jiang
- Department of Urology, First People's Hospital of Taicang, Taicang, Jiangsu 215400, China
| | - Xuefeng Shao
- Department of Urology, First People's Hospital of Taicang, Taicang, Jiangsu 215400, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ruobing Ren
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, School of Life and Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, China
| | - Huiru Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Metabonomics and Systems Biology Laboratory at Shanghai International Centre for Molecular Phenomics, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Denglong Wu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Zhenfei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China.,Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
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Stoby KS, Rafique SA, Oeltzschner G, Steeves JKE. Continuous and intermittent theta burst stimulation to the visual cortex do not alter GABA and glutamate concentrations measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2478. [PMID: 35029058 PMCID: PMC8865152 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theta burst stimulation (TBS), a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), uses repeated high-frequency bursts to non-invasively modulate neural processes in the brain. An intermittent TBS (iTBS) protocol is generally considered "excitatory," while continuous TBS (cTBS) is considered "inhibitory." However, the majority of work that has led to these effects being associated with the respective protocols has been done in the motor cortex, and it is well established that TMS can have variable effects across the brain. OBJECTIVES AND METHOD We investigated the effects of iTBS and cTBS to the primary visual cortex (V1) on composite levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid + co-edited macromolecules (GABA+) and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) since these are key inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, respectively. Participants received a single session of cTBS, iTBS, or sham TBS to V1. GABA+ and Glx were quantified in vivo at the stimulation site using spectral-edited proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS) at 3T. Baseline pre-TBS GABA+ and Glx levels were compared to immediate post-TBS and 1 h post-TBS levels. RESULTS There were no significant changes in GABA+ or Glx following either of the TBS conditions. Visual cortical excitability, measured using phosphene thresholds, remained unchanged following both cTBS and iTBS conditions. There was no relationship between excitability thresholds and GABA+ or Glx levels. However, TBS did alter the relationship between GABA+ and Glx for up to 1 h following stimulation. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that a single session of TBS to the visual cortex can be used without significant effects on the tonic levels of these key neurotransmitters; and add to our understanding that TBS has differential effects at visual, motor, and frontal cortices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlene S Stoby
- Centre for Vision Research and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sara A Rafique
- Centre for Vision Research and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Georg Oeltzschner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer K E Steeves
- Centre for Vision Research and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Fuseini H, Gyan BA, Kyei GB, Heimburger DC, Koethe JR. Undernutrition and HIV Infection in Sub-Saharan Africa: Health Outcomes and Therapeutic Interventions. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2021; 18:87-97. [PMID: 33606196 PMCID: PMC8404370 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-021-00541-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is disproportionately burdened by the twin epidemics of food insecurity and HIV infection, and protein-calorie undernutrition is common among persons with HIV (PWH) initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the region. In this review, we discuss the intersection of HIV infection and undernutrition, health outcomes among undernourished PWH starting ART, and the demonstrated and potential benefits of therapeutic interventions such as micro/macronutrient supplementation and pharmacological agents. RECENT FINDINGS A low body mass index (BMI), used as a general indicator of poor nutrition in most studies, is associated with impaired immune recovery and increased mortality in the early ART period. The increased risk of mortality is multifactorial, and contributors include undernutrition-related immune system dysfunction, increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections, and metabolic and cardiovascular dysregulation. Clinical trials of micro/macronutrient supplementary feeding, appetite stimulants (hormones and anabolic agents), and recombinant adipokines have shown a benefit for weight gain and metabolic health, but there are few data on mortality or immune recovery. A substantial proportion of PWH in SSA are undernourished, and undernutrition contributes to an increased risk of mortality and other adverse health outcomes. To date, there have been few prospective trials of nutritional supplementation and/or pharmacologic therapy among undernourished PWH in SSA, though findings from other settings suggest a potential benefit in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubaida Fuseini
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Ghana.
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Ghana.
- Divison of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232-2582, USA.
| | - Ben A Gyan
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Ghana
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Ghana
| | - George B Kyei
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Ghana
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Ghana
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - John R Koethe
- Divison of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232-2582, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Nashville, TN, USA
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Rafique SA, Steeves JKE. Assessing differential effects of single and accelerated low-frequency rTMS to the visual cortex on GABA and glutamate concentrations. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01845. [PMID: 32964685 PMCID: PMC7749615 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for therapeutic use in visual-related disorders and its underlying mechanisms in the visual cortex is under-investigated. Additionally, there is little examination of rTMS adverse effects particularly with regards to visual and cognitive function. Neural plasticity is key in rehabilitation and recovery of function; thus, effective therapeutic strategies must be capable of modulating plasticity. Glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated changes in the balance between excitation and inhibition are prominent features in visual cortical plasticity. OBJECTIVES AND METHOD We investigated the effects of low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS to the visual cortex on levels of neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate to determine the therapeutic potential of 1 Hz rTMS for visual-related disorders. Two rTMS regimes commonly used in clinical applications were investigated: participants received rTMS to the visual cortex either in a single 20-min session or five accelerated 20-min sessions (not previously investigated at the visual cortex). Proton (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy for in vivo quantification of GABA (assessed via GABA+) and glutamate (assessed via Glx) concentrations was performed pre- and post-rTMS. RESULTS GABA+ and Glx concentrations were unaltered following a single session of rTMS to the visual cortex. One day of accelerated rTMS significantly reduced GABA+ concentration for up to 24 hr, with levels returning to baseline by 1-week post-rTMS. Basic visual and cognitive function remained largely unchanged. CONCLUSION Accelerated 1 Hz rTMS to the visual cortex has greater potential for approaches targeting plasticity or in cases with altered GABAergic responses in visual disorders. Notably, these results provide preliminary insight into a critical window of plasticity with accelerated rTMS (e.g., 24 hr) in which adjunct therapies may offer better functional outcome. We describe detailed procedures to enable further exploration of these protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A. Rafique
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Vision ResearchYork UniversityTorontoONCanada
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8
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Piette PC. The pharmacodynamics and safety of progesterone. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2020; 69:13-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Hassan AS, Soliman GM, Ali MF, El-Mahdy MM, El-Gindy GEDA. Mucoadhesive tablets for the vaginal delivery of progesterone: in vitro evaluation and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics in female rabbits. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2017; 44:224-232. [DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2017.1386203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abeer S. Hassan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ghareb M. Soliman
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marwa F. Ali
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mona M. El-Mahdy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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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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Hall OJ, Limjunyawong N, Vermillion MS, Robinson DP, Wohlgemuth N, Pekosz A, Mitzner W, Klein SL. Progesterone-Based Therapy Protects Against Influenza by Promoting Lung Repair and Recovery in Females. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005840. [PMID: 27631986 PMCID: PMC5025002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 100 million women use progesterone therapies worldwide. Despite having immunomodulatory and repair properties, their effects on the outcome of viral diseases outside of the reproductive tract have not been evaluated. Administration of exogenous progesterone (at concentrations that mimic the luteal phase) to progesterone-depleted adult female mice conferred protection from both lethal and sublethal influenza A virus (IAV) infection. Progesterone treatment altered the inflammatory environment of the lungs, but had no effects on viral load. Progesterone treatment promoted faster recovery by increasing TGF-β, IL-6, IL-22, numbers of regulatory Th17 cells expressing CD39, and cellular proliferation, reducing protein leakage into the airway, improving pulmonary function, and upregulating the epidermal growth factor amphiregulin (AREG) in the lungs. Administration of rAREG to progesterone-depleted females promoted pulmonary repair and improved the outcome of IAV infection. Progesterone-treatment of AREG-deficient females could not restore protection, indicating that progesterone-mediated induction of AREG caused repair in the lungs and accelerated recovery from IAV infection. Repair and production of AREG by damaged respiratory epithelial cell cultures in vitro was increased by progesterone. Our results illustrate that progesterone is a critical host factor mediating production of AREG by epithelial cells and pulmonary tissue repair following infection, which has important 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, United States of America
| | - Nathachit Limjunyawong
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Meghan S. Vermillion
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Dionne P. Robinson
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Wohlgemuth
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Wayne Mitzner
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sabra L. Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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12
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Alternative synthetic approaches to rac-progesterone by way of the classic Johnson cationic polycyclization strategy. Tetrahedron 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2016.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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13
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Taraborrelli S. Physiology, production and action of progesterone. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2016; 94 Suppl 161:8-16. [PMID: 26358238 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this article is to review the physiology of progesterone and focus on its physiological actions on tissues such as endometrium, uterus, mammary gland, cardiovascular system, central nervous system and bones. In the last decades, the interest of researchers has focused on the role of progesterone in genomic and non-genomic receptor mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched PubMed up to December 2014 for publications on progesterone/steroidogenesis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS A better understanding of the biological genomic and non-genomic receptor mechanisms could enable us in the near future to obtain a more comprehensive knowledge of the safety and efficacy of this agent during hormone replacement therapy (natural progesterone), in vitro fertilization (water-soluble subcutaneous progesterone), in traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease and diabetic neuropathy, even though further clinical studies are needed to prove its usefulness.
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Geddes RI, Peterson BL, Stein DG, Sayeed I. Progesterone Treatment Shows Benefit in Female Rats in a Pediatric Model of Controlled Cortical Impact Injury. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146419. [PMID: 26799561 PMCID: PMC4723082 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose We recently showed that progesterone treatment can reduce lesion size and behavioral deficits after moderate-to-severe bilateral injury to the medial prefrontal cortex in immature male rats. Whether there are important sex differences in response to injury and progesterone treatment in very young subjects has not been given sufficient attention. Here we investigated progesterone’s effects in the same model of brain injury but with pre-pubescent females. Methods Twenty-eight-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats received sham (n = 14) or controlled cortical impact (CCI) (n = 21) injury, were given progesterone (8 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle injections on post-injury days (PID) 1–7, and underwent behavioral testing from PID 9–27. Brains were evaluated for lesion size at PID 28. Results Lesion size in vehicle-treated female rats with CCI injury was smaller than that previously reported for similarly treated age-matched male rats. Treatment with progesterone reduced the effect of CCI on extent of damage and behavioral deficits. Conclusion Pre-pubescent female rats with midline CCI injury to the frontal cortex have reduced morphological and functional deficits following progesterone treatment. While gender differences in susceptibility to this injury were observed, progesterone treatment produced beneficial effects in young rats of both sexes following CCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rastafa I. Geddes
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322 United States of America
| | - Bethany L. Peterson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322 United States of America
| | - Donald G. Stein
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322 United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Iqbal Sayeed
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322 United States of America
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15
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Park SJ, Yi B, Lee HS, Oh WY, Na HK, Lee M, Yang M. To quit or not: Vulnerability of women to smoking tobacco. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART C, ENVIRONMENTAL CARCINOGENESIS & ECOTOXICOLOGY REVIEWS 2016; 34:33-56. [PMID: 26669465 DOI: 10.1080/10590501.2015.1131539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is currently on the rise among women, and can pose a greater health risk. In order to understand the nature of the increase in smoking prevalence among women, we focused on the vulnerability of women to smoking behaviors--smoking cessation or tobacco addiction--and performed a systematic review of the socioeconomic and intrinsic factors as well as tobacco ingredients that affect women's susceptibility to smoking tobacco. We observed that nicotine and other tobacco components including cocoa-relatives, licorice products, and menthol aggravate tobacco addiction in women rather than in men. Various genetic and epigenetic alterations in dopamine pathway and the pharmaco-kinetics and -dynamic factors of nicotine also showed potential evidences for high susceptibility to tobacco addiction in women. Therefore, we suggest systemic approaches to prevent tobacco smoking-related health risks, considering gene-environment-gender interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Jung Park
- a Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Bitna Yi
- b Department of Neurosurgery , Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , California , USA
| | - Ho-Sun Lee
- a Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Yeon Oh
- a Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Kyung Na
- a Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Minjeong Lee
- a Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Mihi Yang
- a Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University , Seoul , Republic of Korea
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16
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Gevaert T, Rietjens R, Voets T, Everaerts W, De Ridder D. Topographies and isoforms of the progesterone receptor in female human, rat and mouse bladder. Cell Tissue Res 2015; 364:385-94. [PMID: 26650465 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2329-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormones such as progesterone are known to influence bladder function. Progesterone effects are mediated by the progesterone receptor (PR) but no detailed studies of PR in bladder exist. We have investigated the presence, topography and subtypes of PR in mouse, rat and human bladder. Fresh tissue samples were obtained from cystectomies in female humans, rats and mice (n = 7 per group). Tissue samples were processed for immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF) and western blot (WB) and, for each species, a panel of specific PR antibody clones was used. Interpretation of IHC/IF was carried out by light/fluorescent microscopy and of WB via standard WB software. IHC/IF in female human bladder showed PR on the interstitial cells in the lamina propria and between detrusor smooth muscle cells, whereas in female rat and mouse bladder, PR was only found on the urothelium. WB in human bladder showed a 78-kD and a 60-kDa band, respectively, corresponding to a modified PR isoform A and PR isoform C. WB in rat and mice bladder showed a 60 kDa band and a 37 kDa band, respectively corresponding with PR isoform C and an unknown isoform. This is the first detailed investigation of the precise location and presence of several isoforms of PR in bladder, together with a comparison of these data between human, rat and mouse. Our study has revealed complex PR families in bladders from the various species studied and demonstrates obvious inter-species differences in PR topography and isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Gevaert
- Laboratory of Experimental Urology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Pathology, AZ Klina, Brasschaat, Belgium.
| | - Roma Rietjens
- Laboratory of Experimental Urology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Ion Channel Research and TRP Research Platform Leuven (TRPLe), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Voets
- Laboratory of Ion Channel Research and TRP Research Platform Leuven (TRPLe), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wouter Everaerts
- Laboratory of Experimental Urology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Ion Channel Research and TRP Research Platform Leuven (TRPLe), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk De Ridder
- Laboratory of Experimental Urology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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17
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Remus EW, Sayeed I, Won S, Lyle AN, Stein DG. Progesterone protects endothelial cells after cerebrovascular occlusion by decreasing MCP-1- and CXCL1-mediated macrophage infiltration. Exp Neurol 2015; 271:401-8. [PMID: 26188381 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The neuroprotective effects of progesterone after ischemic stroke have been established, but the role of progesterone in promoting cerebrovascular repair remains under-explored. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 90 min followed by reperfusion for 3 days. Progesterone (8 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally at 1h after initial occlusion followed by subcutaneous injections at 6, 24 and 48 h post-occlusion. Rats were euthanized after 72 h and brain endothelial cell density and macrophage infiltration were evaluated within the cerebral cortex. We also assessed progesterone's ability to induce macrophage migration toward hypoxic/reoxygenated cultured endothelial cells. We found that progesterone treatment post-tMCAO protects ischemic endothelial cells from macrophage infiltration. We further demonstrate that infiltration of monocytes/macrophages can be induced by potent chemotactic factors such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and the chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), secreted by hypoxic/reoxygenated endothelial cells. Progesterone blunts secretion of MCP-1 and CXCL1 from endothelial cells after hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and decreases leukocyte infiltration. The treatment protects ischemic endothelial cells from macrophage infiltration and thus preserves vascularization after ischemic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebony Washington Remus
- Department of Emergency Medicine Brain Research Laboratory, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Iqbal Sayeed
- Department of Emergency Medicine Brain Research Laboratory, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Soonmi Won
- Department of Emergency Medicine Brain Research Laboratory, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia N Lyle
- Department of Cardiology, Emory University Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Donald G Stein
- Department of Emergency Medicine Brain Research Laboratory, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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18
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Peterson BL, Won S, Geddes RI, Sayeed I, Stein DG. Sex-related differences in effects of progesterone following neonatal hypoxic brain injury. Behav Brain Res 2015; 286:152-65. [PMID: 25746450 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is no satisfactory therapeutic intervention for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) encephalopathy. Progesterone is known to be effective in treating traumatic brain injury in adult animals but its effects in neonatal brains have not been reported. Brain injuries were induced by a unilateral common carotid artery ligation plus hypoxia exposure. Progesterone was administered immediately after hypoxia and daily for 5 days at 8 mg/kg, followed by a tapered dose for two days. At six weeks post-injury, lesion size and inflammatory factors were evaluated. Progesterone-treated, HI-injured male animals, but not females, showed significant long-term tissue protection compared to vehicle, suggesting an important sex difference in neuroprotection. Progesterone-treated, HI-injured male rats had fewer activated microglia in the cortex and hippocampus compared to controls. The rats were tested for neurological reflexes, motor asymmetry, and cognitive performance at multiple time points. The injured animals exhibited few detectable motor deficits, suggesting a high level of age- and injury-related neuroplasticity. There were substantial sex differences on several behavioral tests, indicating that immature males and females should be analyzed separately. Progesterone-treated animals showed modest beneficial effects in both sexes compared to vehicle-treated injured animals. Sham animals given progesterone did not behave differently from vehicle-treated sham animals on any measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany L Peterson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Soonmi Won
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Rastafa I Geddes
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Iqbal Sayeed
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Donald G Stein
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Sinreih M, Zukunft S, Sosič I, Cesar J, Gobec S, Adamski J, Lanišnik Rižner T. Combined liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of progesterone metabolites. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117984. [PMID: 25680188 PMCID: PMC4332660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone has a number of important functions throughout the human body. While the roles of progesterone are well known, the possible actions and implications of progesterone metabolites in different tissues remain to be determined. There is a growing body of evidence that these metabolites are not inactive, but can have significant biological effects, as anesthetics, anxiolytics and anticonvulsants. Furthermore, they can facilitate synthesis of myelin components in the peripheral nervous system, have effects on human pregnancy and onset of labour, and have a neuroprotective role. For a better understanding of the functions of progesterone metabolites, improved analytical methods are essential. We have developed a combined liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for detection and quantification of progesterone and 16 progesterone metabolites that has femtomolar sensitivity and good reproducibility in a single chromatographic run. MS/MS analyses were performed in positive mode and under constant electrospray ionization conditions. To increase the sensitivity, all of the transitions were recorded using the Scheduled MRM algorithm. This LC-MS/MS method requires small sample volumes and minimal sample preparation, and there is no need for derivatization. Here, we show the application of this method for evaluation of progesterone metabolism in the HES endometrial cell line. In HES cells, the metabolism of progesterone proceeds mainly to (20S)-20-hydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3-one, (20S)-20-hydroxy-5α-pregnane-3-one and (20S)-5α-pregnane-3α,20-diol. The investigation of possible biological effects of these metabolites on the endometrium is currently undergoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maša Sinreih
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sven Zukunft
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Centre, Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany
| | - Izidor Sosič
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jožko Cesar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Stanislav Gobec
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jerzy Adamski
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Centre, Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany; Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Genetik, Technische Universität München, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tea Lanišnik Rižner
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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20
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De Bondt T, De Belder F, Vanhevel F, Jacquemyn Y, Parizel PM. Prefrontal GABA concentration changes in women-Influence of menstrual cycle phase, hormonal contraceptive use, and correlation with premenstrual symptoms. Brain Res 2014; 1597:129-38. [PMID: 25481417 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.11.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Prefrontal regions are involved in processing emotional stimuli and are a topic of interest in clinical and neurological research. Although sex steroids are potent neuromodulators, the influence of menstrual cycle phase and hormonal contraceptive use is rarely taken into account in neuroimaging studies. Our purpose was to evaluate changes in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in women, as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), with phases of the menstrual cycle and use of hormonal contraceptives, and to assess correlations with premenstrual symptoms.Three MRI sessions per cycle were obtained in the natural cycle group, and two sessions in the hormonal contraceptives group. In addition to an anatomical scan, single voxel MRS in the prefrontal area was performed. After quality control, 10 women with natural cycle and 21 women taking hormonal contraceptives were included for analysis. Peripheral blood samples were obtained to determine endogenous hormone concentrations. Subjects were asked to complete a daily rating of severity of problems questionnaire, to quantify premenstrual symptoms. In the natural cycle group, we found a significant increase in prefrontal GABA concentration at the time of ovulation. Conversely, in the hormonal contraceptives group, no differences were found between the pill phase and pill-free phase. GABA concentrations did not significantly correlate with endogenous hormone levels, nor with premenstrual symptoms. Our results indicate that spectroscopically measured GABA concentrations are higher during ovulation in women with a natural menstrual cycle. We suggest that neuroimaging studies should take into account this variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo De Bondt
- Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital & University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Frank De Belder
- Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital & University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Floris Vanhevel
- Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital & University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Yves Jacquemyn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Antwerp University Hospital & University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Paul M Parizel
- Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital & University of Antwerp, Belgium.
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Barros LA, Tufik S, Andersen ML. The role of progesterone in memory: an overview of three decades. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 49:193-204. [PMID: 25434881 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Memory comprises acquisition, consolidation and retrieval of information. Many substances can influence these different phases. It is well demonstrated that sex hormones, mainly estrogen, impact cognitive function. More recently, progesterone has also been documented as playing an important role in cognition, since it influences brain regions involved in memory. Currently, many women are under hormone treatment, which contain progesterone to decrease the risk of development of endometrial cancer. This affords the opportunity to study the real effects of this hormonal replacement on cognition. There are many contradictory results regarding the role of progesterone in memory. Therefore, the aim of this review was to synthesize these studies using the new perspective of the influence of hormone replacement on cognition in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Barros
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - S Tufik
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - M L Andersen
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Chan WL, Zhou A, Read RJ. Towards engineering hormone-binding globulins as drug delivery agents. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113402. [PMID: 25426859 PMCID: PMC4245140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of many diseases such as cancer requires the use of drugs that can cause severe side effects. Off-target toxicity can often be reduced simply by directing the drugs specifically to sites of diseases. Amidst increasingly sophisticated methods of targeted drug delivery, we observed that Nature has already evolved elegant means of sending biological molecules to where they are needed. One such example is corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG), the major carrier of the anti-inflammatory hormone, cortisol. Targeted release of cortisol is triggered by cleavage of CBG's reactive centre loop by elastase, a protease released by neutrophils in inflamed tissues. This work aimed to establish the feasibility of exploiting this mechanism to carry therapeutic agents to defined locations. The reactive centre loop of CBG was altered with site-directed mutagenesis to favour cleavage by other proteases, to alter the sites at which it would release its cargo. Mutagenesis succeeded in making CBG a substrate for either prostate specific antigen (PSA), a prostate-specific serine protease, or thrombin, a key protease in the blood coagulation cascade. PSA is conspicuously overproduced in prostatic hyperplasia and is, therefore, a good way of targeting hyperplastic prostate tissues. Thrombin is released during clotting and consequently is ideal for conferring specificity to thrombotic sites. Using fluorescence-based titration assays, we also showed that CBG can be engineered to bind a new compound, thyroxine-6-carboxyfluorescein, instead of its physiological ligand, cortisol, thereby demonstrating that it is possible to tailor the hormone binding site to deliver a therapeutic drug. In addition, we proved that the efficiency with which CBG releases bound ligand can be increased by introducing some well-placed mutations. This proof-of-concept study has raised the prospect of a novel means of targeted drug delivery, using the serpin conformational change to combat the problem of off-target effects in the treatment of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wee Lee Chan
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Aiwu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Ministry of Education of China, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Randy J. Read
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Dry eye (DE) is a multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface unit that results in eye discomfort, visual disturbance and ocular surface damage. It is one of the most common complaints in daily ophthalmic practice. The risk of DE increases with age in both sexes, while its incidence is higher among females. In addition, the condition of menopause in aging women may also contribute to DE onset or worsening as a consequence of an overall hormonal imbalance. Sex hormones play a key role in ocular surface physiology and they impact differently on ocular surface tissues. Reduced estrogen levels were historically thought to be responsible in age-related DE onset but more recent investigations have reconsidered the role of androgens that are present and exert a protective function on the ocular surface. Hormone levels themselves, withdrawal changes in hormone levels, and the changes in hormone-receptor responsiveness are all important factors but it remains to be fully elucidated how estrogen or androgen insufficiency act alone or together in a combined imbalance or interplay to raise the risk of disease. The purpose of this review is to briefly outline current scientific evidence on the influence of androgens and estrogens, on the Lachrymal and Meibomian glands and on ocular surface epithelia including conjunctival goblet cells during reproductive and menopausal periods. The role of sex steroids is also discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of different forms of DE and Sjogren's syndrome (SS). The impact of systemic hormone therapy (HT) in DE post-menopausal women still appears as a controversial issue, despite the many clinical studies. Finally, the outcomes of topical applications of steroid-based products are summarized, underlying the need for potential (tear) biomarker(s) in the rationale of DE-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piera Versura
- Ophthalmology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Teaching Hospital, DIMES, University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy
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Stournaras C, Gravanis A, Margioris AN, Lang F. The actin cytoskeleton in rapid steroid hormone actions. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2014; 71:285-93. [DOI: 10.1002/cm.21172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christos Stournaras
- Department of Biochemistry; University of Crete Medical School; Heraklion Greece
- Department of Physiology; University of Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
| | - Achilles Gravanis
- Department of Pharmacology; University of Crete Medical School; Heraklion Greece
| | - Andrew N. Margioris
- Department of Clinical Chemistry; University of Crete Medical School; Heraklion Greece
| | - Florian Lang
- Department of Physiology; University of Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
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25
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The effect of progesterone on expression and development of neuropathic pain in a rat model of peripheral neuropathy. Eur J Pharmacol 2013; 699:207-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2012] [Revised: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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