Insights into the Behavior of Triple-Negative MDA-MB-231 Breast Carcinoma Cells Following the Treatment with 17β-Ethinylestradiol and Levonorgestrel

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely used due to their efficiency in preventing unplanned pregnancies and treating several human illnesses. Despite their medical value, the toxicity of OCs remains a public concern. Previous studies indicate the carcinogenic potential of synthetic sex hormones and their link to the development and progression of hormone-dependent malignancies such as breast cancer. However, little is known about their influence on the evolution of triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC), a malignancy defined by the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. This study reveals that the active ingredients of modern OCs, 17β-Ethinylestradiol, Levonorgestrel, and their combination induce differential effects in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells. The most relevant behavioral changes occurred after the 24 h treatment with 17β-Ethinylestradiol, summarized as follows: (i) decreased cell viability (64.32% at 10 µM); (ii) cell roundness and loss of confluence; (iii) apoptotic aspect of cell nuclei (fragmentation, membrane blebbing); and (iv) inhibited cell migration, suggesting a potential anticancer effect. Conversely, Levonorgestrel was generally associated with a proliferative activity. The association of the two OCs exerted similar effects as 17β-Ethinylestradiol but was less effective. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the hormones' cytotoxic mechanism of action on TNBC cells.

Hormone treatment and UVB exposure influences on female mice regarding skin physiological parameters, biochemical parameters and organ histology

Females require at a certain period of life the administration or supplementation of specific hormones (estrogen, progesterone), for various needs, such as: prevention of unwanted pregnancies, decreased menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain in endometriosis, alleviation of symptoms associated with menopause, regulation of certain skin processes related to acne or aging and others. Also, hormones could act as oncogenes being known eloquent examples of estrogens labeled both as promoters of cell specific alteration or as mutagenic agents. The use of hormones and exposure to solar radiation is expected to cause a number of adverse changes to the body, especially due to their association with malignant processes. The current study was purported as a basis for understanding certain processes that occur with the administration of hormones and exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. The animal model was made on healthy adult female BALB/c mice, which were separated into groups and treated with Ethinylestradiol (EES), Levonorgestrel (LNG) and their combination in the presence of UVB radiation. Changes in skin physiological parameters were analyzed by non-invasive methods, biochemical parameters related to changes in blood circulating system were evaluated by standard methods and histopathological analysis was conducted to point out the changes at the level of the internal body. Measurement of skin parameters such as erythema, melanin, skin hydration, has highlighted some changes in hormone-treated and exposed to UVB radiation groups which were significant only in the case of erythema. Biochemical parameters showed variations in terms of liver enzymes in groups treated with active substances. Histologically, aspects of internal organs revealed significant changes in the group treated with EES and LNG and exposed to UVB radiation.

Binding Affinity of 17-b-ethinylestradiol to Normal and Mutant Types of Estrogen Receptors An in silico evaluation

Estrogen receptors (ERs)are nuclear transcription factor receptorsthat play important roles in gene expression and cell cycle regulation. Because of their ligand-activated signaling implication in carcinogenesis,ERs are extensively researched as protein targets for anti-cancer drug discovery active in certain types of tumors. However, a major drawback is the emergence of wild type tumors withoverexpressed mutant variants of ER, which become resistant to estrogen inhibitor drugs. Herein we studied the binding mode and affinity of the semisynthetic estrogen agonist, 17-b-estradiol (E2) in normal and mutant variants of ERs, by means of molecular docking. Our results showed a small decrease in binding affinity, recorded in mutant variants of ERa and a change in the binding interactions formed when the compound wasdocked in an agonist-bound conformation of the ERa . Nevertheless we concluded that even if the binding affinity showed a small decrease in the case of mutant type receptors,E2 potency towards ER�won�t register a downward trend.

Weight of Pregnant Women and their Influence on Second Trimester Biochemical Markers

Fetal aneuploidies screening was based for a long time on ultrasonographic and biochemical markers measurement. The risk calculated in accordance with second trimester biochemical markers (STBM) values relies on calculation of corrected MoM values. MoM (multiple of Medians) signify the deviation of a measured value from the expected value (Median). The Median is measured at the same gestational age in pregnancies which involve healthy fetuses. The correction of MoM includes an adjustment for certain parameters that influence the STBM value: demographical (ethnicity), behavioral (smoking status, weight), and others (mode of conceiving, etc.). In our article we aim to analyze: (1) the accuracy of software to calculate STBM corrected MoM values, (2) the effect of weight of pregnant women on STBM and (3) the capability of software to counterbalance this influence. Pregnant women (n=1242) were screened for aneuploidies based on an integrated test: first trimester ultrasound and STBM (AFP, hCG and uE3). The absolute value, multiple of median (MoM) and corrected multiple of median (MoMc) values were 33.94�0.45, 1.04�0.12 and 0.98�0.01 for AFP, 22530�477, 0.87�0.01 and 0.85�0.01 for hCG, respectively 0.97�0.03, 0.99�0.01 and 0.98�0.01 for uE3. The weight of pregnant women inversely correlates with absolute and MoM AFP, hCG and uE3 values. No correlation was found with AFP and hCG MoMc values. A very weak inverse correlation was found between weight and uE3 corrected MoM values. Our study confirms that there is a difference between provider and own calculated hCG MoMc values. The weight of pregnant women inversely correlates with STBM values. The software used for aneuploidies risk evaluation corrects the influence of weight of pregnant women, but a minimal influence on uE3 corrected MoM values is still present.

Influence of Weight of Pregnant Women on First Trimester Biochemical Markers Values

Values of first trimester biochemical markers (PAPP-A and free b-hCG) concentration are included in aneuploidies risk evaluation algorithm. Since both markers are produced by the fetus and placenta their concentration depends on the volume in which they are dissolved, respectively the weight of the pregnant women. Our study aimed to analyze the influence of maternal weight on first trimester biochemical markers concentration and the ability of the risk calculation software to correct this influence. Pregnancy-associated protein A (PAPP-A) and free � chorionic gonadotropin hormone (free � hCG) first trimester sera concentration respectively weight were measured in 1629 pregnant women. First trimester PAPP-A and free beta hCG concentrations inverse correlate with weight of pregnant women rho=-0.33, p[0.0001, respectively rho=-0.18, p[0.0001. Weight of pregnant women inversely correlates with multiple of median (MoM) values of first trimester markers too: rho=-0.38, p[0.0001 (PAPP-A), respectively rho=-0.17, p[0.0001 (free-b-hCG). The software counterbalances the influence of weight on biochemical markers values. PAPP-A corrected MoM (MoMc) values don�t inversely correlate with the weight (rho=-0.03, p=0.12), whereas free � hCG MoMc values showed an extremely weak inverse correlation (rho=-0.08, p=0.0008). The software counterbalances the influence of weight on PAPP-A values, whereas an extremely weak but insignificant inverse correlation between weight and free-beta hCG values persists after correction.

Does Active Smoking Influence the Second Trimester Biochemical Markers Concentrations?

Cigarette smoke contains over 7000 different substances some of them exerting harmful effects on embryo and pregnant woman. Nowadays 15 % of adult people and around 10-15% of pregnant women smoke. Previous studies showed that cigarette smoke compounds could exert pharmacodinamic effects and influence some of the second trimester biochemical markers concentration. Therefore there is a need to adjust the reference values of second trimester markers depending of the smoker status. The aim of our study was to analyse which of the markers are influenced by smoking and whether the software used to calculate the risk for aneuploidies is able to counterbalance this influence. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) and free estriol (uE3) values were measured in second trimester sera of 1242 pregnant women: 1089 non-smokers and 153 smokers. Only hCG second trimester values were influenced by smoking whereas AFP and uE3 values were not. The correction of medians according to the smoking status was able to counterbalance this effect.

Evaluation of a Skin Carcinoma Xenograft Mice Model Supplemented by Chemical Immunosuppression

As we know today, cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled growth of a single cell. This development is triggered by mutations, changes in DNA that affect genes in such a way that they increase cancer cells. In the present study, an experimental model based on skin carcinoma xenograft mice was developed and tested. There were studied: the mice weight, the tumor volume, and the evolution of different skin parameters such as transepidermal water loss (TWL), erythema and the hydration level of stratum corneum; mice were divided in four groups: a control group, a group of mice injected with physiological saline solution, another one with immunosuppression, and a group of mice with immunosuppression and xenograft of A375 cells. The results indicate that administration of cyclophosphamide significantly reduced the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes and last two mice groups revealed more pronounced modifications of skin parameters compared to first two groups.