BACKGROUND We investigated in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer prior to surgical intervention whether, serum levels of different steroid hormones and hormonal precursors associated with tumor tissue estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. METHODS We enrolled 1,042 patients suffering invasive ductal carcinoma...

Earlier studies have shown that sulfoconjugation is a major pathway of thyroid hormone metabolism in fetal mammals. To assess the placental transfer of sulfoconjugates in the pregnant sheep model, we measured 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) sulfate (T3S), 3,3'-diiodothyronine sulfate (T2S), and T3 concentrations in fetal serum and in maternal serum and urine after T3S infusion to the fetus ( n = 5...

Rationale: The aim was to prospectively examine adrenal function including cosyntropin stimulation and its prognostic value in patients with moderate CAP. Methods: 59 consecutive adult patients hospitalised at normal ward because of CAP were enrolled. A cosyntropin stimulation test was performed and serum concentrations of CRP, PCT, IL-6, TNFα, ACTH, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and ...

OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether serum concentrations of estrogens, androgens, and sex hormone binding globulin in postmenopausal women were related to the presence of mammary hyperplasia, an established breast cancer risk factor. METHODS Study participants provided serum before breast biopsy or mastectomy in three hospitals in Grand Rapids, Michigan, between 1977 and 1987. A total of...

The aim of our study was to prospectively examine adrenal function, including cosyntropin stimulation, and its prognostic value in patients with moderate community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). 59 consecutive adult patients hospitalised on normal wards because of CAP were enrolled. A cosyntropin stimulation test was performed and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleuki...

Women with hyperprolactinemia have been reported to have hyperandrogenemia and/or insulin resistance. However, little is known about the association of hyperandrogenemia and insulin resistance in these women. To investigate whether hyperandrogenemia and/or insulin resistance occur in hyperprolactinemic women, and to assess the relationship between them, we measured basal androgen level and both...

Postmenopausal women with elevated serum androgens are at an increased risk of breast cancer. High dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations in these women suggest increased adrenal secretion. Both the adrenals and ovaries could contribute to elevated concentrations of androstenedione (Delta4A). 11beta-Hydroxyandrostenedione (11betaOHA) is elevated, and the Delta4A:11betaOHA ratio is depres...

Dehydroepiandrosterone, an adrenal hormone derived from cholesterol, can be metabolized to estrogens (estradiol) and androgens (testosterone). In this study, we evaluated whether the antiproliferative effect induced by dehydroepiandrosterone in MCF-7 cells (an estrogen-dependent breast cancer cell line) is direct, or indirect, through its conversion to estradiol or testosterone. Although dehydr...