In mammals, the effects of estrogen are mainly mediated by two different estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ. These proteins are members of the nuclear receptor family, characterized by distinct structural and functional domains, and participate in the regulation of different biological processes, including cell growth, survival and differentiation. The two estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes are gener...

Soy products, commonly used as a protein source in farm animals' diets, contain considerable quantities of non-nutrient constituents such as phytoestrogens. Genistein and daidzein are known to affect the reproductive processes in humans and animals. However, reports concerning phytoestrogens and porcine adrenal steroidogenesis are scarce, and the adrenal mechanism of phytoestrogen action in spe...

The current extension of the indications for adjuvant chemotherapy, which predisposes to early menopause, and the media coverage of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have led patients with a history of breast cancer to seek treatments for estrogen deprivation. In breast cancer survivors, most physicians avoid HRT because of concern regarding the potential promotion of growth of ...

The cyclic process of proliferation, secretory differentiation, (pre)decidualization, menstrual degeneration and regeneration in premenopausal endometrium is controlled by oestrogens and progestogens, and is mediated through binding to their specific receptors. Oestrogen (ER) and progestogen receptor (PR) presence and concentration indicate not only hormonal influence on the specific cells but ...

Aims. Hormones can react through receptors and/or possibly through the production of oxygen radicals. The Comet assay examined DNA damage produced by the androgens, testosterone (TES) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and the oestrogens, diethylstilbestrol (DES) and β-oestradiol in NCTC cells (keratinocyte cell line) and primary keratinocytes. Materials and methods. The TES and DHT responses were ...

Environmental pollution especially with heavy metals poses serious problem on product synthesis of medicinal plants cultivated in the field. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to assess in vitro effects of cadmium as abiotic elicitor on phytoestrogens production by Psoralea corylifolia hairy roots. Transformed hairy roots were developed by genetic transformation using Agrobacterium rhiz...

Dietary supplements are popular among patients with prostate cancer (PC). The objective of this systematic review was to critically examine double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of non-herbal dietary supplements and vitamins (NHDS) for evidence that prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were reduced in PC patients. Five databases were searched from their inception ...

Biocompatibility testing of differently structured titanium implants was performed using an in vitro test system of a newly established human fetal osteoblastic cell line (hFOB 1.19). Cell adhesion of osteoblastic cells on the different porous geometries and the suitability of a copper vapor laser system for surface structuring was tested with the following parameters: cell-number, cell viabili...

Estrogen is synthesized in the testis, both in Leydig cells and seminiferous epithelium, and its importance in spermatogenesis is highlighted by the phenotype of the aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse. These mice are unable to synthesize endogenous estrogens. The males develop postmeiotic defects by 18 wk of age. We hypothesized that maintenance of spermatogenesis in younger animals may be mediate...

The mechanisms underlying menopausal hot flushes are poorly understood, although it is generally assumed they result from disturbances of thermoregulatory centres in the hypothalamus. 8-Prenylnaringenin (8-PN) has been identified as a potent phytoestrogen in hops (Humulus lupulus) and there are claims that hop-containing preparations can reduce hot flushes. We have investigated the site of acti...